• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Display Search Bar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
Follow stetted on Twitter Follow stetted on Facebook Follow stetted on Instagram Follow stetted on Pinterest

stetted

recipes, decor, and more for a better life

  • Recipes
  • House & Home
  • Blogging 101
  • Travel
  • Shop

Where to Eat in Austin During BlogHer Food

May 29, 2013 / General, Austin

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

BlogHer Food will be in Austin next week, and I hope that attendees coming from out of town will take some time to explore the food we have here. Don’t compare us to Portland or Brooklyn though – Austin is all it’s own, and we take pride in being a little different.

Here’s a few recommendations for where to get your grub on while in town. The conference hotel is downtown, so many of my recommendations are within walking distance, but grab a cab or a local and be sure to explore some of the other corners of town. Also, yes! It will be hot. Don’t worry though – sweaty is the status quo around here.

I’ve made a Google map of these locations to help you out – grab it here.

Coffee

Please, please, please step away from the hotel coffee shop. There are much better options only a few blocks away.

  • Houndstooth Coffee
  • Caffe Medici
  • Frank

Breakfast

We’re all about breakfast tacos here, although sometimes they can be hard to explain to people who’ve never experienced one. Taco Shack isn’t the best in town, but there is one a few blocks from the Hilton. Otherwise, head to Easy Tiger for perfectly crispy and tender pain au chocolate, Frank for a breakfast corndog, or drive to 24 Diner for chicken and waffles.

Barbecue

Texas Monthly just released its newest list of the 50 best ‘cue places in the state, and Austin’s Franklin Barbecue tops it. Of course, if you don’t have 3-4 hours to wait in line (starting at 9 a.m.; they often sell out by 1 p.m.) there are other options. Drive over to Stiles Switch (my favorite) or Freedmen’s.

Food Trucks

We have more than a thousand food trucks in town, and you should try at least one. These are a few stand-outs:

  • East Side King at Liberty Bar or The Grackle – Top Chef winner Paul Qui’s new restaurant isn’t open yet, so head to one of his trailers for pork belly buns or beet fries. (According to the conference program, lunch on Saturday will be ESK – lucky you!)
  • Llama’s Peruvian Creole – Peruvian!
  • G’raj Mahal – I’m not sure if this one qualifies as a trailer any more since they have table service, but this spot in the hopping Rainey Street area churns out fantastic Indian food.

Places You’ll Need Reservations (and maybe a car)

  • Uchi/Uchiko – Some of the best food in town. I like Uchiko better, but that might be because I live closer to it. If you can make it during Social Hour you’ll save money and can fill up on some of the restaurant favorites, including the fried brussels sprouts.
  • La Condesa/Sway – One is Mexican, one is Thai, both are amazing. Definitely get the elote at La Condesa, and try at least one of Laura Sawicki’s amazing desserts. (La Condesa is open for Sunday brunch, too.)
  • Lenoir – This cozy restaurant is prix fixe only. Grab a few friends so you can try the entire menu.
  • Midnight Cowboy – Strong, classic cocktails served in a reservations-only former “massage” parlor.

Other Favorites

  • Contigo – You’ll need to drive, but it’s worth it for the small bites and cocktails alone. The menu changes a little with the season, but you can always get the Pigs in a Blanket and White Bean Dip, our go-to whenever we visit. (Open for Sunday brunch!)
  • Koriente – A top spot for visiting downtown vegetarians, I’m always stuffed when I leave here. Unlimited miso soup doesn’t hurt.
  • Peché – Known mostly for their cocktails, the food is excellent as well. Sit at the bar if you want to get personalized drink recommendations.
  • Amy’s or Lick – It’s going to be hot, and you’re going to want ice cream. Amy’s is a tradition in Austin, with multiple locations around town (including the airport). Lick hasn’t been open long, but their creative flavors (beet, goat cheese, chocolate orange) have made them extremely popular.
  • Whole Foods Market – Skip the prepared foods bar and head to the back of the store for either the BBQ counter or the seafood counter. The seafood counter is actually one of my favorite places to eat. It might seem weird to eat in the middle of a grocery store while people shop around you, but that just makes for great people watching.
  • SFC Farmers Market at Republic Square Park – Pop over here Saturday morning for a taste of what Austinites eat. Stop by Dai Due for an excellent breakfast and get in some people watching.
Need even more recommendations? Check out the Austin Food Blogger Alliance 2013 City Guide – full of restaurants for every dietary preference!

Are you coming to town? Where do you plan on eating?

[highlight]P.S. If you’re a food blogger who will be in town June 6, please join us for Bites and Bloggers! Featuring Austin’s top female chefs, this party on the Whole Foods rooftop will be a great way to kick off the weekend! (note: this is not a BlogHer party – just one happening beforehand!)[/highlight]

Grilled Pound Cake with Roasted Fruit
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join the Conversation
  1. Elisa Camahort Page says

    May 29, 2013 at 10:41 am

    Thanks for including Koriente. After years of attending SXSW I was SO excited when I discovered it two years ago. As a vegan, it’s my go-to place when conference food lacks for me…which is often!

    Reply
  2. Regan @ Healthy Aperture says

    May 30, 2013 at 6:43 am

    Bummed I can’t make this! My flight doesn’t get in early enough. But I’m definitely checking out your recommendations. It’s been years since I’ve visited Austin, but every time I’ve ever been it hasn’t disappointed 🙂

    Reply
  3. Corrin says

    May 30, 2013 at 7:07 am

    So ashamed that I’ve lived here for 3 years and haven’t been to half of the places you mention! I think I need to make it my summer goal to eat through your list.

    Reply
  4. robynski says

    May 31, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Whew! What a great list and write up. I just wish I was coming! Good luck with Bites and Bloggers and don’t stress yourself too much. Want to keep that baby where it belongs until it’s time.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

I focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients in my family-friendly meals. Come live a balanced life with me!

Read More »

Subscribe via Email

to stay in the loop on new posts!

Reader Faves

Spicy glazed brussels sprouts are a quick and easy side dish. It gets its flavor from the fiery Korean condiment, gochujang.

Spicy Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Learn how to peel tomatoes for cooking and canning. It's easy!

How to Peel Tomatoes

Bison One-Pot Dinner

Bison One-Pot Dinner

Raspberries and Cream Pie

Raspberries & Cream Pie

Browse Around

  • Muffins
  • Side Dishes
  • Cookies
  • Vegetarian
  • Cakes
  • Videos

    Hungry for more Texas recipes?

    Footer

    Seasonal

    Butternut Squash Tacos

    Butternut Squash Tacos with Black Beans

    Broccoli Cheese Toastie

    Broccoli Cheese Toasties

    Spiced pear cake is a lovely cake for any party, or just because.

    Spiced Pear Cake

    Popular

    This comforting Instant Pot Irish lamb stew is full of tender lamb and vegetables. It's a wonderful way to end to the day.

    Instant Pot Irish Lamb Stew

    Baked bison meatballs are quick and easy to make any night of the week. Use them for pasta, sandwiches, and more.

    Baked Bison Meatballs

    Copycat Starbucks Breakfast Sandwich

    Copycat Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches

    apple recipes

    Apple Coffee Cake

    Whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins are bursting with flavor. The whole family will love them.

    Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    Swedish Apple Pie

    Swedish Apple Pie

    Follow stetted on Twitter Follow stetted on Facebook Follow stetted on Instagram Follow stetted on Pinterest
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    Copyright © 2021 Megan MyersTheme by Once Coupled & Melissa Rose Design