When those tortuous Austin summers come to an end and the weather gets a tad more bearable, the biggest crop of restaurants tend to make their debuts. This fall has some additions we’re looking forward to.
Amir Hajimaleki, chef and owner of some beloved neighborhood spots like Daisy Lounge, is finally opening the long-awaited (like, since 2018) Persian restaurant Roya. The team behind downtown destination Bill’s Oyster has their third restaurant in as many years—this one a New York-inspired steakhouse. And Irish bar the Dead Rabbit will add Grá Mór next door for grab and go bites and casual cafe fare.
Read on for the full list of what to look forward to this fall.
Roya’s royal egg. Hayden Walker
Location: 7858 Shoal Creek Blvd
Key player: Amir Hajimaleki (District Kitchen + Cocktails, Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar, Keepers Coastal Kitchen, and Daisy Lounge)
Projected opening date: Fall 2025
Chef Amir Hajimaleki has been teasing Persian restaurant Roya with pop-ups since 2018, but now the restaurant finally has a home in the former Shortie’s Pizza + Grinders in North Shoal Creek. Chef Hajimaleki, who came to the U.S. from Iran at a young age, started Roya to explore his roots. The menu will rotate seasonally with some mainstays like the royal egg (a savory egg custard, caspian osetra caviar, labneh, and chive blossom), short rib ghormeh sabzi, kabobs, and kashk eh bademjan (eggplant dip), plus desserts from Dennis Van, Hajimaleki’s culinary partner who handles desserts for all of their restaurants. Roya’s full bar will feature drinks like an albaloo (sour cherry) margarita and a turmeric honey-infused whiskey sour, plus a wine list anchored in the Middle East region. The restaurant’s decor will incorporate Persian art like rugs, intricate paintings, and tile work, with the help of Shiraz Garden, a venue in Bastrop that Hajimaleki is also taking over with the hopes of eventually turning it into a Persian cultural center.
VanHorn’s Berg & Sons Hospitality
Location: 238 W 2nd Street
Key player: Daniel Berg and Dylan Salisbury (both of Bill’s Oyster, Teddy’s)
Projected opening date: Fall 2025
The third restaurant in three years from Berg & Sons restaurant group takes on a New York steakhouse (chef and owner Daniel Berg cut his teeth on the New York restaurant scene). VanHorn’s will offer a selection of aged cuts from New York City’s Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors along with braised lamb shepherd’s pie, seafood, a raw bar, family-style sides, and classic cocktails. The team aims to forego the stuffy steakhouse atmosphere and offer something for every price point, an ethos that extends to the wine list as well. Vibe-wise, expect old-school elegance.
Location: 204 E 6th Street (Next door to Dead Rabbit)
Projected opening date: September 2025
Popular bar The Dead Rabbit is opening a cafe next door with Grá Mór (which means “big love” in Irish). Grá Mór will be an all-day cafe and cocktail bar, with fancy coffee drinks like a banana cream cold brew, smoothies, tea, and brunch dishes like sausage rolls and savory scones in the morning. The evening brings pints, mocktails, and hearty fare like a spiced salmon bowl. The space will also serve grab and go chilled items, including scones, overnight oats, chia pudding, and yogurt bowls.
Limegreen’s wings. Limegreen
Location: 415 West 24th Street (inside The Castilian, West Campus)
Key player: Ngoc Phan, Annie Pham, Minh Phan
Projected opening date: Early September 2025
UT students have a new semester to look forward to and this family-owned Southeast Asian restaurant. Limegreen will specialize in build-your-own bánh mì, pho, noodle and rice bowls, crispy rolls, wings, and more. The fast-casual spot strives for an efficient and inviting atmosphere, with a bright interior and modern wave mural. Perfect fuel for study sessions.
Location: 5001 Airport Blvd
Key player: Nicholas Ford
Projected opening date: Early September 2025
The former executive chef of the Italian restaurants of McGuire Moorman Lambert, Sammie’s Italian and Favorite Pizza, is opening a neighborhood Italian restaurant, Rocco’s in North Loop. Expect pasta, natural wines, moody lighting, and immaculate vibes.
Dining and Cooking