Tavel Bristol-Joseph is an acclaimed pastry chef and restaurateur, co-owner of the Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group. He is recognized for his innovative dessert creations and his commitment to mentoring and supporting...
Kevin Fink is a critically acclaimed chef recognized for his innovative approach to Modern American cuisine, with a strong emphasis on farm-to-table ingredients.
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Tavel Bristol-Joseph is an acclaimed Pastry Chef and Owner, recognized for his work at Nicosi, a Michelin-starred dessert bar. He is also associated with the Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group.
5
Emmer & Rye absolutely delivered. We had dinner there on July 3rd while in Austin, and it was one of those meals where every course felt thoughtful, creative, and completely dialed in.
We started with the smoked Gulf oyster, which had this awesome balance of smoke, brightness, and heat. It was bold without being heavy, and a perfect way to kick things off. The sourdough bread was ridiculous in the best way — great texture, deeply flavorful, and that cultured butter with smoked blackberry honey took it over the top.
The tortelloni was probably one of my favorite bites of the night. Rich, savory, and beautifully balanced, with just enough uniqueness to make it memorable without feeling like it was trying too hard. The arepa was another standout — comforting, buttery, and full of flavor. Simple idea, executed at a very high level.
Then came the Texas Akaushi wagyu, and it was exactly what you hope for when you order wagyu in Texas: perfectly cooked, deeply beefy, tender, and paired with flavors that complemented the meat instead of covering it up.
Dessert was a fig pudding-style dish, and I wish I remembered the exact name because it was fantastic. Fresh figs, glossy syrupy sweetness, beautiful texture, and just enough richness to finish the meal on a high note without feeling overdone.
Service was excellent, the pacing was smooth, and the whole experience had that rare mix of creativity, hospitality, and serious culinary skill. Emmer & Rye is easily one of the best meals we’ve had in Austin, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
This restaurant just became one of my top 5 in Austin. Food was very good and the service was outstanding. Our server Ellie was attentive and knowledgeable. I got a bit over zealous with my hands describing something while talking at the end of our meal and accidentally spilled my last bit of wine. She was so nice to bring me a bit more to make up for the loss.
We were celebrating our anniversary and everyone that we interacted with acknowledged that, and there was also a card signed by the staff waiting at our table when we arrived.
The sourdough bread presentation did not disappoint and the Cacio e Pepe was another highlight. The salad suggested by our server was also perfectly balanced and dressed. We ended the night with the chocolate chip dessert… one of the most unique palate cleansing experiencing ever.
We will be back!
Had a wonderful experience for a date night. Our server Damian was so friendly and attentive. All the staff were great- keeping the table clean, bringing new cutlery etc. loved the presentation of the delicious focaccia bread and butters. The fish was so tasty and my husb said his chicken was really good too!
Emmer & Rye exceeded all of my expectations.
From start to finish, the meal was memorable and beautifully executed.
Starters
The Johnny cakes were a fantastic way to begin the evening.
The sourdough bread with butter was unbelievably good—so much so that I genuinely wanted to buy a loaf to take home.
Salads & Pastas
The salad was wonderfully balanced with a variety of flavors and textures.
The Cacio e Pepe was cooked to perfection and had the ideal balance of cheese and pepper.
The Pappardelle was good, though a bit too rich for the table; the richness tended to overpower the dish.
Mains
The carnitas were unique and packed with flavor, especially in the sauce.
The smoked half chicken was a standout juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned.
Desserts
Every dessert we tried was exceptional.
Service
The bottle of wine took a little longer than expected to arrive, but the outstanding service and food more than made up for it.
Our server, Felix, was truly amazing attentive, personable, and knowledgeable.
Overall I would definitely come back. Emmer & Rye delivered an impressive dining experience from beginning to end.
Finally able to try Emmer & Rye. Customer service was superb. They even changed my plate after the appetizers without me having to ask. :) The place itself was nice too, and since the weather was great, we sat out on the patio.
For appetizers, we got the empanada, which was okay, the flavor leaned more Mexican than Peruvian. Our server suggested pairing it with the tomato and honeydew dish, and that turned out to be a great recommendation. Everything sat on top of a curry sauce that surprisingly worked really well together.
For mains, we had the gulf fish and the pork loin with black chow chow, which I really liked. The pork was moist with a crust. Overall, it was a great experience. They rotate the menu often, so we may come back to try again.
Unfortunately, they didn’t have a chocolate dessert that appealed to me, so I skipped dessert. One thing to note: the portions are on the smaller side, so you may want to order more dishes than you normally would.
