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$$ | East Austin |
The predominantly outdoor layout of Texas ranch–inspired Contigo consistently draws a steady evening crowd—even when summer temps are well over 100 degrees. With a chef-driven stable of cocktails and a creative Southern-comfort-meets-contemporary-American menu, it's easy to understand why: ox tongue sliders, house-made pigs in a blanket, a gooey cheddar-filled grilled cheese sandwich on brioche, and the cast-iron sautéed okra with jalapeño and walnuts are among the top menu picks. The varied list of weekend brunch offerings includes buttermilk biscuits and gravy, beef tongue hash, and pecan coffee cake.
2027 Anchor La., Austin, Texas, 78723, USA
Known For
- Expansive outdoor seating that's ideal for all ages
- Dog-friendly policy
- Locally sourced comfort food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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$$$$ | East Austin |
This Manor Road hot spot hangs their hat on seasonal local cuisine, with an emphasis on farmers’ markets, Texas beer and wines, and even ingredients foraged by the chefs themselves. A butcher-shop display-case greets patrons upon entering, showcasing various charcuterie and house-made canned and pantry goods. The cozy dining room, accented with exposed brick walls and reclaimed wood fixtures, is down the hall. Their initial prix-fixe “supper club” menu quickly expanded to include nightly à la carte items and a breakfast and lunch service (only on the weekend). Chefs and servers are passionate about their carnivore-heavy cuisine, and it shows. Charcuterie plates are an obvious staple, and daily creations span wide-ranging territory, from venison ceviche to turkey tamales. Try the refreshing house libations, like wild persimmon sodas or sparkling peach jam cocktails.
2406 Manor Rd., Austin, Texas, 78722, USA
Known For
- Hyper-local offerings focusing on meat
- Outstanding cocktail program
- Servers with encyclopedic knowledge of the menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch weekdays
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$$ | East Austin |
The newest location of this beloved German-style bakery and beer garden features 15,000 square feet of outdoor space, plus a spacious interior, for beer and sausage lovers. The sprawling outdoor patio attracts lively lunch, happy hour, and late-night crowds with a full menu of artisan sandwiches, house-made sausages, and “big as your face” pretzels, as well as one of the best beer selections in the city. The wholesale bakeshop, which provides several local restaurants with specialty breads and pastries, opens bright and early every morning; don't miss the $6 “Easy Morning” deal (weekdays, 7–10 am) that includes a small coffee and any pastry.
1501 E. 7th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Dog-friendly outdoor patio and weekend crowds
- Wholesale bakeshop with excellent early-morning special
- Charcuterie-fueled happy hours
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$$ | East Austin |
If Central Texas is the hub of the state's best barbecue, then this place has become its favorite darling. The former food truck become full-fledged, world-renowned restaurant, owned by pit master Aaron Franklin, attracts a daily throng of fans who wait in line upward of three hours in hopes of devouring a paper-lined tray of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs pulled straight from the smoker. Sides of classic potato salad, pinto beans, and coleslaw are simply filler for the main event. Franklin’s continues to receive national acclaim—and even served President Obama during an Austin visit. Doors open daily at 11 am and stay open until the meat sells out, which is usually well before 2 pm.
900 E. 11th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Infamous lines if you don't preorder
- Mouthwatering brisket that lives up to the hype (and usually sells out by 2 pm)
- Crowds of fellow, cheerful barbecue lovers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
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$ | East Austin |
Local chef and native east Austinite Hoover Alexander has created one of the city’s best comfort-food oases, blending Mama's home cooking, diner short-order specials, Tex-Mex favorites, and Cajun influences in one Southern comfort mecca. The self-styled "Smoke, Fire & Ice House" is known for its large portions and flavorful recipes, like a Jamaican jerk chicken and a chicken-fried steak that puts most others to shame. "Side mates” like mac 'n' cheese, fried okra, and creamed jalapeño spinach round out any home-style cravings. A full bar serves popular staples like beet margaritas. It’s hard to save room for dessert, but the homemade pies are excellent—and their New Orleans–influenced breakfasts are worth a try.
2002 Manor Rd., Austin, Texas, 78722, USA
Known For
- Fast and casual service
- Portions that will have diners leaving with leftovers
- Finger-licking-good pies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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 |
This lovely east-side spot has moved from its original trailer location into a shared space within Quickie Pickie, the quaint local neighborhood grocery and bodega, and remains another top spot for Texas barbecue. Portions of their prizewinning BBQ are Texas-size, including their popular El Sancho brisket sandwich with "Bobby Sauce." Lines are to be expected, but service is friendly and swift.
2401 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- A line that's worth the wait
- Equally fine backup if Franklin BBQ sells out
- Free taste of brisket at the counter while you order
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. 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 |
What started as a streamlined coffee and craft beer purveyor with sparse hours has evolved into an all-day east Austin mainstay. The industrial garage vibe blends in well with its I–35-adjacent neighbors and attracts a hip clientele from morning to night, who flock here for cold brews and stacked breakfast sandwiches and then like to stick around for their local lineup of draft brews.
500 San Marcos St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- In-house specialty sub shop with expanded lunch menu
- Popular hangout for locals working remotely
- Skyline views from the side patio
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$$ | East Austin |
A bevy of new pizza places debuted in Austin over the past couple of years and one of the best is this hip eastside eatery, specializing in authentic Neapolitan pies. The rotating menu is simple and compact—the wine list is actually longer—but what they offer is expertly prepared. The classic margherita is just as impressive as the calabrese (salami, roasted peppers and mozzarella). The space itself is cozy, seating about 40 diners at large communal tables and a handful of private two-tops and counter seating. The white-bricked pizza oven (shipped from Italy) takes up a majority of the dining room. Fresh seasonal salads, traditional Italian starters and simple desserts, like homemade vanilla ice cream doused with sherry, are worth trying.
1519 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon-Tues.
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$$$ | East Austin |
The Guyanese roots of chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph take hold in this Caribbean concept eatery on the east side. In addition to Guyana, the house specialties feature influences from Jamaica to Puerto Rico, with standouts like jerk chicken and wild-boar pepper pot. Careful attention is also paid to cocktails and desserts here, like the tres leches with coconut, roasted white chocolate, and guava.
1914 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Established pedigree from the team behind Emmer & Rye
- Reservations essential
- Melt-in-your-mouth savory "trytating" specials like Guyana-style roti
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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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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$ | East Austin |
Austin’s iconic Counter Cafe closed its original (beloved, but tragically tiny) diner on North Lamar, but this east-side location doubles the square footage and offers an extended menu with signatures like polenta-fried oysters. The mid-century–styled interior looks almost identical, from the wooden countertops and blackboard of daily specials to the line of expert short-order chefs knocking out the familiar menu of classic breakfast and lunch dishes. Patrons will still find crab cake Benedict, enormous pancakes, quail and eggs, and succulent grass-fed burgers.
1914 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Hypnotic views of speedy short-order chefs
- Very loud during peak weekend hours
- Heaping portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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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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$$ | East Austin |
The “ranch-to-table” cuisine of this east-side hot spot speaks to the Southern comfort cravings of Austinites, with savory classics like stuffed Salisbury steak, pickled fried green tomatoes, and shrimp-and-grits. The interiors, boasting natural hardwoods and salvaged materials from the Jacoby family ranch, provide an ideally casual place to kick back and relax with cocktails like mezcal margaritas and West Texas shandys; the scenic back patio overlooks the Colorado River. Central Texas Jacoby-brand beef is featured in the house burger and chicken-fried steak, but seasonal entrées like Cornish hen and pumpkin and goat cheese dumplings are also signatures. Sides like mac 'n' cheese, braised greens, and acorn squash are served family-style.
3235 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Impressive signature house burger
- Shabby-chic decor
- Scenic patio views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch weekdays
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$$$ | East Austin |
On a distinctly unromantic stretch of far East 5th Street, this intimate French brasserie is a romantic oasis, perfect for any first date or special occasion celebration. You can’t go wrong with the steak frites (featuring a Texas-size rib eye), while the escargots and ratatouille are reliably exceptional. Weekends can equal a lengthy wait for a table, and they don’t accept reservations for parties under six. The outdoor patio features café-table seating, boccie ball courts, and other spaces carved out for temporary art installations and special events.
4710 E. 5th St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Ultra-chic date-night destination
- Romantic atmosphere that stays open late
- French-centric special events, especially around Bastille Day
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch
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$$ | East Austin |
The long lines, rain or shine, at this east-side food truck make no secret of its epic Texas barbecue. The cheesy brisket kolaches wrapped in mouthwatering sweet dough (only sold on Sunday) have been lauded by everyone, including the barbecue editor at Texas Monthly, who samples the fiercest and finest BBQ all across the state. Thankfully, the standard Texas plates heaped full of pork ribs, hot links, and prime Angus brisket, plus contemporary sides like blue-cheese coleslaw and jalapeño-dill potato salad, are also heaven-sent.
2207 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Signature brisket kolaches that live up to the hype
- Reputation for selling out fast
- Classic Texas barbecue done right
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs. No dinner
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$$ | East Austin |
The Mueller development has welcomed several eateries over the last few years, and this top-notch neighborhood Italian restaurant, which means "the Golden Goose," might be its most delicious addition. Whether it's date night or a quick happy hour with friends, dishes like Texas Wagyu tartare and from-scratch cavatelli al pomodoro will dazzle.
1900 Simond Ave., Austin, Texas, 78723, USA
Known For
- Frequently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Texas
- Great for groups and celebratory dinners
- Italian classics made from scratch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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$ | East Austin |
Housed in an old east Austin tire shop, this counter-service outdoor café is a favorite of families and on-the-go locals. Local hospitality juggernauts Larry McGuire and Liz Lambert kept the Aztec iconography, walk-up service, and sparse layout of the preexisting spot, and the new back patio is ideal for lazy lunches, family outings, and weekend day-drinking. The rotisserie chicken and burgers are popular, and ice-cold draft beer keeps things cool on hot summer days.
1900 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Lively outdoor setting that's great for pets and kids
- Popular rotisserie chicken to-go
- Weekly live music, trivia nights, and community events
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$$ | East Austin |
Korean for "please come in," this Korean restaurant on César Chávez has a chic, organic atmosphere complete with an inviting garden courtyard. Dinner menus include traditional and nontraditional dishes "inspired by mom's recipes," from bibimbap (rice with seasonal veggies) to the comforting kimchi bokkeumbap (fried rice), alongside wood-grilled bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated meat) and japchae (stir-fried noodles) with banchan (condiments). A kids' menu is very accommodating for families.
1628 E. César Chávez St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Soju specials and rotating kimchi cocktails
- Tasty bibimbap served in hot stone bowls
- Share-size portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
