Sala and Betty: Locally Sourced Salads and Sandwiches

The family that owns Sala and Betty knows firsthand how difficult it can be to start up a local business with only elbow grease and a dream. That's why they seek to support other small local businesses in everything they do. This includes sourcing their ingredients from farms around Austin.

Sala and Betty's team builds relationships with the local farmers and ranchers in order to bring the best ingredients to your meal. Start with a light salad, such as the organic greens salad, which showcases a colorful medley of beets, pine nuts, goat cheese, and lemon-basil vinaigrette. Save some room for a fully loaded sandwich, like the Mister T. It's stuffed with smoked wagyu sirloin, avocado aioli, mixed greens, and blue cheese sauce—plus fries. The signature Sala showcases smoked chicken, mixed greens, cilantro, mint yogurt, and fries, so be sure to find out which sandwich is your favorite at Sala and Betty!

Feast on Fresh Fare at Foreign and Domestic

Make a reservation for a delicious dinner at one of the most popular restaurants in Austin, Foreign and Domestic. The restaurant serves up meals made with fresh ingredients that are not only local but in season, too. The menu is full of seasonal dishes that are combinations of classic American cuisine and classic European fare. Each item that comes out of the kitchen is plated and prepared perfectly. The menu changes with the seasons, but items on previous menus have featured blue crab, organic chicken, and salmon dishes.

For Sunday brunch, the menu is full of seasonally focused takes on classic brunch items like pancakes, breakfast burgers, and avocado toast. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and is open for brunch on Sundays. If you can’t get a reservation, don’t fret: Foreign and Domestic has a set number of walk-in tables available every day.

Kuneho: Classic and Innovative Sushi in Austin

Happy hour is such great fun at Kuneho that a single "happy" simply won't do; the eatery's founders call it "Happy Happy Time" instead. From 5 to 7 p.m. every day of the week, patrons flock to this beloved Austin eatery for Happy Happy Time. Small appetizers start at a mere $2 apiece, like the crispy onion and the enoki mushroom with tamari. For a bit more, enjoy a maki roll like the Mama Mia with tuna, cucumber, and avocado, or the Kimcheese eggroll stuffed with Velveeta and kimchi.

If you decide to come for a full meal, your options expand quite a bit. The large list of sushi and sashimi encompasses everything from yellowtail to Spanish mackerel, while the collection of maki rolls offers a few inventive eats. For something totally unique, try the K-Town Roll with short rib, kimchi, and Asian pear. The Unicorn en Vaso is a grilled "sushi" creation with grilled corn, corn milk, and a sea urchin. Save some room for chocolate mochi cake or jasmine sorbet at the end of your meal at Kuneho.

Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors: A Sunny Spot to Enjoy a Cup of Joe

If you prefer to give your hard-earned money to small businesses, as opposed to big chains, put Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors in your rotation of morning java stops and work-from-home spots. This beloved local coffeehouse and bakery offers artisan cups of joe and light bites to eat.

Natural light flows freely through the large windows, creating a comfortable environment in which to set up your laptop and take advantage of the cafe's free (and dependable) Wi-Fi. While you surf or answer e-mails, treat yourself to one of the artsy lattes that come with a carefully etched design on top or sip on a classic cup of coffee from local roasters like Tweed Coffee. Kuma Coffee Roasters in Washington state, Four Barrel Coffee in California, and Coava Coffee in Oregon also contribute to the array of beans available, so find the perfect cup at Figure 8.

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Enjoy Delicious Seasonal Dishes at Emmer & Rye

Emmer & Rye, one of Austin’s most buzzed-about restaurants, is truly a must-visit for those who consider themselves foodies. The menu is seasonally focused and varies by the day depending on the haul from the local farm or garden. The folks behind the restaurant aim to use as many local ingredients as possible to reduce their carbon footprint, and they even have their own in-house fermentation setup where they craft pickles and vinegar.

The menu largely focuses on American fare, but a selection of dim sum plates can also be purchased. Previous plates have included cured mackerel, short rib carnitas, roasted beets, and beef tartare. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner and is also open for brunch on Sunday. Does this sound like a spot you’d like? If so, you’re in luck: it’s only three miles from Lamar Union, so be sure to check it out!

Houndstooth Coffee: From Java to Craft Beer

There aren't many places where you can grab a gourmet cup of coffee and a craft beer in one swoop, which is part of what makes Houndstooth Coffee so popular. Its staff are just as concerned about crafting stellar cups of coffee as they are about sourcing wines and beers that will please your palate.

So when you come to snag a cup of joe, don't be surprised if the macchiato, latte, or classic brewed coffee you get—all made from Counter Culture beans—goes above and beyond your expectations. Also enjoy a fresh croissant or muffin with your cup of joe. If you'd rather indulge in a craft beer, stop by after work and try the Thirsty Planet's Bucket Head IPA or a Brewhouse Brown Ale by Real Ale. There's also a decent list of red and white wines, specialty teas, and more substantial foods to enjoy at Houndstooth Coffee.

One of East Austin’s Most Inventive Restaurants is Launderette

Looking for a hip restaurant with a unique vibe? If you’re in Austin, you could probably find a few such places without traveling very far, but if you happen to be in the East Austin neighborhood, there’s one place you absolutely need to check out: Launderette on Holly Street. A great spot for brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert, it’s got a throwback diner aesthetic but serves up some seriously sophisticated eats.

This restaurant’s menu includes dishes crafted using specialty ingredients to create unique flavor combinations. But if you’re ordering appetizers at dinner, things can quickly turn into an impromptu tapas session. We dare you to not be tempted to try the pastrami salmon toast or the fried olives. Then again, there’s the chicken liver mousse, and where else are you going to find that? Come ready to indulge in inventive dishes at Launderette.

Luke’s Inside Out: Sample Inventive Fare at This Local Food Truck

There’s no doubt that food trucks are enjoying popularity right now. They offer a great way for chefs to break into a city’s restaurant scene, and they usually offer a more accessible way for eaters of all kinds to experience new foods. Those who are looking for an excellent food truck in Austin should look no further than Luke’s Inside Out, situated on South Lamar Boulevard.

Chef Luke Bibby is the master of Inside Out’s creations, which are mainly sandwiches and sharable plates. Many of the flavors on this menu are inspired by French cuisine but still have a decidedly American aesthetic, insofar as there seems to be a melting pot of cuisines represented. Spicy Szechuan fried chicken sandwiches stand next to falafel burgers and pulled pork here, giving you plenty of choices. And be sure to check out the specials, which change regularly and always seem to offer out-of-the-ordinary dishes. The next time you’re in the mood for something different, check out this truck next to Gibson Bar.

Delicious Is an All-In-One Spot for Grocery Shopping and Dining

The giant, retro-inspired sign that reads "Delicious" draws many into this part-deli, part-market. Delicious is more than a spot to grab a great meal, though; it's also a spot that many locals visit for a cold drink. As far as food, Delicious serves farm-to-table plates that put an emphasis on New American fare. The menu runs the gamut with options for everyone. What’s on the menu? Everything from lobster rolls and burgers to wagyu tartare and ahi poke—and that’s just the lunch and dinner menu. Brunch is served on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with plenty of savory options like the chicken and waffles, the eggs Benedict, the pastrami hash, and more.

In addition to sit-down dining options, Delicious is also a market offering a great selection of necessities, and even beer, wine, and sweet treats are available for purchase here. Delicious is just around the corner from Lamar Union, which makes it a convenient spot to visit for your next meal or grocery trip.

Delicious: Contemporary Fare for Brunch and Beyond

Chicken-fried chicken, a beer-infused waffle, caramelized onion and spicy jalapeño syrup, fresh slices of apple, and creamy butter. These are the unexpected components that comprise the chicken and waffle dish at Delicious, one of the signature eats on the popular brunch menu. It also includes items like the brunch burger with bacon, egg, and cheese on top or the biscuits and gravy, featuring green chorizo gravy and sunny-side-up eggs.

If you come for lunch or dinner, start with a few unique small plates like the Korean fried chicken wings with kimchi and fermented chile, the winter squash ghanoush, and the ahi poke. Delicious also offers beer and wine by the glass as well as decadent ice creams and cookies, so don't skip dessert at this popular Austin eatery.

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