From elevated wine dinners to beloved local favorites (and a sneak peek at what’s coming), Austin’s food scene continues to deliver memorable bites and experiences. Here’s what’s currently on our radar.

Local Foods (Downtown Austin)

A longtime Austin favorite, Local Foods continues to impress with its commitment to scratch-made dishes and thoughtfully sourced Texas ingredients. The downtown location is especially convenient for city outings, with validated parking available at the City Hall garage or the garage directly behind the restaurant.

Fan favorites shine across the menu, including the much-loved Chicken Caesar Wrap and the Truffled Egg Salad Sandwich, made even better on a soft pretzel bun. For something sweet, the Austin Cowboy Cookie is a must-try, packed with local pecans, local oats, and a mix of white and dark chocolate that feels indulgent yet familiar.

Local Foods is expanding its Austin footprint with a second location opening at 3800 N. Lamar Blvd. in late Spring 2026. The new space will be open daily for lunch and dinner, offer weekend brunch, and feature a weekday morning walk-up patio serving coffee, matcha, and pastries.

Black Sheep Coffee (Downtown Austin)

Austin’s coffee scene just gained an exciting newcomer. International coffee brand Black Sheep Coffee is expanding its Texas footprint with the debut of its first Austin café, now open at the corner of West 6th and Guadalupe. Known for its specialty-grade Robusta coffee and ceremonial-grade matcha, the brand brings a bold, globally inspired approach to the city’s caffeine culture. The downtown space reflects Austin’s creative energy with custom graffiti artwork and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, while the menu spans everything from expertly crafted espresso drinks and matcha to smoothies, Norwegian waffles, and curated food offerings. We enjoyed a hearty bagel sandwich with our cappuccinos! 

La Barbecue x Justin Wine (Austin)

A night at Austin’s iconic La Barbecue proved that bold Texas barbecue and Central Coast wines are a perfect match. The dinner spotlighted Justin Winery, a renowned Paso Robles producer whose expressive wines are available across Texas at H‑E‑B and other retailers.

The three-course experience was led by local Aussie and barbecue authority Jess Pryles, who curated a menu designed to complement each pour. The evening began with chicken lollipops paired with a Central Coast Chardonnay, followed by baby back pork ribs alongside a 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon. The final course featured candied jalapeño brisket sliders paired with the 2022 Reserve Cabernet which is a rich, smoky pairing that closed the night on a high note and showcased how seamlessly Justin wines elevate classic Texas barbecue.

Ruby Bar (Round Rock)

Just north of Austin, The Ruby Hotel & Bar is our favorite recommendation for an overnight stay in Round Rock. Just a few blocks off the bustling, downtown Main Street, it’s tucked into a beautiful, tree-filled, property on the banks of Brushy Creek. With its cute outdoor pool, standout location and intimate bar, it’s one of our most favorite locations! Their intimate bar reminds us of a cozy ski chalet with dimmed lighting, great drinks and live music on the weekends. 

Ruby Bar is kicking off 2026 with an inviting lineup of Live Music Fridays and Saturdays from 7–9 p.m. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails in the bar while listening to performances by local and regional artists including Sarah Arenella, Angelyn Iturbide, Milan Moorman, JJ Plasencio, and Kristen Gibbs.

Pinthouse Pizza (Round Rock)

Pinthouse Pizza in Round Rock has long been a favorite for its award-winning craft beer and house-made pizzas in one of the area’s fastest-growing communities. Known for hop-forward brews, inventive small-batch releases, and a commitment to quality ingredients, the brewery offers a lively yet approachable setting perfect for casual weeknight dinners or relaxed weekend gatherings. With its spacious layout, family-friendly atmosphere, and reputation for consistently great pours, Pinthouse Pizza remains a go-to destination for Round Rock locals and Austin-area beer enthusiasts alike.

Juliet Social (Georgetown)

Veneto Hospitality is reimagining its Georgetown Juliet Italian Kitchen as Juliet Social, which reopened in October 2025 as a cafe-style restaurant and dedicated event venue in the heart of the historic Georgetown square. Open to the public for lunch, the cafe-style menu will feature salads, Juliet’s signature handmade pastas with house sauces, classics like lasagna and a rotating seasonal ravioli, plus Italian coffee drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, and desserts including tiramisu, cheesecake, and affogato.

Designed to meet a growing demand for private gatherings, Juliet Social also offers a versatile event space accommodating up to 180 guests, including private dining rooms, lounges, balconies, and a dedicated bar. Select dates throughout the year will transform the ground floor into a speakeasy-style lounge open to the public during local events, adding a lively new reason to linger in downtown Georgetown.

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Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She began her travel writing career in 2002, and can be seen as a contributor on TV shows across Texas, such as Great Day Houston, San Antonio Living, Spectrum News product showcase and Spectrum News Travel (airs statewide), Good Morning Texas, KVUE, Daytime (airs statewide), and Studio 512! Marika spent five years as the voice of the “Weekend Trip Tip” on NPR’s Texas Standard pre-Covid. Follow Marika on Instagram.

Madi Hise is a senior Public Relations student at the University of Texas at Austin with experience in both agency and editorial settings. As an editorial intern at Texas Lifestyle Magazine, she creates lifestyle content highlighting travel, hospitality, and culture across Texas.