Justine's
French restaurant · Govalle ·
Steaks, snails, wine & cocktails in a bungalow
Steaks, snails, wine & cocktails in a bungalow
"There’s something for everyone at the French restaurant Justine’s in East Austin. The brasserie menu spans duck confit to cheeseburgers, and moules-frites to a very good bolognese (last we checked this is not a classic French dish). But where Justine’s really shines is the different seating options: there’s the intimate dining room with vinyl records spinning, there are the semi-private tented cabanas with chandeliers that can basically expand to fit dozens of people, and the chill and relaxed winter tent with the oyster bar. If you really want to make a night of it, there’s always the caviar service with the smoked heirloom potato gaufrettes." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"[This spot] has become such a classic, such a staple. I have been there through multiple chefs, staff, managers, and people, and it is consistently one of the most fun restaurants for a late-night hang. It’s two blocks from my recording studio, and it is one of the places I make sure to take people when they visit Austin. It is always the Hey, we’re working late. Where does everybody want to go? spot. You just can’t top [this spot] for cool ambience. A lot of [this spot] thing is that they can change the menu over and over, and we’re still going to go. I have stopped drinking cocktails there too much, but the L’Enfant Terrible is what I get. The Sazerac is really good. I joined the wine club, because I’m trying to not get sloshy with cocktails at restaurants before my food. The club is amazing, too. I’m trying to get into wine, and it is so daunting. I need guidance because it’s a big world. [This spot] club curates a few bottles a month that we learn about." - Courtney E. Smith
"An intimate date night dinner spot, Justine’s hits the mark with its brasserie menu—is there anything more French than escargots cooked in garlic-herb butter? Where Justine’s really shines is the multiple dining options: There’s the romantic bar with vinyl records spinning, there are the semi-private tented cabanas with chandeliers, and then the relaxing tent near the outdoor oyster bar. If you really want to make a big night of it, there’s the caviar service with the smoked heirloom potato gaufrettes." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"The French invented neighborhood bistros with prime sidewalk seating (we think), and Justine’s is the Austin version. Inside, this place feels like Paris—an intimate date-night dinner spot. Step onto their patio and the vibe shifts into a see-and-be-seen backyard. Justine’s is located away from the hubbub of downtown, which makes the experience feel more exclusive and better suited for conversation with a group." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion, matthew jacobs
"Justine’s is the closest thing Austin has to a classic French brasserie you’d expect to find on the streets of Paris. The only difference is it’s set amongst a bunch of warehouses and breweries in East Austin. The food here is solid, but don’t expect to be blown away. What will impress, though, is the romantic bar with vinyl records spinning, the semi-private tented cabanas with chandeliers, and the chill and relaxed winter tent with the oyster bar. Despite being a little farther east than most of the other spots on this guide, Justine’s can get packed, so plan accordingly." - nicolai mccrary, adele hazan, raphael brion
