Just when you thought the food scene in Austin, Texas couldn’t get any better, a new menu or eatery comes along that blows that preconceived notion out of the water. With a rich history, a slew of talented local chefs, and innovative restaurants, you’ll be hard-pressed not to be downright amazed by at least one dish in town.
But when your aim is serving up a top-notch dining experience from start to finish, you know it’s all in the details — and that includes everything from plating to decor, even in the restaurant bathrooms. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a handpicked list of restaurant bathrooms with the coolest concepts in Austin, Texas.
Texas meets Italy at this inventive eatery. Juniper is all about quality ingredients and dishes made with traditional techniques. The interior, like the food, feels at once globally inspired and refined. As far as lavatories went, “the idea was for all the restrooms to have their own individual character,” says Jill Fanette of Cravotta Interiors (which designed the space). “Though we were limited by commercial codes, we wanted them to feel as hand-crafted and residential as possible. We did that by designing and custom-making steel wall-hung vanities, using wallpapers, some handmade, that were interesting texturally and dimensionally, and by adding boutique lighting, mirrors, and art in each.” Très chic.
This family-owned cafe and lounge is all about quality offerings without unnecessary frills. They’re passionate about locally grown, ethical eats in a welcoming atmosphere (the covered, dog-friendly patio is a crowd-pleaser) that can accommodate vegans, gluten-free diners, and everything in between. The whole place, bathrooms included, was designed by hands-on owner Bethany Andrée. “I hand jig-sawed the countertop out of the restaurant’s original backdoor from 1950,” she explains. “I stripped, sanded, and sealed it with Waterlox. I also laid the tile and am particularly fond of the colored glass tile strips. I also refinished the vintage light fixture. My BFA in Studio Art really paid off!”
Downtown Austin has its own destination for authentic-yet-modern Chinese food, thanks to the talents behind Wu Chow, located at the bottom of the IBC Bank Building. Using traditional techniques, chefs offer up all eight varieties of Chinese cuisine, including dim-sum service Saturday and Sunday. With a sleek, expansive interior and features a wraparound bar, chef’s table, and pops of color, it’s no surprise that their playful design style continues to the water closets. Men are treated to an eye-catching Bruce Lee mural and pebble-filled sink, while women experience flower-shaped pendant lighting, extra toiletries on hand, and wallpaper covered in a flowing pattern of koi fish.
This spot is known that one of the city’s top restaurants and bars for live music (and is named after the famous guineafowl bird that once walked Rainey Street). As the first Austin-based restaurant from Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, it sits on the Hotel Van Zandt’s sleek fourth floor. Chef-driven eats are served in their dining room or rooftop lounge, which features private cabanas and outdoor seating. The bathrooms of this outpost are likewise impeccable — with a modern, minimalist sink area, geometric black and white floor tiling, starburst pendant lighting, and black subway wall tiles, all designed by New York-based designer Mark Zeff.