Stop by North Italia for Top-Notch Italian Cuisine and Happy Hour Specials

If you're looking for quality Italian cuisine tonight, consider North Italia. Regulars eat here often, and they aren't ashamed to admit it, as the food is top-notch. Start with the zucca chips as your appetizer. These fried zucchini chips are easily the biggest draw at North Italia. From there, decide what's for dinner. The margherita and prosciutto pizzas are must-tries, but the strozzapreti and chicken parmesan are equally good choices as a main course. Any way you go, you can't go wrong.

You should also note that happy hour is Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. During this time, bottles of wine are half off, while sangria and beers are just $4. There is a happy hour special that offers a bottle of red or white wine paired with a pizza for just $20. Get there early to take advantage!

Expect the Unexpected at Second Bar + Kitchen

With two Austin locations, Second Bar + Kitchen is a trendy eatery that puts their own twist on local favorites. This restaurant is exactly as the name says: It encompasses bar and dining areas, as well as a kitchen. At the downtown location, one bar and dining area is inside, and the other is an outside balcony that overlooks Second Street.

From brunch to lunch and dinner and dessert, there is nothing on the menu that does not delight the taste buds. Whether you choose the crispy French toast that comes with cream cheese, strawberries and honey butter for brunch or the mushroom ravioli with asparagus, grana padano, mint, and preserved meyer lemon, your meal is sure to please.

For dinner, your party can choose to share small plates or savor large plates so that everyone has lunch the next day. Whichever you choose, be sure to leave room for dessert. Come early to beat the crowd, because reservations are not accepted.

Van’s Banh Mi: Authentic Vietnamese Food in Austin

At Van's Banh Mi, Van Lam's Austin eatery, the tasty namesake Vietnamese sandwiches are just five bucks apiece. But don't let the price tag fool you—these are the real deal.

The kitchen team bakes its baguettes fresh, in-house each morning and flame-grills meat to order. So regardless of whether you order the beef, chicken, or pork banh mi, you can expect the components to be fresh. In addition to the banh mi, Van's also dishes out vermicelli rice bowls topped with shrimp, beef, pork, or chicken, plus optional eggrolls on the side.

Savor de Moi Serves Up Top-Notch Tacos in Austin

While Austin has a number of great options for top-notch Mexican food, there is one spot that comes to the front of many people’s minds, and that place is Savor de Moi. Savor de Moi is a taco truck that is known for its delicious tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and other Mexican cuisine. The taco truck is open Tuesday through Saturday on a section of East 6th Street that isn't far from Folio.

Most of the items on the menu cost $10 or less, and while the menu items are affordable, the portion sizes are heaping (so you won’t be leaving this place hungry!). Favorites on the menu include barbecue nachos, al pastor tacos, chips and salsa, and chicken fajita tacos. The food at this truck can be enjoyed at home or at one of the tables surrounding it, and both cash and credit cards are accepted here. Will you be stopping by soon?

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Enjoy Fresh Teas and Juices at Teapioca Lounge

For some of the finest teas and smoothies in the area, check out Teapioca Lounge, a popular spot for bubble tea and other beverages. There are a number of locations in the Austin area, including one spot that is only 1.7 miles away from Folio, making this an easy spot to enjoy a frozen sweet treat this season. The menu here includes smoothies, bubble tea, regular tea, frozen coffee drinks, and slushies, so there's bound to be something for everyone. Some of the most popular menu items are the classic chocolate smoothie, the virgin mojito, and the fresh juice-tea fusions in flavors like mango and lychee.

In addition to beverages, a number of food items are available for purchase. The location near Folio is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., so the next time you’re craving a sweet treat, check out this local drink spot.

Enjoy Seasonal Eats and Drinks at Second Bar and Kitchen

Are you looking for a new place where you can enjoy a great meal? Grab your friends and head out to Second Bar and Kitchen, a restaurant that serves seasonal food and drinks right in the Second Street District. The restaurant’s local food and seasonal ingredients create a true farm-to-table experience for guests. As far as drinks, seasonal cocktails are the focal point in addition to fine wines and unique—but largely local—beers.

Second Bar and Kitchen is open daily for lunch and dinner, and while the menu changes to match the season, items on previous menus have included chive gnocchi, kale and carrot salad, grilled flank steak, seared rainbow trout, and a selection of pizzas. Reservations are suggested for a spot at this popular local eatery. Will you be heading to Second Bar and Kitchen this week?

Halal Bros: Mediterranean Cuisine On the Go

When you think about it, Mediterranean food is a great cuisine for the on-the-go lifestyle. Okay, so maybe it isn’t the easiest thing to eat rice while walking, but the kebabs, wraps, and general handheld nature of so many dishes make it perfect for the person who doesn't have time to sit down at a restaurant. And that’s part of what makes Halal Bros so great; sure, you could sit and enjoy your meal, but it’s just as enjoyable on the go.

The West Braker Lane establishment in Gracy Woods has become a favorite of area residents, and it’s easy to see why. The food is both affordable and delicious, and there is no shortage of variety. Shawarma, kebabs, gyros, falafel, and more can be found here in a number of variations here. The quick and friendly service turns meals out like clockwork, making this the ideal spot for a quick yet entirely satisfying bite.

Start Your Day with Something Sweet from River City Donut 2

If you've been to River City Donut 2, then you know how great it can be to start your day with a delicious sweet treat or two. When it comes to doughnuts, this shop offers a large variety to choose from, including classics like apple fritters but also more inventive flavors that you'll have to try yourself.

In addition to the sugary delights, River City also offers several different breakfast taco varieties for those looking for a savory way to start their day instead of a sweet one. If you're in a rush, River City Donut 2 conveniently has a drive-thru. If you do decide to indulge, be sure to get here early, not only for the best selection but also because this restaurant is only open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.

Copper Restaurant & Dessert Lounge: Enjoy Brunch or Happy Hour at this Upscale Spot

Located just five minutes from Folio, Copper Restaurant & Dessert Lounge offers tasty Texan-influenced American cuisine with a focus on desserts, appetizers, and drinks. Locally owned and founded by the owners of Austin Cake Ball, Copper Restaurant & Dessert Lounge raises the bar for area restaurants with its gorgeous interior and intimate setting. All the dishes here are stunningly plated, bringing out the beauty of every dish.

Happy Hour here is extremely popular, so be sure to check it out. There are half-priced snacks and $6 specialty cocktails available. A favorite is the Candy Girl, made with Pinnacle cotton candy vodka and topped with homespun cotton candy and rock candy. If you stop by during brunch, you can mix your own mimosas, making several drinks for only $10. Finish any meal with a signature cake ball with flavors like lemon drop, birthday cake, and German chocolate.

Order Your Frank “Con Todo” at T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs

The buns and tortillas served at T-Loc's Sonora Hot Dogs are shipped in right from Tucson, one of the first cities in the U.S. to catch wind of the Sonoran-style frank—which comes wrapped in bacon and smothered with a slew of gourmet ingredients. So you know that you're eating the authentic thing at T-Loc's Sonora Hot Dogs, a popular food truck in Austin.

Regular patrons highly recommend the "con todo," which is Spanish for "with everything." The dog lives up to its name. Swathed and grilled in a blanket of bacon, the frank is then topped with baked beans, tomatoes and onions, jalapeños, mustard, and mayo. You can get the con todo meat-free if you opt for a veggie dog, which has veganaise on top instead of mayo. If you're not in the mood for a hot dog, try the carne asada burrito instead—it's also very popular among patrons.

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