Luminaire

American restaurant · Congress Ave District

Luminaire

American restaurant · Congress Ave District

5

721 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

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Highlights

Luminaire is a full-service restaurant located in downtown Austin. Led by Chef Steve McHugh, a six-time James Beard nominated chef, who is committed to shining a light on seasonal Texas local fare and charcuterie. The street level indoor/outdoor space will feature a bar serving classic cocktails, craft beers, and new world wines in a relaxed casual setting.  

Featured in Eater
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721 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 Get directions

luminairerestaurant.com

$50–100 · Menu

Information

Static Map

721 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 Get directions

+1 737 257 3211
luminairerestaurant.com

$50–100 · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"San Antonio chef Steve McHugh’s restaurant Luminaire, located inside the Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin, closed on January 1, 2024." - Nadia Chaudhury

Austin Hotel Restaurant Diner Bar Is Closing by Chef Mashama Bailey - Eater Austin
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@eater

"The downtown hotel from San Antonio chef Steve McHugh is hosting its first Thanksgiving meal this year. The three-course meal includes dishes like a turkey plate with smoked parsnips and a squash casserole, and olive oil tres leches cake. It’s $55 and available during the restaurant’s opening hours. It’ll be available from Thursday, November 23 through Saturday, November 25. Reservations can be booked online; there are indoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury

Where to Eat on Thanksgiving Day in Austin, 2023
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@foodandwine

"Texas Chef Steve McHugh is known for his expert meat preparations, but the Shrimp and Whipped Hominy at his newest venture, Luminaire in Austin, Texas is a testament to his range. Luminaire, located in Downtown Austin, opened in February 2023 in a stunning new Hyatt hotel on buzzy Congress street. The multi-story restaurant anchors the hotel with large garage-style windows which allow dining to seamlessly extend outdoors. McHugh's menu is playful with an emphasis on peak ingredients cooked over fire (but also don't miss the charcuterie on the dinner board which McHugh cures in-house between Luminaire and his San Antonio-based restaurant Cured). The most memorable dish from our meal, though, was McHugh's play on Shrimp and Grits which featured gorgeous roasted shrimp over creamy whipped hominy studded with crispy bits of smoked Tasso ham. The whipped hominy is creamy and light and has a pure, corn-forward flavor. The dish has just enough salt, acid, and spice from a chipotle adobo to be perfectly balanced. This was truly an excellent dish from an all-around wonderful meal!" - Alexandra Domrongchai

Best Meals Food & Wine Editor’s Had in April
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@eater

"Acclaimed San Antonio chef Steve McHugh opened his first Austin restaurant this week. New Texan restaurant Luminaire, along with new bar Las Bis, both opened in downtown Austin in the Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin hotel at 721 Congress Avenue on February 1. McHugh’s general cooking ethos is using and showcasing genuine Texas ingredients with heavy meat components — approaches he employed with his critically acclaimed San Antonio restaurant Cured as well as San Antonio hotel restaurant Landrace. And Luminaire and Las Bis are no exceptions. In Austin, this means lots of Texan meats (yes, tons of charcuterie) and vegetables that are thoughtfully prepared." - Nadia Chaudhury

San Antonio Chef Steve McHugh’s Hotel Restaurant and Bar Luminaire and Las Bis Are Open - Eater Austin
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@eater

"Luminaire will cater to McHugh’s strengths by featuring 'seasonal local Texas fare and charcuterie,' according to a press release. It will also have a full bar and a new world-focused wine list. Luminaire will be on the ground floor of the hotel with indoor and outdoor seating." - Erin Russell

San Antonio Chef Steve McHugh Is Opening an Austin Restaurant - Eater Austin
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Brendon Parsons

Google
We enjoyed several excellent breakfasts at the restaurant with our parents and our two year old toddler. The staff was lovely, especially Dane and Carter, who took great care of us. All of the food was so good, our toddler in particular enjoyed the French toast and green smoothie. I personally loved the shrimp and hominy, as well as the pork chop eggs Benedict. This restaurant was the highlight of our Thanksgiving week visit to Austin and we can’t wait to eat here again. The menu and execution were excellent with notable flavor and a chef who’s empowered to employ richness where appropriate. Everything we had was excellent. Thank you to the restaurant for also being accommodating to young guests both in terms of having high quality and clean high chairs as well as being understanding of the coming and going of the toddler as the parents get through a meal.

Cleo Petricek

Google
We go out to eat a lot! This place is top tier- food and service! Everything we ate was soooooo good: Luminaire Salad Mixed Greens, Red Onion, Smoked Paprika Potatoes, Marinated Green Olives, Egg, Citrus Vinaigrette Shrimp and Whipped Hominy Smoked Tasso Ham, Tomatoes, Chipotle Adobo DELGADA CHOPS Boar Goal Pork Citrus Braised Fennel Churro & Chocolate Hazelnut Gâteau Basque Sherry Berries

A Vallecorsa

Google
I have no idea how this place is allowed to be open. I sat at the bar. The manager (I guess he was a manager) yelled at one waitress for being behind the bar-we patrons sitting there witnessing this. How unprofessional. A balding waiter came to the bar, opened a jar of olives with his hands he just finished rubbing his head with, stuck his fingers in and took out olives and ate them right there, at the bar, as the bartender was prepping drinks. Stuck his fingers in his mouth, then took lemons and oranges to finish drinks to take to his tables. Ewwww!! Another waiter did the same with their dirty fingers they just used to run through their hair! Finished putting garnishes on drinks with their fingers right there at the bar, right in front of us eating there, I was totally grossed out. Gnats everywhere, the fruit sitting out was swarming with gnats. I continually had to swat away bugs from my drink and food. The garage door was wide open, on a sweaty gross evening, with no fans, a/c, nothing. No wonder all the bugs and uncomfortable air. The lighting is atrocious, harsh and placed without thought. The bar stools are at a weird height to the bar that do not allow for comfortable bar seating...this was definitely not tested out before opening. It's a weird bar, not enticing to sit at, at all. The food was mediocre. The crostini was practically a loaf of bread, and the salad was little more than the bib lettuce you buy in the grocery store. Both wines I requested I was told they were out....and suggested to have something not even on the wine list.....why have a wine list?? And $25 for mediocre port, c'mon. Not sure what they are going for here, but I'd say close up to train staff a little longer, and maybe review your customer base, this place was a gross mess.

Michael Estes

Google
Luminaire, was I enlighten by the experience? Well no not really, have to give the food an overall 4. It was good, not great. We started off with cocktails, which are beautiful and seem to be well thought unfortunately I picked one that didn't have the best flavoring. But I pivoted quickly to another. We started with the charcuterie board, It was good just not special all things I've had before put together fairly well not sure the quality was what I was expecting but it was good. 2nd course was the melon with white anchovies, and hummus on toast. Both were vert good, interesting flavors, really enjoyed. Ordered an amazing bottle of wine and for our main course we shared the gnocchi, wild Boar chops, goat chops, red fish, fries, and Mac n cheese. Yes we over ordered. Overall the food was delicious but the nokia was dry honestly it was that great the flavors were there it just didn't have the right texture maybe the red fish was delicious and well balanced had little pieces of citrus on it the chops were good you could definitely tell they werenot something that you would get everywhere which made them fun and then the little bread that they came on that you dipped in the jus was very delicious French fries were good the Mac and cheese was the star best thing on the table by far. Of course the ladies made friends with the bartender slashtwitter his name was miche made us a special spicy cocktail just that of courtesy because he enjoyed taking care of us and we really enjoyed him we finished with a dessert I think it was a Funnel cake with cinnamon and sugar. Overall the experience was great it's wonderful when you can sit at a table and 3 or 4 hours go by in what seems like minutes because you're having such good conversation with good friends talking about all the things that you've done in the past, the plans that you're going to do tomorrow and in the months to come. I'm always lucky to enjoy such good company in fantastic places that everyone gets to pick out and try. After this long week, a very busy one, we definitely needed time to celebrate all the hard work my love had put in. I got to see her dance many times this week, she's absolutely beautiful. Its always amazing to see her body move, the emotion that she puts into everything she does when she's out there by herself performing. Thank you for sharing your movement, your vision, you're dance with us we're better people to be able to watch it and experience it. I can't wait to see what's next. Love you, you're moon.🖤🖤🖤

Cody Stauffer

Google
This may have been the best dining experience I have ever had. Our host Mark Gunnoe met us on the way in and made the experience unforgettable. He gave us the history of the owners/managers and each location, including the sister location Cured in San Antonio. Thank you so much, Mark, for an incredible evening.

Sossi

Google
This charming restaurant is conveniently located just three blocks from the iconic capital building in vibrant Austin, Texas. With its inviting indoor and outdoor seating, Luminaire offers a delightful ambiance for any time of the day. But what truly sets Luminaire apart is their amazing staff. From the moment you step in, you'll be greeted with warm smiles and impeccable service. They go above and beyond to make you feel right at home. And let's not forget about the food! Luminaire takes pride in serving up delectable dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. From their mouthwatering appetizers to their satisfying main courses, every bite is a flavor-packed delight. So, whether you're looking for a late lunch, a cozy dinner, or a leisurely brunch, Luminaire should be at the top of your list. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Madalyn Theama

Google
Love love love Luminaire & Las Bis! The atmosphere, staff, food, and drinks were phenomenal! Our waitress, Maddie, was incredible and had amazing recommendations. Beyond that, all of the staff had an energy that made you want to stay the entire night. We went to dinner on the second floor (the best vibes) and then were escorted to the 8th floor for cocktails at Las Bis by our favorite, Mark! Truly an amazing experience and will definitely be coming back!

True Wellness

Google
Absolutely gorgeous space with an amazing view of downtown Austin just a few blocks from the capital. Each plate is curated by Chef Steven McCough and Chef Greg Driver with beautiful hand crafted drinks and desserts. Left me thirsty for more…till we meet again can’t wait to try more

Christina H.

Yelp
My pups are my everything and finding places with food made especially for them can be challenging. I came here specifically for the "Yappy Hour" that Luminaire hosts, and was not disappointed! During Yappy Hour, Luminaire offers Barkcuterie boards for the pups, and reduced bites & beers. The menu is pretty scant and underwhelming, so we ordered a little bit of everything. The experience was wonderful for my pups. The chef personally delivered their Barkcuterie board, and the staff were thrilled to welcome their first guests of the day.

Haley Z.

Yelp
Great option for Thanksgiving day! Stumbled upon this restaurant while looking for a place to have dinner on Thanksgiving that had more interesting takes on the traditional meal and it was well worth it! It was $55 for one person for 3 courses. You could also have a wine pairing for $45 extra dollar, but we needed up purchasing a bottle we like to share instead. We're slower eaters and big talkers so the food courses came a bit fast for us, but I'm sure that'll be a big plus for others. The first 2 courses were fairly large which is awesome for the price. I definitely recommend making this an option for your next Thanksgiving if you go out. Our server Elliot was a friendly, fun personality, made sure we were well taken care of, and went the extra mile on a busier day and asked for our preferences with flavors and suggested some great options for us. He noticed that we were more relaxed diners and offered to hold off our dessert course until we were ready which was very considerate. A good note is in order to get to the bathrooms you need to go to the back of the restaurant towards the hotel and there is an elevator on the right hand side and go to the 2nd floor. They are private single bathrooms that are clean and spacious. The restaurant itself is a bit sterile and minimalist looking, but I suppose that's hotel restaurants for you. The bar areas are the cutest spots and have comfortable chairs. We made a reservation for 4pm and were checked in and sat down quickly. A few people came in without reservations and were able to be seated on the patio(which has warmers!), but since it is a smaller restaurant I would recommend making a reservation to be safe.

Shawnie K.

Yelp
The in-between-meals meal. Tapas are a good preventative for hangry. I only had a snack and wine here, so that's all I'm reviewing, although the indoor and outdoor spaces have a nice design. The chef makes a daily tapa. Today's bite was baba ghanoush spread on grilled bread with ancho chili powder. It was impressively tasty. I also had a glass of Dpsnish white with a nicely balanced grazing plate of Marcona Almonds, Grapes, Caper Berries, Parchment Crackers, 24 Month Jamon Chorizo, olives, honey and Manchego.

Stacie H.

Yelp
As we were celebrating a special occasion, our table was brought complimentary glasses of champagne which was a really thoughtful touch and a great start to the meal. The dinner board was a nice appetizer for the group to nibble on. I opted for the gnocchi as my main and it was pillowy soft, I'd get it again. I didn't order any of the single chops but I really liked the idea of being able to add on a small side of meat. The waiter shared about the origin of the single chops and the restaurant's ongoing commitment to supporting local farmers. I also really enjoyed the gin and tonic which we were told was the best in town! One thing to note is the parking. We valeted the car and ate a matter of feet away without realizing that the restaurant didn't validate parking. We incurred a $30 parking fee for our dinner - wild!

Mariel T.

Yelp
Swung by for dinner and we were the only folks in the restaurant all night! Smash: Broccolini - god just get it. Get it for yourself, get it for the table.. GET IT Dinner Board - more than enough for 4 folks planning out having a bite! Luminaire burger - I mean, you can't go wrong here Meh: Delgada Chops - while the jus and bread were good.. the meat was overcooked on all (granted they were tiny pieces, so easy to overcook) Pass: Gnocchi - it's not your standard potato gnocchi, which I'd prefer in this case Cauliflower bravas - I may be a potato purist bc I wished this was an order of patatas bravas instead! I'd come back just for the broccolini - it was perfectly charred and the yogurt sauce was divine.

Truc N.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant with a beautiful view of the Austin. The decor for Luminaire is modern and elegant which makes this place classy and refined. Our server was great. Got our drinks order in while we debating over our food choices. The menu doesn't have many options which is nice because sometime it can be overwhelming. One of the favorites at the table was definitely the cauliflower with the steak. The steak was tender and the cauliflower was nicely fried. The duck had a nice sweet taste that reminded us of Chinese BBQ duck but the arugula salad was fresh and added a nice savory balance to the duck. I really loved everything I tried on the charcuterie board but the caper leaves was definitely my favorite.

Carla B.

Yelp
My service was spectacular. My young lady that waited on me was Kennedy and the managers name was Sasha !!! they accommodated me. I ordered that egg Benedict with skinny , i'll ask for the Benedict sauce on the side and for a side of avocados they accommodated me gracefully. This place is very lovely, soft-spoken, peaceful, and very quiet. The food is uniquely extraordinary. 5 stars All the way low key classy , they have a great champagne selection by the glass. Which is nice because in Austin it's Beer Country lol , and then I mention they have a outside patio!!!'

Kaycie Y.

Yelp
I made up my mind at the very last second that I was not cooking tonight. The issue with this is that I made this decision at 7:30 on a Friday night so my options were limited. Luckily we scored a reservation at Luminaire at 8:15! Looking at the other photos on Yelp we were really excited for our date. We arrive and are seated fairly quickly. The vibe is fun and our table is inside with an open view of the street, the weather is perfect for this type of seating. Our order took about 35-40 minutes to arrive. We got the broccolini, black truffle Mac and cheese, the Veal chop & the lamb cutlet, and the Luminaire burger. The mac and cheese was the only hot item we received and luckily so because it was our favorite item of the night! The charred broccolini came with a very refreshing tzatziki-esque sauce and a fun fried lemon. The lamb cutlet and veal chop were okay. They sat atop a couple of slices of bread which were mush by the time they hit the table. This item would've been so good had it been hot and the bread still chewy. We were able to tell this dish would not be warm before it hit the table. The Luminaire burger was yummy but our fries were also on the cooler side. We ended the evening with the Gâteau Basque and the Churro. The cake was like a mix between a cookie and a cheesecake almost. The churro was the 2nd star of the evening. The hot & gooey center of the churro was a nice note to end on. Overall this restaurant is very beautiful, our server was very attentive and fun, but the long wait for food + the fact that only a few items from our order came hot was such a bummer.

Andrew C.

Yelp
New restaurant at the Hyatt Centric Hotel off Congress from six-time James Beard finalist Chef Steve McHugh from San Antonio. If you are a fan of Cured you'll be happy to see the Charcuterie board. We opted not to do this since we wanted to try other dishes. Drinks - Red Sangria - slightly tart, semi-sweet red wine based sangria garnished with raspberries and an orange slice Curtain Call - made with a Mexican whiskey, corn liqueur, amaro di angostura, with honey and lemon. This drink is definitely sweet with healthy notes of honey. Liked this as a good sipper. Ghost Light - Fino sherry at the core with some cava. This was a refreshing bubbly light drink with hits of citrus garnished with a few floating pomegranate seeds. Food - Tomato tartare - Slices of smoke-grilled bread served with a large round of smokey diced tomatoes with bits of egg yolk topped with a little trout roe. Olive oil with herbs. Nice light umami flavors. Gnocchi - Slightly crisp and soft pillowy centers of potato pasta. Flavors oddly reminded me of gold fish or cheez its (or is that just me?). Covered with a tasty bolegnese sauce with shaved manchego. Delgada Chops - This dish is basically some crusty bread with your choice(s) of sliced cooked meat(s) in a tasty sauce. There were six to chose from but we went with two . . . - Lamb T-bone - bone in chops that was roughly 4oz cooked medium (pink inside). Tender with great flavor. - Boar Rib - Also roughly 4 oz with a little bone in. This was cooked through but still very tender. The chops were definitely a hit almost like a meat side you need for your order. Saint Pierre a La Plancha - a skin on filet of white fish (John Dory) sitting on a bed of carrot escabeche purée and braised fennel. Plated with a harissa oil giving some spicy heat that makes your mouth tingle nicely. Fish was perfectly cooked. Braised fennel was sweetish, soft and a nice compliment to the spice. Churro - Freshly fried in a circle topped with chocolate drizzle, cinnamon sugar and nuts. Flaky on the edges and gooey in the inside. A nice hot warm finish - would be good with a bit of coffee.

Matthew S.

Yelp
Excellent food only outdone by the outstanding service! Yogurt bowl included berries, coconut, honeycomb, and several other flavors to ensure you would get something you really liked. I will be back the next time I am in Austin.

Eva G.

Yelp
Found this gem near the hotel I was staying. A very welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. Lancelot was my server and he was very kind and attentive. I appreciate it. Since I had limited time before my ride to the airport, I chose empanadas. There were 4 different ones on the menu but I picked the Egg, Potato, Cheese and the Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers ( recommended by Lancelot) . Hands down the Goat cheese and roasted peppers my favorite between the two empanadas I chose. The egg, potato and cheese was delicious too, just different flavor tones. I loved that the dough was light and not empowering like some empanadas. The filling was perfect and generous with every bite. I brought some back to share with Ohana and they held up well on the flight. When I'm back in town I look forward to trying out more menu items. Kudos to the chef and staff.

Rollin C.

Yelp
Located in the Hyatt Centric on Congress. I feel like it might be somewhat new? Great vibe and cool garage door that opens, patio seating, etc. I sat at the bar and ordered the Butter Lettuce Salad which was wonderful! (I asked for more of the toasted shallots great touch)! The bartender made a fine Old Fashioned and recommended the Boar Chop. Never had boar before so I went out on a limb ...meh. It wasn't gamey - but I feel like it was a tad over cooked. I would go a different direction with the chop the next time.

Yuna K.

Yelp
This place is pretty good- my favorite part is the outdoor vibes since its in downtown. Its located inside of hyatt and their service is also really good. The food is decent- but some of my favorites here include the broccolini (which is charred to perfection) and the burger here is oddly really good. The bun they use is super pillowy and the beef patty is so juicy. The boar chop unfortunately was my least favorite- it was too chewy but maybe other cuts / choices of meat would be better with it as there are plenty of selections. The shrimp was decent but the shrimp itself lacked some flavor. The drinks here are really good and my favorite was the el conquistador (which was pretty strong). Overall i recommend here for the vibes and some of their food!

Amy F.

Yelp
Clean, new place near the Paramount theatre! They mainly serve sandwiches, and I got the mushroom sandwich. It was more like mushroom panini melt, and it was solid! The fries were decent as well. Overall, a good place to go to in downtown.

Jacqueline P.

Yelp
Had dinner here with a group of four and it did not disappoint. We all shared the Dinner Board which had generous portions of meat. I thought every element on the board was delicious, including both cheeses, the olives, and especially the caper berries. I also ordered the Charred Broccolini and Cauliflower Bravas for myself. I loved the broccolini and accompanying yogurt sauce and I thought the Bravas were good too but I would probably swap them out for a different veggie dish. For drinks, I ordered the Curtain Call and my friends had the GinTonic and All the Spoils. My drink was the table favorite by a landslide, even though I'm not normally a whiskey drinker. The other two drinks were quite strong and the alcohol seemed to mask the other ingredients. I tried a bite of my friend's gnocchi, which is more butter-based with smaller sized pieces. It was fine but I think I prefer traditional gnocchi. My friends had different assortments of the chops as well and they said it all tasted wonderful. Service was friendly albeit a bit slow. Ambiance is nice.

Bo B.

Yelp
Loved the decor and service here. Food: Lamb chop - ok Goat chop - ok Tomato tartare - a little too garlicky for me Melon with anchovy - delicious if you like anchovy Redfish - delicious Gnocchi - good 45 day aged steak - very good with the carrots and truffle Mac and cheese; loved the carrots Basque cheesecake - delicious Flan - not enough egg for me; it was almost like a panna cotta

Cleo P.

Yelp
We go out to eat a lot! This place is top tier- food and service! Everything we ate was soooooo good: Luminaire Salad Mixed Greens, Red Onion, Smoked Paprika Potatoes, Marinated Green Olives, Egg, Citrus Vinaigrette Shrimp and Whipped Hominy Smoked Tasso Ham, Tomatoes, Chipotle Adobo DELGADA CHOPS Boar Goal Pork Citrus Braised Fennel Churro & Chocolate Hazelnut Gâteau Basque Sherry Berries

Elizabeth M.

Yelp
I stayed at Hyatt Centric, decided to grab lunch at Luminaire after check out. The overall ambience was nice, clean, quiet and watching people walk by on the street was also fun. All the servers were polite and eager to help. I got the Chicken a la plancha which was delicious though I think there were one too many olives and caper berries. The portion size also left much to be desired for a $24 chicken and arugula salad. My friend got the steak and potatoes, he ordered it medium rare but though it was mostly well, he still enjoyed it and complemented the salsa Verde. Overall, I loved the ambience and feeling of being there more than I enjoyed the food. I might go back if I'm in the area and want to stop by for drinks or snacks and that's mostly what I'll recommend.

Brittany J.

Yelp
A group of 6 of us went on thanksgiving evening. The ambiance and overall look of the place is beautiful. The menu presented was not the menu posted online. I called earlier that week to confirm the menu so we were surprised when eggs Benedict was on the menu at 8pm. They were unwilling to even bother with additional menu items. The burger was bland and the fries were overly spicy. The truffle mac and cheese was also bland and way too thick. I only got a 3 ounce pour of wine for 14 bucks! I asked about the pour and the waiter was unfriendly and sarcastic. (This is rare for Austin) Overall the food and drinks were overpriced and under seasoned. Would not recommend going for dinner.

Brenda G.

Yelp
I came here for brunch on a Saturday at 11 am with a few girlfriends. It was very easy to snag a reservation and when I arrived it was surprisingly empty. The service was impeccable. A man even opened the door for me when I walked in and our server was so nice and on top of our needs. We sat indoors in a booth but there was also Al fresco dining in front. It all felt very French. I wish I could rate them higher but my food was a little disappointing. I had the huevos rotos with sunny side up eggs and jamon. They also came with a tortilla and potatoes. I believe this is a Spanish dish and having lived in Madrid for a spring I was expecting a traditional Spanish tortilla but instead the plate came with a flour cold tortilla. The potatoes were not the tastiest. I wish they had been spiced better like traditional patatas bravas. I know this restaurant is trying to spice up plates with a more central texas twist but this take on a traditional Spanish plate just didn't hit right with me. I hope to go back and update this review since the service was great!

Maggie G.

Yelp
The restaurant design is very chic and modern, service is nice , food is well displayed and delicious! Nice place to eat !

Lauren S.

Yelp
In a world with endless choices, Luminaire is not to be passed up. 5 stars from seating, service, plating and parting. Outstanding service with knowledgeable staff. Great recommendations on food and wine pairings. A nod to Chef Driver for his visionary approach to Austin cuisine. New flavors, textures, and experiences. Can't wait to come back for more.

Xela C.

Yelp
Such a disappointing experience eating here. The service was so very, very slow, we waited and waited and waited for each course of our food to come out. Gnocchi had a very odd aftertaste and was cold when we got it. Charcuterie board grapes were unwashed, liver mouse tasted like vomit. Ambiance was the only star in the show. Also here's another positive - the embossed paper on the menu was beautifully done.

Britny H.

Yelp
Had such a great dinner here with friends. Great ambiance and service. Happy with the drinks and food we ordered. The favorite of the table was the Charred Broccolini. Also really enjoyed the Black Truffle Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken a la Plancha, Gnocchi, and fries.

Mandee K.

Yelp
What a great new addition to the downtown ATX food scene. Well-decorated, with a modern aesthetic. There is a garage door type of window that creates an open air indoor/outdoor space. They are still working out some kinks - service was very slow, even though we got there well before the rush. Our table wasn't bused before dessert was out, etc. Small things that they'll have squared away in no time. Food wise - an interesting menu. My favorite thing was that you could order single chops - for $8 each! So with my meal I ordered a single lamb chop. Even the jus and bread that it came with was awesome. My main was gnocchi topped with ragu sauce - it was on the drier side, and came out cooler than I'd prefer my meal to be. I imagine this is also due to growing pains of timing my dish with my friend's dishes. The shrimp and hominy had some kick! So spice intolerant friend's beware. The desserts were both quite good! Definitely plan to come back for breakfast- thay menu looks awesome too!

Alyssa R.

Yelp
The food, service, and ambiance were amazing! Perfect for a date night! The drinks were so awesome

Suzanne K.

Yelp
We popped in for a quick brunch in between book festival sessions and we loved our food. The empanadas were delicious and it was maybe the best avocado toast I've ever had (make sure to get an egg on top). The decor is lovely and servers were excellent. We will definitely be back.

Grace L.

Yelp
Staying in the hotel. So am impressed by the hotel's restaurant, Luminaire! Had a nice light bite for lunch once, the Chicken & fig empanada was absolutely delicious! The side dip had a bite to it that was so good! We came back for dinner one night and had a wonderful meal! Gigi was our server, great service, the goat chop was tasty (but tough as goat is ....). My husband had the burger, black truffle Mac n cheese. I also had the gazpacho, and am trying to figure out how to make it!!! Absolutely Devine!! Must try if you come eat here

Stephanie K.

Yelp
I was so excited to try James Beard award winning chef Steve McHugh's new post on South Congress, especially with so many features in Austin editorials, so I rushed over during one of the first good patio days of the season (See: Prior to our record-breaking highs of summer). Chef has made his name for having one of the best boards in the biz, so I saddled up for the $65 charcuterie-cheese extravaganza expecting nothing less. There are decent portions and variety, although made more impressive by presentation on the hulking board itself. Overall, completely unenthused. Aged meats could have been bought pre-packaged, uninspired. Cheese was pedestrian, and nothing soft to go with the lovely parchment crackers. I asked for honey which comes along with comb, but nothing really brought it together. Grapes? I wanted to be WOWed. Instead was sad, slightly bitter about the Capitol of Texas price-tag. Let's take a tour of Antonelli's, talk to the guys at Central Market, try again...

Akagi S.

Yelp
Way better than the dry and tough meat from Terry Black's. Had the Restaurant week 4-course meal and everything was tasty.

Joyce W.

Yelp
The Service is absolutely fantastic. The chef made something not on menu for us and he can to table to make sure it was to our liking. Entire experience was awesome. Sourdough bread is out of this world

Sheila S.

Yelp
This was a wonderful place to eat. I'm a local and don't eat out fancy dinners often. This was for my birthday. The location in amazing. On Congress. You can go to the 8th floor bar after and see one of the best views.

David M.

Yelp
Went to Luminaire for our anniversary and the night started wonderfully with the hostess greeting us warmly and offering glasses of Champaign. Sadly, that was the highlight of the evening. It took us nearly an hour to get our entrees and we saw our waitress only once during that time. It should not have taken an hour for one small chop, broccolini and a burger. Several other tables who arrived after us got their food first. The food was good but pretty standard hotel restaurant fare. Defiantly didn't live up to the hype.

Hill Country Foodie T.

Yelp
Really enjoyed this restaurant. Very good selection of drinks and food. Service was also very good. There are levels to this restaurant and a rooftop bar. Suggest checking out all 3.

Nic N.

Yelp
Fantastic ambiance ! We have been here twice and it is indeed an intimate upscale venue with wonderful customer service and attention to detail in dining. The restaurant management and staff are actively engaged in ensuring a quality dining experience is had by all. The food is delicious, from the Cured charcuterie to the delectably prepared chops and paella, you can't miss! The drinks are well prepared and handcrafted to suit even the most eclectic taste. This id definitely a superb date night, and a hidden gem, located in the heart of downtown Austin next door to the Paramount. You will enjoy it here!

Melia H.

Yelp
I just had an app and a drink, but the ambience is sleek, modern, and still warm. I want to come back for another cocktail soon. The service was excellent without being annoyingly everpresent, and the food was truly delicious. Perfect for an al fresco bite between SXSW events--a chance to peoplewatch and refresh from the chaos for a moment. It's an adult place too--not for the kids, IMO--and that's always nice too. I also like that it doesn't feel cookie-cutter and Austin-cliche. I could see it as easily in LA as anywhere else, and that's refreshing, because it's got that feel without bringing the attitude that is so common out there. Also...I mentioned the service...but can we talk about how rare it is to get great service these days? Kudos for anyone who can provide that now.

Katy A.

Yelp
Don't go after a show. One server. One bartender. Nope. We left. Sorry. Get your act together before you advertise so hard

Maddie J.

Yelp
Walking past for a bachelorette party and decided to stop here for a drink and snack. The drinks were fresh and this croquette was amazing!! Staff was also super friendly and helpful. Will definitely be coming back for a full dinner!

Will N.

Yelp
Was so bad, gnocchi tastes like cheez it, save your money ... A compressed melon is in fact just a melon

Julia H.

Yelp
Food takes a very long time to come out - about 35 minutes for our appetizers. Chops are pretty hit or miss. My lamb chop was great, but it was too small to be $8. The beef chop was akin to a hamburger steak - very thin. They took a temp on both (we ordered medium rare), but both came out well done. Entrees were decent but nothing special. It is nice and modern, but pretty generic interior.

Amanda T.

Yelp
We were so excited to try Luminaire, unfortunately our experience was less than enjoyable. We started with the butter lettuce salad - nothing to write home about and at $15, extremely overpriced - and the tomato tartar, which was unique and interesting. Next we got the braised fennel which came out hard as a rock - we could barely cut through it with steak knives - and completely lacked any flavor. Next we ordered all the different chops to try. Every bite was missing salt and the cook on each chop was so inconsistent - the lamb was extremely well-done while the beef was almost raw. The gnocchi was a table favorite but similar to all the warm dishes, was delivered at room temperature. Along with the less than impressive dishes, we were plagued by flies and bugs the entire time we were in the restaurant. At this price point Luminaire absolutely leaves something to be desired.