A Guide to a Culinary Adventure in Austin

In the summer, cool down with a swim at Barton Springs, which is a refreshing 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

Or rent a canoe or paddle board at Zikler Park and wind your way down the Colorado River. Explore Austin’s numerous trailways spanning 10 miles around Lady Bird Lake.

Walk down South Congress for shopping at spots like Prototype Vintage Design, Mi Casa Gallery or Allens Boots.

Get out on the dance floor for some Two-Step at a classic Honky Tonk like The White Horse or The Broken Spoke. Often bars offer dance classes to get you started with some steps before the evening gets into full swing.

Austin is admittedly the Live Music Capital of the US, hosting large festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. There are an abundance of smaller venues to catch a great show, like Stubb’s BBQ or the Continental Club.

Looking for something quiet and relaxing? Head out of town a little to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and wander through a variety of sustainable gardens and an arboretum.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Breakfast or Brunch

Trippy’s Tacos: You can’t come to Austin and not have a breakfast taco. Trippy’s Tacos breakfast tacos are my go-to. There are 2 locations in trucks. I go to the one on the East Side off Cesar Chavez St. in the parking lot of a convenience store. My order is the On the Fly, with beans, bacon, cheese and avocado and the Chilaquiles taco with a large Mexican Coke. It will cure you.

QI Austin: If you’re craving Dim Sum, head to QI Austin where they have nearly 40 classic dishes they offer, including baked BBQ pork buns, Chinese sausage sticky rice, Shanghai soup dumplings, Sui Mai and spare ribs in black bean sauce.

Elizabeth Street Café: Austin is the home of one of the two Elizabeth Street Cafes known for their banh mi on the freshest of baguettes. At brunch, they offer other French baked goodies like Eclair and several Croissant varieties. Revive yourself with a hot bowl of Pho (with vegan & vegetarian options) or the Pork & Shrimp Crepe with a rice/coconut batter.

Lunch

Perla’s: Enjoy a leisurely lunch of top-notch seafood outside under the blue and white umbrellas and enormous oak trees at Perla’s. They have a large variety of oysters on the half shell which pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad and minerally white wine from their extensive list.

Lou’s Eastside: At Lou’s Eastside, make friends with all the neighborhood dogs in this outdoor oasis. Pair cheeseburgers, big salads, and green chili queso with frozen margs or milkshakes for a laid-back lunch.

Distant Relatives BBQ: BBQ is a must when in Austin, and there are plenty of delicious options out there. Distant Relatives BBQ, a BIPOC owned and operated business highlighting flavors from the African diaspora and a mission of community and education, is at the very top of my list. Visit their truck outside of Meanwhile Brewing Co. You know the drill, get there early before they sell out.

Dinner

Lenoir: Dine under warm, glowing lights and an ancient oak tree at the romantic, refined Lenoir. The menu is ever-changing, eclectic and matches their excellent and well-priced wine list. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and will guide pairings that perfectly complement your meal.

Vixen’s Wedding: Visit Vixen’s Wedding for the flavors of Goa in Texas. Open for Dinner as well as Happy Hour and weekend Brunch. They have a Chef’s tasting menu, highlighting sourdough naan with wine pairings and inspired cocktails like the frozen mango lassi with cachaca or the chai old fashioned with ghee washed rye.

Nixta Taqueria: If you fancy yourself a tortilla connoisseur, head over to Nixta Taqueria (they are currently operating out of a food truck, due to permitting issues) for their stellar tacos and tostadas. Don’t miss the tuna tostada and the roasted cauliflower with a romesco sauce.

Este or Suerte: If you’re able to get into either Este or Suerte, sister restaurants helmed by owner Sam Hellman-Mass and Chef Fermin Nunez, do it! Insider Tip: if you’re a small party and able to eat on the early side, stop in when they open and snag one of the walk-in tables they keep free. The service is impeccable, but not pretentious. Easy-going in a friendly Texas way while also serving you some of the best and most fresh food of your life. Try at least a couple items from the raw side at Este and the suadero tacos are a must at Suerte. Try whatever they have on special, it’s bound to be unique.

Ramen Tatsu-ya: Right down the street from Suerte, you’ll find Ramen Tatsu-ya. A collaboration between two hip-hop DJs, one of their several restaurant concepts. This one is homey, and the big bowls of noodles are comforting and nourishing on a chilly evening.

Justine’s Brasserie: Luxuriate in the garden over a bottle of wine at Justine’s Brasserie and savor French classics like escargots and steak frites while reminiscing about the day’s activities.

Drinks

Mezcaleria Tobala: Mezcaleria Tobala at tiny hole-in-the-wall above Whisler’s with a huge selection of mezcal and knowledgeable staff.

Kinfolk’s Lounge & Library: Sitting in Kinfolk’s Lounge & Library of rare liquors is quite a treat for anyone with an interest in specialty cocktails. Located in the cellar of the Moonshine Grill, stop by here for a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink.

The Little Longhorn Saloon: For a true dive experience, and meet some of the most fun locals, check out The Little Longhorn Saloon, formerly Ginny’s Little Longhorn. Hoot and holler while playing a round of chicken sh*t bingo on Sundays with a Lone Star beer in hand.

La Holly: Want more mezcal? Check out La Holly for creative mezcal cocktails like the Sun & Smoke with verde mezcal and aperol of La Sancha, a frozen mezcal-rita with bright pink hibiscus syrup.