The hype is absolutely for real: this is the best BBQ in the U.S. You can't go wrong regardless of what you choose, but the brisket is the MVP of the lineup. But get here early, they will sell out.
Delicious barbecue in a lovely setting with string lights and live music will make you feel you've truly arrived in Texas.
My friend Blake loves the barbecue here. To do it right, grab a glass bottle of Dr. Pepper from the case.
The atmosphere – we're tempted to say "art direction" – is superb, and the food's splendid, too. Meats and produce genuinely are farm fresh, often picked in the morning at neighboring urban farms. Read more.
Even if you've been in here ten dozen times, always, always, ALWAYS check out the Taco of the Month. If it doesn't sound appetizing, settle for a Brushfire or Democrat instead, you communist.
An exemplary burger lineup in the $5 to $9 range. The line – regularly out the door – moves fast, and we’d do murder just to get our hands on the Caramel & Sea Salt milkshake. Read more.
Lick not only sources milk, cream, and eggs locally but also the fruits, vegetables, and herbs used to create their distinctive flavors, including Caramel Salt Lick and Roasted Beets & Fresh Mint.
This coffee shop comes well supplied with addictive Cuvée and Tweed coffee beans as well as baristas that pour out the tastiest and most gorgeous rosettas in the city.
For fans of New York-style pizza, Home Slice is as close as you can get in Austin, possibly thanks to yearly staff trips to the Big Apple. You know, for research. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
This festive corner taquería is all about fresh, fast, and portable. Don't miss the cochinita in homemade corn tortillas or the great paleta selection. Wash it all down with a frozen sangria.
This zero-waste, packaging-free grocery store may be small, but it covers all the bases, from fresh farm veggies to bulk tahini and dishwasher soap to kombucha on tap. Bring lots of jars. Read more.
Food blogger Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook said he loved the game sausage here.
Food blogger Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook said he loved the Brussels sprouts and mango-juniper sorbet here.
Food blogger Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook said he loved the jasmine tea panna cotta with lychee/coconut sorbet here.
Food blogger Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook said he loved the epazote pork belly with tamarind here.
STAG represents the spirit of style icons like Steve McQueen, Michael Caine, Paul Newman, and Willie Nelson while looking forward to fashion’s next wave.
Austin-based chain of dinner-and-a-movie theaters shows first-run flicks, but it's their signature events - sing-alongs, Weird Wednesdays, Master Pancake and more - that make them a local favorite.
Lady Bird Lake Trail is a 10-mile loop in the heart of the city. Mile 0 starts at Auditorium Shores, crosses over Interstate 35 into East Austin and loops back around toward the MoPac Bridge.
One of the oldest recorded tourist attractions in the Austin area and the highest point within Austin's city limits, Mount Bonnell offers fantastic sunset views of Lake Austin and the 360 Bridge.
The beautiful outdoor seating and food-truck options make this way-south spot perfect for a beer, burger, and good time with friends. Read more.
John Lewis continues to turn out some of the best barbecue in the city. Their beef ribs are especially fine and massive. Wash down some sausage with live music on the weekends. [Eater 38 Member]
The Kerlins are newbies, but have made a strong showing right off the bat: They use sweet-smelling pecan wood and crank out pork ribs and sausage to die for.
This vintage 1960 Comet trailer serves all kinds of meat, from duck sausage to smoked brisket, and they’re all flat-out delicious. Micklethwait Craft Meats belongs up with the elite of Austin BBQ. Read more.
We love the cozy, 1869 aesthetic of this restored historic landmark. Pick your poison from the impressive Whiskey Wall and enjoy a plate of BBQ on the enchanting, dog-friendly patio. Read more.
Chef Ned Elliott's inventive seasonal cuisine and wife Jodi's stellar desserts make this neighborhood spot a winner. Also a great for brunch. [Eater 38 Member]
Contigo's beer garden, craft cocktails and locally sourced, inventive food from Chef Andrew Wiseheart embody everything that's key to a great Austin restaurant right this second. [Eater 38 Member]
Mi Madre's, like your actual mother, is always there with a smile and a plate of something to fix what's ailing you. [Eater 38 Member]
Everything from Chef Jesse Griffiths' unassuming hotspot is local, even the tea. Expect the choicest cuts of meat, freshest seafood, and barely harvested vegetables, plus impeccable service. Read more.
Austin is having something of a bbq moment, in case you haven't noticed. Micklethwait has gotten its fair share of attention, but still flies under the radar by Austin bbq standards. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Salt & Time offers a mean brunch and lots of meaty sandwiches for lunch. Their dinner service is one of Austin's best deals for high-quality charcuterie and steak. [Eater 38 Member]
"Embrace the spirit of Austin institution Tamale House with the colorful East Side restaurant... the migas are plentiful, tamales galore, the patio is lush, there are cocktails and beer." -Eater 38 Read more.
"Order the menu, and grab whatever catches your fancy from the roaming dim sum-style carts filled with special dishes. Make sure to get the handmade pastas and knock-out desserts." -Eater 38 Read more.
Odd Duck features a huge open kitchen and lots of homey touches like mismatched plates and country kitsch on the walls. Check out the chicken fried egg, kholrabi soup, and the whole roast chicken.
"More experimental fare, like pig skin noodles [and] koji crepes." -Eater 38 Read more.
Brave the constant crowds and be rewarded with skillfully made, belly-busting, Southwestern-styled comfort food like Chicken-Fried Beef Ribs. Nab a mason jar of amazing pimento cheese on the way out.
Go for the extremely delicious Tex Mex, stay for the avocado margaritas. They go with everything, including brunch. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The bats are really small, try to go to the right end (south side) of the bridge, that's where they will emerge from
This historic theatre has lived a lot of lives (including an early 80s incarnation as a punk club), but since 2007, new releases, midnight movies, and arthouse fare have found a home here. Read more.
This once-sleepy outpost underwent a spit-shine with an interior remodel and the exterior strip mall's ongoing revitalization. Pizza + a bucket of beer + a Nineties Boy Band Sing-Along = perfection.
Two words: Salsa. Doña. The tacos themselves have earned their reputation, but it's this verde sauce that is really why we keep coming back. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Tacodeli: Where mashed potatoes meet the breakfast taco and make happy nom-nom sounds in our belly. The salsa bar's a nice touch, but we only have eyes for the Dona sauce, that fiery minx.
Great Tacodeli location. Lots of seating and the lines are smaller than at Gracy Farms or Lamar.
Make sure you check out the daily special before ordering. EVERYTHING here is delicious, so experimenting with flavors frequently produces passionate results!
Serving Stumptown in a great space; access to Veracruz Tacos on this side of town makes it plus plus!
Vietnamese cuisine made with grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, local organic produce, and seafood fresh from the Gulf makes us happy, but not as happy as the dreamy drip coffee served iced or hot.
Widely considered one of the finest indie record stores in the world, Waterloo boasts an impressive selection of music, knowledgeable staff, fun in-store performances, and much more. Read more.
Some of the best tacos in Austin are served by two trucks with national acclaim. Their aguas frescas are not to be missed, and they serve up the best migas taco in Austin. [Eater 38 Member]
"One of Austin’s favorite coffee roasters has its first flagship cafe, complete with beer, pastries, and, of course, coffee, with its own nitro cold brew right on tap. You won't find wifi." -Eater Read more.
"The South Congress Jo's location is an essential Austin hangout. The coffee spot has its own custom Stumptown blend and Tacodeli breakfast tacos galore." -Eater Read more.
"This South First coffee shop is especially lovely... huge back patio. Wild Gift coffee and the extremely delicious El Primo taco truck out front makes for a winning combination." -Eater
From the pastry menu in autumn: Tomato Pecorino Gougere, Everything Kolache, Coconut Zucchini Bread, Apple Almond Puff Tart, Pumpkin Plum Basque Cake, Spicy Pecan Macarons
From the cured meats to the grits reminiscent of risotto, the attention to detail elevates their offerings. Carefully curated wine at grocery prices makes for an affordable night. [Eater 38 Member]
"While the breakfast menu at Dai Due changes depending on seasonal availability, expect brown rice with kimchi, eggs, sausages, pancakes, and more. Wash it down with tallow coffee." -Eater Read more.
The convenience store/liquor store/Indian restaurant combo is odd, but that's what makes it quintessentially Austin. The naan sandwiches are what earned it a place on our list. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The retro bar with a breezy attitude serves up low-ABV drinks, punches, and frozen concoctions along Webberville Road with ample patio space and a shallow pool, where guests are encouraged to dip in. Read more.
