Outdoor seating
Yes
Birdies in Austin
Categories
Location on the map
Austin, Travis County, Texas, US
Service options
Dine-in
Yes
Delivery
No
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Great dessert
Yes
Popular for
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Wine
Yes
Dining options
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Yes
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Cosy
Yes
Romantic
Yes
Planning
Accepts reservations
Yes
Birdies in other cities:
Comments (104)
Vanilla Soft serve with blood orange Agumato was excellentCavatelli, Orecchiette and Anchovy toast were greatPanisse and Minute steak were goodStaff was amazing9/10
I really wanted to love here but after a friend asked me how I liked it I found myself pausing. The restaurant has a nice vibe but it is counter service so right when you walk in you have to make your decision of what you want to eat right then and there. Makes getting explanations for a dish awkward if people are waiting in line behind you. The menu is quite limited and upon advice it takes about 5 or 6 items to get a good serving. The gazpacho sounded amazing but is only 8oz. Splitting that? That’s silly. So $14 for a small bowl of soup. The cucumber starter was very underwhelming. The gazpacho was fantastic, followed by the steak only 5oz so we also got another main of the fish which was all delicious. Add in a 3% health tax and a 20% tip for barely any table service and you’re pushing $75 a person. I left content, not full, not hungry, but passed on the $8 cookie out of principle. If I’m coming to spend nearly $100 on a meal I’d enjoy the full experience, not a rushed order line like at a fast food restaurant. Completely takes away from what I think should have been closer to $40pp for what we got. Serve me at the table and I think 50-60$ all in could have worked. But I’d rather spend the money at a full service restaurant for the experience or be told that your prices include living wage plus health charge to bring in line with value/service provided.
Pros: The ambiance is pleasant and the food is very good. The dishes we ordered (beef tartare, spaghetti with pesto, melon with ricotta, and beets with grapefruit) were simple and not particularly groundbreaking, but very well executed.Cons: Even for small, shared plates dining, this place is pricey and portions are on the smaller size.Whats most annoying is the counter service experience. Instead of being able to sit down, order drinks, chat over the menu with friends, strategize over what to order, and enjoy the place, here youre pushed to decide on the spot. Want to order more food after the fact? Theres a QR code at your table for that.The servers that brought our food out were mostly indifferent and borderline dismissive, barely bothering to name the plate before walking away. No real effort to make us feel welcome or to encourage us to stay for another drink or for dessert.There are a lot of great restaurants in Austin that dont make you wait in line or get your own silverware under the guise of keeping it casual. Check those out first. Youll probably have a better time.
Phenomenal for so many reasons. Get here early if you don’t want to wait in line. My wife and I came on a whim before the doors opened and got a good spot in line. Worth the wait though. Service was great and the food was even better. Some of the best food and best patio in ATX. I was blown away. Get the arugula salad and mafaldine if it is still on the menu👌🏻. Glad to have this place in the neighborhood. I will definitely be back.
While cute and lively, Birdies simply doesnt rise to the standard of Austin cuisine - tho it certainly charges as tho it does. $90 for four dishes - one an appetizer, and one a dessert - is baseline extortion. Everything was tasty, but nothing to write home about. If they halved their prices, Id feel differently about the experience. Instead, I feel robbed.
The whole concept of Birdies is conflicting...the restaurant wants to present fine dining food but offer diner service/experience...the restaurant appears to be a neighborhood establishment but theres not much neighborly about it...the owners desire a place where customers could visit/hang out regularly but then their wine/food is expensive (due to its small portion); not to mention, its not satisfying peoples appetite after their meal, so customers desire to return is low.All these reasons makes Birdies seem more like a pop-up and you wonder their long term plans to stay...Overall, the food is worth one visit...maybe somewhere people can take for a date night on a low key week night.Its understandable what they are trying to do to take care of their team; its actually very thoughtful for their employees. Still, as a hospitality business; a balance would be ideal...
This place is a well oiled profit machine. The food is decent, but the experience is a fast food burger joint. At this price you should have a nice leisurely sit down expertise. Instead, you have to wait in line to order, order your whole meal before you sit down, and you’ll be out the door in 45 min. Not great.
Not worth the effort to even write out my experience. Check back in the next 2-3 business months to see if I found the willpower. Everything from the vibe to the food is a 2/10. Don’t get me wrong, it’s solid French-ish food...but who cares at this price point? Not to mention the horrendous ordering process.There’s a certain restaurant up the road with a James Beard award winning chef/owner that has infinitely more culture, flavor, story, and value proposition than this disgrace to the Austin food scene.
Super torn.Our first visit was pretty spectacular. There were not a lot of people there, certainly no line down the street. Service was a bit new but super friendly and helpful, with apologies for any mix ups. Food was yummy and the experience new so we barely looked at the prices. It was a 4 experience with a 5 for effort and newness.Now, covid numbers are down and options for dining out increasing again and Im just not sure this still makes my list....again a 4 overall but no curve for being new or exceptionally thoughtful with effort.My latest visit was last weekend.Food is still good. Really good. But portions are still small and prices are high. (and before you do any jumping to conclusions, you might want to look at my other reviews. I do dine at and enjoy expensive restaurants with small tasting portions. But those restaurants have ordering at the table, reservations in advance, and when you buy a highly marked up bottle of wine, it is poured for you.)I think why I am torn, is they try to keep the casual vibe of Austin, which I LOVE. This is not a snotty place and you can wear whatever you LIKE and just be you. But, the prices are like New York. And a couple (not even close to the majority) of the staff are a bit like the ones one sometimes encounters in stuck up restaurants. And the waiting in line is kind of ridiculous but not fun. Like, perhaps bring out a few samples of food, or bring out a few bottles of local favorite wines. The ordering process outside is inefficient and painful. If your going to have long lines, make it easy. Red, rose, and white wine option. No menus or waiting for people to make decisions. Just bring out the bottles and whoever wants them, buys them.Guy at register is almost always the same and he is great. Clear and helpful.Natalie rocks.There is one server that was helping in the lot that was awful, flustered and somewhat rude to our group. But it might have just been a bad night for her.Total bill, including wine purchased in line and at the table, was about $1000 for 8 people. Which is about what we would have paid during down and having full and better service at Odd Duck or Suerte.And yet, to be clear, I completely recommend you try this place.
Wonderful service, wine list and dishes in a relaxed setting.Can’t wait to come back.
Great service and the food was excellent! Zucchini blossoms were the perfect savory combination of saltiness and butter due to the cheese, anchovies & batter.
Stopped here for a small bite but got a huge bill. I was okay with the counter service style if the whole place was more approachable but the outside seating is uncomfortable and not really a laid back dine-in experience.Then there was the food. It was fine but definitely not amazing for the price point. We tried to get just 3 plates to share but the waiter said you at least wanted 5-6 for 2 people 😳. With a bill well over $100 , it doesnt feel like an Austin restaurant at all.Would only go back for a half portion of their soft serve to go. Added one star for friendly staff.
Obsessed with this place. We have eaten here 4 or 5 times now and every meal has been delicious - the pasta in particular is some of the best I’ve had. Love that they switch up the menu regularly so you can always try something new!
Good people, awesome atmosphere, food and presentation were great. Loved it.
The atmosphere was great and the wait staff was friendly but the prices for the amount of food that you actually get is very off putting.One of the main dishes was more than subpar, aside from the portion size. The snapper was over cooked and tough.Food is an experience, but it’s also sustenance. I don’t think Birdies is a one bite establishment.
Eh. Feels like a discount experience of what you get at natty wine bars in other major metro’s. For claiming to be a neighborhood restaurant it’s an entirely impersonal and aloof experience. You order everything at once at the counter, so you could be ordering a 300 or 200 dollar bottle of a natty wine selling at a few multiples and you’d do it at a counter lol with someone who has no knowledge of the wine. It’s a shame because They have an extensive off the list wine list of some decently hard to get natty allocations. Tho beware when they bring your lassaigne out in a iced goody bag it makes you feel like a basic Bae who should have ordered a California rose, personal problems I am sure. Everyone else couldn’t stop taking pics of their bags so prob just me. Also who can taste wine when it’s that cold? But list is good if not great for austin, second to bufalina so far in the city.Food though. Woah, pretty pretty pretty (in Larry David voice) bad and very over priced. Toast felt like someone put a joke on me, radish cut too thin to cut the butter. I get the butter is good but how about a little Don bocarte anchovy or something. The panisse lacks texture and has no crisp, no point in deep frying. Pasta cooking was decent, though lean into one flavor too much and make for bad wine food which is ironic considering the restaurant. Cavatelli was good tho a bit salty wish it was bottarga on top and not breadcrumb but again an audience thing I am sure. The Campanella tomato pasta sauce was too sweet, tasted raw, and was an inappropriate shape for the sauce as it Is prone to overcooking. The snapper was very over cooked, turns to paste in the mouth. I saw the sous cook a very thin piece on both sides, Then transfer it to a 350 degree oven to rest, but why!!! The fish looked beautiful before being cooked, make some crudo with it!Overall probably won’t return here until I see the next seasons menu. This is not a place I would ever wait in line for, not worth the time. The format of the restaurant is bizzare and impersonal. It is as if an algorithm said this is the restaurant you should make in this location with this food for this palate less clientele. Very impersonal and distant. Not a neighborhood spot.
Torn on this one. Birdie’s is a sweet east Austin neighborhood spot and the food was good but not worth the tiny portions & high prices. Not sure what they plan to do when summer is here as there is a line to get in and then mostly outdoor seating.
I think this is my new favorite restaurant for a multitude of reasons. The waiting in line is not such a bad thing since it allows you to have a glass or bottle of wine while waiting and puts you in a social setting with others around you. I also take the train to the MLK stop then walk to birdies which is very pleasant. The food menu changes daily which to me tells me they are focusing on quality ingredients and will actually run out of food when there is no more for the day. The location is quaint and tastefully designed with the back patio being very relaxing. Now the food is the best part and all I can say is it is incredible everytime I go. I think the cavatelli is the biggest highlight for me but it would be followed by the steak and salad. The desert is an ice cream covered in olive oil and blood orange bite. I wish I could stand in line and have the ice cream since its the best ice cream I have ever had. Cant wait to go back.
We got there at exactly 4:30 pm and were the 3rd party in line, but had to wait for the people in front of us to order at the counter before we could even step inside the restaurant. Not the best system for being in the Texas heat.The radish toast had way too much butter. The panisse lacked crisp and flavor. And the snapper was overcooked.The good part was the dishes were actually coursed out (I did not expect this from a place with counter service). They waited for us to finish one dish before bringing out the next.
Great food but I think the portion sizes should be a little bigger.
I’d like to reverb what Mittra said x100. I have had experiences where the other patrons are beyond rude and entitled (holding up everyone in line behind them because they have a large group that hasn’t arrived yet even tho the hostess asked if others could proceed, but this person rudely said no I live in the neighborhood my group is almost here and I don’t want a table to get taken from us. Mind you this was at opening and there were tons of tables available & no other large groups waiting at the time)!!! I love the location and concept but I don’t leave feeling like I got my money’s worth. Spend the same amount of money at any other upscale Austin restaurant if you want value for your $ - bonus you probably won’t have to wait in line with rude people if you go literally anywhere else.
Came here for dinner on the east side of Austin and was pleasantly surprised. Service was good, and the pay-as-you-go attitude was great. The beef tartare and the cookie and soft serve 🍦 were my favorites.
Massively flawed concept. Counter-service establishment with no table service, still asking for normal tipping and forcing normal business expense add-on to all bills (this is not New York City). Innovative food options at elevated price levels. Tiny and unreasonably expensive wine by the glass list for a presumed wine restaurant. An appalling mismatch between customer service (or the lack thereof) and menu pricing which will not be sustainable at this location.
Really enjoyed our evening here. Great vibe on the patio. One of these expensive farm to table new american deals but the food was actually excellent.
I woke up still thinking about that fresh pasta! Also the beet dish, I could eat 7 days a week. Superb service, fun music, and great wine.
We were some of the last to leave the second night we were there. I took the photo attached as we were leaving. We got a chance to chat with the two owners. They are a husband and wife couple, hes front of house and shes the chef. This is their first restaurant after having worked in industry for a decade or more and you can tell theyve poured their heart and soul into it. Do yourself a favor and give Birdies a try. I guarantee youll come back like we did.
Do yourself a favor and check out Birdies. It is, IMO, the most exciting restaurant to open in Austin in a while. They do things a little differently than some other restaurants so dont come expecting a run-of-the-mill experience.
The mafaldine was delicious. I also really enjoyed the swordfish and soft serve dessert! Both were much more interesting than I expected. I wish I could have had some wine with the meal, too, but wed just gotten our vaccines and didnt want to risk getting hungover. Great to have some amazing Italian food in Austin!
Its been a couple weeks since I dined at Birdies and I cant stop thinking about it... but not in a good way. I remain genuinely baffled by the decision to provide counter service and am leaving this review as a warning to others who are looking for an enjoyable service experience. We arrived at opening, were the 6th party in line, and waited 50 minutes while drinking wine on the sidewalk. After we finally placed our order, we went outside to discover a dozen empty tables. I gather that the counter service is meant to space out orders in a way that allows the small kitchen to handle them, but for me, the service experience was a non-starter. (Limited, reserved seating combined with table service would result in higher sales and gratuity for all, not to mention a better work environment for the harried staff. Our party of three, for example, chose to add on to our hefty $280 tab at a different restaurant directly after dining at Birdies.) I hope that with post-pandemic staffing, Birdies may be able to better consider the guest experience.
First off, the patio is dog friendly! Second, its worth noting that theyll be a long wait BUT they take wine orders in the parking lot, so its really not bad at all. The food is amazing, order the sweet potatoes and the sablefish! Definitely a pricey bill, but hey, ya gotta treat yourself sometimes ya know!
Beautiful location, casual yet refined. Food was well made and interesting.
If youre looking for an East Austin gem, look no further. This casual yet elevated dinner + wine spot is everything and then some. From the extensive wine list, to the thoughtful dishes,to the incredible service and energy from the team, this is a good one, folks. Start with the beef tartare, be sure to get one of their exquisite pasta dishes and dont skip on the fresh warm cookies and soft serve to round it all out. Look forward to returning often.
Really cant overstate how much I love Birdies! Tracy, Arjav, and their incredibly kind/knowledgable team are such a pleasure to dine with — truly the nicest, most helpful people from the hosts to the chefs and everyone in between. The food is ALWAYS great, whether it be a staple or a new item on the ever-changing menu. The pastas especially are always something to write home about, and the soft serve with the blood orange olive oil is offensively delicious. I also really love that you dont have to play the impossible Austin reservation game and can instead enjoy a great glass of wine in line (if there is one). 10/10 Birdies! We will continue to try to snag a coveted bar seat as often as possible!
Such a great experience at a first week of a restaurant opening.Everyone was lovely and helpful, but the food kinda left everything else behind. Every single dish was delicious, well thought out and served perfectly.It has been a while since I’ve been so delighted with a restaurant experience.Excited to come back many many times, both to just drink their tasty wine and also to eat their phenomenal food.
This rating is only reflective of the food. The service is excellent, the space is great, and the wine list is impressive. Come here to have a glass or bottle, but the overly priced, sadly mediocre food isnt worth it.We came with high hopes for an celebratory meal but we found the food pretty disappointing. We tried the beef tartare, pasta plate, and both desserts. Both the beef tartare and pasta were probably the worst renditions Ive ever had in Austin. The tartare was composed of a microscopic amount of tartare and was mostly grains. The pasta itself had nice consistency, but the tomato sauce was very disappointing and tasted like something youd get from the grocery store.For the prices and restaurant pedigree of the owners, I wish they had brought more quality with them from New York, rather than just the pricing.
Absolutely lovely experience with outstanding hosts - Tracy and Arjav have created a true gem and could not be more friendly and inviting. Can’t wait to go back!
I feel bad about this, but it really was just mediocre. It was expensive relative to the portion sizes, and none of it was particularly exceptional. The ordering system is a mess - you have to order all of the courses, which are supposed to be shared, at the counter immediately upon arrival. This means that you and your party are rushed to agree upon everything while standing at the counter. Youre then prompted to tip 20, 25, or 30% without any knowledge of the quality of the food or service. The wine wasnt that cold (kept in bucket on counter). The place is cute and the wine list is good, but compared to all the incredible restaurants in Austin with a similar vibe and menu, this place missed the mark.
Cooking techniques are through the roof. Everything is delicious. I am pescatarian and haven’t had issues finding dishes that I can eat!
Austin has been waiting for a place like this. Carefully curated wine list with incredibly well executed food. Positions itself as a neighborhood joint but well worth the trip from wherever you are! Ill be bringing all of my out-of-town guests here.
High quality ingredients combined deliciously well!
Phenomenal food, excellent vibes and really interesting wines, will be back many times.
Good food, cool atmosphere, a little expensive for what it is
Birdies is fast casual meets higher end eating and you can tell they focus on getting their margins as high as possible. Their portions are fine but their fillers are obvious (talking to you beef tartare). The kitchen knows flavors but I dont see myself frequenting this place or finding the desire to stand in line like a hype 6th street club. Try it to say you did but there are other options in Austin.
Fabulous food , a cool vibe and the best thought out wine list you’ll ever see !
Great neighborhood type spot for shareable light bites and some wine. Great service and all around atmosphere.
The absolute best! I feel so fortunate to have this gem in my neighborhood. Do not sleep on the desserts, and if youre thinking about sharing, order an extra just to be safe. The chocolate chip cookies are to die for, and the soft serve always delivers. Arjav and Tracy are the absolute greatest and have created such a warm and hospitable environment.
It’s no easy feat opening a restaurant - especially one that already has exceeded every expectation of a beautiful dining experience within their first couple of weeks.Host extraordinaire, Arjav, and Chef Tracey are the dream team. As soon as your walk into their space, you instantly feel welcome (and very hungry because of the aromas). Their food and beverage menu is driven by expertise, thoughtfulness, and a clear tone as to who they are and what they are conveying as a concept.Everything is delicious, so come with a couple of homies, share a bottle of wine, order as much as you can, and don’t skip out on the soft serve.Proud to have these loving, caring humans in our neighborhood.
Can’t say enough great things about this place after my first visit. I came in a bit hesitant after reading some reviews about the ordering process and pre-tipping, but was excited to try it out anyway.The food was outstanding, definitely recommend the magic peppers, and everything was coursed out perfectly (so don’t be afraid of the counter service ordering if you’re looking for the experience).Staff was super friendly, food was delicious, and the service was top notch.
My husband and I really wanted to like this place after we read the write-up in Eater and it’s in the neighborhood. I was anticipating a cross between LoLo, Sour Duck, and Launderette. We’re all for small plates and sharing- as is the norm almost anywhere you go- however the appetizer sized plates were like an amuse bouche and dishes which should be slightly larger, like the orecchiette, were fit for one person.The pasta was not memorable- it needed something extra to help the sauce congeal more with the pasta- it tasted watery and disjointed. The fried squash blossoms were cute and tasty but… 3 small blossoms for 2 people? So we had about three bites each total. The fish was nothing to write home about. It needed a garnish and a heartier side. Instead it was swimming in a pool of what looked and tasted like canned corn kernels and tomato broth.Not worth it for the steep price point. Also, we are generous tippers but something about being forced to leave the tip before experiencing the service and meal rubs me the wrong way.I think this place has a ton of potential if it makes a few tweaks, so I think I’ll wait to see an updated menu before returning.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Super laid back, but you felt taken care of. For being open one week you would never know by how well they took care of service and food. Absolutely recommend anyone going for a quick snack, a catch up with friends, or a date night. LOVE YOU GUYS!
Total reviews rating 4.4
104 Reviews for Birdies 2023:
Review №1
2022-03-19Birdies will always be my favorite neighborhood restaurant. I always recommend this place to anybody willing to listen. Solid service, great food, and a solid patio outdoor seating. If you like to see a restaurants kitchen hard at work, you can see the head chef / sous chef work their magic if you sit at the bar.I totally recommend their pastas. Cooked to perfection and their flavors always pleases.This place has it where you order up front when you enter but you can always order more at the table after you are seated. No reservations!Parking is mostly street side unless you can grab the few spots in front.
Review №2
2022-07-04Birdies is a quaint restaurant located on East side. Parking is not convenient and you will have to drive around the neighborhood to find street parking.Its first come, first served with no reservations allowed, they need the whole party to be present before ordering.You order at the counter and then choose your table, either inside (very few tables) or outside (cute patio).Every single plate we had was really tasty and perfectly balanced. I believe they change their menu seasonally so I would recommend going back once in a while to try other dishes.Overall, a good spot for date night or special occasions.
Review №3
2022-04-10Get here when they open, as a line forms quickly. The staff actually will take drink orders out in line from what I saw though. The atmosphere is bright, open, and pleasant with a full view of the kitchen and set in a beautiful home. We sat outside in the back yard where trees, lighting, and even the tables contribute to the elegant feel. The wine list is exceptional and you can see they cater to Sommeliers in town. The menu was crazy fun--lots of small bites to share. The staff are friendly, and after you order at the counter, you can continue with more from your table. They really are on their game clearing empty plates to make room for the next. 5 stars for this exciting and trendy neighborhood concept.
Review №4
2022-04-12Excellent food, drink, service and setting. Very comfy & Austin-y large backyard patio. Adorably decorated inside. Homemade pastas are delectable as were the appetizers and wine. Top notch service which isn’t always a given in Austin. Perfect place to come for a date or with friends for an drinks and small plates or dinner.
Review №5
2022-06-16Birdie’s is one of my favorite spots in Austin. If you go early or on an off day there’s hardly a wait. The food is simple yet amazingly delicious. The atmosphere is welcoming and hip. The staff are always kind and gracious. What more can you ask for?!
Review №6
2022-06-16This place was super cute, and the food was delicious. Plan for shared plates and multiple courses. We like that the menu changes often. Even though you order at the counter, the service once you sit is still top notch, so I recommend tipping well from the start. It’s a pricey meal, but we enjoyed the quality of the food, service, and ambiance.
Review №7
2022-06-14Big fan! Quite impressed with the food, line wasnt bad and I can drink $3 high lifes in line for as long as it takes.Food was delicious and different. Would have liked to add protein to the spaghetti but apparently we didnt ask so maybe I could have. The tartare was well balanced and one of the best Ive had.Fun place to go with friends. Staff was great too.
Review №8
2022-02-09I’ve lived in Austin since 2012 and I’ve been around the food scene, old and new. And I wanted to love Birdie’ but unfortunately I’m not there. :( and it just doesn’t feel like Austin.Long story short: food is good, but portions were tiny and the prices a bit much.Long story: my friend and I visited while they had their Italian food pop up - so maybe portions are better normally, but my biggest issue was that portions were stupid small. The carrots and hummus had 6 tiny half carrots on the plate, so 3 carrots (I really wish I took a picture of this, it was laughable). The garlic bread was measly, and so was everything else. And I don’t normally have a huge appetite, I tend to always have leftovers, but that was not the case here. My friend and I got: 2 apps, 1 salad, and 2 pastas, spent over $100 just on food, and we didn’t even leave very full. I’m just shook :( it feels like NYC price gauging and I’m not here for it. And it’s not even sit down. We got here early enough, so we didn’t have to wait too long, but I’m waiting in line, ordering at the counter, and paying more than I would at other exceptional restaurants in Austin (there are many).Birdie’s goes against Austin’s grain of hospitality and generously. 💔
Review №9
2021-08-19The best meal I’ve had in Austin this year. I didn’t have a single thing that was mediocre or bad. All of the staff was so pleasant and willing to help. The atmosphere was great and we had an orange wine that made the hot Texas weather bearable. For the all the small-plate, family-style meals in Austin, this one takes the cake for me. Will be back. Also - I don’t even like dessert and I ate the dessert so fast that I forgot to take a picture.
Review №10
2021-07-29Id give them 10 stars if I could. This place is phenomenal, every plate was better than the last. The only disappointment was I didnt order more. This may be our new favorite restaurant in Austin.