I had a nice non-alcohol cocktail, the duck and creme brulee. The atmosphere is great and the service was great. Very unique place and they have amazing smelling and clean bathrooms. I will get the candles the had in the bathroom lol

We enjoyed ourselves so much. Cozy vibe, loved the artwork, amazing attentive service and delicious eats and drinks. See you next time!

We were fortunate enough to make a late night visit to Justine's on our very first night in Austin. Despite being our last option for the night, it quickly turned into our first choice for a delightful dining experience. From the moment we walked in, we were treated with the utmost respect and kindness by our bartender. His friendly demeanour and professional service added a layer of warmth to our dining experience. It was especially wonderful to enjoy the unique vibe behind the bar, where we felt at home amidst the energetic ambiance. The drinks selection was impressive, but the Old Fashioned and the Espresso Martini truly stood out. The Old Fashioned was well-balanced, boasting a perfect blend of sweet and bitter that exemplified the classic cocktail. The Espresso Martini was an unexpected delight, delicious and with a balanced kick that left us yearning for more. When it came to the food, Justine's truly shone. Their Onion Soup was simply the star of the night, an exquisite blend of flavors that was both comforting and tantalizing. The Rare Steak and Fries, too, were impeccably made! Tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection! If you're ever in town, make sure to stop by, you won't be disappointed!

Excellent restaurant. The staff were very attentive. The atmosphere was perfect, low light and cozy. The food was too die for! The pork chop was the most flavorful I've had and combine that with the potatoes augratin, yum!

Loses a point on atmosphere cause the music was terrible the night we went. Service was good but not always paying attention to needs. The star of the show was the food! I had escargot and mussels and the oiseau de feu cocktail which was fantastic (like a spicy marg) Absolutely worth going. And if you have the extra time and $$ go check out the photo spot in the back!

Walking up to Justine’s, you’re instantly comfortable by the warm vibe. The patio has lots of intimate seating. Great for a date night. Walk inside, and you’re time traveling to a 1920s, French speakeasy, with an Austin twist of of course. The wait staff was spunky and recommended some great food. We ended up getting the French onion soup, the pork chop, and the frites. Don’t skip the French onion, hands down the best!!! The pork was cooked to perfection with an amazing sauce and a fancy potato stack! Delicious! The steak frites were amazing as well, served with a couple different sauces the waitress recommended. Had to get dessert just because everything was so good. Ended the night with a sorbet duo and crème brûlée. If you’re looking for some fun French food, go to Justine’s.

+2

we came here thinking it had a big patio like before but its all fancy now, it's all good, we only had desserts and let me tell you they were soooo worth it, incredibly delicious desserts. The waiter looked like aziz anzari friend on master of none lol loved that.

+1

What an amazing experience. Everyone was so friendly, the vibe was incredible, and the food was phenomenal. We had the Kona kampachi, mussels, crab salad, and creme brulee. I highly recommend the white fur cocktail: gin and deliciously botanical with a rose rim. Yum! Can't wait to go back!

If you’re looking for the perfect spot for an evening out, Justine's hits the mark with ease. This French eclectic gem offers not only beautifully crafted dishes but also an effortlessly chic ambiance that makes for a truly memorable experience. From the moment you step inside, you're wrapped in a warm, inviting vibe—elegant lighting, tasteful décor, and a stylish crowd that feels straight out of a Parisian evening scene. The ambiance is both elevated and comfortable, making it an ideal setting for date night or a classy get-together. What really stood out to us was the team. Everyone working there is not only exceptionally professional but also strikingly stylish and beautiful—it’s like being hosted by a group of fashion-forward friends. A special shout-out to Rebecca, who handled a mix-up with our seating gracefully and professionally. She was the picture of poise, charm, and style—an absolute standout and a true asset to the experience. The food, of course, lived up to the setting—creative takes on French classics with bold, unexpected flavors. Each dish was presented with care and tasted as good as it looked. All in all, Justine's is a place where great food, stellar service, and impeccable style come together. Can’t wait to return.

For sure my fave spot I’ve tried in Austin. Baguette and escargot were better than some I’ve had in France. I also loved the crab salad. Bartender Joe was phenomenal, watched him gracefully juggle a massive crowd all night (with the help of the other bar staff) and they killed it on the service. Had some incredible drinks here too, I appreciate a place that serves 1er cru champagne by the glass — and it was perfectly chilled, bubbles nice and tight, great bouquet. I’ll be back Justine! ❤️

Had a fantastic experience and meal at this place. The server was very friendly and knowledgeable. The food was authentic and fresh. We walked in and got a seat on the tent patio right away. It is definitely worth checking out!

+2

From start to finish this is an exceptional dining experience. Do make a reservation at least a day in advance so you don't wait an hour for a single seat like I did (but hey! There was a battle of the bands across the street to kill time). The wait was on me and not having a known schedule. The hostesses were bright and kind, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the head sous chef came to speak to me at request to discuss ingredients (did you know everything is farm to table?). I sat at the oyster bar, which gave me a great view of the old bottles, stuffed peacock, and other baubles on display. I liked them, but my back was to everything else and the chairs might need to be replaced soon-- they are very wobbly. The good part about the oyster bar is the quiet and kind guy running it. I appreciated the quiet and mellow atmosphere without pressure to speak. I also appreciated the mask. You might be saying "yes, but what about the FOOD?" In which case I'll tell you. I had the escargot and ratatouille, neither of which I have eaten before. The escargot are delectable-- a nice texture and flavor that mellows into an earthy mushroom-like taste. The butter sauce was great to dip bread in. The ratatouille is sharp, very vinegary, and tasty. It does not look like the one you're probably thinking of a la Remy, but the ingredients are there and so is the flavor. I wish I could have eaten dessert. I was simply too full to try the creme brulee or chocolate mousse. Have some for me when you go.

The food, atmosphere, and hospitality never disappoint at Justine’s. The interior offers a cozy, intimate French vibe but is also distinctly ‘Austin’—and the wine list is impeccable. Amazing late night spot that’s always on my list of stops when visiting Austin.

This place had some of the best French food I’ve ever had. Loved everything we got to try - escargot, charcuterie, steak frites and the daily special duck breast with blueberries. The cobbler desert with basil was also absolutely amazing. Drinks were reasonably priced, as well. We had great service and the space is very cool. Loved the atmosphere.

+2

Walking into Justine's immediately leaves an impression, especially at night. There's a very unique ambiance to the place, and the energy of it all set great expectations for the night, which were absolutely fulfilled. I wouldn't consider myself an expert in fine cuisine by a long shot, so I needed a little help understanding the menu, but the staff were super kind and willing to talk me through all the things I didn't know, and make recommendations. The entire evening, their energy was friendly and upbeat and I just couldn't help but smile every time they showed up to check in on us or bring us food. The steak I had was fantastic, cooked exactly how I asked, and the fries that came with it were honestly the best I've had in a long time. The appetizers were all amazing, from the fromage flight to the octopus. The sourdough bread that accompanied them was amazing, to the point multiple members of my group commented such. The unexpected favorite for me was the escargot--I I've never had escargot before, so I tried it with some trepidation when we ordered it as a group appetizer. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Savory, herby, garlic-buttery heaven! Definitely recommend it. Wrapped up the night with creme brulee, and I'd absolutely come back here for even just that alone. My first night at Justine's was definitely a memorable highlight of my visit to Austin, and is on my short list for my next visit. If you like fine food and a unique, fun, quirky atmosphere, this is the place to be!

This place is fantastic, For parties of 2 you just walk in and have to wait, we were lucky and came in late and got a table right away. Our server was absolutely phenomenal, she was brilliant and wonderful, so nice and vibrant just full of the world, happy, smiling it was wonderful to be in her presence. The wine list is very well put together, even though it's not huge it's very well done. We orderd a white and a red from The Loire region, delicious. Next was the French onion soup, it was good but not great, And then we tried the rye bread with the butter and the salmon roe on top, it was absolutely incredible I highly recommend you put way too much butter on every single piece, truly savor every bite 'cause it's exceptional. Unfortunately we had to run and didn't get to eat our pork chop but that's not on them we just had to be somewhere, make sure our kids got tucked in. I can't wait to try this place when I have time to go over the full menu and order whatever I want. It's an absolutely beautiful location, the decor is really interesting, kudos to the ownership for doing something really unique. I love all the records that the bartenders are choosing. This was a last minute suggestion from my love, she'd been here before and had the Bolognese and said it was amazing. I got to share a meal and sit across the table from the most beautiful person, we got to share stories, talk about things that stress us out, give each other I love yous with our eyes. Thank you for your time, you're absolutely wonderful, don't ever change. I love you.🖤🖤🖤

+6

It’s the details that matter. From the amazing ingredients to the freshly ground coffee; From the stylish staff to the vintage French decor; Justine’s French influence was present. Justine’s is a restaurant where everything seems to be a on the same page. The staff were professional, hospitable, sweet, while not taking themselves too seriously. The service complimented the well made classic French dishes. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a proper French restaurant in the states. This is as close as it gets.

One of our favorite restaurants in Austin. Classic French menu with Escargots, pâtes, steak frites, duck... On our recent dinner date, we ordered their classic steak frites with French fries and pepper sauce. Steak was cooked to order, and fries were well seasoned. Steak tartare is always great. Chocolate mousse is a must! Great all French wine list with many wines not found anywhere else. Service is always fun and professional. Great dinner and evening altogether!

+4

Best escargot of my life. Only eat clams and oysters in months that have an R in it. Wine was delish. Bathroom is very cute and has fresh flowers, neon sign and vintage mirror 10/10 would pee here again.

The food was good, the atmosphere was a little loud, but unique. The staff was amazing. Our server and bartender were great. Would eat here again and would try outdoor seating this time rather than inside which was a little too noisy to have conversations easily. The music selection was top notch vintage vinyl.

Pros: -Unique cozy vintage erotic atmosphere -Quality ingredients! (Normally I’m left with slight stomach discomfort after eating at restaurants but I ate everything here and felt wonderful after!!!) -Very well made drinks. One of the best espresso martinis I’ve had in Austin. Cons: -We waited quite a bit for our server to come help us. After that, things were speedy, but the service was quite pedestrian. Don’t expect a high end experience in that regard. -Presentation could use some work. Our main dishes kind of surprised me when they came out. Looked like something from a diner even though it was beef tartare 😂 maybe they’re going for the American French Fusion though? Idk. -Parking was hard to find

Amazing atmosphere and really good French food! ... Hostess super welcoming, 💯 recommended!

This place is sexy. Take a date here. I craved the Salade d'Endives for weeks. I tried to make it myself and it was decent but couldn't compare to it here. Everything was wonderful - bolognaise, steak frites, soupe à l'Oignon, and chocolate mousse. Highly recommend! We didn't have a reservation on a Friday but showed up 30 minutes early and were probably 8th in line. We had an hour wait so we went and grabbed cocktails somewhere else and then came back.

Martini from the bar was incredible. We had the Pork Chop, Bolognese and Side Ratatouille. Bolognese portion is massive. We were sat quickly and service was impeccable. Will be back next week and maybe weekly forever. Don’t judge my food photography I don’t usually do that but it looked too good to not share.

The staff here was really spectacular. Our party was on the larger side and some of them were late. They were gracious and kind even though I knew they were shutting down soon. The food really was remarkable, and I’d recommend going. The wine list was fun, not too big, but well priced and with a good amount of selections!

+1

First time here. We went in pretty late in the evening. Seems like a happening place. Two of our dishes (appetizers) were delayed and the staff was very apologetic. They comped us a dessert. Loved the food. Great taste, presentation and amazing French food options.

+6

Very hip, relaxed and fun little haunt reminiscent of a French bistro with West coast flare. Everyone who works there looks like a model/artist too. You'd think it's not about the food here because of how trendy it feels but they managed to work GOOD food into the fashion forward atmosphere. We ordered oysters, escargot to start. I had probably the best and most traditional ratatouille I've ever tasted here. They give you fresh crusty bread as well. My cohorts meals looked fantastic- anything from bolognese to white fish on veggies. Presentation was superb. We ordered desserts as well which were on par with the presentation and taste of the meal. I started the whole adventure with a martini so delightful, I questioned if I was really in Texas still.

Fabulous place—great ambience and delicious food. Tough to get a reservation but you can often wait as a walk in and drink at the bar. Love the decor of the main dining room/bar, as well as the more bistro-style rear dining room.

Ellen Marie

We started with the octopus and the escargot both super good and we had the duck, which was good but. Or the favorite of the table. the Bolognese had a good spice and was very meaty. We had the fish market, which was super good. There’s like this leek sauce 10/10 and then we had two different steaks. The wagyu and steak frittats more fatty than I would prefer but cooked delightfully. The fries were so good and the sauce paired very well. Definitely going back.

Lauren Ryan

This one of my favorite spots especially for gourmet late night eats. The snails and the French onion soups and the duck confit were superb. The service is always good and the atmosphere fantastic! The only thing I don’t love is that it is a little pricey but worth it for a late night celebration on occasion!

Deborah Haley

I had a fantastic evening at Justine’s Brasserie — the Escargots à la Bourguignonne were buttery and perfectly cooked, and the Steak Frites with your choice of sauce (I went with au poivre) hit the spot. The Soupe à l’Oignon to start was rich and cozy, and I couldn’t resist finishing with their Crème Brûlée (those caramelized sugar shards were divine). The vibe was just right — moody, art-filled, with a twinkle of late-night energy. Our server was friendly, knew the menu well, and made great pairing suggestions. Definitely a spot I’ll bring friends back to when I want that mix of romantic French food and lively ambiance.

Brennan Russo

This place is INSANELY GOOD. Service was top notch. Highly recommend arriving right at 6pm if you want an inside table. The steak Frites was very good but honestly every dish was full of flavor, extremely fresh and used high quality ingredients. Cannot wait to go back! Great for fun group dinners!

Shyam Prabhu

We walked into Justine’s on a weekend and had about a 15-minute wait, which wasn’t bad at all. There’s a cool little bar outside where you can grab a drink while you wait, and the bartenders were awesome—friendly and knew what they were doing. The drinks were great and set the tone for the night. The place has a unique and moody vibe—dark, artsy, and a little sultry in style. It’s definitely not your typical spot, and it seems like locals love it. We got seated outside in the tented area, which had a fun atmosphere, though it was a bit warm and pretty loud. Still, it felt lively and enjoyable. Food was solid. We started with the onion soup, which was rich and flavorful. For the main, we had the steak frites—the meat was tender, juicy, and cooked just right. The fries were crisp and seasoned well. Definitely a satisfying meal. The only downside was the service. It was kind of meh and really slow. Our server wasn’t rude or anything, just not very attentive and it took a while for everything. Still, the food and vibe made up for it. Worth a visit if you’re looking for a laid-back night with good food and strong drinks in a unique setting.

+5

Mark Mcc

Justine’s has some of the most amazing-tasting food, and their menu is French-based. The octopus and oyster appetizers, along with the steak and chicken entrées, were beyond delicious. Even the mocktails were great. This place is definitely a spot for the hipsters

Jordan Hicks

Chill spot with great music selection and French inspired cuisine. The Royale. burger and steak frites were well prepared and tasty. We arrived on a Wednesday night around 9pm and ordered and revived our food well before closing. Clutch spot.

+2

Akuu O-Wins

Fantastic time here. Went here for an anniversary dinner and everything was preeeeem. I couldn't pronounce half the stuff but it's cool because the waitress helped me out. Also the waitress was stunning. The food was decadent. I don't remember the name of the dish but I ordered some kind of white fish and it was absolutely perfect. Don't get me wrong. You're going to pay here but make no mistake you get what you pad for. Highly highly recommend. great food.

+4

It was just great! Nice food, great environment! Highly recommend this place. The escargots were super. Would like to come back.

It was just great! Nice food, great environment! Highly recommend this place. The escargots were super. Would like to come back.

It was just great! Nice food, great environment! Highly recommend this place. The escargots were super. Would like to come back.

Went to celebrate my birthday - during our wait the lovely lady bartending served us one of the best martini's I've had in Austin and DH had the Pastis - we loved the fact that they had Pastis!!! DH …

Went to celebrate my birthday - during our wait the lovely lady bartending served us one of the best martini's I've had in Austin and DH had the Pastis - we loved the fact that they had Pastis!!! D…

Went to celebrate my birthday - during our wait the lovely lady bartending served us one of the best martini's I've had in Austin and DH had the Pastis - we loved the fact that they had Pastis!!! D…

We LOVE Justine's so much that we went for three nights in a row when we were in town for F1. Great food; service; experience.

We LOVE Justine's so much that we went for three nights in a row when we were in town for F1. Great food; service; experience.

We LOVE Justine's so much that we went for three nights in a row when we were in town for F1. Great food; service; experience.

Absolutely had a fabulous experience. The food was amazing and the choices were very impressive...a very broad menu. The server ... was incredible and made our experience even more enjoyable.

Ate dinner with my wife on a Friday evening. Thirty minute wait for a table at 6:10 on a Friday evening. Lucky us! We spent the time at the outdoor wine bar Great wine recommendations and raw oyst…

Ate dinner with my wife on a Friday evening. Thirty minute wait for a table at 6:10 on a Friday evening. Lucky us! We spent the time at the outdoor wine bar Great wine recommendations and raw oy…

Justine’s is a wonderfully eccentric restaurant that is well worth a visit. Starting with unique staff dress and ending with an outstanding meal, you will enjoy it.

It was good food. Neat atmosphere. Service is worth the wait. Be ready to pay a decent price for good food. We were able to get free street parking and were seated quickly.

Authentic Austin, French connection! This place beat our expectations. Justine’s is nestled just outside of the city, low key but ideal. You walk into a welcoming vibe and unique ambiance. Ample outdoor seating with bar, then you walk inside to a dope setting and another bar, feeling as though you’re in the heart of Austin’s food and spirits scene. True locals, diverse with good energy. The service staff was chill and waitress was kind, but overall have room to improve; service standards not a priority. We started with the salade de crabe and French onion soup, both were on point! Espresso martini was strong yet balanced. For entrees we had the cote de pore (pork) and steak frites (ribeye), both great. For dessert, the creme brûlée and sorbet were ok. Good restaurant, we’d recommend.

+3

C’est incroyable! My favorite fine dining restaurant in Austin. The environment of a traditional French restaurant with an Texas twist. Must try the escargot, French onion soup, cote du porc and steak frites!!! Their peppercorn sauce is delicious. Walk-ins are welcomed, but expect a wait. Perfect place for cocktails, bottles of champagne or wine. I highly recommend this IT spot!

The place is simply amazing looking, great cocktails and really fun to hangout at. Unfortunately the steak tartar was so salty and the wine selection was weak ;(

+4

Lost a bet w a friend. The payment was steak, but on the East side around 9pm, pickings were slim to none-saved I thought. Til they shouted "Justine's". Never heard of it! But, 7 minutes later I was walking a deathly quiet block in a shadowy far east Austin neighborhood to retrieve French cuisine, specifically a medium rare steak. The place wasn't magical, but mystical. A old house in a quasi residential industrial district. The music was light and vibrant like a farie might appear at any moment. The steak was good. My dish of salmon was expertly prepare, but sparce w only asparagus spears as a side-I hate asparagus. As, the hostess handed me my order, I knew I'd be back, because I could hear Valkaries of Valhalla calling me.

+3

Nice ambiance. The food I ordered was delicious. The steak was perfectly cooked. The green beans were very tasty. The crème brûlée was rich and creamy. The service, however, was not as attentive as I would expect for the cost and the hype. Our waitress never asked if we wanted more wine. We had to ask for the complimentary bread. When the bread came, it was on a plate instead of a basket like everyone else’s and it was cold and very hard. Too bad.

The food was very good but pricey. Outside the atmosphere was much better than inside. Inside it felt like a busy tavern where you couldn't hear yourself let alone your company. For the price and expectation of high end French cuisine it just fell a little bit short.

Great spot for drinks but I thought the food was underwhelming and a bit pricey for what you get. You are really just paying for the ambiance. The service and environment is what pushed this to a 4 star for me.

Celebrated my late friend's birthday who used to work here and was treated like family :) Food was amazing as always, especially the mussels in butter sauce and the specially made oysters.

Very cool and unique vibe. Burger was delicious but the ciabatta bun made it a little hard to eat. Awesome seasoned fries and strong cocktails. Definitely a good place for a date night! Check out the indoor patio while it’s still chilly out! Service was good but nothing special.

The cheese board and wine - Great specially the fig jam. The bread was cold could have been hot to go with the nice meal. The snapper fish was on the drier side. The steak was good. Overall a good experience for one time meal. Will not repeat.

Appetizers were tasty, ordered escargot, smoked salmon, and octopus. Entree wasn’t what we expected, the wine-braised beef reminded me of shepherds pie. Still edible but left me bloated for days! Ambiance was like a moulin Rouge vibe, had a hard time reading the menu cause it was dark. Service was mid, only complaint would be they wouldn’t split our bill 2 ways for a party of 4..

So my fiance googled date night restaurants for our anniversary, and this was one that surfaced that had high reviews. The atmosphere was nice, with little votive candles on the table and small white tables under a large tent area with chandlers. The menu had minimal choices, so it was not a large variety. Our dishes arrived quickly, warm and tasty. The service was great. Would return for drinks with friends.

Service is awesome, food is good, and prices high. We had a terrine and a pâté appetizers, both a bit firm but decent flavor. The French Onion Soup was good but lacked depth and was a large serving for an appetizer. The Pasta Bolognese was very good, and a single serving could have been enough for four! The Royale burger was very good, but Cheddar masked the excellent flavor of the meat. Havarti might be a better choice. (I wasn't given a choice.) The special Short Rib Bourguignon was excellent. The chocolate mousse dessert was very good.

Cutest, romantic, quirky little restaurant. Service was great. Ambiance was great. Food was ok. The endive salad and baguette were amazing! Muscles... eh. Flavorless. French 75 was way too bland, mezcal drink was a favorite.

+6

The moules was on point and the butter and creme brûlée were wonderful as well as the sauces and drinks. I was very underwhelmed by the steak however very bland and dry. Service was great atmosphere we more than pleasant. Will be back just not for the steak..

We sat at the bar and the music was a bit too loud for conversation. It was good music, just too loud. The duck was good, skin less than crispy, as I would have liked it, but still very flavorful. Otherwise the vibe was great, drinks were excellent.

Jason C

Pretty cool experience tucked away, kind of hidden. The porch area in the winter time (when we went) was pretty cool and felt like some combination between a wedding reception, traveling circus, and a speakeasy. Food was pretty good, tables are pretty small and the dishes were big so get ready to play Tetris.

+4

Madeline Brooke

Stellar ambiance and the best wine list in town! I've celebrated a few special nights here and it truly is an amazing place to share moments with friends & family. I do absolutely enjoy the food but wish it blew my mind a little bit more. Tartare is one of my favorite foods and I wish this was a perfect place in Austin to get it, but the quality isn't fantastic.

Jaime Guajardo

Great ambiance, but some of the food was disappointing. Make sure to get the right dishes otherwise you will be disappointed. Also, they don't do 2 people reservations unless you're in their wine club which was annoying to see. Steam and frites 4/5 good steak but parts were chewy Escargot 4/5 delicious and overly buttered Mussels 2.5/5 I had high expectations of it, but it was meh Crab salad 3.5/5 good taste, but where's the crab?! There was barely any! Oysters 5/5 excellent but pricey Hamachi crudo 5/5 delicious

+8

Justine’s Brasserier - Nothing was bad but nothing was outstanding, drinks were better than food. Food: 1. Escargot - it was the best part of the meal 2. French Onion soup - it was OK, nothing special 3. Mussels - they were plain, our least favorite part of the meal 4. The royal with cheese - it wasn’t consistently cooked, the majority of it was overdone! It also was very greasy. Although, the fries and house mayo were good Drinks: 1. Enfant Terrible: it was the best drink, a little bit sour 2. Sidecar: it was really good, had good balance 3. The firebird: it was very interesting, took a couple of sips to adjust to the taste but I enjoyed it 4. Vive le Roi: it was the worst drink, tasted like rubber 5. Paloma: it was OK, I had better Palomas

+5

Quality has fallen. The food isn't bad but if you've been before, it's disappointing. The waitress was nice when she stopped by. While there was a lot of staff, they were chatting with eachother more than taking your order and checking in. The table next to us had a similar experience. I used to love the mussels, a number of mine were bad. I wouldn't recommend ordering them. The other food was fine and the bread was worth getting. I think if you're going here now, it's definitely more for the atmosphere then the dining experience.

Food is very good. The owner is absolutely lovely and is amazing every time. Staff is pretty… annoying? Not sure if that’s the correct word they're a nice mix of pretentious, unprofessional and also useless. I am not sure they are aware of the type of establishment they work in. They usually spend more time talking with each other and dumping water glasses from the table into the garden when bussing tables than actually helping you. Unprofessional for my standards but hey, this is Austin. Please train your servers to put glasses down and pick them up without sticking their fingers in them as well. It’s gross. Also, if you want to sit at the bar. Don’t. Feels like a dive bar, bar tenders treat you like it’s a dive bar. Also, you’ll only get your order in after the kitchen closes.. I assume by design.

I’ve heard good things about this place and while visiting Austin I decided to give it a try, so here’s what I experienced. First, let’s start with the bad, which was only one thing and it was one of the servers/host (green top, cowboy hat) at the reception desk: I had a reservation at 6:30pm and I arrived with my party at 6:20pm because that’s what people do, be punctual and early, to my surprise she said we should wait at the bar and get a drink. So I said fine, quick 10 minutes later with my drink in hand and my party behind me we approach the host and stand in front of her as a sign that we’re ready and all she says is “hello” and nothing else. I say “we’re ready” to which she replies “okay what’s your name”, my partner thought it was a joke as we were in front of her mere minutes before and she already forgot about us. So we proceed to our table after the little debacle and everything is going well, I mention the server we’re celebrating a birthday and she acknowledges that with a smile, all good. Minutes later she brings a glass with wine and I was confused as we didn’t ask for it so I thought “well it’s for the birthday person” but then minutes later she came back asking if we ordered the glass or not, I said no with confusion but said I will pay it without an issue, meanwhile everybody is listening to this and being embarrassed about the confusion. So overall this server/host looked all the time like the lights were on but nobody was home, forgets everything and puts our whole party in embarrassing situations. Food was great, cheese platter was good too, drinks were good too, portions overall slightly on the smaller side though. Come here if you want to say you’ve been here, but that’s all.

Please read my entire review to understand my rating. First I want to start by saying that the decor and ambiance are really cool. Also a big plus for the people working there. They were all wonderful. They do make you feel at ease and they are very nice and friendly. So while I have some reservation on the food itself the rest was really worth the visit. This is said, I really need to be fair comparing my notes with other places I go to. The food was expensive for what I got. While everything was fresh and this is important, it did not taste good. I had the saoned trout as appetizer. The peas and cream were good but the trout was too salty. For the main course the duck confit was really good but the frisée was covered with mustard. I could not taste anything else for a while. Also the potatos were very salty. as for the dessert, the chocolate tart was very sweet. The plums were undercooked. My comments are there so they can improve on the food so the experience will be very special. Maybe it is a one time off but a good restaurant needs to keep the quality high always.

We came to celebrate a birthday. Atmosphere was nice, but they were super busy and service took longer time. Drinks were talking long too. As for the food we tried escargot and it was good, onion soup was not good, octopus was just ok, red snapper was plain, tasteless and dry, the only flavorful thing in that dish were tomatoes. Overall food was a big disappointing.

I’ve been to Justine’s multiple times. Every time I try to think and come with an open mind, expecting the price to match the quality but it never does. It’s a great, unique, fun atmosphere. But the service is often slow (they are busy) and the food mediocre. The bread is good, but no starter or entree has ever been impressive. The cocktails are solid, desserts decently good. But I truly don’t get the hype.

VANESSA Picazo

Service was the worst. We ordered bread and butter when we placed our drink order because we were very hungry. We asked about the bread 2 times and then were told the “butter” takes long. In what world? So of course our steak frites came out before the bread, and the steak wasn’t cooked to the temperature we asked. We had to ask for a dessert menu, and the waitress just dropped it and left, as if we understood the menu, it’s French cuisine with no description of anything. The place is expensive, but has a dive bar vibe. Disappointing night out.

Bite Scout

Went to Justine’s last night for my wife’s birthday. Tried the escargot, octopus, and steak, along with the French 75 and White Fur. The vibe was interesting and definitely different, but overall the experience was pretty mid. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either—especially for the price. The food lacked depth in flavor, and the drinks were fine but not on par with what you can get at much cheaper spots around town. Didn’t feel like a total waste of money, but we left wishing we’d gone somewhere else. Probably won’t be back.

Michael Shelton

I had been really excited to try Justine’s, and finally made time to visit. I’m going to assume that this was an off night. Neither the food nor the service was good. The wagyu steak, for example was tough and gristly. The ambience, however, was fantastic. If food and service are ancillary to a cool spot for a date night, then this is your place.

Simone Anderson

Good place for drinks, ambience and food. The French 75, octopus, escargot, and French onion soup were delicious! Great oyster selection but you could find fresher oysters elsewhere in Austin. You’re really there for the drinks and ambience. Food is on par.

We were excited to get a dinner reservation (days in advance) even if it was for 8:45 on a Wednesday night, it was the only reservation available in the near future. Arrived a few minutes early a…

Cramped seating, the tabletop wobbled, and a large hairy dog brushed against me while eating. Slow-er service, all dishes except the snapper crudo were uninspired, and the mussels were under-salted. Most baffling was the rudeness of the hostess (older woman) on two separate occasions. When asked if there was a bathroom she flatly said "no we don't" and acted as if she was being bothered. Later when asked if they have a candle during dessert for our party members birthday she also said "no we don't." We found a bathroom and they do actually provide a candle!

Nut Allergy warning: They are a peanut-free restaurant, but there was a caution that dishes may be subject to cross contamination and the charcuterie boards were an unknown. I was fine eating there, so this seemed to be just a warning. Order - to - Appetizer: 21 Minutes Order - to - Entree: 41 Minutes We arrived at 10:40PM on a Friday evening and were quoted a 45-60 minute wait. 32 minutes later, we got the text saying our table was ready. The first thing I noticed was that my knife was dirty. That really set the stage for the rest of the meal and was unexpected for the intimate environment. Appetizers: Escargot (3/5): I rarely eat escargot, but got it on a recommendation. It seemed to rely far too heavily on butter and garlic. Frankly, for the price, I could get mushrooms with similar texture and have it at a fraction of the cost. French Onion Soup (4.5/5): The only dish I'd order again here. The layer of conte cheese was an interesting addition that added some complexity to the soup. Pâté en Croûte (2/5): Served cold, I really didn't like the gelatinous texture. I've never had it before and probably wouldn't get it again. The side salad that came with it was better than the pastry. Bread (1.5/5): Hard bread is a style, but one that I can't appreciate here. I nibbled on it because I like bread and it was slightly better dipped in the onion soup or escargot butter. Entree: Bolognaise (2/5): Noodles were too stiff as if undercooked. The meat sauce was nothing special. Felt like I could grate better parmesan at home. Overall, service was slow and we had to flag our waitress to even get our check. I even saw someone's chair break while we were sitting there. No idea how it happened and the gentleman seemed fine, but certainly one way to ruin a dinner. I might come back to try the burger, but I wouldn't wait an hour to be here.

+2

Food was fine, but unpleasant experience. Had to wait 20-25 minutes for a table to sit as our party wasn't quite big enough for a reservation. Inside area was dark and very loud and crowded. Outside seating area was where we ended up. Hot evening, but the restaurant cannot help that. I was just hoping there was more inside seating so I wouldn't have to sit in the heat and eventual sweat for the entire visit. **I didn't like being herded like cattle into a cramped seating area, nor did I like the noise level.** I often couldn't hear family members right across the table. No complaints about the food, just the restaurant experience. Some people might not mind this as they like noisy cramped environments because it feels "alive" or "happening", but for me, I'll pass at this price.

One of the most disheartening dining experiences I have EVER had in Austin. If you’re single & dining solo just consider this your warning: don’t go! Literally anywhere else would be better. An employee actually made me feel uncomfortable about being there alone. The inside dining area felt like rush hour in NYC, tables bumper to bumper with the guests packed in like sardines.. not a breath of peace to be found. And believe me, I tried. Immediately after being seated in a far, dejected corner of the building, and BEFORE I could even place my order, servers began bringing dish after dish to my table.. NONE of it mine. With every wrong order brought before me, my confusion continued to rise. There was no remorse from the staff, no urge to correct each silly little mistake, quite literally nothing at all. It’s not often I feel so compelled as to write a negative review.. this was one of those moments. It was my final night in the city, a quiet reward to myself after a long stretch of work. I came to Justine’s hoping for warmth, comfort, & maybe even a bit of elegance. Instead.. the only thing I received was chaos wrapped in charm.

My fiancée and I were super excited to come here for the first time for our 5 year anniversary and we left pretty underwhelmed. Everything we ordered had some sort of problem unfortunately: 1. The crab salad came without the crab (table next to us had the same issue) 2. The baguette was cold and the whipped butter was hard and cold 3. We both ordered steak frites medium rare and my fiancée’s steak frites ended up being rare and was cold…. My steak frites were cooked properly but arrived at the table at room temperature. Very disappointed given how excited we were to try the restaurant for a special occasion and how expensive it ended up being for what we ended up getting

What was once our favorite restaurant for dinner and drinks unfortunately turned into a disappointing experience last night. The service was abysmal. Our waiter seemed annoyed from the start and appeared bothered by the fact that we had children with us. For context, we booked the earliest available reservation and our kids were well-behaved. It took an unusually long time to get our server’s attention, and as we were leaving, we noticed he was outside smoking. Couldn't be bothered.

Danielle Thompson

I dined at Justine’s on a Thursday night with friends to celebrate my engagement and was really looking forward to a cozy, special evening. The ambiance is undeniably charming — warm lighting, intimate tables, and a cute, lively vibe that makes it feel perfect for a night out or celebration. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t quite live up to the setting. The bread arrived cold, the poisson du jour was overcooked and tough, and the fries with the burger were soggy. One of our drinks was also forgotten entirely. The burger and spaghetti bolognese were decent, but overall the meal felt inconsistent, especially for the price point. Service was the biggest disappointment. Our waitress came across as condescending and inattentive, and we often found ourselves waiting just to order or get basic check-ins. We had mentioned ahead of time that we were celebrating an engagement, so it was especially surprising to be told we couldn’t have a dessert because we “didn’t get engaged there.” That felt unnecessarily dismissive and took away from what should have been a happy occasion. There’s a lot of potential here — the space really is lovely — but warmer, better-prepared food and more thoughtful hospitality would make a big difference. Hoping this was just an off night.

Robert Emile

If the ambiance was nice and fun, food and wine quality were very low at Michelin star price. It is a tourist trap and I was very dissatisfied. French fries were cold and cooked like it wouldn't even be in a 3 euros french food truck. I tried 3 different wines : they all were bad wine (but expensive of course). Meat was ok and the waitress really nice.

Diana Xiao

Honestly felt overpriced for what it was, and nothing really made me want to come back. The appetizer with flaky pastry and fish was questionable. The pastry was so dry and flat, almost like eating a brick (not even crunchy) under fish that was just okay. The duck was smoked and tender enough, but it felt like it was missing other flavors. The artichoke on the side was bitter, which didn’t help.

Came here with husband for his birthday dinner. The receptionist told us the wait is about an hour. By the way, I called in advance trying to make reservation and was told they don’t do reservation…

Came here with husband for his birthday dinner. The receptionist told us the wait is about an hour. By the way, I called in advance trying to make reservation and was told they don’t do reservati…

Came here with husband for his birthday dinner. The receptionist told us the wait is about an hour. By the way, I called in advance trying to make reservation and was told they don’t do reservatio…

Don’t go- French front with bag chips and not fresh baguettes. Bartenders and wait staff so rude and our waitress knew nothing about the bar or food menu. Sucked honestly don’t go

Let me first start by saying I’ve been coming to Justine’s since I moved to Austin in 2014 as a socially awkward college freshman. I discovered it while driving Uber and dropping a passenger off there at an ungodly hour and thinking wow that must be such a good place. Since then Justine’s has been a special place to me, and even last October my wife and I held our wedding at Justine’s Secret House with their catering - which was an amazing experience. Justine’s has always been a no frills place to me, somewhere where all are welcome. No reservations, just come and eat & drink and enjoy yourself. Unfortunately tonight was nothing like I’ve experienced at Justine’s. My wife and I got there at 8:02 pm and asked for a table. We were told the wait would be around 40-45 minutes, which was fine and something we expected. After waiting at Central Machine Works for 45 minutes, we went back to check on our table, to which the hostess told us it was being bussed and cleaned. We waited outside again for about 15 minutes, after which we decided to just leave and get fast food. I went up to the hostess counter to tell them to take us off the list, when the hostess then again asked for me name. She said our table was actually ready right now. I asked her why we didn’t get a text message, to which she responded “it’s only been 1 hour and 3 minutes”. I told her that she had told us it would be a 45 minute wait, which she denied several times saying she had me down for 1 hour. Then she asked us “well do you still want your table”. Obviously not. Never have I ever felt so unwelcome at Justine’s. There was zero accountability for the mistake on their part. We never got a text. When we waited outside after initially checking on our table, I could see the hostesses the entire time - they were just chatting. Not until I walked up the second time was my table “ready”. And apparently “it’s only been 1 hour and 3 minutes” is good enough. I am extremely disappointed that a place which has meant so much to me made me and my wife feel so unwelcome. I don’t think the hostesses cared at all whether we ever got our table. There were zero apologies, zero statements of accountability, and I actually felt they were glad to be rid of us. We will not be going back for a long time after this.

Scam. They fraudulently charged my card $120. Their cancellation policy states it is a $20 no show or cancellation, when in fact they charge $120. This is a complete scam and misleading. They didn’t even reach out to me to confirm 2 days in advance. They reached out the day before, which doesn’t even allow me 2 days to cancel.

I am writing to share my disappointment regarding a recent visit to your restaurant for my girlfriend’s 21st birthday. Our group of nine was excited to celebrate at Justine’s, but unfortunately, the experience was far from what we expected. Upon arrival, we were seated outside in the direct Texas sun with inadequate shade. There were only two fans available, neither of which was positioned effectively to provide relief. The heat made the environment uncomfortable, especially for a large party. However, the primary concern was the service we received from our waitress, Chantelle. From the moment we sat down, she displayed a rude and judgmental attitude toward our group. Her behavior made us feel unwelcome and disrespected. After only ten minutes of enduring this, we made the decision to leave, which was deeply disappointing given that this was meant to be a celebratory occasion. To make matters worse, a mandatory 20% gratuity was already included for our large party, leaving us feeling as though we were paying for service that was unprofessional and hostile. I hope you will take corrective action to ensure that guests are treated with respect and dignity. No paying customer should be made to feel uncomfortable, especially during such an important celebration.

The food is fine but not worth the price. I go out to eat once a week at a new restaurant as a hobby and this is the first time ever I’m leaving a review on Google bc that’s how bad it was. That should tell you something. I have never been treated so badly as a customer. If you want a great French meal and an amazing experience seriously go to le calamar. The food is great and they actually care about their customers.

I really felt like going to Disneyland: Fake good food, very fake good wine, real big bill! We spent over $300 for 2 people for a very basic meal that did not taste especially good, sofisticated, inventive, or delicate. Even the fries were bad. Wine was terrible. I would not risk one of their high end bottle looking at the rest... Sad...

I hadn't been been here in a decade and it has has really gone downhill. We had a res. for 8 PM, and didn't get seated until about 8:45. There was no offer for a drink or even an app to make up for the inconvenience. I ordered a drink when we were greeted, and told the server, Jason Lee or Ryan Lee (? Idk but he was awful) that I needed to cash out after 1 drink and go. This was because it was already almost an hour after our reservation time and I had to work early the next morning. He acted like I had asked him for a stem cell donation, and said that he would make an exception "just this once." About 15 mins. later, he brought me my tab to cash out, despite the fact that he had never brought my drink. Our water glasses were also empty at this point. By 9:20 I was over the service and being thirsty, but RyJasonLee was nowhere to be found, so I went to the host stand to ask for a refund for the ghost drink. Dude appeared and said, "Oh, you never got it?" What. I didn't eat but saw some of my friends' plates come out while I was waiting for my drink and they didn't look too appetizing. I also heard the next day that their experience didn't get any better after I left, almost an hour and half after our reservation time.

If you want to try eating at this place, you have to walk in, put in your name, then go wait somewhere. I'm sure the food is good, however we never got to try it. It's a small place, horrible host customer service, not letting you put a reservation over the phone, not wanting to give you an idea of wait time (long/short/none) over the phone, told there's a 1.5 hour wait time at arrival. We never got to actually sit down and eat.

Probably one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in quite a while, especially given the price. It’s my wife’s birthday, and both of us had long/busy days. Originally I had a reservation for UCHI, but decided to give Justine’s a go, as we’d been meaning to try for a while. I made a reservation for 10:45 pm. As we arrived, we were seated inside of their canopy area, directly next to an open curtain with a breeze strong enough to blow the place settings around. Not a huge deal. Then when someone came over to close the curtain, they must’ve loosely unplugged one of the lamps, as it would continuously flicker from ambient lighting to bright as hell, but it eventually corrected itself after some strobe effects 😵‍💫 When our server finally came around, it was 11:15pm. A full half an hour after being seated. We sat there ready to order, only to then be notified that they were out of the only two dishes that my wife would eat (gnocchi or chicken dish). Don’t you think that this is something guests should know in advance when you take the drink order or introduce yourself? My wife ends up just getting a French Onion Soup and some French fries, as there was nothing else on the menu that she was in the mood for. I order a French onion soup to start, and the Homard Gratine (lobster dish). They offer a salad as a courtesy to my wife, and even that took 23 minutes for the salad to even hit the table at 11:38pm. (53 minutes since we’ve sat). I ordered a champagne and caviar (Bump and Bubs), that took over 30 minutes! No communication from our server Chantal G whatsoever, so when I ask her where my drink is (after 30 mins), she replies that the raw bar is backed up, so it’ll be a little longer. Why do I have to ask? I’ve worked in the service industry before, and I’ve always appreciated over communication than none at all. You can’t leave guests guessing, especially for that long. And we were patient! Midnight. Still do not have entrees. Finally 12:04 entrees arrive. They forgot my French onion soup. So we’ve been here since 10:45pm, and nearly an hour and 20 minutes later, we’re finally being served food. Manager comes over and says “we can’t really tell people that we’re out of things when they arrive, that wouldn’t really lead to a good experience” So you think it leads to a better experience to make a guest wait for over a half an hour to order, and then drop that information as they’ve sat with their decision the entire time? She also insinuated that because we had a later reservation, we should kind of expect to be out of things on a busy weekend. And that this restaurant isn’t considered a fine dining experience like Uchi 😂 (we told her we canceled that reservation to try Justine’s) I’m sorry, isn’t that your responsibility as the restaurant to be prepared for a busy weekend? Don’t offer the reservation if that’s the case, cause we’re paying the same price as someone who had a 5pm reservation. And for $50 a plate, I’d expect a level of service that atleast acted like they gave a shit. Highly disappointed. Drinks were the only decent thing. My $52 lobster dish tasted like Cheesy Potato Soup with small shreds of lobster. They took $20 off the bill. We won’t be giving this place another chance.

I’ve worked for years in the service industry as a server and have never written a bad restaurant review until tonight. I went with a group of six to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and the service from our server, Ryan, was comically bad. It took 25 minutes to get water and nearly an hour just to place our food order, when there were only 3-5 other tables in the restaurant. Requests were met with dismissive attitude, and basic table checks never happened. A request for water was met with “I need to talk to a few tables first”. When food arrived, no one asked if we needed anything. I waited 10+ minutes to flag Ryan down for ketchup for my burger, only to be told “one minute” as he walked away. Ryan offered us bread, only to realize it was $5/piece when we received the bill. By the end, it was clear why we were ignored - there was automatic 22% gratuity. I fully support large-party gratuity, but not when a table is disregarded all meal. The table next to us received water, drinks, and ordered food before we were ever offered water (which we had to flag him down and ask for).

Walked in on a Wednesday night, Hostess didn’t even acknowledge our existence she was just super interested in her conversation with coworker. We had to interrupt her. Our waitress was bad, not very present, barely checked on us and the place was almost empty. I felt like both Hostess and Waitress gave us their bare minimum like I could feel they did not want to work. This is supposed to be an upscale restaurant and is very expensive so I would have appreciated better service! Fries were not good

If you dine here regularly, it’s hard not to assume you’ve never experienced Austin’s 4.8-star food scene. The only redeeming thing was the sparkling water. We ordered octopus and escargot to start. What arrived was butter, salt, and mayo. That’s not hyperbole. That was the dish. The flavor profile was larger than the portion itself. They served us a sliver of octopus so thin it felt like a wartime ration. The ratatouille wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. I didn’t vomit, so there’s that. But it certainly wasn’t confit byaldi. My partner ordered the duck, which somehow managed to taste like an upscale KFC chicken dinner. We’re considering a trip to Slimbridge just to formally apologize to the ducks for what happened here. Honestly, I’m calling my bank tomorrow to report fraud, because I clearly wasn’t in my right mind when I agreed to dine at what can only be described as le fond du baril of French cuisine.

Storri Gadau

A special occasion ruined by hostess hostility. This was the worst restaurant experience we’ve ever had. We chose Justine’s as a romantic dinner for our first wedding anniversary, but the night was ruined as soon as we arrived. The hostesses were immediately hostile and wouldn’t speak kindly, with respect, or at all at one point. It was just odd. The three were treating each other so poorly too right in front of us. They would have strange answers that confused us, or strange questions that confused each other. The layout was odd so we asked how to enter—they said the back of the building. We walked to a dumpster. At this point we were agitated, treated poorly for no reason. No clue why they lied and were so hostile, but all 3 hostesses seem to really hate their job and this is a trend per the bad reviews, so idk why they haven’t been fired. The girl with mid-length black braids in the buckle newsboy hat was the absolute worst. We overheard another couple talking about how she treated them as well. Our evening was completely ruined due to the disbelief of our treatment. The waiter was great and our app came quick so we decided to stay, but then our app and an entree were cold. Expected way more from such a well recommended place—I truly don’t understand the praise, but feel if they replaced the hostesses it’d fix their problems.

Janelle Hernandez

TLDR: slow & bad service. My fiancé and I came in for a dessert and night cap to celebrate our one year engagement. We’ve heard great reviews about this place and were excited to finally try it out. Unfortunately our expectations were severely under met as our server gave us an unpleasant experience. It took over 20 minutes to get tap water and even longer to get our drinks. I could have happily excused this due to the fact that they were busy on a Saturday night. However, while I was still enjoying my glass of wine (I had about half left) and my fiancé and I still had half of our dessert on our table, our server placed the bill in front of us without us asking for the check. He didn’t ask any questions like if my fiancé (who finished his first and only glass of wine) wanted a second pour or if there was anything else he could do for us. By this point we weren’t even seated for 45 minutes, so we weren’t hogging a table that our server could turn (I’m very cognizant of this as I hate sitting at a table when I’m not eating/drinking). All to say, I’m really sad to have had such an unpleasant experience and to have been treated so dismissively. Photo attached so you can see my finances empty glass of wine, our dessert still on the table, and my first glass of wine which was still half full, and the check in front of us, which we never asked for since we were still eating/drinking.