Truluck's is an upscale seafood haven, known for its lively atmosphere, impressive wine list, and dishes like indulgent crab cakes and rich lobster bisque.
"Truluck’s is an upscale seafood chain that feels more like the dining room of a luxurious cruise ship than a spot on a busy Downtown street. It’s a two-story space full of grand chandeliers, tall glass windows, and round leather booths. At any given time, the restaurant is filled to the brim with a mix of older Texans wearing suits, younger couples on dates, and nearby office workers stopping in for a 5pm martini. The seafood is undeniably fresh—your server will likely mention stone crab claws that were lounging on a Florida beach just days ago. However, many of the dishes seem mass-produced, designed for consistency, and delivered to your table for a standardized experience. The food doesn’t have a ton of flavor other than heavy doses of butter. Given that Truluck’s operates about a dozen locations nationwide, none of that is particularly surprising. This is old-school fine dining, where an ornate atmosphere and overly attentive service overshadow the food. Nothing on the menu will blow you away, but it’s a reliable choice for a date night or a fancy dinner charged to your corporate card—especially so the $36-per-piece crab claws sting a little less. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary
"Big is the name of the game at Truluck’s in Chinatown. There are giant glass chandeliers, huge replicas of lobster tail they bring to the table for a pre-dinner show-and-tell, and enormous king crab legs that get cracked open on a tableside cart. But the seafood spot is lacking something even bigger: flavor. All of the food here is bland, like the overcooked South African lobster tail that even butter can’t save and the tuna crudo, which has no acidity or even salt. Skip the seafood and the dining room full of corporate types, and instead woo a new date at the bar near the piano where there’s live music every night." - Tristiaña Hinton
"Both locations of the seafood chain (this in downtown and the other up in the Arboretum) are serving three-course New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinners. Dishes will include stone crab claws, lobster bisque, scallops, and more. It’s $150 per person at the downtown location and $175 at the Arboretum. Book reservations online; there are indoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury
"While the high-end seafood and steakhouse chain is well-known for its seasonal crab claws, the two Austin locations — this one in downtown and the other up in the Arboretum— also offer lobster bisque, as well as cold-water South African lobster tail, Maine lobster thermidor, blue crab-stuffed lobster tails, and petite lobster tails scampi. There are indoor dine-in services." - Darcie Duttweiler
"While the high-end seafood and steakhouse chain is well-known for its seasonal crab claws, the two Austin locations — this one in downtown and the other up in the Arboretum— also offer lobster bisque, as well as cold-water South African lobster tail, Maine lobster thermidor, blue crab-stuffed lobster tails, and petite lobster tails scampi. There are indoor dine-in services." - Darcie Duttweiler
