You can't go wrong with anything here. But make sure you get the Brussels Sprouts, Karaage, a P-38 roll and the Fried Milk for dessert.
The brisket is the MVP of the lineup, the pork ribs get the silver medal. WARNING: Get here and line up early, they will sell out.
Basically a bigger Barley Swine...which means same good food, but shorter wait times. NOTE: Beware, the patio is a cold spot to sit during winter, so hold out for an indoor table.
The O.G. Torchy's. PRO TIP: Ask for the Mad Cow (beef fajita, black beans, grilled corn) or Missionary-style Pork (carnitas, guacamole) off their secret menu.
Australian Thai from the La Condesa guys. The Jungle Curry and Nashi Pear Chicken are the truth.
All the deliciousness of sister restaurant Uchiko, just further south and in a more intimate setting.
Great new Vietnamese spot on South 1st. Good banh mi, pho, bun and good brunch (the crispy vermicelli cakes are like high fiving your taste buds).
Some call it the best restaurant in town. One of several great new additions on the South 1st culinary scene.
Memphis's legendary fried chicken joint lands in Austin. Prepare your arteries for a category-4 clog.
Great casual lunch spot. The short rib sliders, the roasted chicken salad and the banh mi are all reliable favorites.
Good for breakfast, lunch or dinner...the chicken and waffles and burgers are both consistently awesome.
Behind Parkside, this is a good spot to hit for quality Italian when you're downtown.
Uchi and Uchiko get all the raves, but Komé is a more traditional sushi joint and definitely deserves its fair share of love.
Fantastic sandwiches (the pastrami is top-notch) and desserts, all set amidst a beautifully-renovated building.
The lunch special is the way: $8 for a sausage, side (get the jalapeño cream corn) and a local TX beer.
You can't go wrong with any of the East Side King locations...definitely Austin's food truck all-stars. The Chicken Karaage knocks it out of the park.
If you're brunching, this is the spot. The Steak & Migas Eggs Benedict are two mounds of egg-and-meat heaven covered in chipotle-spiked Hollandaise and the Bloody Mary is as good as it gets.
Come for the guacamole and tequila selection, stay for a great selection of tacos, huaraches and other gourmet Mexican goodness.
One of the better slices in Austin, although that's not necessarily a giant accomplishment.
Apologies to Amy's, but Lick has officially taken the 'Best Ice Cream in Town' title.
Six days a week, just your average steakhouse. But Friday afternoons, they offer an $8 slow-roasted pork chop that's delicious and the size of a catcher's mitt. Reservation strongly recommended.
The Whole Foods flagship is filled with good lunch and dinner options (and a chocolate fountain).
Two great Italian restaurants on South Congress. Enoteca is a great lowkey option, Vespaio is its upscale sister.
Word to the wise: ask for the Mad Cow (beef fajitas, black beans, grilled corn) and Missionary-style Pork (slow-roasted pork w/ guacamole) from the top-secret #sacred menu and thank me later.
I'm a big fan of the beef tongue hash for brunch...but the relaxed outdoor vibe is the killer app here.
Hard to go wrong here, good for lunch or dinner...but the underrated secret is the Saturday brunch menu.
An Austin establishment, open 24 hours a day. The Magnolia Mud (queso w/ black beans and avocado) is the go-to.
If you're going to make a BBQ pilgrimage, forget the Salt Lick and head out to Lockhart for Smitty's, Kreuz's and/or Black's.
One of the true Texas BBQ meccas, the ribs and sausage are as good as you're ever going to have.
Texas' oldest and best major barbecue restaurant continuously owned by the same family.
It's not Shake Shack or In-N-Out, but it's as close as you're going to get (for now) in ATX. The cheeseburger is legit, and fresh lemonade or a double chocolate shake is a good way to top it off.
The food is Tex-Mex with Hawaiian influences...but the real reason to come is the view from the patio, perched over the lake.
Underrated gem near campus. Probably the best sandwiches in town...but that's no knock against anything else on the menu, I've never had a bad meal here.
The food's nothing special, but an amazing patio to relax and enjoy some music and a drink on a warm afternoon.
I don't personally suffer the curse of going through life as a vegetarian, but I am told by those who do have that affliction that this is a particularly good option for the sans meat set.
Not worth the lines you'll typically encounter; but if you happen by when there isn't a crowd, it's worth a visit.
As if you didn't have enough options with Amy's and Lick, there's now "authentic" Italian gelato on South 1st to tempt you.
It's way up north and there's almost always a wait, but if you want ramen in Austin, this is currently your best bet.
