Owning a restaurant or a dining business in Austin, Texas, is a dream for many people. Its access to financing, resources, and cost of doing business makes its location ideal. Austin’s dining scene has evolved and expanded over the past couple of years, from burgers and pizzas to a wide range of dishes introduced by multiple renowned chefs and restaurant entrepreneurs. Below is a list of 14 of the best restaurant architects in the city if you want to venture into the dining industry.
Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
4910 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78756
Michael Hsu Office of Architecture believes that design is for everyone. The firm designs spaces that connect people with nature and manifest a sense of wellbeing. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture has a strong sense of materiality and believes in the active collaboration of client, designer and artisan. The spaces designed by the studio engage local, regional and global communities.
Michael Hsu Office of Architecture was founded in 2005 to unite people through design. The firm is a nationally award-winning, fully integrated architecture and interior design practice. Their work is rooted in hospitality and includes a range of project types such as large mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse projects, public realm design, architectural branding, single family homes, hotels, restaurants, workspaces, and bespoke furniture design. The firm has worked with restaurants in Austin like Uchi, Uchiko, Loro, Local Foods, P. Terry’s, P6, ATX Cocina, Shake Shack, Home Slice Pizza, Austin Beerworks and Greater Goods.
Clayton Korte
2201 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705
Clayton Korte is an architecture firm creating places that celebrate their environment and exalt the human experience at the intersection of architecture, authenticity, and craft. What began as a small architecture practice in 1983 has evolved into a firm today that includes interior design and brand services with offices in Austin and San Antonio. Though their Texas roots run deep, work on winery, ranch, hospitality, and residential projects regularly take the firm’s work to distant points outside the Lone Star State.
Paul Clayton is a skilled architect and designer and leads the firm. He is also an accomplished entrepreneur, growing a five-person firm into an interdisciplinary company of more than 30 full-time professionals. Since its inception, Clayton Korte has amassed multiple awards, including the 2021 Preservation Austin Merit Award for Rehabilitation and Residential Architect Design Awards – Honor Award.
Dick Clark + Associates
2120 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
Dick Clark + Associates is an architecture and interior design firm serving Austin, Barton Creek, Bee Cave, Del Valle, Garfield, Hornsby Bend, and Lost Creek. Since 1979, it has specialized in custom residential, retail, restaurant, office, multifamily, and hospitality projects and is known for being a champion of good design and unique spaces. It believes that architecture represents an individual or organization’s values and should enhance the lives of inhabitants and end-users. It approaches each project with a vision to deliver the best solutions possible.
Dick Clark III is the founder and principal of the firm. He leads 25 staff members, some of whom have worked for him for over two decades. He has raised the standards of design in Austin by creating places that bring people together. Dick Clark + Associates was featured in multiple media outlets, such as Axios Austin and Western Art and Architecture.
Chioco Design
1306 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Chioco Design is an Austin-based, award-winning architecture firm formed 17 years ago. The firm manages a diverse range of projects, from personal and private residences to massive industrial adaptive reuse. Over the years, it has designed restaurants, bars, retail facilities, corporate offices, and public spaces. Chioco Design has a list of clientele and believes that it is an effective way to contribute more to the communities it serves.
The firm operates under the leadership of Jamie Chioco. He is the company’s founding principal and has over 25 years of experience in designing and managing commercial, residential, and institutional projects. As the principal, he is actively involved in each aspect of the design process and is motivated by the opportunity of learning something new. Under his direction, the firm was named Interior Design Magazine’s 2021 Best of Year Honoree for Greater Good: Supportive Housing.
Baldridge Architects
5120 Burnet Rd Bldg. 1, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78756
Baldridge Architects is an architecture and design firm operating across Austin, Texas for 17 years. It believes that well-designed spaces inspire inhabitants to achieve loftier goals than the mere provision of shelter and amenities. Thoughtful collaboration and rigorous planning act as the firm’s principal guides. It approaches each project uniquely and designs solutions based on the factors that will make it genuinely successful for its clients. The team is led by Burton Baldridge and comprises experienced professionals who have worked for some of the most well-respected architecture firms.
The firm’s works have been featured in numerous web and print publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Record, The New York Times, and dwell. It has also collected multiple recognitions, including the 2018 AIA Austin Design Award and the 2018 Texas Society of Architects Design Awards.
Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects
1010 East 11th St., Austin, TX 78702
Operating out of its office in Austin, Texas, Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects is a firm committed to creating compelling and intriguing architecture. The firm strives to build spaces that inspire people to work or live more effectively and connect with others. It has been in the business for 39 years and has developed numerous striking multifamily, community, education, hospitality, retail, office, historic preservation, and single-family homes throughout Austin and beyond.
Heather H. McKinney is the founder of the company. She is the guiding force behind the firm’s design voice and offers insight and wisdom to each project. She is also devoted to cultivating the architectural profession by serving on the boards, commissions, and panels locally and around the country. Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects’ works have been featured in multiple magazines, such as Texas Architect and Rare Magazine.
Fuse Architecture Studio
1005 E St Elmo Rd, Building 4, Austin, TX 78745
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Fuse Architecture Studio is a firm that unites art, science, and practicality. It was established in 2014 and specializes in commercial, education, technology, and industrial works. For eight years, the firm’s mission has been to create solutions responsive to the environment while meeting its clients’ visions and budgets. It has built a reputation for learning how to handle a project’s complexities.
Beth Guillot and Paul Meyer lead Fuse Architecture Studio. Beth’s creative, professional experience is extensive between the public and private sector. Paul has gained vast experience in industrial and advanced technology facility design. Together they lead a successful architecture firm and have changed what it means to work with an elite and client-driven architecture studio in Austin.
Weiss Architecture
3355 Bee Cave Road, Suite 303, Austin, TX 78746
Weiss Architecture is a design firm serving Austin, Barton Creek, Bear Creek, Bee Cave, Hudson Bend, Jonestown, and Lago Vista for 19 years. Since its inception in 2003, the firm has grown from a one-person shop to a nationally-recognized company. It specializes in commercial and residential architecture and design and has gained recognition for its keen attention to clients’ budgets and project goals. The firm can also navigate the building permitting process quickly, which appeals to many clients.
Richard Weiss is the president and founder of Weiss Architecture. He formed the company after working for local and international design firms, honing his skills as a designer. He specializes in commercial, workplace, hospitality, academic, and civil buildings and has an impeccable understanding of memorable placemaking. In 2018, the firm received an award from the AIA Austin Homes Tour for its project, Nellie Residence.
Sanders Architecture
3706 Kerbey Lane, Austin, TX 78731
Sanders Architecture is a design studio providing sophisticated and innovative design solutions across Anderson Mill, Austin, Barton Creek, Cedar Park, Jollyville, Lost Creek, Mc Neil, and Pflugerville. The firm has established a solid reputation for its keen attention to detail and collaborative design approach. It has specialized in commercial and residential architecture and design for 13 years, aiming to deliver projects that respond to clients’ goals and site characteristics. The team closely works with engineers, interior designers, and other design professionals to create structures that improve homeowners’ lives and communities.
Christopher Sanders is the firm’s founder and creative lead. He oversees the design process for every project and manages client relationships. Before establishing his company, he served in project architect roles for numerous firms.
Magic Architecture
8868 Research Blvd. #310, Austin, TX, 78758
Operating out of its office in Austin, Texas, Magic Architecture is a renowned design firm offering architecture, interior design, lighting design, and signage design services for six years. It specializes in commercial buildings, offices, commercial interiors, unique new homes, beverage spaces, adaptive reuse, and renovation projects. Each project is uniquely approached to match clients’ needs, ensuring that no two projects are the same. The team also aims to make the design process fun and meaningful experience.
Photography by Chase Daniel
Scott Magic is a registered architect in Texas, Colorado, Georgia, and North Carolina. He serves as the firm’s principal and has worked for highly regarded firms, such as Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, before establishing Magic Architecture. Under his direction, the firm has amassed multiple accolades, including the 2021 AIA Austin Design Award of Excellence.
A Parallel Architecture
803 1/2 West Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Established 14 years ago, A Parallel Architecture is an Austin-based, award-winning design studio offering commercial and residential architecture. Since its founding in 2008, it has focused on collaboration and creating meaningful relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and artisans. It embraces each project as an opportunity to meet and work with other industry professionals, teaming to achieve a common goal. A Parallel Architecture is also committed to integrating green building practices and recognizes its environmental responsibility.
Eric Barth and Ryan Burke founded the firm. Both serve as the firm’s principal architects and are licensed to perform work in Texas. They are members of the American Institute of Architects and have received notable awards for their designs. Multiple media outlets have featured the firm, including Dwell and The Architect’s Newspaper.
Element 5 Architecture
1212 Chicon St., Ste 101 Austin, TX 78702
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Element 5 Architecture is a design studio committed to modern and sustainable architecture. It has been serving Austin, Barton Creek, Bee Cave, Hays, Lost Creek, Manor, Onion Creek, and Rollingwood for six years, providing residential and commercial architecture and design and renovations services. The firm’s diversity enables it to accept commissions for a broad scope of projects, ranging from small residential designs to major commercial developments.
Element 5 Architecture runs under the direction of Nick Mehl, Drew Randall, and Jay Bolsega. Nick has over 25 years of experience in architecture and has mastered an approach that integrates energy-efficient strategies into his designs while keeping clients’ budgets in check. Drew also has 25 years of experience in architectural design. He has served as project manager and lead architect for various commercial and residential projects before working with the company. Jay is a renowned architect with a broad range of experience and skills in conceptual design, site planning, and construction detailing.
Forge Craft Architecture + Design
608 West Monroe St, Suite C, Austin, TX 78704
Forge Craft Architecture + Design is an experienced architecture firm formed in 2013. It specializes in multifamily, mixed-use, office, retail, restaurant, and residential projects across Austina and beyond. The firm was established around a clear principle of planning with a purpose and executing it with a concentrated effort and excellent skills. Over the years, the firm’s exemplary designs and unmatched professionalism have gained numerous positive testimonials from clients.
Founders Scott Ginder and Rommel Sulit combined their wide range of project experience to create architecture that is a product of an enhanced understanding of design and construction. Both principals bring decades of architectural background and have worked for multiple firms before establishing the company. Numerous publications have featured the firm, including The Austin Chronicle.
Furman + Keil Architects
1211 East 11th St., Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702
Founded in 1995, Furman + Keil Architects is a Texas-based full-service design studio serving clients across Austin, Barton Creek, Rollingwood, and Sunset Valley. Since it opened its doors, the firm has developed enriched environments that improve the lives of homeowners and their communities. It has managed big and small projects, ranging from mixed-use, restaurant, office, hospitality, and single-family residential.
The firm fosters growth and collaboration within the team. It believes that communication and teamwork are keys to unlocking the hidden potential of every project. Gary Furman and Philip Keil direct the team. The former is the founding principal and enjoys mentoring young people within the community. Meanwhile, Philip holds degrees in both industrial engineering and architecture. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and loves to explore the natural tensions between function and beauty.
