Where to Eat Like a Local in Austin - Travel Like Anna

Want to get more out of where eat like local without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

• From traditional Texas barbecue to wild boar pepper pots and red berry concha (a sweet bread), the Austin food scene offers a diversity of flavors.
• Planning is key when it comes to Austin’s food scene: Make reservations in advance.
• For places that don’t take reservations, arrive early with sunscreen, waiting in line for food is a Texas pastime.
• Worth noting: expect queues at all barbecue joints (an hour minimum on weekends), weekend brunch and famous spots.

Is Where Eat Like Local Worth It?

It’s hard to pick between the longstanding famous icons, Franklin’s Barbecue for brisket and Kerby Lane for pancakes, and newcomers, Taqueria De Diez’s volcan tacos. The best barbecue spots open at lunch, so arrive early for the best selection and visit on a weekday for shorter wait times.

• Online orders are also a possibility to save time.
• Now, you know the rules, it’s time to eat.
• More importantly, keep scrolling for the best restaurants in Austin, Texas.
• To assist plan your trip, check out my guides on the best aspects to do in Austin and the best Austin hotels organized by neighborhood.The Best Barbecue in Austin, Texas Left: A brisket sandwich from Franklin’s Barbecue.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Right: The pomegranate-glazed pork ribs at the Egyptian-inspired KG Barbecue. There is consistently a line for barbecue, but most places have free beer while you wait.

• Remember that order online to skip the queues.
• If is your destination, wake up early and join the roughly 4-hour-long queue before 9 a.m.
• It’s just like tailgating for a football game, minus the traffic, so bring a chair and some local brews.
• Order online to skip the queue.Franklin Barbecue​ For shorter lines, try for sausage, turkey (my favorite) and jalapeno cheese grits.

A Closer Look at Where Eat Like Local

As a rule, this is one of my favorite go-to spots since I’m a sucker for solid sides.Micklethwait Craft Meats​ ’s Eastside location is excellent for brisket, pulled pork and shells & cheese.La Barbecue​ a 2024-Michelin star winner, serves up tasty brisket and beef ribs in their brick-and-mortar location. The brisket burger and cheddar cheesecake are also phenomenal.LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue,​ in North Austin has made the Texas Monthly’s top five list.

• Grab a pastry basket with one ofLutie’spastry chefSusana Querejazu’sfamous Kouign Amanns.Saturday and Sunday.
• Reservations recommended.​ chef Sarah Heard cooks upForeign & Domestic’sthe best pancakes in townwith the perfect amount of crisp on the outside. (She perfected the cooking technique thanks to her picky daughter.)Sunday only.
• In short, reservations recommended.​ is legendary thanks to the Manmosa, a behemoth-sized mimosa consisting of a bottle of champagne with a splash of orange juice.
• The menu highlights house-made sausage, meat-heavy egg dishes and gigantic flaky made-from-scratch biscuits.

What to Know About Where Eat Like Local

The restaurant has plenty of seating thanks to an expansion a few years ago but doesn’t take reservations, so expect a line.Banger’s Sausage House and Beer GardenSunday only.​ serves dim sum on Sundays only. Menu highlights include pork pot stickers, char siu bao (steamed pork buns), scallion pancakes, pineapple bao and a Thai-chili infused Bloody Mary.Wu ChowReservations recommended.​ is my go-to Eastside brunch spot that takes brunch reservations!

• Worth noting: the grits and strawberry cake are delicious.Jacoby’sSaturday and Sunday.
• Reservations recommended.​ is another favorite breakfast eatery located in theCafé No Se.
• Begin off with one of their signature pastries, a delectable croissant served with homemade raspberry jam. (Their pastry chef, Amanda Rockman, is a James Beard Award Semifinalist.) I also recommend the ricotta hotcakes.South Congress HotelBreakfast is served daily.
• These restaurants are organized by type from casual to upscale.

How Where Eat Like Local Really Works

More importantly, upscale Restaurants in Austin should be your first stop in Austin. The new-age Caribbean restaurant is named after the national bird of Guyana and serves up one of my favorite dishes in town: wild boar pepperpot, a slow-cooked stew.

• The Guyanese-style roti pairs well with the Wagyu beef West Indian curry.Canje​ is a must for dinner.
• The garden restaurant’s playful interior was designed by Ken Fulk, which genuinely sets the mood for a fun evening.
• Remember that the menu includes a variety of small, highly seasonal dishes meant to be shared.
• Highlights include the estate bread with layered butter, the green dish, Texas beef and the kouign-amann dessert, a French pastry that’s broken into pieces and folded into vanilla ice cream.

Getting the Most From Where Eat Like Local

It is located on theLutie’s, a 1928 mansion turned luxury hotel.Commodore Perry EstateReservations recommend.​ is a truly hidden gem located in a secluded 19th-century home just a few blocks from the buzzing South Congress neighborhood. The resident peacocks provide ample entertainment while you dine on fried chicken and biscuits.Mattie’s​ is a swanky multi-room restaurant with two patios and a separate bar with a stunning centerpiece - a mahogany wooden bar that was moved from New York City’s Cedar Tavern to Austin.

• As a rule, it’s one of the most beautiful restaurants in Austin.EberlyReservations recommend.​ Fixe,an upscale Southern restaurant, is famous for its made-from-scratch, while-you-wait biscuits.
• It’s the best $12 you will EVER spend.​ specializes in live-fire cooking with Latin flavors.
• Order the pork chop and carrots.
• Snag a seat at the bar by the kitchen to watch the magic.Ember Kitchen Casual Dining in Austin Taqueria de Diaz’ s volcán tacos are arguably the best in town.

Tips That Make a Difference

In short, right: Yellow Jacket Social Club beet and goat cheese sandwich. is an award-winning brewery that serves up Sicilian-style pizzas. They have three locations and a gigantic South Austin brewery.

• Pinthouse’sPinthouse PizzaElectric Jellyfishbrew helped ignite the hazy IPA trend in Austin.
• It’s my favorite pizza in town (Via 313is a close second!) and one of my first stops when I get back from a long trip.​ is the best spot for hot chicken!
• Worth noting: for sides, try the mac and cheese and slaw.
• Formerly a food truck, there are now three brick-and-mortar locations.Tumble 22​ hasEasy TigerBEER CHEESE.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on where eat like local?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. The best barbecue spots open at lunch, so arrive early for the best selection and visit on a weekday for shorter wait times.

Is it worth shopping around for where eat like local?

Usually yes. Online orders are also a possibility to save time.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. Now, you know the rules, it’s time to eat.

Smart Ways to Save More on Where Eat Like Local

• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up where eat like local against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.