Austin skyline panoramic
Austin skyline panoramic
Austin Skyline in the evening and bluehour
12
March
2021
|
20:50 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

Eat your way through Austin, Texas

Austin is a city known for its live music, outdoor activities and overall "weird" nature, but the food scene in this city is just as hot as its summer weather. Whether you're looking for a snack in between sets or that post-hike hunger strikes, Austin has it all to satisfy your stomach – and just might make for the best part of your trip. We’re here for the brunch, bars and barbeque. And you should be, too.

Austin letters sign
Austin beauty shot

Texas-Style Barbeque

Austinites might be a fun, funky bunch, but they’re serious about their barbecue. Whether it’s smokey, sweet or so-much-you-have-to-unbutton-your-jeans, locals know how to get down to business with their brisket and burnt-ends. Top spots to hit up include:

  • La Barbecue - a female-owned BBQ hot spot that sells out on the daily.
  • Franklin Barbecue – with the self-proclaimed "best BBQ in the known universe," where you’ll have to get in line before 8 a.m. if you want a plate before it’s all gone.
  • Terry Black’s BBQ – a family-owned and operated restaurant known for their ‘"legendary" eats, dry rubs and sauces. *may cause meat sweats*
Austin - Beef brisket Austin
Austin - Pulled Chicken Sandwich at Valentinas Tex Mex

Breakfast Tacos and Tex-Mex

It’s no surprise tacos make the list of the foods to try while you’re in Austin as locals call it the city’s favorite food. Located just a 5-hour drive from the Mexican border, the Tex-Mex is real in Austin. Breakfast tacos land on the menu at just about every brunch spot in the city and tortillas filled with brisket and bbq aren’t sparse either. Crispy? Corn? Flour? As long as the tortillas are homemade and the toppings are fresh, get your order in. Popular taco spots include Veracruz all Natural – an award-winning concept with locations all over Austin, famous for their Migas Tacos – and Suerte – a Mexican restaurant in East Austin with a cocktail list longer than its food menu and a specialty taco with confit brisket, black magic oil, avocado… need we say more?

Austin - Tostadas at Suerte
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Austin - Breakfast Tacos at Kerbey Lane

Food Trucks and Trailers

As a city partly made famous for its outdoor activities and nice weather, food trucks thrive in Austin year-round. The long-time trend is so popular, certain parks in the city are known by the food trucks that inhabit them. Officials estimate that there are more than 1,200 mobile food vendors in the city alone. Among the most beloved include El Primo, Arlo's and Coat and Thai. Find a list of other favorites from Austin residents here.

Austin - Burgers Fries Tater Tots on Trays at Arlos
Austin - Beans at Arlos Outside of Truck

Drinks, Dranks, Drunks

Home to the Tito’s Vodka Distillery and many others, Austin has a huge spirits industry, and we’re not talking about ghosts. Whether your drink of choice is whiskey, tequila, vodka or something else, chances are, you can get some homemade in plenty of Austin’s famous distilleries. Many of these spots offer tours and tasting and make for a great day-long activity followed by some good eats. Check out Garrison Brothers Distillery if you like whiskey, Dripping Springs for vodka and gin, or Tequila 512 for margarita lovers.

Austin - Whiskey
Austin - Desert Door Distillery Tasting Room

Whether it’s kayaking, live music, BBQ, tacos or BBQ tacos, Austin really has it all. The city is unique and strange – living up to its signature phrase, “Keep Austin Weird” since the early 2000’s – and has some of the best Tex-Mex and Barbeque in the world.

Get nonstop to Austin, TX on Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines (resuming June 13) or most recently added, American Airlines (launching June 6.)