Austin is a magical place, with food to match.
By Brooklyn Rodgers | March 18th, 2025 | 11:04 AM
This past weekend, some friends and I took a trip to the capital city for a concert—and ate our way through town while we were at it. Below, you’ll find my ultimate Austin food guide: where and what to eat, whether you’re visiting or a local looking for new favorites.
My qualifications: I lived in Austin for three years while attending the University of Texas at Austin.
P.S. Keep an eye out for the Marfa food guide, coming mid-April.
Brunch
June’s All Day – South Congress
Not only is this French-style spot bright and charming inside, but the food was insane. I’m still racking my brain for where I can find a brunch this good in Dallas (Beverley’s, maybe?).
My favorite bite of the entire trip? The pistachio babka—perfectly sweet, flaky, and melt-in-your-mouth fresh. We also tried the Oreo cruller, which was tasty but very cream-filled.
For mains, the Croque Madame stole the show. It’s getting harder to find on brunch menus, and this one delivered: tender ham, melty gruyère, and a perfectly fried egg on top. The orange jambon served alongside added a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy stack.
Other standouts:
- Fried chicken sandwich with kohlrabi ranch slaw
- Breakfast chalupa—solid, but the Croque Madame remains undefeated
Swedish Hill Bakery – Westlake
We stopped by the bustling Westlake location for brunch classics:
- Bagel & lox (the picture says it all—piled high with fresh lox, microgreens, and schmear on a fresh everything bagel)
- Kouign amann (simple, sweet, and perfect), Nutella morning bun, ham & gruyère croissant
- BLAT Sandwich
If you love a great bagel and lox, this spot is a must.
Lunch
Lucky Robot – South Congress
A much-needed stop while shopping down SoCo—and I’ve never been so impressed by sushi served on a sidewalk.
The nigiri was perfectly temped, with tender, flavorful fish and carefully crafted sushi rice. But my favorite thing? A botched keyword search on their Yelp menu revealed that one of their most popular items is actually a server named Brady—who did, in fact, serve us. He was a treat.
Dinner
Emmer & Rye – Rainey Street
I can’t say enough about Emmer & Rye. While it may not be as hyped as some of the newer spots from its hospitality group, this seasonal, farm-to-table favorite will always have my heart.
Since my last visit, they earned multiple Michelin Guide nods—including Texas’ only Green Star—so I was eager to see how the menu had evolved.
Our Friday night lineup:
- Gulf Oysters with watermelon hot sauce, guanciale, and smoked trout roe
- Snapper crudo (the table favorite—fresh, perfectly seasoned, with golden beet, tangerine, and chili crisp)
- Fettuccine with marinara and peach tapenade
- Cacio e Pepe with Challerhocker
- Gnochetti with leek, Lion’s Mane sofrito, and a surprising, satisfying crunch
The menu changes daily, but one thing remains true: I’ve never had a bad crudo here. Also, their cocktails never miss.
Fonda San Miguel – Allandale
A short trip outside the city, but always worth it. The space is gorgeous, and it’s a chance to check off an Austin institution that’s been around since the ’70s.
The chicken enchiladas suizas were a hit, and the pollo en mole poblano was outstanding—juicy chicken smothered in a rich, savory mole.
Bevs
Magick Matcha – South Congress
A quick stop on South Congress that delivered the refresh we needed in the random 80-degree heat.
We tried:
- Pink Dream – coconut water, beetroot powder, strawberry syrup
- Magick Matcha – coconut water, blue majik, vanilla syrup, pink salt
Light, refreshing, and perfect for a mid-shopping pick-me-up.
The Oasis – Lake Travis
Maybe my favorite stop of the trip. The beer ritas, Lake Travis sunset, and classic white queso? Hard to beat.
Snacks
Paletas – Zilker Park
Maybe 70-degree weather just makes everything taste better, but these mango chili paletas hit different while sunbathing at Zilker.
Amy’s Ice Creams – South Austin
A must-visit for any Dallasite (or anyone unlucky enough to live outside an Amy’s zip code).
I’m loyal to Mexican Vanilla, but this time I went rogue with Cold Press Vanilla—custardy, sweet, and worth the tiny risk.
Have any other Austin recs for me? Shoot me a line so I can check them out next time. Keeping tabs on Texas’ restaurant scene is a full-time job—not sure how Courtney Smith at Eater does it.
Brooklyn in Dallas 