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15 must-visit restaurants during the March festival and conference
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Many attendees will descend upon Austin in March for South by Southwest (SXSW), the massive interactive, film, and music festival, for panels, networking, and partying. To answer the eternal question — Where should I eat during SXSW 2022? — here are Eater’s recommendations for the best dining bets in Austin.
This means nationally acclaimed smoked meats from La Barbecue, excellent sushi in a landlocked city from Uchi, seasonal Texas offerings from Odd Duck, a collection of the city’s best restaurants right in the heart of downtown with Fareground, East Austin natural wine bar LoLo, and more. Be sure to check ahead with our suggestions to make sure the businesses aren’t closed for private events or buy-outs.
For more dining and drinking ideas, check out the Eater 38 (a collection of Austin’s very best restaurants), and the March heatmap (a roundup of the best new restaurants in the city), as well as the rest of Eater’s SXSW coverage.
As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurants themselves.
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.
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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
2512 E 12th St
Austin, TX 78702
It’s worth the trek to further east for some of the most exciting tacos in the best Austin restaurant of 2020 and 2021. Take one highly skilled chef (Edgar Rico), place him in a vibrant cozy counter-service restaurant, and you’ve got a simple, creative menu of tacos and tostadas made with quality ingredients that, yeah, sometimes veer into the cheffy side (beets tartare, duck confit), but don’t let that deter you. Also, keep an eye out for Persian food specials courtesy of co-owner Sara Mardanbigi. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
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406 Walsh St
Austin, TX 78703
The Eater Austin restaurant of 2018 is an all-day cafe and bar from the Wright Bros. Brew & Brew team, featuring hearty stellar takes on burgers, biscuits, and Texas staples (chicken fried steak, redfish tortas), alongside cocktails, coffee, and a smart wine list. Get the cauliflower tots, you won’t regret it. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
