Last Updated: April 2026
East Austin is the most exciting dining neighborhood in Austin right now — packed with chef-driven new openings, beloved old institutions, and the highest density of coffee shops, breweries, and cocktail bars in the city. This is my Austinite’s guide to the 92 best East Austin restaurants and bars, sorted by what you’re after — coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, happy hour, late-night bars, breweries, and desserts.
SEE ALSO: Top Things To Do In Austin
Table of Contents
Best Coffee Shops in East Austin
East Austin has more coffee shops than any other Austin neighborhood — here are my favorites.
SEE ALSO: Best Coffee Shops in Austin
Flat Track Coffee
Specialty coffee roaster and bike shop in one — the roasting approach preserves the sweetness, acidity, and unique flavors of the beans.
Cenote
Cute 1887 bungalow on Cesar Chavez serving great coffee and a full food menu with vegetables from local Texas farms, pasture-raised eggs from Vital Farms, and bacon from Flying Pig Provisions.
1010 E Cesar Chavez St
Revival Coffee
Pink-designed café from the Gabriela’s Group — vibe-y, locally owned, perfect for laptop hours or a quick latte.
Caffe Medici
The East Austin location of Caffe Medici is also home to their roasting facility — strong specialty coffee program.
Cuvée Coffee
Beloved coffee roaster with pour-over espresso and the original nitrogenated cold brewery — Austin coffee history lives here.
Greater Goods
Curated specialty coffee in a converted warehouse coffee shop — beans roasted on-site.
El Tigre
Locally roasted coffee with a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Fleet Coffee
Tiny East Austin coffee shop with both classic and creative coffee drinks. Two locations.
Houndstooth Coffee (East Austin – MLK)
Spacious East Austin location of Houndstooth on MLK — they serve cocktails here too. Strong Wi-Fi.
Thunderbird Coffee
Neighborhood coffee shop with an outdoor patio. The Thai Iced Coffee is the move.
Sa-Tén Coffee
Japanese-style coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner — coffee program meets curry rice and sandwiches.
The Brew & Brew
Industrial space serving great coffee, craft brews, and Rosen’s Bagels — formerly Wright Bros. Brew & Brew.
Rosewood Social Club
All-day café in the former Saddle Up / Micklethwait space with a large patio, firepits, and shaded tables. One of the rare Austin patios with permanent firepits — works year-round.
Best Breakfast in East Austin
SEE ALSO: Best Breakfasts In Austin Worth Waking Up For
Bird Bird Biscuit
Cherrywood breakfast shop serving some of the best fried chicken biscuit sandwiches in town. The Bird Bird Bacon (bacon, cheese, eggs) and the Lovely Day (chicken sausage patty, eggs, basil pesto, cheese) are the standouts.
Cisco’s Restaurant
East Austin Tex-Mex institution since 1950 — earned historic landmark status in 2019. Wolf Omelet, fajitas, picadillo, and breakfast tacos. Where Texas politicians (LBJ included) cut deals over migas.
Hillside Farmacy
Full bar and farm-to-table restaurant since 2012 — original 1950s pharmacy cabinetry, locally sourced ingredients, and some of the most delicious cocktails in town.
Veracruz All Natural
Austin’s iconic breakfast taco operation — the Webberville location is dog-friendly and spacious. Migas tacos are everything.
Gati
From Chef Jam Sanitchat (sister kitchen to Thai Fresh) — Gati started as a vegan ice cream and gluten-free dessert shop, but expanded with all-day breakfast and lunch service in August 2025. The international menu draws from morning meals in Oaxaca, Paris, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand. Many gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
1512 Holly St
Blender & Bowls
Acai bowls and superfood smoothies. The Bird of Paradise with goji berries plus a scoop of almond butter is the move.
Joe’s Bakery
Family-run East Austin restaurant serving authentic Mexican breakfast all day plus lunch. All-day breakfast tacos are $2.09.
Juan In A Million
Iconic East Austin Tex-Mex institution since 1980 — cheapest and most generous breakfast portions, with the Don Juan El Taco Grande as the legendary order.
Paperboy
Originally a small food trailer, now a brick-and-mortar serving mouthwatering breakfast and lunch. The Paperboy pancake and Texas hash are standouts.
Best Lunch Spots in East Austin
Discada
Specializes in cowboy-wok cooking — slow-simmering meats and vegetables on a tractor plow disc. Don’t miss the Discada tacos. The flavor is hard to find anywhere else.
La Barbecue
Iconic Central Texas BBQ on Cesar Chavez — salty and savory, no added sugar (even in the coleslaw). The brisket and beef ribs are the order.
Parish BBQ
Pitmaster Holden Fulco (formerly at Franklin and Interstellar) brings Central Texas BBQ with a Louisiana/Cajun twist. Brisket, ham, pulled duck, boudin. Trailer at Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches.
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 11am – 8pm.
3220 Manor Rd
NADC Burger
Not A Damn Chance Burger — a collab between pro skateboarder Neen Williams and Michelin-starred Chef Phillip Frankland Lee. Single menu item: a third-pound Texas Wagyu smash burger with American cheese, secret sauce, onions, pickles, and fries. Outdoor seating and a cocktail program.
1007 E 6th St
Uroko
Casual Japanese restaurant since 2019 with affordable Tamaki sushi hand rolls. Relaxing and fun setup.
Buenos Aires Café
Authentic Argentinean restaurant — empanadas are the move.
Dai Due
Butcher-shop restaurant with a delicious farm-to-table menu — sustainable and locally sourced.
Casa Columbia
South American Colombian restaurant serving authentic dishes — a rare cuisine in Austin.
El Chilito
Quick lunch — beef puffy tacos are a standout. Multiple East Austin locations.
Franklin Barbecue
Famous Austin BBQ destination for smoked meats — pulled pork and brisket. Expect a line; it’s worth it.
Kinda Tropical
Retro all-day cafe with a big dog-friendly backyard patio.
3501 E 7th St
Micklethwait Craft Meats
BBQ trailer with sides and desserts that punch above their weight.
Tamale House
Mexican restaurant since 1958 — known for breakfast tacos, migas, and big tamales. The pork tamale with mole is the go-to.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
The East Austin location of Austin’s most popular ramen shop — tonkotsu original is the move.
Pedroso’s
Newer slice shop on Airport Blvd near Cherrywood — second location of the NY-style pizza spot. Italian sub specials and rotating pies. Now serves alcohol.
Small’s Pizza
Recently relocated to Springdale General doing rare New Haven–style pies — crispy, smoky-bottomed pizza you can’t find elsewhere in Austin.
Best Dinner in East Austin
Cuantos Tacos
Mexico City street-style tacos and quesadillas from a food trailer — the closest you’ll get to Mexican street food in Austin without leaving the city.
Fish Shop
Opened July 2025 in East Austin from chef-couple Justin Huffman and Nicole Rossi. West Coast–inspired seafood (Dungeness crab cocktail, halibut crudo) plus Gulf Coast fare. Texas Monthly’s #4 best new restaurant of 2026.
Siti
Chef Laila Bazahm’s Southeast Asian stunner in the former Poeta space. Lobster chili crab, hamachi, laksa, and lamb kolae draw from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards nominee for Best New Restaurant.
1123 E. 11th St
Uptown Sports Club
Aaron Franklin’s neighborhood all-day East Austin eatery — Bloody Mary bar, indulgent brunches, and casual neighborhood vibes from one of Austin’s most legendary BBQ names.
CAMPO
Coastal Mexican cantina at 1630 E 6th St across from Zilker Brewing — opened 2026. Shrimp enchiladas, ceviche, and a beach-leaning take on Mexican.
TORA Sushi
Modern laneway sushi from Aburi Restaurant Group — opened February 2026 in northeast Austin’s EastVillage development. Aburi-style nigiri (lightly torched) is their signature.
Austin Oyster Co.
East Coast oyster house at 2502 E. Cesar Chavez St with Southern hospitality and a coastal aesthetic. Indoor-outdoor flow with a 993-square-foot deck.
Loudmouth
From the Paperboy team — wood-fired pizza, wine, beer, and cocktails on a sprawling half-acre lot. Picnic tables under big oak trees, a 200-seat shaded patio, kid play area, and the Pep Talk cocktail.
1209 Rosewood Ave
Bambino
Pizza spot at Springdale General from chef-owners Adam Orman and Fiore Tedesco. Standout fenced playground with astroturf hills makes it the rare Austin restaurant specifically designed for families.
Hours: Tue–Thu 4–10pm; Fri 12–2pm and 4–10pm; Sat–Sun 11am–10pm. Closed Mondays.
979 Springdale Rd Suite 153
Il Brutto
Italian restaurant on E. 6th St since 2018 — fresh homemade pasta, wood-grilled pizza, and antipasti. Aperol Spritz on the patio is the move.
Old Thousand
Hip American Chinese comfort-food spot with cocktails. The brisket fried rice is the order. Happy hour Mon–Fri 5–6:30pm with food discounts and 50% off bottles of wine.
Oseyo
Modern Korean-American restaurant since 2019 with a gorgeous open-air courtyard. Kimchi jigae, kalbi, bulgogi, jajangmyeon, kalbi tang. Date-night caliber.
Jacoby’s
Southern-inspired farm-to-ranch restaurant — sources beef from their family ranch in Central Texas. Chicken-fried steak & waffles, Grandma Hagler’s strawberry cake, and a patio overlooking the Colorado River.
Birdie’s
Wine bar serving seasonal American cuisine with French and Italian influences.
Canje
Upscale East 6th restaurant featuring four extensive Caribbean menus — refined and unique to Austin.
1914 E 6th St ste c
Sammataro
One of the best wood-fired pizza trailers in Austin — neapolitan-leaning, charred pies with chewy crust.
El Chile
Most popular for its puffy tacos and margaritas. Happy hour every day 3–6pm.
Fukumoto Sushi
Japanese izakaya with traditional sushi, nigiri, and yakitori. The uni pasta is unbelievable. Happy hour Mon–Thu 5–6:30pm.
Grizzelda’s
Cute Tex-Mex with a pink Insta wall — really good queso, sizzling fajitas, weekend brunch with $5 mimosas.
105 Tillery St
Intero
Farm-to-table Italian with handmade pasta and artisanal chocolates.
Justine’s Brasserie
Bungalow space with a light-strung patio serving great French food and cocktails. Romantic date-night standby.
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
Japan-meets-Texas izakaya — the cat-cup cocktails (the painkiller) and chicken hearts are unforgettable.
Mi Madre
East Austin Tex-Mex classic — botanas, tacos, burritos, platos.
Nixta Taqueria
Taco shop serving homemade corn tortillas with unconventional toppings — one of the most creative taquerias in Austin.
Launderette
Classy New American restaurant in a converted laundromat — the Americana plate (oyster mushrooms, bacon, sunny eggs, sourdough toast) is the order. Brunch Sat-Sun 11am-2:30pm.
Patrizi’s
Food trailer serving homemade Italian pasta — affordable, casual, consistently excellent.
Rosewood
Historic 1890s home restaurant serving cuisines of South Texas.
Swift’s Pizza
Neighborhood pizzeria serving custom and signature pies.
Suerte
Contemporary Mexican focused on house-made masa and homemade tortillas. Suadero tacos, lengua taco, migas, fresh donuts. Brunch Sat-Sun 11am-3pm.
1800 E 6th St
East Side King
Get the crispy Brussels sprouts salad — that’s the move.
Ezov
Texan-Mediterranean from the team behind Emmer & Rye, Hestia, and Canje. The hummus is exceptional and the interior design is striking.
Best Brunch in East Austin
RELATED: Best Brunch In Austin
For weekend brunch in East Austin, my top picks are Grizzelda’s (full Tex-Mex brunch with $5 mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Horchata French Toast), Suerte (Mexican-inspired brunch with shrimp tostada, lengua taco, and homemade donuts — Saturdays and Sundays only), Tamale House (open since 1958 — Mom’s migas, chicken tamales, pork tamales), Uptown Sports Club (Aaron Franklin’s brunch with the Bloody Mary bar), Hillside Farmacy (full bar farm-to-table brunch), Launderette (Americana plate brunch), and Il Brutto (Italian brunch with pasta and Aperol Spritz).
Best Happy Hour in East Austin
RELATED: Ultimate Guide To Best Happy Hours In Austin
- Grizzelda’s — Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 5–6pm, $5 cocktails & 25% off appetizers (then all-night Wed–Fri)
- El Chile — every day 3–6pm
- Eastside Tavern — Monday – Friday 3–6pm
- Fukumoto — Monday – Thursday 5–6:30pm
- Kinda Tropical — Monday – Friday 3–6pm
- Nasha — Monday – Friday 4–7pm
- Launderette — Monday – Friday 5–6pm
- Licha’s Cantina — Tuesday – Friday 4–6pm
- Strangelove — wine bar at 2614 E. Cesar Chavez St with breakfast tacos and pop-ups
Best Bars & Cocktail Lounges in East Austin
Domo Alley-Gato
Tatsu-Ya’s East Austin standing bar inspired by tachinomiya and yokocho — Japan’s standing bars and alleyway nightlife. Craft cocktails, DIY Chu-Hi, Kirin Ichiban Cold Caps, sake, and bites like the Karē Ban Ban Dog (teriyaki beef frank in panko brioche bun with Domo Karē chili).
Cape Bottle Room
Wine tasting room focused on South African wines — the only exclusively South African wine venue in the U.S. Socially and environmentally sustainable, by the glass or bottle.
500 San Marcos St #102
SEE ALSO: Best Wine Bars In Austin Texas
Kitty Cohen’s
That one bar in East Austin that takes you to Palm Springs circa 1970s — palm trees, tropical cocktails, and a mini pool to dip your feet in.
Nickel City
The perfect combination of fancy dive bar and retro dining area — best bar food, craft cocktails, and fine beer.
Strangelove
Wine bar at 2614 E. Cesar Chavez St — breakfast tacos, pastries, charcuterie boards, and pop-ups from local food trucks.
Handsome Dan’s
Hybrid bar and bodega at 979 Springdale Rd #124 — inspired by Texas marina vibes. Sandwiches, Texas-exclusive beers, and NA brews on tap.
Ah Sing Den
Asian-themed bar serving Good Tipples, Morsels, and hot/cold dishes in an intimate interior.
Easy Tiger
The third location of Easy Tiger features a massive dog-friendly outdoor space with picnic tables and ping pong.
Grackle
Hipster bar with a pool table, billiards, and jukebox.
Lustre Pearl
Chill hangout for drinks and relaxing.
Shangri-La
Dog-friendly patio and beer garden — easy go-to for sunny afternoons.
The Liberty
One of the oldest bars on the east side, serving great late-night snacks.
The White Horse
Honky-tonk bar with live country music and an outside taco truck.
Whisler’s
Austin specialty for craft cocktails — one of the city’s defining cocktail bars.
RELATED: Best Bars In Austin For A Craft Cocktail
Best Breweries in East Austin
- Blue Owl Brewing — Austin’s first sour mash brewery
- Central Machine Works — microbrewery and beer hall in a converted machine-shop space with a pub-grub menu
- Lazarus Brewing Co. — cozy brewery and coffee shop serving house tacos, kombucha, and espresso
- Zilker Brewing Co. — urban craft brewery and taproom with a Spicy Boys food truck
RELATED: Best Breweries In Austin For Craft Beer
Best Desserts in East Austin
- Amy’s Ice Cream — East Austin branch of the Austin classic
- Capital City Bakery — vegan bakery serving fresh cupcakes, cookies, and cakes
- Gelateria Gemelli — modern gelato shop and Italian cocktail bar in one
- Lola’s Donuts — walk-up window donut shop with a cute flower wall (2406 Manor Rd)
Frequently Asked Questions About East Austin Restaurants
What’s the best new restaurant in East Austin?
Fish Shop earned Texas Monthly’s #4 best new restaurant 2026 — opened July 2025. Siti (Southeast Asian, in the former Poeta space) was a 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards nominee for Best New Restaurant. CAMPO (coastal Mexican on E. 6th) and Uptown Sports Club (Aaron Franklin’s all-day spot) are also major recent openings.
What’s the best brunch spot in East Austin?
Grizzelda’s (Tex-Mex with $5 mimosas), Suerte (Mexican-inspired with house masa), Tamale House (since 1958), Hillside Farmacy (farm-to-table), and Uptown Sports Club (Aaron Franklin’s Bloody Mary bar) are my top brunch picks. Saturdays and Sundays for most.
Where can I get the best Tex-Mex or Mexican food in East Austin?
For Mexican: Suerte, Comedor (downtown but worth the mention), and Cuantos Tacos for Mexico City street-style. For Tex-Mex: Cisco’s (since 1950), Juan In A Million, Mi Madre, Grizzelda’s, and El Chile. CAMPO is the newest pick — coastal Mexican on E. 6th.
Where can I get the best BBQ in East Austin?
Franklin Barbecue is the legendary destination (expect a line). La Barbecue is the consistent local favorite for brisket and beef ribs. Parish BBQ at Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches brings Texas BBQ with a Louisiana twist. Micklethwait Craft Meats is the best trailer pick.
What’s the best date-night restaurant in East Austin?
Justine’s Brasserie (French, light-strung patio), Oseyo (Korean, gorgeous courtyard), Old Thousand (American Chinese with cocktails), Suerte (modern Mexican), and Siti (Southeast Asian) are top date-night picks. Loudmouth’s romantic outdoor dining is also a strong pick.
Are there any kid-friendly restaurants in East Austin?
Bambino at Springdale General has a fenced playground with astroturf hills — the most kid-designed restaurant in Austin. Loudmouth has a play area on its half-acre lawn. Kinda Tropical has a big dog-friendly and kid-friendly backyard. Cisco’s, Juan In A Million, and Tamale House are all family-friendly classics.
Are there any East Austin restaurants with great patios?
Tons. Cosmic Saltillo, Loudmouth, Bambino, Oseyo, Sour Duck, Suerte, Bar Peached, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Grizzelda’s, Dainty Dillo, Jacoby’s, and Chalmer’s all have standout patios. For full coverage, see my Best Patios in Austin guide.
