Everyone who goes to Austin to party immediately thinks of Sixth Street. If you’re taking a stroll there, hop into Casino El Camino, a must for any fan of rock and roll. If the band ZZ Top was a bar, we like to think it’d be this one. An Austin staple since 1994 that stands out from the typical Sixth Street party spots, Casino El Camino is a laidback, old-school dive with great food—try any of the burgers, they never miss—and great music.

From the service industry crowd to couples out on date night, this eclectic French bistro caters to everyone. The menu is traditionally French with items like escargot and ratatouille, and the staff always knows their stuff and is ready to help you order. Its ambience is second to none, and with its 2am closing time, it’s also a hot spot for late-night dining.

There were long lines for this restaurant even before it won a James Beard Award in 2022 (it is Austin, after all), but we’re happy to wait in them considering the stellar dining experience Nixta offers. The team makes its own nixtamalized heirloom corn tortillas in-house, topped with twists on the basics as well as more creative fillers. The bean and cheese taco, for example, has beans that were refried in duck fat, and we’re suckers for the carrot tostada with herby ricotta, salsa macha, dates, and amaranth. The beverage list features several Mexican wines alongside other natural-leaning selections, plus tepache and aguas frescas.

Sports lovers and University of Texas at Austin students have loved this bar since 1971. Since it’s walking distance to Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Posse East is a no-brainer as the go-to spot for game days. The bar only carries beer, hard seltzer, and wine, including big brands like Topo Chico and Guinness as well as a variety of local options like Electric Jellyfish, Austin Beerworks, and Austin Eastciders. Posse East’s kitchen serves your typical bar bites, salads, tacos, sandwiches, fish and chips, and burgers.

Since 1985, the Mexican food truck has been serving the Riverside area and all who travel to it. And with the popularity it’s gained, Rosita’s even opened its first brick-and-mortar in 2021 in the same neighborhood. No matter the location, you’ll find Mexican staples such as queso flameado, barbacoa, al pastor tacos, and menudo.

If you’re a fan of the movie Dazed and Confused, you might recognize this establishment as the spot where Matthew McConaughey debuted his famous “alright, alright, alright.” One could say Top Notch is a pretty cool place, and decades after its appearance in the 1993 film, it’s still going strong. Like any true Texan, we’re fans of great burgers, and this restaurant is our go-to joint when we’re cheating on P. Terry’s. These smoky burgers cooked on a charcoal grill hit the spot every time. Top Notch also has great fried chicken, so don’t forget to save room for a bite of that.

Mexican restaurant Veracruz All Natural has four brick and mortars around town and three taco trucks, so you’re bound to be a close drive to one of its locations. Veracruz is known for breakfast tacos—you can never go wrong with the El Tradicional taco, made with egg, bacon, refried pinto beans, potato, and Monterey Jack cheese—and for having an inclusive menu filled with vegan and vegetarian options. Before you head out, try a juice or smoothie to go with your meal—or maybe take an agua fresca for the road.

Every time we shop on South Congress, we always work up a huge appetite, and our favorite place to stop by for a bite during retail therapy is Vespaio. This restaurant has been serving some of the best Italian food in Austin since 1998. Fun fact: the chefs do their own butchering and use up every part of the animal. Vespaio’s menu changes daily, but we promise you’ll always be treated to great wine, cocktails, and pasta.