If it's your first visit to Brian's Brew, there are a few things you should know. First, this tiny, independently owned cafe is tucked within the Bank of America building. Next, the cafe brews coffee drinks made from wood-fired beans. That is, beans that have been hand-roasted in small batches over a wood fire. Lastly, Brian’s Brew serves a latte that they claim is "life-changing."

The verdict is still out about that verity of that last point, but regular visitors of Brian's Brew say the latte is worth ordering nonetheless. It's called the Summermoon Latte, and it's described as being creamy, full-bodied, and just a tad sweet. Order yours hot or iced, and pair it with a breakfast taco (provided by Torchy's Tacos) or freshly baked glazed doughnut or apple fritter from local doughnut bakery Round Rock Donuts.

Brian’s Brew is open 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.

Brian’s Brew
515 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 738-7713
www.briansbrew.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/brians-brew-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Edsel Little

At Cafe 1626, you can have fun while dining in or save some time by ordering delivery to anywhere in the South Austin area. This popular pizzeria has a friendly, casual atmosphere and a menu of affordable American fare, including sandwiches, salads, pastas and, of course, delicious pizza. There is also a game room filled with arcade games that the little ones (and the young at heart) will enjoy.

On game days, the 106-inch projector screen makes Cafe 1626 a great place to cheer on your favorite teams, while the large salad bar and pizza bar create affordable lunch options for those who work nearby. If you prefer to order out instead of dining in, Café 1626 also offers convenient delivery that’s perfect for your next movie night at home.

Cafe 1626 is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Cafe 1626
11600 Manchaca Road
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 440-1626
www.cafe1626.com
www.yelp.com/biz/speakeasy-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr KJGarbutt

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike flock to Arlo's food truck on a daily basis. This Austin eatery serves seriously mouth-watering food made fresh daily, and it's all vegan friendly. The vegan bacon cheeseburgers are something of a local legend, and when paired with a side order of crispy, golden tater tots, the burger makes a hearty and drool-worthy meal. You'll also find spicy chili, cornbread wedges, tomato-basil hot dogs, and even vegan chicken tacos on the menu, but the cheeseburgers are really the main draw. It’s the cheeseburgers that cause lines to wrap around the side of the truck during peak times.

The only downside to eating at Arlo’s is that as a food truck, Arlo's doesn't have any seating to offer. This generally isn't a problem, however, as nearby bars usually allow you to bring your Arlo's meal inside, so it's easy to pair your meal with a cold beer and a seat.

Arlo's
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 628-0608
www.arlostruck.com
www.yelp.com/biz/arlos-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Neeta Lind