Austin Texas is a foodie’s playground!! I’ve been eating my way around this city for years, and somehow my “to eat in Austin” note on my iPhone getslonger, not shorter, every single day. (Thank you, Instagram….) From BBQ to Tex Mex, cupcakes tokouign amann, and anything that’s battered, fried, or covered in frosting,I’ve rounded up 101 of my favorite indulgences in Austin. Check ’em out, go try a few of them, and if you share a photo on instagram be sure to tag me (@SoMuchLifeBlog) and use the hashtag #SoMuchFoodATX!
Everything is made from scratch (even the frosting and fillings), because if you’re gonna have a cupcake, you should really HAVE A CUPCAKE! These are the best in Austin….they even won Food Network’sCupcake Wars in 2013.
http://www.sugarmamasbakeshop.com
ALSO SEE: weekend coffee date at sugar mama’s bakes
These thin-crust pies are incredibly addicting… Go ahead and order a few slices right away, because once you finish the first one you’ll be ready for another!
The kolache are made from scratch here, and they use brisket that’s been smoked at Micklethwaite Craft Meats, one of Austin’s best BBQ trailers. I always tell myself I’lljust get one….
Prepare to go into a sugar coma after treating yourself to these sweets. The Reese’s-stuffed cookies are my very favorite. (It’s a good thing I don’t live within walking distance of this bakery.)
Pick your spice level: wimpy, hot, dang hot, or FIRE IN THE HOLE….and then pay your dues the following day.
Layer upon layer of ice cream, cookies, whipped cream, fudge sauce, and toppings make this the Cold Cookie Co’s number 1 seller. You can customize it with any flavor of ice cream, cookies, and toppings you want!
http://www.coldcookiecompany.com
This sandwich is MADE because of Easy Tiger’s home made rye bread. It. Is. So. Dang. Good.
Go big or go home, right? All the pastries at this sweet coffee shop are made in house at the South Congress Hotel, and this huge cinnamon roll is my personal favorite.
These beauties are covered in gravy, sunny egg, sour cream, corn, lime, and cotija. Share an order with the table, or order your own and call it a meal!
Soft pillows of fried dough dusted in powdered sugar.. These little babies are so tasty. Bring on the soul food!
Sandy’s is an iconic burger stand that’s been in south Austin since the 1940s. You can get one of their custard cones dipped in chocolate for less than $3. It’s the perfect treat on a hot summer day.
facebook.com/pages/Sandys-Hamburgers
This is one of the few BBQ trucks in Austin that’s bothreally really good and doesn’t have a 3-hour line. (You should expect to wait 15-30 min, though.) Don’t skimp on the sides! Those jalapeño cheese grits and lemon poppy slaw are amazing.
Lick Honest Ice Creams is one of Austin’s best ice cream shops because they make small batch ice cream using local ingredients. Some of the flavors change with the seasons, but a few of my favorites (that are always around) are Texas Sheet Cake, Caramel Salt Lick, and Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey.
This is my favorite migas taco in the city! Veracruz loads up their tacos with all the best ingredients, and they don’t skimp on the avocado slice on top (the most important part!)
http://www.veracruzallnatural.com
Yes, it’s really that big… The edges are baked to a firm crispiness, and the interior is soft and chewy. Think you can finish the whole thing?
https://www.facebook.com/Pieous
Also see: where to dine with a big group in Austin
I’m always chatting with my food blogger friends about the “best this-or-that” in Austin, and there seems to be a pretty unanimous agreement that Torchy’s is still king in the queso department. They load it up with guacamole, cotija cheese, cilantro, and their famous diablo sauce.
She looks so innocent, but this little cruller that I found at June’s All Day is one of the most addicting pieces of fried dough I’ve ever tried! The texture isn’t like a normal donut…it’s a lot lighter and fluffier and it just melts in your mouth…
So, this is basically a combination of two of the best foods ever known to humankind, right?
https://www.eastsidetavernaustin.com
Pulled chicken, buffalocheddar béchamel, cavatappi pasta, and a bleu cheese crust make this one of theeee most indulgent mac n cheese dishes you can find. Bonus: you can enjoy it at Marker 10’s lakeside patio with a view of the South Congress bridge.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/texas/hyatt-regency-austin/ausra/dining
Also see: new menu at marker 10
This is a South American cookie sandwich with a thick schmeer ofdulce de leche rolled in coconut flakes. The outside is crunchy and sweet, and the inside is thick, ooey-gooey caramel-y goodness.
A homemade churro is tossed in popcorn sugar,topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle and a dash of sea salt. It’s warm, sweet, salty, and chewy. Completely irresistible!
It won a GABF gold medal forLarge Brewpub of the Yeartwo years in a row!If you’re gonna indulge in the pizza + beer combo anywhere in Austin, this is the place to do it! Nate and I love this place so much that we had our wedding rehearsal dinner here.
Also see: the ultimate austin bucket list
So many burger options at Austin’s most beloved burger bar. Do notplan on skipping the truffle fries!
Chi’lantro started as a food truck and now they have FIVE locations….Austin loves ’em! The Original Kimchi Fries are your choice of protein (spicy pork, spicy chicken, soy-glazed chicken, tofu, or ribeye beef),caramelized kimchi, cheddar + monterey jack, onions, cilantro, magic sauce, sesame seeds, sriracha on a bed of french fries.
This little donut shop opened in 2016 and kinda took Austin by storm!! We’re obsessed! The basics, like maple bacon, double berry, and cinnadough, are fantastic and always around. The seasonal ones are fun to try if you’re craving seconds. (Trust me, you will be.)
This is a bit of a tease because it hasn’t opened yet, but Bird Bird Biscuit (from the Thunderbird coffee team) will be opening in summer of 2018. These biscuit sandwiches are NO JOKE.
This is an old school Austin bakery and restaurant that has been serving up some of the best bread-heavy breakfasts since 1981. Their french toast is thick, eggy, sweet, and dusted in a fine layer of powdered sugar.
This is, hands down, some of the best homemade Italian food you’ll find in Austin. If you’re going to splurge on a carb-heavy Italian meal, Andiamo is the place to do it!
One of my favorite burgers in Austin, and completely customizable! It starts with ground brisket + chuck, shallot confit, gruyere, greens, tomatoes, and horseradish pickles. Then, you can choose to add foie gras, egg, avocado, or crispy pork belly. You can’t go wrong with any of those!
This is one of the tastiest grilled cheese sandwiches you’ll find in Austin! Burro Cheese Kitchen starts with Easy Tiger sourdough bread, then melts aged cheddar, gouda, caramelized onions, pepperonis, and spicy maple bacon sauce. Yup, you heard me!Spicy maple bacon.
Their main thing is authentic New York style pizza, which is what most people order, but I happen to think the thick crust is equally delectable!
Some of the best ramen in the whole country is right here in Austin, TX. The original bowl is my favorite!
Yes, it’s a juice bar and I should be healthy and get something green….but the Super Baked Cookie from the freezer at Soup Peddler is seriously one of my very favorite things to eat in the whole city! It’s ridiculously addicting; don’t say I didn’t warn ya!
Thisgrass-fed beef burger topped w/ sharp cheddar on a sweet sourdough bun made the number two spot on Texas Monthly’s “50 Best Burgers in Texas” list. It’s my go-to when I need a highly indulgent, basic burger. There aren’t a lot of frills on this, but it’s just a really good, simple, expertly-prepared sandwich.
It’s their most popular menu item, and I love to order it with tofu (even though I’m not typically a huge fan of tofu.) It’s glistening and flavorful and super filling. I can’t count the times I’ve ordered this and eaten it on my couch with my favorite Netflix show!
The line can be ridiculously long on the weekends, but the brick oven pizza stand outside Jester King Brewery makes one of the best pizzas around. If you love little charred pieces on your chewy pizza crust, you’ll love this pie!
Hold up….brisket cream cheese??Yes ma’am, and it’s served on a perfectly chewy bagel from Rosen’s Bagel Co! BBQ food truck LeRoy and Lewis wasn’t messing around when they created this decadent spread.
Martin’s KumBak Place (affectionally called “Dirty’s” because of the dirt floors the restaurant had until the mid-19th century) has been frying up homemade onion rings since 1926 at the same location on Guadalupe street. They’re hot, greasy, salty, and served hot and fast. I can’t get enough of ’em!
These are one of my favorite macarons in the city of Austin, so they’re well worth the indulgence! Pastry chef Soraiya Nagree is constantly creating new flavors in both her north and south Austin shops.
Also see: weekend coffee date at la patisserie
Austin’s most darling wine garden also has a happy hour every day from 5-6:30 pm when you can snag a 1/2 price bottle of wine. Sip, savor, and share!
Also see: 11 gorgeous wine bars in Austin
Austin’s weekday brunch spot took two perfect carbs and combined them into an even more perfectentree: the churro waffle, served with horchata whipped cream for dunking.
I sample at least 3 flavors every time I go to Amy’s, and then I always end up ordering the same thing: a waffle cone with Mexican Vanilla and rainbow sprinkles. This ice cream tastes like cake batter!
Also see: 11 ice cream shops in austin you should try this summer
It’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy at Sway’s weekend brunch. A chicken wing lollipop with pickled fresno, green nahm jihm, tamarind ginger, maple syrup, and togarashi create a firework explosion of flavor in one dish.
I love getting this pie (pepperoni, baby arugula, spicy local honey, and peppadew peppers) and pairing it with one of Pinthouse’s award-winning IPAs.
If you’re gonna eat a breakfast taco…..eat a breakfast taco.Valentina’s fills one of their homemade flour tortillas with tomato serrano salsa, fried egg, potatoes, refried beans, bacon, and brisket or pulled pork. Come hungry!
Food and Wine listed this laundromat-turned-restaurant as one of their “2016 Restaurants of the Year,” and it’s totally worth the splurge to dine on their adorable patio for a date night meal. Be sure to order dessert, because executive pastry chefLaura Sawicki was a James Beard Award semifinalist!
These are truly the most indulgent pancakes I’ve ever tasted. Three layers of thick, sweet, fluffy pillows of cakes smothered in butter, berries, and rich maple syrup. Note: I’ve never been able to actually finish all three of them, although I’ve given it my best effort!
This is a “Levain” style cookie, except Henbit users pecans instead of walnuts. They’re massive, warm, gooey cookies that are big enough to make a meal!
Hut’s has been flipping burgers in Austin since 1939. Their best-selling burger is the #7, the “Hut’s Favorite,” which is made from fresh Texas-raised beef, mayo, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and American cheese. Pair it with some hand-cut potato fries and a vanilla malt for an ultimate old-fashioned indulgence.
Also see: 23 classic austin restaurants for your bucket list
Kind of like poutine, but instead of brown gravy these thick fries are covered in a layer of “chowder gravy” with clams, leek, and bacon. Whenever I order these, I’m not hungry for my main entree… I keep eating them and just can’t help myself!
When the food looks this pretty, you just have to order it all. The brunch menu at Native a stellar mix of brunch flavors and colors. From sweet (peach french toast with lemon cream) to savory (chilaquiles with pulled chicken and tomatillo sauce) to everything in between (flatbread with roasted butternut squash, bacon, and balsamic reduction), there’s an indulgence here for everyone.
Piles of smoked meat, pickled onions, and jalapeños on a soft hamburger bun….FOR FIVE DOLLARS! This sandwich has earned its place here not only because it’s delicious, but also because it sells for just $5 during Freedmen’s happy hour on Tue-Fri from 4-7 pm and reverse happy hour on Thur-Sat from 10 pm – 12 am.
Can you think of a better start to the day? I can’t either.
My eyes are always too big for my stomach when I try to tackle the Sunday brunch buffet at Austin’s finest interior Mexican restaurant. They have everything you could possibly want…and more! Cochinita pibil, mole, ceviche, and an entire table full of dozens of different dessert options.
Also see: 13 best places to eat brunch in austin
Two of the greatest breakfast foods come together in perfect matrimony with Cane Rosso’s famous Cap’n Crunch Waffle. If you don’t like sugar for breakfast you might want to steer clear of this one…
We Austinites love our queso, so it’s no surprise that this dip is the top-selling item at the busiest Tex-Mex restaurant in ATX.
This savory Japanese pancake is full of pork belly and napa cabbage, and topped with a sunny side up egg, spicy mayo, tonkatsu, sriracha, crispy shallots, and micro arugula. Even when I’m stuffed from my meal at Lucky Robot, I make sure to find space to get a couple bites of this.
I’ve yet to taste another scoop of gelato in Austin that is quite as good as this stuff. The three Italians who opened this teeny gelato shop prepare each batch with the utmost care, resulting in dense, rich, creamy flavors.
If we’re talking about greasy, messy diner burgers, this one from Phoebe’s is at the top of my list. It’s charred to perfection, dripping with sauce, and placed between two grilled hamburger buns.
You’ll find dozens of bright, sweet Mexican pastries at this 24 hour bakery. They’re all so pretty and inexpensive, so I love getting a plate of them to share with friends and enjoy with coffee!
Get tacos in taco or bowl form. I love their bbq brisket taco with dry rubbed brisket, creamy apple slaw, smoky roasted peach bbq sauce. Yummmm….
Ah Sing Den makes one of my favorite brunches in Austin, and they also have one of my favorite co*cktail menus! It’s a fun place to go when I want some delicate drinks to pair with a Sunday morning meal.
These babies are creamy, rich, and addicting. Good thing they’re available during happy hour….when I’m here with a group of friends, we always end up having to place a second order.
They keep it simple here with a giant piece of their classic fried chicken recipe, b and b pickle, lettuce, tomato, and vincent’s slaw. When chicken tastes this good, you don’t need to cover it with too many toppings.
These are some of my favorite pancakes in Austin. They’re extra thick and indulgent, and the pecan butter really makes ’em!
Oh, the beauty of a simple yet perfectly prepared chocolate chip cookie. These are, hands down, the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever tasted in my life!
I’ve made a meal of the fries alone, but the burger is a nice supplement…. 😉 This burger is pricey, but sooo worth it! Pro tip: go during happy hour to get it for 50% off.
While we’re thinking about burgers, can we talk about this beauty? It’s a 1/2 pound of wagyu beef with cheddar cheese and pickles. It is WONDERFUL. It is PERFECT. I could marry this burger. Check the website, because it’s a special menu item and not available all the time. (But good luck!!)
There are plenty of good pastries in Austin, but the chocolate croissants at the top of my list are from Le Politique. They’ve perfected the delicate, flaky outer layers and soft, sweet filling. The magic in these, in particular, is the crispy sprinkle of sugar on top.La belle vie.
When shaved ice is done right, its velvet texture melts in your mouth, almost like ice cream. The cones at Sno Beach, Austin’s beloved shaved ice trailer, are the creamiest I’ve ever tasted!
One of my life rules is to never eat pie at a restaurant unless it’s homemade, which means I definitely CAN indulge in this beauty! T22 makes their coconut cream pies with lovely, flaky crust and a fluffy, indulgent filling with lots of flecks of toasted coconut. It’s the perfect ending to a meal of fried chicken and sweet tea.
From the outside, this little E Riverside restaurant is unimpressive. It’s tucked into a strip mall, right between a Title Max and China Express. But walk inside order a bacon-egg-cheese breakfast taco on a fluffy homemade tortilla, drench it in their fantastically fresh salsa, and you’ll be telling all your friends about this place.
Is a boozy breakfast your thing? Conquer your hangover with this massive, spicy Bloody Mary from Hill Country’s best bar and grill.
Carefully prepared and beautifully plated, the pasta dishes at new Italian restaurantIntero is made by a team who sources locally and works to use the whole ingredients, producing as close to zero waste as possible. I’ll cheers to that!
Cisco’s Bakery makes their own delicious rolls, then they stuff them withpicadillo(a traiditional Latin American dish of ground beef, tomato, and other ingredients) and cover them in melty cheese. Breakfast bliss.
If you like donuts AND you like banana pudding, you have to try this donut from Rise! It’s covered in vanilla wafers and filled with pudding, and it literally tastes like a bite of banana pudding…in a fried donut form.
I can’t pick a favorite pizza in Austin. It would be like choosing a favorite child. But if Ihad to?I mean, if I really really had to pick a very favorite pizza to consume on my last day of life? It would be the Carnivore from Via 313. Their deep dish Detroit-style pizza is covered in smoked pepperoni, natural casing pepperoni, ham, sausage, and bacon. All bases are covered.
The Peached Tortilla serves a different ramen bowl every Thursday night. They only do it on Thursdays, so plan accordingly and show up hungry for these massive servings!
Egg, bacon, potato, and cheese on a flour tortilla is my go-to order. Life’s too short to eat breakfast tacos thataren’t on homemade tortillas!
Get the good stuff straight from Il Brutto’s wood-fired oven. I love the thin center and charred, crispy edges!
This tequila infused watermelon margarita is served up. It’s a little bit sweet, but not too sweet. I enjoyed it so much during dinner that I ordered it with my brunch buffet the next time I was there! Who says margaritas aren’t a breakfast drink?
Lazarus Brewing makes my favorite chips and guac in the city! I love hanging out on their back patio with friends, a couple pints, and this salty snack.
Load it up! Wholy Bagel is one of Austin’s most beloved bagel shops, and it can sometimes get crowded on the weekends. I like to call in my order (usually egg/meat/cheese on a salt bagel) and pick it up without the line.
My happy place? Consuming a massive cheese board and clinking co*cktails with friends on a beautiful patio overlooking the Arboretum. All of this is possible at The Knotty Deck!
This chain from Alabama now has a couple Austin locations, and we’re all thankful for it in the summer! Dip, dredge, drizzle, and dust your customizable pop for over 14,000 different flavor combinations.
The two “food Gods” of ATX (Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin) came together to create this restaurant, and I’ve loved absolutely everything I’ve tried there. If you’re not sure you need a full meal, grab a bag of burnt ends kettle corn while you’re sitting at the bar. Fantastic.
Mighty Cone was the original food vendor of Austin City Limits Music Festival! This portable meal was designed so festival-goers could hold food in one hand and have the other hand free to take photos/hold beer/rock out to the music. You can get these tasty tortillas filled with battered and fried chicken and avocado year-round at Mighty cone’s food truck on Barton Springs.
Enjoy $7 select co*cktails, $6 glasses of wine, and half-off select plates of food in the Cedar Tavern at Eberly on Tue-Fri from 5-7 and all night Sunday and Monday! The cornmeal hushpuppies withjumbo lump crab, andouille, green lentil jambalaya, and aged parmesan are on this list, and they are so good.
One of my favorite parts about this place is that the ice cream is custom made-to-order, so you get to watch it all happen! Ice cream + a show!
These truffle fries are covered in a healthy dose of shaved parmesan. They’re ridiculously addicting and some of my favorite fries in Austin! (Not to be missed: Noble’s sandwiches….because, you know, it is a sandwich shop after all….) #Ilovemyfries
noblesandwiches.com
photo by Kiera of France Photographers
Austin’s only British tea house and bakery makes the most amazing selection of pies, scones, and cakes. I love that they’re not quite as sweet as typical American desserts, but still a lovely indulgent, way to start the day.
Also see: weekend coffee date at brentwood social house
Buttermilk pancakes, cheesy grits, and biscuits with a thick pour of gravy are a few of the delicious comfort foods you can enjoy at Jacoby’s weekend brunch. If the weather’s nice, the outdoor patio that overlooks the Colorado River is a fun place to eat!
Welp…I just took the health factor out of that poke…
Ever since I first visited Emmer and Rye and fell in love with their cacio e pepe, I’ve made a point to order it at every Italian restaurant in Austin to see how it compares. Result: this one is still the best. There’s a reason why they keep it on an otherwise rotating menu!
Who says pizza’s not for breakfast? Just throw an egg on top!
This historic deli, bakery, and store makes their own pie every morning. It sells out quickly, so why not order a slice to enjoy with coffee for breakfast?
It’s only available during Sunday dinner service, but worth the special trip!
These French pastries are made from a layers of butter and sugar folded into sweet pastry dough. On the weekends, they sell a version with a creamy chocolate center, and those are my favorite!
This taco stand has been in Austin for about 13 years. It’s a tiny cash-only trailer that sells tacos that are made-to-order on a hot griddle. The chorizo, egg, and cheese taco is fantastic!
Feast on schnitzel, potato salad, bratwurst, and beer at Austin’s oldest restaurant. Scholz Garden has been in Austin since 1866, and it’s the oldest functioning biergarten in the US.
Is that queso on a breakfast sandwich? Why yes, yes it is! Patika’s food menu rotates with the seasons; whenever this breakfast sandwich with queso is around, I make sure to order it.
As if fried pieces of dough covered in frosting need any help, Voodoo also adds crushed oreos and peanut butter on top.. Just ’cause. Voodoo, we know you’re from Portland, but we gladly welcome you to Austin. Thanks for being open for 24 hours and helping us make our worst food choices at 3 in the morning.
Happy eating, my friends! Be sure to use the hashtag #SoMuchFoodATX so I can see all the delicious eats you’ve found around the city!
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