WU Chow - Downtown - Austin, Texas

Wu Chow - Downtown Austin

Nestled in the heart of Austin's vibrant downtown district, Wu Chow stands as a premier dining destination, celebrated for its authentic Sichuan cuisine and modern ambiance. Located at IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168, Austin, TX 78701, this restaurant offers a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere perfect for various occasions, from casual dinners to special celebrations. Accessible by phone at 24762469 or via their website wuchowaustin.com, Wu Chow has firmly established itself as a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Ubicación y Accesibilidad

Positioned at the IBC Bank Plaza on West 5th Street, Wu Chow benefits from a strategic location in Austin's central business district, making it easily reachable from various parts of the city. The restaurant is conveniently situated near public transportation hubs and major employers, adding to its appeal as a go-to dining spot. For guests arriving by vehicle, the establishment offers a paid parking lot and access to a paid street parking area, along with a wheelchair accessible parking lot. The venue itself is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible restroom, and accessible seating, ensuring that all patrons can enjoy their dining experience comfortably.

Especialidades y Menú

At the core of Wu Chow's identity lies its commitment to serving exceptional Sichuan cuisine, a style known for its bold flavors, spicy undertones, and complex taste profiles. The restaurant's menu boasts a wide array of dishes that highlight the richness and diversity of Sichuan flavors, prepared with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques. Key specialties include Wu Chow special fried rice, shrimp Chengdu, soup dumplings, and chicken Chengdu, as noted in customer feedback. The menu thoughtfully incorporates vegetarian options, healthy choices, and small plates, catering to various dietary preferences and needs. Guests also commend the restaurant's focus on comfort food, ensuring a satisfying and memorable culinary journey.

Servicios y Ambiente

Wu Chow excels not only in its culinary offerings but also in providing excellent service and a pleasant dining environment. The restaurant caters to diverse preferences with options for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, with a growing emphasis on no-contact delivery to accommodate health concerns. For those seeking an on-site experience, Wu Chow offers both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The outdoor seating, in particular, is noted for its comfort and is equipped with heaters during cooler evenings, as mentioned by patrons who enjoyed al fresco dining despite the chill. An upscale yet trendy ambiance, combined with romantic and family-friendly touches, makes Wu Chow suitable for a broad spectrum of guests, including couples, families, groups, and individuals.

Experiencia del Cliente y Opiniones Generales

With a significant following evidenced by over 1700 Google My Business reviews, Wu Chow has consistently received positive feedback, averaging a commendable 4.3 out of 5 rating. Customers frequently praise the restaurant for its great food, specifically highlighting the flavorful dishes that deliver on authentic Sichuan tastes. The service is often described as attentive and efficient, even during peak hours or when patrons are seated outside. While some reviews note that the online reservation system may show no wait, arrivals without reservations can sometimes experience a wait for indoor tables, with outdoor seating offered as an alternative. The restaurant generally advises lunch reservations and dinner reservations to avoid potential waiting times, especially during busy periods.

Características Adicionales

Wu Chow distinguishes itself further with its extensive beverage selection. Patrons appreciate the great beer selection, a wide array of cocktails, and a comprehensive wine list, complemented by a notable tea selection. The bar onsite caters to those looking to enjoy drinks before or during their meal. The restaurant also caters to a diverse clientele, explicitly mentioning being LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming to tourists. Amenities like high chairs for infants and a relaxed, casual yet upscale vibe round out the overall experience. Accepted payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, ensuring convenience for all customers.

For individuals seeking an exceptional dining experience in downtown Austin, Wu Chow represents a top recommendation. It offers a unique blend of authentic Sichuan flavors, a comfortable and accessible setting, diverse dining options, and outstanding service, consistently reflected in its high customer satisfaction ratings.

When planning a visit to Wu Chow, consider the following recommendations:

• Reservations: It is highly recommended to make reservations, especially for lunch and dinner, to secure your table and avoid waiting, particularly on weekends or during peak dining hours.
• Seating Choice: If concerned about waiting, consider requesting outdoor seating, which was praised in reviews for its comfort and the availability of heaters.
• Menu Variety: Explore the diverse menu offerings, including small plates, vegetarian dishes, and healthy options, to find dishes that best suit your preferences.
• Bar and Beverages: The extensive selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and tea provides ample choices to complement your meal.
• Accessibility: Confirm any specific accessibility needs, as the restaurant is well-equipped to accommodate guests requiring wheelchair access.

Conclusion

Wu Chow Downtown in Austin is more than just a restaurant; it is a culinary gem offering authentic Sichuan flavors within a sophisticated yet accessible environment. Its strategic downtown location, diverse dining options, attentive service, and strong customer loyalty make it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy excellent food and a memorable dining experience in the heart of the city.

👍 Reviews of WU Chow - Downtown

Akshay K.

5/5

Came to Wu Chow for our anniversary dinner without a reservation. Online it showed no wait, but when we arrived, there was about an hour wait for indoor seating. Luckily, there was no wait for outdoor seating, so we took the chance even though it was a bit chilly. Thankfully, they had plenty of heaters, and we stayed warm. The food was incredible—we had the Wu Chow special fried rice, shrimp Chengdu, soup dumplings, and chicken Chengdu, and everything was packed with flavor. Service was great too, even though we were outside. Definitely coming back!

Hayli C.

4/5

Food flavors were absolutely incredible. But our soup was cold. Others sent back food around us for being cold too. The restaurant was not that busy at 5:15 but because we didn’t have reservations we had to sit outside. That was fine, it was a last minute decision while we were walking past to sit. However was waiter was absolutely terrible. He would disappear for long periods of time, others filled our drinks and brought us silverware and soy. He was not good. Other servers seemed attentive with their tables. Never went inside but the atmosphere seemed nice. The patio was nothing special. Probably won’t return ever again. Much better options in Austin.

Jasmine M.

5/5

Pretty good variety for the dim sum brunch. The Dan Dan noodles were not my favorite but the spicy fried chicken was amazing and had lots of dried chili. The drinks were decent but there are no mimosa/bottomless brunch specials which I think would’ve made the experience better and cost worthy. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

jake B.

5/5

The food was so delicious that I forgot to take pictures. That's what dinner should be anyway, right? But I do love to take pictures and post them, because I'm someone that can be indecisive when looking at a new menu. I like to hop on Google to see what the dishes look like. Anyway, you can't go wrong here. The food is perfect! We brought the kiddos and they loved everything as well.. even some of the spicy dishes, which is rare for them. The service was also top notch. You have one server, but they kind of share duties. You end up feeling well taken care of by a whole team. My only recommendation would be to make a reservation early so you can get a spot inside. We sat outside which was ok too, but I think it would have been better to get the ambience inside. They have valet parking which is one block before if you're coming down 5th. So turn early. Our favorite dishes were the salt & pepper shrimp, soup dumplings, and two faced crispy noodles. The deep fried chicken was also really good but has some kick.

Suzannah G.

5/5

I visited Wu Chow for the 5–6 PM Happy Hour, and I’ll definitely be back! Alejandro, the bartender, was fantastic—he even surprised me with a cute and yummy cocktail for my birthday, which truly made my day. I also tried the vegetable fried rice and chicken dumplings, and both were absolutely phenomenal.

Kayley S.

5/5

We went to Wu Chow Downtown for a client dinner, and I was blown away by this restaurant.

The dining scenery is clean, modern, and colorful, creating an upscale vibrant ambience throughout.

Our server was very kind and funny. He even had a drink named after him because he had returned from heart surgery recently. It is really lovely to see that a restaurant like this cares so much about their staff that they’d extend a gesture like this.

The food was unbelievable. We ordered the soup dumplings, green beans, honey pecan prawns, Peking duck, gong bao chicken, beef dish, fried rice, and more - every single item on the menu was to die for. I could have eaten any item we ordered as my meal every day for the rest of my life and been happy, it was that good.

10/10 highly recommend this restaurant.

Downtown W. A.

5/5

WuChow saved the day for our office lunch today! The food is aleast absolutely delicious, flavorful, fresh & authentic. Highly recommend! Yum!

Manuel ?. D.

5/5

Finally got a chance to try WU Chow and I was not disappointed. Located in a great spot in downtown Austin. You have to try their scallions hugging beef! 5/5 stars on that dish. So delicious! Their WU Chow Special fried rice was also pretty good. Got to try their lion’s head meatballs, it had a pretty soft texture and good flavor. Would definitely recommend for either a date night or just a spot to stop by for lunch.