Look out over Lady Bird Lake and transcend the usual hotel-dining scene. The focus is on unique and creative preparations of appetizers, side dishes, terrific steaks, and seafood. Mehr erfahren.
Any ATX 'best burger' list has to include this round-the-clock spot, but don’t gloss over the upscale riffs on meatloaf and chicken & waffles. Save room for the roasted banana & brown sugar milkshake. Mehr erfahren.
You'd better circle the wagons early if you want to snag some of Franklin's world-famous brisket. It has a smoky and spicy bark, a deep smoke ring, and is exceedingly moist and tender. Perfection. Mehr erfahren.
This comfy spot with its welcoming vibe and kid- and dog-friendly patio has been whole-heartedly embraced as the neighborhood hangout in Cherrywood. Get the soul-satisfying Sol taco or a muffaletta. Mehr erfahren.
Superior micheladas, legit Interior Mexican cuisine, a beautiful patio, some of the best carnitas in the city, and killer mezcal and sotol cocktails. Viva Mexico! Mehr erfahren.
A big, bustling ristorante complete with deli, bakery, coffee bar, and grocery, this family-friendly eatery has something for everyone looking for a casual Italian dining experience. Mehr erfahren.
Unctuous rib meat barely clings to the smoke-stained bone before it melts in your mouth. John Mueller, the Yoda of beef ribs, dispenses fantastic barbecue in a relaxed, comfy trailer set-up. Mehr erfahren.
Their motto reads, "Ass, Cash, or Grass – Nobody Eats for Free." Whatever your method of payment is, stop by and pick up one of their huge, specialty pizzas. The exchange will be well worth it. Mehr erfahren.
The chill vegan/vegetarian/cyclist-proud vibe isn't the only drawing card here. From a tofu scramble to the Renedict, a reimagined eggs Benedict, the breakfast menu is outstanding. Mehr erfahren.
A tap wall decorated with over 50 various Texas beers, 2 cask engines, enthusiastic cicerones, and a bacon brewing bus in the backyard area. Come here to hone your craft of beer and bacon consumption. Mehr erfahren.
An early component of the East 11th Street renaissance, this is a restful, reliable spot for French-inspired snacks and light meals. The luscious, open-faced tartines are highly recommended. Mehr erfahren.
This cozy spot shares space with a 2,700-pound Neapolitan brick oven firing rustic, insanely good pizza. For antipasti, we flip for the roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta and Pecorino Romano. Mehr erfahren.
The drink menu reads like the manifesto of a genius turned madman obsessed with suds, and the art of sausage making is shown through exotic franks. You'll want to do more than just graze this garden. Mehr erfahren.
A Mediterranean tree-house atmosphere, bold flavors, and iconoclastic taste combinations make for a cosmopolitan take on traditional bar fare. The pizza bianco is inspired. Mehr erfahren.
Playful cuisine, delectable desserts, appropriate libations, and excellent service. The atmosphere can get boisterous, but a night at Swift's promises both a memorable meal and a super fun time. Mehr erfahren.
Barn chic, with a pleasant atmosphere, nice for a special evening out with friends. The gems on the menu dwell in the vegetables category: Brussels sprouts, fried smashed potatoes, and glazed turnips. Mehr erfahren.
This cavernous campus-area space is a little fancy-pants for the average student, but quite reasonable for high-class delicious fare of this caliber and innovation. Mehr erfahren.
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. Mehr erfahren.
Perla's has transformed a land-locked SoCo corner into a beachy cafe. It's hard to beat this place on a sunny afternoon for fresh oysters, grilled octopus, and a Caesar cocktail on the shady patio. Mehr erfahren.
From the best tortas anywhere, period, to quesadillas and tlacoyos, this is the closest we get here to real street-style antojitos. Superb pan dulce and tres leches cakes will satisfy the sweet tooth. Mehr erfahren.
Pair the house-made merguez with a seasonal salad, and go ahead and order a bottle of wine; it beats getting back in line for another glass, and the ambience is so nice you're going to want to linger. Mehr erfahren.
Chef David Bull didn't bring foie gras to Austin but he surely helped evangelize it. Few other chefs use such precious ingredients so confidently. The cool kids always make it seem effortless. Mehr erfahren.
This tiny bistro delights with well-executed Italian classics and quaint elegance. Can sometimes be too loud for dinner conversation, but that just adds to the NYC neighborhood trattoria feel. Mehr erfahren.
Think French comfort food in a cozy space. Crazy-good craft brews paired with creative sandwiches, intelligent noshes, and a burger and frites twofer worth the trip alone. Mehr erfahren.
Individually crafted cocktails, an ingenious list of Euro-centric wines, and innovative food. In our increasingly sophisticated bar town, Bar Congress tops the list. Yep, we’ll drink to that. Mehr erfahren.
The menu’s great for snacking and sharing, and unless your party’s big enough to fill a picnic table, you’ll get to know your neighbor, too. It’s that kind of place, and we really love this place. Mehr erfahren.
Ambitious, delicious trailer food from caterer/chef Luke Bibby. Overdo it at next door Gibson Bar? Luke’s cheese fries and the Spicy Szechuan Chicken griddled sammy are gonna make everything alright. Mehr erfahren.
This small, classy shop in the Arboretum offers an exemplary product line of flavor-infused extra virgin olive oils, truffle oils, and aged balsamic vinegars. Delectable flavors abound. Mehr erfahren.
What started as a supper club has grown into a full-fledged bistro with limited menus that change frequently. Solid farm-to-table, Cali-Med fare, and ideal for the neighborhood. Mehr erfahren.
Time to carb up, y’all: The street-level bakeshop serves up top-of-the-line breads and pastries; mosey on to the downstairs beer garden and you’ll find mouth-watering cured meats and excellent brews. Mehr erfahren.
An elegant and playful twist on the so-serious steakhouse m.o, this temple to former Longhorn football star Vince Young is a luxurious (if pricey) option for watching the game or wooing a date. Mehr erfahren.
As much a punk rock clubhouse as record store, Trailer Space books the most in-store performances per week of any place in town with a stellar cast of up-and-coming rockers. Mehr erfahren.
The orange-infused crème brulee at this wonderful Cajun-Creole eatery is the best example of this particular French delicacy we've ever had anywhere, in any year. Mehr erfahren.
From the sublime teas and sandwiches to the stellar scones, cupcakes, and tortes, we adore this tea shop & bakery. Just as tranquil as the original Domain location, but without the stressful commute. Mehr erfahren.
The evidence: High-quality meats. Big portions. Freshly baked breads. Fair prices. A healthy dose of sass from the staff. The verdict: Among the best sandwiches in town. Mehr erfahren.
This smoke-stained barbecue shack has been in business since 1943, offering mesquite-smoked brisket, pork loin, Elgin sausage, and chicken. No booze, no vegetables, no frills, no credit cards. Mehr erfahren.
Austin's only vegetarian/vegan Jewish sandwich trailer feels like a picnic in a friend's backyard. The matzoh ball soup is delish, a perfect consistency ball kissed by a light, almost buttery broth. Mehr erfahren.
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. Mehr erfahren.
No such thing as giving the Pig too much love. From bread to bacon, everything is house-made, and they turn out some of the best sandwiches in town. The swine-free catfish sandwich is amazing, too. Mehr erfahren.
This trailer boasts a simple but scrumptious menu of Turkish wraps stuffed with Middle Eastern-style meats or falafel plus sides like tzatziki and hummus. Can't decide? Go with the Spoiled Brat. Mehr erfahren.
El Mesón boasts a lavish tequila selection and authentic Mexican fare. We adore the amuse-bouches here, like the unexpected tiny bowls of fideo or a little street-style corn on the cob. Mehr erfahren.
Eclectic, upscale, and seasonal fare, an excellent wine list, private tables, and exemplary service flawlessly converge in a gorgeous, Michael Hsu-designed space. Simply one of our city's best. Mehr erfahren.
Interior and traditional and a South Austin gem. The empanadas de huitlacoche of handmade corn masa are stuffed with corn truffle or "corn smut" to make a real delicacy. Mehr erfahren.
To-die-for sandwiches, package wine sales, charcuterie, and an inviting, inspiring cheese case. We heart the Beecher's cheddar with house-roasted turkey and avocado. Mehr erfahren.
At this 24-foot yellow chrome trailer, the pork ribs are St. Louis cuts and the pork loin is meltingly tender. Stay for the magnificent Pedernales Valley sunsets. Mehr erfahren.
This family-friendly Italian eatery is comfortable and sedate, staffed with eager to please servers. Its Lincoln Village setting is a touch uninspired, but Verona is indisputably a good value. Mehr erfahren.
Nothing fancy – just great, dependable Chinese food. We especially like the hot & sour soup with a side of spicy dumplings. You can't go wrong with a meat entrée; they use good beef and cook it right. Mehr erfahren.
Laid-back Austin yet Downtown chic, Garrido's budget-conscious menu touts small but tasty selections for inventive, white-tablecloth Mexican fare. The bocaditos are tiny, but order them anyway. Mehr erfahren.
Manuel's excellent presentation of regional Mexican cuisine has made it a Downtown mainstay for more than 25 years. The menu offers a nice mix of new ideas and tried-and-true. Mehr erfahren.
Fragrant barbecue smoke and soulful blues waft over the roof of this 19th-century brick edifice. It's noisy. It's fun. And that's just the way the crowd likes it. The fried pies are not to be missed. Mehr erfahren.
Perennial fave La Condesa reflects the culinary trends of Mexico City's hip neighborhood Colonia Condesa. Feeling adventurous? Try the chapulines – a Oaxacan specialty of tiny fried grasshoppers. Mehr erfahren.
An unlikely combo – South Austin-funky trailer meets très French menu – but it works. The crepes, both savory and sweet, are substantial. For dessert, we like the lemon curd with blueberry dressing. Mehr erfahren.
Love the folk art-festooned interior, but the rooftop patio with Downtown view can’t be beat. Try the tangy guacamole al chipotle, served with a smoky chipotle crema and crunchy sunflower seeds. Mehr erfahren.
A damned good burger for the budget-conscious carnivore who prefers meat not from some megafactory; Wholly Cow gets their grass-fed beef from Rocky Hill Orchards in Fredericksburg. Mehr erfahren.
A smart wine list and seasonal menu provide big-city sophistication here. Cheese and cured meat plates are available during brunch if you’re bored with Eggs Benedict. Mehr erfahren.
One might question their definition of “dive,” but here’s what this ATX outpost indisputably offers up: an urban/industrial/aggressively "hip" space, legit fried chicken, and a superior brunch option. Mehr erfahren.
A luxurious menu is matched by an adventurous wine list and an intimate, bistro feel. Don’t skip the house-baked bread: It’s stunningly good, especially when dipped in the Mussels & Clams wine broth. Mehr erfahren.
Winner of seven "Best of Austin" awards, End of an Ear harkens back to the glory days of Inner Sanctum and Sound Exchange, specializing in experimental, punk, psychedelic, dub, metal, jazz, and blues. Mehr erfahren.
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. Mehr erfahren.
The very cool Whip In boasts specialty beers, obscure wines, locally packaged gourmet foodstuffs, and a cafe menu that's a bricolage of Indian, African, European, and American flavors. Mehr erfahren.
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. Mehr erfahren.
The chicken is tender and juicy, the breading perfectly crisp, and it washes down well with a Juicy Lucy frozen watermelon margarita or the spicy Bee Sting. Like being at an impeccably curated picnic. Mehr erfahren.
The Alamo expands to tony Circle C with all its charm intact, with inventive programming and a tongue-in-cheek menu that confirms whey we love the Alamo: Because they love movies as much as we do. Mehr erfahren.
They had us at 4-hour validated parking. OK, there's also the terrific arthouse and foreign programming, the artisanal cheese plate and full bar, but it bears repeating: 4-hour validated parking! Mehr erfahren.
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. Mehr erfahren.