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For decades Austin, Texas has been known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” While live music of all genres continues to thrive, amazing restaurants of all cuisines have been popping up left and right the last few years. Austin is now one of the best foodie cities in the US!

Alongside the Texas staples of BBQ, Mexican, and tex-mex there is a lot of diversity throughout the restaurants in Austin. One of the best things to do in Austin is to discover the growing food scene. 

It can be really hard to decide where to eat in Austin. The following are some fun places to eat in Austin that are mostly on the more casual side. All of the Austin restaurants are located in and around downtown for convenient access to the top things to do in the city. 

Fun Places to Eat in Austin 

Indulge in Austin BBQ 

Eating BBQ is definitely not one of the most unique things to do in Austin, but it should still be a priority when deciding where to eat in Austin! It’s hard to choose the best BBQ cities in America, but after trying as many BBQ places in Austin as possible I know it’s one of the best.  With the stiff competition it’s hard to go wrong, but there are several BBQ restaurants in Austin that can’t be missed. 

Franklin BBQ 

Franklin BBQ claims to have the “best barbecue in the known universe”. Don’t take their word for it, go try it for yourself…….if you don’t mind waiting in line for five hours! Hopeful BBQ aficionados start lining up as early as 4 am or 5am! You’ll be first in line to eat, but you have a long wait ahead of you. 

On the first day I attempted Franklin I started later in the day at 12:40pm. I have heard you need to be in line well before opening at 11am to get any meat. I thought I would chance it and after waiting for two hours, the workers announced it would be unlikely to get any meat at my spot in line. It would be another hour wait with a potentially sad outcome so I gave up. On that day the first person in line was there at 4am! I had read that waiting in line was part of an experience and let me tell you it really is! 

The second time I tried I arrived even later, a little before 3pm. I figured they would either be sold out by then or it would be a very short line. They were unsurprisingly sold out. Sadly Franklin BBQ is still on my list of fun places to eat in Austin. 

Terry Black’s 

Rated number one on Yelp for BBQ, Terry Black’s actually beats out Franklin BBQ. The brisket is excellent, but you also don’t need to wait in line for 3 hours or wake up at 4am. The line moves super fast and the BBQ is the real deal. The cornbread tasted really different, but really good! It’s one of the few Austin restaurants where I actually found cornbread on the menu.

There is indoor and outdoor seating. As the line does move pretty fast it can make finding a place to sit a little trickier. 

La Barbecue 

Every local I asked declared La Barbecue as their favorite BBQ place in Austin. The East Austin spot is owned by two married females. The lines aren’t as bad as Franklin BBQ, but expect to wait. On a Saturday afternoon it was about a 20 minute wait with many meats already sold out. 

As the sliced brisket was sold out I ordered chopped brisket. I was asked if I wanted a pork rib. Yes seemed to be the right answer and it certainly was. The brisket was very good, but I’m so glad I was pushed to order a pork rib. It was so tender it fell right off the bone.

Loro 

I was told that Loro isn’t a BBQ restaurant, but an Asian smokehouse mixed with Texas BBQ. There’s not much I like better than southeast Asian cuisines, but a good American BBQ is right up there. As much as I love the traditional Texas BBQ, this is the best combination! I have had this combo before as a couple of the best Atlanta BBQ spots also focus on this mix. 

Everything I ordered at Loro was cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. The oak smoked butcher’s cut was incredibly tender. The Texas sweet corn with chili aioli and crunchy sweet corn fritters with habanero aioli both packed a punch. 

The large outdoor seating area creates a great atmosphere for a weekend meal with friends. It’s definitely one of the many fun places to eat in Austin. 

Devour the City’s Best Tex Mex

As the birthplace of Tex-Mex, there’s no better place for the regional cuisine than in Texas. Austin knows how to do this blend of Mexican and southwestern perfectly. 

Torchy’s Tacos

Started in Austin, there are now Torchy’s Tacos in 13 states. Austin still has the most. Whatever location you visit you’ll be treated with delicious, inventive, and flavorful tacos. Only the locations closest to downtown are marked on the map.

I took Phil’s lead, from Somebody Feed Phil, and ordered the Migas and the Mr. Orange. I also tried the green chile pork at the recommendation of the person who took my order. Don’t ask me to choose a favorite, they were all scrumptious. 

Taco Joint

Everything’s bigger in Texas and the tacos are no exception. I ordered three as I can almost always finish three tacos in one setting. Even two was a lot to eat. Before knowing the size I thought the prices were good, but considering the size they are a real steal. There are two locations, both near downtown. 

There is pretty much any kind of taco combination you could want. The breakfast tacos were my favorite, thanks to the potatoes. 

Savor the Mexican Cuisine

Right on the border to Mexico, Texas also has the real deal, the authentic Mexican food too. 

Taco Mafia 

The self-named Taco Mafia is a group of five taco masters. They have been featured on many food shows including Somebody Feed Phil and a PBS mini-series documentary. Not only do they all serve amazing tacos, but they also help and give back to the community. 

Across the five members, the Taco Mafia owns Nixta Taqueria, Cuantos Tacos, and Discada. I tried Cuantos Tacos, a food truck in the Arbor Food Park east of downtown. Run by  Luis “Beto” Robledo, the taco truck serves Mexico City style street tacos and quesadillas. When buche (pork stomach) is on the menu, you know it’s authentic! 

The tacos are fairly small, so make sure you order enough! I had carnitas (pork), cachete (barbacoa), and longaniza (chorizon). I almost went back for a 4th taco. I don’t know why I didn’t give the buche a try. In Mexico I have had all sorts of tacos, half of which I didn’t know what they were when ordering. 

Enjoy Austin’s Diverse Food Scene

I would say you’re crazy to come to Austin and not have some BBQ, tex-mex, and Mexican, but there are plenty of other fun places to eat in Austin. I love trying what a place is known for, but I also like a variety of food….as long as it is really good food! 

Salty Sow

As the entrees are very meat centric, you might think this is a BBQ spot. Outside of Texas it might pass as one, but here it is an American Gastropub. When I think of gastropub I envision a fairly casual place, but Salty Sow is more upscale with excellent service. It’s one of the few cool places to eat in Austin that I included in this post that isn’t as casual. 

To take a break from all the pork and brisket I was eating, I ordered the blackened redfish. It had a great flavor. The chocolate truffle cake was the perfect, yet very rich end to the meal.  

Bird Bird Biscuit

Bird Bird Biscuit is a biscuit sandwich restaurant with two locations. It really should be named biscuit, bird, biscuit as that is what is served. I guess the current name sounds a little better. One of the three chicken sandwiches, The Queen Beak, was right up my alley. There are other non-chicken biscuit sandwiches including one vegan sandwich. 

Both locations only have outdoor ordering and seating, but you can go inside to use the restroom! 

The Soup Peddler

Due to my sickness on my first visit to Austin I ate a lot of soup and smoothies from The Soup Peddler. Honestly the name attracted me and the food was so good that I kept ordering from them. 

I like how the soups come in multiple sizes and with your choice of bread, croutons, or oyster crackers. The bread is a small baguette slice. All the soups I tried, Zuppa di Fagioli, chicken soup with rice, and mulligatawny were good. 

I loved the create your own smoothies. With different base options, many kinds of fruits and vegetables, and a lot of other add-ins the choices are endless! 

Chi’Lantro

If ‘create your own’ was a cuisine it would be one of my favorites. There’s not much I love more than a create your own salad place. Asian food might be one and when there is a create your own Asian fusion restaurant, I am all for it. 

There are multiple locations of this local chain. 

Koriente

Speaking of Asian food, Koriente is an Asian fusion restaurant that should be on your list of fun places to eat in Austin. While you order at the counter, it has a cafe or casual restaurant feel. It’s definitely not an upscale restaurant, but you won’t feel like you’re at a fast food place either. 

The owner always loved going out to eat, but wanted to eat healthy. She created Koriente with Asian inspired dishes that are a healthy option for people who don’t want to cook…..aka me! There was a constant stream of pick up orders so I do think it is a favorite of locals. 

Everything looked and sounded delicious so I didn’t need any special substitutions, but there are a lot of customization options. I ordered the pork dumplings, a garden salad, and the Japchei. The sweet potato noodle bowl with my choice of protein was full of veggies. The mission was completed to have a flavorful, yet healthy meal!

Austin Secret Food Tours

Do you have a short time in the city and don’t know how you will fit all these fun places to eat in Austin on your trip? A food tour is a great way to try a little bit from a lot of different places. I’m not going to divulge all the spots and foods on the food tour, but I will tell you that you’ll be able to have some delicious BBQ and tex-mex! As you’re enjoying some of the best places to eat in Austin you’ll also discover some of downtown’s famous sights while walking between the stops. 

I enjoyed the variety on the Secret Food Tour, but there is also a taco specific tour. 

There are so many fun places to eat in Austin that I have yet to try. Let me know in the comments what you think are the best restaurants in Austin! If I helped you decide where to eat in Austin please consider supporting me by Buying Me a Coffee.

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