A Guide to Austin’s Most Exciting Pop-Ups Right Now

Pop-ups have flourished in Austin, serving as an exciting way to explore and experiment with dishes and cuisines in temporal settings. Here is Eater’s guide to the best of Austin’s pop-ups so far in 2021. This list will be updated throughout the year.

Bom Bakeshop

The mochi doughnut pop-up from Teresa Kwon and chef Anthony Kim has been popping up with pickup orders. The next features a collective of its most popular flavors, from the birthday cake to passion fruit to matcha.
Dates: Friday, August 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, August 7 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Brewtorium, 6015 Dillard Circle, Suite A, Skyview
How to book: Preorders for six-box or a la carte doughnuts are available online with timed pickups plus some walk-in availabilities.

Wolf and Woman

Southern California chef Kaci Goff is bringing her Malaysian-Tamil food pop-up to Austin for one night. The five-course collaborative dinner with three wine pairings will take place with chefs Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley of North Loop restaurant Foreign & Domestic.
Date: Sunday, August 8 with two seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Foreign & Domestic, 306 East 53rd Street, North Loop
How to book: Book reservations via OpenTable; the meal is $125

Gan Bei Gals

The Asian pop-up from Gabby Phi, Jackie Fu, and Michelle Kao have varied in the past, ranging from in-person hot pot dinners in the before times to virtual hot pot dinners for Lunar New Year. The next event is a combination ceramic bowl-making class and plating a Vietnamese vermicelli bowl with lemongrass pork or tofu.
Date: Saturday, August 14, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Mud Studio, 608 West Monroe Street, Unit B, Bouldin Creek
How to book: Tickets are $125, which includes your own bowl and food.

Fuego Fest

It’s a combination pop-up from Bad Larry Burger Club and Taco Fuego. This means smash burgers and wrap supremes, plus more.
Date: Saturday, August 21, 2 to 11:45 p.m.
Where: The Cavalier, 2400 Webberville Road, East Austin
How to book: In person.

Comadre Panaderia

The Latin American pop-up bakery from Mariela Camacho has landed a regular stay in Austin. Her really amazing pastry goods will be available at the backyard space of Central East Austin restaurant Nixta Taqueria on Saturdays. The weekly menu will be shared on Instagram. Expect conchas, cookies, empanadas, cakes, tortillas, and much more.
Dates: Saturdays, 8 to 11 a.m.
Where: Nixta Taqueria, 2512 East 12th Street, Central East Austin
How to book: In person.

Austin Oyster Co.

The oyster shucking company throws a bi-weekly pop-up at Still Austin Whiskey Co. with half and full dozen oysters available for $21 and $42 respectively.
Dates: Fridays on August 6, August 20, September 3, September 17, October 1, October 15 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Still Austin Whiskey Co., 440 East St. Elmo Road, Building F, East Congress
How to book: In person.

Mama Kong Cambodian

The Cambodian food pop-up, run by couple Sherry and Brandon, took on a different format during the pandemic. It’s offering a set dish special on a weekly basis. Dishes have included cha kreung (stir-fry chicken with jasmine rice), pork chops with sñgow (vegetable soup), and pork ribs made with fish cause served with pickled vegetables and rice.
Dates: Weekdays with timed pickups.
Where: Disclosed after ordered
How to book: Preorders are placed online; payments are made through Venmo.

Local Foods

Before the Houston sandwich shop opens in downtown Austin, the minichain is hosting a summer pop-up up in Allandale. The menu includes sandwiches (truffled egg salad to pastrami Reuben to avocado-bacon-lettuce-tomato), salads, soups, sides, and cookies.
Dates: Though TBD, but hours are from 10:45 am to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Where: 5350 Burnet Road, Allandale
How to book: Pickup and DoorDash delivery orders can be placed online

Amanita Burger Stand

This pop-up from former Otoko chef Maxwell Shoup focuses on vegan burgers.
Date: Varies, check its calendar
Where: Varies, check its calendar
How to book: In-person

1235Donuts

The London-born pop-up from chef Brad McDonald and Molly McDonald has been taking place in Austin. The menu focuses on various flavors incorporating brioche beignets stuffed with pastry creams, as well as fritters.
Dates: Usually, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 8 a.m. until everything is sold out.
Where: Lou’s, 1900 East Cesar Chavez, East Austin
How to book: Usually, larger preorders can be placed over Instagram direct message, otherwise in person.

Le Beef

Austin welcomed another burger pop-up earlier this year from Justin Huffman, who is the executive chef of French restaurant Justine’s. He knows his burgers: he spent time at Los Angeles burger pop-up Kronnerburger. Le Beef pairs burgers, chicken sandwiches, and the such with natural wine. Previous events have taken place at Low Down Lounge, Gelataria Gemelli, and Justine’s.
Dates: TBA
Where: TBA
How to book: TBA

Midnight in the Garden

Previous dinners of this relatively newer supper club series have included Arlo Grey chef de cuisine Alejandro Munoz, Distant Relatives chef Damien Brockway, and others.
Date: TBA
Where: To be disclosed after purchase
How to book: TBA; bookings usually happen over Instagram direct message.

Penang Shack

The Malaysian food pop-up from Nicolai McCrary uses his family recipes for his every-so-often pop-up.
Date: TBA
Where: TBA
How to book: TBA

Qué Sazón

The Austin salsa company-slash-farmers market stand often hosts chilaquiles pop-ups on its own or in collaboration with other restaurants and businesses.
Date: TBA
Where: TBA
How to book: TBA

Rick’s Original Hoagies

Fairweather Cider Co. cidermaker Matt Chapman launched his hoagie pop-up earlier this spring.
Date: TBD
Where: TBD
How to book: TBD

The Fiery Talon

Chef Amanda Turner and Daniel Ohly’s wonderful spicy fried chicken sandwich pop-up takes its cues from the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.
Date: TBD
Where: TBD
How to book: TBD

Know of any pop-ups taken place in the city? Let Eater Austin know through austin@eater.com