The menu at Birdie’s changes constantly, so try not to get too attached to that plate of cavatelli that made your Tuesday night feel like a Friday. This natural wine bar and restaurant on East 12th Street is a cozy neighborhood spot with a menu of small seasonal plates pulling from American, Italian, and French influences. The only catch is that it's a prix fixe menu, so think less "casual plate of pasta" and more "semi-fancy date night." And since they're walk-in only, even if you forgot to grab a reservation ahead of time, you can just say “Birdie's doesn’t take reservations” and nobody has to know about your last-minute scramble.

Chalk that up to the partnership of Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and her husband, Arjav Ezekiel — she’s a highly skilled chef, and he has the energy and affability of the dancing tableware in “Beauty and the Beast.” Birdie’s is the place to be whether you just want to drink something interesting or you’re planning the big night out. In Ms. Malechek-Ezekiel’s hands, simple food — a creamy vegetable soup, roasted carrots with pesto — feels anything but simple. Add to that an electric atmosphere and wine glasses that seem to magically refill themselves — you’ll want to return just to see what the couple might cook or pour next.

ChestnutThe line that snakes around East Austin restaurant and wine bar, Birdie’s, from the moment they unlock their doors at 4:30 pm is, perhaps, the best testament to the high quality of food and beverage offered within. Even before being named one of the most exciting places to dine by the New York Times last year, everyone in Austin was clocking out early in hopes of snagging a coveted table and a plate of their peppery and delicately cheesy panisse. However, as any Nonna will tell you, it is almost sacrilegious to dig into any plate of Italian-inspired cuisine without the accompaniment of wine.

Serving American favorites with a European influence, Birdie’s is a fine-casual restaurant where kids and pups are also welcome. The menu is always changing, with seasonal sharers like steaks and pastas of the day bringing patrons back again and again. Up to seven dishes are enough for a couple.

Though it’s only been open since July 2021, Birdie’s has already garnered praise from Texas Monthly, which named it among the state’s best new restaurants, as well as from the New York Times, which called Birdie’s one of the 50 American restaurants it’s “most excited about right now.” Husband-and-wife team Arjav Ezekiel and Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel definitely deserve the kudos, as they painstakingly ensure every dish — from Birdie’s shareable snacks and small plates to its entrees and desserts — are immaculately crafted and delightfully presented. And here, sipping wine is a real treat, with Birdie’s offering a curated wine list (as well as its “gem” wine list) that evolves alongside the specials Malechek-Ezekiel is cooking up in the kitchen.

Birdie’s – Taking counter service to a new level in the industry for a food and wine program like this, Birdie’s was named the 2023 Restaurant OF THE YEAR by Food & Wine Magazine. The restaurant comes from husband and wife Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel, and the food is as good as you can get from any New York spot (they met working at Gramercy Tavern) but is served in an equal playing way without ressies – you just have to wait in line unless you show up before 5 p.m. People talk all about Tracy’s pasta, but I always love the vegetarian opening dishes and the way she uses seasonal herbs and citrus to decorate your palate.

If you were playing restaurant Mad Libs, filling in the blanks with “natty wine” and “seasonal small plates” would be a pretty safe bet in 2021’s dining blueprint. But pieced together under the supervision of chef Tracy Malecheck-Ezekiel and her partner-wine director, Arjav Ezekiel, it not only makes sense—it feels serendipitous. How else to describe the utterly transportive experience of an oak-shaded patio, a razor-sharp grüner veltliner, and uni-studded cavatelli playing in perfect harmony?

Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and husband, Arjav Ezekiel, opened Birdie’s in 2021 with the intention of translating the fine dining of their past to a more casual milieu, a mix of upscale dining and backyard house party. Mission accomplished. And, if you showed up at a friend’s dinner party and she was cooking a plate of seared snapper surrounded by summer succotash sitting in a tomato-fennel broth or al dente maccheroni draped in a velvety alla vodka robe, you’d make sure you got invited back.

Birdie’s is definitely the newest kid on the block on our guide to the best East Austin restaurants but is destined to be a beloved neighborhood gem. Captained by a husband and wife duo with a culinary fairy tale past (they met while working in the bustling New York City food scene), Birdie’s is a counter-service wine bar with a nod to French and Italian cooking styles. That’s right– no reservations here, so come early and be prepared for a wait that we can guarantee will be worth it.

12th has an incredible wine selection and also dessert including this Sicilian Chocolate Chip Cookie that you HAVE TO MAKE ROOM FOR WHATEVER YOU DO!. We sat the Chef’s Counter and watched trays of these beauties go in and out of the oven and couldn’t pass on one after smelling them hot-out-the-oven over and over again. Don’t snooze on them…wine and chocolate chip cookies are the perfect match!

(L) Orecchiette with tomato-bright pork sausage sauce and (R) Grilled bread swith French butter and cured anchovies at Birdie’s (Greg Morago/Houston Chronicle). (L) Orecchiette with tomato-bright pork sausage sauce and (R) Grilled bread swith French butter and cured anchovies at Birdie’s (Greg Morago/Houston Chronicle). I wasn’t the first person in line when Birdie’s opened at 4:30 p.m.

Located in Rosewood, Birdie’s is a family-owned and run wine bar and counter-service eatery specializing in French and Italian food. The daily menu, quaint atmosphere, and expertly curated wine list have been featured in Eater, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and the Texas Monthly. I loved their colorful roasted beet plate with mascarpone, charred grapefruit, and hazelnuts.

One of the best wine bars in Austin (and an absolute charmer!!), Birdie’s is this adorable wine garden and kitchen in far east Austin. Eat here if you want to show off on Instagram that you totally are a foodie and you know what’s hot in the food world. (Birdie’s recently received some national recognition, so food lovers all over the country are aware of this place.)

Cute counter service wine bar and restaurant Birdie’s is a labor of love for its husband-and-wife owners. Chef Tracy Malecheck-Ezekiel keeps the menu fresh with rotating dishes inspired by French and Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, wine expert Arjav Ezekiel curates a list of organic and biodynamic wines, with a “vibe” assigned to each.

Birdie's is the neighborly restaurant you wish you lived next door to. Helmed by a husband and wife team, the menu is seasonal, with shared plates along the lines of beef tartare, apple green salad and dayboat scallops with eggplant. All are beautifully presented within an inviting minimalist indoor and outdoor dining space.

Birdie’s is a family-run neighborhood restaurant and wine bar in Austin located on the corner of 12th and Harvey. Can you name a better place to visit for a slice of home and comfort besides Birdie’s?. Whenever you decide to stop by this unique establishment, you’ll be in for a treat as they serve a menu that changes daily.

From the moment you step into Birdie’s you feel the fine dining yet casual vibes they managed to execute flawlessly. Locals line up to order at the counter and select a glass of wine to start off their dining experience. Often you’ll find a featured wine producer offering special pours and unique terriors to discover.

The neighborhood restaurant and wine bar offers counter service with incredibly seasonal, fresh American fare. Make your order and enjoy it in their large backyard patio, featuring furniture by KKDW Construction. Be warned — the line to order often wraps around the building so go early to snag your spot for dinner!

The first-come, first-served counter-service model is the reason behind the lines outside this popular neighborhood spot. Equal parts thoughtful wine bar and cafe, Birdie's offers a minimalist Continent-inspired American food menu that changes subtly on a regular basis alongside a deep and diverse wine list.

You know it’s good when there’s a line to get in on a weekday, but that’s what makes Birdie’s so fun. Grab a glass or bottle of wine while you wait for a table and catch up with your pals. We love chef Tracy’s pasta dishes which change often (and don’t skip the soft serve topped with olive oil!).

Upon stepping inside Birdie's, I was immediately enchanted by its charming European vibe. The decor, with its rustic wooden tables and vintage photographs, transported me to a cozy café in Paris. The restaurant's soft lighting and warm color palette further added to the inviting atmosphere.

The family-operate Birdie’s is a local neighborhood joint serving seasonal American fare paired with excellent wines. Even with its counter service you can expect high quality food and exceptional service. The menu here changes each day providing a fresh, local meal each visit.

In keeping with their ever-changing daily menus inspired by the culinary traditions of France and Italy, the natural wine list at Birdie’s presents classic and contemporary producers, emphasizing mindful farming and minimal cellar intervention.