Gayle Childers

Phenomenal. Every dish was terrific, service was friendly, professional, and well-versed in all of the dishes. My husband appreciated the small but really good beer selection. We ate at the bar with a great view of the kitchen. Bar manager Eric, and bartender Rina, were very busy, but always ready to answer questions and chat a bit. It was fascinating to watch chef d'cuisine/expediter Kevin check each dish while also creating a dish. Owner/chef, Bryce, was there checking in with Kevin and other chefs. We were at Barley Swine years ago soon after it moved from food truck to a tiny brick-and-mortar on Lamar across from current Odd Duck, a later excellent creation of Bryce Gilmore. It was also a great, actually unforgettable, experience. I wish it was still on the south side. We'd visit from New Braunfels more often. Thanks so much for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Mark Berg

Barkley Swine is a special restaurant where the food is creative, beautiful, and most importantly, delicious! There were several exceptional dishes including: 1. The tomato grilled peach, shishito chevre, candied pecan 2. XO verde, okra kimchi shrimp and grits 3. Shiitake Dumplings with Soft Scrambled Eggs 4. Mint Whip: lunchbox pepper jam, canteloupe granita, candied lime There wasn’t a bad bite in the menu and the wine pairing was lovely - great balance of acidity and richness to complement the dishes. My wife and I loved to see how detailed and meticulous the staff were, while at the same time it seemed they were having a lot of fun. It’s clear that they are not only masters of their crafts, but also extremely passionate about the food and drinks they’re putting out. Thank you, Barley swine for the lovely evening! Definitely the most unique experience in Austin!

+9

Ryan Turcotte

A life changing meal! Barley Swine is one of the best meals I’ve ever experienced. Each course is unique in its own right and builds in flavor. Their ability to layer in ingredients like masa, salsa macha, kimchi jam, and chili oil to create a sum product much greater than their parts is astounding. Their Michelin star shines through with every dish. Please do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this tasting menu. I highly recommend the shishito dumplings as an add on!

+6

Stephanie

Parking - there is a lot in front, though half of the spots were closed off for valet parking. This seemed unnecessary since the lot is right in front of the complex. Would recommend making reservations early as they can be hard to come by. They also offer a discount if dining early on Sundays, which is nice (check the website for pricing). The food and service were excellent. The servers were very attentive and friendly. They adjust the dishes as necessary to cater to allergies as well. Every dish was very tasty, although I would not recommend coming super hungry, because the portions are pretty small. We ordered the beef rib supplement, which was fine and helped fill us up, but a bit underwhelming overall (would not get again). The wine tasting was also a great experience and went well with the meal, though I would skip it next time (just because it’s too pricy). Overall everything was fantastic, I would definitely recommend coming here for a special occasion.

+11

Grace

Amazing. Blown away! Everything was incredible. Every bite was so thought out and so much flavor. The cocktails were so good as well. Also get the take home Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - to die for! 5 stars plus and more. The best anniversary celebration and experience! Make sure to get a reservation. We did it a few weeks before for a Sunday evening.

Lorena Snyder

A Memorable Anniversary Dinner We visited this restaurant for the first time tonight to celebrate our anniversary. My husband made the reservation, so I had no idea what to expect—but from the moment we walked in, I was impressed. The ambiance was just right—elegant yet relaxed, with a great vibe that set the tone for a special evening. Our reservation was for 5:15 PM, and we were seated right away. We ended up staying until 8:00 PM, so be prepared to settle in and enjoy a leisurely dining experience. Everything we ate was absolutely fantastic. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed every course. The desert was surprisingly good! My husband is not a fan of sweets/chocolate, but he ate it all and enjoyed it! You can order cookies to go, so we had to try them. They were the right balance of sweet and salty. I am glad we took some home! Although we don’t have any dietary restrictions, we overheard another table mention how accommodating the restaurant is with food allergies and special requests, which is always great to know. Our server, Rina, made the evening even more enjoyable. She was friendly, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable—she gave us excellent recommendations and knew the food and drink menus inside and out. I highly recommend giving this place a try. We’ll definitely be back! Things to note: *** Be prepared to pay for parking as the free parking is very limited. *** 20% tip is included in tip, no matter the size party. ***The toilets are very small, I know it's odd to mention, but true.

+16

Amanda Vogt

Amazing all around. Don’t think, just book a reservation! We sat at the chef’s counter and it was an awesome time. The wait staff was also phenomenal. Didn’t miss a thing and made our experience feel intimate and customized. Best meal in Austin to date! Lots of photos. We got everything on the menu. The granita dessert was *chef’s kiss* So we ordered it twice!! (Couldn’t wait for a photo when the dumplings came, snuck a bite or two asap because they were so delicious)

+8

Mike and Betsy McLane

Amazing celebration meal! The staff was lovely, service impeccable, and food was wonderful! We added all the supplements to the tasting menu and that was a delicious and well orchestrated journey! Wine pairings were good and mostly celebrated female wine makers for women’s history month. We were Very full at the end of the meal - probably could have skipped 1-2 of the supplements - maybe the rib and duck liver, but can’t skip the dumplings!! Will return!!!

+15

This place absolutely delivered. The tasting-style small bites may look minimal, but the pacing leave you fully satisfied by the end. It's definitely a splurge, but the creativity and execution make …

We visit Barley Swine a few times a year, and every single time I leave having fallen in love with something new. The tasting menu is consistently creative, thoughtful, and genuinely fun, making each…

A 5/5 in service, food, and satiety. I also want to express my thanks for the complementary items for my belated birthday celebration. This was my first Austin pure tasting menu experience (outside o…

This was a 40th anniversary Celebration/Bucket list item! The chef and their amazingly attentive staff treated us to experience like no other that we have enjoyed. Thank you for helping me fulfill …

Service was absolutely fantastic with the tasting menu. One in our party had a vegetarian menu that they really loved. Highly recommend the tasting menu at this price point. Beautiful patio seating.

service was absolutely fantastic with the tasting menu. One in our party had a vegetarian menu that they really loved. Highly recommend the tasting menu at this price point. Beautiful patio seating.

We were greeted outside before we ever went in and pictures were taken by the staff for us. This place was amazing! The food was unique and so delicious! The service was absolutely stellar. Never h…

Grabbed a reservation for my birthday, and it was the perfect evening!\n\nThey have valet parking so even though there is a small lot, you don't have to worry about parking.\n\nEven though we arriv…

Grabbed a reservation for my birthday, and it was the perfect evening!\n\nThey have valet parking so even though there is a small lot, you don't have to worry about parking.\n\nEven though we arr…

My husband and I went here for a date night a few weeks ago and it was all amazing! We had the tasting menu and added on an extra dish and we were both full by the end of it, which with tasting men…

We had such a fantastic time here I can't even begin to describe it. We went here for our annual tradition of doing a very fancy dinner for my birthday. We did the traditional wine pairing as well …

10/10 service \n10/10 atmosphere \n10/10 food \nAll was perfect \nGreat bartenders. Amazing food

Wonderful food and ambiance. the staff is friendly and helpful. Certainly deserving of its recently awarded Michelin star.

Great place to have your anniversary. You will not be disappointed. Just came early as the parking lot is small.

I've been to Barley Swine about once a year for the last 7 years. Every visit has been a lovely experience. Service is exceptional and the food and wine pairings are typically tasty and interesting…

My wife loves to research our food adventures. We came to celebrate my birthday What a fantastic experience. Ate at the counter facing the kitchen. The chefs are Amazing to watch and were like a…

My wife loves to research our food adventures. We came to celebrate my birthday What a fantastic experience. Ate at the counter facing the kitchen. The chefs are Amazing to watch and were li…

A family member recommended that we grab a reservation here and we were all glad we did. From the opening tuna crudo to the unique dessert, our meal here was fabulous. The chef-curated tasting menu…

A family member recommended that we grab a reservation here and we were all glad we did. From the opening tuna crudo to the unique dessert, our meal here was fabulous. The chef-curated tasting …

A family member recommended that we grab a reservation here and we were all glad we did. From the opening tuna crudo to the unique dessert, our meal here was fabulous. The chef-curated tasting me…

Without a doubt this was an absolute highlight of my trip to Austin. This is exactly what relaxed fine dining should be - exceptional flavours, great service which included wine knowledge unlike an…

I went with a friend and the tasting menu was such a fun and delicious experience. The young lady who waited on us was so nice. Serving so many delightful treats was done by a well choreographed gr…

There are many great places to eat in Austin but this place has to be one of the absolute best! The quality of the food, service and ambience is worthy of any top restaurant and I don’t think it wo…

There are many great places to eat in Austin but this place has to be one of the absolute best! The quality of the food, service and ambience is worthy of any top restaurant and I don’t think it wo…

We ate at Barley Swine last night with friends and it exceeded our expectations. The food was amazing and each bite had layers of flavour. I’d thoroughly recommend the wine pairing. Our every need …

Definitely a 10 out of 10. The restaurant was very rustic but charming at the same time. The staff was extremely friendly, knowledgable and accommodating if there are any allergies or food intolera…

Kristen Murphy

I visited Barley Swine for an anniversary. While the food was delicious, the experience overall didn’t stand up to my expectations or the price. Upon arrival, we were seated in the lounge as our table wasn’t ready. However, no one came by in the 15 minutes we sat there to take our cocktail order. We didn’t get to order by the time our table was ready and we were now sat 15+ minutes late. After that unfortunate start, the pacing of the entire rest of the meal was off. It took over an hour and a half to get 3 out of 8 dishes. We received the main “entrees” at almost 11PM for an 8:30PM reservation. I’m not sure if that is normal, but we asked to speed up the process and the service followed suit. I noticed other tables had their napkins folded for them when they went to the restroom and I didn’t even get a replacement napkin when mine was wet from a spill. Besides those two complaints, our actual server was great and attentive. Our sommelier was the highlight. We chose the premier wine pairing and that was the best choice of our experience. The wines chosen were fantastic and the descriptions and presentations of each were perfect. Overall, I wouldn’t return.

+1

Sarah Wu

Barley Swine is a Michelin one-star restaurant, so expectations are naturally high. Maybe a little too high in my case, because while the experience was enjoyable overall, I didn’t leave feeling truly blown away by the food. The space is cozy, but a bit dim imo. The incandescent bulbs flicker at the same frequency as my camera’s frame rate, which made taking photos surprisingly difficult (possibly my camera’s fault). We were there to celebrate an engagement and noted the occasion in the reservation, but it wasn’t really acknowledged beyond a small “congratulations” stamp on the menu. Not a big deal, but a little underwhelming for such a special night. Parking is bad on a Saturday night. Can't find a space in the lot front or back. Service was solid throughout the meal. My water glass was never less than half full, and the staff was attentive and professional. We skipped the wine pairing since I don’t drink alcohol. The tasting menu itself was interesting but a little uneven. The opening crudo was very light, and I wished the hiramasa had been cold-smoked for more depth, since the apple gel dominated the flavor. The second dish was carried mostly by the coppa; I didn’t taste much kim, and unfortunately, I also found a small rock in my oyster. The third dish with butternut squash was my favorite. The combination of queso, squash, and grilled onions was well balanced, and the crispy masa added great texture. This was the first dish that gave me the “this is why you go to a nice restaurant” feeling. The tilefish was cooked nicely, with a pleasant wood-fired aroma. The persimmon curry underneath was tasty on its own but felt disconnected from the fish. A more Thai-influenced curry might have paired better than the Japanese curry, which didn’t contrast enough with the rich, fatty fish. The carnitas dish again had very good protein and nice textures from the crispy carnitas and chicharrones, but the overall flavor balance felt rough. I didn’t care for the beans, and while the cabbage was fine, it didn’t add much to a dish that was already very heavy. The salsa cuts through the fatty meat nicely, but it on the other hand is too strong for the side veggies. We were served beef tartare before the main course, which was enjoyable. The dry-aged beef itself was good but not especially memorable imo. The rib skewers were super tasty, and the foamy beef broth and rib jam with the scallion roll was rich and comforting. The palate-cleansing dessert was light and refreshing. The marigold whip was delicious, and paired with the hibiscus jam it reminded me of a cold foam milk tea. The orange sorbet felt very cold, and I would have preferred something softer (like some fruity shortcake crumbles?) to match the rest of the dish. The final dessert was also enjoyable. The peanut pastry and miso opera cake were both good, but the apple gel on top pushed the sweetness too far for me. The pastry and cake didn’t feel very connected, and it was difficult to eat them together. Feels like you could serve them as separate dishes. The fudge ice pop at the end was a cute finishing touch. We also ordered cookies to take away. Good cookies, nothing too special. Overall, Barley Swine offers a thoughtful and well-executed dining experience, but considering the price and reputation, it didn’t fully meet my expectations. There are other tasting menus that have given me more surprise and satisfaction, though this was still a pleasant and enjoyable evening.

+8

Monica Martinez

Had my birthday dinner here last night and it was such a great experience. The food was amazing, cocktails were awesome, and the service was excellent. Everyone was super friendly and they even personalized our menus with “Happy Birthday,” which was such a thoughtful touch. We sat at the chef’s counter and it was really cool to watch the kitchen in action. They also comped the brown butter cookies to take home for my birthday, and they were delicious. The only issue was that several dishes came out lukewarm or borderline cold. The butternut squash dish, the steak, the rib cap, the shrimp and grits, and a few others just weren’t the right temp. The steak especially was just cold. Everything tasted incredible, but it happened on multiple courses which was disappointing for the price point (around $500 total with tip and deposit). I didn’t say anything in the moment because I didn’t want to make a fuss on my birthday, but in hindsight I probably should have. Even with that, the food and service were great and I’d definitely come back. I just hope next time the temperature is dialed in because everything else was spot on.

Desaya Thorn

I had an amazing time with my partner for our anniversary dinner. The team was so accommodating of our dietary restrictions and the service and food was great! There was one hiccup of when the wine pairing didn't come out with intended entrée, other than that, we were quite pleased with the quality of food, level of service, and atmosphere.

Generally good tasting, with a couple of nitpicks for this price range:\n- We seemed to consistently get asked about upselling/add-ons to our tasting menu and wine pairing. Feels like at this price…

Generally good tasting, with a couple of nitpicks for this price range:\n- We seemed to consistently get asked about upselling/add-ons to our tasting menu and wine pairing. Feels like at this pric…

Stopped by for a late dinner reservation to celebrate a birthday. We went with the March set menu without any supplements. Overall I think the flavors were generally solid and they were trying to d…

Stopped by for a late dinner reservation to celebrate a birthday. We went with the March set menu without any supplements. Overall I think the flavors were generally solid and they were trying to d…

An amazing experience! Before our reservation, they made sure to contact us regarding allergies or dietary restrictions, which was nice. The restaurant itself is very cute, and a perfect space for …

We went for a birthday celebration and were warmly greeted with champagne. The ambiance was inviting and relaxing, with the open kitchen adding dynamics. It happened to be Formula One weekend, so t…

We went for a birthday celebration and were warmly greeted with champagne. The ambiance was inviting and relaxing, with the open kitchen adding dynamics. It happened to be Formula One weekend, so…

Mikki B

Plating and service was top notch. One dish was surprising and amazing. Most were fine. The ribeye had zero marbling and wasn't tender. I felt like I was eating a sirloin from Outback. It wasn't quite enough food which wasn't surprising but i expected to be more impressed.

If it's not a Michelin one star restaurant, I will give 4 stars. But it's a pricey Michelin one star. The food presentation is good, the service is good too. But food tastes just OK, not that imp…

If it's not a Michelin one star restaurant, I will give 4 stars. But it's a pricey Michelin one star. The food presentation is good, the service is good too. But food tastes just OK, not that impre…

TLDR: save your money and go to a regular restaurant where it's not too intimidating to send back a bad dish. \n\nI went here for a milestone birthday dinner and did a lot of research before visiti…