10 Best Local Restaurants in Austin

Franklin BBQ is known nationwide for its no-nonsense briskets and ribs, with clientele no less prestigious than Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama singing its praises. Don’t expect white tablecloths here – the decor comes with zero frills.

The barbecue pros at Franklin know that the quality and presentation of their meat is all that matters. While they're notorious for long waits (queues often stretching far into the car park), they offer plenty of seating for beers and socialising in the meantime. You can come to Franklin and stay for a while and make a day out of the menu here.

Gourdough's Public House in Austin isn't a pub, but a trailer where you go to have dessert for dinner. Savoury and sweet swirl together in their truly unique sandwiches.

Try the El Camino Donut Burger – some say it’s heavenly while others consider it sinful, especially for those watching their waistline. There's also a garlic doughnut with grilled chicken salad to try, in addition to fried chicken covered in creamy corn. With Gourdough's fried goodness, it doesn’t get more American than this.

Joe's Bakery in Austin serves breakfast and lunch dishes in the classic Tex-Mex style. The name comes from Joe Avila, whose family has run the spot for years and reinvented the concept of a Texas diner.

Grab a seat at the bar and order a hot cup of coffee to accompany massive plates of breakfast favourites from America and south of the border. Their Huevos Rancheros Plate and Carne Guisada Plate will keep you feeling full from breakfast straight through dinner. For lunch, don’t miss the crispy tacos and packed enchiladas.

Veracruz All Natural brings excellent culinary standards to a chill food truck experience in Austin. Come enjoy their scrumptious tacos while enjoying one of their signature juice blends. The only thing cosier than the truck is the seating area around it, which sometimes hosts open mic events.

The mark of a truly great Tex-Mex place is when they offer special tacos you can’t find anywhere else, like the Le Reyna, filled with egg whites, veggies, and Monterey Jack cheese – the best of Texas and Mexico in a warm tortilla. That’s only the start – there are 14 more tacos to choose from, all with their unique flavours and fresh ingredients.

Justine's is a French restaurant in Austin that serves heaping portions of creamy food you'll remember every bite of. The flavourful beef tartare and spaghetti bolognese will remind you of Europe’s finest restaurants, but the portion sizes are distinctly American.

Don't miss the crème brûlée for dessert. Its velvety texture and perfect toastiness will turn your Texas “yee-haws” into “ooh-la-las.” Open late, Justine's mixes neon-lighting with classical art decor in an outdoor bungalow, creating a surreal and memorable atmosphere to end your night out in Austin. The vibrantly-coloured cocktails will help see to that.

Old Thousand puts the savouriness of Chinese cuisine in a cosy, hipster setting in Austin. Their menu boasts such gems as beef ginger-scallion lo mein and Hainanese quail. Don’t forget to grab some starters to share – Old Thousand is known for its chilli wontons.

Not hungry? Come for the cocktails and you’ll still be satisfied. Try local favourites like the Red Lantern or the Jade Emperor, made with local fruit and herbal extracts. There's also the Panda Spiced Latte, which mixes Old Overholt Rye, Barrett's Cold Brew and Chai Tea Whip Cream that’ll take your taste buds on a ride.

Aba Austin specialises in Mediterranean cuisine, bringing flavours from Türkiye, Lebanon and Israel to Austin. They've got spreads that blend creamy feta and pistachio in addition to hummus plates topped with crispy meat skewers. Abu Austin has everything to make you feel like you're under the hot Mediterranean sun in the heart of Texas.

If you've never tried the dessert known as halva, make this your first time. Try the halva flavoured with roasted grapes and Marcona almonds for a sweet escape to the Med. Also, be sure to sip on their “Aloe? It's Me” cocktail, made of Banhez Mezcal, aloe, green juice, lime and jalapeño.

Cuantos Tacos is the place to hit if you’re looking for a wide selection of tacos in Austin. Each palm-sized pocket of deliciousness comes generously portioned with pork stomach, cachete (beef cheek), Suadero brisket or grilled mushrooms.

You won’t find tons of Tex-Mex toppings here. Cuantos Tacos serves real Mexico City-style tacos prepared with particular ingredients to bring out a balanced flavour profile. You'd be amazed at how much they can do with so little. These are tacos that'll impress you from first sight to the last bite, and it all comes from an unassuming truck in Central East Austin.

Sammie's Italian is a low-key restaurant in Austin that serves Italian dishes you know well. These include lasagna and ravioli that are made with quality ingredients and with attention to detail.

Try the fried calamari and burrata Caprese to start with, then move on to the linguine vongole while sipping on your limoncello drop cocktail. It’s one place in Austin where you can go on a veritable journey through elevated Italian cuisine. Sammie's Italian also regularly hosts Italian wine lunches, often allowing you to taste through 6 estate wines alongside traditional family-style courses.

Distant Relatives in Austin offers the kind of barbecue soul food that can only be found in the South. Pulled pork, brisket and sweet corn grits fill your plate, generously rubbed with seasoning that lingers on the lips and blends beautifully with craft beer from the nearby Meanwhile Brewing. Sauces like the smoked mustard butter and tamarind molasses BBQ are unique and delicious additions to the smokey meat dishes.

For a lighter treat, try the Potlikker stew – a medley of vegetables in a barbecue beef broth. Sometimes all you need is meat and sauce to get through the day, and Distant Relatives has got you covered if you’re craving for some in Austin.