East Austin
This famous BBQ joint only serves lunch, and only until it runs out – usually well before 2pm. To avoid missing out, join the line – and there will be a…
Must-see restaurants in Central Texas
Hill Country
Holy moly, this wood-fired pizza joint, in a strip mall 7 miles east of Dripping Springs – almost in Austin – serves good pie. Its motto, 'food is our…
San Antonio
Mighty slabs of meat hang smack-dab in the center of the dining room at this Pearl District crowd-pleaser, where charcuterie platters ($20 to $36) are…
San Antonio & Hill Country
Conscientious service and juicy steaks topped with lemon-butter are highlights here, where a preshow dinner (it's behind Gruene Hall) transforms into a…
Hill Country
This dapper basement bistro, tucked beneath a swish design and furnishings store, looks like a soda fountain gone posh. The folks who lunch here are as…
Central Texas
Lined with animal heads and photos of long-gone high-school football teams, this Lockhart favorite has been owned by the same family since 1932. Lyndon…
Austin
Not content to rest on his Uchi laurels, chef Tyson Cole opened this bustling North Lamar restaurant, which describes itself as 'Japanese farmhouse dining…
Hill Country
It's worth the 20-mile drive out of town just to see the massive outdoor barbecue pits at this parklike place off Hwy 290. It's a bit of a tourist fave,…
Hill Country
You can take your tacos to-go or eat inside this tiny joint beside Walgreens, but don't miss out on the excellent soft tacos – including breakfast tacos…
Amy's Ice Creams - South Austin
Austin
The South Congress location of this beloved local ice-cream chain shares its daily flavors on a chalkboard out front. Pick your favorite add-on, and they…
San Antonio
Choose your ice cream and pick a topping – then watch the staff pulverize the two into a blended little cup of heaven.
Austin
Set in a sprawling former feed-and-seed store from the late 1800s, this Austin classic always draws a crowd. Güero's may not serve the best Tex-Mex in…
East Austin
Even an eggs-and-sausage breakfast is a meal to remember at this lauded East Austin favorite. All ingredients come from Texas farms, rivers and hunting…
Austin
It's not just the ice cream we love; it's the toppings that get pounded and blended in, violently but lovingly, by the staff wielding a metal scoop in…
East Austin
Two sisters from Mexico run this East Austin taco truck (an old bus), which may serve the best tacos in town. Step up to the window, order a migas…
San Antonio & Hill Country
Judging from our unscientific but extensive tasting, City Market in Luling wins all-round best BBQ in the state. Years of smoke blacken the pit room, the…
Austin
Small plates. Tantalizing flavors. Locally sourced. Changing menus. Snout-to-tail culinary creations. And craft cocktails. All served in a rustically chic…
San Antonio
This brightly colored waterside restaurant is hugely popular with locals. Fresh guacamole is made right at your table. The upscale Tex-Mex menu reveals…
Austin
Oh Tacodeli, how we love your handcrafted tacos – surely blessed with the smiles of angels. From the Tacoloco with its adobo-braised brisket to the Pollo…
San Antonio
This enormous, weird, and very wonderful place is not just a restaurant and bar – it’s also a laundromat and car wash. Casual things may be, with no table…
Austin
What? Why is my pizza a square? Because it's Detroit-style, baby, meaning it's cooked in a square pan, plus there's caramelized cheese on the crust and…
Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Cue
Austin
The downtown lunch crowd has discovered this new outpost of beloved Cooper's Bar-B-Cue in Llano. Pick your meat at the counter (paid by the pound) then…
San Antonio
Set in a tall, narrow glassed-in conservatory, perched above the quiet northern stretch of the River Walk, this hotel restaurant makes a pleasant 20…
San Antonio
Part restaurant, part bakery, and total explosion of light and colour, decorated for Christmas year-round, this Market Sq behemoth has been dishing out…
Austin
With its communal tables, loud indie music and hustling efficiency, we wouldn't say this busy ramen joint is a relaxing experience, but darn, is it good…
Austin
We're going to irritate some locals by highlighting this dapper cottage of deliciousness. Pop in for croissants, crepes and a few noodle dishes in the…
East Austin
With a lovely garden setting festooned with fairy lights, Justine's is a top spot for wowing a date. French onion soup, seared scallops and grilled pork…
East Austin
Behold the porcine wonder! This snout-to-tail restaurant advertising 'swine + wine' offers a thoroughly modern take on down-home cooking, including plenty…
Austin
Date night? At this intimate gem hidden behind Whole Earth Provision Co, diners are ushered to tables underneath windows screened with Japanese rice paper…
Austin
A remarkable relic from Austin's early days, this historic mid-1850s building now houses a large and deservedly popular restaurant, serving upscale…
Austin
The flagship of the Austin-founded Whole Foods Market is a gourmet grocery and cafe with restaurant counters and a staggering takeaway buffet, including…
San Antonio
There's a reason why everyone you see in the Pearl District seems to be carrying a box from Bakery Lorraine – the pastries are delicious. Macaroons. Tarts…
Austin
Kerbey Lane is a longtime Austin favorite, fulfilling round-the-clock cravings for anything from gingerbread pancakes to black-bean tacos to mahimahi. Try…
San Antonio
The seasonally inspired tapas dishes are solid, but the atmosphere alone is worth the trip to the King William District: clear Lucite chairs, sparkly…
San Antonio & Hill Country
This intimate cafe sits a few steps below street level and has rock walls, but that's where the comparison to an actual root cellar ends. The atmosphere…
Austin
Torn between barbecue and fine dining? Lambert's serves intelligent updates of American comfort-food classics – some might call it 'uppity barbecue' – in…
San Antonio
San Antonio's pioneer vegetarian restaurant has an appealing location in the Pearl Brewery complex, with lots of outdoor seating. Not only are dishes like…
Austin
Walk-up window, friendly staff, shaded patio, plus great people-watching… Throw in breakfast tacos, gourmet deli sandwiches and coffee drinks. Stick it in…
East Austin
One of our favorite cafes in Austin, Cenote uses seasonal, largely organic ingredients in its simple but delicious anytime fare. Come for housemade…
San Antonio
A cute neighborhood cafe located in a former house, Madhatters is a pleasingly homey place to stop when you're feeling peckish. Breakfast during the week,…
