Whether you’re trying to find the best murals in Austin or just in town for a weekend getaway to Austin, there’s one thing you absolutely can’t go without doing and that’s eating! With everything from high end seafood to the best bbq in the world to $1 tacos from a food truck, Austin really does have a little bit of something for everyone. We’ve compiled a list of all the best restaurants in Austin – keep reading to check them out!
Best Breakfast in Austin
24 Diner
There’s no secrets when it comes to 24 Diner, what you see is what you get, and what you get is freaking amazing. 24 Diner’s location makes it the prime spot for breakfast if you’re staying downtown or within the loop. While wait times can be long, there’s no question, it’s worth the wait.
What we recommend: For brunch, the chicken and waffles is easily one of the best we’ve ever had. For lunch and dinner, the tuna melt can’t be beat! We can’t go without mentioning, the 24 Diner Milkshakes are out of this world and a must try, at least once.
Location: 600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Cafe Java
Sometimes you need breakfast that doesn’t just consist of booze. But hey, we don’t judge if that’s all you need for breakfast. The perfect spot to grab an awesome breakfast in Austin is Cafe Java. The menu is HUGE so there’s something for everyone. We usually go with their special omelette of the day (The Cajun omelette has been our favorite so far) and corn beef hash platter. Let’s just say we are always so full and rarely ever finish either of our meals. They have tons of delicious coffee options as well. This is just a homey spot with really good food and coffee.
Location: 11900 Metric Blvd Suite K Austin, TX 78758
Caroline & Upstairs at Caroline
If you’re looking for a trendy spot to grab a bite to eat or a delicious cocktail, this is where you should be! The main area of Caroline’s serves some delicious items. One of our favorites is their cinnamon roll – it’s absolutely heavenly. Upstairs at Caroline’s is the perfect spot to people watch (it’s a rooftop-ish bar) and hang out. They have tons of big picnic tables and a super comfy bar area. Definitely a great spot for bachelorette parties in Austin or just as a spot to kick your night off.
Location: 621 Congress Ave Suite 101, Austin, TX 78701
Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Let there be brunch. You didn’t think we’d make a list of the best restaurants in Austin and forget to include a brunch spot, did you? Walton’s Fancy Staple is a West 6th star that has one of the best brunches in Austin. It just so happens to be co-owned by Sandra Bullock and doubles as a flower shop to go along with the deli and bakery. Start with beignets and berries that tasted as if you’ve been transported to NOLA, sip on the most incredible Bloody Mary, topped with broccoli and cauliflower and for the main meal try the biscuit sandwich or the ham sandwich on a pretzel roll. Walton’s is chic, hip and all around damn good.
Location: 609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Best Dinner Restaurants in Austin
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Easily one of the best restaurants in of all Austin. Before we ever moved to Austin, we’d try our hardest to get in at Clark’s every time we were in town. But it was ALWAYS booked – until the weekend of Texas/ LSU when we FINALLY got a late reservation. This delicious Austin seafood spot on West 6th Street is absolutely incredible. A true Austin staple from the McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality Group.
We started with the mule of the day which was a Pisco mule, then on to a couple oysters that had so much flavor it felt like we were eating at seafood restaurant right on the coast. For dinner, we shared what might be the best lobster roll and fries we’ve ever dined on. Tons of lobster covered in butter laid on top of the perfect bun, accompanied by a mountain of the skinniest but tastiest fries. This lobster roll is worth every penny of the hefty $34 price tag. Clark’s is definitely going to require a reservation and for you to drop some bucks but you’ll leave quite happy knowing you just dined at one of the best restaurants in Austin!
Location: 1200 W 6th St Austin, TX 78703
El Arroyo
You know that famous sign in Austin? The one with the hilarious sayings? Yeah, it’s actually a restaurant. We aren’t saying this is THE BEST restaurant in Austin, but there are a few dishes that deserve a little hype. We absolutely love the bbq enchiladas which are like nothing we’ve ever had. Brown sugar smoked chicken with their bbq sauce made into enchiladas. Different and so good. We also highly recommend the cajun avocado – super unique and super tasty. Y’all, the reviews may be bad but it doesn’t mean they’re always right. We highly recommend El Arroyo for the sign AND the food.
Location: 1624 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
Fareground
Every foodie city should have a good food hall to bolster its dining scene. Austin is no exception and really delivers with Fareground. The location is perfect, right across the street from the South Congress bridge but underground. The cocktails from the Fareground bar are always awesome but the best thing we had was the Shio Ramen from Ni-Kome, which combined chicken and goji berries among other things and it was delicious. They’ve also added a street level bar named Ellis that we can’t wait to try.
Location: 111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Aba
I know what you’re thinking… This is a chain… Yes, that is true, but Aba made a splash when they hit the scene in Austin and it’s 100% worth the hype. Aba is absolutely delicious and it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant is absolutely adorable.
What we recommend: Everything?
Location: 1011 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Home Slice
If we had to choose one place on our list that just screams Austin and what it is all about, it would be Home Slice on South Congress. Thin crust pizza is served piping hot at this hip joint till late night hours on one of the busiest street in the city. Home Slice also recently opened up a new location in the North Loop that is yet to see a slow night. You can’t say you’ve been to Austin until you have had a slice from Home Slice.
Home Slice Location: 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 and 501 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751
Kesos
Part of the reason we love Austin so much is we are die hard University of Texas Longhorn fans. With UT being right smack dab in the middle of the city it means there are endless food options right on campus. One of the best spots on campus is Kesos Tacos on MLK Jr. The Classico with al pastor & pineapple and the Fire Chick with fried chicken fried in fire red salsa and topped with lettuce, pico and cilantro ranch & queso are so good. This place does tacos the right way. Stop by and grab a few tacos but don’t forget to take a pic outside with their awesome mural.
Location: 600 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
Loro
Two of our favorite chefs and owners are Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi. Loro is an asian bbq fusion restaurant by these two. It is the BOMB. We went with the Loro cheeseburger which was one of the best burgers we’ve ever had, the wonton chips and dip with a thai green salsa and a peanut sambai sauce, and the crunchy sweet corn fritters with a sriracha aioli. The combination of the spicy thai flavors with the smoky bbq flavor is out of this world good. Loro is a must try and is most definitely one of the best restaurants in Austin.
Location: 2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Lucy’s Fried Chicken
Who knew fried chicken could be so good? Okay trick question, because just about everyone should know that. Lucy’s Fried Chicken isn’t your normal fried chicken spot. Don’t get us wrong, they do have a basket of fried chicken but it’s their fried chicken spaghetti, grilled oysters with tequila, fried deviled eggs and fried chicken boudin balls that make this place SO DAMN TASTY. Oh and their sweet tea pie. You heard us right! Sweet tea pie!
Location: South Congress location @ 2218 College Ave Austin TX 78704
Magnolia Cafe
One of two places on our list that is on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Austin episode. Magnolia Cafe is the quintessential little cafe in every town, except nothing this good stays this small for long. Magnolia Cafe in Austin has been open since 1920. Whether you’re hungover and needing some comfort food (get the chicken noodle soup and thank me later) or just want to check out this classic Austin restaurant, Magnolia Cafe has something for everyone!
Location: 1920 S Congress Ave Austin, TX 78704
Maria’s Taco Xpress
The second spot on our list that’s been featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives Austin edition – Maria’s Taco Xpress. This a South Austin icon, located on South Lamar, is hard to miss. It’s the giant red building. Maria’s is what Keep Austin Weird is all about with its unique flavor and super chill atmosphere. We love their veggie verde stacked with 7 veggies including eggplant and green beans and their barbacoa taco that packs a huge flavor punch. This is what tacos should taste like. Maria’s is definitely one of the best taco spots in Austin.
Location: 2529 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704
Things to know – open till 3 pm during week and 4 pm on weekends
P Terry’s
Whataburger vs In N Out is a cool argument but we will take P Terry’s over both. P Terry’s is Austin’s very own fast food burger chain and they serve up some of the best burgers in Austin. Their Angus cheeseburgers with the special sauce and perfectly made fries are the perfect option for a quick, but classic bite when spending a weekend in Austin. They also have caramel root beer shakes. Seriously. Caramel and root beer come together to make heaven in a cup. You can’t miss their adorable buildings and quintessential burger stands.
Locations: 15 locations in & around Austin and now in San Marcos!
Paco’s Tacos
There’s no shortage of good tacos in Austin. Whether it be a food truck, a gas station, or in a restaurant, there are tacos in every corner. Paco’s Tacos definitely gets our vote for one of the good ones. We highly recommend the Gringo which combines shrimp, with chipotle mayo, avocado and mango pico de Gallo. Bomb. The Hook ‘Em is also top notch; brisket, chipotle bbq sauce & cilantro. Paco’s is great spot for tacos in East Austin.
Location: 1304 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723
Perla’s
If oyster shooters and bloody marys are your thing, Perla’s is the place for you. Sister restaurant to our beloved Clark’s Oyster Bar, Perla’s, located on South Congress is a super cute, seafood spot with a patio built to wow just about anyone!
Location: 1400 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Roaring Fork
We had to make sure to add a nice dinner spot downtown for the nights you just can’t do anymore tacos or bbq. There’s not many nights like that for us but a few summers ago we did stumble upon Roaring Fork Downtown. We wanted a nice dinner in Austin and we found it on Yelp with good reviews so we made a reservation. It definitely exceeded all of our expectations, earning it’s spot on our list of the best restaurants in Austin. We shared the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin with cheesy grits and Mexican Street corn. Yeah.. how could it not exceed our expectations with that kind of meal. Roaring Fork definitely has a unique menu but don’t let that turn you off from this place, it’s legit.
Location: 701 Congress Ave. Austin, TX
Tamale House East
There’s tamales and then there is Tamale House East. This East Austin establishment is an OG in the Austin dining scene. The family who owns it has been slinging tamales for many years in this great city. Biggest tamales you’ve ever seen. Best tamales in Austin. Guaranteed. And they also happen to have the best migas in town. Scratch that. Best migas anywhere. Definitely at the top of our best breakfast in Austin list.
Location: 1707 E 6th St Austin, Texas 78702
Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialities
Uncle Nicky’s pastries are the things most people wish they were eating first thing in the morning. This adorable Austin restaurant is located in Hyde Park and is totally reminiscent of an Italian cafe with a mix of Austin vibe. We LOVE the crueller, the taylor farm ham, egg and cheese sandwich with ketchup on an english muffin (move over McDonald’s you ain’t got nothing on this breakfast sandwich) and the vanilla cannoncino (basically a mini cannoli). The crueller was one of the two best we have ever had with the other being from a spot on our New York City desserts list. We can wait to go back for lunch to try the other dishes and sandwiches.
Location: 4222 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751
Veracruz All Natural
Breakfast tacos are a form of a payment in Austin. Kidding, but it’s really that serious. Veracruz All Natural might just have the best breakfast tacos in Austin. Like many other spots on our list of the best restaurants in Austin, Veracruz started as a food truck and has grown into a local chain slinging tacos and their delicious agua frescas. We LOVE the migas originales, migas poblanas and the el traditional. Homemade tortillas, roasted tomato salsa with avocado and the agua frescas are what set this delicious tacos spot in Austin apart from other places. Whether it’s one of their foods trucks or one of their brick & mortar shops, Veracruz continues to kill the taco game.
Location: 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX, 78702 (Veracruz Food Truck Park) Multiple locations
Via 313
One of the best pizza spots in Austin. Via 313 is a Detroit-style pizza spot with multiple locations throughout the Austin area. Detroit-style is baked in a square pan, and has the sauce on top. It’s started with Sicilian dough, lined with a layer of pepperoni right on top of the crust, a huge mound of cheese next, all the other toppings and then finished off with red sauce that trickles through the cheese and toppings. We’ve tried quite a few pizzas at Via 313 and we have yet to be let down! It’s cheesy, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and it’s delicious.
Location: Oak Hill 6705 E Hwy 290 No. 503, Austin, TX 78735/ East 6th 1802 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702/ Trailer @ Craft Pride on Rainey 61 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Wally’s Burger Express
There is just something about steak fingers, tacos, burgers & dipped cones. Wally’s has been Austin’s own little Dairy Queen since 1980. It even took over the old building of a Dairy Queen. They are the perfect late night snack or dinner when you just want to munch on a steak or chicken finger basket. Pair that with a cold root beer and finish with a shake or a cherry dipped cone and you’ll quickly see why this is on our list of the best restaurants in Austin. It’s hidden gems like this that really make Austin a foodie’s paradise.
Location: 8107 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Best Barbecue in Austin
Franklin Barbecue
If you’re into barbecue, you’ve probably heard of Franklin Barbecue in Austin. It’s been the talk of Austin and throughout the country for over 10 years now. In 2009 Aaron Franklin started this one of a kind Austin BBQ spot in a trailer, then, that little trailer morphed in to the restaurant it is today after quickly gaining popularity and today it lands on all the best restaurants in Austin lists!
How the line works at Franklin Barbecue
Franklin opens Tuesday-Sunday at 11 am but you need to be in line by 8:30-9am (at the latest) in order to actually get food. Yep, crazy. The line begins to form around 7am everyday and even earlier on weekends. Bring a lawn chair, beer or cocktails and pick up some breakfast tacos from their food truck or grab some from Veracruz before you arrive. Closer to opening time, someone will come out, write down what you want and what he has left. Franklin’s has mastered the science of what time you should be eating and how much will be left based on previous orders.
What to get on your first visit to Franklin Barbecue
GET THE BRISKET. It’s what made Franklins famous and for good reason. It’s the best brisket we’ve ever had. The brisket has sold out EVERY SINGLE DAY since Franklin opened, so don’t think we’re joking about getting there early. We also highly recommend the turkey, pulled pork and sausage. On Saturdays, the special is the famous Franklin Barbecue beef rib. It’s huge, it’s juicy and it’s only sold on Saturdays. It sells out quick so get there before 8 am on Saturday and you’ll have a chance. Try all the sides and try the pie. Visiting Franklin Barbecue is a once in a lifetime foodie experience that everyone should try at least once.
Location: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Stiles Switch
BBQ and tacos just might be the two things people in this town take the most serious. For us we have two rules of good bbq and they are 1) You can smell it from down the street. If you can’t smell it even when you get inside then it ain’t good. 2) Good bbq doesn’t NEED sauce. Now good sauce can be put on bbq but it should NOT need to be doused in bbq sauce. Stiles Switch definitely fits the bill with both rules. It may not be as well known as the big guys – Franklin, Stubbs and Salt Lick, but it has just as much flavor as all three of those. Tender brisket and sausage, out of this world mac & cheese and corn casserole and the perfect sweet tea to complete a great bbq meal. There are endless options of good bbq in Austin but we think Stiles Switch should be on everyone’s list especially for the mac & cheese and corn!
Location: 6610 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78752
Best Dessert in Austin
Lick Honest Ice Creams
Another spot we’d been dying to try in Austin was Lick Honest Ice Creams. We hit up the one on South Lamar after dinner at El Arroyo and my oh my it was AMAZING. Lick has two sets of flavors; Everyday flavors and Seasonal flavors. We went with the Texas Sheet Cake (everyday), Tres Leches (seasonal) and Strawberry Cream Pie (Seasonal) and the Ladybird Lavender Crisp (seasonal). Our favorites were the Ladybird Lavender Crisp (Tiffani) and the Tres Leches (Thomas). The lavender was top 5 best ice cream flavors we’ve ever had. Look at you Austin making that top 5 list twice. That’s why we love ATX so much!
Location: 75 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Little Lucy’s Mini Donuts
Not to be confused with another spot on our list, Little Lucy’s food truck on Rainey Street serves hot mini donuts till 2 am, every single day of the week. It’s the PERFECT stop when you are out on the town on Rainey (which happens to be our favorite place to have a fun night out in Austin). Enjoy some mini donuts dipped and top with whatever you want.
Location: 75 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Gordough’s
What do burgers, donuts and desserts all have in common? They can all be found at Gordough’s. This crazy donut establishment serves items like donut burgers, donut sandwiches and massive donuts for dessert. Gordough’s is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or after the bar closes on the weekends. I mean, who wouldn’t want a donut topped with grilled bananas and cream cheese icing with brown sugar after they have been drinking all night. We sure would! At the end of 2022 their brick and mortar restaurant closed but they still have their food truck!
Location: 1503 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Amy’s Ice Cream
Don’t come at us with some BS that Amy’s really isn’t a restaurant. Because, y’all, the next two words are the only two words that matter… Mexican Vanilla. That’s the go to flavor at our favorite ice cream spot in Austin and maybe the best ice cream in the state. Top 5 ice cream flavor we’ve had. Amy’s has been our favorite spot for the cool treat for a long time. We stop every time we are in town to grab a scoop of Mexican vanilla with sprinkles! Their always-rotating selection of ice cream will always keep you on your toes!
Location: 1012 W 6th St B, Austin, TX 78703 (multiple locations, but our favorite shop)
Tiny Pies
Don’t underestimate things just because they’re tiny. Especially not Tiffani 😉 or Tiny Pies in Austin. These tiny pillows of deliciousness really don’t taste tiny. Everybody loves a good slice of pie but it’s so difficult to eat a slice of pie without a plate, a fork and a napkin. That’s where Tiny Pies comes in with their hand held pies that are the size of a muffin. They may be tiny but they have just as much flavor as a normal size pie. They even made it on to Oprah’s O List.
Location: 2032 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704
Did our list of the best restaurants in Austin cover all of your faves? If not, be sure to let us know which of your favorites we left off our list!
