10 Must-Eat Food Experiences in Austin Before You Die
where to eat in austin, tx
Before I moved to New York I lived in Austin (on-and-off) for 2,5 years while I was figuring out my immigration status… which was about as fun as it sounds. It was très très stressful but at least I had the endless and cheap culinary scene of Austin to help me with the stress eating. As someone who ate myself through Austin I frequently see TERRIBLE advice on what to do, see and where to eat from people who’ve only been there for short trips and haven’t exhausted the food options. Amy’s Ice Cream? No. Franklin’s BBQ? Not unless you want to spend 6 of your 72 hour-weekend trip standing in line in the minimum 92 degree heat.
To remedy this tragedy I’ve put together this list of delumpcious places to eat and drink in Austin.
Note: I was an omnivore during my first year and became a vegetarian for the remaining 1,5 years there so my recommendations are mostly vegetarian. But I also learned a spicy helpful tip for restaurants overall - that you can usually judge a place by how good their vegetarian options are. And the following places have amazing options for both vegetarians and omnivores.
Elizabeth Street Café
My go-to location: The one… on Elizabeth Street.
Legendary Vietnamese-French fusion at an affordable price. SO instagrammable and visually stunning that we shot some of Memory Games there but it was cut in the editing room. Possibly because we were supposed to have a conversation about memory but we ended up just talking about the food.
Must-haves? The Bánh Mì 29 with avocado and sprouts.
Sides? The nutella éclair!
To drink? Vietnamese coffee.
Hopdoddy’s Burger Bar
My go-to location: The one on South Congress (where I used to live!)
Endless burgers with endless lines - unless you show up on time. But so worth it in this cute and formerly quaint street of Austin. Note: I don’t remember a single burger I had there that was bad and I tried all of them.
Must-have? A burger with a medium-rare impossible patty. Or the ahi-tuna medium-rare. YUM!
Sides? Truffle fries.
To drink? The daily or weekly special milkshakes are usually the bomb. Or a mixed strawberry caramel milkshake.
Torchy’s Tacos
My go-to location: The one on South Congress (when there’s no line) has cool architecture and great portions but most of the locations in town are really good.
The best tacos in town hands down, which people sometimes disagree on but none of the other taco places are as consistently good throughout their locations at that price. (Though I should say a new place called Suerte opened after my move to New York and I have heard good things!).
Must-have? The migas. TIP: if you order to go it’ll be a lot smaller than dining in.
Sides? Guac and chips.
To drink? A chilled Mexican Coke.
Lick Ice Cream
My go-to location: The one on South Lamar.
Hands down the best ice cream in town with delicious vegan and vegetarian options. Quirky mixes and fun flavors without going too haute cuisine, but far from the trashiness that is other ice cream places. Try all of the flavors that sound good (they are usually patient enough to let you try many of them at least). Trust me, I know ice cream and the other ones might be all hype but in the end not very worth it.
Summermoon Coffee Bar
My go-to location: The one on South 1st, but they’re all delish!
The best coffee you’ll ever have. Liquid happiness. TIP: Do not order the non-dairy option. For a cold beverage order the Wintermoon 16 oz and for a hot one get the Summermoon. During my last trip to Austin for just a short weekend I had one every day because it is just that good and worth the trip. Even looked at buying a house near the coffee bar at some point because it is so damn good. I want to fly more often to Austin just to have it. If I were a serious investor I’d buy a share of their company and make them expand to New York so I could keep having it here.
Uchi
My go-to location: The one on South Lamar but Uchiko up north is just as good.
Talented chefs within this trendy Japanese spot. Very pricey but worth it (in my opinion). Don’t go starving unless you’ve got some cash to spend. You’re looking at around 50-120 dollars per person.
Must-have? Everything, but especially the eggplant nigiri.
Sides? Yasai cure.
To drink? Ramune is my go-to non-alcoholic choice.
Koriente
My go-to location: The one on E 7th is their one and only location.
Asian-Hispanic mix of the best of both worlds while still nutritious, calorie-aware and you get your money’s worth (read: bigger portions).
Must-have? Rice medallion sauté.
Sides? The vegan summer rolls.
To drink? Their specialty special teas or the jasmine bubble tea.
Easy Tiger
My go-to location: The one on E 6th.
The one and only bar I ever liked? It has ping pong tables by the river and pastries to go with their drinks.
Must-have? A Swedish semla or cinnamon bun when they’re in stock. Pretty and neat drinks overall though.
Sway
My go-to location: The one on South 1st but I’ve heard they’re all equally good.
Thai like you’ve never thought of it before in a swanky interior at a location that looks like it could be the secret lair of a superhero. Often voted best happy hour in Austin.
Must-have? Everything.
Sides? Chinese broccoli.
To drink? Kosmic Black Magic or most things during happy hour.
Bougie’s Donuts
My go-to location: The one on Brodie Lane is their one and only location.
DONUTS! I’m nuts for these. They are a little out of the way but so good - especially fresh out of the oven.
Must-have? EVERYTHING?
An alternative: Gourdough’s on South 1st is pretty insane when it comes to portions and ingredients and is an exciting second but sometimes a bit too much. But aesthetically pleasing, especially at night.
Things to do in Austin besides food
A view from the many floors of the Austin Central Library,
If you’re looking for things to do in-between meals you could…
See the bats fly out from under the South Congress bridge during sunset in the summer, pick a spot early so you don’t miss it.
Swim in Barton Springs Pool in the summer (too cold for winter imho).
Watch improv comedy at The Hideout or The Fallout Theatre in town - the Austin improv scene is great (especially now that I am no longer part of it). Bonus - tickets are usually pretty cheap.
Have a boozy milkshake and/or an entire meal with your movie at the Alama Drafthouse.
Go kayaking on the river.
Check out the Central Library on Cesar Chavez - it has the best view of the south of Austin and it is surrounded by the concrete jungle that is north of the river.
Look around everywhere, Austin itself is like a big museum of weirdness if you pay attention… and a lot of the time even when you’re not.
Hope I’ve helped you make your trip more delicious and fun!
Agree/disagree? Tell me @yanjaa on IG or in the comments down below.
Let me know if you try these places out or drop me a line with your favorite food/drink recommendations in Austin.