Around Town: East Austin EAST AUSTIN East Austin blends old-school weird with new-school creativity. Global eateries, boutiques, inviting cocktail bars and lively music venues keep the energy going from day to night. PLAY VIDEO Chalmers burning oven gives Bufalina pizzas a perfect crust. Gluten-free desserts at OMG Squee are equally adorable and delicious. “Cowboy-wok” tacos at Discada are slow-cooked in a tractor plow disc. New Orleans-themed Uptown Sports Club serves classic shrimp po’boys and hearty gumbo. Find light acai bowls and smoothies at Community Garden . Vibrant De Nada Cantina wows with barbacoa tacos and frozen margs. Heaping pastrami sandwiches at acclaimed Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen are a transcendent experience. Masa is the star at interior Mexican Suerte . Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop ’s croissants and cookies are fresh-baked heaven. Vegan Nom dishes up tasty all-day meat-free tacos. Seasonal DINING Come hungry! Modern Eastern Mediterranean fare gets a Texas twist at bold Ezov . MICHELIN Bib Gourmand winner Kemuri Tatsu-ya combines Texas barbecue with a Japanese izakaya. Hearty Southern comfort food makes Hoover’s Cooking a neighborhood mainstay. Tex-Mex breakfast at Juan in a Million is an east side staple. Fresh-baked bread makes Sour Duck Market ’s sandwiches stand out. Since 1957, the family-run Sam’s Bar-B-Que has smoked mutton and brisket on an indoor pit. Sizzling fajitas and colorful cocktails make beachy Grizzelda’s shine. Farm-to-table Italian spot Intero aims to be zero-waste. Handmade empanadas and tender lomito (an Argentinian steak sandwich) keep locals hooked on Buenos Aires Cafe . Cuantos Tacos ’ bite-sized Mexico City tacos earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand nod. A wood-coffees and blue masa biscuits are popular orders at Mercado Sin Nombre ’s walk-up window. The barbacoa tacos at La Santa Barbacha clinched a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand accolade. Tiny Comadre Panadería bakes creative sweet and savory Mexican American treats. Springdale Station is an early-1900s train station turned urban entertainment hub. Look for decadent pizzas on perfectly chewy crust at Bambino , and stacked sandwiches at the bait shop-inspired Handsome Dan’s . There’s kolaches, ice cream and more at all-day cafe Stargazer . NIGHTLIFE Cocktails at dreamy speakeasy Trona blend Oaxacan and Japanese flavors. Welcoming Murray’s Tavern updates familiar cocktails, like an olive-oil 42 visitaustin.org CHALMERS Discover Mueller! Vibrant Aldrich Street along Mueller Lake Park blends neighborhood dining, shopping and culture. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Veracruz Fonda & Bar offers whole fried shrimp and rich mole. Enjoy hearty buttermilk fried chicken at Southern-style Colleen’s Kitchen and dairy-free vegan cheese at Rebel Cheese . Every Sunday, shop fresh produce, meat and more at the festive Texas Farmers Market .
Austin Insider Guide 2026: Page 42
