It’s one of my favourite cities in the US, mainly for the barbecue & tacos, but also great weather most of the year round, parks and public swimming areas, a good nightlife and live music scene. I can see why a lot of people from other states move out here.
📝 In my opinion it’s the best city in the world for barbecue. I’ve been to Austin three times now and haven’t been able to go to every bbq spot on my hit-list yet. The quality and choice here is ridiculous.
📝 Austin is also great for Mexican food (one of the best cities for it outside of Mexico) – authentic and Tex-Mex. Breakfast tacos especially are a must when you’re in town. My Mexican hit-list is ever growing and unfortunately a lot of them were closed this time due to New Year break.
📝 Austin has loads of great public swimming areas. One of the most famous being Barton Springs (the place to be on any hot day) and Deep Eddy. Also checkout Jacob’s Well (book ahead of you want to swim) and Hamilton Pool just outside of town.
📝 Austin has a great lnightlife. Here are some of my favourite bars in each part of the city. Drinking on Dirty Sixth: The Side Bar, Seven Grand, Las Perlas, Casino El Camino.
📝 Drinking on East Sixth: The White Horse (live country music), The Liberty, Violet Crown Social Club, Yellow Jacket Social Club, Zilker Brewing Company, Grackle.
📝 Drinking on Rainey Street; Bangers (20 sausages + over 100 beers), Half Step, Craft Pride, Icenhauers & Clive Bar.
📝 I haven’t included them on this list but a couple of great spots for fried chicken are Lucy’s Fried Chicken + Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken (originally from Mason, Tennessee).
1. Franklin Barbecue
Probably the most famous barbecue restaurant in the world run by the most famous pitmaster in barbecue, Aaron Franklin. Its basically the Mecca of barbecue. Known for having crazy long lines from first thing in the morning. They open at 11:00 and sell out within a couple of hours. Queueing starts from around 06:30 but they put out deck chairs for everybody and sometimes give out free beer too. It’s an experience. During these socially distanced times, the restaurant switched to a curb-side pickup service. Orders can be placed online weeks in advance.
2. LeRoy & Lewis
A new school barbecue spot known for serving some of the more unconventional meats and sides in town. They recently came 5th on Texas Monthly’s The 50 Best BBQ Joints 2021 list. Everything is great here but I highly recommend the smoked brisket burger as well as the brisket.
3. La Barbecue
Up there with Franklin as one of the best barbecue spots in the city. Recently relocated from a trailer to a bricks & mortar restaurant. Headed up by LeAnn Mueller of the legendary Mueller Texas barbecue family. The brisket is ridiculous. They also have some great sides. Pickup orders can now be placed online too.
4. Veracruz All Natural
My favourite taco spot in Austin. Multiple locations now. A must-visit spot for breakfast tacos. Try the migas (tacos). You can select between a choice of freshly made corn or flour tortillas.
5. Odd Duck
Great food & drinks with locally sourced ingredients. Casual vibes. There’s a reason why it’s on almost every top restaurants list for the city.
6. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ
Head down in the morning for their famous barbecue breakfast tacos. The one to get here is the Deal Holyfield with a fried egg, refried beans & giant sliced brisket.
7. Micklethwait Craft Meats BBQ
These guys are serving some great barbecue out of a trailer not too far from Franklin Barbecue. Food & Wine proclaimed a three-meat plate from Micklethwait one of the 20 Best Dishes in Texas. They do some great sides here too.
8. InterStellar BBQ
Another popular new school barbecue spot in North Austin. They recently came 2nd on Texas Monthly’s The 50 Best BBQ Joints 2021 list. The brisket was on point and the sides were standout.
9. Bird Bird Biscuit
Some of the best fried chicken & biscuits I’ve had. Also try the bird bird bacon breakfast biscuit. Incredible.
10. Taco-Mex Austin
Delicious and cheap breakfast tacos served out a window in a strip mall. Ring a bell to order your tacos. Eat on your car bonnet.
11. Stiles Switch BBQ
Another solid barbecue choice. The ribs in particular were standout for me here. The brisket was also on point. The sides are more traditional.
12. Granny’s Tacos
They started out as a popular food truck (refurbished ambulance) in East Austin serving breakfast tacos, quesadillas & burritos. It’s one of the best spots in the city for breakfast tacos. They have now expanded to two permanent locations on top of the food truck.
13. Via 313
Detroit Pizza on Austin guide? You’re damn right. Elite pizza. Multiple locations. Another great pizza spot to checkout is Home Boy Pizza, an NY style pizza spot serving whole pies or by the slice.
14. Pueblo Viejo
Multiple locations in the city now. Good for breakfast as well as lunch tacos.
15. Tamale House East
An East Austin favourite. $5 tamales with your choice of toppings for $2.50. Also known for their breakfast tacos. They have a beautiful patio out back.
James Dimitri 