Austin is almost as famous for its food as it is for the festival SXSW. Whether its barbecue, craft cocktails or breakfast tacos, our list of some of Austin’s best restaurants and cafes cover the full spectrum of the best Austin has to offer.
Breakfast
Forthright– This cozy café situated right on Cesar Chavez has an awesome outdoor patio. On top of that, both their breakfast and brunch menus offer decadent options like thick-cut avocado toast with poached eggs, a waffle sandwich with bacon and gruyere and of course, breakfast tacos. We also love Forthirght for their number of gluten-free and dairy-free options!
TRIO– Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel, TRIO has one of Austin’s best porches right on the Town Lake Trail. TRIO also has a wide range of yummy breakfast eats, whether it’s a quinoa tofu scramble or Huevos Rancheros. Also, usually many celebrities stay at the Four Seasons Hotel, so keep your eyes peeled for a star spotting!
Royal Blue Grocery– If you’re looking for something to grab on-the-go, Royal Blue is the place for you! With four downtown Austin locations and a fifth on Rainey Street, this cute local grocery store has your breakfast needs covered. With breakfast tacos from one of our favorite spots Tacodeli, to freshly baked pastries and Stumptown coffee, Royal Blue will meet any breakfast craving.
Lunch
Second Bar + Kitchen– From fresh salads to pizzas to small bites, Second Bar + Kitchen has a wide range of options to please even the pickiest eater. Located right in the center of downtown Austin, we love this restaurant for its great service and creative menu. Enjoy a seat on their outdoor patio and try a glass of their wine on tap as you refuel from all your SXSW festivities.
Leaf- Want a fresh and healthy lunch? Try Leaf, a made-to-order salad bar situated on 6th Street. Leaf also prioritizes using local ingredients and also makes a huge effort to ensure all their waste is properly recycled or composted. This is the perfect place to detox after enjoying a few too many of SXSW’s best parties!
Easy Tiger– This bakery-meets-beer garden offers some of Austin’s best freshly baked breads and pretzels. With fresh, house made sausage (one is even vegetarian!) to delicious sandwiches on some of Austin’s best bread, this spot is perfect if you want something a bit heavier and unique. Pair it with a cookie or pastry from their bakery for a decadent afternoon pick-me-up.
Walton’s Fancy and Staple– Owned by Austinite and award-winning actress Sandra Bullock, this cute deli offers a range of sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Located just a few blocks from Austin’s flagship Whole Foods, this quick spot also serves up some of Austin’s best breakfast. Definitely try the “Golden Egg,” a nutmeg infused yellow cake dipped in butter and dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Dinner
La Condesa– This upscale Mexican-inspired restaurant has some of the best tacos and margaritas in town. Their menu, which includes a range of ceviches and guacamoles, is broken down into small plates, which allows everyone at the table to try tons of options. We recommend the Tostadas de Atün, Elotes (Mexican style street corn), and fish tacos.
Wu Chow– A fairly new restaurant on the Austin scene, Wu Chow is quickly becoming the go-to spot for high quality Asian food. With fun Tiki-inspired cocktails, like Rum Punch and the tropical My-Tie, this cozy restaurant brings a fresh approach to classic Chinese food. The soup dumplings are not to be missed!
Lambert’s– You may have come to Austin for some classic barbeque, but downtown, Lambert’s serves a more creative, “fancy” version of the traditional food category. Think crispy boar ribs, smoked fish and chicken fried oysters. If you really love barbeque, we also recommend their all-you-can-eat brunch with smoked meats and house made sides. This is another good spot too if you’d like to sit outside!
Drinks
Garage– This bar is literally located in a garage. Make sure to check out this unique and cozy bar and check out one of its inventive cocktails. They also have light snacks.
Péché– Checck out Austin’s first absinthe bar. Bartenders here are friendly and are encouraged to educate guests about the libations they create, so this is a great place to visit if you’re into cocktails. Péché also offers a French food menu.
The Living Room Lounge at the W Austin– As far as hotel bars go, this is one of our favorites. It has a cozy yet trendy vibe and always has fun DJs spinning fresh tunes. It’s also only a few blocks from the Austin Convention Center, putting it directly in the center of the action.
The Driskill Bar– If you’re feeling more low key, this comfy, cozy hotel bar is the perfect place. With an awesome wine selection and live music almost every night, the Driskill Bar is a favorite for both locals and hotel guests. Definitely try their tasty truffle popcorn with your drinks.
Not Downtown, but worth the drive!
Fresa’s– Now with two locations, this modern, Mexican-inspired fast casual restaurant is a must. Whether you’re picking up breakfast tacos at 9th and Lamar or sitting down at the South First location for a margarita with your Brussels sprouts, Fresa’s is a can’t miss option.
Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop– A winner from the Food Network’s famous show Cupcake Wars, this local bakery is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. Try one of their award winning cupcakes, like Harlow’s Honey Baklavah, or opt for one of their vegan options. They even have alcoholic beverages at their Eastside location!
Perla’s– Located on South Congress, this seafood restaurant has become an Austin classic for lunch, brunch and dinner. Their huge porch makes it the hotspot for brunch or cocktails on a beautiful day. A must if you love oysters and fresh seafood!
Matt’s El Rancho– When you come to Austin, you have to have some classic Tex-Mex. Matt’s not only has a fun vibe, it also boasts some of the best queso in Austin. Definitely not a light meal, but every calorie-laden bite is worth it!
There are still tons of delicious spots not included on this list. Austin definitely has one of the best food scenes in the country, so try lots of places and put your diet plans on hold.
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