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Where to Eat Near Zilker During ACL

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The Austin City Limits Festival is a sacred time in Austin, a wild rumpus of day drinking, booty shaking, and standing in line for... everything. But there is a better way, at least when it comes to dining. Eater presents a map of the best places to eat and drink near Zilker for out-of-towners and Austinites alike. Whether it's time to leave the festival and find some grub, or waiting in line for Mighty Cone has just become too much, some of Austin's best cuisine is within striking distance. As always, if a favorite restaurant is missing, chime in on the tipline or in the comments.

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Magnolia Cafe

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[Photo: Sarah M./Yelp]

Fabi + Rosi

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[Photo:Harald M./Yelp]

Deep Eddy Cabaret

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[Photo:Turtle S./Yelp]

Counter Cafe

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[Photo: Edwin L./Yelp]

24 Diner

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It will be packed. But ACL is a weekend that calls for a couple good 24-hour options, and 24 Diner serves breakfast any time and cocktails, too.

Frank Restaurant

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This fancy hot dog joint will be serving inside the fest, but their brick and mortar location features strong, tasty drinks. Even better - they pull a mean espresso in the mornings.

Juan Pelota Café

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[Photo:Michelle C/Yelp]

Hut's Hamburgers

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Cheap eats aren't the easiest to come by in downtown Austin. At Hut's Hamburgers, open since 1939, diners can spring for the huge pile of onion rings without up all that precious, precious beer money. They have gluten free buns, too.

La Condesa

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Enjoy what very well might be Austin's best margaritas and their high-end tacos for a perfect post-fest night. They'll have a truck inside the festival grounds as well, but their hip-yet-inviting space is worth experiencing.

Casa de Luz

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This tucked-away vegetarian haven offers the perfect detox for all those illicit substances and/or Amy's Ice Cream. The chill atmosphere is the perfect auditory detox, too.

[Photo: Krissy K/Yelp]

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

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El Alma is the higher-end cousin to the Austin Tex-Mex mini-chain El Chile. Their rooftop patio is an ideal space to share post-fest guacamole and cocktails

Sandy's Hamburgers

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[Photo: Mary O./Yelp]

Paggi House

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Paggi House will probably be packed right after the festival lets out, but off hours might offer the opportunity to enjoy what is routinely listed as one of the city's best patios.

Luke's Inside Out

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[Photo:Kristy O./Yelp]

This message is for the out-of-towners: if you're feeling really lucky or really patient, this Austin standout is within walking distance of Zilker. Get there early if you want any hope of a table. Austinites: why on earth would you go to Uchi during ACL? You live here.

Barley Swine

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Out-of-towners: this other Austin dining destination is a bit of a hike from Zilker, but it is technically doable. Early arrivals could even make a reservation for Thursday night. Austinites: see the previous entry about Uchi.

La Barbecue Cuisine Texicana

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La Barbecue's brisket is mentioned in the same breath as Franklin's these days, and the lines are (for now) much shorter. It's a bit of a hike to Zilker by foot, but for those on bikes or with a ride, it's an easy jaunt.

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Magnolia Cafe

[Photo: Sarah M./Yelp]

Fabi + Rosi

[Photo:Harald M./Yelp]

Deep Eddy Cabaret

[Photo:Turtle S./Yelp]

Counter Cafe

[Photo: Edwin L./Yelp]

24 Diner

It will be packed. But ACL is a weekend that calls for a couple good 24-hour options, and 24 Diner serves breakfast any time and cocktails, too.

Frank Restaurant

This fancy hot dog joint will be serving inside the fest, but their brick and mortar location features strong, tasty drinks. Even better - they pull a mean espresso in the mornings.

Juan Pelota Café

[Photo:Michelle C/Yelp]

Hut's Hamburgers

Cheap eats aren't the easiest to come by in downtown Austin. At Hut's Hamburgers, open since 1939, diners can spring for the huge pile of onion rings without up all that precious, precious beer money. They have gluten free buns, too.

La Condesa

Enjoy what very well might be Austin's best margaritas and their high-end tacos for a perfect post-fest night. They'll have a truck inside the festival grounds as well, but their hip-yet-inviting space is worth experiencing.

Casa de Luz

This tucked-away vegetarian haven offers the perfect detox for all those illicit substances and/or Amy's Ice Cream. The chill atmosphere is the perfect auditory detox, too.

Chuy's

[Photo: Krissy K/Yelp]

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

El Alma is the higher-end cousin to the Austin Tex-Mex mini-chain El Chile. Their rooftop patio is an ideal space to share post-fest guacamole and cocktails

Sandy's Hamburgers

[Photo: Mary O./Yelp]

Paggi House

Paggi House will probably be packed right after the festival lets out, but off hours might offer the opportunity to enjoy what is routinely listed as one of the city's best patios.

Luke's Inside Out

[Photo:Kristy O./Yelp]

Related Maps

Uchi

This message is for the out-of-towners: if you're feeling really lucky or really patient, this Austin standout is within walking distance of Zilker. Get there early if you want any hope of a table. Austinites: why on earth would you go to Uchi during ACL? You live here.

Barley Swine

Out-of-towners: this other Austin dining destination is a bit of a hike from Zilker, but it is technically doable. Early arrivals could even make a reservation for Thursday night. Austinites: see the previous entry about Uchi.

La Barbecue Cuisine Texicana

La Barbecue's brisket is mentioned in the same breath as Franklin's these days, and the lines are (for now) much shorter. It's a bit of a hike to Zilker by foot, but for those on bikes or with a ride, it's an easy jaunt.

Related Maps