Justine's 1937 Reviews

4.3

149 of 3,585 Restaurants in Austin


Reviews

Good not awesome

By mapman2 |

We went for a dinner on sat night per recommendations. Highly regarded place. The vibe didn't disappoint it was jammed and lively and the bar was on fire. We got a bar seat by chance and dined there. Cocktails were good but overly sweet. Probably a function of the crush for drinks. Escargot excellent. Salad good. Burger too smokey but good. Moules frites not great. Frites very good moules not so much. But we are visiting from Maine so maybe that's a thing. Overall the experience was very nice and fun. But not as outstanding as the recommendations had us prepared for. Dining was kinda mediocre for a brasserie style. But we did have a great time.

Great service

By lisa austin tx |

Loved the hostess and servers but the food was a mixed bag. My husband choices of with the fish entre and chocolate mousse were both excellent. My french onion soup was quite good but the Marinated Chevre was disappointing - a hard, cold disc of cheese, dry crisp bread and some cherries. It desperately wants needed something creamy to contrast with the dryness and hardness of the cheese and crisp. My friend ordered the charcuterie and peach melba...both ok but not as good as expected from the reviews we had read . Will probably go back but make other choices.

Great French Food in Texas???

By rockydogz1 |

What a wonderful little bistro that's upscale with terrific service, great wine selection and wonderful after dinner drinks. The music was a little loud and we asked the waiter if they could turn it down a little and they did!!! The pork chop with au gratin potatoes was devine!!!

Great place

By Yves J |

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

Great Place with Really Good Food

By Counterweight |

I'd heard so many good things about Justine's, and today I finally got a chance to check it out. I went with my wife for a date night, and I wasn't disappointed. We arrived shortly before they opened at 6, and there were already several parties waiting to get in. We opted to sit inside, but it was a beautiful early fall night in Austin and most people elected to sit outside. Their outside space is incredible, very nicely arranged and with lots of space. There is a boule court and a stage for bands. Inside it's very romantic as well, lots of French memorabilia adorning the walls and a rustic French theme throughout. Our service was really great, very attentive but also aware of our conversation and totally non-intrusive. I'd read some prior reviews about "snobbish" wait staff and host/hostesses, but I didn't see that at all. I was in a t-shirt and shorts and lots of people were in "keep Austin weird" attire, and everyone was welcomed and treated well as far as I could see. The food was very good. It wasn't the best meal I've had it Austin (and that's not a snub, considering all the great restaurants in Austin), but everything was tasty and well-prepared. The bread that came before the meal was perfect, and my wife and I both enjoyed all our courses. I started with the French Onion Soup, which was very good, and then had the mussels which were also very flavorful. The frites were probably the best thing I had, especially with the home-made dijon aioli. My wife had a salad to start which she really enjoyed (especially the beets), and a daily special kale pasta which she thought was decent but not great. We were both too full to try a dessert. The food at Justine's is very good, but the ambiance, the service and the space are what really make it an Austin treasure. It's definitely one of the more romantic spots in Austin, but also great for a family or group of friends dinner. I'm already looking forward to my next meal here.

Best Late night dining in America

By Jeff_Morris1300 |

Don't miss this quirky, artsy restaurant for exceptional late night dining. Try the escargot, but all of the dishes are on point.

Fantastic Food and Ambiance

By DevinMarie02 |

I was on a solo trip for work and asked the concierge at the hotel for a list of places to go for dinner. After he handed me the pre-printed list with some truly basic options, I took matters (and my Google app) into my own hands. If you want great food, an impressive wine list, interesting people, and amazing music, you want to go to Justine's. I actually went twice within a week and sat at the bar both times. They have a nice outside deck as well which is quite charming. The whole place is very cozy and I immediately felt at home. I ended up making friends with some locals who are clearly regulars since they seemed to know everyone in the joint. Pierre was behind the bar (who I believe is one of the owners) - he was friendly and helpful with the menu, while also quite skilled at changing out the vinyls without missing a beat. They have a legit record player and were spinning some fantastic jazz and blues records the first night I stopped by. Forgive me, but as a millennial, I am fascinated by such novelties. The menu is traditionally French done in a simple and sophisticated manner. Over the two nights, I had the escargot with parsley butter (delicious), the steak tartare which is way bigger than I anticipated - a little salty, but still amazing - and my favorite: the pork chop with a thyme reduction and potatoes au gratin. I would bathe in that dish if it were socially acceptable. Overall, this place rocks. Good for groups or by your lonesome, and I would assume a sweet date spot. The cocktail menu also looked solid and I would go back for another meal or just drinks. If you want something off the beaten path (literally and metaphorically), then this place is for you. And you just might spot some celebrities too...

Justine’s is an excellent restaurant.

By mr_larry_smith |

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.

Good french food

By Gergana |

Lovely French food with excellent cocktails. We went for a friend's birthday - enjoyed the atmosphere, the deliciousness, the service. It has one of the best escargot in town, in my opinion. Our waitress was lovely and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, we were seated inside and the music & noise level kept increasing over the evening. They do have free parking at a fairly large lot across the street. It was pretty expensive so this is definitely not an every-week-type-of-place but would generally go back for other special occasions.

Justine's is charming and worth the visit!

By Tsuneumi |

Justine's is nestled into a neighborhood in downtown Austin. It is a cozy Brasserie that the locals know about and enjoy. The food is excellent, the service friendly and the ambiance is what you might expect from a Parisian Brasserie. There is a full bar with concoctions of all kinds. There is an expansive outdoor patio under the trees that is sure to attract in warm months.

When you think you've gone too far, keep going

By lawilbur |

That's what they say. I don't know how the owners found this spot but who cares. Just go. The food is fantastic, all of it, but particularly the steak tartare. Just go.

Would've fived it except for the decibel level

By Bertha_Venation |

Really a treat to dine here, wonderful ambience, excellent menu, eclectic competent staff, great cocktails and a good wine list, even by the glass. Am also wary of American French, this was French, and reminded us of when we lived near Metz. Service was sparky, fun and informed. Only negative was when the alleged owner shows up and the music ( which was great) gets pumped to a volume that one can't converse without shouting. Tip from staff -go a little earlier and enjoy a great meal - because he allegedly is immune to requests to keep the decibels at a bearable level. Like most of my French friends he may not give a flying f^*# what we think - which of course can be quite endearing and add to the authenticity.

Too popular for it's own good

By RogerReady3 |

I have been coming here for several years. The food is consistently very good, but I lament the loss of the snapper with buerre blanc from the menu. The bar serves some classic old school cocktails and spins old vinyl jazz records. No reservations. I recommend coming early because it gets crowded later. Now for the bad parts. It is too popular. It is crowded. The bar is chaos, not because of the bartenders but the customers. It is loud so you can't hear the lovely jazz...or your date. I recommend eating outside so you can talk. It is a hoot to people-watch here. Lately it seems to be a gathering spot for young women who spend entirely too much time in front of a mirror to be going out to dinner with a group of other women. Do not expect for things to happen quickly here; I mean it is seriously crowded. I don't see how they can serve at all. But there is a buzz that is infectious, so maybe that is why we all keep coming back.

You Had Me At "Royale With Cheese"

By Alexandria Boddie |

I lay here the next morning, having consumed probably the tastiest and juiciest well-done burger I've ever had in my ENTIRE life at midnight, and I don't feel totally gross. +1000 I'm in Austin on an art trip. After a night of several gallery shows and open studios, I met my group at this restaurant. I looooove the vibe! A place where anyone can feel comfortable in their skin, I could tell. There's a frickin' backyard! Great liquor selections for cocktails. The staff was lovely, and put up with me repeatedly going back and forth between our 12-person table in the tent and the seated area inside, where my family and some new friends were sitting. It was an extremely busy night for them, and no one was losing their cool or having an attitude. The layout of the restaurant is very "alternative" to me - you're outside, then you're inside, then you're outside again. I love that. And the food! That's the most important, right? There are certain foods I don't normally eat because of health issues, but I can allow myself a cheat night sometimes, and I did. This usually means being miserable the next day. Well, it's the next day, and the wonderful bread I allowed myself a bit of isn't making me want to just die. I had some escargots for appetizer - perfection! And that burger... They get all the points for invoking "Pulp Fiction". We had a great time here. It's local-approved, and simply fabulous 👌🏽

Food really good, service fair to midlin'

By JenJangles |

My pork chop was delicious, the au Gratin potatoes so very, very good. The ambiance was nice. We went with a large group and were there a long time. Unfortunately the service was not in par with the food. It took 40 minutes to get my 1st drink and our server was in no hurry for anything. We would have spent a lot more money had we been attended to properly. Fortunately the company was so good I didn't get too frustrated. We did have a great night and the food was #yum. I might consider trying again, hoping for a different server.

Date night anyone?

By luvplayacar |

Such a special place nestled among the industry of East 5th. Charming outdoor patio with white sparkling lights, blooming jasmine and bocce ball. Date night! Suggestions: start with the Kir Royal (champagne with black currant liqueur) or the sugar rimmed lemon drop- perfection! Order the scallops! Best I've ever had! Order steak and fritas with all 3 sauces! Yep- u can do that! Then round it off with lattes and creme brûlée. Delish! Get there early! But they don't open til 6. No- they really don't open til 6. Which left us standing on the curb for 15mins. No bar to grab a drink til 6pm. Parking on the street. Handicap parking in the back. No need to dress up either. But then again it was a Wednesday night. And it's Austin. Great date spot. Great food. And music is via records! Enjoy.

Thanks for this

By Mitch3588 |

Thanks for simple menus that offer quality not quantity. Thanks for surroundings that bring people together. Thanks for character and authenticity. Thanks for unobtrusive service. The only tough decision is vibe of the small dining room or charm of the chandeliered tent.

Late night eat near the airport---

By TMcCarty |

We arrived into the Austin Airport around 10pm from the west coast. Our bodies thought it was 8pm and boy were we hungry. I checked urban spoon and Open Table and Justine's was the only place open around 10:30-11;00. We had eaten there several years ago. Cute old house, but very noisy. We elected to give it another try because we would not have to pay for parking. The best part about this is it is just over 3 miles from the airport. It is on way EAST 5th just off 183. Easy to get to and at this time, parking was a breeze. We had champagne and steak frites outside and it was wonderful. The service was just right. It was quite an Austin vibe at this time on a Sunday. We will remember this for future late night return trips! So good and so easy! By the way--the steak tartar is really good as are the mussels!

Still good, actually improving.

By RogerReady3 |

I have reviewed Justine's several times because it is one of our favorites and we eat here often. Those who complain typically don't like the noise, crowds and lack of reservations. The noise level inside is high, usually because there are a lot of people having a good time. In good weather you can avoid that by eating outside where noise is not a problem. Or, you can do as we do and arrive early and avoid noise, crowds and waiting for a table. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and honest about the food and daily specials. Our waiter last night had spent several years in the kitchen and told us about their new pork supplier that was much better than their old one. I found that hard to believe because Justine's pork chops have been without equal, I love them. But, last night set the bar much higher. This pork chop was simply incredible. A good char on the outside, pink, juicy and flavorful on the inside with their cream sauce. Unfortunately, my wife ordered it and not me, but she was generous and shared two bites. I had the roast goose special, good but not on a par with the pork.

Excellent dinner- if only we'd been able to hear one another

By *jp |

While the food and service easily rate 4- 4 1/2 stars I'm giving it neither solely because of the noise level. The "background" (foreground?) music was very loud, loud enough that everyone in the crowded space found it necessary to scream to be heard, which only added to the incredible din. It was so loud that our waiter misunderstood that we wanted a cheese plate for dessert, and not the cheesecake which was delivered. What should have been a lovely, peaceful evening was anything but. If you're planning to have a meaningful conversation with your partner, find another restaurant.

Good atmosphere but fell a little short on our dinner

By Elaine M |

We had a fun night out, very lucky to get a table because at 6:30 people were lined up. The escargot did not live up to our expectation. We order it whenever it is on the menu- France or in the USA. It lacked taste- not enough parsley and garlic and wasn’t piping hot. The rolls served with it were excellent! My fish dinner in lemon butter sauce was fair, not anything special. The lemon butter sauce was thick, something I was not expecting. Nothing had much flavor. The vegetables that were served with the fish were good and firm. I loved the atmosphere - my husband enjoyed his steak, but he felt it was not any big deal. We decided we would try Justine’s one more time.

Amazing all together

By Ryan K |

The wait staff is very attentive and the food is excellent. The atmosphere is dark and very mid century france, beautiful decorum. The food is phenomenal and the experience is truly an austin original. I had a great time and cannot wait to come back. Be sure to order from the whole menu. Everything can stand alone. Venture to this lovely niche and enjoy your stay here in austin.

Worth the wait!

By Alan D |

Justine's is busy, noisy and full of good wine and food.There were seven or eight of us, so, since they don't do res., took a while to get seated. However, the menu and the wines were excellent and everyone had delicious food. Moulis et Frites were perfect, and the Sevres et Maines white was the perfect match. Just look at the menu for all the options, since, with this large a group, not sure who had what! Also, service, in spite of a huge crowd, was exceptional and the atmosphere was eclectic and electric.

What's French for 'Mixed Bag'?

By Bill H |

We love a French bistro-style dining experience and hadn't tried Justine's yet, so we looked forward to a group dinner with some friends there. We got there early, just before 6, on a Saturday night. The doors weren't open yet but there was a crowd of at least 20 on the sidewalk. Our party was seated in the house section, rather than the tented seating area. They had another reservation for that table at 8, so we had to promise to be wrapped up by then, which everyone felt was OK. As the restaurant got busier, the noise level in our dining area really ramped up, to the point that we were having a little trouble conversing with folks at the other end of the table. Service was attentive, with prices a little bit on the high side. Note: the bill for our party of 6 included a mandatory 20% gratuity. Delicious butter lettuce salads, but I should have requested dressing on the side...pretty heavily poured. My pork chop was quite good, but my wife's Steak Frites featured a pretty thin and somewhat fatty piece of what she thought was a T-bone with the bone removed. Not sure about that, but we felt that we'd been served a better version of that dish at at-least two other restaurants in Austin for quite a few dollars less. Excellent creme brulee topped off the meal and we made it out just after eight without any pressure from the staff. We had a nice wine from the list ($45) but there are reasonable house wines, as well. I should note that we were there on a beautiful spring evening, but can imagine that the spaces might be uncomfortable in the heat of the summer or the cold of the winter, although that's not usually a problem here.

Excellent Gem

By mollydrakeelder |

This place is magical. The service is excellent and the food is consistently great. I’m so sad that CoVid has it temporarily shut down because it is honestly one of the best restaurants in Austin.

A nice out of the way restaurant with excellent food and great wine

By James F |

Found this restaurant in a book. Although a bit out of our way, we decided to try it. It turned out to be a gem. Sitting available both inside and outside (with misters). Staff was very friendly and professional. The food was excellent and the wine list was reasonably priced. Get there early as they not normally take reservations and fill up quickly.

French Bistro in East East Austin delivers ...

By Doug S |

If you find yourself looking for delicious late night dining there is no better choice in Austin- Justine's is it. If you find yourself in desperate need for a petanque game there is no better choice in Austin- Justine's is it. If you want to be transported to France to enjoy unpretentious french cooking without getting on a plane- Justine's is it. This little house with a wonderful outdoor patio in East Austin is a real treat for all of us in Austin. The food is simple and authentically french. It is delicious. The room is cozy and I love the vinyl playing in the background. I have been interrupted more than once with "just a moment, I have to change the record" while ordering a cocktail at the compact bar. Drinks are inventive but not novelties. This is an adult place with an adult vibe and will have a heaving crowd at midnight on a Thursday enjoying the patio, drinking wine, eating great food … and maybe even playing petanque!!!!

For a touch of French slow life and tenderly cooking amid Austin's hectic pace and fast food...

By hiepsimu |

Justine's serves our favorite bistro-like cuisine, away from Paris. We always try one of the specials du jour but you can't go wrong ordering the classic steak pommes frites or steamy moules marinières. Owner Pierre selects the best, in-season ingredients and adapts his well-traveled recipes to make exquisite dishes that rival the best bistros in NYC. And, if you catch him on special occasions when Les Bleus are playing in the Euro Tournament or the World Cup, be ready for a special treat.

Ooh C’est Si Bon!

By Ryo Z |

This will be a go to place for me anytime I’m back in Austin. This was recommended to me by quite a few people and so I followed their advice and made my way there. It’s truly an experience- the restaurant is like Art & French cuisine has a child together. From the modest little sign out front, you enter in through the gate and already you see the red draperies and you step right into another world. I felt like a came upon a gypsy camp. The patrons all involved in conversation while the eclectic interior decor blends in with the chatter and clinking noises. This place is busy. The bar is first come first served and tables are reserved, be aware, if you don’t have a reservation, there may be a wait time for a table. Tonight the wait was one hour. I scored a seat at the bar. It’s beer & wine list is just enough & the menu offerings has something for everyone. There’s daily specials menu & a set menu to design your meal. Fois gras in brioche with blueberry jam. #foodgasm! The brioche is lightly toasted and the Fois gras warmed and buttery, the blueberry jam was just perfect and the thinly sliced radishes gave a nice peppery finish. Oh, it’s an experience. Salade De Bruxelle. #salty I wanted to like this salad, I could smell the toasted Brussel sprouts and the the presentation, but it was too salty for my taste. Cote De Porc. #Epic! #PorkZilla! Probably the most thickest cut of pork chops I’ve ever seen with the side of au gratin and the aroma of the sauce, a thyme reduction just excites your senses. First bite and every bite after is so flavorful. Perfectly seasoned. The gratin was just the condiment for the meat and the smooth sauce was an amazing liaison. Créme Brûlée. #perfect! One of my favorite desserts and a great ending to my meal. Of course my delicious créme brûlée needed a nice reposado shot, because, that’s how I do! Shout out to my bartender Ethan. Folks, take care of him, he’s a cool cat. There is valet parking available, consider a ride share- or find street parking. Have a great time! :)

Overpriced and Full of Themselves

By phoenix_dog |

We had been so looking forward to eating at Justine's for so long, and I have to say the hype just isn't true. This place is just not worth it! The food is hugely overpriced and only average. While the young hostess who seated us was competent, the (presumable) owner or manager who strutted around all night in a fur stole was beyond rude -- ignoring us for the most part (even when trying to get her attention) but then "gracing" us with a roll of the eyes and a put-out huff when I politely asked to get by her. Our waiter was competent, but there was too few staff to adequately serve the customers -- not the waiter's fault, but certainly off-putting. Don't expect to be able to hold a conversation if seated inside, as there is nothing to baffle sound and the place has seating so close you can't maneuver. Outside was slightly, SLIGHTLY better. If you love wildlife, avoid the place or all you will see is death dripping from the shoulders of some awfully snooty women.... All in all, your money is better spent elsewhere.

Best French food outside of France

By Andy B |

Visited due to me craving steak tartare while on a trip to Texas. Food is top notch. Wine and cocktail list is extensive. We sat inside on the first visit, and as it was so good we had to go back a second time, I struggle with humidity, but we sat outside on the second visit, we were placed near a fan which helped immensely, the steak tartare was just as good the second visit which proves the food is consistently good at this place. It's also normal sized portions. To a European appetite anyway which meant I was able to finish my main and order dessert, the crème brulee was evenly crunchy on top and consistency silky and smooth throughout. Defiantly will be returning should we be back.

So French

By KarenAustin |

Justine's is a favorite of ours. We just had a family birthday celebration there for a daughter who spent a semester in France. Go when you can eat outside, though; the inside is very noisy. The food is very good. The prices are reasonable. All French favorites are there. The people watching is as interesting as the food--again, just like in France!

OVERRATED and OVERPRICED

By michaeltf2017 |

This IS NOT a French restaurant. (If you have ever lived or visited France, you will agree). It is loud, with loud drunks, especially on a Saturday night. Seriously overpriced food. My burger had big chunks of seasoned salt (failure to thoroughly mix by chef). My wife's seafood was still cold in the middle! CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD ONLINE FOR EXTRA CHARGES AFTER YOUR VISIT. THEIR LATEST SCAM IS "OH, OUR INTERNET IS DOWN." I REGRET TIPPING THESE PEOPLE.

French food with a Texas flavor

By Bill B |

We went here for my 68th birthday, and hoped to get out of the heat of the day, but were unable to get an inside table. We sat outside, but it turned out to be a very nice evening, due to the wait staff and food. The food was exceptional, and everyone, my wife, daughter and son-in-law, all were please with what we ate. I will try to get back here again when I am back visiting.

Great French Food

By Nancy B |

Justine's is a gem in east Austin. The prices are good and the food quality is excellent. We always get there when it opens at 6 pm. There is already a line to get in. We actually plan our trips to Austin to make sure we are there on a day Justine's is open (Wed - Sun). It is very popular with the locals and has a real cool vibe.

Very Nice hidden Jewel

By YumGuru |

Can not tell from outside at this location but once you are inside, nice ambiance and great food and wine. I enjoyed the snapper even though it looked too good too eat. Chocolate mouse was great. The service was great , my waitress was friendly and reminded me of a star. This place also has outdoor seating and is very close to the airport if you are looking for a nice restaurant close to airport hotels.

Dependable charm and food

By RogerReady3 |

I have been coming here for years and there is a consistency that is heartwarming, The food is pretty damn good and the service is exemplary too. Our waitress this recent visit, Rachael, was exceptional and one of the better waitstaff we have encountered in Austin. The food is very good, but I am pretty disappointed that they dropped the red snapper with beurre blanc about two years ago. They usually have a fish of the day offering, but it isn't the same regardless how good it might be. The pork chop is a definite must do. We have never been disappointed with it. This past weekend we split rabbit risotto as a first course. At first, it seemed a little gamey, but by the time we finished, we wanted more. My Atlantic char was exceptional and my wife's steak frites was well prepared as usual with three sauces and great shoestring potatoes. She is a sucker for steak frites. Advice: Go early, it gets crowded later. Eat outside, the noise level inside can be deafening. Try a classic old-school cocktail like a martini or a sidecar.

Funky place, great food

By monique m |

A vendor took me to dinner here. Funky atmosphere, great food. Really enjoyed it. I had the fish special. We also dr id a cheese board and dessert was phenomenal.

Can't figure this out

By Ronald W |

Im usually a fan of all things Austin, and really enjoy trying new and innovative places. With the January exit of LaV (RIP) we were looking for something French beside chez nous and the reviews suggest Justine's was the go to place. Sorry to say my experience was a disappointment. The cheese and charcuterie plate was good but the mussels were tasteless the frites not even to McDonald's level. THe escargot was rubbery and mostly greasy and the St Jacques scallops were only acceptable. Hopefully your experience will be better than mine.

Fun place, pricey

By Amy H |

We went in a large group and had a great time here. I would say that the entrees are worth coming for, skip the apps. Escargo was what you expect. The charcuterie plate was disappointing, with very tiny portions. The salmon crudo was good, but a crudo in a French bistro seemed odd. I recommend the fish, the lamb, and the dessert. Wine and cocktail list is excellent.

Loved this place!

By Rebekah W |

We are so glad we discovered Justine's, this restaurant is fantastic! It gets very busy and they don't take reservations, but the wait was worth it. We were lucky enough to get bar seats so we started with a lovely bottle of Rose. The bartender never left my wine glass empty or my water glass empty, which was super impressive since they were so busy. After getting seated we got 2 appetizers. The server was excellent, she made sure to check up on us and made sure our drinks and waters were always filled as well. Next our entrees came out and they were all very flavorful. I got the scallops and my husband got the rigatoni pasta. My scallops were cooked to perfection, and my husband, said the pasta was fantastic. We had a great time at Justine's and will be back the next time we're in town.

Justine’s ego prevents excellence.

By JALToronto |

Justine’s is a funky, French restaurant where young, attractive and interesting people seem to dine. It’s a very cool crowd in a busy restaurant on a Thursday night. However, Justine’s is charging a lot of money for their food and therefore needs to live up to expectations to continue to thrive on such a level. Tuna tartare was plain other than being covered with dill. The burger was too thick in the middle and the bun overwhelmed it. The pork chop was very good.

Best restaurant in Austin.

By andreanderen |

Amazing atmosphere. Authentic french food. Like dinning in Cannes, better than any french place in LA including the one on Sunset Strip. Pretty people always, both waiters and customers. Beautiful lighting, romantic, sensual. Drinks that make you very happy, flavorful cocktails. And oh the Steak Tartare! The whole place is just magical.

Magnifique!

By Peach0930 |

Justine's raises the bar so high for the other restaurants in Austin it is almost impossible to compare! The food, the ambience and yes even the service are always wonderful. We are fortunate enough to live nearby and frequent the restaurant quite a bit. The French 75's, the escargot, the duck confit - all so amazing! Keep up the great work Justine's!

Dinner on a Friday Night

By Juan R |

Great atmosphere and fantastic service. Great food. A must do in Austin. Get there early to insure parking, Fridays is very packed. Will visit again...

RE: Gourmet French Food in a Shabby-Chic Environment

By randol b |

I love this place. The east Austin location has an old-style feel about it ... in a city that has pretentious, upscale restaurants by the block-ful. The wine list is small but varied, the food is carefully prepared from very fresh, often-local, ingredients and the wait staff is attentive but un-fussy. There is a staple menu, along with posted specials; my pork chop was divine, and my dinner partner made all kinds of approving moans of pleasure consuming his stewed mussels. Oh, yes - the French bread was well worthy of the adjective descriptor and was served with luscious EVOO. We didn't have a dessert on this occasion, but I've samples their wares on past visits and was suitably impressed. Final perk: You can park your OWN car on the STREET outside the restaurant! No valet parking or garage fees. Justine's takes reservations for parties over 6, but walk-ins (as we were) are most welcome. (We arrived at 6:30 on Saturday night and were seated in the garden immediately.) You'll love this place. Bon appetit!

Just Justine's

By George B |

Overall one of the better places to eat in Austin. The location is bit off beaten path and surely that was intentional for variety of reasons, lower rents likely one. The yard and restaurant are beautifully set in a yard/ garden. The staff very friendly and helpful. Nice selection of wines, caveat little to no half bottle choices. Escargots were good, and the main course pork chop was enough for two. Dessert isn't a strong suit for them. Mascarpone covered sherbet overly thick. Creme Brulee not using real vanilla bean Pro- Staff Main courses Environs Con- Noise level Price vs quality desserts Over pretty good, companion helped alot.

Atx's hot spot !!

By 1Ezgi |

One of my fave place in earth... Atmosphere is great.Not many people know here.You must go if you are in atx try to go whenever they have an event. You can find food till late time.

The experience was just ok and really loud

By Johns0815 |

We were visiting some friends and they love this place. It has a great outside place to hang out while you wait for your table...we had a reservation but got there early to enjoy this area..this was a Friday and they were very busy and we were taken at our appointed time..it's when we went inside that our enjoyment of justine's went down the hill. It was so loud we could not hear what the waitress was saying and she was a little short and snappy with us...like she didn't have time to waist with us Myself and one other person at the table had the pork chops and yes they were very good! Two other had the brisket not very good tough and two other had the scallops and they were good but spicy! I wish I knew more about their dinner i just couldn't hear what they were saying Hahahahaha! Oh yes we did have the escargot And cheese plate it also good If we go again I request to sit outside

Great food, great setting, great service, too expensive

By Frank |

Our party of four was seated inside the fancy tent that is installed in front of the building during winter time. Very nice setting, great pro-active service with attention to detail and the food was really nice. Cocktails are well balanced. The menu options are limited (always a good sign). Appetizers and main courses are really tasted and well prepared. The size of the main courses is limited so if you're hungry, it's best to order additional food. The only real remark I can give is that in my opinion, the prices are too steep. You will find the same dishes in Belgium and France for far less while also getting bigger portions.

Oh La La

By Michele M |

Arrived right at opening time on a Wednesday evening and scored an intimate table for two. We were totally satiated sharing - escargot with endless hot bread for sopping, a beautifully simple green salad and steak/frittes. The $28 house Bordeaux hit the spot.

Good Dinner Spot

By Jacqui H |

Before making the trip to Austin, I did my usual research to find the best spots to go for lunch/dinner. I booked this place ahead of time on OpenTable for dinner. We asked to be seated inside as it was a bit cold. But the outdoor patio dining did look great and would be perfect during summer. We had no delays, everything was set up for us and the place had a pretty casual yet sophisticated vibe. We decided to start with the Escargots, the daily plate appetizer and drinks. For entrees we ordered the Moules Frites and the daily plate entree which was Quail. Being a French restaurant, I obviously could not skip dessert and got the Creme Brulee. Complimentary Bread & Olive Oil - This is such a danger, yes it was good - I loved the olive oil. The bread was a bit hard. But seriously it's so easy to get carried away with this, I could just eat bread and oil and forget about everything else. And then I even asked for seconds, why? Escargots A La Bourguignonne ($13) - It was very good - not quite as good as Amelie in NY, but good. Daily Plate App - Royal Red ($18) - This is one of their blackboard specials - Red Shrimp and Rice/Risotto. The sauce was so flavourful. Our waitress was really descriptive from what I remember, but I just can't remember everything that was in it, something something - suzette sauce - all I know is that it was super good - and I did take pix :) Moules Frites ($26) - This was delicious, I enjoyed it. The mussels were cooked well and the sauce was great - went well with the bread. The fries were well seasoned, crispy and yum. Good quantity too. Daily Plate Entree - Quail ($32) - Really delicious, flavourful and cooked just right. Creme Brulee ($12) - After all that plus the bread, I was quite full but I could not leave without trying dessert! The Creme Brulee was delicious and very, very much worth the stuffing. Drinks ($12ea) - Amorik and French 75. French 75 was good, the Amorik was strong. We weren't really too fussed about the drinks as we were heading to a speakeasy after. Quantity 5/5 - Both apps and entrees were a good size and very filling. Ambience 5/5 - Can be a bit noisy sure, but it's easy to drift into your own world and have a conversation. It's very cozy and dark - nice dark though, candlelight date night dark. Service 4/5 - Service was good, our server was very attentive and knowledgeable on the items. Spice 0/5 - Nothing was spicy but everything was flavourful. Taste - 4/5 - Delicious - we really enjoyed their daily plates, very creative and super yum. The frites were awesome too. So glad I picked this spot. If I lived in Austin I would be here all the time. Great Friday/weekend spot and if you're visiting Austin, totally recommend it. I'm sure any day of the week it would be good. Ambience and food was perfect and if I'm ever in Austin again I will definitely be back.

Delightful!

By nombres02 |

We took our daughter here for her birthday - her request, our first visit - and it was a hit! The atmosphere is fun and cozy- it was a cold winter evening - it can get noisy as the restaurant fills., but we felt that added to the ambiance. The food is so good - we had lemon martinis, escargot, steak frites (melt in your mouth rib-eyes) and the scallops (tender and succulent). The portions are not too large, not too small, just right. The service is timely and the price is reasonable. Be advised - get there early. They don't take reservations and when we arrived shortly before 6:00 p.m. the line was already forming and the indoor seating area was filled shortly after 7:00 p.m. The outdoor patio is enclosed by plastic panels in the winter and has heaters which makes it okay, but I'd rather be indoors in cold weather. Go! you'll love it.

go find this place!!!!

By pochen9 |

I love quirky sort of bohemian spots that almost don't make sense. Add great food and drinks to that atmosphere and I'll stay all night. This place is in the most unlikely spot in an industrial area but once you enter the patio area, you have to just chuckle and go with the flow. The staff is equally bohemian (in the best of ways) and really on their game. The food was excellent. As the weather warms up, an evening dinner outside at Justine's has to be on your list of to-do's.

Poorest service ever

By DrC55 |

Went late Friday night because of good TA reviews and open late. Got there at 10.30, seated 11.10, ordered 11.30, drinks brought 12.00, waiter tells us kitchen backed up and food hasnt started yet 12.30. Cancelled and left. One hard working bartender trying but failing to wait on 40 customers trying unsuccessfully to order. Gave up after 15 minutes.

Great atmosphere, great food

By Ken T |

A group of 7 friends together. Everyone loved the place. A number of them commented on the atmosphere, and how good it is. There's enough activity and noise to be interesting but not so much that we couldn't talk. The mussels were excellent, as was the snapper. The fries a few people got were also terrific. Service was friendly and attentive.

Justine Restaurant in Austin Texas

By brandon w |

Okay This could be my favorite restaurant on the planet! Except for the temporary mosquito problem The food and for the most part the service was amazing! This French and somewhat southern cuisine couldn't have been better except when it came to the dessert. When you arrive at the restaurant you may think you are in the wrong place but believe me you are in the right one! There are a lot of seriously great restaurants in Austin but this one is a must!

Bordering on Bistro

By Michael S |

Walking in, we felt we were in Paris. Wonderful atmosphere and the heavy mismatched forks pointed to a good experience. The starter Endive with Roquefort was superb. A bib lettuce covering sprinkled with a bright vinaigrette cleverly hid the cheese, pear, beets, green beans, walnuts and the three pistachios. I liked it, but my wife was less than enthusiastic. Then came the pheasant. Well prepared with a scrumptious sauce over the mushrooms and potatoes. However, the meat was a bit gamy for me (my friend asked what I was expecting!) and the slightly unpleasant flavor lingered in my mouth for hours - too bad. We felt like the wrong cut of meat was used for my wife's steak frites and poivre sauce . It did say ribeye but wasn't what we expected. The sauce was buttery but otherwise bland. Our son said butter on butter and was right. This dish was also a slight miss. Finally for dessert, I had the knock-my-socks-off creme brulee. My wife's chocolate pie with anise-flavored cranberry sauce was yet another miss. When asked if I would go again, I said yes, I would try a different set of menu items and see if my rating is fair or needs change.

Almost perfect....

By MICHAEL D |

Interesting place. Limited menu but good choices. Try and avoid being inside as the noise level does increase with the music, more guests and kitchen which makes it hard to chat. Onion soup was great except for the few raw onions at the tail end. Mussels were also very good. Overall was pleasant surprise..almost a perfect night. Read all the reviews as you will see a common thread on the positives. Our main waiter was borderline rude on responses around the menu and not very attentive but overall Justine's is a 4 rating. I would try it again.

So Romantic and Great Vibes

By Alicia P |

Love, love this place. The food is always great and the atmosphere is romantic. The prices are very fair. Only reason I give 4 stars is because there is always a very long wait and they dont accept reservations unless it is a group of 6 or more. On really nice nights, its perfect to go, because the courtyard is adorable.

Very nice but cheap on the sauce

By Mr G |

Wow! What a great place. Very much like a French bistro…in France. Very good menu choices…but a bit pricey. I thought it was worth it. We had two steak frites and confit de canard. Very nice. Only negative thing is I thought they nickled-dimed us. $5 for bread. $2 for oil. Main courses weren’t cheap, so why do that? Also, we have au poivre sauce with the steak. A small thimble half filled for each of us. Come on…that won’t go far. So I asked for more sauce. This time another thimble, but a full one. Wonder if they split a thimble between the two steak orders at first. But they charged $1.50 for the additional sauce. For two $54 steaks. Hhmmmm….seems a bit cheap on their part. Especially.. since it looked like we had half thimbles to start with. But they were very nice and I would return.

Always great

By RogerReady3 |

They have a somewhat small menu but what they have is always done well. This is one place where I will not hesitate to order the pork chop, a notoriously difficult cut to cook properly. it always comes out with just the right touch of pink. Drinks are good and they stick to the classics with just a small twist. My dislikes: (1) They no longer have the red snapper that I loved. It was a regular menu item until about two years ago. (2) it gets very noisy inside, so we usually opt to eat outside. (3) In the past, the music was always classic jazz on vinyl. On our recent visit they broke out of this with some definitely non-classic, non-jazz sounds. Likes: great people watching.

Enjoyable experience overall

By Elizabeth L |

I gave Justine's a 4 star rather than a 5 mainly because we had to wait over am hour to be seated. This restaurant should accept reservations. As a French woman, I can attest that the food is typically French and I know that the owners are from France. We actually enjoyed chatting with our waiter from Paris. Last night, we enjoyed the steak with frites, the escargots the scallops and the oignon soup. Our two year old grand daughter enjoyed the cheese platter. It is not a big menu but what they serve is tasty and authentic. Their bread is excellent too. We were all too full for dessert. If you do mind waiting and having a drink in their courtyard, this is a great place. I recommend you eat outside. It is very loud inside.

(Dis)Served

By imakemarimoves |

Hello, my partner and I will be reviewing Justine's 1937 below. We are locally from Austin, and enjoy the pleasures of authentic and unique restaurants. We came at the end of August for date-night. Here's our review! :) * How likely is it that you would recommend our service to a friend or colleague? Not likely at all. * How do you rate your last experience with us? Our experience we received was disappointing. We anticipated a lot more than received, expecting it to be a luxury French restaurant, and instead was a (Dis)Served experience, meaning: A staff member didn't acknowledge us within 2-3 minutes, we were greeted after 10 minutes. Our beverages didn't arrive for 20 minutes after that, therefore we didn't have beverages 30 minutes after seating. We also were served our bread on a glass plate, while everyone else had theirs in a basket wrapped in napkins to keep them warm, and when we were told we were going to receive more bread, it was never received, as you can see in the photo. Lastly, every time we initiated interaction with our server she dismissed us and told us she would be right back when we: asked for our drinks (twice), bread (twice), and when we urged we were ready to close with the card in hand. After every attempt to gain our server's attention, it took 7 minutes or more until she returned. * If you could change just one thing about our service, what would it be? The servers need to be trained how to establish *basic* server-customer interaction and consistency, especially in a French "luxury" restaurant, it certainly doesn't meet the expectations of. Presentation of the food was poor. * What else would you like us and other visitors to know? Please do not choose your meaningful experiences at Justine's, and choose elsewhere. I also spoke with other people in the Hospitality industry, and many agreed they've received the same service. I hope this helps others choose their destinations wisely.

Great food and ambiance

By Jen78703 |

I have wanted to go to Justine's for years but it's just a tad pricey so was saving it for a special occasion. We arrived a little before 6pm (opening) expecting to be able to get a drink at the bar until the restaurant opened. But were not allowed onto the property- which is fine. They didn't open until after 6 when a guest was trying to get in. I guess they got busy setting up? Based on the reviews (noise level inside) we sat outside. It was a good choice because by 7pm the place was packed (inside and out) and the noise inside was deafening. Oddly there is a booth to the side that takes & then sells old style photographs. There was always a line so it's popular. The good The patio gets prettier as it gets darker with all the lights twinkling. There are fans that can help keep the air moving if its hot. On the side near the back of the house there is a little shed with the inside covered with mirrors that you can go into and take fun photos. There is also a large red pagoda in the back left over from a previous event that is outlined in red lights- nice touch of whimsy. The food was excellent. The men in the group both ordered the pork chops and said they were excellent. I had the steak tartare (much to the men's horror) and it was melt in your mouth tasty. The desserts were delicious. The iffy The tables outside are TINY and the chairs are also really small/folding and not very solid. My husband who has a tremor had a hard time sitting on them. I can't recall from my trips to Paris but I think this must be a fairly standard cafe sidewalk style furniture when space is limited. Nice for ambiance but not so great to perch on for dinner. Many people brought dogs- most were fine but one was a barker. Fine at a bar but at a nice restaurant? Not so much. The service was not friendly but certainly efficient. I noticed black floating things in our water bottle and asked for a new one- our server just stared at me and replaced it. Geez...not even an acknowledgment? We all ordered coffee and never got a refill. We didn't see our server again until she brought the bill. Ugh I hate that. yes of course we could have flagged someone down but at $50+ per person I think they could offer at least 1 refill. All in all we had a great meal in a lovely location.

Mangez ici!

By Ellen S |

OK, so austin has several french restaurants, but none quite like this one. situated in a section of old east austin, this little gem is the only neon sign on the block, everything else is warehouses. as i type this i'm wondering if it's a bad idea to tell folks about justine's...it is what a truly hip and happening austin restaurant is expected to be. the menu is simple, there's something for everyone's price range and it serves the best steak tartare in town. it serves food until 1 am and has become the go-to place for musicians and other artists who come to town for a good meal and mellow vibe. there's not much point in reviewing the menu, because as a regular -- as in i eat there at least once a week on average when i'm flush -- i go for the duck confit (damn near perfect on each of the four times i've had it), the fish special (always done to showcase our finned friend with simple, yet complex flavors as part of the supporting cast); or the spaghetti bolognaise, a honking great bowl of pasta and meat sauce for $12. for me, a salad, the spaghetti and a glass of the house red balances out to less than the time and energy it would take me to go to the grocery store, bring home the goods, chop and saute, reduce the sauce, boil water for...well, you know the drill. so why bother if i can buy at justine's something as good as i'd make?! another one of the wonderful things about this place is the fact that the french owner, a former musician, plays good music. loud, but good. he doesn't plan to open another, smarter, eatery elsewhere. he's rooted in the current spot. the service is impressive, the wine list is good, and the music comes courtesy of 12-inch LPs and a turntable that might yield tina turner, billie holiday, coltrane or miles. this place is definitely doing its part to keeping austin's weird vibe alive, but in a good way. for the best experience, go sunday through thursday. leave saturday to the in-town sightseers who want be part of austin's hip scene on weekends only.

One of Austin's best but busy, busy.

By slinkylink |

The steak tartar is the best I've had and not just in Austin. I had this dish five times during my recent trip to Paris and you know what? That's right. Justine's version was better than any of them. A relaxed vibe and not too loud vinyl music selections. A WARNING TO COMPLAINERS AND CRYBABIES: Justine's is a busy restaurant. If you waltz in during prime dinner hours and expect to get a table in less than an hour you are kidding yourself. And if you opt for Friday or Saturday night, expect an even longer wait. And if you go on Valentine's Day or New Years Eve, well sweetheart, you are just asking for trouble. THE TIP: Don't set yourself up for a terrible experience! Do what we do: arrive right when they open or wait until after 10:30. We have been there easily a dozen times and have never had to wait when following those guidelines.

Unacceptable service

By J T |

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 reservations for party of two, and that’s understandable. We decided to order some drinks and wait at the bar. Soon after we sat down we saw a couple getting their check and left and the staff quickly bused the table. We thought maybe we would get a txt soon telling us the table is ready. We waited for 23 minutes. The table was empty the whole time, but no txt from the restaurant. The restaurant is either poorly managed or the receptionist lady didn’t want to give the table to us for some reasons… there is no way that they are holding that table for the customer before us, if there were any, because there is just no way a restaurant would keep a spot open for 20 plus min? Shocked and disappointed at the experience. Our bartender was very sweet though. Should have listened to all the 1 star reviews before we decided to come

Fabulous Food and Incredible Menu Choices

By KLSexton |

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.

A Valentine's Day Dinner to Remember

By Durkee22 |

We had a table of 10 for a spectacular Valentine's Day dinner. The wine was great. Our entrées included Sea bass, scallops, duck, and beef tenderloin. The desserts were fabulous. Will definitely dine here again.

Best Place in Austin!

By John S |

This was our 2nd trip to Austin and we chose to return to Justine's because of it's great food. We ordered the escargot as an appetizer. We also got the pork chop and scallops for entrees. All of the food was amazing and doesn't disappoint. We went on a Friday night and it was an hour long wait, but if you order a bottle of wine the time goes by quickly.

If you want Atmosphere & good food

By Buddiego |

We were in Austin for just a couple of days. We had heard that Austin is filled with culinary delights. Well, if this place is the benchmark, then get ready. The atmosphere was jumping even at 9 pm, and the food was well worth it. I highly recommend this place especially if you are in your mid-20,30's. I'm in my 70's and I still liked it!

Friends get together

By DrSyl |

This is our go to place in Austin. It has a lively atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area is covered and beautifully decorated. It has a warm and inviting feel. My husband and I have gone for a romantic dinner and with friends to catch up. The food is delicious and the staff is very friendly.

a bit pricey

By Wendy H |

a little on the expensive side but food was delicious. had the pork chop in a thyme reduction with a verte salad. DELISH!!!

Trifecta: Great Atmosphere, Food and Service!

By rumbreit |

This place is great! A bit tucked away in an industrial area, it's much larger than it first appears. The decor and atmosphere is awesome; funky-fancy and not stuffy despite it's fine dining menu. We went around 8pm on a Sunday at it was busy, however we were able to sit at the bar without a wait. Had some delicious wine and 'The Royale with Cheese' (because how could you not?). It was scrumptious. Very good time. Highly recommend.

Downhill upmarket

By Scottie96 |

After waiting from about 7pm we finally got seated, ordered and got our food at after 9.30pm. Started poorly with the bartender saying he could get me a cold glass for the beer. Waited at the bar for several minutes after we all had our drinks, watching as he spoke to another employee, waited and waited. When I asked again I felt like I was being reprimanded and he rudely reminded me he said he would get one and he would. I received it after asking again a third time and it arrive HOT. (this was an order of over $100 of drinks) wish I'd know this before I tipped him.........argh!! Who serves a cold beer glass hot...We were seated about 8.15 or so. 4 of our party had the steak frites. They ALL came out stone cold. Both the steak and the frites. We had to ask multiple times for bread and butter. The waitress tried to shame us when we reported our food was cold by loudly announcing to the rest of our table that we were unhappy with our food and was theirs okay. May say this was her checking but it was loud and rudely done, ensuring many tables around us heard. Not sure what she stood to gain from that. The pompous attitude of the staff seemed to be a pattern of all the staff we came in contact with. Unfortunately due to the fact we had 8 in our group she got her full tip and some. Definately not dereved or earned.

Overrated, loud and disappointing food.

By Teri S |

The concierge at W Hotel recommended this restaurant. Now I'm wondering if she got some kickback from the restaurant. They take no reservations, so we ended up waiting 1 1/2 hours for a table on a Sat night. That would have been ok if the food was worth the wait. It wasn't. So disappointing. I had the steak frites and my sister had a pork chop dish. They weren't inedible but nothing special. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was loud & crowded. It was very hard to carry on a conversation.

Right out of Poe’s Red Death!

By Mary M |

Justine’s has a bizarre decor, right out of Edgar Allen Poe. The music is extremely eclectic funkadelic to blues to pop to country - never static. Drank a lot of white and rose wines with our oysters which were good! The escargot was a little heavy on the garlic but otherwise tender as it should be. Tile fish with vegetables was delicious. Worth the experience and we’d go again!

Excellent French Restaurant

By Joelyn O |

The recent evening at Justine's was a return trip for half of us in our party of eight. We were celebrating on the eve of our daughter receiving her PhD at U.T. and those of us who had eaten there before thought this was the perfect place for a lovely dinner. Our table was outdoors under a canopy on a mild evening that was threatening more rain. The mildly scented citronella candles on the table saved us from mosquitos. We ordered cocktails from their specialty list and especially liked L'Enfant Terrible. Appetizers of escargot and charcuterie were shared. Our server was friendly and welcoming and timed the entres perfectly. The Steak Frites, the fish, the scallops were all wonderful. And the crème brulees we shared for dessert were the perfect ending for a delightful meal. Oh, It did rain during the course of our meal buy we all stayed perfectly dry. All eight of us would now agree that Justine's is a wonderful restaurant.

Off Putting Service

By Mjam4 |

I knew when our server conversationally and completely unsolicited told us about patrons using cocaine in the restaurant that we were in for an unconventional evening. Justine’s is a restaurant full of contradictions: dark and sultry but high energy, loud but intimate, and so chic but simultaneously tacky. It’s a fascinating place. The staff in this restaurant are like caricatures of French people in the 80s, all wearing large gold chains and oversized blazers. They truly behave like actors in a play- there is nothing authentic about this place. And maybe that’s the point? It was just so bizarre how they seemed to go out of their way to never crack a smile or provide any level of good service. To top it off, I can only say the food was good. Definitely not great. The moules frites were bland, the steak was rubbery, and the best thing I ate was the salade verte. Because Justine’s has so many rave reviews, I would definitely try it again, though I would hesitate to recommend it to a friend. I can’t help but to wonder if we were there on an off night or if the servers we had were having a bad evening. Maybe we ordered the wrong things. Who knows? In any event, if you are going to Justine’s for the first time, I recommend being prepared for a unique experience.

Sultry spot!

By Rachel S |

I just love Justine's so much. Whether it's date night or out with friends, it always feels like an escape to a French wonderland. Food is almost as wonderful as the people-watching!

Dinner Prepared by My Fantasty French Granny

By cherylj489 |

What a terrific place. It has it all: great food, great service and great atmosphere. Many of the dishes on the menu are straightforward, old-fashioned French that you just don’t see on menus anymore and I don’t know why because they are delicious. Austinites know this is the place to go because it is packed! Be sure to have a reservation or show up at 6 on the dot when they open. As they say “worth the journey”.

Sultry, Relaxed, Chilled (And Fun)

By Tom L |

Most of you readers likely know that Justine's is a bit tricky to find. Sort of in an industrial area all by itself. Do not be discouraged however: you will be rewarded. Justine's does not take reservations. After a couple drinks one night at Kitty Cohen's we headed over just past 9:00 PM. They had a table and set us up immediately. The place is dark and they spin vinyl. Two definite thumbs up for us. I'm told that the music selection changes from night to night. The place is quite hodge lodge in a good way. Nothing quite matches yet it does in a most charming way. The menu leans to a French bistro influence. Some may take exception to its authenticity but not with us. We found the food uniformly well prepared and flavourful. Our selections were French onion soup, crab salad and a main of scallops. We shared all three plates. We had a bottle of Chablis plus two glasses to enjoy with our cheese plate for dessert. Total bill was $160 before tip. Service was superb throughout. At one point our server pulled up a chair and we discussed the recent election for ten minutes. At the end of the meal our ride sharing driver did not show up so our server put it on his account (which we paid him in cash). Cory is a first rate server who makes his guests feel welcomed and comfortable. And kindly he wanted to insure that we were familiar with Chablis. He is an asset to Justine's So in the final analysis, we liked Justine's a LOT. We were in Austin for nine nights and it was in our top two (the other being Launderette). Don't let the location dissuade you: GO immediately !

Great Food, Incredible Noise!

By Bookshelfish |

We had a wonderful meal at Justine's this past weekend. All six of us raved about each of our dishes. Desserts were as great as the entrees. Everything on the menu was VERY reasonably priced. The food is great. The price will not break the bank. Fascinating mix of humanity. Unfortunately, the noise level is extremely high. My husband could hear nothing said at our table. I think that we were all hoarse by the time we left. If you are looking for a quiet evening, you must look elsewhere. For lively, charming atmosphere (the best people watching I've seen in ages - especially the Axel Rose look-alike) this is your place.

Gem just outside the downtown scene.

By JMWierda |

I was in town for SXSW and wanted a decent place away from the crowd. This was truly a hidden gem. Great vibe with a little party atmosphere. I ate at the bar and the waitress was friendly, personable,and cute. The Pork chop was incredible and I'm a pork chop snob. I gave it 5s because I couldn't find any faults but probably a 4.5 since a 5 should be for truly incredible experiences. You won't be dissapponted.

Food + French wine!!!

By Margaux V |

This place is by far one of my favorite places in Austin . It never stops being amazing! Advice order double sauce on your steak frite, the Roquefort sauce is amazing ! I went there in mid December and they had an amazing tent set up outside that allowed for outdoor seating! We ordered the escargot, salmon cru and asparagus à la crème as appetizers and they were all amazing! The asparagus as definitely worth a try and I'm a sucker for anything escargots so those were delicious! For the main course I always have the steak frite(the steak tartar is amazing though!) . I order it medium rare and it is cooked perfectly every time!!!!! Their fries are delicious and thin but the item that makes the dish is the sauce Roquefort ! It is delicious and I dip my fries and steak in it! It a huge portion as well! The steak is huge! I ordered my first crème brûlée on my last visit and it was delicious but a but too sweet after such a big meal! All in all this is an amazing little restaurant with an amazing atmosphere !!!! Our waitress was amazing and super nice! Oh! Make sure to look at their wine selection it is gorgeous! The only too small improvements I would recommend are that in the outside tent seating area , it does get a bit too hot( especially when you start drinking and eating) and the music is a bit too loud. It s hard to talk to one Another with the music playing loudly Advice order double sauce on your steak frite, the Roquefort sauce is amazing !

Dining highlight of trip to Austin

By Jeanie V |

There is great food to be had in many places, but how many offer an experience? My daughters treated me to a weekend in Austin for my birthday. (They are 29 to 34, I'm 60, we live in Seattle, San Francisco and LA) I'll admit we are pretty spoiled and snobby about food, style, ambience, etc. It doesn't have to be fancy, just RIGHT, and Justine's really hits the bull's eye. It is hip without being tragically so. The entry area is dark with a tented ceiling, and serves as a sexy introduction for what is to come. We were seated inside opposite the bar, with windows looking out to the courtyard. Generally I prefer restaurants that are not terribly loud, but in spite of some comments I've read about noise, it didn't bother me. The ambience was casually swanky, frankly bohemian, low lighting with excellent music being spun. Excellent being James Brown as we were seated, then a wide variety of other artists. The staff there are beautiful and stylish. I haven't even gotten to the food- between the 12 of us, we had practically everything on the menu. We were served with expertise, had drinks (excellent cocktails) and anything else we requested with no delay, and the restaurant was absolutely packed. Everyone raved about his or her dishes, I tasted them all. The opener with pate' and crusty bread was perfect. My pheasant was fantastic, the desserts were stellar. Overall, excellent dining experience- one I'd repeat. We were guests in December, so there was no seating outside, but we did walk around the courtyard after dinner, and it was delightfully funky. I'd recommend Justine's for a romantic dinner for two, or as we were, a large party.

French bistro Austin style

By Chauvin |

Great wait staff. Great French bistro style food(escargot, steak frites, etc. plus specials(frog legs, lamb ragout, etc). Reservations only for 6 or more; otherwise get there early. Noisy inside, but outside seating available if weather is pleasant. Bar is overwhelmed when doors open with waiting crowd. Worth the wait.

Awesome outdoor dinning

By RosieAZ |

We had a great dinner, wine, service and music was fabulous. The Creme Brulee was one of the best we've had.

Outstanding

By SixOneZero |

If you've ever read an Alan Furst novel, this may be as close to his Brasserie Heininger that you can find stateside in 2017. The atmosphere is electric, the service wonderful, and the food is amazing. We will definitely be back.

Absolutely atmospheric!

By gcdv |

Amazing cocktails, great food (the tartare was my favourite). and amazing ambience. What more do you want? My first dinner in Austin was here with two girlfriends, and it was such a memorable night. The staff were absolutely amazing! I would definitely recommend this place! For 3 people we spent around $250 including liberal drinks.

Decadent

By Ann_Robison |

Great atmosphere. Sit outside under the tent. I had the pork chops with au gratin potatoes. The wine list is good. We enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

mediocre at best

By kwf2013 |

Went for a light lunch during East Austin Studio Tour(which is amazing.) Quick and efficient service (bread basket and water carafe were refilled without request). Cucumber, avocado & lump crab salad was OK but small for the price. At $26, the steak frites was more expensive than a good steak house. Well cooked but seriously overseasoned. With the number of great restaurants in Austin to choose from, we're not likely to return to Justines.

WOW!

By Sarah B |

The food was some of the best I've ever had in the world and I used to live in Paris! Not your traditional French bistro [I learned to cook with my French grand-mere] but creativity taking French cooking to a new level. Dodds, our waitress, was just ADORABLE! funny, smart, efficient! And they even had Cynar to make me a Bitter Guiseppi digestif! Can't wait for my next visit to Austin in order to return.

What a treat!

By Laura B |

Amazing food and drinks. I felt like I had gone to foreign country. All the food from salads, to steak frites, to charcuterie was simply to die for. Lovely service. Look forward to returning in future visits.

Speactacular French Brasserie in Austin!

By Gregory S |

What a find! My family and I wanted a nice, non-barbecue meal in Austin fr our final night of the trip. My daughter chose Justine's, and what a great choice it was. This place offers perfectly cooked, simple French cuisine. Escargots that were plump, juicy, and beautifully seasoned with garlic. A bowl of moules frites with the plumpest. most delicious mussels I have eaten in years -- and this, coming from a Bostonian who travels to France often! All of the other dishes -- steak frites, une assiette de pates and rillettes, etc were also delicious. The wine list was impressive. We had a red Chinon and the waiter was knowledgeable enough to suggest that it should be served slightly chilled. And the capper was a snifter of slightly-warmed calvados, which brought out the amazing smell and taste of apples from Normandy. The owner is from Normandy and knows her stuff. I only wish this restaurant had an outpost in Boston! Not to be missed

While there is a lot to recommend there are glaring issues here !

By Peter L |

I went with my husband and brother-in-law for a New Year’s Eve dinner. The decor is fun and the waiters were dressed like old time circus folk. Their menu is limited but with a good selection of French Brasserie style food. There were also choices that were special for New Year’s Eve. To start, I ordered a kir which was made with house wine and was bitter due to not enough creme de cassis. We ordered a bottle of wine, which arrived with an ice bucket but no ice. That set the tone for the hits and misses of the evening. For hors d’oeuvres we ordered the osetra caviar at $130 which instead of bilinis came with packaged potato chips ! Attention was not even paid to having flat chips. We also ordered the Foie Gras that came with a large slice of mesquite toasted, hardy farm bread. Another miss, as the bread overpowered the delicate (and very tasty) Foie Gras terrine.. Thé entrées were delicious. The Bison filet was tender and yummy. The fish was cooked to perfection and the PEI mussels, fresh and perfectly cooked….however, the fries that arrived with the mussels were stone cold…they did replace them but the new ones were bits and pieces from the dregs of the bag. The service, although pleasant, was also hit and miss…We had to pour our own wine, knives and some dirty plates were left on the table through dessert and if we wanted anything we had to flag someone down. Dinner was just under the $450.00 mark for three people. I feel the price was fair, but the food misses and service glitches should all be ironed out given the pricing. In conclusion, I would return for the ambiance and food but some fine tuning needs to be done here !

EXPLOSIVE experience!

By Danny D |

Not really sure how to explain our experience. The food literally blew up in our faces.... hot oil and butter and everything. My girlfriend who was trying to serve the escargot got the worst of it and has a nasty burn on her hand and arm and not to mention getting it sprayed all over her face and ruining her blouse. I'm not sure how often this happens so let this be your warning, as we weren't notified. On the plus side they did give her some ice and lotion and comped the escargot, however $12 off a $170 bill seemed insufficient for what had transpired. Unrelated to that, only come here if you have a boring date as you won't be able to hear them over the unreasonably loud music inside. Something they've seemed to embrace...

wonderful French cuisine

By ObruceD |

Quaint French restaurant on the east side in the middle of nowhere. great find, fine dining french. est inside or out, but get there early, it fills up fast!

Frenchish

By Jensoid |

Justine's is a place for beautiful people. Jut one look at the staff will prove that. They are all just as individual and unique as the restaurant itself. Including the gentlemen who was dressed as Howdy Doody. We were in for a mates birthday party and they were very accommodating to our party, even though we were two over their limit. Our waitress, who was very preggo, was a joy to work with and was open to suggestions. We personally started with the Escargot followed by the Poisson of the day for me and the misses had the pork le chop. Frankly, this was all very good. I love the fact that the Escargot came in the loverly little serving dish with crisp bread to dip the rest of the parsley butter sauce and bit of Bourguignonne residue. The fish was salmon and it was nicely prepared nothing out of this world, but solid. Suzie's pork le chop was perfectly cooked to temp and well seasoned. We also had a side of ratatouille, which was somewhat of a disappointment. I asked myself one question tho.. where was the, Blanquette De Veau, Sole Meuniere, Pot Au Feu, Cassoulet, Confit De Canard, Poulet Basquaise, Soupe à L’oignon, Cheese Soufflé, Magret de Canard ,Bouillabaisse, Aligot, Coq au Vin, Raclette, or a Boeuf Bourguignon? There was nary a Quiche or Crepe in sight. However, they did have a hamburger on the menu as a main. So, what we have here is a quaint, romantic, sexy, hip and well staffed bar/restaurant with a couple of french dishes and a very young, upcoming clientele. I will say, the service was coordinated and done very well. Our wonderful waitress was even able to split the bill between 7 different credit cards.

Trendy place in Austin

By Jacobpaula |

Great musels, the octopus was amazing tasty and tender.we loved the cured salmon and the pork chop. Very trendy place in Austin

Very nice onion soup

By hnrqbarcelos |

Went here because it was the only place open after 10PM on a Sunday, but I was very surprised by the food. A delicious onion soup, a very nice burger and a fine selection of brews. I recommend

My fav. late night spot!

By 1000places2c |

If you haven't been here then your missing out! Great atmosphere, great cocktails, wonderful food. I love to dine late in the evening and this is the place to go. I had the Moules Frites, um so good! I am a classic cocktail drinker but I tried the St Jardine - divine.

Go the distance to find this place!

By Amy M |

After a week of eating food trucks and drinking beer, this local recommendation to us, was a fresh and funky surprise, with a great wine list and epic patio! The service was friendly, but not pushy and the food was very nice, the fish and seafood we had was very good. We had the Tuna Tartar and the Crab Salad, as well as a lovely fish. It was a biiiiit pricey, but I suppose we're converting Canadian dollars.

Great service...

By Gary T |

We visit Justine's about once a year and have always enjoyed the experience. Most visits we order our usual standbys and this year we decided to be different. For our starter we shared the Mussel's from the main menu. They were as usual- delicious. For mains we both ordered something new- the Royale Burger for my wife and Bolgonese for me. Both were what we classify as okay, not great. The Burger is served with fries and it is thick, juicy, and covered in cheese. It is served open face on toasted toast. The Bolgonese is one of the meatiest I've ever had, but it really lacks flavor. Service was as usual great and on this night the kitchen was a bit slower than usual. The place was of course packed both inside and inside the tents.

Fabulous dining experience!

By KikiandJamie |

We went here for steak and we had a choice of topping. You can order all the toppings to see which one is your favorite. Great place to take a first date. It has inside dining as well as a canopy room with green velvet and chandileer lights…very romantic.

AH-MAZING!!!

By EPB1977 |

Sat myself at the bar. Amazing service. The pork chop was the best I have ever had. Easy street parking. This is a must do.

dont wear your maga hat there

By eaterofallthingsgood |

this is a fun off the wall place if you want Austin weird . good food but $25 to get there from down town

Poor service for the price and no transport back to town

By TonyInDC |

On our visit to Austin I had heard great things about Justine's and planned a date with my wife. They only take reservations for 6 or more, so be prepared to wait a while. We canned out from downtown. When we asked about a cab back, all we were given was a number to call ourselves with a busy signal. After waiting over an hour for a cab, we started walking the 45 mins back to town. For a place with OK food, poor service, and loud music, it's not very romantic. If you're visiting, save yourself the time and money and go anywhere else.

Funky French

By Bob S |

This converted, former Crack House is a Funky Place. The food is very good. It was busy inside, outside and at the bar on a Sunday night. They do not take reservations for less than 6 people, but we went anyway and did not have to wait. Located in a poorly lit industrial warehouse area. Parking is on the street. We enjoyed it. Staff was friendly.

Great Atmosphere

By m0mw0lf |

I have always loved the food. Fresh, mostly local. If you can, sit outside - inside, while fun, can be noisy.

Hidden Gem in the Middle of Nowhere (at least according to this out of towner)

By Mia Voss |

After a wonderful night on the town, my friends decided that Justine's was where we needed to be late night. We arrived at 11:30 on a Tuesday and I was pleasantly surprised by fabulousness of it all. The neon sign was a friendly beacon in the middle of what appeared to be an industrial area. Once I stepped inside, it was like a French oasis. We sat at the bar and watched the bartenders work their magic. In addition to serving great cocktails, they also made sure the turntable (yes, that's right, TURNTABLE) was always playing tunes. like albums - SO oldschool. The decor was just dreamy and I felt like I stepped back in time. And then the food arrived - I had the burger & pomme frites and I was BEYOND full and happy.

Hip, trendy place for a celebration

By Daphne P |

Good French wine list and very attentive service. We were well taken care of ~ Our waiter provided tastes of various wines for everyone in our party to be happy with their choice. The mussels and frite were so-so, the crème brulee was very good. It is a bit noisy with fun music playing and plenty of people having a good time!

delicious food in elegant, busy surroundings, excellent service

By Pucci D |

Justine's brasserie is a synonym of fine dining in Austin - deliciously cooked French food in a quirky spot. It is out of the way, way out on E. 5th, but well worth the effort. The menu is classic French brasserie style, including fresh oysters, but mainly meat-oriented. definitely a spot to visit, if nothing else to enjoy the ambiance, sip champagne and watch the other patrons.

Unexpected Elegance

By Vicki A |

The appearance of the establishment does not indicate upscale dining, but don't be fooled. The food, its presentation, and the staff are all first class. From the cocktails to the desserts, there are unique choices to satisfy every palate. This restaurant is open very late and there's ample parking in a lot across the street that is monitored by a nice young man.

Great Meal! Wonderful Ambiance!

By CharlieinTexas |

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 oysters — thanks Ethan and Ian (see photo). A baguette and nicely salted, soft butter was tasty. Good conversation with these fellows too. Really nice way to pass the time. Sat inside, as a bit too hot out, with high humidity. Server was Scotty (see photo). More great choices (in regard to the food). French onion soup was served hit, melted cheese and bread in a delicious broth. Yes please. Escargot were seasoned well, in a buttery (oil based … maybe) sauce. Traditional, and really good. My wife’s steak tartare was really good, and the small bibb lettuce salad had a light, tasty dressing, and this was accompanied by nicely salted frites (fries). I had the steak bavette with potatoes. Really well-seasoned meat — really good dish. Chocolate mouse for dessert and an Americano (for me) and a cappuccino for my wife completed a great meal. Ambiance inside was really a good vibe - noisy, but cozy and warm, with great energy and some decent people watching. This is a great restaurant and great dining experience. Thanks Ethan, Ian, and Scotty!

Paris in east Austin

By Liz S |

I have heard about the wait but luckily on a hotish, summer Thursday evening at 7, we had one of the best French meals I have tasted stateside. The saumon cru was divine, as were our main courses: loup de mer and duck confit. I'd like to go back and try some of the other things on the menu (or go with a larger group so as to taste!). It must have been a nice night to go because we stayed until after 10 and sat outside chatting and having espresso martinis after dinner for some time. Try it, you won't be disappointed

Comfort food French style

By Rena D |

I was told about this place and I took a long stroll to check this place out. I happened to be there 5 minutes before they opened for dinner. I saw diners waiting inside their parked cars. OK, I am having dinner here, for sure. Once the door was opened, 7 or 8 people got seated right away and diners kept on coming. It took no time to fill the tables. Atmosphere was great. Food was excellent. The best part was that there was nothing pretentious about this place.

A perfect choice

By FlipFlopAlice |

Really delicious and great ambiance. Had the escargot and pasta. You can order a half order of the pasta, which was still too big! A friend recommended the place and I was delighted! Parking on street and across the street. Get there early. Folks were waiting outside for it to open. The bar is perfect if you are solo.

Great Food and Drinks

By carmenh9393 |

Really loved the cocktails and the food. They have an interesting selection of wines and the cocktails are also great. Would definitely recommend!

Too good atmosphere is fun and very beautiful place the best food and super attention! Gracias Juanita

By MamiMochilera |

Juanita is a super friendly and professional waitress we felt very comfortable and well taken care of by her!! Thank you Juanitaaaa

Nom!

By Anja M |

This is the BEST French food in Austin! The steak frites and tartare are amazing. Good music, good vibes, and good place to go while in Austin!

Date night

By hmdeluna |

This is the cutest brasserie in Austin ! When you walk in ( we opted for inside ) there are bright crimson red walls with French motif including Edith Piaf inviting you to be indulged. We had the cheese plate for an appetizer we could have easily just had this but nooo we had to try the ribeye with pomme frites. The French onion soup is a must ! We could not even think of dessert . But there is always next time ! For the outdoorsy type there is outdoor dining under a perfect white tent complete with. Chandeliers ! Perhaps will wait until weather is cooler to enjoy this !

Friendly French Cuisine

By DrsShannonandTed |

All our food was delicious! Creme Brulee better than we had in France. Varied & interesting menu. Our meal was less enjoyable because we were cold. We didn't realize the indoor seating was VERY LIMITED. The escargot was very good & not rubbery. Nice wine list & cocktails.

Very much worth it.

By jim w |

Sunday night, our last night in Austin. I wish we would have found this place earlier. Atmosphere was awesome, food was great and service, hopping. We thoroughly enjoyed everything from music via vinyl and close quarters inside. It's alright, jumping jack flash playing NOW! A must...

What do you like ?

By Hotel-Restaurant_Critic |

Inside or outside eating. Inside is very loud in the evenings from the extreme loud music. One of my pet peeves is eating and having to yell at the people at the table whilst trying to enjoy my meal. Outside is not as loud and easy going with plenty of tables. The bread bowl is harder than usual french bread with a small bowl with oil and garlic ? OK, The oil that you dip the into was not good to me at all. Maybe it was rancid . I looked around and no one was eating theirs. It smelled like motor oil. So I ate that crab and cucumber salad . It was OK .( A little light on the crab) . The escargot was delicious . My husband who is one to NOT step out of the box . He got the Burger . He liked it . Go online to look at the menu please. . They also have items like the duck confit. They have assist parking that is free. I tipped the guy that parked us .I loved the decor. Now remember it is not quiet ambiance .

Plan for an evening experience, not just a meal...

By coraltravels |

A small group of friends and I visited Justine's for a bachelorette party. This place is a real treat and a great experience. It was very crowded (hour wait for our table), but we were able to get drinks at the "tent" bar and enjoyed the patio. Our escargot and meals were all delicious. I personally had the mussels, and they were very well prepared and very tasty (and I'm a mussel snob). Indoor seating is very limited, but the "tent" is amazing and was very comfortable despite the cold. My only complaint was that our bar and table services were somewhat inconsistent (likely because they were so busy) and it was extremely loud. I would definitely go back!

Too crowded to enjoy

By Stiglitz11 |

Was invited to go there for a birthday celebration. I was told it was a wonderful place. I was extremely disappointed. High prices for mediocre French food. The crowd and noise were dreadful. Service was spotty at best. A pretentious menu. I had a steak with french fries. I ordered it medium and it came out extremely well done. The fries were evidently out of a box. My spouse has a pork chop dish that was mundane. The other two people had different dishes that they claimed they liked but they look pretty ordinary to me. I will say the cheese plate was fine as a starter, but it hard to screw up cheese. The drinks were also rather mundane. Nothing to write home about here. A great disappointment after a build up.

Great atmosphere

By dingatx |

Wonderful food and great atmosphere. Service is a bit uneven and can be quite crowded with a long wait at times. The Steak au Poivre, Scallops and charcuterie plate were delicious. It took a while for the servers to figure out who had our treble but once they got it worked out When the weather permits (summer in Austin can be quite hot) the outdoor seating surrounded by trees and outdoor games is lovely. Inside can be quite noisy.

What a perfect place in every way!!

By livingood |

I heard a lot about this restaurant and tried it for the first time last weekend. We arrived at 10:00 and had a drink while we waited for a table since we wanted to eat inside. Such an interesting and beautiful spot and the drinks were fabulous. The staff of handsome/beautiful servers are gracious and so polite and we were seated earlier than expected but quite happy to sit at the bar and people watch if we had to. I won't go into what we had for dinner other than to say everything from the appetizers to the dessert were fabulous. I must mention their brie melts in your mouth and is the best I've ever had. Apparently everyone spoke to has a different favorite dish from this restaurant with equally rave reviews. What a little gem of a place this is and now I get it. Justine's is just better than the rest!!

Quaint place, great food

By SkyGoddess77 |

I've been here several times and always enjoy it. They've added a large tent during the winter months so outdoor seating is year-round. The wait-staff is always friendly and knowledgable about the menu. I seem to lean toward the pork option and it never disappoints. Wine list is excellent. I agree with the other reviews, get there early!

Fine Dining needs fine tuning

By Pappy |

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 and was greeted by the host rolling her eyes and directing us to the back of the property to wait on our table. She said she would come get us when our table was ready in about 15 minutes. Never suggested a drink from the bar or us stopping by the bar and picking one up for our selves... just go sit and wait. After waiting 30 minutes and seeing another party seated I walked to the front to check. When I found the host all she said was “you should never show up early at Justine’s”. I asked if the empty table behind her was ours and she curtly said yes. I went and got the rest of our party. When we returned the menus were laying on the table, no hostess, no server. For the most part the food was good, not great. We ordered the Charcuterie Board (3 meat spreads). It was delivered to our table with no bread or crackers. Bread, cold and tough as leather, was delivered 10 minutes later. The rest of the meal went ok but service and attention to details was not what you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber.

Outstanding escargot

By HollyTravels365 |

Love the atmosphere of this hidden gem. Great food, especially the escargot and drinks! Decor is eclectic and interesting in the best way possible and welcoming staff!

Great ambiance, overpriced eats

By Qlever |

Close to the airport and open for late eats, Justine's was an easy pick for my friend and I when we arrived for a business trip and were looking for good food. There's plenty of parking near the restaurant, but little (to no) outside lighting on the street, so be prepared for a dark walk if you arrive after dusk. The restaurant's neon light was a welcome sight, and the sound of music and laughter skittered out the door to greet us. Unfortunately, no inside seating was available, but we were able to secure a seat on the enclosed patio, and were kept comfortably warm. The seats at these small outdoor tables are on the rickety side; it's one thing to shoot for quaint, and another thing entirely to make your customers sit on tiny wire chairs that don't offer much guarantee that you won't topple over. The service was friendly, and the house wines were the best part of our meals. My mussels were undersized and the broth they were served in undersalted, making for a bland (and small) meal, considerably overpriced for the quantity and quality of food. Given the many amazing restaurants we tried in our week in the Midwest, Justine's doesn't make my personal cut as a favorite.

Wonderful food, wine, vibe and service

By Pleaseletthisname |

This place is a wonderful all-around experience. The funky vibe of the converted house should not fool you – the food is very well conceived and executed. Also, this place has a well thought-out-wine list that is affordable. High recommend.

Bad experience

By Nohalenzi |

My husband and I went here for date night. The food was not very good and the service was awful. It's a waste of money and I wouldn't recommend it.

Awesome Brasserie!

By Haruka M |

It's a really cozy restaurant in the interesting neighborhood in downtown. But the foods there are excellent! We had Pork chop and Mussels & Fries. They were so good that I forgot to take pictures. We ordered a Hazelnut Clafoutis and it was just right amount of sweetness and perfect way to finish our meal! Cocktails were great too! Wine selection was pretty good as well! We are definitely coming back when we are in downtown Austin.

Great Time and Meal in Austin

By Michael K |

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. Love the menu, love the atmosphere and really great service. Great for groups or for a nice date night. Highly recommend, but be warned it is noisy.

Loved it!

By countryskipper |

The food was amazing! We went for dinner and while it's not cheap, there are some more affordable options and the more expensive ones are totally worth it qualitywise . Very cute decor and nice atmosphere. We went with a group and it was fun, but I think this would actually be the perfect date place. The food was super tasty and authentic. Wine was great too. I heard their brunch on Sundays is great and I would totally try that - looked like you could sit outside too.

French without the attitude

By FormerNJresident |

Our party of three was seated promptly on a Sunday night. Our server Dodds was a delight, providing excellent service and great recommendations. We enjoyed a crawfish etoufee encroute appetizer, and each of us chose one of the more popular items on the menu: steak tartare, pork chop, and duck. Everyone was extremely pleased with their selection. The sauce on the pork chop was exquisite. Apparently management follows Yelp reviews so if you go after reading this, be sure to tell them you heard about Justine's on Trip Advisor and you'd like to be seated at one of Dodds' tables.

Fantastic evening!! This is an Austin gem!!

By Terry S |

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 was transported back to France :) What a great beginning to the evening! The owner came by to chat and was SO ENGAGING!!! Love her!! Our meal - well.... Moules Frites are my favourite!! AND the duck special was out of this world!! [and went very well with the Chateau Neuf de Pape that we ordered] We ended the meal with Milles Feuilles - light but so perfect! After dinner we strolled through the flea market and met their Pasty Chef - Dot. Not only was she a delight but treated us to her special tart - a black raspberry, white chocolate shortcrust tart [I've butchered the name of it BUT] it was heaven in my mouth - OMG I would bathe in it if I could!! We also had the opportunity to meet their Chef de Cuisine [I'm sorry but I cannot recall his name] and to say he was charming would be an understatement. His demeanor and graciousness was only outshone by his skill in the kitchen!! He works magic wih the ingredients!! The energy of the restaurant and the atmosphere were invigorating and we had a great table by the front window where we could enjoy the eclectic decor and view perfectly. Thank you for wonderful birthday dinner!! We'll be back soon!

Felt like dining in a fairy tale

By Meredith S |

On a recent trip to Austin my friends suggested this restaurant. We sat outside under the velvet tent which in my opinion was the coolest part of the restaurant. You almost feel like you're having dinner in a dickens novel, We ordered wine and a Charcuterie board. Everything was better than the next. For dinner I had the pork chop which was thick and cooked perfectly. I cannot wait to go back to Justine <3

Felt right at home

By Peter v |

In our younger years we lived in Europe and spent a lot of time in France. This brasserie has a great French vibe, and it doing it right. From the availability of Ricard for an aperitif, to Steak Tartare and awesome bread, and the wonderful ambiance it’s the closest thing to France that I have found in Austin

Mixed experience, but deff worth a visit

By Alina_Austin |

I went with a friend of mind for a Saturday dinner, and had a very mixed experience. First, the service was completely horrible.. We were either ignored or attended with a big attitude (what's up with that, are we still in Austin where everyone is super nice and friendly?). I would highly recommend a cheese plate, it was delicious. My main course (steak) was dry and boring, and didn't really taste "French" either. The dessert there were really really good again. I would recommend going with a big group (I guess they know for sure then you will tip handsomely) and stick to appetizers and desserts...

Delicious, atmospheric, open late - Austin perfection

By pontiuspony |

Justine's is my favourite restaurant in Austin. It's where we go after shows, for special occasions, and for no reason at all. The food and drinks are fantastic, the space is beautiful - I prefer to eat outside, though, because the inside area is small and gets noisy. Always book if you have an occasion in mind, or come outside of peak times - even if you have to wait for a table, you can drink at the bar. And don't be put off by the surroundings - just keep driving down dark East 5th until you see the lights. And order the onion soup. Justine's isn't cheap, but the food is fantastic.

WE'll be back! loved Justine's overall experience

By Linda Xena N |

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.

Funky but expensive

By Kathy W |

While Justine's is in a bizarre eastside location in the industrial section of Austin, it manages to have a unique personality and charm all its own. This sweet little house turned restaurant has an excellent Paris bistro vibe, complete with the large collection of vinyl records and an ecclectic waitstaff. The food is always excellent, yet quite pricey. My biggest problem with Justine's is the noise level. If at all possible, eat outdoors. And by all means, don't go to Justine's if you're in a hurry or on any kind of schedule. Service is slow no matter when you go. Slow down your expectations and you can truly enjoy this unique experience.

Great patio experience

By dshafs |

Off the beaten path and serves very late. If you are looking for dining where you won't feel rushed out later at night consider Justine's. Server was good, not great but atmosphere was terrific with warm weather on patio and an great hip buzz to the place. Young crowd but it was 9:30 when we just got started. The au gratin potatoes are decadent as hell and over the top -> therefore you must try them. My scallops were delicious as was the pork chop my friend had. Our drinks were good and the deserts were very small for the price but tasty. I would recommend this eclectic spot.

Very impressive local find

By Marco A. Lostaunau |

Very impressive, although located in an "industrial" area that can be a bit intimidating late at night, the food is absolutely fantastic. I had the Steak Tartare and it was to die for, the drinks are great and the atmosphere makes for a great dating spot. I recommend trying the Steak Tartare, or any cocktail on the menu.

“Wonderful cocktails & appetizers”

By Elayna Grove |

Highly recommend you stop by this romantic restaurant. I ordered the escargot & rabbit and venison appetizer and it was phenomenal. Had the veal for my entree so very delicious. Must try the rose pedal cocktail! 🍸

Unless you're a fish, eat inside.

By Dr J W S |

We three showed up on a Thursday night with no reservation. Either wait 45 minutes to eat inside with a/c and very noisy bar crowd, or eat outside with temp of 95. We ate outside, sun going down, but still hot. I sweated; my wife sweated, or "glowed," and she felt as slimy as a fish by the time we left. Our grown son in t-shirt did not sweat. The flies outside which kept dive-bombing our plates did not appear to be sweating. Hard to tell, they're so tiny. The waitress was puzzled why I kept a paper napkin covering my silverware and food plate. Hey, I just don't like little fly feet treading all over my food. This place is located on east side of Austin in an industrial/warehouse district. So they don't need a parking lot. The whole street is deserted at night, so customers park curbside. Restaurant is a converted house, big bar inside, crowded with little tables, some wall pictures of the presumably notorious "Justine," probably a Parisian entertainer or lady of the night famous a century ago. Food and service is first class. All the workers and most of the customers are very pretty people. Some servers wear outfits hinting of Parisian restaurants. All French-named appetizers, entrees, and desserts have distinctive and tasty ingredients. Server can advise about a wine to go with your meal. Chef's Specials menu apparently changes daily. We had the mushroom salad, duck sausage, and the "Royale with Cheese," a huge 1/3 pound Angus-beef hamburger with tasty fries (frites) and yummy housemade mayonnaise butter. Most expensive hamburger I've ever had--$16. Good, but I don't care how Frenchy the ingredients are, that's still a bit much for a hamburger. We ate every bite and licked every drop of sauce. We enjoyed the dessert of meringue in pistachio cream with candied orange rind. All in all, an interesting diversion. Great food. Only reason Justine's does not score a 5 is the pesky flies. The helpers did provide a scented fan. Thanks. But we still glowed in the heat.

Awesome place

By tompkins777 |

If you don't like this place then there is something wrong with you. I was in town on business and wanted to go somewhere cool but not touristy. Food & Wine = I had the scallops and they were super tasty. I tried a few bites of my friends steak and it was very good as well. They have a great wine list, so I had a bunch of wine that night. Service = Super fun, super local, and super cool people work there. I sat at the bar and struck up conversations with just about everyone. The bartenders play old vinyl records, which is very cool, and I enjoyed talking music with everyone there. Overall = This place is so awesome I went back a second time on my last night night in town.

Excellent Bistro Fare

By jbos10 |

Went here with a party of 8 for dinner. Very good French bistro fare. The crab salad appetizer was very good. The portions are large and Food quality is good. Justine's could raise their prices 20% and it would still be a good value. Interesting decor and cool outdoor area for drinks. The servers were nice.

Best pork chop I've ever had

By Matt S |

Not only was the atmosphere lively, the decoration charming, and the service fast and friendly, but it was literally the best pork chop I've ever had. It wasn't the healthiest option (but, c'mon, it's French cuisine, what do you expect?), but the pork chop and au gratin potatoes were amazing. Drenched in butter and cooked to perfection, I'd recommend it every time.

Great food and ambience

By espinbk |

This place is great; there's a nice outdoor area and the main restaurant building is great. Beautiful and nice hostesses and waitresses, solid food and drinks in a cool vibe (burger was super tasty). I was here on a quieter night, but I see that they have parties here which look good. Would def come back on my next Austin visit.

Seriously DELICIOUS!

By dinerone1 |

Wow! What a lively, fun place to have dinner. A rather limited menu with some adventurous choices. I really enjoyed the charcuterie appetizer which had chicken liver, rabbit and venison. we shared some of the main courses and my favorite was the steak frites!!!!

You can't go wrong with literally anything on the menu

By Reese409 |

This place is like being teleported straight to Paris - Austin style. A tent-covered patio with string lights and picnic tables. Dimly lit. Bustling with jovial conversations and sparkling beverages. TRY THE PORK CHOP. Don't get anything else. Don't let anyone talk you into a special, or the mussels, or the burger (well... okay you can get the burger and you won't be disappointed either). But the pork chop is what they're known for and for good reason. Prices are what you would expect. Definitely worth the trip/wait/experience. I already can't wait to go back!

Big Family Dinner

By Julien D |

We made early reservations for 12 and the wait staff who took the reservation seemed a bit aloof and reluctant but when we got there we were seated even though our party was not complete. Wait staff was efficient but not that friendly, ok by me. Everyone had a great time. The Steak Pomme Frites was great. The cheese platter appetizer is sensational. French Onion soup is exactly right. Old timey photos available behind the restaurant, fun past time.

fantastic energy and food

By Henry G |

Always busy, great cocktails. Fun and energetic. Small menu. but everything is great! Love this place!

Worst service in Austin

By Justin S |

Truly the worst service in all of Austin. I'm a longtime Austinite who has been coming here for years. Wow, has it gone downhill. Completely unprofessional serving staff... more like art school kids with no restaurant training. The minute we got there, the server comes by to take our drink order. When we say we need a minute, he condescendingly says, "I guess I'll wait, but we're really slammed." Great way to start our dinner. Then, they bring out our dinner while we're eating appetizers and start trying to take the appetizer plates away from us... you can't make this up. After the meal, I complained to the manager and was offered a $50 gift card. Not much consolation for the worst $300 I've spent all year. To summarize, the prices are outrageous for what they give you, they literally don't put alcohol in the cocktails, and the service is so blatantly bad. Look at the recent Google reviews, and you'll see plenty of bad reviews. There are so many better restaurants in town. This one is long past its prime.

Birthday dinner

By Sugarmt |

Had a great time in the winter tent there for my birthday dinner. Shared oysters, escargot, and crab salad, followed by duck confit.

MY FAVORTIE RESTAURANT

By Swhela |

I'll make this simple - Ive been here about 100 times and could go back 100 more. I have enjoyed everything ive tried on the menu and continue to bring anyone who visits from out of town here for dinner. The late kitchen hours and vintage record collection make this a great restaurant to grab a drink and linger. No complaints whatsoever. Tip: try the salmon cru as an app and the bolognaise as an entree is to die for! YUM!

Delicious and a little decadent

By TravelTales |

Back to Justine's for a business dinner last week. Wine and service were excellent. We ate inside due to the heat and the vibe was friendly and funky. I had steak frittes -- fabulous. My colleague enjoyed the pork chop. We noshed on good bread before our entrees arrived and opted for more wine instead of dessert. Justine's is a little far out -- geographically and in ambiance -- and I like that about it. Special thanks to the two couples inexplicably dining in Gatsby-era attire.

Fancy Pants Austin!

By SoMuchAloha |

I've been to Justine's before. I forgot how super hip this place is! Where am I? From the outside you feel like you might be on the wrong side of town. Don't let that fool you. The ambience is upscale and romantic. Lighting creates a moody, mysterious vibe. The quirky staff all have the most over the top outfits on possible. After you get over all of that situation, the food is delicious. We started with escargots in parsley butter sauce. Crab salad, cucumbers, avocado and fresh mint leaves. My favorite was the pork chop served with potatoes au gratin. The Steak Frites was prepared perfectly. We finished off the meal with a peanut butter pie. Justine's is quite the unique dining experience, unlike anything else in Austin.

Highly recommend

By waxandgold |

To anyone who hasn't been, put Justine's on your list. Great escargot, pork chop, bread, libations, you name it. Fun atmosphere with a lot of outdoor seating. Great place for other service industry folk because they stay open until 2 am. Highly recommend.