Austin, a vibrant and creative city, attracts countless tourists with its unique food culture. As the capital of Texas, Austin is not only famous for its diverse cultural activities and music festivals, but also a paradise for food lovers because of its rich local specialties.
In this city, food is part of the culture, and every bite contains history and tradition. Authentic Texas barbecue, various flavors of Mexican dishes, and local specialty desserts are all mouth-watering. In addition, Austin’s dining scene also incorporates a variety of modern cuisines with unlimited creativity. From new American cuisine to global fusion dishes, each restaurant has its own unique style and charm.
Many restaurants are not just places to provide food, they are more like art spaces that perfectly combine ingredients, history and creativity. In Austin, food not only fills the stomach, but also a double enjoyment of vision and taste.
1. Salt Lick BBQ – Representative of classic Texas barbecue
Restaurant history and overview
Located outside Austin, Salt Lick BBQ is one of the most representative barbecue restaurants in Texas. Founded in 1967 and run by the Taylor family, it has a long history and its reputation has long spread throughout the United States. The restaurant’s feature is that it uses a mixture of charcoal and oak to grill, giving each piece of meat a unique smoky flavor. Early diners stopped by simply because of the aroma in the air. Today, it has become Austin’s barbecue mecca, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Food Features and Taste
Salt Lick BBQ offers a wide variety of barbecue, the most distinctive of which are its beef brisket and pork ribs. The beef brisket is charred on the outside and tender on the inside, roasted just right, with delicate and elastic meat, and every bite has a faint charcoal aroma. The pork ribs are more flavorful, with a layer of slightly charred sauce on the surface and the tender meat intertwined, bringing a rich taste.
The restaurant’s barbecue sauce is also a highlight, with moderate sweet and sour, just the right amount of spiciness, not too stimulating, and perfectly complementing the flavor of the barbecue. Paired with a classic Texas bean, the whole meal tastes even richer.
Personal experience
When I first stepped into Salt Lick BBQ, the air was filled with the aroma of charcoal and barbecue. I couldn’t wait to sit down and ordered the recommended beef brisket platter and pork ribs. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very relaxed and welcoming, and the waiters are friendly and efficient. When the dishes were served, the beef brisket was bright red and the ribs were covered with tempting sauce. I took a bite and the meat was juicy and melted in my mouth. Every bite made me want to stop. The atmosphere here is also very suitable for sharing delicious food with friends and family. Everyone sits around the big table and enjoys a hearty barbecue feast.
Location and reservation platform
Salt Lick BBQ is located in Austin’s Hill Country. Although it is a bit far from the city center, it is definitely worth a visit. It is recommended to make reservations in advance through OpenTable because the seats here are often full.
Cost
As a popular barbecue restaurant, the price of Salt Lick BBQ is above average. The cost per person is about $20-$40, depending on the dishes ordered. For those who want to try the full barbecue menu, the price is completely acceptable.
2. Franklin Barbecue – Experience the best Texas barbecue
Restaurant History and Overview
As one of the most iconic barbecue restaurants in Austin, Franklin Barbecue is almost known to everyone. Since its opening in 2009, it has become a mecca for barbecue lovers. The founder of the restaurant, Aaron Franklin, is known for his excellent barbecue skills and superb cooking control of meat. Many barbecue lovers even line up for hours to taste the delicious food of Franklin Barbecue.
Food Features and Taste
Franklin Barbecue is most famous for its brisket, which is known as one of the best barbecue in the United States. Each piece of brisket is carefully grilled, with a full charred aroma on the outside, soft and elastic meat, and after a long period of smoking, the meat is full of fragrance. Every bite was filled with rich meaty aroma and subtle smoky flavors, which made people intoxicated.
In addition, Franklin Barbecue also has many other delicious barbecue options, such as pork ribs and sausages, which are also first-class and full of flavor. The restaurant also provides handmade sauces with rich flavors that can perfectly complement the barbecue.
Personal experience
Despite the very long waiting time, I decided to try Franklin Barbecue. While waiting in line, I chatted with people around me about the reputation of the restaurant. Everyone talked about the delicious food they had tasted. When I finally tasted the barbecue, all the wait was worth it. Every bite of the brisket made me amazed by its rich smoky flavor and dense meat. It is really unparalleled.
Location and reservation platform
Franklin Barbecue is located at 900 E 11th St. in downtown Austin. If you want to enjoy this delicious feast, it is recommended to make a reservation as early as possible through OpenTable. Since the lines here are very long, making a reservation in advance can avoid a lot of unnecessary waiting.
Cost
The restaurant’s BBQ platter usually costs between $25 and $50, depending on the number of people and the dishes ordered. Although the price is not cheap, given its top status in the BBQ world, every penny is worth it.
3. Uchi Austin – Japanese cuisine with a different flavor
Restaurant history and overview
Uchi Austin is a restaurant that combines traditional Japanese cuisine with modern elements. Founded in 2003, it has quickly become a leader in Austin’s dining industry with its unique and innovative cuisine. The restaurant’s founder Tyson Cole has won the James Beard Award. He has taken Japanese cuisine to another level through careful selection of ingredients and ingenious cooking techniques.
Food Features and Taste
Uchi Austin’s menu combines classic Japanese flavors with unique creativity. The most popular dishes include sashimi platter and grilled sushi. The sashimi is cut extremely finely and has a delicate taste. With the secret sauce, the delicious taste bursts on the tip of the tongue. The grilled sushi uses the grilling technique to bring out the flavor of the ingredients to the fullest. The fresh fish meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, which is unforgettable.
Personal experience
As a lover of Japanese cuisine, I came to Uchi Austin to experience a different taste feast. From the sashimi platter to the grilled sushi, every dish amazed me. Especially the grilled sushi, the grilled fish meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The perfect combination of grilled aroma and the deliciousness of the fish meat makes me want to eat it.
Location and reservation platform
Uchi Austin is located in the heart of Austin, at 801 S Lamar Blvd., with a pleasant environment and suitable for tasting exquisite food. Due to the popularity of the restaurant, it is recommended to make reservations in advance through OpenTable.
Cost
The price of Uchi Austin’s dishes is relatively high, with a single person consumption of about $50-$80, depending on the dishes ordered and the portion. But if you are looking for high-quality food, it is definitely worth every penny.
4. Things to note when tasting food in Austin restaurants
Make reservations in advance to avoid queues
In popular restaurants in Austin, especially on weekends and holidays, queues are very common. In order to ensure that you can be seated smoothly and save waiting time, it is recommended to make reservations online in advance. Many restaurants provide reservation services on platforms such as Resy and OpenTable. Confirm the dining time as early as possible to avoid missing the food due to a last-minute arrival.
Understand the restaurant opening hours
The restaurant opening hours in Austin may vary depending on the season or holidays, especially some niche restaurants may be adjusted. It is best to confirm the opening hours of the restaurant before traveling, especially dinner time, and some restaurants may have a break in the afternoon or evening.
Pay attention to local specialties
Austin has a unique Southern food culture. It is recommended to try local classic dishes such as barbecue, fried chicken, Texas-style Mexican food and craft beer. Don’t miss the essence of local food and experience the authentic Texas flavor.
Austin is a city full of food vitality, and every bite of food is full of creativity and passion. From classic Texas barbecue to innovative Japanese cuisine, from friendly restaurants to luxurious food halls, everything here is mouth-watering. Whether you are a food lover or a simple traveler, you should not miss the delicious food of this city.
Whether you are tasting classic Texas barbecue or enjoying creative Japanese cuisine, Austin can satisfy your taste buds. I hope you can discover your own food story in every meal in this city.
