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Sandwiches from FoodHeads
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Where to Eat and Drink Around the UT Austin Campus

From cheap pizza to filling sandwiches to classy French food

by Erin Russell Updated
1 comment / new
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Sandwiches from FoodHeads
| FoodHeads/Facebook
by Erin Russell Updated
1 comment / new

The University of Texas campus is an integral part of the spirit of Austin — and at the rate the city is growing, it’s practically downtown at this point. Given the huge student population, there are the expected inexpensive eats, but also some culinary surprises as well.

The area is filled with iconic Austin spots: Goodall’s Kitchen at the historic Hotel Ella was built in 1900 (and renovated in 2013). Then there are comparatively newer establishments, like Ethiopian spot Aster’s and Via 313 with its hearty pizza.

In terms of student needs: Want a coffeehouse to work in? Texas French Bread serve excellent coffee and snacks for freelancers or extended study breaks. Parents in town? Make reservations at Musashino Sushi Dokoro, where many of the city’s best sushi chefs trained, or the French-focused Hopfield’s. This update adds Vaquero Taquero, China’s Family Restaurant, Halal Bros, and Scholz Garten

For more student dining needs, scope out Eater’s campus guide, as well as the best lunch spots.

If there’s a favorite campus spot missing, let Eater know through the tipline or in the comments.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

FoodHeads

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For a quick, tasty lunch, the patio at FoodHeads is a great spot. The menu of sandwiches, rotating soups, and tacos is sure to satisfy, and the eclectic cafe is open for breakfast, too.

616 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 420-8400
(512) 420-8400
A sandwich split in half with meat, lettuce, and cheese
Sandwich from FoodHeads
FoodHeads/Facebook

Also featured in:

Hopfields

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Craft beer aficionados flock to this campus brewpub, which has a casual, communal atmosphere up front and more serious dining room in the back. The fare is upscale and French-inspired, though the burger is also praised.

3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 537-0467
(512) 537-0467
A pair of hands holding up a burger with an egg, meat patties, and cheese
The burger at Hopfield’s
Hopfields/Facebook

Also featured in:

Via 313

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Thick and cheesy is the key for this Detroit-style pizzeria. Pro-tip: The gluten-free crust gets high marks.

3016 Guadalupe St #100, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 358-6193
(512) 358-6193
A rectangular pie of thick cheese pizza topped with sauce and sausages on a round metal tray
Via 313 pizza
Via 313/Facebook

Musashino Sushi Dokoro

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A high-end, traditional sushi bar may seem a little unexpected so close to cheap college eats, but Musashino is generally recognized as one of the best in Austin. Uchi’s Tyson Cole trained here.

2905 San Gabriel St #200, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 795-8593
(512) 795-8593
Various pieces of nigiri and sushi rolls on rectangle plates
Musashino Sushi Dokoro
Musashino/Facebook

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Texas French Bread

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Cozy cafe and casual lunch spot by day, elevated farm-to-table date night spot by night, Texas French Bread boasts a gorgeous building, twinkle-lit patio, and incredible butterscotch budino.

2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 499-0544
(512) 499-0544
A circular wooden table set with wine glasses, napkins, and plates, in front of a blue banquet agaist a brick wall with green plants
Texas French Bread
Texas French Bread/Facebook

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Vaquero Taquero

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Vaquero Taquero’s relatively recent new albeit tiny restaurant is quickly becoming one of the city’s best taco makers. Don’t miss out on the juicy taco al pastor straight from the trompo as well as the quesadilla array.

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705

Also featured in:

Halal Bros

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Everybody loves easy plates and wraps of shawarmas, kebabs, and gyros, right? Especially if it’s from Austin mini-chain Halal Bros?

2712 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 284-8105
(512) 284-8105
Two tin containers full of rice, chicken, sausages, and salads
Halal Bros’s chicken over rice
Halal Bros/Facebook

Also featured in:

Sao Paulo's

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Stop into this hidden gem for fruity drinks and Brazilian dishes (though the restaurant caters to the crowd with burgers and Tex-Mex too). There’s often live music playing to add to the colorful atmosphere.

2809 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 473-9988
(512) 473-9988

Also featured in:

Posse East

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Sports fans will delight at the many television screens (including some on the outdoor patio), cheap beer, and perfectly greasy burgers, fries, and queso.

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-2111
(512) 477-2111
People in orange shirts at a bar
Posse East
Posse East/Facebook

Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant 

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Vegetarians (and carnivores) have a lot of options at this Ethiopian restaurant. Be forewarned: there is no silverware, only the spongy, sourdough-like injera bread.

2804 I-35, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 277-7809
(512) 277-7809
Clumbs of bright Ethiopian food with folded injera on a plate
Aster’s Ethiopian food
Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant/Facebook

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Goodall's Kitchen & Bar

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Whether the parents are in town and it’s time to go someplace nice, or the occasion just calls for a meal in a historic Southern mansion, Goodall’s Kitchen & Bar is one of the only spots in the area with a cocktail program. Try the rich macaroni and cheese with jalapeño and bacon.

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 495-1800
(512) 495-1800
A bartender holding up a cocktail in a coupe glass over the bar
Goodall’s Parlor Bar
Goodall’s [Official]

Also featured in:

China's Family Restaurant

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Ridiculously great Sichuan fare can be found at this no-frills Chinese restaurant on the Drag.

1914 Guadalupe St suite b, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 284-7671
(512) 284-7671

Also featured in:

Arturo's Underground Cafe

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Though there’s a website now, this spot stays under the radar with breakfast, lunch, and brunch only. Try the benedicts or Caribbean toast with bananas, pecans, and dark caramel syrup.

314 W 17th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0380
(512) 469-0380
Slices of toast topped with chocolate and banana slices
The Caribbean toast at Arturo’s
Arturo’s Underground Cafe/Facebook

Scholz Garten

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The historic beer garden features lots of beers and German and Central Texas fare.

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-1958
(512) 474-1958

Also featured in:

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FoodHeads

616 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705

For a quick, tasty lunch, the patio at FoodHeads is a great spot. The menu of sandwiches, rotating soups, and tacos is sure to satisfy, and the eclectic cafe is open for breakfast, too.

616 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 420-8400
(512) 420-8400
A sandwich split in half with meat, lettuce, and cheese
Sandwich from FoodHeads
FoodHeads/Facebook

Hopfields

3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

Craft beer aficionados flock to this campus brewpub, which has a casual, communal atmosphere up front and more serious dining room in the back. The fare is upscale and French-inspired, though the burger is also praised.

3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 537-0467
(512) 537-0467
A pair of hands holding up a burger with an egg, meat patties, and cheese
The burger at Hopfield’s
Hopfields/Facebook

Via 313

3016 Guadalupe St #100, Austin, TX 78705

Thick and cheesy is the key for this Detroit-style pizzeria. Pro-tip: The gluten-free crust gets high marks.

3016 Guadalupe St #100, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 358-6193
(512) 358-6193
A rectangular pie of thick cheese pizza topped with sauce and sausages on a round metal tray
Via 313 pizza
Via 313/Facebook

Musashino Sushi Dokoro

2905 San Gabriel St #200, Austin, TX 78705

A high-end, traditional sushi bar may seem a little unexpected so close to cheap college eats, but Musashino is generally recognized as one of the best in Austin. Uchi’s Tyson Cole trained here.

2905 San Gabriel St #200, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 795-8593
(512) 795-8593
Various pieces of nigiri and sushi rolls on rectangle plates
Musashino Sushi Dokoro
Musashino/Facebook

Texas French Bread

2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705

Cozy cafe and casual lunch spot by day, elevated farm-to-table date night spot by night, Texas French Bread boasts a gorgeous building, twinkle-lit patio, and incredible butterscotch budino.

2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 499-0544
(512) 499-0544
A circular wooden table set with wine glasses, napkins, and plates, in front of a blue banquet agaist a brick wall with green plants
Texas French Bread
Texas French Bread/Facebook

Vaquero Taquero

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705

Vaquero Taquero’s relatively recent new albeit tiny restaurant is quickly becoming one of the city’s best taco makers. Don’t miss out on the juicy taco al pastor straight from the trompo as well as the quesadilla array.

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705

Halal Bros

2712 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

Everybody loves easy plates and wraps of shawarmas, kebabs, and gyros, right? Especially if it’s from Austin mini-chain Halal Bros?

2712 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 284-8105
(512) 284-8105
Two tin containers full of rice, chicken, sausages, and salads
Halal Bros’s chicken over rice
Halal Bros/Facebook

Sao Paulo's

2809 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705

Stop into this hidden gem for fruity drinks and Brazilian dishes (though the restaurant caters to the crowd with burgers and Tex-Mex too). There’s often live music playing to add to the colorful atmosphere.

2809 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 473-9988
(512) 473-9988

Posse East

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705

Sports fans will delight at the many television screens (including some on the outdoor patio), cheap beer, and perfectly greasy burgers, fries, and queso.

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-2111
(512) 477-2111
People in orange shirts at a bar
Posse East
Posse East/Facebook

Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant 

2804 I-35, Austin, TX 78705

Vegetarians (and carnivores) have a lot of options at this Ethiopian restaurant. Be forewarned: there is no silverware, only the spongy, sourdough-like injera bread.

2804 I-35, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 277-7809
(512) 277-7809
Clumbs of bright Ethiopian food with folded injera on a plate
Aster’s Ethiopian food
Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant/Facebook

Goodall's Kitchen & Bar

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705

Whether the parents are in town and it’s time to go someplace nice, or the occasion just calls for a meal in a historic Southern mansion, Goodall’s Kitchen & Bar is one of the only spots in the area with a cocktail program. Try the rich macaroni and cheese with jalapeño and bacon.

1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 495-1800
(512) 495-1800
A bartender holding up a cocktail in a coupe glass over the bar
Goodall’s Parlor Bar
Goodall’s [Official]

China's Family Restaurant

1914 Guadalupe St suite b, Austin, TX 78705

Ridiculously great Sichuan fare can be found at this no-frills Chinese restaurant on the Drag.

1914 Guadalupe St suite b, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 284-7671
(512) 284-7671

Arturo's Underground Cafe

314 W 17th St, Austin, TX 78701

Though there’s a website now, this spot stays under the radar with breakfast, lunch, and brunch only. Try the benedicts or Caribbean toast with bananas, pecans, and dark caramel syrup.

314 W 17th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0380
(512) 469-0380
Slices of toast topped with chocolate and banana slices
The Caribbean toast at Arturo’s
Arturo’s Underground Cafe/Facebook

Scholz Garten

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

The historic beer garden features lots of beers and German and Central Texas fare.

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-1958
(512) 474-1958

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