When in Austin, the abundance of great restaurants can sometimes overshadow the hidden gems tucked within the city’s hotels. Nestled in the luxurious Fairmont, Garrison stands out as a prime example of this.

Despite its slightly under-the-radar status, perhaps due to its hotel locale, Garrison deserves to be on every foodie’s radar. Boasting a menu that masterfully combines local flavors with international flair, from the freshest Gulf seafood to farm-fresh Austin veggies, paired with creative craft cocktails, Garrison offers an upscale dining experience in a sleek, modern setting that is both captivating and sophisticated.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, make sure not to miss out on this exceptional culinary destination – we were glad we didn’t!

Location & Atmosphere: What to Expect  

Garrison restaurant is located in the swanky Fairmont hotel in Austin. This is a really nice spot, and it’s a little bit of a hidden gem within the city. After our experience, we were a little surprised that Garrison wasn’t busier. We think the restaurant may be off-the-radar for tourists who visit Austin, but don’t stay at the Fairmont. But, even if you’re not staying here, we think you should consider this restaurant for your dinner plans.

The interior of this Austin restaurant is just what you would expect from a luxury brand like the Fairmont. Sleek modern decor and ambiance contribute to the upscale atmosphere. The big, open dining room is bathed in a cool blue light that almost gives you the feel of a restaurant in Vegas. 

Take a look at our pictures of the interior of the Garrison to see what we mean. It’s really a fantastic look.

Menu  

The menu at Garrison is well-designed and will take you from appetizer to dessert with ease. We loved how the appetizers were light and vibrant, with dishes like: 

• Summer Citrus Salad made with Smoked Ricotta Labneh, Citrus, Sourdough Crumble

• Exas Vegetable Crudites with Herb Miso Dip, Vegetable Ash

• Gulf Snapper Crudo served with Preserved Texas Citrus, Black Orange, Coconut

You’re going to appreciate the lightness of these starters while you consider your main courses because the dishes on offer are incredibly hearty (and delicious!). Choose from several shareable bone-in steaks and meaty entrees like the Grilled Lamb Loin, Pasture-Raised Chicken, and Picanha, which are cooked on the oak-fired grill.

If you’re looking for a few recommendations on what to order, the most frequently ordered items at the Fairmont’s Garrison restaurant are:

• Truffle Tater Tots – this appetizer receives rave reviews online

• Beef Tartare

• Bourbon Flights (we had to try this one!)

Wine List  

As far as the wine list goes, this one is about as well thought out as they come. Not only does this list have regional depth, but it’s also stylistically diverse. Napa Valley Cabernets from Silver Oak and Hundred Acre share space with smaller wine brands like Sandhi and Hanzell.

The by-the-glass line-up is a pretty good size, too, so if you find yourself wanting to start with a glass of white and then move to a bottle of red with dinner, you will have plenty of options.

Our Experience  

The chefs at the Garrison know their stuff. There was no shortage of interesting dishes when you dine here.

For dinner, we tried:

Appetizers  

• Grilled Broccoli with Brown Butter, Horseradish Béarnaise

• Garrison Reserve Caviar served with Brioche, Egg Yolk, Cultured Cream

• Crispy Octopus with Green Goddess, Grilled Cucumber, Amaranth

Entrees  

• Grilled Texas Redfish with Buttermilk Vinaigrette, Harissa

• 26oz Rib Eye with Bordelaise, Horseradish, Béarnaise, Grilled Farm Peppers

When we saw desserts being brought out the tables around us, we knew we needed to try a few, and, wow. Were we happy we did. The Banana Souffle was a mini masterpiece. The Ginger Panna Cotta with cherry gel was out of this world. 

We skipped the dessert wine and instead tried the Garrison Brothers Bourbon Flight, which, according to our server, was a must. He wasn’t wrong. 

From beginning to end, the entire experience at the Fairmont’s Garrison was superb!

Tips  

• The Garrison is one of the best special occasion restaurants in Austin. If you need a reservation for your anniversary or birthday celebration, consider this Austin gem.

• Stop in for a drink at the bar before dinner. The vibe is trendy, but sophisticated, and the ambiance is great.

• Garrison is closed Sunday and Monday, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

Closing Thoughts  

Everything about the Garrison restaurant in Austin impressed us. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to dine while we were in town getting to know the Texas wine scene. The service was friendly, the food was good, and the ambiance was just perfect.