Mexican
Polvo’s (best interior Mexican in town, great patio)
Veracruz Tacos (food truck, get the migas tacos)
El Primo (solid taco truck)
Rosita’s Al Pastor (best pastor in town)
Comedor (fancy, upscale dinner place)
De Nada Cantina (gringo-ish Mexican, great vibes)
La Santa Barbacha (great horchata, food truck)
Juan In a Million (the Don Juan taco is an Austin food legend)
La Plancha (specialize in tortas, Mexican sandwiches which are amazing)
Coffee
Desnudo Coffee (two Colombian guys in a truck with the best coffee in town)
Also good: Cuvee, Medici, Houndstooth
Barbecue
I don’t eat much bbq these days. My favorite places closed and the best stuff is in Lockhart. Go to Black’s or Cooper‘s if you need an Austin bbq fix.
Cocktails
Roosevelt Room (expensive, but worth it)
Firehouse Lounge (least pretentious speakeasy in town)
Other
Lazarus Brewing (great beer, coffee, tacos, vibes)
East Side Pies (best pizza in town)
Kerlaches (great kolaches, a Texas sausage/pastry combo)
Paperboy (great brunch)
Quack’s (otherworldly chocolate chip scones)
Ramen Tatsuya (ramen)
Bird Bird Biscuit (biscuits)
Fixe Southern House (upscale southern, amazing biscuits)
True Food Kitchen (healthy)
Better Half (brunch)