Where to Eat in Austin, Texas

BBQ

If you’ve heard anything about Austin Barbecue, Franklin BBQ was likely mentioned in the same sentence and for good reason. The pitmaster is a staple of the Austin food community, host of the sell-out Hot Luck Fest, and founder of several restaurants. If the line at Franklin is intimidating, Stiles Switch and Terry Black’s are both going to be worth your while.

BRUNCH

Our hands-down favorite brunch in Austin is at Bill’s Oyster. Start with oysters, split the burger (one of the best in Austin), and finish with the stuffed bananas foster french toast.

OYSTERS

We would never leave you with just a single oyster recommendation. After all, our best-selling The World is Your Oyster print is a direct overflow of our love of a good oyster. Perla’s, Clark’s and Maie Day have some of our favorite oysters in Austin.

BREAKFAST

We’ve done enough research to confidently say that the best breakfast tacos in Austin are at one of three places: Veracruz (order the Migas Originales), Taco Flats, or Granny’s. Once a food truck, Paperboy now has a brick and mortar for their all-star breakfast menu and you can’t beat the lemon ricotta pancakes at Josephine House. 

TEX-MEX

It’s a challenge to narrow down the best Tex-Mex in Austin to just three places, but we’ve done just that. Matt’s El Rancho is as quintessentially Austin as Barton Springs or Waterloo Records. It’s incredibly low-key, almost always crowded, and the Bob Armstrong dip is a must. On the other end of the Tex-Mex spectrum is La Piscina, located at the Proper Hotel. From Maine lobster to bacon wrapped filet mignon, the menu includes anything you can imagine in delicious fajita form. Lastly, El Dorado is a classic, family-owned neighborhood spot known for their top notch margaritas, enchiladas, and carnitas.

SANDWICHES

This is a category that doesn’t make every Where to Eat in Austin list, but it’s one of our favorites. For us, Home Slice has the best Italian sub outside of NYC and Otherside Deli's crispy Chicken Cutlet sandwich and Reuben are the things dreams are made of. For no frills, old Austin vibes, go to Upper Crust bakery and get the chicken salad sandwich on sourdough. The BLT at Swedish Hill is a standout.

BURGERS

Not a Damn Chance is the love child of Professional Skateboarder Neen Williams and Michelin-Starred Chef Phillip Frankland and right at the tippy top of our best burgers list. Adjacent on the list is the burger at Uptown Sports Club, the newest restaurant from Aaron Franklin. We are eagerly awaiting the opening of Redbud Ice House, opening in the old Contigo spot and with the partners from Maie Day and Ola Maie (among others) later this month, and have heard great things about the burger on its menu.

SUSHI

Four spots for sushi: Kome (casual), Uchi/Uchiko (more upscale), Otoko and Scratch by Sushi (omakase experience).

PIZZA

Allday pizza is our favorite in the city for the limited, but delicious topping offerings. Also, their soft serve for dessert is best in class. 

OTHER

Launderette is our go-to Austin restaurant for a great meal any time of day, any day of the week. Violet Crown Coffee and Wine might have the best baristas in town, the best natural wine selection, and follow them on Instagram to find out about their fun, one-off pop-ups with food concepts around the city. Bureau de Poste is one of my favorite new neighborhood restaurants. The pomme dauphine and french onion soup are hard to choose between for starters and the steak frites and cod are both worth the order. For the best cocktail bar, go to Holiday. For the best gluten-free baked goods, dairy-free ice cream, and Thanksgiving desserts, Gati is the best place to go. (Always scoop up a piece of the coffee cake, if there’s any left.)