Austin Restaurants

Though Mexican, Tex-Mex, and barbecue are the default cuisines, everything from Brazilian to Pacific Rim fusion has made headway here, and there are strong vegetarian and natural-food followers.

To find the best barbecue, local consensus tends to be that you've got to head out of town to Lockhart, Luling, or Llano, in the Hill Country. Nevertheless, there are several fine options within the city limits, the bulk of them simple places.

In some venues the music and food share nearly equal billing, like Threadgill's, whose massive chicken-fried steak is as much of a draw as the well-known blues and rock acts on stage. Stubb's Bar-B-Q hosts a popular gospel brunch on Sundays.

Austin is a casual city, and the dress code is almost always "come as you are"; a few restaurants require a jacket for men. Tips are generally 20%. Smoking is prohibited inside restaurants and bars, though some allow smoking on their outdoor patios.

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  • 1. The Salt Lick

    $$ | Barbecue

    When Texans argue about the relative merits of barbecue joints, the Salt Lick usually winds up at or near the top of the heap. Getting here...Read More

  • 2. County Line

    $$ | West Lake | Barbecue

    Part of a local chain, County Line has a few too many amenities to be considered a classic Central Texas barbecue joint. Chairs instead of bargain...Read More

  • 3. Curra's Grill

    $$ | South Austin | Mexican

    If you're looking for authentic Mexican food at an affordable price (read: cheaper than Fonda San Miguel), then head to Curra's. Both locations...Read More

  • 4. Hoover's

    $$ | East Austin | American

    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...Read More

  • 5. Hut's

    $ | Burger

    Locals consistently nominate Hut's for the best-burger award in Austin Chronicle restaurant polls. Part of the mystique may be the American...Read More

  • 6. Magnolia Café

    $ | West Austin | American

    This local institution serves a full complement of the simple breakfast/brunch foods that Austinites tend to crave at all hours. The typical...Read More

  • 7. Matt's Famous El Rancho

    $$ | South Austin | Mexican

    This South Austin landmark has been slinging classic Tex-Mex cuisine since 1952 and while the latest Austin food trends have overlooked the...Read More

  • 8. Phil's Icehouse

    $ | North Austin | Burger

    This burger joint is a moms' favorite for its kid-friendly menu, play area for ages 3–12, and occasional live music or movies for kids in summer...Read More

  • 9. Rudy's BBQ

    $$ | Barbecue

    Many local barbecue snobs turn up their noses at Rudy's because it's a chain (albeit Texas-based) with hokey interiors, but plenty of Austinites...Read More

  • 10. Shady Grove

    $$ | South Austin | American

    If any one restaurant defines the laid-back, somewhat goofy Austin aesthetic, it's probably Shady Grove. On any clear day, expect the stone...Read More

  • 11. The Oasis–Lake Travis

    $$ | Lake Travis | American

    This scenic Austin institution, on a 450-foot cliff above Lake Travis, is famed for its sunsets and special-occasion atmosphere, popular with...Read More

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