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Foreign & Domestic

Where to Eat in Austin to Avoid the SXSW Madness

Dine well while dodging the festival

by Erin Russell and Nadia Chaudhury Updated
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A dish from Foreign & Domestic.
| Foreign & Domestic
by Erin Russell and Nadia Chaudhury Updated

South by Southwest (SXSW) will consume the city soon this March, to the adoration or irritation of Austin residents. What everyone can agree on is that dining out anywhere near the downtown epicenter is basically impossible. Here is Eater’s updated guide with restaurant suggestions outside of the city’s crowded, very-branded centers (downtown, east side, Rainey, South Lamar, South Congress), offering great meals without the hassle.

Find everything from Japanese sandwiches at Choo Sando in Allandale to Southern fare at Cherrywood restaurant Hoover’s to tacos at further South Lamar spot Papalote to wine bars galore.

If you’ve got friends in town for the conference asking you “Where should I eat now?” direct them to Eater’s SXSW guides for more dining and drinking ideas.

Looking to avoid SXSW with drinks? Eater has you covered over here. For other dining suggestions, look to the Eater Austin 38 essential restaurants and the heatmap.

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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.

Carnitas El Guero

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The quickly growing taco shop is known for its flavorful carnitas, which is served in fluffy tortillas. All locations are a good bet for avoiding the SXSW crowds, including this North Austin one. There are on-site dine-in areas.

8624 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 814-9055
(512) 814-9055

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Barley Swine

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Try Bryce Gilmore’s true New Texan dishes at the Brentwood restaurant, which has both tasting and a la carte menus, along with a full bar. Don’t skip the desserts, either. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6555 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
A restaurant dining room.
Barley Swine.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

The Peached Tortilla

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The Allandale restaurant outpost of this beloved food truck features a full bar and expanded menu of Asian-Southern fusion dishes. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5520 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78727
(512) 222-8781
(512) 222-8781
Ramen from Peached Tortilla
Ramen from Peached Tortilla
Peached Tortilla/Facebook

Choo Sando

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Dine on excellent Japanese sandwiches and sushi at the Allandale cafe in the daytime. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas. Next-day preorders can be placed online.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

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Epicerie

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Epicerie is a grocery/cafe in Rosedale, selling artisan goods and handmade breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner from a French-inspired Cajun menu. Order the beignets. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 371-6840
(512) 371-6840

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Quality Seafood

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Quality Seafood is known city-wide for its fresh sea fare, whether you’re looking for a take-home tuna steak or a dine-in po’ boy, fish taco, or fried catfish. Stay a while and grab a cold beer, too. There are indoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

5621 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 454-5827
(512) 454-5827
A seafood restaurant dining room.
Quality Seafood.
Raymond Thompson/Eater Austin

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Foreign & Domestic

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This chef-owned restaurant in North Loop is home to farm-fresh local produce, a killer burger, and fun dishes like light Parisian gnocchi. It also offers a nose-to-tail prix fixe menu for adventurous diners. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

306 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 459-1010
(512) 459-1010

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Flo’s Wine Bar and Bottle Shop & Allday Pizza

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SXSW is the perfect time to check out this new Tarrytown wine bar and pizza shop. Of the first, there’s a long list of bottles available for on-site and take-home drinking as well as wines by the glass. And the latter is the first physical location of pizzeria Allday Pizza with pies, slices, and more. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3111 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

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L'Oca D'Oro

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This humble Italian charmer in the Mueller development has become a stable for Italian fare for good reason. Its straightforward and thoughtful approach to rustic cuisine allows simple ingredients to shine. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
(737) 212-1876
(737) 212-1876
L’Oca D’Oro
L’Oca D’Oro
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

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Hoover's Cooking

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Soothe your SXSW-addled psyche with some of Austin’s best Southern and soul food at Manor Road restaurant Hoover’s. Chicken fried steak solves everything, right? There are indoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

2002 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78722
(512) 479-5006
(512) 479-5006

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Aviary Wine & Kitchen

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The South Lamar wine restaurant is an ideal spot to spend a calm afternoon with friends, a bottle of wine, and a rotating selection of cheese and charcuterie. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2210 South lamar, Austin, TX 78704
A restaurant dining room.
Aviary Wine & Kitchen.
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Abby Jane Bakeshop

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Go for full peace and quiet at this bakeshop out in Dripping Springs, which offers breads, cakes, croissants, all made with Barton Springs Mill flours. Abby Jane also offers sandwiches, picnic-ready sides, and beer and wine on tap, as well as a shaded picnic tables for eating outside. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas. Takeout orders can be placed online.

16604 Fitzhugh Rd Unit C, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 383-5923
(512) 383-5923
A tiered glass display of various pastries.
Pastries from Abby Jane Bakeshop.
Abby Jane Bakeshop

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Papalote Taco House

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The stellar taco spot is far enough south from SXSWness that few will venture down that far. It has great tacos and a liquor license. For those staying north of the river, there is a second location, too. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2474
(512) 804-2474

Jack Allen's Kitchen

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Chef Jack Gilmore’s locally sourced, Southern-inspired restaurant mini-chain Jack Allen’s Kitchen is a great destination for a lively, filling meal without the downtown mess. There are also locations out in Round Rock, 360, West Anderson Lane, and Cedar Park. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735
(512) 852-8558
(512) 852-8558
A restaurant dining room.
Jack Allen’s Kitchen.
Raymond Thompson

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Radio Coffee & Beer

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Looking to grab a casual coffee, beer, or a cocktail while surrounded by some of Austin’s best food trucks? Radio’s patio is a great place to enjoy the spring sunshine, whether to work, relax, or enjoy some tacos (Veracruz), Thai (Dee Dee), or brisket biscuits (Briscuits). There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-7844
(512) 394-7844

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Sichuan River

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Craving Chinese? Head to this restaurant way off the normal beaten path in Westgate. There are indoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

4534 West Gate Blvd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 892-6699
(512) 892-6699

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Meanwhile Brewing

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The McKinney brewery is just far away enough that you can enjoy great beers, excellent barbecue (Distant Relatives), and awesome tacos (Pueblo Viejo) without any out-of-towners around. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
(512) 308-3659
(512) 308-3659

Also featured in:

Pieous

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Take a wander out in the southwesterly direction to Pieous in Belterra Village, which specializes in Neapolitan pizza, house-cured pastrami, and absurdly large cookies and other sweets. It’s open for takeout orders online placed in person or online, and there is a patio for on-site dining.

166 Hargraves Dr h, Austin, TX 78737
(512) 394-7041
(512) 394-7041

Also featured in:

Keepers Austin

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Take a moment to visit the far south Austin seafood restaurant for Gulf seafood. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5701 W Slaughter Ln Building D, Austin, TX 78749
(512) 519-9911
(512) 519-9911

Golden Hour Cafe & Wine Bar

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The far South Austin wine bar is an excellent place to linger with natural wine bottles and snacky entrees. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

7731 Menchaca Rd Suite 100, Austin, TX 78745

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Carnitas El Guero

8624 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

The quickly growing taco shop is known for its flavorful carnitas, which is served in fluffy tortillas. All locations are a good bet for avoiding the SXSW crowds, including this North Austin one. There are on-site dine-in areas.

8624 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 814-9055
(512) 814-9055

Barley Swine

6555 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

Try Bryce Gilmore’s true New Texan dishes at the Brentwood restaurant, which has both tasting and a la carte menus, along with a full bar. Don’t skip the desserts, either. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6555 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
A restaurant dining room.
Barley Swine.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

The Peached Tortilla

5520 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78727

The Allandale restaurant outpost of this beloved food truck features a full bar and expanded menu of Asian-Southern fusion dishes. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5520 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78727
(512) 222-8781
(512) 222-8781
Ramen from Peached Tortilla
Ramen from Peached Tortilla
Peached Tortilla/Facebook

Choo Sando

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

Dine on excellent Japanese sandwiches and sushi at the Allandale cafe in the daytime. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas. Next-day preorders can be placed online.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

Epicerie

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756

Epicerie is a grocery/cafe in Rosedale, selling artisan goods and handmade breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner from a French-inspired Cajun menu. Order the beignets. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 371-6840
(512) 371-6840

Quality Seafood

5621 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

Quality Seafood is known city-wide for its fresh sea fare, whether you’re looking for a take-home tuna steak or a dine-in po’ boy, fish taco, or fried catfish. Stay a while and grab a cold beer, too. There are indoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

5621 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 454-5827
(512) 454-5827
A seafood restaurant dining room.
Quality Seafood.
Raymond Thompson/Eater Austin

Foreign & Domestic

306 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751

This chef-owned restaurant in North Loop is home to farm-fresh local produce, a killer burger, and fun dishes like light Parisian gnocchi. It also offers a nose-to-tail prix fixe menu for adventurous diners. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

306 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 459-1010
(512) 459-1010

Flo’s Wine Bar and Bottle Shop & Allday Pizza

3111 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

SXSW is the perfect time to check out this new Tarrytown wine bar and pizza shop. Of the first, there’s a long list of bottles available for on-site and take-home drinking as well as wines by the glass. And the latter is the first physical location of pizzeria Allday Pizza with pies, slices, and more. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3111 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

L'Oca D'Oro

1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723

This humble Italian charmer in the Mueller development has become a stable for Italian fare for good reason. Its straightforward and thoughtful approach to rustic cuisine allows simple ingredients to shine. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
(737) 212-1876
(737) 212-1876
L’Oca D’Oro
L’Oca D’Oro
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Hoover's Cooking

2002 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78722

Soothe your SXSW-addled psyche with some of Austin’s best Southern and soul food at Manor Road restaurant Hoover’s. Chicken fried steak solves everything, right? There are indoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

2002 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78722
(512) 479-5006
(512) 479-5006

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

2210 South lamar, Austin, TX 78704

The South Lamar wine restaurant is an ideal spot to spend a calm afternoon with friends, a bottle of wine, and a rotating selection of cheese and charcuterie. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2210 South lamar, Austin, TX 78704
A restaurant dining room.
Aviary Wine & Kitchen.
Robert J. Lerma/EATX

Abby Jane Bakeshop

16604 Fitzhugh Rd Unit C, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Go for full peace and quiet at this bakeshop out in Dripping Springs, which offers breads, cakes, croissants, all made with Barton Springs Mill flours. Abby Jane also offers sandwiches, picnic-ready sides, and beer and wine on tap, as well as a shaded picnic tables for eating outside. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas. Takeout orders can be placed online.

16604 Fitzhugh Rd Unit C, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 383-5923
(512) 383-5923
A tiered glass display of various pastries.
Pastries from Abby Jane Bakeshop.
Abby Jane Bakeshop

Papalote Taco House

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

The stellar taco spot is far enough south from SXSWness that few will venture down that far. It has great tacos and a liquor license. For those staying north of the river, there is a second location, too. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2474
(512) 804-2474

Jack Allen's Kitchen

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735

Chef Jack Gilmore’s locally sourced, Southern-inspired restaurant mini-chain Jack Allen’s Kitchen is a great destination for a lively, filling meal without the downtown mess. There are also locations out in Round Rock, 360, West Anderson Lane, and Cedar Park. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735
(512) 852-8558
(512) 852-8558
A restaurant dining room.
Jack Allen’s Kitchen.
Raymond Thompson

Radio Coffee & Beer

4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Looking to grab a casual coffee, beer, or a cocktail while surrounded by some of Austin’s best food trucks? Radio’s patio is a great place to enjoy the spring sunshine, whether to work, relax, or enjoy some tacos (Veracruz), Thai (Dee Dee), or brisket biscuits (Briscuits). There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-7844
(512) 394-7844

Related Maps

Sichuan River

4534 West Gate Blvd, Austin, TX 78745

Craving Chinese? Head to this restaurant way off the normal beaten path in Westgate. There are indoor dine-in services. Takeout orders can be placed online.

4534 West Gate Blvd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 892-6699
(512) 892-6699

Meanwhile Brewing

3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744

The McKinney brewery is just far away enough that you can enjoy great beers, excellent barbecue (Distant Relatives), and awesome tacos (Pueblo Viejo) without any out-of-towners around. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
(512) 308-3659
(512) 308-3659

Pieous

166 Hargraves Dr h, Austin, TX 78737

Take a wander out in the southwesterly direction to Pieous in Belterra Village, which specializes in Neapolitan pizza, house-cured pastrami, and absurdly large cookies and other sweets. It’s open for takeout orders online placed in person or online, and there is a patio for on-site dining.

166 Hargraves Dr h, Austin, TX 78737
(512) 394-7041
(512) 394-7041

Keepers Austin

5701 W Slaughter Ln Building D, Austin, TX 78749

Take a moment to visit the far south Austin seafood restaurant for Gulf seafood. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5701 W Slaughter Ln Building D, Austin, TX 78749
(512) 519-9911
(512) 519-9911

Golden Hour Cafe & Wine Bar

7731 Menchaca Rd Suite 100, Austin, TX 78745

The far South Austin wine bar is an excellent place to linger with natural wine bottles and snacky entrees. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

7731 Menchaca Rd Suite 100, Austin, TX 78745

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