Eat It
So you're hungry at SXSW?
By The Food Staff, Fri., March 18, 2016
1) Austin Convention Center
500 E. Cesar Chavezaustinconventioncentercatering.com
Arno's BBQ, Burro Cheese Kitchen, Chi'Lantro, Counter Deli Cafe, Garbo's Fresh Maine Lobster, Hat Creek Burger Co., Lavaca Links, Peached Tortilla, Red River Cafe, and Southside Flying Pizza.
2) Iron Works BBQ
100 Red River, 512/478-4855www.ironworksbbq.com
This unassuming spot serves exactly what most out-of-towners want to eat: Texas barbecue.
3) SouthBites Trailer Park
604 Driskill St.Happy Lobster, Nomad Street Cuisine, Salt & Straw, Roti Rolls, Petite Rouge Camionette Cafe, Doughmakers Doughnuts, East Side King, Veracruz All Natural, Chi'Lantro, Juice Austin, Kerlin BBQ, Burro Cheese Kitchen, Kebabalicious, and Boteco ATX. Open March 11-19, 11am-9pm.
4) G'raj Mahal Cafe
73 Rainey, 512/480-2255www.grajmahalaustin.com
Tasty Indian specialties in a haute bohemian atmosphere.
5) El Naranjo *
85 Rainey, 512/474-2776www.elnaranjo-restaurant.com
An understated oasis of soulful Interior Mexican cuisine.
6) Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden *
79 Rainey, 512/386-1656www.bangersaustin.com
Adventurous sausage selections are top dog.
7) No Va Kitchen & Bar
87 Rainey, 512/382-5651www.novaonrainey.com
A tip of the hat to the city's favorite comfort foods.
8) Salvation Pizza
51 Rainey, 512/499-0105www.salvationpizza.com
New Haven-style "apizza" with fresh Texas ingredients like jalapeño.
9) Emmer & Rye
51 Rainey #110, 512/366-5530www.emmerandrye.com
A grain-forward weekly menu with dim sum service.
10) Geraldine's
605 Davis, 877/202-2191www.hotelvanzandt.com
Unpretentious cuisine with a rock & roll vibe.
11) Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River, 512/236-9599www.moonshinegrill.com
Down-home fare such as corn-dog shrimp.
12) Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden *
709 E. Sixth, 512/614-4972www.easytigeraustin.com
Pretzels paired with charcuterie and fine craft beers.
13) Casino el Camino
517 E. Sixth, 512/469-9330www.casinoelcamino.net
The wait is worth the effort for the Buffalo burger.
14) Chez Nous
510 Neches, 512/473-2413www.cheznousaustin.com
Carefully prepared French cuisine in a chill setting.
15) parkside *
301 E. Sixth, 512/474-9898www.parkside-austin.com
Beautifully executed surf & turf and a raw bar.
16) The backspace
507 San Jacinto, 512/474-9899www.thebackspace-austin.com
A roaring, thousand-degree-Fahrenheit brick oven fires Neapolitan-style pizza made to order.
17) Downtown Burgers
350 Trinity, 512/476-7100www.downtownburgers.com
Surprisingly good burgers and fries.
18) Vince Young Steakhouse *
301 San Jacinto, 512/457-8325www.vinceyoungsteakhouse.com
A temple to the greatness of a Longhorn football star that aims higher than the standard steak house.
19) Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
117 San Jacinto, 512/474-4877www.gusfriedchicken.com
The first Texas outlet of this popular chain.
20) TRIO
98 San Jacinto, 512/685-8300www.triorestaurantaustin.com
Pastured local meats and seasonal vegetables.
21) The Cedar Door
201 Brazos, 512/473-3712www.cedardooraustin.com
Austin institution boasting the original Mexican martini.
22) dine
111 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/478-2991www.chavez-austin.com
Big flavor from longtime Austin chef David Garrido.
23) Swift's Attic *
315 Congress, 512/482-8842www.swiftsattic.com
Inventive small plates and a killer shabby-chic ambience.
24) Counter 3. Five. VII.
315 Congress #100, 512/291-3327www.counter3fivevii.com
A tasting table where the chefs run the show.
25) Perry's Steakhouse & Grille
114 W. Seventh, 512/474-6300www.perryssteakhouse.com
Classic Texas steak-house fare and a lengthy wine list in a swanky environment.
26) Roaring Fork
701 Congress, 512/583-0000www.roaringfork.com
High-end cowboy cuisine, from green-chile pork stew to a "Big Ass Burger."
27) The Hideout
617 Congress, 512/476-1313www.hideouttheatre.com
A casual coffeehouse with beer, wine, sandwiches, and more.
28) Driskill Grill
604 Brazos, 512/391-7162www.driskillgrill.com
An elegant dining room with modern American cuisine.
29) 1886 Cafe & Bakery
604 Brazos, 512/391-7066www.1886cafeandbakery.com
Award-winning pastries, boozy hot chocolate, and coffee drinks perfect for an after-panel dessert.
30) The Hightower
1209 E. Seventh, 512/524-1448www.thehightoweraustin.com
Small plates with global influences and a great happy hour.
31) The Silo on Seventh
1300 E. Seventh, 512/524-0866www.siloonseventh.com
Enjoy burgers and beer while watching the sun set from the rooftop patio.
32) Takoba
1411 E. Seventh, 512/628-4466www.takobarestaurant.com
Interior Mexican stalwart with a buzzy brunch.
33) Nasha
1614 E. Seventh, 512/350-2919www.nashaindia.com
All your Indian favorites, plus a few Texas twists.
34) Gelateria Gemelli
1009 E. Sixth, 512/535-2170www.gelateriagemelli.com
Italian cocktails plus innovative, small-batch gelato.
35) Fukumoto
514 Medina, 512/770-6880www.fukumotoaustin.com
Classic izakaya with sushi, yakitori, and lots of saké.
36) East Side Show Room
1100 E. Sixth, 512/467-4280www.eastsideshowroom.com
Creole-Italian cuisine in an eclectic setting.
37) Via 313 *
1111 E. Sixth, 512/939-1927www.via313.com
Square Detroit-style pizza with a serious cult following.
38) Buenos Aires Café
1201 E. Sixth, 512/382-1189www.buenosairescafe.com
Argentinean classics like empanadas and grilled meats.
39) Licha's Cantina *
1306 E. Sixth, 512/480-5960www.lichascantina.com
Mexican cantina in a refurbished cottage.
40) qui *
1600 E. Sixth, 512/436-9626www.quiaustin.com
Haute cuisine from Top Chef winner Paul Qui.
41) East Side King at the Liberty *
1618 E. Sixth, 512/514-0502www.eskaustin.com
Eclectic Asian street food.
42) Tamale House East
1707 E. Sixth, 512/495-9504www.fb.com/tamalehouse.east
Breakfast tacos all day. 'Nuff said.
43) Wright Bros. Brew & Brew
500 San Marcos St. #105, 512/493-0963www.thebrewandbrew.com
Coffee, craft beer, and limited bites.
44) Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E. Fifth, 512/480-9572www.yellowjacketsocialclub.com
A dive bar with surprisingly sophisticated snacks.
* indicates First Plates Food Awards winner
For more dining options, see austinchronicle.com/restaurant.
