Odd Duck

Odd Duck

1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States

+1 512-433-6521

New American restaurant, Restaurant
(3535)
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About This Place

Located in the vibrant heart of Austin on South Lamar Boulevard, Odd Duck redefines the New American dining experience with its innovative approach to local ingredients and bold, thoughtfully layered flavors. This restaurant stands out as a contemporary culinary gem, where each dish tells a story steeped in seasonal abundance and creative flair.

At Odd Duck, the menu is an artful meditation on Texas’ rich bounty, presenting familiar dishes with unexpected twists that captivate the senses. Start with their celebrated Gulf seafood ceviche, a refreshing burst of citrus paired with strawberry, radish, and potato chips that dance effortlessly across the palate. The Cast Iron Cheddar Cornbread with Garden Herb Butter is lauded by guests as “insanely good,” blending warm, crumbly richness with a subtle herbaceous touch that complements any meal.

For the main courses, the Half Quail with Texmati Rice, Apple Cheddar, and Apple Cider Rosemary Vinaigrette is a masterclass in balancing hearty flavors with bright acidity. Apple notes infuse the menu seasonally, adding a crisp freshness that customers rave about. The Dry-Aged Wagyu Burger and Blackened Redfish deliver robust satisfaction, while the Grilled Kale Salad and Queso Flameado showcase a refined take on comfort food with elevated ingredients and complex seasoning.

Dessert selections like the Chocolate & Masa Icebox Cake and Tres Leches Cake provide a perfect sweet finale, each bite layered with indulgent textures and nuanced flavors that leave a lasting impression.

The dining atmosphere at Odd Duck strikes an effortless balance between cozy and lively—a place where communal sharing is encouraged through their small plates, perfect for groups or intimate dinners. Guests frequently praise the attentive, personable service exemplified by staff members like Thomas and Joe, whose warmth and menu expertise enhance every visit. Whether you’re seated on the patio beneath gentle misting fans or nestled inside the inviting ambiance, the attentive care makes you feel like a welcomed friend rather than just a diner.

Patrons often describe their experiences here as unforgettable: from the first bite that reveals complex, layered flavors to the prompt and thoughtful service, Odd Duck feels like Austin’s culinary pulse. It’s not just a meal—it’s a vibrant expression of the city’s creative spirit and farm-to-table dedication. Frequent visitors celebrate it as “one of the best restaurant experiences” in Austin, a must-visit for anyone eager to experience innovative American cuisine with genuine heart.

Service options
Outdoor seating Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Great coffee Great dessert Great wine list Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Happy-hour drinks Happy-hour food Healthy options Late-night food Organic dishes Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Lively Romantic Trendy Upmarket
Crowd
Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Locals Tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations Usually a wait
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking On-site parking Parking Valet parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    04:30 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Friday
    04:30 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Saturday
    04:30 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Sunday
    04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Linling Shen
    3 week ago

    No 1 Restaurant in Austin!! The flavors were wonderfully layered, each bite brought a new surprise, with different tastes unfolding across the palate. Since it’s roughly apple season, apples can be found in almost every dish. Wonderful experience!

  • Syed Jeffrey Iftekaruddin
    1 month ago

    My family and I would like to give a shout out to Thomas, who literally treated us like family at our visit to Odd Duck last night. We were walk ins and were seated promptly outside by the mister fans which made the environment super comfortable. Thomas gave us all his recs and helped guide the courses. If you go, you must get the cornbread. It’s insanely good. We also devoured the braised goat pizza, antelope tataki tostada, redfish crudo, and thai melon salad. All top notch with incredible flavor. To be honest, my favorite part was hearing each person describe the dish as they delivered it to our table. This place seriously cares about the dining experience and it shows. Thomas’ service was impeccable and he always made sure we had fresh plates and silverware. Thank you Thomas for making sure we had an unforgettable time at Odd Duck! Also, thank you to the most extraordinary valet superstar I’ve met. Audrey took excellent care of our car and had it ready for us in moments! Thanks Audrey! Protip: if you’re driving and want a zero proof beer, get the Best Day Kölsch!

  • Evelina Leece
    2 month ago

    Lovely dinner for 4. Great service, cocktails, wine selection and most of all food. Everything was excellent except for the chicken fried pork chop, but the rest of the flavors very delicious and unique. Complimentary valet parking and very friendly attendants. Great atmosphere too. Make a reservation early on, scored a 5 pm on Saturday a month before. Very popular with their recent accolades! Will be back.

  • David Martin
    2 month ago

    One of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had in Austin. Worthy of being considered a top 5 restaurant in the Austin area. The chefs counter was an incredible experience. The staff took care of us from beginning to end. Food was delicious, the speed at which it arrived from the kitchen to our table was light speed, and the free desserts and drinks we received were a blessing from the staff. Phenomenal experience, 100% recommendation and will come back again!

  • Aleena A
    2 month ago

    A standout experience from start to finish. Odd Duck totally lives up to the hype. Every dish felt creative but grounded. Using local ingredients, bold flavors, and the taste of every dish was insane. The small plates are perfect for sharing (or not), and the cocktail list is just as impressive. Our server/bartender, Joe, was so lovely and incredibly knowledgeable and helped us navigate the menu. The vibe is warm, lively, and very Austin. Highly recommend if you’re into seasonal food done really, really well. Great veggie options- and Joe took time to explain the dishes. Plus there’s a separate veggie menu which was great.

  • Brian Krueger
    2 month ago

    We were seated at the Chef's table, which is a row of 8 seats with a direct view into the kitchen. Fascinating! What looked like total chaos at the beginning of our meal evolved into more of a ballet of chaos as each person in the kitchen adeptly performed his/her unique role. I was amazed how little time the finished plates were under the heat lamps (literally not more than 10-15 seconds) before being scooped up by servers and brought to tables. The concept of farm to fork is very evident here. We shared 5 different items and probably should have stopped at 4. Decent sized portions.

  • Sophia
    3 month ago

    Had such an incredible experience at Odd Duck in Austin — hands down one of the best meals I’ve had in the city. You can feel the passion in everything they do, especially through our amazing waiter Thomas, whose energy and love for the food made the night unforgettable. The burger and cornbread were absolutely next-level — truly the best in Austin.

  • Josh Choi
    4 month ago

    Was such a fun and amazing experience! The food was amazing and this place is not just hype. You can tell there are chefs in the kitchen that truly care about taste and flavor. Everything was great but the grilled chicken hearts blew me away!

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