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Dishes from Carpenters Hall.
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The 17 Best Places to Eat and Drink Near Austin City Limits Music Festival

Where to grab tacos, cocktails, and barbecue near Zilker Park

by Erin Russell and Nadia Chaudhury Updated
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Dishes from Carpenters Hall.
| Carpenters Hall
by Erin Russell and Nadia Chaudhury Updated

Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up soon in October, marking the peak of Austin’s events season. Sure, there will be great options inside of Zilker Park (hello, Cuantos Tacos, Steamies Dumplings, and Huckleberry), but sooner or later, you’re going to need a break from waiting in line for Chi’lantro’s kimchi fries.

Behold Eater’s updated ACL Music Festival dining map for 2023, with the best eating and drinking bets for newcomers and Austinites alike near Zilker Park this year. There are so many options, from the pick-me-up coffees from Merit Coffee to barbecue from Terry Black’s BBQ, to cocktails from Roosevelt Room, and all-day menus from Better Half.

The music festival is so nice that it’s even happening twice: Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8; and then from Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 16. For help navigating the food and drink options at the festival itself, check out Eater’s soon-to-be-updated ACL guide. Likewise, check out Eater’s neighborhood guides to downtown Austin and South Lamar.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Deep Eddy Cabaret

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Have an after-fest beer or five far from the Sixth Street crowds. Another easy walk across the pedestrian bridge. There are indoor areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Pool Burger

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For tiki cocktails and burgers within walking from the festival grounds, head to Pool Burger, which is open from noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday (it closes at 9 p.m. Sunday). Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 334-9747
(512) 334-9747
A burger in a paper wrap and fries in a tray on a blue picnic table.
Pool Burger serves up a double burger.
Chad Wadsworth

Also featured in:

Donn's Depot

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One of Austin’s most fun dives, this West Austin bar is literally in an old train station structure. There are indoor and outdoor areas.

1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-0336
(512) 478-0336

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Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

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The all-day cafe across the river has it all: breakfast and brunch-ready sandwiches and sweet potato pancakes; hearty cheeseburgers and chicken fried steaks; lighter fare like salads and granola bowls; thoughtful espresso and coffee; and carefully curated cocktails, beers, and wines. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786
Two plates of food, one with a sunny-side-up egg and a broth and the other with a sandwich with a cup of latte and a drinks menu on a wooden table.
Food and coffee at Better Half.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Also featured in:

Rosen's Bagels

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The Austin bagel company opened up a downtown cafe, serving up morning and daytime bagel sandwiches, all luckily found at the shuttle center at Republic Square Park. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

422 W 5th St C, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 502-5027
(512) 502-5027

Also featured in:

The Roosevelt Room

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Looking for a fancy drink and a cheese board after a day of festival fare? The expert bartenders at the Roosevelt Room, near the shuttle drop-off at Republic Square, make classic cocktails from every decade. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094

Also featured in:

Merit Coffee

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For coffee across the river, head to Merit, found near both the Lamar-adjacent pedestrian bridge and walking distance of the shuttle drop-off. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

222 West Ave #120, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 906-0266
(512) 906-0266

Also featured in:

Halcyon Coffee, Bar & Lounge

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Open from the morning until 2 a.m., Halycon is a great place for a much-needed early morning or way late-night caffeine jolt (or coffee cocktails too). It's close to the shuttle at Republic Square. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

218 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-9637
(512) 472-9637

Also featured in:

Salt Traders Coastal Cooking Zilker

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Jack Gilmore’s seafood comfort restaurant is located near the southwest side of the park for those craving chowders, fish, or samples from the raw bar. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746
(737) 484-0095
(737) 484-0095
A circular tray of halved oysters and a pile of pink shrimp and ice are surrounded by a little bowl with empty oyster shells, condiments, and crackers.
Oysters from Salt Traders.
Salt Traders

Also featured in:

Chuy's

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Do you want some Tex-Mex? Do you not want to walk far from the festival? Chuy's is here for you, and everyone else at ACL. Sometimes a big plate of enchiladas is worth the wait. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-4452
(512) 474-4452

Also featured in:

Carpenters Hall

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Just down the street from the festival grounds are the hotel restaurant Carpenters Hall and cafe. The former serves up an essentially all-day menu of Austin/Central Texas comfort dishes in a bright space and the latter focuses on coffee and pastries. Takeout orders for both can be placed online; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services/areas.

400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 675-5020
(512) 675-5020

Also featured in:

P. Terry's

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A short walk to P. Terry's will yield late-night burgers (and one of the city's popular veggie burgers) until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1 a.m. on Sunday. Expect significant lines. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person.

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
(512) 473-2217

Also featured in:

El Alma

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El Alma is the higher-end Mexican restaurant cousin to the Austin Tex-Mex mini-chain El Chile. The rooftop patio is an ideal space to share post-fest guacamole and margaritas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Also featured in:

Terry Black's BBQ

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Assuming there's no time to make a barbecue pit stop in Lockhart, Terry Black’s is the next best and easiest thing to do. There is even the opportunity for evening barbecue because the restaurant closes at 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9:30 p.m. Sunday for those who choose to skip the headliners. Preorders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX
(512) 394-5899
(512) 394-5899

Also featured in:

Sandy's Hamburgers

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Are these the best hamburgers in Austin? Who knows. Does it hit the spot and come with a side of frozen custard? Hell yes.

603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 478-6322
(512) 478-6322

Also featured in:

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TLC Austin

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The South Lamar casual seafood restaurant is the place to go especially for larger groups seeking sharable plates and margaritas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 580-0971
(512) 580-0971

Also featured in:

Ramen Tatsu-ya

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Sure, there’ll probably be a line, but the ramen is restorative, which will fuel festival-goers after late nights filled with music and dancing. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Also, try your luck at the next-door sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya.

1234 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

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Deep Eddy Cabaret

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Have an after-fest beer or five far from the Sixth Street crowds. Another easy walk across the pedestrian bridge. There are indoor areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Pool Burger

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

For tiki cocktails and burgers within walking from the festival grounds, head to Pool Burger, which is open from noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday (it closes at 9 p.m. Sunday). Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 334-9747
(512) 334-9747
A burger in a paper wrap and fries in a tray on a blue picnic table.
Pool Burger serves up a double burger.
Chad Wadsworth

Donn's Depot

1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

One of Austin’s most fun dives, this West Austin bar is literally in an old train station structure. There are indoor and outdoor areas.

1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-0336
(512) 478-0336

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

The all-day cafe across the river has it all: breakfast and brunch-ready sandwiches and sweet potato pancakes; hearty cheeseburgers and chicken fried steaks; lighter fare like salads and granola bowls; thoughtful espresso and coffee; and carefully curated cocktails, beers, and wines. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786
Two plates of food, one with a sunny-side-up egg and a broth and the other with a sandwich with a cup of latte and a drinks menu on a wooden table.
Food and coffee at Better Half.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Rosen's Bagels

422 W 5th St C, Austin, TX 78701

The Austin bagel company opened up a downtown cafe, serving up morning and daytime bagel sandwiches, all luckily found at the shuttle center at Republic Square Park. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

422 W 5th St C, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 502-5027
(512) 502-5027

The Roosevelt Room

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

Looking for a fancy drink and a cheese board after a day of festival fare? The expert bartenders at the Roosevelt Room, near the shuttle drop-off at Republic Square, make classic cocktails from every decade. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094

Merit Coffee

222 West Ave #120, Austin, TX 78701

For coffee across the river, head to Merit, found near both the Lamar-adjacent pedestrian bridge and walking distance of the shuttle drop-off. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

222 West Ave #120, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 906-0266
(512) 906-0266

Halcyon Coffee, Bar & Lounge

218 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701

Open from the morning until 2 a.m., Halycon is a great place for a much-needed early morning or way late-night caffeine jolt (or coffee cocktails too). It's close to the shuttle at Republic Square. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

218 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-9637
(512) 472-9637

Salt Traders Coastal Cooking Zilker

1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746

Jack Gilmore’s seafood comfort restaurant is located near the southwest side of the park for those craving chowders, fish, or samples from the raw bar. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746
(737) 484-0095
(737) 484-0095
A circular tray of halved oysters and a pile of pink shrimp and ice are surrounded by a little bowl with empty oyster shells, condiments, and crackers.
Oysters from Salt Traders.
Salt Traders

Chuy's

1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

Do you want some Tex-Mex? Do you not want to walk far from the festival? Chuy's is here for you, and everyone else at ACL. Sometimes a big plate of enchiladas is worth the wait. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-4452
(512) 474-4452

Carpenters Hall

400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704

Just down the street from the festival grounds are the hotel restaurant Carpenters Hall and cafe. The former serves up an essentially all-day menu of Austin/Central Texas comfort dishes in a bright space and the latter focuses on coffee and pastries. Takeout orders for both can be placed online; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services/areas.

400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 675-5020
(512) 675-5020

P. Terry's

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

A short walk to P. Terry's will yield late-night burgers (and one of the city's popular veggie burgers) until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1 a.m. on Sunday. Expect significant lines. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person.

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
(512) 473-2217

El Alma

1025 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

El Alma is the higher-end Mexican restaurant cousin to the Austin Tex-Mex mini-chain El Chile. The rooftop patio is an ideal space to share post-fest guacamole and margaritas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Terry Black's BBQ

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX

Assuming there's no time to make a barbecue pit stop in Lockhart, Terry Black’s is the next best and easiest thing to do. There is even the opportunity for evening barbecue because the restaurant closes at 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9:30 p.m. Sunday for those who choose to skip the headliners. Preorders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX
(512) 394-5899
(512) 394-5899

Sandy's Hamburgers

603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Are these the best hamburgers in Austin? Who knows. Does it hit the spot and come with a side of frozen custard? Hell yes.

603 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 478-6322
(512) 478-6322

Related Maps

TLC Austin

1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704

The South Lamar casual seafood restaurant is the place to go especially for larger groups seeking sharable plates and margaritas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 580-0971
(512) 580-0971

Ramen Tatsu-ya

1234 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Sure, there’ll probably be a line, but the ramen is restorative, which will fuel festival-goers after late nights filled with music and dancing. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Also, try your luck at the next-door sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya.

1234 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Related Maps