This is the ultimate guide to the best eats this summer. A humble compilation of food and drink personally tasted tested and approved. I picked a mix of favorites and bests – a list that will help you navigate Austin in all its gastronomic glory.
Dig in – first reader to complete the list wins a heart attack and boasting rights.
Print off a checklist of the 100 eats so you don’t miss a single bite.
Want more eats? Follow A Taste of Koko on Instagram for daily eats! Tag your bites with #atasteofkoko.
100 Things You Need To Eat This Summer in Austin
1. Steelhead Crisp // Lenoir
with avocado, loquat vinaigrette & Texas mango gelee. Lenoir features a different three course prix-fixe menu every week
2. Croque Madame // Epicerie
Two pieces of French bread stuffed with comte cheese and thinly sliced honey ham would be delicious enough on its own, but once you grill it, smother it in béchamel, and plop a fried egg with a impeccably runny yolk on top, you are in French breakfast paradise. One of the best brunches in North Austin
3. Grilled Texas Peaches // Swift’s Attic
Texas peaches topped with crème friache and local honey
4. Pan Roasted Hamburger // Clark’s Oyster Bar
One of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Served with a mountain of fries.
5. Texas-style brisket // Franklin’s BBQ
Best barbecue declared by Bon Appetit? Get in line. It’s going to be a two hour wait.
6. Pork belly tacos // The Peached Tortilla
Slow braised pork belly that’s going to change your life.
7. Fried Brussels Sprouts Salad // East Side King
Life changing.
8. Sno cones // Sno Beach
What’s your favorite combination? I’m loving the blue coconut with cream!
9. Banana Bourbon Pie // Cake & Spoon
Creamy, cool simplicity of vanilla pudding sweetened with banana slices and contrasted with the slight give of Nilla wafers. Cake & Spoon also makes a mean pecan pie.
10. Iced vanilla lattes // Patika Coffee
Cool and creamy, the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
11. Primetime burger // Hopdoddy
Texas Akaushi Beef, Brie Cheese, Truffle Aioli, Arugula, Caramelized Onions, and Steak Sauce. Fried egg mandatory.
12. Fried milk at Uchiko
with chocolate milk, toasted milk, iced milk sherbet.
13. The Salty Sweet // Cow Tipping Creamery
vanilla soft serve, chocolate sauce, peanut butter pretzel crunch in a homemade waffle cone.
14. Beers and tacos // Papi Tino’s
An authentic Mexican Cantina situated in the heart of East Austin serving up signature cocktails and a fine selection of mezcals, tequilas and fresh food.
15. Cacio e Pepe // Patrizi’s Austin
with freshly made fettuccine, grana pedano, pecorino, fresh black peper, olive oil. Anthony Bourdain’s last meal meal
16. Kimchi fries // Chi’Lantro BBQ
Caramelized Kimchi, a mound of sizzling Korean BBQ, chopped grilled onions, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro, magic sauce, sriracha and sesame seeds. All set on top of a pile of crispy French fries. I love the fried tofu!
17. Bianca pizza // Backspace Pizza
with fresh arugula, mozzarella, ricotta, and pecorino romano. The sourdough pizza crust is crispy and light!
18. Patbingsu // Tour Les Jour
Green tea shaved ice, with red bean, mochi, ice cream, and toasted almonds.
19. Puffy tacos // El Chilito
Crispy and light puffy corn taco stuffed with beef picadillo or chicken tinga topped with lettuce and pico de gallo. Obsessed to the point where I came here three days in a row.
20. Paloma // Hillside Farmacy
This grapefruit and tequila tipple, not the Margarita, is Mexico’s most beloved cocktail.
21. Crispy polenta cakes // Winflo Osteria
Polenta benedict, proscuitto di parma, sliced tomato, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce and arugula.
22. Lomo Saltado // Llama’s Food Trailer
Austin’s source for authentic Peruvian food. Stir fry beef tenderloin, vine ripened tomatoes, red onions, soy sauce, fried potatoes, garlic rice, green onions and cilantro
23. Crawfish tacos // Turf and Surf
If Heaven served tacos, they would serve Turf n Surf tacos.
24. Grilled blackened redfish // TRACE
Love the lunch-on-the-fly, only $16 for a soup, salad and sandwich!
25. Seafood cerviche // La Condesa
acapulco, spanish lubina, salsa bruja valentina, avocado, tomato, citrus
26. Roast marshmallows // Halcyon
Who doesn’t love s’mores? Roasted to perfection at your tableside
27. Beef tongue hash // Contigo
Tender, flavorful pieces of beef tongue are seared til crispy yet still melt in your mouth tender. It’s like candy on steroids. One of the best brunches in North Austin
28. Vietnamese spring rolls // Thanh Nhi
Soft spring rolls with a surprise crunch
29. Creme brûlée steamer // The Steeping Room
serenity in a cup.
30. Doughnut burger // Gourdough’s
Thick, juicy patty between two fried doughnuts. Try two, I dare you.
31. Iced Vietnamese Coffee // Thunderbird Coffee
This version of summer’s morning staple is an intensely rich concoction of inky coffee and sweetened condensed milk.
32. Caraibe terrine // The Carillon
with white chocolate custard, chocolate crumbs, candied hazelnuts and raspberry coulis
33. Oyster Tacos // Garrido’s
34. Farm egg // Olive & June
Soft poached egg with a creamy polenta. Comfort food to the max. Half price during Olive & June’s happy hour. Read more in best happy hours in Austin
35. Honey rosemary fried chicken // Salty Sow
One of the best happy hours in Austin!
36. Spiked frozen custard // Yeti Frozen Custard
Ask for the Bailey’s Irish Cream Dizzy with Vanilla ice cream and shot of Bailey’s and hot fudge.
37. Brazilian Empanadas // Rio’s Brazilian Cafe
38. Iced Coconut Oolong Tea // Zhi Tea
39. Iced Vanilla Lattes // Vintage Heart Coffee
Humble little coffee shop nestled in East Austin where you can get a good cup of coffee partnered with a bit of witty banter that makes the world spin a little slower and, most certainly, more enjoyably.
40. Thai Tea Affogato // Sway Thai
Pouring hot thai tea over condensed milk ice cream, black tea tapioca & macadamia crumble.
41. Son In Law // Sway Thai
Crispy farm egg, braised pork shoulder, thick soy, chili vinegar. My favorite at Sway Thai
42. The Love Cleanse // Daily Juice
Cucumber, celery, spinach, kale and coconut water. Loving their summer savings! 6pm-8pm Subtract 2x the high temperature of the day from smoothies, juice or food
43. Fajitas On The Grill // Benji’s Cantina
All-natural certified Angus beef is dredged in housemade rub before charring on a mesquite-infused grill. The fajitas arrive tableside in a cast-iron skillet that stayed hot for the whole meal.
44. Cheesecake Sopapillas // Benji’s Cantina
Homemade creamy cheesecake with the cinnamon and sugar goodness of sopapillas. Served with a scoop of Amy’s Mexican vanilla!
45. Filet Mignon Pho // PhoNatic
Perfectly marbled filet mignon that melts in your mouth makes this bowl of pho photastic
46. Slow smoked brisket // Hoover’s
Bite down into some of the juiciest brisket fresh out of the smoker.
47. Ice Cream Sandwiches // Coolhaus
Coolhaus’ gourmet ice cream sandwiches hit the spot on a scorching day in Austin, and their wild flavors will get you curious for a taste.
48. Chicken Fried Egg // Barley Swine
49. Chai French Toast // The Steeping Room
50. Roasted Tomato Soup // Trento Austin
51. Chicken BLT // Bacon Restaurant
A restaurant that includes all things bacon and put me back to sleep with their chicken BLT. Biggest chicken strip I’ve ever had served with thick cut house-made bacon, crisp romaine and house mayo on Texas toast.
52. Goat Cheese Thyme & Honey Ice Cream // Lick Ice Creams
Fresh local thyme and local Round Rock Honey pair perfectly with Austin’s own creamy Pure Luck goat cheese.
53. Lobster Rolls // Garbos Lobster Truck
Are you rolling Maine Style (classic chilled lobster salad on top of lettuce and a toasted Sweetish Hill bun) or CT Style (warm lobster meat brushed with lemon-tarragon drawn butter and sprinkled with scallions)?
54. Indian Cuisine // G’Raj Mahal
One of the most understated places in Austin with incredible food. Garlic naan, rogan josh with lamb, Indian beignets and a bottle of wine is my idea of a perfect Sunday night. Photo credit to G’Raj Mahal
55. Who Dat Sammie // Austin Daily Press
Pastrami, black forest ham, capicola, olive salad, provolone with aioli. Mouth watering sandwiches with explosive flavor.
56. Sweet Potato Donut Holes // Say La V
Using the freshest seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients chef Allison Jenkins puts forth an ever-changing menu, inspired by French and Mediterranean cuisine.
57. Butter Coffee // Picnik Austin
Creamy and silky via What’s the Deal with Butter in Coffee? By Chris Perez
58. Shrimp Chelada // El Alma’s
Made with fresh white shrimp, avocado, pickled red onions, cucumber and topped with Mexican beer, the Shrimp Chelada makes for the quintessential summer ceviche and can easily translate to your own kitchen.
59. Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad // Salty Sow
Lightens up the cruciferous baby cabbage by blanching them and tossing with a zesty homemade Caesar dressing. Read more in best happy hours in Austin
60. Cochinita Pibil // El Chilito
Their Yucatan style braised pork with orange and achote is the perfect grab and go taco for summer outings, plus you can get frozen Sangria to go with it.
61. Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches // Burro Cheese Kitchen
Burro Cheese Kitchen plates high-end, build-your-own grilled cheese sandwiches in Austin, Texas. Read more in 10 Dishes You Need To Be Eating // Llama’s Food Trailer, Burro Cheese, Patrizi’s
62. Crispy Spicy Chicken Wings with Yogurt Sauce // Say La V
French and Mediterranean inspired cuisine that’s finger lickin’ good. Photo credit to Say La V
63. Grilled Lamb Chops // Corazon at Castle Hill
Served with a pomegranate and pasilla red wine sauce. Topped with a pomegranate crème fraiche and a dried fruit and
pumpkin seed picadillo. Comes with a sweet corn pudding tamale.
64. Blueberry Danish // Quack’s Bakery
65. Ahi Tuna Salad // Snap Kitchen
Seared Ahi tuna, butter romaine mix, green beans, red potatoes, hard cooked egg, capers, olives, roasted tomatoes, pickled red onions, red wine dijon vinaigrette.
66. Tiramisu French Toast // Winflo Osteria
Topped with a fluffy mascarpone cheese, dusted with cocoa powder and drizzled with dark maple syrup. Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast?
67. Mt Everest Snow Ice Dessert // Teapioca Lounge
Traditional Taiwanese shaved ice with brown sugar and condensed milk. Add ons include tapioca, pudding, and fruit.
68. Pork belly slider // Lucky Robot
Chinese steamed buns stuffed with braised pork belly, spicy hoisin, pickled cucumbers + carrots, cilantro and shaved white onion.
69. Flan Latte // Dominican Joe
Blend of caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon latte style with a bit of evaporated milk
70. Zucchini Chips // NoRTH
Only $3 during happy hour!
71. Miso Marinated Mero // The Carillon
Served over a bed of wilted spinach, maitake mushrooms, and gorgeous carrot and ginger reduction. Read more about the six-course tasting menu at The Carillon.
72. Hongos y huitlacoche // La Condesa
The secret in this dish is the huitlacoche, which is corn smut.
73. Lobster & Farm Egg En Cocottee // Clark’s Oyster Bar
Classic French oeufs en cocotte with a large lobster claw and a piece of the tail meat. Decadently rich
74. Crab Cake Mache & Frisee Salad // Clark’s Oyster Bar
Filled with fat lumps of blue crab and little else—and thankfully, broiled, not breaded and fried.
75. Hazelnut Chocolate Budino // Backspace
Hazelnut chocolate budino with homemade toffee & caramelized banana with salted caramel pudding
76. Seared Foie Gras Nigiri // Uchi
Foie gras perfectly seared, moist inside yet just carameled on the outside, then nested on a nigiri
77. Lobster Rolls // Dock and Roll
Mouthwatering cold sandwich of lobster tail, knuckle and claw meat, house-made Dock & Roll Mayo, lemon butter and chives.
78. Mexican Brunch // Julio’s
Casual, bright spot with nice sized patio and good weekend brunch.
79. Fried Calamari // NoRTH
Crispy fried calamari served with a spicy tomato sauce. Only $5 during happy hour (Monday – Friday 3pm – 6pm)
80. Aperol Spritz // Olive & June
Refreshing Italian drink with aperol, prosecco, lemon. Half off during happy hour (every day until 6:30pm).
81. Wagyu Beef Hot Rock // Uchi
“Sear it yourself” wagyu beef with ponzu over a Japanese river rock.
82. Thai Ice Cream // Thrice Bakery
Vegan ice cream made with coconut milk that tastes just like a cup of Thai iced tea, but with a stronger tea kick! Photo credit to Amusemi.
83. Strawberry Jalapeño Profiteroles // Mulberry
These ice cream filled-pastries rest on a creamy pool of lavender infused crème anglaise. To finish the dessert, the crème is dotted with slices of strawberries and candied jalapeños. With each bite, the pepper’s heat seeps through while the ice cream cools your tongue. This addictive contrast of heat and sweet will keep you going back for bite after bite. Credit to Melody Fury
84. East Side Hero // Whisler’s
As a challenge, Cesar G. Aguilar created this off the menu cocktail on the spot. He combined Mezcal Vago with a grapefruit peel-cinnamon syrup, Cocchi Americano, and squeeze of grapefruit juice. The result is juicy yet savory, with just a hint of smoke. Credit to Melody Fury
85. Butcher’s Burger // Salt and Time
The burger is cooked to medium-rare and topped with ‘Nduja sausage, provolone cheese, and housemade pickles. The toasted bun (by Baked in Austin) is dressed with a spicy-sweet housemade ketchup, and a batch of beef fat fries share the plate. Credit to Melody Fury
86. Nutella Milkshake // Hopdoddy
Don’t get me wrong. I love the burgers at Hopdoddy but to top it all off, you need to try one of the unctuously thick, richly flavored milkshakes spiked with booze. And to take it to the next level: dunk the Hopdoddy’s fries in there.
87. Dipping Ramen // Ramen Tatsu-ya
Thick ramen noodles served with a side of flavorful soup and a squeeze of lime. Slurping is mandatory.
88. Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream // Amy’s Ice Cream
An ice cream just as iconic as Austin itself.
89. Korean Bulgogi Burger // Chi’Lantro BBQ
Korean bulgogi with grilled onions, cheese, soy vinaigrette salad, magic sauce with a toasted bun. Add a fried egg to make it even more magical.
90. Korokee // Fresh Off the Truck
French croquette with a Japanese twist.
91. Fruit Salad // Cenote
Fresh greens, sliced mango, strawberries, avocado, and carrots. Drizzled with a cilantro lime vinaigrette.
92. Cinnamon Rolls // Contigo
Brown sugar and brandied pecan cinnamon roll with a cream cheese glaze. More like cream cheese glaze with cinnamon roll.
93. Hawaiian Pork Belly Bites // The Peached Tortilla
Melt in your mouth pork belly with caramelized pineapple, cilantro, and Chinese BBQ sauce. Best caterers in Austin!
94. Pimms Cup// Clark’s Oyster Bar
Cool and crisp, with a citrusy, herbaceous tang, served over tinkling cubes of ice
95. Mango Sticky Rice // Thai Passion
Warm sticky rice with a cold and creamy coconut cream, topped with sweet mangos.
96. Tom Kha // Thai Passion
Thai hot & sour soup with mushrooms, coconut milk and lemon grass flavors. Let there be fire!
97. Blanco Mule // Clark’s Oyster Bar
Refreshing summer cocktail with vodka, lime and ginger beer
98. Kimchi Ramen // Kome Austin
99. Takoyaki // Love Balls Bus
Pan-fried pancake balls filled with chunks of octopus, pickled ginger and scallions
100. Fresh Fruit & FroYo // Yogurtland
Nothing says summer like a frozen treat on a hot day. Froyo topped with fresh fruit is my favorite!
Thanks to Nara for helping me the perfect place to dine in Austin. Nara helps you find new restaurants that you’ll love based on the ones you already do. The restaurant recommendation engine works like Yelp + Pandora combined.
Visit nara.me or download the Mobile app (through Google Play or iOS).