Came here for the tasting menu experience and it was very good. The beginning portion, like first 3-4 courses plus the compliments I added on, were incredible. Everything was bursting with flavor, creativity, and sophistication. My favorites were the shiitake dumplings, pig face carnitas, and the fish-n-chip. When the meal got to the ribeye course, I was disappointed to see that it was overcooked. My steak pieces were a medium throughout, with the end tips being closer to a medium-well, which is obviously not where it should be. Multiple different courses came out too hot (in terms of physical temperature) and burned the roof of my mouth when I ate them. These courses were both one-biters, so I didn't realize it would be too hot until it was already in my mouth. There were no warnings of it from the server. For the shiitake dumplings add-on compliment, I did a half-order of them and also added on Uni for this course. The dumplings were half of the listed menu price since I got a half order, but the Uni up charge was the same as it would've been if I got a full dumpling order. That didn't make sense, because I did only get half of the Uni that I would've gotten if I had chose the full regular dumpling order. The only dish that I think could've done without was the last one -- the eggplant olive oil cake. It didn't do much for me at all. Otherwise, aside from the few issues I noted, most of the dishes were incredible. Definitely a good spot to try out,

My husband and I went here for a date night a few weeks ago and it was all amazing! We had the tasting menu and added on an extra dish and we were both full by the end of it, which with tasting menus you never know if you'll leave full or not! We were celebrating our anniversary and they brought us out complimentary glasses of champagne, which was a nice touch. For each course, the server brought out new silverware and explained what each dish was with great detail which we really appreciated. Almost everything they serve is locally sourced in the central Texas area which is really neat.

We had such a fantastic time here I can't even begin to describe it. We went here for our annual tradition of doing a very fancy dinner for my birthday. We did the traditional wine pairing as well and it was incredible. The food was all so delicious. I unfortunately forgot to take a picture of each course but I got a couple. All of the wine pairings were incredible and really did add new dimensions to the food. I loved how intentional every component on every plate felt. I was also having a lot of fun having the menu right there and expecting something from the description and then being absolutely blown away by the actual food. Chelsea our server was incredible she made us feel so special and she somehow knew literally everything about every ingredient that went into every dish and every wine it was so impressive. I walked away from the meal thinking about how the level of service Chelsea and the rest of the team provided was what we were paying for and so worth it. Personally service plays a huge part in my experience and they all knocked it out of the park. I also loved that they had a paper menu with the wines that we had with the meal because I feel like I immediately forget everything. The ambiance was absolutely gorgeous. I loved all of the decorations and how the plates were often mismatched but still the same vibe. It felt very curated from top to bottom, even the bathrooms! I also loved that you can see into the kitchen which is always a fun time. Overall we had an absolutely incredible time and the price tag was totally worth it for us. This is definitely a once a year type of place for us but so so worth it.

We've been going to Barley Swine long before they got their fancy Michelin star, and have always enjoyed the food. It's one of our go-tos for special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, just because - you name it). Food is always good and sitting at the Chef's counter watching the magic happens is always our preferred way to enjoy the atmosphere here. Food is great, the courses are timed well, service has always been good - no wonder why they got that star. Parking available at the front and some in the back - limited though since there are others spots that share the same lots, so at certain times can be tricky if too crowded.

Fifth or sixth time dining at Barley Swine. I would say that I enjoyed past visits more than this time. We thought the courses were beautifully presented and tasty but not spectacular. Most courses were one to two bites. I thought the add ons were reasonable but not the $15 for cookies to take home. The vibe and service is always great. Happy for their Michelin star yet a bit underwhelmed.

This omakase course was more about gentle, refined flavors than bold ones. For example, dishes like yellowtail with nuts, perfectly seared cod with a crispy crust and a tender center, paired with fried kale, made for a perfect balance of textures. Each main ingredient was complemented by something crunchy or crisp to keep it interesting. They even served the dishes with a spoon instead of a fork, so you could enjoy all the flavors fused together in one bite--that's when the magic really happened. We also added the famous shiitake dumplings and caviar sandwich to the 12-course menu. Every dish was not only visually stunning but also incredibly light and comforting, making it feel like you could keep eating forever. The ribeye was so flavorful it felt like it woke up my taste buds instantly, and the eggplant dessert was unexpectedly delicious to make anyone smile. The course included three desserts, yet it was impressively low in carbs. Despite the indulgent experience, there was no heaviness the next morning or any weight gain--making it a dinner that's especially kind to women. Truly a guilt-free and delightful evening!

Crossed off another Michelin! I was a bit apprehensive because I went to another recently-awarded Michelin in Austin, and it was a terrible experience. I was really starting to doubt the criteria, but I'm glad that Barley Swine set my expectations high again. Right off the bat, service and attention to detail is incredible. My friend and I came in with a late celebration, and they helped us celebrate from start to finish. With glasses of sparkling wine on the house, one of our servers congratulated my friend in the beginning of the meal and he also did so at the end. Incredible service! My friend opted for the premier wine pairing, and he said the sommelier was very experienced and obviously knew a great deal about the wine and the plate that came with it. I love how dishes were immediately cleared within seconds and minutes, and timing was relatively consistent throughout the entire experience. The vibe is intimate, and the interior is slightly rustic but still offers a really nice high-end dining experience. I will say that I wasn't a fan of some of the plates and felt like overall, food was okay, but I definitely do think Barley Swine has that next level ingenuity and creativity it takes to receive and be considered for a star. My money was well spent here. I really enjoyed the desserts, naan plate, and cod dish. The cod dish had a sauce at the bottom that instantly reminded my friend and me of queso (not very elevated of us, I know), but I didn't mind it at all. It was actually one of my favorite cod dishes I've ever tried, and the fish was cooked so perfectly that it almost melted in your mouth with every flake. The sorbet plate was also one of my favorite desserts I've tried anywhere, and I thought it had such a unique texture profile!

We came here for my husband's birthday as Barley Swine just got a newly minted Michelin star. The restaurant is a tasting menu only, which is great if you often feel indecisive about what to order. The waitress we had was great and she made us feel so welcome the whole time we were here! Food wise I'd say my favorite was the naan and beef as well as the cod. Everything was pretty good, but I didn't feel particularly wowed by any dish. I felt like the flavors were a little bit lacking despite everything being cooked well. They do throw in a couple extra dishes that are complimentary which I really loved. All in all a solid meal.

We wanted an experience for our anniversary and Barley Swine was exactly what we hoped for. There were no spaces at the chefs counter available but our table was along the wall giving us a fantastic view of the restaurant. Chelsey was incredibly knowledgeable with every question asked. I seriously don't know how she retains so much information about every wine and every course but it's impressive. I won't wax poetic about each dish served because it wouldn't do it justice ... and with an incredibly seasonal menu, who knows what delight is awaiting you when you visit. Every dish was layered with flavor combinations that left you wanting more. Do get the supplemental offerings. The dumplings were perfection and we couldn't have been more pleased with everything served. Make a night of it. It's not something to rush through.

THE BIG: Located in Central Austin and nestled in the middle spot between two other stores. Beautiful indoor/outdoor area with an open flame grill and focus on fine southern comfort food. Complimentary valet parking available. THE BLACK AND WHITE: We came here on a Saturday afternoon at 4:30 to take part in their summer special pairing. It was priced right at $85 for 9 courses. We additionally did a wine pairing of 6 wines at $65 and a glass of pinot noir. The pacing and service here was impeccable and smooth. The highlights included the hiramasa tostada that had a nice crunch and neutral fish taste. Then the halibut was nice and flavorful with its dashi. The Muscovy duck paired really nicely with the wine pairing and the pinot. Lastly the ribeye done 3 ways was a nice way to say, hey we ain't done treating yall yet. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall damage done for 2x summer special tasting menu, the wine pairing, and a glass of pinot noir was around $310. Great pricing for the tasting and if you're interested in the wine pairing, they had some great pairs, otherwise a bottle never hurt anyone ;)