23 Iconic Austin Foods to Try in 2024

Austin is a diverse and creative city where beef lovers, vegans and foodies from all walks of life can coexist and share together in incredible Austin food. If you’ve never visited this famous Southern city before, you may wonder, “Why is Austin, Texas so famous? Is Austin a foodie city? What food is Austin known for?”

When it comes to the Austin food menu, Southern staples and Tex-Mex reign supreme, but that doesn’t mean Austinites don’t love to indulge in never-before-tasted treats, twists on Texan staples and funky fusion foods — the “weirder” the better. These are the famous and iconic foods that are “keeping Austin weird” in the very best way.

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• Cook With Skilled Austin Chefs
• 23 Best Austin Foods & Where to Find Them

Cook With Skilled Austin Chefs

One of the best ways to discover authentic Austin foods is to sign up for cooking classes in Austin. In a cooking class, you’ll learn all about the local food scene, famous Austin foods and the unique culinary techniques that make this capital city one of the best foodie destinations in the country.

With the skills you’ll gain in a cooking class, you’ll be able to transport your taste buds to Austin anytime you wish!

23 Best Austin Foods & Where to Find Them

1. Breakfast Tacos

When you’re gearing up for a big day in Austin, it’s crucial to start the day right with a fresh and steamy breakfast taco, stuffed to the brim with fluffy golden eggs, bacon, chorizo, cheddar cheese, potatoes and more.

There are dozens of Austin food places that serve incredible breakfast tacos, but some of the best local staples include Juan in a Million, Granny’s Tacos and Veracruz All Natural Taco Truck. 

2. Migas

Another classic Austin food enjoyed at breakfast, Migas are hearty dishes consisting of pan-fried corn tortilla strips, scrambled eggs, peppers, onions and other seasonings, often served with a side of fresh salsa.

Some of the best migas in Austin can be found at Habanero Mexican Café, Mi Madre’s Restaurant and Eldorado Café. 

3. Barbecue Brisket

It wouldn’t be a list of Austin foods if we didn't mention barbecue, specifically barbecue brisket. Where do celebrities eat in Austin? Every celebrity and local will have strong opinions about their favorite Austin BBQ joint, but Terry Black’s, Franklin’s and Valentina’s never seem to disappoint and frequently find themselves ranking in the top 10 restaurants in Austin.

4. Kolaches

Not to be confused with the sweet jelly-filled pastry offered elsewhere, “kolaches” in Austin are actually more akin to klobasneks. This savory breakfast food features sausage, cheddar cheese and sometimes jalapeño wrapped in a hot buttery roll.

You can find delicious Texas-style kolaches at almost any Czech restaurant or donut shop in Austin, such as Shipley Do-nuts, Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches or Master Donuts. 

5. Steak

If you’re looking for date ideas in Austin, you really can’t go wrong by treating your sweetheart to some good ol’ Texan beef.

According to Wisevoter, Texas is the top beef-producing state in the nation, and some of the most decadent cuts of steak can be enjoyed at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Austin Land & Cattle Co. and Dean’s Italian Steakhouse in Austin.

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Austin with a view, Steiner Ranch Steakhouse is another popular location.

6. Frito Pie

Chili is the state dish of Texas, and while it’s tasty on its own, many Austinites prefer to enhance their basic bowl of chili by turning it into Frito pie.

The basic formula for tasty Frito pie includes chili, Fritos corn chips and shredded cheese, plus any other toppings you deem delicious.

Because it’s so easy to make at home, Frito pie can be a bit tricky to find on the Austin food map, but you can enjoy this hearty comfort food at Texas Chili Parlor, Micklethwait Craft Meats or Leroy and Lewis Barbecue. 

7. Tex-Mex

Texan and Mexican: a fusion so good that it became its own culinary genre and one of the most iconic Austin foods. Valencia’s, Chuy’s, Pueblo Viejo and El Alma could easily be some of the top 10 restaurants in Austin for Tex-Mex.

Hula Hut, another delicious Tex-Mex spot with a Polynesian twist, is also one of the best restaurants in Austin with a view of the Colorado River.

8. Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak is a popular comfort food throughout the South, and Austin is no exception. This must-have Austin food features thinly sliced steak coated and fried with crispy seasoned batter, often served with white gravy and a side of mashed potatoes.

You can try the chicken fried steak at many classic Austin food places and diners, including Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, Sawyer & Co., Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Cherry Creek Catfish. 

9. Tacos

Tacos are undoubtedly one of the most famous Austin foods, with taco trucks, diners, chain restaurants and fusion options on seemingly every street corner.

One of the best restaurants in Austin is Torchy’s Tacos, which started as a humble food truck in Austin but has expanded to over a hundred locations in Texas and beyond. Other hot taco spots include Masa y Más, Cuantos Tacos, Tacodeli and Suerte. 

10. Tamales

Mexican tamales are a traditional gift made with richly seasoned meat or other fillings and masa dough wrapped in corn husks and steamed until hot and tender.

Because they’re a bit labor-intensive to make, Tamales are easily one of the most sought-after Austin foods, and you can taste them for yourself at Tamale House East, Mi Ranchito or Pueblo Viejo.

These steamy bundles of goodness are so tasty, they’re even given as popular Texas gifts. 

11. Ramen

Ramen is a rich broth and noodle dish that hails from Japan, but has won the hearts of foodies the world over and quickly become a favorite Austin food.

Ramen Tatsu-ya, one of the best restaurants in downtown Austin, repeatedly ranks among the top ramen establishments in all of North America. Ramen Del Barrio is another delicious new ramen restaurant in Austin, known for their unique Mexican-Japanese fusion. 

12. King Ranch Chicken Casserole 

Named after the King Ranch in South Texas, King Ranch chicken casserole is a classic Tex-Mex comfort food, and one of the best Austin foods to try while you’re in the city.

This iconic Austin food combines shredded chicken, corn tortillas, peppers, chilies, cream of mushroom and cheese to deliver piping hot, creamy goodness to your plate. You can dig into this southern staple at Irene’s, The Monument Café or Daily Spread in Austin. 

13. Vegan Foods

Amidst all the barbecue and barbacoa that Texas has to offer, vegans and vegetarians can find an oasis at many of the best restaurants in Austin.

While the Austin food menu often reflects Texas’ meaty tastes, there are plenty of vegan restaurants and food trucks like The Vegan Yacht, The Vegan Nom, Rebel Cheese, Community Vegan and Revolution Vegan Kitchen.  

14. Tikka Masala

Like Japanese ramen, several popular Indian restaurants have made Indian and South Asian cuisine some of the most quintessential Austin foods.

Of all the delicious Indian fare in this city, tikka masala remains a local favorite, especially if it’s from one of the best restaurants in Austin downtown, such as Jaipur Palace, Clay Pit, The Whip In or Tarka, a local Austin chain. 

15. Margaritas

With Tex-Mex and tacos at the top of our list for Austin foods, it should come as no surprise that margaritas are easy to find at some of the best casual restaurants in Austin.

If you’re looking to treat yourself, your partner or a group of friends in Austin, consider going out for world-famous margaritas at Baby Acapulco (Baby A’s), Iron Cactus or Workhorse Bar. For an extra Texan kick, try your margarita with a little spicy Tajin on the rim.  

16. Chili Con Queso

Austinites love their chili con queso, more often referred to simply as “queso.” This Austin food features piping hot melted cheese seasoned with chilies and spices and is often served as a dip with corn tortilla chips or poured over other Tex-Mex favorites like enchiladas or tamales.

Some of the best spots to enjoy Austin’s favorite queso include Torchy’s Tacos, Maudie’s Café, Matt’s Famous El Rancho or El Alma. 

17. Craft Cider

While there are plenty of tasty Austin foods to enjoy in this city, some of Austin’s most famous flavors come from its craft breweries, and Austinites seem to have a special affinity for craft ciders, especially.

After a long day of shopping or team building activities in Austin, take everyone out for a tour of a cider brewery and grab some samples from Austin Eastciders Collaboratory, Moontower Cider Company or Fairweather Cider. 

18. Vodka

Looking for something stronger to celebrate with after a birthday dinner in Austin? Tito’s and Deep Eddy are two very popular vodka brands throughout the United States, and they’ve got distilleries and tasting rooms located right here in Austin!

Plan a ride to visit one of their locations so you can safely savor all the crafted vodka goodness. 

19. Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is one of the sweetest Austin foods, resembling a deconstructed pie baked with juicy, warm peach slices and thick, crumbly batter.

Peach cobbler is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to marry all its fruity, decadent flavors together. You can enjoy this beloved Austin treat at Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Iron Works Barbecue, Pie Bar and many other classic cafés around town.

20. Texas Sheet Cake

Texas sheet cake is another popular crowd-pleasing Austin food, consisting of a thin, moist, almost fudge-like chocolate cake, sometimes topped with nuts and baked in a large sheet pan from which it is served by the square.

Sheet cake is super simple to make at home, but you can also order one at Capital City Bakery, Moonlight Bakery and Sugar Mama’s Bake Shop.  

21. Cupcakes

Looking for a quick treat to satisfy your sweet tooth after a birthday dinner in Austin? Cupcakes are another surprisingly popular Austin food, perfect for fueling yourself through a busy day of touring museums or shopping down SoCo.

Some of the sweetest spots to grab a cupcake in Austin include Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery and Whipped Bakery & Café.

22. Ice Cream

It gets hot down in Texas, so Austin locals have mastered the art of keeping it cool with some of the best ice cream in the country.

Amy’s, Lick Honest Ice Cream and Gati Ice Cream are three excellent locations to stop in for a spoonful — or a coneful — of rich and creamy goodness.

Plus, lounging at one of these adorable Austin ice cream parlors is an epic way to end your Austin food map journey.

23. Pecan Pie

Texans love their pecan pie, and Austinites are eager to perfect the art of making it (now, whether it’s pronounced pee-can or peh-con, that’s another story).

If you’re visiting Austin for a short time, make it a priority to grab a bite of pecan pie from one of Austin’s best bakeries, such as Upper Crust Bakery, Tiny Pies or Texas Pie Company. For a more bite-sized treat, pecan pralines are another similar tasty dessert and popular Austin food. 

Whether you’ve lived in the city for years, you’re visiting for business or you’re planning for the best vacation in Austin, exploring the wide selection of Austin foods is always a worthwhile adventure.

From pecan pie to tender brisket and adventurous Tex-Mex ramen, you’re sure to fall in love with Austin’s food offerings just as soon as you fall for the city itself.

For even more fun things to do in Austin, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!