Restaurants & Bars

In Texas, barbecue is as ubiquitous as sunshine and football. East Austin’s Sam’s BBQ, serving Austin’s original hot sausage and home of the “You Don’t Need Teeth to Eat My Beef,” is a mainstay among locals. They’ve been at their base at 12th and Chicon Streets since the 1940s, and in this quickly changing part of town, they’re a stronghold of East Austin’s past.

Who says you need to have a sit-down restaurant to serve up swoon-worthy food? Walk up to the Brown's Bar-B-Que barbecue trailer outside Corner Bar on South Lamar to put in your order, and leave with a plate piled high with some of the best ‘cue around: succulent pulled pork, smoked chicken, juicy ribs and perfectly charred brisket. And don’t even get us started on the sauce-slathered brisket-and-sausage sandwich.  

Slab BBQ & Beer offers a twist on traditional Texas barbecue, incorporating cooking influences and flavors from Memphis, Alabama and the Carolinas. Featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network, try the famous Notorious P.I.G. sandwich with a pint (or two) of local beer!

Distant Relatives. Credit to Nicolai McCrary.

The food truck scene in Austin is on another level. Recognized as a MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand, Distant Relatives food truck raises the bar on barbecue. Pitmaster Damien Brockway looks to his African ancestry for unique ingredients to sauce his meats, such as molasses and chile-vinegar butter, and cooks up sides like fresh corn grits. Distant Relatives is parked at Meanwhile Brewing Co.

Experience Texas backyard barbecue at the Bigg Belly BBQ food trailer, known for its mouthwatering brisket - available as a sandwich, quesadilla or taco. Also try the ribs or go big with a turkey leg. And don't pass up a side of dirty rice and an order of banana pudding to finish! 

Check out even more Austin barbecue here.

Hoover Alexander's Manor Road restaurant Hoover’s Cooking has been serving soul food to the Austin community for more than 20 years. The Jamaican jerk ribs are a must order, or try Southern specialties like the fried catfish or smothered pork chops. Ask about the day’s margarita special, and leave some room for the yummy banana pudding.

The Big Easy Bar and Grill is Austin’s original New Orleans po’ boy and gumbo shop. This family-owned eatery specializes in authentic Cajun cuisine, such as crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice with sausage, boudin links and char-grilled oysters. 

Billed as “the best baked potatoes in Austin,” the Anything’s Baked Potato food truck uses quality ingredients in its stuffed russet potato creations. Try the Cajun, loaded with shrimp, fried chicken, andouille sausage and corn, topped with a Cajun cream sauce.

For those seeking Southern comfort with a modern, high-energy edge, The Potluck is a must-visit. Known for transforming the humble chicken wing into a culinary masterpiece, this local favorite will have you wondering if you just tasted the best chicken wing you've ever had. From their signature Blue Magic dry-rub wings to the legendary Crack sauced wings (zesty lemon blend that lives up to its name),The Potluck showcases the best of juicy, crunch and perfectly seasoned wings.

Bird Bird Biscuit. Credit Jasmin Porter.

Indulge in decadent breakfast sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, every day at Bird Bird Biscuit. Opt for a spicy chicken biscuit with cayenne black pepper honey and bacon-infused chipotle mayo or try the chicken sausage and egg with cheddar and basil pesto on a huge homestyle biscuit

Find more soul food and homestyle food here.

Austin’s culinary map extends far beyond city limits, offering a vibrant exploration of international heritage through the lens of local creators. Taste of Ethiopia owners Woinee Mariam and her husband, Solomon Hailu, believe that they have a responsibility to the people of Austin to serve meals made with love and real ingredients. Not a single dish leaves the kitchen without Woinee's own seal of approval.

Chef Bristol-Joseph at Canje. Credit Arts + Labor.

At Canje, Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph presents a modern, high-energy tribute to his Guyanese roots, where dishes like wild boar pepperpot and tilefish ceviche are served in a lush, island-inspired space. 

Winston’s Kitchen carries a legacy of over 40 years in the city, with a menu rooted in the timeless techniques of Jamaican slow-grilling and award-winning hot sauces.

Trap House Caribbean next to Coconut Club bridges traditional flavors with modern versatility, offering inclusive options like jerk jackfruit that ensure the bold spirit of Caribbean spice can be enjoyed by everyone.

Co-owned by award-winning Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Emmer & Rye is a leader in the farm-to-table cooking, earning them one of Texas' few MICHELIN Green Stars. Known for milling heirloom grains in-house and a "dim sum" style cart service, it offers a constantly evolving New American menu.

Hestia is a modern grill house from the Emmer & Rye team where Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph and his partners focus on live-fire cooking. The 20-foot hearth is the centerpiece, turning out sophisticated, flame-kissed New American dishes.

Olamaie. Credit to Collin Findlay.

Led by Executive Chef Amanda Turner, Olamaie (MICHELIN 1 Star) is one of Austin’s most prestigious dining rooms. Chef Turner brings a "New South" perspective to the menu, blending classical techniques with global influences like Japanese and Creole flavors.

See more MICHELIN-rated restaurants.

Austin’s original Victory Grill was a stop on the Chitlin Circuit, a network of African American juke joints that brought big-name blues and R&B performers to Austin in the 1940s. Today, the historic club is home Victory East, a soulful East Austin restaurant and bar that serves a bold fusion of Southern comfort food and authentic Caribbean flavors. Look for the rotary phone in the back of the restaurant to find Busy Signal, a speakeasy that keeps the old spirit of Victory Grill alive with live music, a great vibe and exceptional cocktails.

Chris Marshall, Owner of Sans Bar. Credit Cassie Alvarado.

Black-owned Sans Bar is North America’s first premium non-alcoholic bar, which provides a sophisticated social space centered on connection and craft mocktails every Friday night.

For those seeking a lounge experience, Retail Therapy downtown offers a chic setting for craft cocktails that transitions seamlessly from an upscale lounge to a spirited late-night scene. 

Nearby, RSRV (Reserve) offers an ultra-exclusive experience, focusing on premium spirits and a refined ambiance designed for those who appreciate the finer details of a well-crafted night out.

Discover more local bars and beverages.