Katz’s is returning to Austin’s original 6th Street location after more than a decade of closure. The Texas restaurant chain has started construction at 618 W. 6th St. The project represents a major step in the process of restoring the longstanding Austin landmark to its former glory.
Katz’s Breaks Ground to Revitalize Its Original 6th Street Location
The construction project officially started at Katz’s original building on August 11. The restaurant opened in 1979 and closed in 2011 after 32 years. Katz’s grew to be a familiar late-night Austin restaurant for its vibrant nightlife and around-the-clock availability.
The original building was bought at auction in 2024 by co-owners Barry and Lisa Katz, who saw an opportunity to bring the restaurant back to the place that it had started. Barry Katz has a special connection to the property, beginning his work at the age of eight in the restaurant, when his father opened the first Katz’s.
“I started working in this very building at eight years old when my dad opened the first Katz’s, so the opportunity to return to the same location is a full-circle, bucket-list moment,” said Barry Katz.
The Austin restaurant will be the brand’s sixth location and is expected to open in late spring 2027.
Architect Michael Hsu, founder and principal of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, is leading the redesign. Hsu has previously worked on five Katz’s restaurant locations. He is incorporating modern elements while preserving details that reflect the restaurant’s history at the 6th Street site.
“Restoring Katz’s in its original 1979 site is an opportunity to commemorate a place that means so much to Austin. Our design will create a unique atmosphere that honors the brand’s legacy and will serve the community for years to come,” stated Hsu.
About Katz’s
Katz’s has been providing a New York-inspired comfort food menu to Texas diners for a long time. The restaurant is known for its extensive menu and 24-hour dining concept.
A restaurant that has had connections with the city since its first opening almost 50 years ago is about to enter the next phase in its evolution, with the planned 2027 opening.
The return is also part of Katz’s expansion in Houston. The brand grew from Austin in 2000 and opened up restaurants in Montrose, The Woodlands, the Heights, Galleria, and Memorial City. The experience allowed the brand to continue its growth and the all-day dining concept that it had developed in Austin.
