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67 Things You Need To Eat In Austin This Summer

July 11, 2018

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67 Things You Need To Eat In Austin This Summer

Every summer I update my highly requested 100 Things You Need To Eat This Summer In Austin list but as I was putting together the list for summer 2018, I struggled to fill all 100 spots. Instead of putting together a list of 60 solid spots and 40 filler spots, I decided to only list only the best.

SEE ALSO: Top Restaurants in Austin

The spots on this list were either (1) a new hot spot, (2) classic Austin spot that’s a must visit during the summer, or (3) a #kokoapproved spot. I present to you the 67 Things You Need To Eat This Summer In Austin.

Table of Contents

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Craftsman

1. WATERMELON MARGARITA AT CRAFTSMAN

Let’s kick off this Austin summer list with a refreshing watermelon margarita served out of an ENTIRE watermelon at Craftsman!

 

Loro Austin

2. RICE BOWLS AT LORO

Love the rice bowls at Loro with coconut rice – I’ve had the crispy Szechuan tofu which was delicious but I heard the grilled Malaysian chicken is really good. The smoked beef brisket is mandatory too.

SEE ALSO: 9 Best New Restaurants In Austin TX Right Now

 

Pop Bar

3. POPSICLES AT POP BAR

Pick your pop (left to right: blood orange, passion fruit, and matcha), dip in chocolate, and coat with toppings.

 

Mint Iced Latte

4. MINT ICED LATTES AT HANK’S

I’ve been too many times to Hank’s and just discovered their mint iced latte, which is perfect for our hot and humid summers. Their $5 frosé is also excellent during happy hour.

SEE ALSO: Ultimate Guide To Best Happy Hours In Austin

 

Otoko Austin

5. OMAKASE AT OTOKO

Snag a seat at Austin’s hottest Japanese restaurant, Otoko, that only has 12-seats.

 

Aligot at Guild

6. ALIGOT AT GUILD

I call these “better than sex” cheesy potatoes.

SEE ALSO: Guild Austin, Austin’s Newest Seafood Restaurant

 

Better Half Coffee

7. AFTERNOON MENU AT BETTER HALF COFFEE

I don’t like the lunch menu at Better Half Coffee but I hear the savory churros and cauliflower tots on the late menu that runs 3pm to 10pm are really good.

 

Il Brutto

8. PIZZA & APEROL SPRITZ AT IL BRUTTO

I normally don’t like Aperol spritzes but the one at Il Brutto is really good. Make it a pizza date night!

SEE ALSO: Il Brutto Is My New Favorite Italian Restaurant In Austin

 

The Brewer's Table

9. WHOLE FISH AT THE BREWER’S TABLE

Beer and food come together at The Brewer’s Table, a new neighborhood restaurant and brewery in East Austin. Go with friends and order the sharable whole grilled snapper ($60). It comes with 3 sides: farro tabbouleh, marble potato salad, and hearth roasted summer succotash.

SEE ALSO: 12 Best Austin Breweries For Craft Beer

 

Cosmic Coffee

10. HANG OUT AT COSMIC COFFEE

I’m warning you that Cosmic Coffee is packed on the weekends and it’s because their outdoor patio is perfect for hanging out. They also have food trucks (Leroy & Lewis, Quality Seafood) selling food if you get hungry.

 

 

11. KOLACHES AT BATCH

 

 

Intero Italian Austin

12. PORCHETTA AT INTERO

Intero serves farm-t0-table Italian in a cozy spot in East Austin. You must order the porchetta if it’s on the menu, it’s incredible. Also be sure to try the homemade artisan chocolates.

 

Suerte

13. TACOS AT SUERTE

You can’t miss this millennial pink building in East Austin so head inside for mezcal cocktails and home-made masa dishes.

 

H Mart Austin Market Eatery

14. MARKET EATERY

Make a trip to North Austin to HMart (aka Korean Disneyland) and it’s food court, Market Eatery. There are 8 Asian concepts in the food court.

SEE ALSO: 8 New Asian Restaurants Open Inside H Mart Austin

 

TLC Austin

15. SEAFOOD BOIL AT TLC

Snow crab legs, mussels, shrimp, crabs, and crawfish – all in a delicious seafood boil with a side of fried orka, please.

 

Yoshi Ramen

16. RAMEN BURGER AT YOSHI RAMEN

I really like the ramen at Yoshi Ramen but it might be just a little hot during the summer so try their crispy ramen burger!

 

Aviary Kitchen

17. WINE AT AVIARY

I love trying different wines while catching up with girlfriends at Aviary on South Lamar.

 

Biscuits at Colleen's Kitchen

18. CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AT COLLEEN’S KITCHEN

No, this is not a photo of the chocolate chip cookies at Colleen’s Kitchen because I ate them before taking a photo. But their chicken biscuits are really good too.

 

Fareground Austin

19. FAREGROUND

If you haven’t heard of Farground, you’ve been living under a rock. Fareground is Austin’s first food hall in downtown Austin with 6 different concepts. I love Antonelli Cheese Shop, Easy Tiger, Henbit (get the crispy shrimp rice bowl, monster cookie, and iced matcha lavender latte), Ni Kome, and Contigo (chicken wings are soo good). The outdoor patio is perfect for dining al fresco!

 

Squeezery in Austin, TX

20. VEGAN GELATO BOWLS AT SQUEEZERY

Pictured above the vegan matcha cashew gelato bowl at Squeezery served out of a real coconut shell! Squeezery is located inside The Refinery in downtown Austin – I really want to try their acai bowls next time.

 

Wild chix & waffles

21. CHICKEN WAFFLES AT WILD CHIX & WAFFLES

The chicken & waffles at Wild Chix & Waffles are so good and they’ll even make you a matcha latte with a cute design.

 

Yuyo Austin

22. PISCO PUNCH AT YUYO

I’m obsessed with the pineapple pisco punch with a maracuyá swirl at Yuyo. Give me one of those along with the chicharrones and I’m in my happy place.

 

Ah Sing Den

23. BRUNCH AT AH SING DEN

The drinks at Ah Sing Den are perfectly crafted and delicious. When you step into their backyard patio, you’ll feel transported back into time into Ancient China. Nom on dumplings and cockctails!

 

Dee Dee Austin

24. THAI TAKEOUT AT DEE DEE

The Thai food at Dee Dee, a tiny food trailer parked behind La Holly, is SO good but so spicy so be sure to order a Thai iced tea with your meal.

 

Garbo's Happy Hour

25. HAPPY HOUR AT GARBO’S

$6 food and $6 cocktails at Garbo’s happy hour that’s Tuesday – Friday from 3pm to 5pm. What else do you need in life?

 

Honest Mary's

26. HEALTHY BOWLS AT HONEST MARY’S

Gotta work on that summer bod right? Luckily the bowls at Honest Mary’s are both delicious and healthy.

 

Uchi Happy Hour

27. UCHI LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR

Uchiko broke my heart when they took the Brussels sprouts off the happy hour menu but then Uchi launched a late night happy hour on Sunday – Thursday from 9PM – close.

 

Little Big Burger

28. BURGER + FRIES AT LITTLE BIG BURGER

Portland’s burger spot comes to Austin with their little but big flavored burgers. Make sure to get the truffle fries with the ketchup!

 

Kemuri

29. CAT CUP COCKTAILS AT KEMURI

Small bites and excellent cocktails are why Kemuri Tatsu-ya, a Texas izakaya in East Austin, has been rated one of the best restaurants in America by Bon Appetit.

 

La Matta

30. CHARCUTERIE BOARD AT LA MATTA

Be like the Europeans and have a charcuterie board for lunch with a glass of wine.

 

Launderette

31. BITES & NIBBLES  AT LAUNDERETTE

I boycotted Launderette 2 years ago when I had a terrible service experience but decided to pop in recently and the food was spectacular.

 

Le Politique Burger

32. BURGER AT LE POLITIQUE

The burger at Le Politique is one of my favorite burgers in Austin with those oh-so-perfect fries.

 

North

33. PASTA & WINE AT NORTH

While NoRTH is considered a restaurant chain, I will say it’s always consistent. Love their pastas and the fried calamari.

 

Pitchfork Pretty

34. FRIED CHICKEN AT PITCHFORK PRETTY

The fried chicken at Pitchfork Pretty is finger licking good – it comes with 4 pieces, buttermilk dressing, hot sauce, mustard, and pickled daikon. It’s also gluten-free because it’s coated with a chickpea flour!

 

Bird Bird Biscuit

35. BREAKFAST AT BIRD BIRD BISCUIT

Start your morning off with a cherry note at the newly opened Bird Bird Biscuit on Manor Rd. The inside is super cute and the breakfast biscuit sandwiches are perfect.

 

36. COOKBOOK CAFE

Ever opened up a cookbook at the library and wondered if that recipe tastes good? Austin Public Library’s newest cafe, Cookbook Café, serves a menu inspired by culinary-themed publications. So you can now eat and drink at the library.

 

NadaMoo Shop

37. VEGAN ICE CREAM AT NADA MOO

If you love Nada Moo like I do, you can now get scoops from their first brick-and-mortar on South Lamar!

 

Mattie's Brunch

38. BRUNCH AT MATTIE’S

Put on your Sunday’s best for a Southern brunch at Mattie’s while peacocks walk the grounds at Green Pastures, the beautiful historic Victorian home.

 

Paperboy Austin

39. BREAKFAST AT PAPERBOY

Start your morning with farm-to-table breakfast sandwiches at Paperboy – they have two locations on East 11th and in South Austin at Radio Coffee.

 

Steel City Pops

40. FROZEN POPS AT STEEL CITY POPS

All-natural pops made with organic and locally sourced ingredients – covered, drizzled, and coated with toppings of your choice. All of the fruity pops are vegan and dairy free!

 

Sway Domain

41. THAI DATE NIGHT AT SWAY

Sway just opened their second location at the Domain! I love the jungle curry, blue crab fried rice, tiger cry, crispy whole fish, and the affogato thai tea.

 

Via 313 pizza

42. DEEP DISH PIZZA AT VIA 313

I don’t eat Via 313 often because of how decadent the pizza is (can pizza be decadent? you know what I mean) but every time I do, I’m like damn that’s so good. Via 313 has a new location on East Austin too.

 

Aster's Ethiopian

43. ETHIOPIAN FOOD AT ASTER’S

I just listed Aster’s in my 9 Best Restaurants For Food Delivery In Austin blog post but if you have a longer lunch hour, I recommend going to their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet!

 

Casey's Snow Balls

44. SNOWBALLS AT CASEY’S NEW ORLEANS

It’s officially snowball season! I like my snowballs at Casey’s with cream.

 

Elizabeth Street Cafe

45. BÚN BOWLS AT ELIZABETH ST CAFE

The pho at Elizabeth St Cafe is too expensive but I do love the Kaffir Lime Fried Chicken bún bowl.

 

Holy Roller Burger

46. BRUNCH AT HOLY ROLLER

If you have a hangover, take yourself to Holy Roller and you’ll thank me for it. The trash fries with green chili and sunny side up egg and bombshell burger with hashbrowns and a fried egg is the perfect remedy.

 

Bao'd Up

47. CHINESE BUNS AT BAO’D UP

All the baozi at Bao’d Up – they now do breakfast!

 

Lick Ice Cream

48. NEW SUMMER LICKS AT LICK ICE CREAMS

Lick just launched their new summer flavors:

  • Blackberry, Lime & Basil
  • Blushing Blueberry
  • Dewberry Corn Cobbler
  • Honeyed Peaches with Rosemary
  • Lemon Lavender
  • Lemonade Pound Cake
  • Ranch Road
  • Roasted Mesquite Bean Cookie
  • Vegan Vanilla Strawberry Swirl
  • Tequila Lime Coconut

And a new ice cream sandwich: True Blueberry with housemade classic soft chocolate cookies.

 

Labneh Emmer & Rye

49. LABNEH AT EMMER & RYE

The labneh with the white sonora roti at Emmer & Rye is heavenly.

 

Fresa's queso

50. QUESO AT FRESA’S

Fav queso in Austin? Fresa’s.

 

Gemelli

51. GELATO + COCKTAILS AT GEMELLI’S

I love the earl gray gelato at Gemelli’s and then the Vietnamese coffee and olio d’oliva. They serve cocktails, bubbles, and beer so it’s a great spot for a pre-game before going out on East Austin or the perfect nightcap afterwards.

 

Grizzeldas Taco Tuesday

52. TACO TUESDAY AT GRIZZELDA’S

On Tuesdays, it’s Tacos & Tinis at Grizzelda’s – 3 for $15 tacos and $10 Mexican martinis!

 

Irene's Soft Serve

53. SOFT SERVE AT IRENE’S

$2 vanilla soft serve plus $1 extra for rainbow sprinkles.

 

Lucky Robot

54. TOKYO BRUNCH HAPPY HOUR AT LUCKY ROBOT

30% off food at Lucky Robot from 10 – 11am on the weekends – happy brunching!

 

Peached Tortilla donut milkshakes

55. DONUT MILKSHAKES AT PEACHED TORTILLA

Donut milkshakes the first Sunday of every month for brunch at The Peached Tortilla – booze available as an add-on. The August event is in partnership with Sprinkles!

 

ShareTea

56. BUBBLE TEA AT SHARETEA

Popular bubble tea chain from Taipei, Taiwan has officially opened in North Austin! If you like fruity bubble tea, try the strawberry iced. I always go for the classic oolong milk tea but the QQ bubble tea with all the toppings was so fun to drink!j

 

La Condesa Ceviche

57. CEVICHE AT LA CONDESA

Summer of ceviche has returned to La Condesa featuring local produce and sustainably sourced seafood highlighting different regions like Rosarito and Baja.

 

La Barbecue

58. BEEF RIBS AT LA BARBECUE

Austin bucket list #34: eat the beef rib(2) at La Barbecue.

 

Tumble 22

59. NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN AT T22

Fire in the hole – literally, if you can handle the heat at T22. Or if you’re a wimp, get the wimpy.

 

The Flying Carpet

60. MOROCCAN FOOD + BYOW AT THE FLYING CARPET

I’ve been wanting to go to The Flying Carpet for year and years so I was so excited to finally dine there. We have to support our local old restaurants! The Flying Carpet serves authentic Moroccan food and it’s BYOB + BYOW.

 

Lin Asian Bar

61. DIM SUM AT LIN ASIAN BAR

Austin’s HOTTEST new restaurant is Lin Asian Bar, a dim sum restaurant, and by hot, it’s a 2-hour wait hot. If you’ve had the dim sum at Wu Chow, this is the same chef but with an expanded dim sum menu and Chinese dishes during the week. The soup dumplings were MAGICAL along with the spare ribs with black bean, beef potstickers, pan-fried beef bao, and egg cream bun. I highly recommend calling ahead and making a reservation.

 

Iced Matcha at Alfred's

62. ICED MATCHA AT ALFRED’S

LA comes to Austin with Alfred at the new Line Hotel (previously the Radisson).

 

Bento Picnic

63. BENTO BOXES AT BENTO PICNIC

Healthy and delicious bentos at Bento Picnic – gotta keep that summer bod right? You can pick from garden, rice, or noodle bentos. Be sure to also try the smoothie bowl with coco whip – so good!

 

Greater Goods Coffee

64. GREATER GOODS COFFEE

Austin gets another stunning coffee shop and it’s in East Austin at Greater Goods Coffee.

 

Acai Hut Austin

65. ACAI BOWLS AT ACAI HUT

You can now get Brazilian acai bowsls in Mueller at the cutest little space, Acai Hut. They also have those heavenly Brazilian cheesy breads.

 

Rosewood Austin

66. SOUTH TEXAS CUISINE AT ROSEWOOD

Rosewood is the new East Austin bar and restaurant in a historic Victoria home serving up South Texas cuisine. Come for drinks at the bar and stay for barbacoa tacos and the daily chef specials like the Asian noodles.

 

85 Degree C

67. ASIAN PASTRIES AT 85 DEGREE C

85 Degree C is a popular bakery from Taiwan and it’s opened in Austin next to 99 Ranch! Welcome to Asian pastry heaven – get the egg tarts, cheese tarts, and basically all the pastries.

WRITTEN BY:

Jane Ko is the Austin blogger behind A Taste of Koko, Austin's top food and travel blog featuring the hottest restaurants and weekend getaways. Jane has been a speaker at South by Southwest (SXSW), Texas Conference for Women, BlogHer, and more on entrepreneurship and social media. She lives in Austin Texas with her dog and cat.

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