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May 30, 2024 · Where to find affordable dining in Austin restaurants, from burgers at P. Terry’s, pizza slices at Little Deli, tacos at El Perrito, sandwiches at ThunderCloud Subs, burgers from Sandy’s, and...
Feb 18, 2024 · From food trucks to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, this article will take you on a lighthearted journey through the tastiest and most affordable dishes the city has to offer. After reviewing a whopping eight establishments, I have handpicked the crème de la crème of cheap eats in Austin.
- Where to Eat Downtown Austin
- Downtown Restaurants
- East Side and East 6th Street Restaurants
- Food Trucks near/on E 6th
- South Congress Restaurants
- Barton Springs/Zilker Park
- North Austin Restaurants
- Other Neighborhoods
While there are plenty of places to eat in Downtown Austin, sometimes we let the beer talk and forget about our stomachs. Then hanger kicks in, and if you are anything like us, start to argue. Learn from our mistake and arm yourself with the following list of restaurants, food trucks, and takeout options.
1. Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden
German-style bar with craft beer, benches, and bangers, naturally. The food menu includes pickles, German potato salad, pretzels, currywurst, and flavored sausages. 79, 81 & 81½ Rainey St.
2. Stella San Jac
Plush restaurant, photogenic plates, and banging cocktails, Stella San Jac(310 E 5th St) is a great option for a special occasion. We dined here with our friend and wedding officiant, Sarah, and her partner, Chris. This was my first time trying biscuits. Holy moly!
3. Mai Thai
Friendly Thai restaurant close to the conference center. The menu includes Craig’s favorite, Pad Kra Prao, and mine, Massaman Curry. We had lunch at Mai Thai (207 San Jacinto Blvd). I love Thai and highly recommend it.
6. Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar
With cool tiled walls, retro jukebox, friendly staff, mimosas, and Tex Mex breakfast tacos, Cisco’s (1511 E 6th St) is an Austin breakfast institution and Instagram dream. Founded in 1950 by one of the current owner’s grandfathers, Rudy “Cisco” Cisneros, this diner was part of the East 6th landscape long before what it is known for today. We dined on a Tex-Mex breakfast of soft tortillas with eggs. Other diners recommend the biscuits and migas. One of the highlights related to dining in Austi...
Several food trucks are worth stopping at in and around E 6th, including Boteco (Brazilian). The E 6th food truck area picture below has hammocks, making it a fun place to eat in Austin with friends or alone.
11. South Congress Cafe
Super popular brunch spot known for its Bloody Mary cocktails. We opted for mimosas and biscuits instead! Located at 1600 S Congress Ave, South Congress Cafehas retained the aesthetics of the 1940s drug store it resides in. There is a sunny patio out back, too. You’ll also find the famous Torchy’s Tacos on South Congress Avenue. We tried their tacos at another location and weren’t that blown away by them. Great date night spot.
12. Taste of Ethiopia II
Taste of Ethiopia II (3801 S Congress Ave #107) was our first experience eating Ethiopian food. The server kindly taught us how to eat with our hands! Taste of Ethiopia is owned by Woinee Mariam and her husband, Solomon Hailu.
13. El Borrego de Oro
Old school catina selling breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed setting. We enjoyed a quick taco breakfast before walking down into SoCo. 3900 S Congress Ave.
15. Chuy’s
Loud and fun, Chuy’s has been serving Tex-Mex since 1982. There are six Chuy’s locations around the city. We drunkenly dined on burritos at 1728 Barton Springs Rd. I love this area. Check out our guide, things to do in Austinto learn more about what Barton Springs offers.
16. The Green Mesquite
While Terry Black’s Barbecue and Cooper’s Old Time Pit ask diners to choose and collect their BBQ food, The Green Mesquite(1400 Barton Springs Rd) takes your order and serves it to your table. Craig prefers this method of BBQ dining as he hates eating cold food. I don’t mind either way. Try the mac ‘n’ cheese side dish at Green Mesquite.
17. Terry Black’s BBQ
Terry Black’s BBQ (1003 Barton Springs Rd) is always busy with hungry customers. Traditionally, customers line up, choose their meats, and take their trays to a table inside or outside on the patio. Everyone has their preferred best BBQ joint in Austin. I preferred the meat at Cooper, but the environment was hectic if that’s not your thing. I enjoyed the experience at Green Mesquite, and if you love BBQ, you should head out to Lockhart. Find out more in our road trip guide.
18. Snooze AM
Snooze AM (3800 N Lamar Blvd Suite 120) is another awesome brunch spot in Austin. I love the 70s vibe decor. Fun, sustainably sourced, and ridiculously photogenic, there’s something for everyone in the brunch party on the Snooze AM menu. I went for the oats topped with fruit. Delicious. There are three Snooze Am locations – North Lamar, South Lamar, and East 5th.
19. Little Deli Pizzeria
Build your pizza at Little Deli and Pizzeria (1804 Briarcliff Blvd.) Chirpy staff, soups, salads, subs, and tasty pizza slices. Yes, I put pineapple on my pizza.
20. Hanks Coffee
Hanks Coffe is a light, airy coffeehouse attached to Hank’s Restaurant(5811 Berkman Dr). Simple selection of good coffee. It is a very pretty restaurant next door with floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral decor, and big plants.
Final Words
As you can see, you can eat any cuisine in a casual setting or for an outstanding sit-down experience. To help navigate all of the best places to eat in Austin, we’ve created this maplayered by type of restaurant or cafe. Save for later! Pin to your Austin board What makes it to your best restaurants in Austin bucket list?
Nov 26, 2023 · So, whether you're a local looking for new spots to indulge or a visitor hungry for authentic Tex-Mex flavors, this lighthearted article is your go-to resource. Let's dive in and discover the mouthwatering gems that make Austin a true foodie paradise!
May 16, 2024 · Breakfast Tacos, Texas BBQ, Fresh-Baked Conchas: This Is Your Austin Food Bucket List. Google less. Eat more. By Molly Moltzen. Updated on May 16, 2024 at 12:16 PM. Panisse is...
Aug 29, 2024 · Where to drink and dine in Austin, Texas, from the best dining neighborhoods to the hottest restaurants to where to travel outside of the city for food.
Best Cheap Eats in Austin, Texas: Find Tripadvisor traveler reviews of THE BEST Austin Cheap Eats and search by price, location, and more.
