Austin has long been known for brisket and burritos but the Texas capital has one of the best dining scenes in the US. The same creative spirit that drives city’s music scene and tech boom is also putting out some amazing places to eat in Austin. Two or three days in Austin is just enough to get a taste and whether you’re on the lookout for boozy brunches, fine dining or hip food truck fare with a side of Top Chef star power I’ve found some of the best restaurants in Austin. Here are my recommendations for where to eat in Austin, Texas.
South Congress Cafe
Occupying a bright sunny cafe in Austin’s buzzy South Congress neighborhood, the South Congress Cafe is undoubtedly the brunch capital in The Live Music Capital of the World. The cafe doesn’t take reservations so expect to wait on weekends, this is the perfect time to grab a killer bloody Mary and watch the parade of people on South Congress Ave. I’m still obsessing over the migas enchilada; eggs mixed with cheese, tomato and jalepeno wrapped in a corn tortilla and smothered with a spicy ranchero sauce and lime crema. The accompanying black beans and smoked gouda potato cake were equally tasty.
Veracruz All Natural
Austin is a place that takes its breakfast tacos seriously. I’m not sure what magic is happening in this robin-egg blue food truck but I had to choose one place to get tacos from for the rest of my life it would be Veracruz All Natural. Eggs, cheese, chorizo in a scratch-made corn tortilla is a perfect handheld start to your day but the real star here is the migas breakfast tacos; an addictive mix of eggs, tortilla chips, cheese and avocado. Pair your breakfast taco with a fresh fruit agua fresca or a creamy homemade horchata.
Trio at Four Seasons
Austin is a town that knows how to brunch and the Four Seasons’ restaurant Trio offers one of the most decadent brunches in the city. Spend your Sunday enjoying the extensive buffet that includes cavier, crab claws and smoked Texas ribeye. Make sure to save room for Trio’s splendid desserts including decadent bourbon pecan tartlets and creamy pistachio panna cotta. Oh, did I mention the endless mimosas?
Hopdoddy
As with most things in Austin, the long line wrapped around Hopdoddy signaled I was in for something good. House-made buns and beef ground in house are the blank canvas for some of the most inventive burgers around. Keep a pile of napkins handy for the Magic Shroom; a beef burger smothered with Texas goat cheese, and sauteed mushrooms and with an herbacious kick courtesy of a pesto mayo. Pair your burger with a craft beer from the bar or one of Hopdoddy’s decadent handspun milkshakes.
Elizabeth Street Cafe
A South Austin favorite, Elizabeth Street Cafe is equal parts French bakery and Vietnamese bistro. Vietnamese favorites such as pho and bahn mi dominate the menu but the caramelized grilled pork over rice noodles with cucumbers, herb and sprinkled with peanuts was too good to pass up. Tropically inspired macaron make for a perfect end to the meal.
Amy’s Ice Cream
Amy’s Ice Cream is an Austin institution. Whether you go with their famous Mexican Vanilla or one of their other 350 rotating flavors make sure to get a good bit of praline sauce (a gooey, butter caramel sauce spiked with pecans) on top.You can thank me later.
Torchy’s Tacos
Truth is, you’re not going to find a bad taco in Austin but Torchy’s Tacos are good. Damn good. Featuring a line up of creative tacos,and huge portions(and in some locations an onsite bar), Torchy’s is justly popular with UT students. Personal favorites include the Democrat (shredded beef barbacoa with avocado, a zippy tomatillo salsa and creamy queso fresco inside a corn tortilla) and the fried avocado with a spicy poblano sauce. Torchy’s is the perfect place to fuel up for or recover from your Friday night bar crawl.
Austin BBQ- La BBQ, Stubbs, Franklin, the Salt Lick
It is impossible to single out the best BBQ place in Austin so I’m not going to even try. Patrons line up for hours at both La Barbecue and Franklin’s hoping to get some of the best brisket in Texas (both places tend to sell out by 1pm) while Stubb’s has lines down the block both day and night. If you’re out exploring Texas Hill Country be sure to stop by The Salt Lick, the smoked sausage alone is worth the trip.
Vinaigrette
In the land of BBQ and tacos sometimes you just want a good salad and that’s when you need to make a bee line to Vinaigrette. Located in the hip SoCo neighborhood this salad bistro serves up veggie fresh favorites like the La Pepita, loaded with kale, shredded, chicken, avocado, spiced pepitas and a zippy cumin dressing.
East Side King
Aiming to get a taste of Austin’s favorite Top Chef but not in the mood(or price tag) for the whole tasting menu experience? No problem. Located on the back patio of the divey Liberty Bar(as well as a few other locations), Paul Qui’s food truck East Side King features the same creatively addictive flavors that won season 9 of Top Chef. Locals rave about the thai chicken karaage, a crispy fried chicken thigh with an intriguing spicy-sweet glaze while the beet fries and fried kimchi may be the tastiest way to get in your veggies.
Bufalina
Yet another East Austin gem, Bufalina has been voted the best pizza in Austin and may be the best pizza in all of Texas. The Steffano Ferrara wood fired oven reaches temperatures of over 900 degrees F working its magic on on the hand tossed scratch made dough and the resulting crust is sublime; crisp with just the right amount of smoke from the charred edges. The Margherita with house made mozzerella and garden-fresh basil is simplicity at its best; while the Fresca features the spicy bite of arugula with the salt of prosciutto making for a surprisingly light pie. The restaurant’s no reservations policy can result in a lengthy wait during peak dining times but a glass from Bufalina’s thoughtful wine list helps soften the wait.
La Condesa
Don’t come to La Condesa expecting numbered menu Tex-Mex, this is upscale Tex-Mex featuring authentic flavors straight from Central Mexico. Start your meal with a scratch made mezcal cocktail ( the Dios de los Muertes #2 with mezca, Cointreau, Lilet Blanc and lemon was just the right mix of sour and smoke) and share a round of expertly prepared Mexican tapas. The huarache topped with mushrooms and huitlacoche was addictive and the braised barbacoa tacos with smoky black beans, pickled onion and handmade corn tortillas take tacos to the next level.
Where do you go for a great meal in Austin? Please share your recommendations in the comments!
Natalie says
You can call ahead to the South Congress Cafe to be put on the call in list. It saves you about 15 minutes wait time once you get there. And….try the pecan French toast…it is like dessert!
Brianna says
Awesome tip about the wait list and pecan french toast?I’m in!
Reginia Cordell says
My mom and I are heading to Austin this summer. I am thinking about relocating there. Of course the trip will be treated like a mini-vacation so a list of tried and true places come right on time. I love tacos, so Torchy Tacos will be first on the list, followed by a BBQ Place.
Brianna says
Definitely stop by Veracruz All Natural, best tacos of my life!
Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says
While I was in Austin, I really enjoyed Hopdoddy and I had some GREAT BBQ from Salt Lick (the one in the airport because I did not have enough time during my trip to wait on line for hours on end).
Brianna says
The food scene in Austin is just killer!
Angela says
Here’s the thing: we were quite disappointed with the food in San Antonio. Not sure if it’s because we are spoiled Chicagoans or we just didn’t like their style, but either way we thought nothing of the food there. I have Austin as our next city to visit in Texas and now I am excited again as I sort of just dismissed the idea of food being tasty there too. Thanks!
Brianna says
I haven’t been to San Antonio but absolutely loved the food scene in Austin.
Adonis Villanueva says
I’ve never been to Austin but it’s on the list. The BBQ Brisket sounds so yummy!
Brianna says
The brisket is some of the best food I’ve had anywhere.
Curious Claire says
I want to travel to Austin just to go to Hopdoddy for a burger and Bufalina for a pizza. Looks so good 🙂
Brianna says
Bufalina is some of he best pizza I’ve had anywhere!
Kelly says
Phew, I feel relived that after having recently visited Austin, I’ve hit the majority of your favorite spots in Austin. The tacos and BBQ are fabulous, but I also loved Qui. There’s so much great eating in that town!
Brianna says
The food scene really surprised me, especially the stuff coming from Austin’s food trucks.
Tonya says
Breakfast tacos sound amazing!! I’ve never visited Austin, but it is on my list. Saving this list for when I do get there!
Brianna says
The breakfast tacos are seriously life changing.
Rosemary says
What a great list of restaurants to visit in Austin. Everything looks delicious though I am most intrigued by Qui and Hopdaddy. Looking forward to visiting Austin again soon and trying out some of these places. Great pictures by the way.
Brianna says
You really can’t go wrong anywhere in Austin.
Drew says
Somehow, I haven’t been to Austin yet, which is upsetting since I’m a huge BBQ fan. Salt Lick and Franklin’s has been on my hit list for a long time. We are doing a road trip this winter, and Austin is on top of the must-see list, mostly so I can eat a lot of brisket!
Brianna says
You sir, are going to eat very well.
Jackie says
After reading your whole post, I keep dreaming about that migas enchilada at the South Congress Cafe! I’d have no problem waiting in line to have one of those. Austin is so trendy. Having a good meal and listening to some good music is an excellent way to enjoy Austin.
Brianna says
That migas enchilada was amazing, now I want to go back!
Lindsay Nieminen says
mmmm mmmm … i know i will be referring back to this post the next time we are in Austin! the burger from hopdoddy looks amazing (but my kids would probably insist on a stop for ice cream at Amy’s … i won’t complain 🙂 too much )
Brianna says
The praline sauce at Amy’s is life changing.
Joe Ankenbauer says
I agree with Natalie about pecan French toast at South Congress Cafe! Many of mornings were spent there, nursing hangovers from too much fun on sixth street haha!
Brianna says
Is that what a good french toast is for?
Trisha Velarmino - P.S. I'm On My Way says
Oh my god, I haven’t seen such a comprehensive list of restaurants in Austin! I’ve never been to Texas but I’ve heard a multitude of great things about the people and their hearty food and I can’t wait for my chance to visit. Thanks for the interesting insight to Austin city food culture, Brianna!
Brianna says
Austing is such a great food town, I definitely need to go back!
Sophie says
Texas is big on my list and I desperately want to go! And now I want to go even more just to eat all of the delicious food! I’m a big foodie and so would just spend my time eating everything! I think I would head straight to Torchy’s Tacos – i’m a big tacos fan!
Brianna says
Go the Veracruz first, the breakfast tacos are way legit.
Joanna says
That pizza talks to me through the screen, saying “eat me, eat me, I’m so delicious!” 🙂
Brianna says
t pizza is some of the best I’ve had anywhere.
Scott says
Brianna — so glad you enjoyed your stay in our town. You’re right — there is some amazing food here. Next time, for barbecue w/o the hour+ lines, try John Mueller Meat Co. Aaron Franklin used to work for John, and his sister is LeeAnn of LA. His grandfather was Louie Mueller, one of the Texas icons whose name is on one of the state’s truly historic places just outside of Austin in Taylor. Also, Stiles Switch, Micklethwait’s, Valentina’s Tex-Mex, Lambert’s or Freedman’s are all places that mean no one ever has to eat at Salt Lick. SL has the best atmosphere, and worst barbecue of any place in Texas. So go, take a cooler of beer, sit on the patio and enjoy the music while you wait. And go someplace else for good barbecue.
As you found out at Veracruz, you can do much better than Torchy’s. Tortillas out of a bag make that place a non-starter for me. Next time, try Al Pastor on E Riverside, either the restaurant or the trailer out front. UNBELIEVABLE. If you get past there, local food blogger Mike Sutter ate 500 tacos last year and lived to tell (and write) about it. http://www.fedmanwalking.com
Enjoy!
Brianna says
I absolutely loved Austin and definitely need to go back to eat more. Thanks for the recommendations!
rissyrobert says
wow, Saving this list for when I do get there!
Brianna says
You will definitely eat well!
Bob says
Ya had me at BBQ. I have yet to make it Franklin’s but will one day. Veracruz looks mighty good also.
Brianna says
The breakfast tacos at Veracruz are some of the best things I’ve eaten anywhere.
Arnie Jacobsen says
Wow! What good looking eats! Can do without the big slabs of bbq, but the rest looks mouthwateringly delicioso.
Brianna says
There is so much good food in Austin regardless of where your tastes lie.
Vicky @ A Backpack Full of Adventures says
Oh God, that pizza looks so delicious!
Brianna says
It was spectacular!
Anisa says
So many great places to eat in Austin. I love Trudy’s, Iron Cactus, and Hula Hut.
Brianna says
Looks like I need to go back!
Shobha says
you had me at briskets and burritos. I don’t more. but of course I will gladly take all the extras being offered 🙂
Brianna says
don’t forget the tacos!
Anda says
Ha,ha, I just happen to read a post about Austin before reading yours. Your post complements the other one perfectly, Brianna. I’ve never been in Texas, believe it or not, but I’m sure food must be great there. I love BBQ Brisket and ice cream! Thanks for joining us for #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Brianna says
Anda, Austin is really a fun place and the food is to die for!
Buena Montero says
Qui is a must-Try!!! I love Austin especially the food scene:) Thanks for the list:)
Brianna says
Austin has some of the best food in the country!
Tadej says
I am corious how their food tastes like, I am sure I will love it.
RobRob @TravelLatte(.net) says
Aaaand now we need to head to Austin again. So good! Torchy’s and Hopdaddy are two of Austin Go To’s. But you’ve got a couple new ones for us to try. Yum!