Austin Eats
Austin is my favorite city in Texas. I may be a little biased since I got married there, but it does have a great food scene. If I ever left Atlanta to move back home to Texas (where I was born and raised), then it would have to be Austin. I’ve been going to Austin one to two times per year for the past four years now and have outlined some of my meals below. Please note this is not a comprehensive list of all the best eats in Austin, just my experience.
I hope this helps when you are planning your next foodie adventure in Austin.
Happy zdapproved eating!
Coffee & Desserts
merit coffee
neutral
Merit Coffee is a San Antonio transplant with two locations in Austin. They make their own beans and also offer pastries and tacos. Plus, if you go to the location in Zilker, you can also get breakfast from the Paperboy food truck. The space was great for working (both indoor & outdoor) or meeting up friends. I didn’t love my latte, I probably could have done without the syrup. But not a bad option if you are in the area.
Last Visit: November 2019
henbit at fareground food hall
Extremely Likely
The team behind Emmer & Rye (see more under Dinner below) opened up Henbit in a the new-ish Fareground Food Hall in Downtown and it was the perfect spot for a matcha lavender beverage and one of the best cookies ever! The cookie has chocolate chips, pecans, white sonoran wheat & lemon zest. I can’t even explain how good it was. Henbit also serves breakfast, lunch & dinner with many healthy-ish American-Mediterranean options.
Last Visit: November 2019
Fleet Coffee Co.
Likely
This coffee shop is in a secluded (ish) area - not the place one would go to work but a great neighborhood spot for Counter Culture coffee, Veracruz tacos & Sour Duck Market pastries. We got the speciality drinks - house-made soda (yes!) & lemon pound cake cortado (so-so). Plenty of outdoor seating.
Last Visit: June 2019
RADIO COFFEE & BEER
Likely
I love any coffee shop that serves Stumptown coffee. What’s the best part about this place? It’s located next to two food trucks. Coffee, Tacos & Thai food, yes please!
Last Visit: November 2018
ALFRED COFFEE AUSTIN
Likely
This is Alfred’s first outlet outside of LA and I approve. Located in the beautiful Line Hotel, this is a great spot to chill after a long day in Austin. My drink of choice is their matcha latte, but they also have your typical drinks. I liked their cookie as well. But I still think Alfred Tea Room in LA is better.
Last Visit: February 2019
HOUNDSTOOTH COFFEE
Likely
Houndstooth has several locations in Austin and even Dallas, but I’ve only been Downtown. It’s walking distance from the major hotels and has decent coffee and a few signature drinks.
Last Visit: November 2018
Dolce Neve
Likely
I didn’t like that the place smelled like cleaning solution but this quaint spot had some decent gelato. I liked the salted caramel & the matcha/mascarpone gelato. Skip the gelato sandwich. They have another location in Austin as well as Houston.
Last Visit: June 2019
GOURDOUGH’S DONUTS
Likely
Yes, there are better donuts out there, but this is one of those Austin food trucks you have to try. They have a ton of flavor combos, so there is something for everyone. I like to make my a custom donut. They have a sit-down location as well.
Last Visit: November 2018
LE POLITIQUE
Likely
We stumbled on this cute patisserie which is also part restaurant. The macarons and coffee were ok, but the croissants were pretty good. (FYI, someone in training that day made our coffee so yeah). A good amount of indoor/outdoor seating as well.
Last Visit: November 2018
brunch & Lunch
Corn Pudding Tamal
Shrimp Tostada
Entomatadas
Suerte
Extremely Likely
I love a good upscale Mexican brunch in a beautiful setting. Not only was the food and service at Suerte great, the vibe & decor gets an A+ in my books. They make their own masa and tortillas, very authentic in an upscale way. I would recommend coming with a party of four or more so that you can make the most of the shareable dishes. We were able to order five main dishes & a dessert which was the perfect amount of food for four people. I heard their dinner is great as well, so I will have to come back for that. FYI: We spent around $25 - $30 per person on this meal.
What to Order: Corn pudding tamal (favorite), Shrimp tostada, Quesadilla de aguacate & Entomatadas (based on the chef’s grandmother’s recipe || We also ordered the Chia seed pudding - while pretty not the best I’ve had.
Last Visit: September 2019
Launderette
Likely
This was my second time at Launderette, but the first time for brunch. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and so did my parents. As I note in my dinner post further down, there is a lot of Mediterranean influence, but brunch also had some Southern-Mexican dishes. They have plenty of seating options both inside and outside. Limited parking, but lots of street parking.
With regards to the food, Launderette has a good amount of “sweet thangs” that are easy to share. We thought the zucchini bread was a bit dry but still tasty. My top three dishes are pictured, the Fried Chicken Sammie, Turkish Eggs (a side) & Potato Latkes with creme fraiche & apple sauce (also a side). We also enjoyed the gravlax & bagels. The only dish I wouldn’t order again was the Duck Confit Hash, too much sauce for me and I missed the potatoes.
What to Order: Fried Chicken Sammie, Turkish Eggs & Latkes
Last Visit: June 2019
Forthright Cafe
Extremely Likely
Forthright had a kitchen fire, so we had brunch at their temporary location. Regardless, the brunch was worth the calories. I’d categorize this as a Southern/French/American brunch. Pretty much every popular brunch dish is on their menu.
What to Order: Zucchini Bread & dishes with Fried Chicken (e.g., waffles)
Last Visit: November 2018
Elizabeth Street Cafe
Extremely Likely
Pho and banh mis for breakfast, lunch & dinner, yes please! We grabbed to-go for our flight home and were hooked. Although it’s a bit pricey compared to traditional Vietnamese, the flavors deliver. Also, if you can’t tell from the picture, this place is very instagram-able.
What to Order: I loved their fish fried rice & veggie banh mi.
Last Visit: November 2018
WALTON’S FANCY & STAPLE
neutral
Sandra Bullock should probably stick to acting because her restaurant was mediocre at best. Some of the dishes were good, but everything else was blah. Do not get the avocado toast. Three out of eight of us ordered it & sent it back. But I give them an A for coffee & decor.
What to Order: The salad and shrimp & grits were good.
Last Visit: November 2018
Veracruz all natural
neutral
From what I’ve read, Veracruz has some of Austin’s favorite tacos. I did enjoy the Migas breakfast tacos but the other tacos didn’t blow me away. I enjoyed the quesadillas & salsa more. FYI: Each one of their locations has a slightly different menu.
What to Order: Salsa, Quesadillas & Migas Tacos
Last Visit: November 2018
Turf N’ Surf Po Boys
extremely Likely
Located inside Lavaca Street bar, this is one my favorite spots! Don’t be fooled by the name, they serve more than Po Boys (like tacos). They are a bit pricier and not traditional but one order of tacos plus sides is enough for two people.
What to Order: Blackened Snapper Tacos, Corn & Cilantro Fries
Last Visit: February 2019
Dai Due
Likely
This is not your traditional Texas breakfast. It is a fusion of American, Asian & Mexican flavors. I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I really did enjoy it. Dai Due is also a butcher shop, so expect some dishes with smoky meat flavor.
What to Order: the Dai Due Breakfast Platter
Last Visit: February 2015
dinner
emmer & Rye
extremely Likely
Emmer & Rye is a farm-to-table restaurant with a unique dining concept. How Unique? Well, there are two ways of ordering, i) off the menu or from ii) the dim-sum carts. We ordered five items from the menu and three from the dim-sum carts. There were three rounds of dim-sum carts ranging from oysters to bread service and shareable sides. Everything on the dim-sum cart is a surprise, so if you aren’t satisfied after all of them come by, you can always order more from the menu.
The entire menu is based on small plates, making this a perfect place for groups. I loved the presentation of the dishes and explanations by the chefs. It’s hard to get a reservation here unless you want to eat at 10 pm, so I’m glad I finally got one! We have been twice now and loved it both times! Next time I will request to sit at the Chef’s Counter. Our waiter told us they plan to convert that to a tasting menu soon. I will be back for dinner and to try brunch!
What to Order: Menu changes often but favorite dishes were the: Alabama Oysters, Melon Salad, Bread Service with Garlic Confit Dip (don’t skip on this dip), Royal Red Shrimp, Cacio e Pepe (what they are known for and the one dish that stays on the menu) & Melon Sorbet with Salted Cream
Last Visit: July 2019 & November 2019
Other: They had valet parking for $10, which was cheaper than the garage parking of $15.
bufalina
Likely
Who doesn’t love wood-fired Neapolitan pizza cooked in a 900 degree oven? This place had the most unique & delicious toppings. FYI: They only take reservations for large parties (8+), so call ahead!
What to Order: Lamb/Harissa or the Mushroom/Lemon Ricotta Pizzas
Last Visit: November 2018
second bar + kitchen
neutral
While I wouldn’t recommend having an entire meal here, I do think it is a decent spot for a snack in between meals. There is plenty of seating making this a great place for large groups. They have multiple locations including the airport.
What to Order: Brussel Sprouts & Shishito Peppers
Last Visit: November 2018
lenoir
Likely
This upscale modern dining offers a reasonable tasting menu, four courses for $60. But a la carte is also an option. The restaurant is small, so make reservations in advance! I enjoyed the “New American” flavors.
What to Order: Menu has changed a lot so I can’t suggest anything.
Last Visit: November 2015
Launderette
Likely
The dishes at Launderette (formerly a laundromat - don’t worry it’s safe) have a lot of American/Mediterranean & global influence. They are dishes you see on a lot of menus but elevated. This was a memorable meal. They only have a few tables for large groups, so make a reservation in advance.
What to Order: Beet hummus, Burrata & Whole Branzino
Last Visit: November 2016
Sway
neutral
Sway is not the place you come to for traditional Thai. It’s a spin on the classic. I’ve been three times now and on the third time, the flavors were very confusing. It is a cool spot though, with large communal square tables. I’d probably still go back. Do not get the Thai iced tea.
What to Order: Salt & Pepper Prawns, Pad Thai Kung & Papaya Salad
Last Visit: November 2018
wink
Likely
Although it’s been a few years since we have been here, I think it’s the perfect spot for a special occasion. If you are looking for a fine dining experience, then Wink will deliver just that. They have both tasting and a la carte options to choose from. The dining room is small & has a darkroom/candlelit vibes.
What to Order: Menu has changed a lot so I can’t suggest anything.
Last Visit: December 2014
Others
I have also been to the following places, which were all great. But I don’t have pictures and/or don’t remember much about them.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar - This burger chain started in Austin but can now be found in several states. They make their buns and patties in-house as well as amazing milkshakes. But my favorite is their salad with the addition of a turkey patty.
Thai Kun - All I remember about this place is that is was #spicyaf. My parents and I couldn’t breathe it was that spicy. I went to their food truck location, but they also have a standalone now.
Titaya’s Thai Cuisine - This is probably my favorite Thai spot I have tried in Austin. It’s not fancy but everything tasted traditional. We have been three times now, each time without pictures because we needed to consume immediately!
Salt & Time - If you love steak, then this is probably for you. They also serve as a butcher shop, so they take their meats seriously. We are not huge steak people, so probably didn’t appreciate this as much, but may be worth looking into if you are a steak lover.
ON MY RADAR - PLACES TO EAT ON MY NEXT TRIP
Best for Coffee
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails | Clarksville | Good for Coffee and Food
Flat Track Coffee | East Austin| Good for Coffee & Light Breakfast / Lunch
Levercraft | East Austin | Good for Grab & Go Coffee (the Freddo) and Liege Waffles
Best for Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue | Foster Heights | Barbecue | Good for Lunch (get in line early am or place a pre-order to skip the line)
La Barbecue | Holly | Barbecue | Good for Lunch (get in line early am or place a pre-order to skip the line)
Loro | South Lamar | Asian Fusion BBQ | Good for Lunch/Dinner
Best for Breakfast / Brunch
Cafe No Se | South First | Healthy-ish Brunch | Good for Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch
Irene’s | Market District | American Comfort Food | Good for Breakfast/Brunch
Josephine House | Clarksville | New American | Good for Brunch
June’s All Day | Travis Heights | American/European Cafe | Good for Breakfast/Brunch
Odd Duck | Zilker | New American | Good for Dinner or Brunch
Best for Dinner