photo by Zeke Barbaro
Winning this category is like winning one of the Big Four at the Grammys. We’ll creatively categorize this as Record of the Year for the Austin food service industry, and as such, Meanwhile Brewery just Beyoncé’d all other challengers for the second year running. The star power comes from its strong backbone of mainstay smash hits: Secret Beach West Coast IPA, Tender Robot Hazy IPA, and 2021 Great American Beer Fest gold medalist Meanwhile Pilsner.
Meanwhile Brewing Co.
3901 Promontory Point
512/308-3659
meanwhilebeer.com
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Founded in 2013 by Sammy Lam, Wanderlust offers a unique wine experience with its adventurous selection of handcrafted wines inspired by global destinations. This urban winery reduces waste by offering 56 wines from all over, all on tap. There’s no passport needed to travel the world, one glass of adult grape juice at a time.
Wanderlust Wine Co.
702 Shady
956/212-7848
wanderlustwine.com
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photo by John Anderson
photo by Zeke Barbaro
Is this still Austin? We can’t tell anymore, especially now that we’ve got our own whiskey distilleries, but thank Colonel Sanders we do. Smooth sippin’ and elevated, Still’s dark, toasty, barleycorn dew can be taken neat, or as the Burnt Orange, a bourbon cocktail with lemon juice, peach syrup, and simple syrup. Hooked on ’em.
Still Austin
440 E. St. Elmo
512/276-2700
stillaustin.com
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The classic margarita at De Nada Cantina on East Cesar Chavez packs a serious punch, so the bar will only allow guests to order two per service. But the genius of this frosty cocktail lies in its balance: Because the premium tequila is perfectly tempered by lime and orange liqueur, the booze never dominates the flavor.
De Nada Cantina
4715 E. Cesar Chavez
512/615-3555
denadacantina.com
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photo by Jana Birchum
photo by Jana Birchum
The house that Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin built wouldn’t be most people’s first thought when seeking a stunning frozen cocktail menu, but here they do chilly tipples properly. The frozen gin and tonic is a perennial favorite, but don’t sleep on the frozen Vietnamese coffee. Hell, get a flight; just make sure you’ve got a ride home.
Loro
2115 S. Lamar
512/916-4858
loroeats.com
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Have you ever spent an evening drinking from a neon fishbowl? Experienced celebratory sirens and flashing lights upon ordering an adult bev? What about dry ice and improv? Make a(nother) rez to this Tatsu-Ya family hot spot for some of the most delicious, sure-to-bring-a-smile drinks anywhere. Try the Strip ‘N Go Naked and Skeleton Cruise for a flavor explosion.
Tiki Tatsu-Ya
1300 S. Lamar
tiki-tatsuya.com
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photo by John Anderson
photo by Jana Birchum
What pairs best with tequila? Good luck y corn, two acclaimed specialties of this Eastside staple. Consistently ranked among Austin’s finest, the spirit menu is thoughtful and surprising, with tequila concoctions aplenty. Don’t miss the Don Dario with reposado, tamarindo, lime, and sarsaparilla bitters.
Suerte
1800 E. Sixth
512/953-0092
suerteatx.com
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Wooden signs hanging from the eaves advertise whiskey, whisky, whiskey again, and beer. So it comes as no surprise that this Eastside dive specializes in what Robert Louis Stevenson called “the king o’ drinks.” Pick your poison from dozens of options ranging from the good to the whoa.
The Grackle
1700 E. Sixth
512/524-0133
www.facebook.com
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photo by Jana Birchum
courtesy of LoLo
LoLo Wine boasts a diverse and approachable natural wine selection, carefully curated to satisfy every palate. Their extensive menu, which can be enjoyed on the spacious patio or cozy indoor bar, spans the globe, from funky orange wines to big, bold reds. The unstuffy staff is friendly and knowledgeable, plus you can listen to the music from next-door neighbor Hotel Vegas.
LoLo
1504 E. Sixth
512/906-0053
lolo.wine
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If you had one beer a day at Banger’s, it would take more than six months to get through them all. But don’t be overwhelmed: The seemingly endless tap wall is helpfully sorted to guide beer aficionados toward something refreshing, tart, wheaty, format-busting, et al., offering something for every palate.
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey
512/386-1656
bangersaustin.com
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photo by John Anderson
courtesy of Austin Eastciders
When this now-iconic brand first launched in 2013, no one could’ve predicted how many delicious seasonal iterations their team would dream up. They’ve perfected the classics and expanded to tantalize even the cider nonbelievers. For a drier, less sweet version, go with the brut light; for some extra pizzazz, try the blackberry or the Imperial Tropical Punch.
Austin Eastciders Collaboratory
979 Springdale #130
512/538-0126
www.austineastciders.com
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A wide selection of draft mocktails lets everyone get in on the fun of palomas, sangria, and more, offering refreshing and tasty blends like a ranch water made with Thai basil seltzer, cucumber, and lemon or a Southside Sipper combining fresh watermelon and lime juice with mint.
Armadillo Den
10106 Menchaca Rd.
www.armadillodenaustin.com
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photo by Jana Birchum
courtesy of P. Terry's
We could fill this whole space waxing rhapsodic about the standard-bearers – vanilla, strawberry, and double chocolate: all excellent – but it’s the rotating Shake of the Month that reminds us what it’s like to fall in love again for the first time. Birthday cake, orange Creamsicle, peppermint chocolate: Is it because they are fleeting that they taste so sweet?
P. Terry's Burger Stand
404 S. Lamar, 512/473-2217
3303 N. Lamar, 512/371-9975
4220 W. William Cannon Ste. B-200, 512/358-0380
8515 Burnet Rd., 512/420-9242
3311 RR 620 S., 512/263-9433
204 W. Ben White, 512/462-4998
12301 N. MoPac, 512/719-4810
12018 Research, 512/257-0990
701 Capital of TX Hwy. S., Bldg. H, 512/306-0779
1551 Hwy. 71 E., 737/209-0059
5900 N. Lamar, 512/814-0129
13770 Hwy. 183 N., 512/219-9992
1800 E. Oltorf, 512/284-8137
12901 N. I-35, 512/531-9683
517 W. MLK, 737/212-0420
515 Congress, 512/473-8722
8600 S. I-35, 512/487-5103
pterrys.com
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At some point in the future, Austin will probably become one gigantic JuiceLand, but until then, we’re pretty sure there’s one nearby. The daily specials are always a value, and frequently hefty enough to surrogate lunch. For those feeling even more health-conscious, they offer juice packages made for one-, three-, and five-day cleanses.
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs Rd., 512/480-9501
2307 Lake Austin Blvd., 512/628-0782
7329 Burnet Rd., 512/524-1129
2601 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/351-8439
2828 Guadalupe, 512/494-6905
12226 RR 620 N., Cedar Park, 512/436-8095
1900-A E. MLK, 512/519-9806
6705 Hwy. 290 #610, Oak Hill, 512/865-7081
9901 Brodie Ln., 512/373-8731
4526-A West Gate Blvd., 512/358-0009
5521 Balcones, 512/514-0310
2422 RR 620 S. Ste. A-114, Lakeway, 512/284-9044
701 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #580, 512/243-5719
2210 S. First #1, 512/383-8399
1801-A E. 51st #140, 512/494-5899
120 E. Fourth, 737/300-2120
10721 Research #100, 512/342-1966
3120 Palm Way #114, 512/291-3409
6301 W. Parmer #104, 512/249-0956
3600 Presidential Blvd. Gate 16
525 N. Lamar, 512/428-4911
1109 E. Fifth #110, 512/579-0521
5030 Hwy. 290 W. Bldg. 11, 737/400-4322
607 W. Third #115, 512/356-9348
juiceland.com
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