Austin Texas is not only known as the Live Music Capital of the World, home of South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, home of Circuit of the America’s which is America’s first Formula One Race Track and host of the X Games, and the home of Austin City Limits, but it is also known for great food from any number of locally-owned restaurants. When you visit or move to Austin, you will find the unique flavor of this city by indulging in guilty pleasures at these best Austin Texas restaurants. Just click on the link to read more about my favorite Austin dining experiences.
Best Breakfast in Austin Texas – Magnolia Café
Both restaurant locations are close to Downtown Austin.
2304 Lake Austin Boulevard (512) 478-8645
1920 South Congress Avenue (512) 445-0000
Magnolia Café is the quintessential Austin breakfast experience, complete with patio dining. They make the best omelets and pancakes in Austin. The Spinach Bacon Omelet and the Gingerbread Banana Pancakes are my favorites. Both restaurant locations are small, so be prepared for a wait; but go in and get a cup of Jo at the self-serve coffee bar and take it outside while you wait in the morning Austin sunshine. It is well worth the wait!
Best Mexican Food Lunch in Austin Texas – Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s is located close to Downtown Austin.
1412 South Congress Avenue (512) 447-7688
My favorite Mexican food lunch in Austin is the pork al carbon tacos with white cheese and guacamole on homemade corn tortillas at Guero’s. Guero’s has a great self-serve salsa bar and their charro beans are the best! Guero’s Taco Bar also has patio dining with fun street-side happy hours and a Sunday Brunch with live music. Keep your camera handy while you dine at Guero’s because it is known for famous people sitings. It is one of Bill Clinton’s favorite Austin restaurants!
Best Home Cooked Dinner in Austin Texas – Threadgill’s
Threadgill’s World Headquarters Restaurant is located close to Downtown Austin.
Threadgill’s Restaurant is located at 6416 North Lamar (512) 451-5440
Threadgill’s World Headquarters is located at 301 West Riverside Drive (512) 472-9304
There is no better place in Austin for fried green tomatoes, chicken fried steak, loaded mashed potatoes, and squash casserole with green chile, than Threadgill’s World Headquarters. When you dine at Threadgill’s on Riverside, plan to spend some extra time looking at the music history of Austin hanging on the walls, since Threadgill’s is the museum for the former Austin music landmark, Armadillo World Headquarters.
Best BBQ in Austin Texas – Tie for County Line and Salt Lick
County Line is located at FM 2222 just before Hwy 360 (512) 346-3664
Salt Lick is located at 18001 FM 1826 in Driftwood, Texas. (512) 858-4959 or (512) 894-3117
There are four really good BBQ restaurants near Downtown Austin, Lambert’s, Stubb’s, Green Mesquite, and Iron Works. If you have time to venture away from the Downtown Austin area for Austin’s best BBQ, you must try the County Line for the best beef BBQ ribs in the world, or the Salt Lick for the best Austin BBQ dining experience at the owner’s ranch! Every year, I order Air Ribs, brisket, and sausage from County Line that are shipped to my brother in Washington D.C. for his birthday.
Best Happy Hour in Austin Texas – The Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis
The OASIS is located at 6550 Comanche Trail (512) 266-2442
While visiting Austin, you must take a drive through the western Hill Country and witness the most beautiful sunset in Texas from one of the many tiered patios at the Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis. The margaritas are wonderful and the Happy Hour appetizer specials are plentiful. There are so many things about Austin that make people want to move here after visiting, but a visit to the Oasis Restaurant will surely clinch the decision!
More Austin Texas Content by This Yahoo! Contributor
Best Breakfast in South Austin
Our favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning is eating out for breakfast on an outdoor patio, drinking great coffee, reading the Sunday newspaper, listening to Austin live music, and indulging in great food. Here are my favorite Austin breakfast places.
Best Austin Texas Patio Restaurants
If friends and family come to visit Austin, I always take them to one of these best Austin, Texas patio restaurants for the quintessential Austin night out on the town.
Top 3 Burger Joints in Austin Texas
You have not lived until you eat the Bulgoki Burger at Burger Tex, one of Austin’s best burger joints. Hill’s Cafe makes the best burger in Austin served on a kolache bun. Hill Bert’s Burgers makes your burger fresh and is a favorite of Austin locals.
