Austin's culinary landscape is a delightful mix of flavors, from classic Texas barbecue to unique dishes like wild boar pepper pots and sweet red berry concha. With iconic establishments like Franklin's Barbecue for brisket and Kerby Lane for pancakes, as well as newcomers like Taqueria De Diez's volcan tacos, there's no shortage of delicious options.

To fully enjoy Austin's food scene, it's crucial to make reservations ahead of time. For eateries without reservations, arrive early and be prepared with sunscreen—waiting in line is part of the Texas experience. Expect long waits at popular barbecue spots, especially on weekends, with an hour or more for a table. The prime barbecue joints open for lunch, so get there early on weekdays for shorter lines. Ordering online can also help you dodge the wait.

Now that you're ready, let's dig into the top dining spots in Austin, Texas. For more guidance, check out my recommendations for must-do activities in Austin and the finest Austin hotels by neighborhood.

Top Barbecue Joints in Austin

Left: Brisket sandwich from Franklin's Barbecue. Right: Pomegranate-glazed pork ribs from KG Barbecue.

Lines are a staple at barbecue spots, but many offer complimentary beer while you wait. To avoid the queues, consider online orders.

  • Franklin Barbecue: Get there early, ideally before 9 a.m., and prepare for a wait—it's like tailgating without the game. Bring a chair and local beers.
  • Micklethwait Craft Meats: Opt for sausage, turkey (my favorite), and jalapeno cheese grits at this go-to with shorter waits.
  • La Barbecue: Located on the Eastside, this spot serves brisket, pulled pork, and shells & cheese.
  • LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue: A Michelin star winner, it offers delicious brisket, beef ribs, and a fantastic brisket burger. Check them out here.
  • Interstellar BBQ: A top five Texas Monthly pick, famous for brisket, turkey, jalapeno slaw, and banana pudding.
  • KG Barbecue: Merging Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavors with barbecue, try the pomegranate-glazed pork ribs and brisket shawarma pitas.

Best Brunch Spots in Austin

  • Lutie's: A favorite for dinner, it boasts an amazing brunch featuring Spanish frittatas and brioche French toast. Don't miss the pastry basket with Susana Querejazu's acclaimed Kouign Amanns. Reservations recommended for Saturday and Sunday.
  • Foreign & Domestic: Renowned for the best pancakes in town, developed by chef Sarah Heard for her picky daughter. Available on Sundays only. Reservations recommended.
  • Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden: Famous for the Manmosa, a massive mimosa made with a full bottle of champagne. Their menu includes hearty sausage dishes and sizable made-from-scratch biscuits. Open Sundays only.
  • Wu Chow: Offers a dim sum brunch on Sundays featuring pork pot stickers, char siu bao, and a Thai-chili infused Bloody Mary. Reservations recommended.
  • Jacoby's: This Eastside gem takes brunch reservations! Don't miss the grits and strawberry cake. Available Saturday and Sunday. Reservations recommended.
  • South Congress Hotel: Start your day with a signature pastry, such as their croissant with homemade raspberry jam, and try the ricotta hotcakes. Breakfast served daily.

Dining options are categorized from casual to upscale.

Upscale Dining in Austin

  • Canje: An exciting Caribbean restaurant named after Guyana's national bird, known for its wild boar pepperpot stew and roti paired with Wagyu beef West Indian curry.
  • Commodore Perry Estate: A must-visit for dinner; its vibrant decor by Ken Fulk enhances the experience. The menu features shareable seasonal dishes like estate bread, Texas beef, and a kouign-amann dessert. Reservations recommended.

  • Mattie's: A hidden gem in a charming 19th-century home, perfect for fried chicken and biscuits, surrounded by entertaining peacocks.
  • Eberly: A stylish multi-room venue with stunning decor and a mahogany bar moved from NYC, ideal for a memorable dining experience. Reservations recommended.
  • Fixe: Famous for its made-to-order biscuits, worth every penny of the $12 price tag.
  • Ember Kitchen: Specializes in live-fire cooking with Latin influences; the pork chop and carrots are a must-try. Sit at the bar to see the magic unfold.

Casual Dining Options in Austin

Taqueria de Diaz

Known for their volcan tacos, regarded as some of the best in town.

Right: Yellow Jacket Social Club's beet and goat cheese sandwich.

  • Pinthouse Pizza: This award-winning brewery offers delicious Sicilian-style pizzas. Their Electric Jellyfish brew helped kickstart the hazy IPA trend in Austin, making it a must-stop after any trip.
  • Tumble 22: The ultimate destination for hot chicken. Pair it with mac and cheese and slaw. This spot has expanded from food truck roots to three locations.
  • Easy Tiger: A bakery-bar hybrid with a full menu of pastries and giant pretzels, perfect with their famous beer cheese. Both locations feature inviting patios, with the South Lamar one being my favorite.
  • Kemuri Tatsu-ya: A unique izakaya in an old barbecue spot, offering Texas-influenced dishes like brisket ramen and Mexican street corn.
  • Golden Horn: This dive bar presents American Chinese dishes with a twist, including black garlic queso dip and semi-smashed burgers on Taiwanese milk buns.
  • Artipasta: A South Austin food truck specializing in homemade pasta and pizza, with a delectable panna cotta for dessert.

Best Tacos in Austin

Choosing the top tacos in Austin can be challenging due to numerous fantastic options. While Taco Deli and Torchy's Tacos are popular, there are even better choices. Taco Deli's white queso is a standout!

Nixta Taqueria is often hailed as the best, crafting their own masa and tortillas, with unique offerings like duck carnitas tacos. For traditional options, Veracruz All Natural, founded by two sisters from Mexico, is a favorite for its excellent migas tacos.

The newest sensation is Taqueria de Diaz, known for their volcán tacos featuring cheese and meat on crispy corn tortillas, tucked away in an alley off Trinity Street downtown. Don't miss the taquitos at Arriba Abajo at the Thompson Austin.

Top Bakeries & Desserts in Austin

Left: Comadre Panaderia's concha. Right: Jacoby's strawberry cake.

For desserts, the options are endless, including those from the restaurants listed above and specialty pastry shops.

  • Comadre Panaderia: Famous for its concha, a sweet bread topped with a cookie shell. Arrive early for the best picks! Open Thursday to Sunday.
  • Gati Ice Cream: A classic spot, while Amy's Ice Cream offers delicious coconut milk flavors.
  • Tiff's Treats: Known for their boxes of warm cookies, they offer individual cookies too. Try the Tiff Wich—two warm cookies with ice cream in between. Double yum!
  • Hayley Cakes: Renowned for their beautifully decorated giant sugar cookies.
  • Sugar Mama's Bakeshop: Home to the best cupcakes I've ever tasted!

Top Bars in Austin

This list reflects years of experience, particularly favoring dive bars.

  • Tiki Tatsu-Ya: An imaginative bar with a tropical theme, featuring two levels and elaborate decor, as well as a menu of delightful drinks and bites. Reservations required.
  • Eastside Bars: The White Horse: A honky-tonk with live music and free dance lessons, featuring a spacious patio with a food truck. Nearby, Yellow Jacket Social Club offers a relaxed atmosphere with great food, including a beet and goat cheese sandwich. Whisler's: Known for cocktails and a mezcal bar, while Mama Dearest is an Arkansas-themed dive bar with quirky drinks.
  • Kitty Cohen's: Features a fantastic patio with a pool and stunning tropical-themed decor. Don't miss the whimsical flamingo wallpaper in the ladies' room!
  • Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches: This spot boasts the best happy hour in town, serving savory kolaches and a vast selection of craft beers. Happy Hour is all day Monday and Tuesday, plus nightly during the rest of the week.
  • Ask for the passcode to enter Floppy Disk Repair, a speakeasy with an intriguing atmosphere reminiscent of a horror movie set.
  • Many restaurants previously mentioned also serve great drinks, including Easy Tiger, Cedar Tavern Bar, and Eberly.

Best Breweries in Austin

Left: Baked pretzels and beer cheese from Easy Tiger. Right: Brews from Hold Out Brewing.

Despite recent closures, Austin still boasts a vibrant brewery scene, with many offering nonalcoholic beverages like hop water. Here's a list categorized by location.

  • Downtown (kinda): Better Half Coffee & Cocktails: My top pick, located near downtown in a quirky half-domed building with a spacious courtyard. Enjoy hazy pale ales and tasty happy hour burgers.
  • East Austin Breweries: Lazarus Brewing Company: Located in an old gas station on East Sixth Street, featuring rotating food trucks and a lively atmosphere. Hi Sign Brewery offers a spacious taproom, while Central Machine Works is a bit farther east.
  • North Austin Breweries: Austin Beerworks and HopSquad Brewing are great local options.
  • South Austin Breweries: This area has several excellent breweries, including Nomadic Beerworks, ABGB, St. Elmo Brewing Company, Meanwhile Brewing, and Vacancy Brewing, which are all within walking distance.