Most of Austin is familiar with Péché—it’s home to a legendary happy hour filled with $6 cocktails and half-price snacks. But fewer people have acquainted themselves with the long menu of timeless French dishes that lie beyond. The happy hour isn’t just good. It’s great. But stopping there sells Péché short. This is a classic French restaurant that's right at home in the popular Downtown nightlife district, sandwiched among Irish pubs, concert venues, and dozens of busy bars. Find a cozy corner in the perpetually buzzy dining room, then start with a cocktail or some absinthe—Péché has one of the biggest selections in town. If you’re here early enough for the 4-7pm happy hour (or all day on Sundays and Mondays), you might already be familiar with the burger and duck confit mac and cheese. They’re worth the standard price, doubly so when they’re half-off. But the real fun begins once you dive deeper into the veal sweetbreads, perfectly pink pork chops, and juicy lamb tenderloins crusted with pistachios and herbs. Péché isn’t chasing trends or reinventing French food. It’s just effortlessly dishing out a blend of standards and soon-to-be standards. Come for happy hour, but stay for dinner.