AUSTIN, Texas — South by Southwest (SXSW) is returning in-person for the first time since COVID-19 canceled the festival in 2020. The 2021 festival was virtual, so the city did not experience the normal influx of foot traffic.
With SXSW returning, festival-goers will have plenty of food options to choose from throughout the festival. Here are just a few recommendations to check out, courtesy of Eater Austin:
La Barbecue
La Barbecue serves up some tasty brisket, sausage, pulled pork, ribs and turkey, along with traditional sides. It's one of the best options in Austin for barbecue and is located at 2401 E. Cesar Chavez Street.
Veracruz All Natural
There are tons of taco places in Austin, and Veracruz All Natural is one of the top spots. All of their tacos are served on handmade tortillas with fresh salsas, and the outpost at the Line Hotel is convenient to festival-goers. Otherwise, you can check them out at 111 E. Cesar Chavez Street.
Nixta Taqueria
This option is a little further from Downtown Austin than the rest of the list, but it is well worth the commute. Located in Central East Austin, Nixta Taqueria is another spot with a creative menu of options for tacos and tostadas. Some of the options include a Beet "Tartare" tostada, duck carnitas taco, cauliflower taco, enchilada potosina and more. Check this place out at 2512 E. 12th Street.
Better Half
This all-day cafe and bar serves up tasty burgers, biscuits and Texas staples like chicken fried steak and redfish tortas, alongside cocktails, coffee and a wine list. You can find this spot at 406 Walsh Street.
Koriente
Koriente is a family-owned Korean-ish restaurant with great options for those craving simple, flavorful food with lots of vegetables. They are only open for to-go orders, pick-up orders (call ahead) or delivery orders through third-party services. Koriente is located at 621 E. Seventh Street.
Kalimotxo
Kalimotxo is a Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar with a flowing porrones, craft cocktails, and a delicious small plates menu. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Kalimotxo is located at 607 W. Third Street, #105.
Vaquero Taquero
Another taco joint. Seeing a theme here, yet? Austin loves its tacos. Located in Downtown Austin near "Dirty Sixth," Vaquero Taquero serves some of the meatiest tacos and gooiest quesadillas around! You can find them at 603 Sabine Street.
Buenos Aires Café
This is another solid spot to visit on the eastern side on Interstate 35. Buenos Aires Café is a casual Argentinian restaurant known for its plentiful tender grilled meats and empanadas. You can find them located at 1201 E. Sixth Street.
Fareground
At Fareground, Austin’s first and only food hall, you can enjoy some of the best restaurants and chefs in the city. The options range from Israeli cuisine at TLV to dumplings from Little Wu to French sandwiches from Austin Rotisserie, and more. The food hall is located at 111 Congress Ave.
LoLo
LoLo is a fun East Austin wine bar where you can enjoy a glass on the patio with some tinned fish or baguette and butter. This spot is located at 1504 E. Sixth Street.
Suerte
Suerte is a Mexican-inspired spot with Eater Austin’s chef of 2018 Fermín Núñez. The menu focuses on masa, from suadero tacos (confit brisket and “black magic” oil), carnitas tlacoyo, to all the tortillas you can imagine. You can find Suerte at 1800 E. Sixth Street.
Via 313
One of Austin's staples. Via 313 is a Detroit-style pizzeria and food truck that offers rectangular pies topped with cheese, meats and vegetables. There are multiple locations throughout the city, including three in the downtown area: 1802 E. Sixth Street, 96 Rainey Street and 600 W. Sixth Street.
Uchi
Uchi is one of Austin's must-eat spots in town. This sushi restaurant has an incredible happy hour selection from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Even UT's Minister of Culture, Matthew McConaughey, shouted out Uchi as one of his favorite places to eat in Austin.
Odd Duck
Odd Duck offers magnificent large-format dishes, perfect for bigger groups looking to share meals. It is one of Austin’s most pleasurable New American-meets-Texas dining experiences. You can find them at 1201 S. Lamar Blvd.
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
Last, but certainly not least, there is Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, a Texas-influenced Japanese izakaya. Here you can enjoy fun dishes like a take on Frito pie with octopus fritters and hot pockets filled with brisket. For those with more adventurous taste buds, there is a more exotic and rarities selection, alongside yakitori, sashimi, smoked meats and a solid cocktail list. This spot is located on the east side at 2713 E. Second Street.
Free options at SXSW
Summer in Argyle Fan Dining Experience
- Where: Banger’s, 79 Rainey Street, Downtown
- When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 11
- Access: Open to SXSW badge holders with a reservation
The Future of Food
- Where: SXSW Center, 1400 Lavaca Street, Downtown
- When: Times vary per day, March 11-12; March 14-15; March 17-18
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge plus registration on Eventbrite
Superheroes & Superstars Experience
- Where: 604 Driskill Street, Downtown
- When: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Peacock Playground
- Where: 80 to 82 Rainey Street, Downtown
- When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
University of Arizona Wonder House
- Where: Fogo De Chao, 309 East Third Street, Downtown
- When: 11 a.m to midnight, Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Spurs x Sneaker Politics
- Where: Sneaker Politics, 221 West Second Street, Downtown
- When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Summer in Argyle Hot Dog Carts
- Where: Downtown Austin
- When: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. or until supplies run out, Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13
- Access: Any SXSW attendees who can find the carts
Nomi Health: Walk in the Park Lounge
- Where: Waterloo Ballrooms 1-3 at Austin Marriott Downtown, 304 East Cesar Chavez Street, Downtown
- When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, March 11 through Tuesday, March 15
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
The Norton Bright Lounge
- Where: Room 602 at Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 East Fourth Street, Downtown
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, March 11 through Wednesday, March 16
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
WeTransfer Lounge
- Where: Room 301 and 302 at JW Marriott, 110 East 2nd St, Downtown
- When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 11 through Wednesday, March 16
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
HipStirs Craft Cocktail Syrups Brand Activation
- Where: Brush Square Park, 409 East Fifth Street, Downtown
- When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 12
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Connected AF: A Booze-Free Bar Meet-Up
- Where: Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 East Fourth Street, Downtown
- When: 4 to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 12
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
SXSW Wellness Expo Presented by Seedlip
- Where: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Bouldin Creek
- When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 12 through Sunday, March 13
- Access: Free and open to the public
The Trip: An Atlanta Cafe
- Where: Higher Ground, 720 Congress Avenue
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 12 through Sunday, March 13
- Access: Open to the public with priority access given to SXSW badgeholders
The Modern West
- Where: Container Bar, 90 Rainey Street, Downtown
- When: Times vary per day, Saturday, March 12 through Monday, March 14
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Doodles
- Where: 99 Trinity Street, Downtown
- When: Times vary per day, Saturday, March 12 through Monday, March 14
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Hands-Free House by Cheetos
- Where: 1209 East Sixth Street, East Austin
- When: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, March 12 through Tuesday, March 15
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
The Slack Digital HQ Experience
- Where: 301 Congress Avenue, Downtown
- When: Times vary per day, Saturday, March 12 through Wednesday, March 16
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Upgrade to Charcuterie-Grade Snacking with Creminelli
- Where: Brush Square Park, 409 East Fifth Street, Downtown
- When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 12 through Thursday, March 17
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
eMLS Cup presented by Coca-Cola
- Where: Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, 310 West Willie Nelson Boulevard, Downtown
- When: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, March 13
- Access: Free to the public
Bala’s Boot Scootin’ Disco
- Where: Banger’s Basement, 79 Rainey Street, Downtown
- When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, March 13
- Access: Free for SXSW badgeholders with RSVP
Tindle Happy Hour
- Where: Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 East Fourth Street, Downtown
- When: 5 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 13
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Feed Your Optimism with Nature’s Fynd
- Where: Brush Square Park, 409 East Fifth Street, Downtown
- When: Noon to 7 p.m., Sunday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 15
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Global Street Farm
- Where: Idle Hands, 85 Rainey Street, Downtown
- When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 15
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
The Phocas House
- Where: Atelier 1205, 1205 East Cesar Chavez Street, East Austin
- When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. day party, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. night party, Tuesday, March 15
- Access: Free and open to the public, night party requires RSVP
Sounds From Spain Paella Day Party
- Where: Half Step, 75 1/2 Rainey Street, Downtown
- When: 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 16
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Hydration Happy Hour at iVitamin
- Where: 515 South Congress Avenue, Suite 104, Travis Heights
- When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 16
- Access: Free to the public
POP Montreal and M for Montreal Official Showcase
- Where: Swan Dive, 615 Red River Street, Downtown
- When: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. networking session, 8 pm. to 2 a.m. showcase, Wednesday, March 16
- Access: Cocktail networking event for badgeholders
Dillon T. Pickle’s Austin Throwdown
- Where: Idle Hands, 85 Rainey Street, Rainey Street Historic District
- When: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 17
- Access: Free with registration on Eventbrite
F*ck Food Waste Experience
- Where: 717 Red River Lot, Downtown
- When: Noon to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 17 to Saturday, March 19
- Access: Any sort of SXSW badge
Intergalactic Pink Mushroom Pizza Pop-Up
- Where: Sammataro, 1108 East 12th Street, Central East Austin
- When: Noon to 9 p.m., Friday, March 18
- Access: Free with registration on Eventbrite
SXSW will run from Friday, March 11, to Sunday, March 20. For a one-sheet guide of everything you need to know about SXSW, click here.
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