“What are you going to do in Austin?” friends and family asked before our recent trip to the Texas capital.
“Eat,” I replied.
This was, truth be told, our second visit to the Texas capital – but our first visit in 2014 got so delightfully derailed, that in many ways it felt like our first (also – how perfectly 2014 is this photo? The chambray, the ballet flats, the skinny scarf!). With a Monday off of work in January and a flight schedule that perfectly matched, it was the perfect time to give the city a second look – and a second taste.
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While there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Austin, the food scene alone is a valid reason to visit this vibrant Texas city – and I’ll take you there virtually through this food-driven travel guide.
Ready to dive in? Well, hold on, because I have to make a disclaimer.
It’s impossible to eat at all of Austin’s best restaurants in a weekend.
There simply aren’t enough meals in a day.
(Really, there aren’t enough meals in a lifetime).
Let this realization serve as a bit of relief, rather than added pressure.
One more note, and then we’ll get started:
This guide skews heavily toward Mexican, Tex-Mex, and barbecue because those cuisines have such a rich history in the area and because truly great iterations of those cuisines are surprisingly hard to find in my home city of Charlotte (although a few exist!). It’s true that Austin has an incredible international dining scene as well; with more than a weekend, I would use that time to travel the globe with my tastebuds. But essentially, you can consider this your tacos-and-brisket guide to Austin.
Let’s eat, y’all:
AUSTIN FOOD + DRINK
Austin Food Trucks
Granny’s Tacos
Granny's Tacos | Multiple Locations
If you’re not eating breakfast tacos every morning while you’re in Austin, well, I’m sorry to say that you’re doing Austin wrong. It’s not too late to fix that, and a visit to Granny’s Tacos is a great way to get started on your breakfast taco journey. Choose from their list of specialty tacos, or build your own – everything is made from scratch, and it’s all delicious.
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Las Trancas Taco Stand
Las Trancas Taco Stand | 1210 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
I hate that I have to put a disclaimer on one of these recommendations, but I always want to make sure I’m sharing my experience with you in an authentic way: in my opinion, Las Trancas Taco Stand is only worth a visit late at night, after a couple of rounds at the bars mentioned below. Because they’re cranking out so many dishes to late-night revelers, Las Trancas doesn’t use handmade tortillas, which brings down the quality of the final product. That being said – they do load them up with the fillings of your choice.
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Oye Taquito
Oye Taquito | 1704 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
At Oye Taquito, you’ll find a small but mighty menu of tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, and flautas – but the must-order item here is the Quesa Taco, with al pastor or bistec topped with slightly griddled white cheese. The Frijoles Especiales are served piping hot for a pleasing bowl full of comfort in a combination of charro beans, bistec, avocado, and queso fresco. Orders can take a little while, so I recommend ordering ahead online if you know what you’re in the mood for.
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Pinches Tacos
Pinches Tacos | 1405 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
Pinches Tacos is a relative newcomer to the Austin dining scene, but only after decades in the business, serving authentic tacos in cities like L.A. and Guadalajara. Because it’s Austin, you should definitely order the breakfast tacos. But with Tapatío roots, you should also order the quesa-birria (miraculously also available during breakfast).
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Austin Restaurants
Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar
Cisco's Restaurant Bakery & Bar | 1511 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Say what you will about Tex-Mex, but you can’t come to Austin and not inhale a bowl of queso alongside a good, strong margarita. Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar claims to be the city’s first Tex-Mex restaurant, and thankfully it hasn’t let that claim go to its head. The diner-style restaurant still feels like a family joint (because it still is), and throughout our visit, we heard patrons at various tables ordering their “regular”. Progressive dinner plans limited us to only our queso-and-marg pairing, but both were excellent (just be careful – Cisco’s doesn’t skimp on the tequila!).
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Interstellar BBQ
Interstellar BBQ | 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N Ste. 105, Austin, TX 78750
It’s a bit of a hike to get to Interstellar BBQ, but if you have access to a rental car, you’ll be so glad you made the trip. Ranked number two on Texas Monthly’s most recent Top 50 List (Goldee’s is number one if you’re curious; I visited in 2022 and wrote about that experience here), Interstellar is one of the only good strip mall BBQ joints I’ve ever been to.
Like most Texas barbecue, everything at Interstellar is priced by weight – however, this is one of the few places that has ever allowed me to order in quantities less than the listed weight. This is essential, as the restaurant’s Peach Tea Glazed Pork Belly is a must-try, but only in small doses; ultra-rich and fatty, we left our second piece behind. Good Texas BBQ is pricey, but at least the beans are free at Interstellar (sadly, the much-talked-about free beer is no more).
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Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop | 2305 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
I always worry about the quality of food and service declining when a restaurant becomes incredibly popular or gets featured on television shows or in magazines, but Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop remains a must-visit for its delicious homestyle breakfasts. The breakfast entrees sound delicious, but to reiterate, this is Austin and breakfast tacos are an essential way to start the day. Joe’s is known for its ultra-crispy bacon (coated in flour before frying) and egg breakfast taco, but that one took a close second for me. The winner? The deep, juicy, flavorful carne guisada. But no matter your favorite fillings, be sure to get your tacos on their delicious homemade flour tortillas.
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la Barbecue
la Barbecue | 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Standing in line is almost a cultural part of the Texas barbecue experience, but thankfully la Barbecue offers a bit of a reprieve for the time-strapped visitor. Place your order online before you leave for Austin, and you’ll be rewarded by walking past the block-long line of people and walking right in to pick up your order. And you don’t have to take it to go – staff will gladly plate your order on a tray and bring it to your table.
Great, but how is the barbecue? Incredible. Melty brisket, ridiculously good sausage, and sides that threaten to steal the show. With all that time you saved, you may want to use it to take a nap afterward.
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Nixta Taqueria
Nixta Taqueria | 2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
Austin loves a line, so we joined the crowd at Nixta Taqueria. This ingredient-driven restaurant from a James Beard award-winning chef specializes in corn, and the menu features several heirloom varieties. On its website, Nixta Taqueria describes itself as a high-low restaurant – and that feels like an accurate description. Elevated ingredients pair with counter-service and a communal picnic table outdoor dining room (which thankfully was outfitted with space heaters during this January visit).
Deciding what to order is a tough task, but my favorites were the tuna tostada (reminiscent of the one at Contramar), the quesadilla, and the duck carnitas. Steer clear of the Chips-n-Dips, unless you like the thrill of almost breaking your teeth on their chips.
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Taqueria Mi Trailita
Taqueria Mi Trailita | 5706 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
This popular Austin food truck recently opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Taqueria Mi Trailita honors its food truck roots with a mural dedicated to the truck inside the restaurant. The menu features all the authentic Mexican staples, and the chips and salsa tray is a wonderful dine-in perk. If horchata is one of the aguas frescas of the day, order it. It’s the best I’ve ever had.
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Austin Coffee Shops, Sweets, and Specialty
Afuga Coffee
Afuga Coffee | 31 Navasota St Ste 100, Austin, TX 78702
Coffee is just half the reason to visit Afuga Coffee. The other half? The pastries. Even if you’re not ready for one when you arrive, make sure you take the fika bun of the day (from local bakery The Fika Table) to go. I don’t think you’ll get very far before digging in – plus, it’ll pair well with your excellent cup of craft coffee.
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El Tigre
El Tigre | temporarily closed
El Tigre is a cozy coffee shop in what I presume was once a home in East Austin. With a small menu of coffee shop favorites and ample seating, it’s a great place to hang out for a while as you start to wake up for the day. Check their Instagram before you go, as you may luck into visiting during one of their markets. Note: El Tigre will be relocating in early 2024.
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Freewheelin’ Coffee
Freewheelin' Coffee | 1910 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Freewheelin’ Coffee is a sweet coffee shop housed in an old Airstream trailer in East Austin. The coffee is great, the staff is friendly, and you get to enjoy a little sunshine while you wait – what more could you ask for in the morning?
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Greater Goods Coffee
Greater Goods Coffee | now at 160 McGregor Lane, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Getting to Greater Goods Coffee during this trip was quite a challenge – the parking lot was full and the line was out the door – but stick it out, because their coffee is award-winningly good (and deservedly so). In town a little longer? They offer a range of classes for the coffee curious. Note: their Austin location is closed; find Greater Goods Coffee’s Roastery out in Texas Hill Country.
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JuiceLand
JuiceLand | Multiple Locations
There are approximately one million* JuiceLand locations in Austin, so you’re never really far from a bit of nutritional redemption. After a steady Austin diet of meat, cheese, and carbs, it’s a convenient way to down a bunch of vitamins.
*this is sarcasm, but only slightly
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Lick Honest Ice Creams
Lick Honest Ice Creams | Multiple Locations
Is ice cream calling your name? Lick Honest Ice Creams offers scoops of elevated basic flavors and quirky combinations alike – all made from local and scratch-made ingredients. This is Texas, so a scoop of Texas Sheet Cake is non-negotiable.
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Quickie Pickie
Quickie Pickie | 1208 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Quickie Pickie is essentially an Austin bodega with groceries, prepared foods, and beer on tap – however, I can only attest to their coffee. It’s a fun shop to poke around with a very good cold brew (and I love the fact that they provide restrooms with no code or key needed – how humane!).
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Two Hands
Two Hands | 1011 S Congress Ave Suite 170, Austin, TX 78704
Two Hands is an Australian-inspired brunch restaurant with other locations in NYC and Nashville, but it’s also a great place to grab a cup of coffee to fuel a shopping spree on South Congress. Just walk up and place your order right at the window!
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Austin Bars
High Noon
High Noon | 2000 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
When we found out Long Play Lounge next door had a cover charge (and we knew we couldn’t stay awake long enough for it to be worth it), we visited High Noon instead. And considering that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, the band we saw while drinking from a quite large selection of local beers was probably just as good. This is a fun space to hang in for a while, as long as you can find a seat or a spot to stand.
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La Holly
La Holly | 2500 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
La Holly is a cozy modern cantina located in Austin’s Holly neighborhood with a delightful lineup of tequila and mezcal cocktails. Whether you’re feeling something smoky, spicy, or classic, your drink will be made with the utmost care.
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Mama Dearest
Mama Dearest | 515 Pedernales St, Austin, TX 78702
New to the Austin bar scene (well, at least at the time of this visit) is Mama Dearest. This quirky bar is just down the block from La Holly, but it is worth a visit even if you’re not already in the neighborhood. Drinks are strong, and the decor is sure to spark conversation.
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Whisler’s
Whisler's | 1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
With plenty of seating and a great cocktail program, Whisler’s makes for a fun stop during a night out in East Austin. Prices are on par with the quality, hovering around the $14 mark (unless you have expensive tastes – the $41 Neato just might be for you).
THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN
Cultural + Recreational Activities in Austin
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum | 419 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Amongst the generic hotels, offices, and yes, bars (hello, Dirty Sixth) in downtown Austin you’ll find one of only a few museums in the country dedicated to Mexican art: Mexic-Arte Museum. This small but impressive museum mostly houses a rotating collection of work, which is great for return visits. Admission is free on Sundays, and the gift shop is one you won’t want to skip over, with a unique selection that manages to be both poignant and funny at times.
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Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail | Multiple Locations
The Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail spans ten miles of waterfront in downtown Austin and is a great way to get out and see the city from a different angle. Soak in the sun and stretch your legs as you traverse either side of the Colorado River, from Zilker Park to Lady Bird Lake. Find a full map of the trail here.
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H-E-B
H-E-B | Multiple Locations
I can hear you thinking, “Wow, Alyssa – a grocery store? Really?” But have you ever spoken with a Texan who moved out of state? Chances are this beloved grocery store chain will come up at some point in your conversation. With an in-house tortilleria and a multitude of products with local flavors, it’s easy to see why Texans wax poetic about H-E-B.
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Greetings from Austin Mural
Greetings from Austin Mural | 1720 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Sure it’s touristy and you’ll probably have to wait in line, but this popular photo spot makes for a fun memento of your trip (and it’s free!). Just make sure your photographer lines up the frame correctly, or you’ll end up with a photo that reads “EETINGS FROM USTI.”
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Shopping in Austin
Downtown Austin Shops
Eliza Page | 229 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 United Apparel Liquidators | 249 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Eliza Page | Magpies will love Eliza Page, which carries one of the best selections of independent jewelry I’ve seen in a long time.
United Apparel Liquidators | United Apparel Liquidators (or UAL for short) is a designer clothing lover’s dream, with a wonderful selection of past season or sample fashions from boutiques and designer shops – priced at a steal.
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East Austin Shops
Apartment F | 1200 E 11th St Suite 104, Austin, TX 78702 Charm School Vintage | 1111 E 11th St #150, Austin, TX 78702 Helm Boots | 1200 E 11th St #101, Austin, TX 78702 Kindred Spirits | 1111 E 11th St STE 100, Austin, TX 78702 lovecraft | 1107 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702 Miranda Bennett Studio | now closed take heart | 1211 E 11th St Suite 100, Austin, TX 78702 Treasure City Thrift | 2142 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
Apartment F | With a delightful selection of rugs and home decor, Apartment F is perhaps best shopped by the road-tripper – although they carry a number of smaller items as well.
Charm School Vintage | If vintage clothing is your jam, Charm School Vintage is a must-visit. Clothing is helpfully arranged by color, so if you’re on the hunt for a pink prairie dress or a brown denim jacket, one will be easy to spot.
Helm Boots | My wallet appreciates that Helm Boots only carries men’s shoes – although my heart wishes some of their expertly crafted offerings came in my size.
Kindred Spirits | Kindred Spirits also carries a range of indie brands (a common theme among the shops featured here) and a great selection of apothecary items at varying price points.
lovecraft | If I could choose one Austin shop to spend all of my money in, lovecraft would be it! This shop is an indie fashion and skincare lover’s dream (don’t miss the jewelry display!).
Miranda Bennett Studio | If you’ve never shopped for sustainable fashion before, the prices at Miranda Bennett Studio may seem shocking – but that’s because everything is sustainably made using fair labor practices right in Austin. Edit: now closed.
take heart | You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of room in your suitcase before you step in to take heart. The selection of ceramics is particularly swoon-worthy (pack them among your clothing for extra protection).
Treasure City Thrift | If only every thrift store was like Treasure City Thrift. Compact and manageable, with a great selection of gently used finds at reasonable prices. It’s Austin, so you know the secondhand fashion here is fun and funky.
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South Congress Shops
Daughters | 1210 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 Feather's Boutique Vintage | 1700 B South Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 imogene + willie | 1401 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 Neighborhood Goods | now closed Noah Marion | 1606 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 Prototype Vintage Design | 1700 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 STAG Provisions For Men | 1423 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Daughters | Daughters is the sister store to STAG Provisions For Men, and though small, they carry a carefully selected range of clothing, shoes, and accessories that lean utilitarian.
Feather’s Boutique Vintage | If you spot a pink storefront with quilted tiles, you’ve found yourself at Feather’s Boutique Vintage. One of SoCo’s longest-standing vintage shops, Feather’s carries a curated selection of styles from decades past (with price tags that might shock their original owners).
imogene + willie | I visited the Nashville outpost of imogene + willie way back in 2017, so you could say it had been a while since I’d seen their crowd-favorite denim in person. A pair of jeans could make for the most useful souvenir if you’re in the market.
Neighborhood Goods | Somewhere between a concept shop and a department store lies Neighborhood Goods. This might have been my favorite store in the neighborhood, with curated displays from so many great brands I don’t frequently see in person. Edit: now closed.
Noah Marion | Your nose will let you know you’ve arrived at a leather shop when you enter Noah Marion. There are more types of leather goods than you can dream of (a leather clock, anyone?) but you’ll find a great apothecary and stationery selection, too.
Prototype Vintage Design | The vintage-lover will appreciate that Prototype Vintage Design is right next to Feather’s. Because of this fact, it’s difficult not to compare the two; Prototype’s prices are slightly more gentle on the wallet, and some of the fashions carried were made in the past two decades.
STAG Provisions For Men | STAG Provisions For Men is like a shoppable men’s gift guide, with all the whiskey wares, socks, cologne, and more.
Hotel Gift Shops | Many of the hotels on South Congress have curated gift shops with locally-made items, and of course, branded swag – South Congress Hotel, Hotel San José, and Austin Motel, to name a few.
“Brands I Don’t Have Back Home” | While I always recommend shopping locally-owned boutiques when traveling, if you’re in the neighborhood and have had your eye on something from a larger brand, this could be a great time to check it out in person. Everlane, Buck Mason, Reformation, and GANNI are just a few of the large but not available nationwide brands with shops on South Congress.
WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTIN
For this trip, the neighborhood that made the very most sense for us was East Austin. The number of locally-owned businesses and walkability made it a no-brainer. And while I’m personally leaning more toward staying in locally-owned or boutique hotels these days, thanks to some Airbnb gift cards received at Christmas, it made the most sense to stay in a homeshare. Michael and I found the perfect shared unit, and I’d choose it again in a heartbeat.
Not into sharing a space with the home’s owner? My next pick would be the Heywood Hotel.
WITH MORE TIME IN AUSTIN
We could all use a little more time in Austin.
There’s more to eat: Birdies, Canje, Launderette, Suerte, Otoko, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Dai Due, Bouldin Creek Cafe, Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ…
There’s more time for fun: Live music, festivals and events, museums, bars, breweries
There’s more to shop: Uncommon Objects, Allen’s Boots, Sunroom, Austin Rocks, Luxe Apothetique, Top Drawer Thrift
There’s more time to get outside: Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Metropolitan Park, McKinney Falls State Park, Lady Bird Lake
There’s more time for day trips: Fredericksburg, San Antonio, Hamilton Pool Preserve, Johnson City, New Braunfels, Lockhart
TRAVEL TIPS FOR AUSTIN, TEXAS
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is served by all major US carriers – but new for me this visit was our arrival to and departure from the South Terminal. All flights on Frontier and Allegiant are now served at this terminal, about a twenty-minute shuttle ride from the main terminal. If you’re flying either airline, you’ll need to budget a little extra time to shuttle between the two if you’re planning on renting a car.
I’ll admit that this was one of my more interesting airport experiences. The small, warehouse-like terminal was packed to the gills with travelers, but security lines were short and the staff was all quite relaxed and friendly. Once through the screening, there is a bar and convenience store inside and a tented outdoor patio with a food truck practically on the tarmac.
Curious about what to wear in Austin? Find my real-life packing list here!
As for whether you should rent a car when visiting Austin for the weekend? Having visited the city without access to a car once before, I would highly, highly recommend renting one if you’re planning on exploring further afield or staying more than a night or two (although our previous visit was pre-Uber, Austin’s public transit leaves much to be desired). If you’re considering going the rideshare route, you’ll need to figure out your itinerary and make the call based on your cost estimates.
While in some major US cities (San Francisco, New York) a car is considered a burden, Austin is fairly easy to navigate by vehicle. Barring any major events, parking is relatively easy to find (although you might need to circle a bit or park a few blocks away) and frequently free. Only once during this trip did we need to pay for parking, although you’ll want to review their tricky parking signs carefully.
One other car-related note before I move on is that Austin does have toll roads. Most visitors will save a significant amount of money by setting their GPS to avoid toll roads; many car rental companies charge high fees on top of the tolls, making the extra five minutes of drive time worth it.
Culturally speaking, people are generally friendly and open to chatting with strangers in Austin – but less so this time than on our previous visit. Still, don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself in genuine conversation with someone new while waiting in line.
Gentrification is a subject that can’t be ignored during your visit to Austin, particularly in East Austin. The area’s original residents continue to be pushed out as property values skyrocket (seriously – just take a scroll through Zillow and you’ll see), and while there’s not much you can truly, systemically change while you’re visiting, you do have the ability to choose your lodging carefully (such as staying in someone’s real home rather than a soulless dedicated rental) and dining at local institutions.
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What meal are you most looking forward to during your time in Austin?
I love that H-E-B is on this guide. Can’t argue with a grocery store that has its own tortilleria!
Right? I feel like it should be a requirement in every grocery store!
“I’m excited to see Austin with your guidance, Wayward. I’m often searching for fresh ideas for weekend trips, and Texas seems like the ideal destination. I appreciate you providing your advice.