The Austin Food Guide
THE BEST BRUNCHES
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails – This weekend brunch offers breakfast sandwiches layered with crispy hash browns, oh-so-fluffy ricotta pancakes, and much more. Be sure to get an accompanying cocktail or coffee.
Bird Bird Biscuit – A neighborhood eatery serving delicious house-made buttermilk biscuit sandwiches for both breakfast and lunch. Be sure to place your online order before heading to pick it up.
Café No Sé – A bright spot in the South Congress Hotel, featuring California-inspired American dining and brunch every morning. Be sure to try their avocado toast; it does not disappoint.
Cisco’s – In the breakfast business for more than 50 years, this favorite Tex-Mex institution offers breakfast faves such as their beloved Migas and biscuits.
Fonda San Miguel – Classically prepared, regional Mexican dishes fill this extravagant brunch. Options range from meat dishes cooked in molés to bowls of salads with zesty seasonings.
Josephine House – The sister restaurant to Austin’s fine-dining institution Jeffrey’s, offering breakfast, lunch, brunch, and happy hour.
Kerby Lane Cafe – An Austin original that has been serving casual, high-quality food with a Texas twist since 1980.
The Magnolia Cafe – The Magnolia Cafe has been a longtime favorite amongst Austinites. They are open 24/7 and offer their delicious breakfast anytime.
Mattie’s Austin – This Southern restaurant located in Bouldin Creek pays homage to the past with a menu that doesn’t feel dated.
The Austin Food Guide
TASTY TRAILER TREATS
Burro Cheese Kitchen – Artisanal grilled cheese trailer serving up non-traditional, innovative grilled cheese sandwiches layered with flavor.
Chi’lantro BBQ – A Korean-Mexican fusion food trailer that now also has a few brick-and-mortar locations. Be sure to try their signature Kimchi Fries.
Dee Dee – For a casual, authentic Thai lunch or dinner, check out this Northern Thai food truck that features market-fresh ingredients.
Gourdough’s Big. Fat. Donuts. – These donuts are the size of your face and are piled high with every topping under the sun. Want fried chicken on a donut? They’ve got it.
Little Lucy’s – A colorful, late-night food truck making mini-donuts with creative flavors, toppings, and dipping sauces.
Patrizi’s – Offering some of the city’s most unexpectedly authentic Italian cuisine comes from this little trailer in the backyard of Manor Road’s Vortex Theatre.
Veracruz All Natural – Find homemade tortillas, fresh ingredients, and hands-down the best migas taco in Austin from the sister-run trailer
The Austin Food Guide
FOODIE HOT SPOTS
Canje – Delivers bold Caribbean flavors, inventive cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for a memorable night out
Clark’s – A chic West Austin neighborhood spot with a great raw bar, house-baked sourdough, lobster rolls, pan-roasted hamburgers, and more.
Elizabeth Street Café – A neighborhood Vietnamese cafe and French bakery in South Austin known for: great croissants, bánh mì served on house-baked baguettes, steaming bowls of pho, and tropical macarons.
InterStellar BBQ – You know it’s good when the line starts forming before the doors even open, and at InterStellar BBQ, now a proud Michelin Star recipient, that’s exactly what happens.
June’s All Day – Laid back, sophisticated neighborhood cafe and wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafés, and hipster NYC wine bars.
Justine’s Brasserie – Chic little bungalow offering steaks, snails, and cocktails in a cozy-chic atmosphere. Be sure to end the night with their classic creme brûlée.
Loro – An Asian smokehouse and bar brought to you by James Beard Award winners, Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue.
Red Ash Italia – Serving wood-fired, hand-crafted Italian food set in a rustic modern open space in the warehouse district in downtown Austin.
Sammie’s Italian – Sammie’s, a full-service Italian-American restaurant, celebrates the great ‘red sauce’ institution inspired by old-school, legendary Italian restaurants.
The Austin Food Guide
FINE DINING
Barley Swine – Barley Swine, now a proud recipient of a Michelin Star, captures Austin’s “keep it weird” spirit with an open kitchen and a bold, seasonal tasting menu that showcases inventive New Texan flavors with optional pairings.
Comedor – Head to the Comedor for upscale Mexican cuisine in a sleek space in downtown Austin.
Hestia – Named after the Greek goddess of the hearth, this Michelin-starred downtown gem centers around live-fire cooking—and the inventive desserts are not to be missed.
Intero Restaurant – A comfortable, small restaurant focused on contemporary Italian with a particular eye for whole product usage and seasonal fare.
Jeffrey’s – A fine dining restaurant in Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood featuring dry-aged prime beef, French American classics, seasonal favorites, and a full bar.
Lenior – There’s a lot to love about this imaginative South Austin restaurant, from the romantic vintage chic look to the beautifully balanced dishes.
Lutie’s – This new high-end restaurant located at the Commodore Perry Estate takes a personalized, handcrafted approach to Texas heritage cuisine that ranges from dry-aging their own steaks to making their own soy sauce from Texan pecans.
Otoko – For a really special evening, opt for the high-end omakase at the South Congress Hotel’s hidden Japanese restaurant. Reservations are required.
Uchi | Uchiko – Whether you visit Uchi or its sister restaurant Uchiko, the ambiance, upscale sushi, and small plates will not disappoint.
The Austin Food Guide
KID-FRIENDLY, PARENT APPROVED
Brentwood Social House – This pastry and coffee shop features a room full of child-friendly goodies, like toys and smaller chairs.
Culinary Dropout – Serving up hearty fare and an outdoor lawn games area, complete with a ping-pong table, corn hole, and foosball.
Hat Creek Burger Company – This local and reliable post-soccer practice or school dinner spot features a large screened patio overlooking a large playscape just below.
Home Slice Pizza – From the coloring sheets and complimentary ball of pizza dough to play with to the expansive outdoor area, this place is perfect for kids.
Littlefield’s Tacos + Coffee – A relaxed neighborhood spot serving great tacos and coffee in a family-friendly setting, perfect for an easy breakfast or lunch with kids in tow.
Ramen Tatsu-ya – Your adventurous eater can take down a bowl of ramen, silky broth and all, while your picky eater can enjoy a bowl of plain ramen noodles.
Ski Shores Cafe – A laid-back, kid-friendly spot with outdoor seating and plenty of room for little ones to play.
Sour Duck Market – The large outdoor area is very kid-friendly, from the gravel ground to random yard toys to board games and a family-friendly menu.
The Austin Food Guide
THE SWEETER SIDE
Bakery Lorraine – Nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons, croissants, and homemade Pop-Tarts.
Lick Honest Ice Creams – This hip ice creamery churns out offbeat flavors made from local, natural, and sustainable ingredients such as Texas Sheet Cake or Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey.
OMG Squee – Famous for their super adorable character macarons and jiggly Japanese cheesecake, OMG Squee is a gluten-free scratch bakery, ice creamery, dessert, and tea shop in East Austin.
SusieCakes – A go-to for classic Austin treats, serving up nostalgic, made-from-scratch cakes, cupcakes, and cookies that feel just as special as they taste.
Swedish Hill – This Austin bakery features all sorts of baked goods, from croissants to scones to cookies to tarts.
Tiny Pies – Small pies, BIG taste. The best pies are not only made by hand but also handheld. They offer both sweet and savory flavors, so order a pie pack and try them all!
Upper Crust Bakery – A family-owned and operated, European-style bakery offering award-winning pastries, breads, and specialty cakes for over fifteen years.
Zed’s Real Fruit Ice Cream – A local favorite for refreshing, made-to-order fruit ice cream – simple, delicious, and always a hit with kids and adults alike.
The Austin Food Guide
CRAFT COCKTAILS
DrinkWell – This cozy gastropub offers eclectic plates and innovative cocktails in a stylish setting.
Firehouse Lounge – Located in Austin’s oldest standing fire station, this speakeasy is hidden behind a bookshelf in the Firehouse Hostel’s lobby. Just slide the bookcase from left to right, and you’re in.
Garage – An unassuming bar crafting inventive cocktails in a hip space within a parking garage. Once in the parking garage, keep following the path upwards until you stumble upon the entrance of the bar.
Here Nor There – A semi-private craft cocktail lounge. To get in just download the Here Nor There app and tap “Request New Reservation”, then use the emailed code to gain access through their gated alleyway entrance.
Midnight Cowboy – An intimate reservations-only lounge known for its hip speakeasy vibe and old-school cocktail menu. Be sure to make a reservation in advance online and ring the Harry Craddock buzzer for entry.
P6 – This former rooftop parking garage has been transformed into an intimate cocktail experience overlooking the lake, the Austin skyline, and down Congress Avenue.
The Roosevelt Room – Located in the heart of downtown Austin’s Warehouse District, The Roosevelt Room is where carefully crafted cocktails collide with the city’s easy-going attitude.
The Victorian at the Driskill – Blends Old West saloon style with English pub charm, offering classic cocktails, live music, and a warm, inviting atmosphere in the heart of Austin.
