As a Tex-Mex loving city, it's no surprise that a dietary staple in any Austinite's diet is queso. These bowls of melty cheese are the perfect social food, made for gathering around with crisp tortilla chips and good friends. Visitors are always asking where to find the best queso in Austin, so we've narrowed down our top picks here, in no particular order.
Courtesy of Chuy's.
1. Chuy’s
The first Chuy's opened in 1982 on Barton Springs Road. Since then, Chuy’s has opened restaurants across the country. Their queso is made of cheese, green chile sauce and ranchero sauce and is definitely a local favorite. Visit during Happy Hour for a free “nacho bar,” which includes chips, salsa, refried beans and queso.
2. El Alma
El Alma delivers modern Mexican fare with a unique Austin twist. Spend a sunny afternoon or a warm evening on the beautiful rooftop patio, where the views of Downtown Austin can’t be beat. Try the queso fundido, made with melted Jack cheese, and turn it into a meal by adding mushrooms and chorizo or shrimp.
3. Eldorado Cafe
The family-run Eldorado Cafe in Allandale serves all three meals a day, with a Mexican menu that features homemade salsas and the restaurant’s signature shiny ribs, slathered with sweet arbol chile glaze. Pair an agua fresca cocktail with Eldorado’s supa queso, spiked with black beans, pico de gallo and guacamole.
Fresa's Westlake. Credit to Jane Yun.
4. Fresa’s
On the go or need a little queso pick-me-up? Stop at Fresa's to grab queso from their drive-thru. If you're looking for a slow-paced experience, you can dine-in at the Fresa's South First or Westlake locations. The queso here is delicious and creamy, with the option to load it up with additional toppings.
5. Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Jack Allen’s is a top brunch spot in town. Owner and chef, Jack Gilmore, serves up fresh, locally sourced food and with a great cocktail menu. Their queso includes green chili, pork and guacamole so it can be a full meal in itself!
6. Joann’s Fine Foods
Located on South Congress, Joann’s is the perfect spot to experience Austin. With a beautiful courtyard, you and your friends can relax with one of their signature cocktails and a bowl of amazing vegetarian-friendly queso.
7. Torchy’s Tacos
Michael Rypka opened the first Torchy’s in a food trailer, and now there are 50 restaurants across the country. The green chili queso and homemade chips at Torchy’s Tacos are so good that you may not even need a full meal (although the tacos shouldn't be skipped!). Torchy’s queso is topped with fresh guacamole, queso fresco, cilantro and diablo hot sauce and is a must try dish.
8. Kerbey Lane Café
Kerbey Lane is one of Austin’s most iconic restaurants. The 24-hour diner offers a few different kinds of queso (including a fantastic vegan queso), but we recommend the Kerbey queso. One word: guacamole.
9. Magnolia Café
With longstanding roots in the Austin community, Magnolia Café is sure to satisfy your queso craving. The famous Magnolia Mud (queso with black beans) is the perfect dish to satisfy your hunger. They also serve Sonora Queso which is topped with melt-in-your-mouth slow-roasted beef.
Matt's El Rancho. Credit Jody Horton.
10. Matt’s El Rancho
Opened in 1952, Matt’s El Rancho has been a local favorite for a long time. It drips of tradition and is home to the legendary Bob Armstrong queso with chips.
11. Mi Madre's
Opened in 1990, Mi Madre's has been a longtime favorite on Austin's east side. Sit on their colorful patio and try the Mi Madre’s queso or Saltillo dip.
12. Polvos
Serving interior Mexican food and offering outside and inside seating, Polvos will give you a real-deal Mexican food experience. Try their margaritas, self-serve salsa bar and their chips and queso, topped with guacamole, ground beef and pico de gallo.
13. Tacodeli
Best known for their inventive breakfast tacos, Tacodeli’s white queso is a great balance to their award-winning spicy salsas. Visit for breakfast and order The Vaquero, plus a side of queso.
Trudy's. Credit Amy Dennis.
14. Trudy’s
An Austin staple since 1977, Trudy’s offers authentic, homemade Tex-Mex. Everything on the menu is fantastic, but their queso is out of this world. The classic queso is a must-try, or order it loaded: topped with refried beans, ground beef, avo salsa, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, pico, and queso cotija.
15. Gabriela's
Don't miss this spot where everything is pink, including the tacos! Gabriela's, owned by local legend DJ Gabby Got It, is just as delicious as it is colorful. Don't miss out on the Choriqueso, a queso fundido-style dip topped with spicy chorizo, guacamole, and chipotle and tomatillo sauces.
Heading to Austin in the fall? Check out Quesoff, an annual celebration of all things melted cheese, which takes place at Mohawk. Some 30 vendors, from top chefs to home cooks, compete in four queso categories: Meaty, Spicy, Veggie and Wild Card. Buy a bag of chips and grab a taste.