Best Restaurants in Austin, TX: Tacos, Barbecue, Beer and Beyond

Food is an integral part of Austin’s inviting culture, so if you’re new to the city or visiting for the first time, the best way to feel like a local is to eat like one. This is a list of the best restaurants in Austin, Texas, including bakeries, barbecue joints, cocktail bars, taco trucks and so much more. Grab a fork and dive into the tasty side of Austin.

Local Favorites

When you’re in a new city, it’s always best to ask the locals where to eat. Below are the top spots that locals keep coming back to and are quick to recommend — from eccentric bars to Asian barbecue, these are must-try eateries in Austin:

• Odd Duck: A stylish, modern eatery with a menu that never fails to delight. From olive oil cake with tarragon ice cream to pork belly pizza with zucchini pesto, this local favorite delivers creative meals in a warm, cheerful atmosphere.
• Aba Austin: A top pick for Mediterranean fare, with a playful ambiance that’s elegant yet laidback. Sip mezcal margaritas or sweet mai tais while savoring small plates like truffled salmon and shawarma skirt steak.
• Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar: A relaxed spot with Austin locations in South Lamar and the Domain where you order at the bar but it still feels upscale. Expect a fabulous happy hour and smoked treats like baby back pork ribs and smoked wings.
• P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles: A colorful, cool spot for Asian food, beloved for its Thai Chinese barbecue pork, Chinese sausage and chicken fat rice.
• Canje: A chic restaurant putting a modern twist on Caribbean comfort food. Try the heritage jerk chicken, sweet potato suppa or sour orange ceviche alongside a cocktail like the frozen hot Midori.
• Intero Restaurant: A charming date-night spot in Austin’s Holly neighborhood focused on modern Italian cuisine. It’s farm-to-table, with fresh pasta and a rotating menu that keeps things exciting.
• Favorite Pizza: A West End spot with a funky, casual vibe and amazing specials — beer and pizza for less than an Uber ride. The menu features pizzas topped with garlic confit, hot honey and pistachio mortadella.
• Julie’s Noodles: A no-fuss North Austin eatery many have dubbed the best handmade noodle spot in the city. Not a noodle fan? They also serve handmade dumplings, burritos, soups and rice dishes.
• Justine’s: A one-of-a-kind French brasserie with dramatic ceiling drapery, dim lights and red walls that feel a little like a French nightclub — classy, unusual and tasty.

Essential Barbecue Joints

In Texas, barbecue is a way of life, and Austin is no exception. While you can easily find classic Austin barbecue, the city also has menus with global influences and unexpected flavors that redefine what barbecue can be. From traditional to offbeat, these are the most loved barbecue spots in Austin:

• La Barbecue: An easygoing food counter serving some of the best barbecue meats and classic sides in the city, set in an endearing food market. Grab a plate piled high with ribs or brisket and eat at the outdoor tables.
• Franklin Barbecue: A big-reputation spot that barbecue enthusiasts debate as the best in Austin. This homey restaurant serves massive mounds of brisket, sausage and pork ribs.
• InterStellar BBQ: Award-winning chef John Bates’s spot for tipsy turkey, peach tea-glazed pork belly, lamb tacos and Polish sausage — classic Texas barbecue flavors with a modern flair.
• The LeRoy and Lewis Store: A former trailer grown into a full restaurant on Austin’s love for its food. The motto — “New School BBQ, Old School Service” — captures the comforting experience.
• Distant Relatives: A South Austin food truck proving fusion barbecue is elite, with African flavors in dishes like pork shoulder with tamarind and molasses sauce or a spiced coffee-rubbed pork tenderloin.
• Micklethwait Barbecue: A rustic East Austin spot with plenty of outdoor seating and a church-like building. The meat is succulent — from pulled lamb to smoked turkey — and the sides shine, like lemon-poppy slaw and green chile grits.
• Terry Black’s Barbecue: A roomy, casual pit-smoked barbecue joint run by the same family for four generations, with a tin-side building and neon sign that feels like true Texas barbecue.
• KG BBQ: A food-truck-style spot serving classic barbecue with Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavors — sumac and cinnamon lamb shoulder, za’atar and pomegranate pork ribs, and Egyptian mac and cheese.

Tacos & Tex-Mex

After barbecue, Mexican food is probably what Texas is best known for, ranging from authentic Mexican meals to modern Tex-Mex. When in doubt, start at the “Taco Mile” on North Lamar in the East Rundberg area, a stretch with countless taco trucks and taquerias. Otherwise, these are the top local recommendations:

• Suerte: A Mexican spot that feels fancier than your average taco joint, with stellar “Lucky Hour” deals and a clean, modern feel in East Austin. Great for brunch, dinner, or just dessert and a cocktail.
• Cuantos Tacos: A Central East Austin spot widely considered the best taco place in the city — authentic Mexico City-style tacos topped with the freshest ingredients, served at red picnic tables.
• Taquería De Diez: A cafeteria-style spot serving Tijuana-style tacos and “volcanoes,” tostada-like tortillas covered in caramelized cheese. Great for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner.
• Casita Guanajuato: A place that never compromises on authenticity, with tamales, taquitos, pozole, enchiladas and hefty combo plates straight out of Mexico.
• Nixta Taqueria: A slightly more upscale taqueria that’s “a little silly and a little serious,” with a colorful atmosphere ideal for laidback date nights or family dinners.
• Matt’s El Rancho: A South Lamar Austin staple since 1952. Family-friendly, with a diverse yet familiar menu ranging from grilled quail to al pastor tacos.
• Taco More: A two-location local regular where the tacos are excellent but the Cabrito soup is a frequent recommendation, too.

Bakeries & Coffee Shops

Start your Austin mornings right with the top coffee shops and most loved bakeries in the city. When you need a caffeine pick-me-up or an indulgent breakfast, go to these places:

• Mozart’s Coffee Roasters: A waterfront coffee shop right on Lake Austin and one of Tarrytown’s best amenities. An Austin institution open until midnight daily, serving Costa Rican cold brew, cold foam matcha and beloved desserts.
• Magnolia Cafe: A popular South Congress bakery open 24 hours most days, with a creative menu — try the queso omelet or the voodoo blue burger.
• OMG Squee: An adorable East Austin shop serving Asian-American pastries, ice cream and coffee, known for donuts and soft serve in flavors like melon milk, ube, black sesame and Earl Grey.
• Swedish Hill: An Austin staple with four locations for a top-notch bacon, egg and cheese or bagel and lox, plus cinnamon rolls, almond croissants, salads and coffee.
• Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery: A retro spot nearly 30 years in Austin, famous for pastries, cakes, breads and pies — ideal to start your day or sate a sweet tooth.
• Epicerie: A French-American spot in Rosedale that’s a bakery, grocery, espresso bar and bistro all in one, with treats like crab tortellini, truffled eggs and fresh beignets.
• Sour Duck Market: An eclectic spot for baked goods, snacks and sandwiches, plus surprises like breakfast tacos, smoked mushroom danishes and pretzels with queso. Good for sit-down brunch or quick takeout.
• Terrible Love: A quirky, modern coffee spot (better than the name suggests) with rich lattes, chai and espresso — try grapefruit brown sugar or banana chocolate.

Upscale Eateries

When you’re planning a fancy night out, Austin has plenty of swanky places for celebrations and indulgent dinners — some with Michelin stars. Try the curated tasting menus or order from these extraordinary kitchens:

• Craft Omakase: A Michelin-starred Japanese fine-dining restaurant with a minimalist setting and a seasonal 22-course prix-fixe tasting menu — a must for sushi lovers.
• Barley Swine: A favorite among serious foodies, this American restaurant pairs refined small plates with an extensive craft beer list in a cozy, rustic-yet-elevated space. Try the tuna crudo and melon salad.
• Jeffrey’s: An Austin favorite since 1975 with a quaint European feel and a French-American menu — the truffled deviled eggs and Szechuan pork belly are unforgettable.
• Uchi: A sensational sushi spot known for non-traditional Japanese cuisine. If the prices sting, opt for the happy hour omakase, a more affordable nine-course tasting for two.
• The Kimberly: A lavish, 1920s-esque spot with blue velvet seats and art deco lighting. The large menu ranges from wood-roasted bone marrow to wagyu fat French fries.

Dinner and a Show

Austin is a city full of entertainment, so you don’t have to settle for just dinner. If you want a meal with a side of fun, check out these places:

• Vigilantes Gastropub and Games: An ideal spot for a playful hangout, with seasonal cocktails, THC drinks, mocktails and pub food plus an extensive library of board and video games.
• The Saxon Pub: A stellar weekday stop for a free music show, often with no-charge happy hour sets supporting local artists. Plenty of beers on tap, plus food trucks outside.
• Antone’s Nightclub: A classic, bluesy Austin venue where legends like Ray Charles and B.B. King have played. Staple foods include the beer-steamed “Cliffy Dog” hot dogs and famous po’ boys.
• Elephant Room: A jazzier, upbeat downtown room. No food, but bring takeout and enjoy cocktails while you listen to smooth jazz.
• The Creek and The Cave: A gritty East End comedy club serving snacks like wings, sliders and poutine — laugh, drink a beer and fill your belly in one place.
• Tiny Minotaur Tavern: A fantasy-themed bar hosting Dungeons and Dragons nights, karaoke and other events, plus drinks and a few food items.

Craft Beer & Cocktails

Austin has ample places to grab a fantastic drink, whether you want beer, wine or specialty cocktails — from wine bars in unexpected settings to classic breweries and standout cocktail destinations:

• St. Elmo Brewing Company: One of Austin’s most popular breweries, with locations in South Austin and Springdale. A rotating craft beer selection plus foods that pair perfectly, like fried chicken and sandwiches.
• The Roosevelt Room: A deluxe cocktail destination with more cocktails than you can imagine — each a work of art — plus a cool speakeasy vibe and a refined food menu.
• Flourish: A peculiar, very-Austin spot that’s part wine bar and part plant store, with a fabulous wine selection and an easy-to-love ambiance.