OpenTable Names Three Austin Restaurants to Top 100
Aba, J Carver's and Red Ash Italia make OpenTable's 2026 list of the country's top restaurants, each rated 4.8 or higher.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Dining Out
OpenTable has named three Austin restaurants to its 2026 Top 100 Restaurants list, which was released in November 2026. Aba, J Carver's and Red Ash Italia are all rated 4.8 or higher on the platform.
Why it matters
The recognition gives Austin diners a national benchmark for restaurants in the city, with the list drawn from reviews and booking data rather than a critic panel. It also places three Austin dining rooms alongside restaurants from Dallas and Houston on the same national list.
The list draws on more than 11 million OpenTable reviews and metrics from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026, with a 4.8 minimum rating for all 100 restaurants. Three Austin restaurants appear among the 100, while the list is unranked and sorted alphabetically and by state.
The players
OpenTable
A restaurant reservation platform that publishes annual lists of top-rated restaurants based on diner reviews and booking activity.
Chef John Carver
The chef who owns J Carver's Oyster Bar and Chop House and Red Ash Italia in Austin.
The details
OpenTable weighted ratings, five-star reviews, reservation share and direct searches to produce an overall score, and restaurants needed a minimum number of reviews to qualify. The Austin honorees are Aba, J Carver's Oyster Bar and Chop House, and Red Ash Italia, with one Houston and three Dallas restaurants also making the list.
Timeline
2016: Red Ash began operating in Austin.
2020: Aba Austin opened on South Congress.
September 2023: A fire at Red Ash caused a temporary closure.
April 2024: Red Ash reopened after the fire closure.
November 2026: OpenTable released the 2026 Top 100 list.
Industry Dynamics
OpenTable's annual Top 100 list is built from diner reviews and booking signals rather than critic panels, so the 2026 edition reflects consumer behavior over a full year. Its inclusion of three Austin restaurants shows the city's dining scene competing on a national platform alongside Dallas and Houston.
Austin diners looking for highly rated restaurants now have three additional names from a national list to consider for reservations. Booking ahead on OpenTable is an obvious next step for anyone planning a visit to these restaurants.
The takeaway
Diners choosing where to eat in Austin can use national recognition lists like OpenTable's to find consistently well-reviewed restaurants. Checking recent review volume and ratings before booking helps narrow options.
Further reading
For more on the city's restaurant scene, browse Dining Out coverage.
