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