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$$$ | North Austin |
This beloved villa-style North Loop spot combines sophisticated ambience with a solid menu of authentic Mexican classics. Start with the ceviche Veracruzano (with chiles, onion, tomato, and spices), and continue with a multilayered dish like the ancho relleno San Miguel—a roasted pepper stuffed with chicken, capers, raisins, and cilantro cream—or try the pollo pibil, chicken baked in a banana leaf. Yes, it’s pricier than other Mexican hot spots, but the lovely, romantic atmosphere makes up for it.
2330 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78756, USA
Known For
- Signature ancho relleno
- Striking interiors that transport patrons to interior Mexico
- From-scratch ingredients, most notably their homemade tortillas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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$ | East Austin |
The not-so-secret weapon of this classic east Austin breakfast spot is its owner and namesake, local legend Juan Meza, who has run his modest eatery since 1981 and still greets every diner with a bone-crushing handshake and a smile. Juan's strong community spirit is infectious, but the simple, filling, and reliably good fare will start your day off right on its own. The Don Juan taco (a massive mound of eggs, potato, bacon, and cheese) is the true east Austin breakfast of champions; the machacado con huevo (shredded dried beef scrambled with eggs), migas (eggs scrambled with torn corn tortillas, onions, chile peppers, cheese, and spices), and huevos rancheros are also above average. A variety of inexpensive Tex-Mex and Mexican specialties is served at lunch.
2300 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Hangover cure for the ages
- Weekend crowds of sunglasses-wearing hipsters
- Extra tortillas to help finish the signature Don Juan breakfast taco
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | East Austin |
Veracruz wears a taco tiara in the Austin food scene and for good reason. The migas lives up to the local lore, and this always-hopping original location has a convivial patio where its best to enjoy tasty quesadillas, barbacoa, vegetarian and fish tacos on homemade tortillas, and fresh aguas frescas alfresco.
2505 Webberville Rd., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Original spot for chain with growing number of local locations
- Signature migas taco and diverse vegan options
- Homemade tortillas and chips
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon.–Thurs.
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$ | East Austin |
The interior of this family-owned east-side bakery and restaurant might be shabby, with worn linoleum floors and various Texas-theme memorabilia and fading newspaper articles hanging on the walls, but the hole-in-the-wall's classic Mexican fare still attracts a loyal breakfast and lunch crowd seven days a week. They are drawn by straightforward trademarks like migas (generously covered in melted cheese) and huevos rancheros that aren’t accompanied by the typical Austin-brunch price tag. Diners are offered the choice of flour or corn tortillas or a side of homemade biscuits that can be dressed with drawn butter or honey, both found in squeeze bottles on the tables.
1511 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Local east-side landmark
- Frequented by UT fans and a "who's who" of alumni
- Weekend crowds
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$$$ | Downtown |
This contemporary Mexican restaurant (from acclaimed chef Philip Speer) has people arriving in droves for the bone-marrow tacos with pecan gremolata. Servers will encourage you to mix and match inventive plates for the table. Brunch here is always bumping, and happy hour is a fabulous time to enjoy house margaritas and discounted tacos and tostadas.
501 Colorado St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Signature bone-marrow tacos
- Hot Sunday brunch that requires reservations
- Striking architecture and interior design
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | East Austin |
A popular anchor at the east side's Arbor Food Park, this cheery yellow truck has become Austin's go-to for Mexico City–style street tacos. A helpful diagram at the walk-up window showing the actual size of the pequeño tacos (100% nixtamal) is as straightforward as the service and menu here. It's hard to go wrong choosing from the modest selection, but the suadero (flank steak) and cachete (beef cheeks) tacos are excellent. Weekly specials also pop up, and everything can be enjoyed alfresco at the park's picnic tables.
1108 E. 12th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Authentic Mexico City–style tacos worthy of a connoisseur
- Tiny tacos that pack a punch
- Great value
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$ | South Austin |
If you're looking for authentic Mexican food at an affordable price (read: cheaper than Fonda San Miguel), then head to Curra's. The cochinita pibil (marinated slow-roasted pork) is moist, tender, and flavorful; the shrimp and fajitas are a cut above most local establishments. Outstanding brunch entrées are served all day, and the enchiladas menu doesn’t disappoint. Try the enchiladas con chile Colorado, filled with melted Monterey Jack cheese and braised pork-tip, marinated in guajillo and chipotle sauces. Portions are hearty, and the house avocado margarita has a significant fan base. There are two locations, south and northwest, and both are casual, with brightly colored, but no frills, interiors.
614 E. Oltorf St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Signature avocado margaritas
- Popular brunch destination for families
- Specialty enchiladas menu
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$ | Clarksville |
It’s hard to think a drive-through could have such high-quality fare, but Fresa’s has built a name for its charcoal-grilled chicken al carbon, which is slow-roasted over post oak and served with homemade tortillas and sides like Mexican street corn and crispy brussels sprouts out of this trendy Clarksville take on fast food. Breakfast tacos, aguas frescas, and Stumptown coffee service the early morning crowd, but the family-style lunch and dinner menu is the real signature, with whole- or half-chicken orders (choose from achiote and citrus or Yucatán spice), accompanied by house-made salsas, corn tortillas, charro beans, and rice. Fresh salads, queso, and guacamole, plus a selection of beer, wine, and margarita kits are available for drive-through or walk-up orders.
915 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Heaping family-style sides to mix and match
- Fast and friendly service
- Healthy and vegan options on-the-go
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$$ | Downtown |
After an award-winning start in 2013, this sophisticated spot for modern Mexican cuisine has remained solid. Diners can still expect reliable mainstays, such as crispy pork shoulder carnitas tacos with black beans and tangy tomatillo-avocado salsa, and don't miss the the house ceviches (try the Acapulco) or the guacamole sampler, with varying seasonal combinations like watermelon with queso fresco or toasted almonds and chipotle puree. The popular Sunday brunch doesn’t disappoint.
400A W. 2nd St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Staggering tequila and mezcal selection
- Weekend crowds from surrounding Second Street shops
- Slightly steep price tag
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations strongly recommended
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$$ | South Austin |
This south Austin landmark has been slinging classic Tex-Mex cuisine since 1952, and while the latest Austin food trends have overlooked the establishment as a bland flyover, you'll hear few complaints from the steady crowd of happy diners. Combination dinners are many and varied, with all the usual standbys: tamales, crispy tacos, and more. Diehards swear by the chiles rellenos, enchiladas, and Bob Armstrong dip (queso with taco meat, guacamole, and sour cream). House margaritas, like the prickly pear, are pleasant palate cleansers. The expansive dining room can get noisy at peak hours, but the large outdoor patio is lovely in good weather.
2613 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Bustling family-friendly atmosphere
- Patio happy hour done right
- Signature "Bob" starter queso dip
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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$ | Downtown |
Situated between some of the city’s best music venues, this lively joint has reasonably priced Tex-Mex standards you can enjoy on the oak tree-shaded patio. Or just indulge in the drink menu full of house margaritas, specialty cocktails, and premium tequila flights.
802 Red River St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Great happy hour specials
- Excellent margaritas
- Ultimate pregaming spot for music shows
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$ | Greater Austin |
This little nondescript shack usually has a swarm of locals each morning clamoring for their favorite breakfast tacos. But for a sit-down meal, head across the street to the official restaurant in a big, red building where you can order Rosie's signature tamales or enchiladas. Famed Texas singer-songwriter Willie Nelson is a frequent enough customer to have his very own dish, Willie's Plate: a crispy beef taco, one cheese enchilada smothered in chili con carne, and a side of guacamole salad. There's no liquor license, so bring your own cooler of beer.
13436 State Hwy. 71, Austin, Texas, USA
Known For
- Delicious breakfast tacos
- BYO-alcohol policy
- Authentic tamales
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Tues.
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$$ | East Austin |
This contemporary take on Mexican fare makes for a fun dining experience on the east side. Interiors are spacious and bright (if a bit impersonal and loud during peak hours), and the menu is playful (with categories like "snackcidents," "frio and raw," and "masa y mas"), as is the food, like goat-rib Barbacoa and huarache duck carnitas. Make plans for their popular brunch service on weekends.
1800 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Popular items like bite-size brisket tacos
- Daily "Lucky Hour" with $5 "snackcident" plates
- Fun, bubbly atmosphere with great service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
