Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Grilled cheese. Simply saying the words conjures up memories of creamy Velveeta toasted between two slices of bread, with a bowl of tomato soup on the side. The standard “visiting grandma” lunch.
Luckily, here in Austin, it’s easy to relive those memories with a wide variety of takes on the childhood classic. From the simply delicious to the decadently complex, Austin’s grilled cheese options are as diverse as our city itself. Here are some of the best. [Read more…]
A few months back, my petite French friend Agnès and I spent a day driving around Austin in search of the most authentic croissant. This important research gave us an opportunity to drink coffee, eat pastries, and chat all day long! We liked it so much, it’s no wonder that we decided to do another “research” project: this time for the best macarons in Austin.
I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is we couldn’t find authentic French macarons anywhere. Some were very close, but not quite the same. The good news is you can find a lot of delicious macarons in Austin that will make your day brighter. [Read more…]
Overlooking the Colorado River on Tillery’s East Austin patio (Credit: Joleen Jernigan)
If you live in Austin, you likely have a hankering for the outdoors, whether that means hiking the Greenbelt, taking the dog or the kids for a walk, riding your bike, or swimming at one of our outstanding swimming holes. After all that brisk exercise, it’s time to head for a patio and enjoy a cold drink. Patio culture is Austin culture. Here are a few of my favorite patios for happy hour on the east side. [Read more…]
Aaron Franklin helped Rebecca Masson of Houston’s Fluff Bake Bar serve “Thurston S’moores” during The Thurston Moore Group’s performance at The Mohawk (Credit: Daniel Cavazos)
Hot Luck founder Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, along with partners James Moody of The Mohawk and Michael Thelin of Feast Portland, just wrapped up a successful four-day food and music festival that featured more than 50 celebrated chefs from around the country, over half of whom reside right here in Austin.
The concept was inspired by intimate and informal gatherings–drawing on the nostalgia of foods that comfort, and then are reimagined for a new generation. Hot Luck was for anyone who could appreciate a thoughtfully curated sensory experience, minus any pretension. (Note: you’ll find the words “hoedown” and “hootenanny” used to describe the event on the festival’s website. Boots were optional, koozies were required.)
Humble in presentation, but certainly not lacking in creativity and innovation, samplings were designed to be utensil-free and enjoyed in a picnic atmosphere. [Read more…]
If I’ve learned anything from a year of living in Texas, it’s the fact that every Texan has a strong opinion about how BBQ should taste. Actually, “opinion” is a weak word in this case. “Indisputable truth” better explains the situation.
In a state where brisket is king, opening a BBQ joint that specializes in creative meats and unusual cuts is an act of courage. On a regular weekday, you won’t find the oh-so-familiar trio of brisket, ribs, and sausage on the menu of the newly opened LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue food truck. Instead, you might come across beef cheeks, quail stuffed with macaroni and cheese, and pork shoulder. [Read more…]
School House Pub
It’s a shame that more people aren’t talking about Manor Road. Located in northeast Austin, across I-35 from The University of Texas, these few blocks are packed with shops, bars, bakeries, and restaurants.
Actually, there are over a dozen spots to grab a cold local beer or unique cocktail. Some are classic Austin dive bars, while others are funky joints where you can bring the whole crew. High-end dining options are also available for extraordinary happy hours.
Starting at the 1800 block and heading east, the bars and restaurants below come one after another on Manor Road. It really is a perfect spot for a bar crawl or night out, and it’s easy to tailor your adventure to what you want to eat, drink, or do! [Read more…]
Mattie’s main dining room (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)
Mattie’s Southern charm is evident before you even walk through its doors. Upon entering the gates surrounding the Green Pastures estate, located off South First Street, I was immediately taken aback by the impressive 120-year-old Victorian home with wrap-around veranda and giant Live Oak trees, under which peacocks freely roam. Yes, you read that right: peacocks.
As I walked through the front doors into a foyer with a dramatic staircase opening up to the second floor, warmly-lit gathering spaces on either side of me, it felt more like I had arrived for dinner at a celebrity’s home than a public restaurant. The space is undeniably cozy and dripping with Southern hospitality. [Read more…]
Austinites gather for The Elephant Table pop-up dinner at Gypsy Floral (Credit: Ashleigh Amoroso)
Austin’s food and beverage scene is a hotbed for exciting, new concepts, and the many restaurant openings each season prove it. It’s no surprise that pop-up dinner concepts have been making their way onto the scene. These three Austin supper clubs, a mixture of newcomers and proven concepts, are currently the talk of the town. [Read more…]
Mueller Lake Park
Mueller in Northeast Austin started 10 years ago as a 700-acre community. It has grown into a thriving, developed neighborhood. With public parks, farmers’ markets, and some of Austin’s hottest businesses, Mueller has it all.
It’s about time someone created a bar crawl guide for the expanding Mueller neighborhood. The Austin spots on this list are nestled within a small, walkable area on the east side of I-35, in the main Mueller development. [Read more…]
I’m at the point in life when I become slightly ashamed to admit out loud the number of tacos I consume weekly. If I share one more picture of tacos al pastor on my Instagram, I’m afraid people won’t understand.
Having said that, I’m not about to slow down. Especially since I’ve discovered that Tyson’s Tacos, a small neighborhood joint on Airport Boulevard, offers tacos created by its customers. I even have a shot at getting my own taco creation on the menu if I visit often enough. [Read more…]