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A halved bagel sandwich with cheese and eggs.
A bagel sandwich at Rosen’s Bagels.
Rosen’s Bagels

Where to Eat and Drink Near ACL Music Festival in Austin

Enjoy Chappell Roan and Dua Lipa while grabbing tacos, cocktails, and barbecue near Zilker Park during Austin City Limits Music Festival

by Erin Russell and Nadia Chaudhury Updated
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A bagel sandwich at Rosen’s Bagels.
| Rosen’s Bagels
by Erin Russell and Nadia Chaudhury Updated

Austin City Limits Music Festival is coming up soon in October, marking the peak of Austin’s events season. Sure, there will be great options inside of Zilker Park (hello, the city’s best taco restaurants along with barbecue truck CM Smokehouse), but sooner or later, you’re going to need a break from waiting in line for Chi’lantro’s kimchi fries.

Behold Eater’s updated ACL Music Festival dining map for 2024, with the best eating and drinking bets for newcomers and Austinites near Zilker Park this year. There are so many options, from the pick-me-up coffees from Merit Coffee to barbecue from Terry Black’s BBQ to cocktails from Roosevelt Room, and all-day menus from Better Half.

The music festival is so nice that it’s happening twice: Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6; and then from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13. For help navigating the food and drink options at the festival proper, check out Eater’s ACL guide. Likewise, check out Eater’s neighborhood guides to downtown Austin and South Lamar.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Deep Eddy Cabaret

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Have an after-fest beer or five far away from the Sixth Street crowds. Another easy walk across the pedestrian bridge. It’s open from noon to 2 a.m. daily; there are indoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-0961
(512) 472-0961

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Pool Burger

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For tiki cocktails and burgers within walking distance from the festival grounds, head to this casual West Austin restaurant and bar. It’s open from noon to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 334-9747
(512) 334-9747
A burger in a paper wrap and fries in a tray on a blue picnic table.
Pool Burger serves up a double burger.
Chad Wadsworth

Also featured in:

Donn's Depot

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One of the city’s most fun dives, this West Austin bar is literally in an old train station structure. It’s open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and closed on Sunday; there are indoor and outdoor areas.

1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-0336
(512) 478-0336

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Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

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The all-day cafe across the river has it all: breakfast and brunch-perfect sandwiches and pancakes; hearty cheeseburgers and cauliflower tots; lighter fare like salads and granola bowls; thoughtful espresso and coffee; and carefully curated cocktails, beers, and wines. The kitchen is open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786
Two plates of food, one with a sunny-side-up egg and a broth and the other with a sandwich with a cup of latte and a drinks menu on a wooden table.
Food and coffee at Better Half.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

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Dirty Bill's

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The best littlest downtown dive bar there ever was. It’s open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily; there are indoor dine-in areas.

511 Rio Grande St (6th St), Austin, TX 78701

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Rosen's Bagels

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The Austin bagel company runs a downtown cafe within Republic Square Park, making it a convenient pre-festival stop for daytime bagel sandwiches before hopping onto the official ACL shuttle. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

422 W 5th St C, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 502-5027
(512) 502-5027

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The Roosevelt Room

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Looking for a fancy drink and a cheese board after a day of festival fare? The expert bartenders at the Roosevelt Room, near the shuttle drop-off at Republic Square, make classic cocktails from every decade. It’s open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday; there are Uber Eats takeout and delivery orders; there are indoor dine-in services.

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094

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Merit Coffee

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For coffee north of the river, head to the Seaholm location of this Texas mini-chain, found near both the Lamar-adjacent pedestrian bridge and walking distance of the shuttle drop-off. It’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

222 West Ave #120, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 906-0266
(512) 906-0266

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Salt Traders Coastal Cooking Zilker

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The Texas seafood comfort restaurant — from chef Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen’s Kitchen — is located near the southwest side of the park for those craving chowders, fish, or samples from the raw bar. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746
(737) 484-0095
(737) 484-0095
A circular tray of halved oysters and a pile of pink shrimp and ice are surrounded by a little bowl with empty oyster shells, condiments, and crackers.
Oysters from Salt Traders.
Salt Traders

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Chuy's

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Do you want some Tex-Mex? Do you not want to walk far from the festival? The Austin-born Tex-Mex chain is here for you, and everyone else at ACL. Sometimes a big plate of enchiladas and a margarita are worth the wait. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-4452
(512) 474-4452

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Zoé Tong & Sí Baby-Q

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Perfectly situated on the road leading to one of the main ACL entrances, modern Chinese restaurant Zoé and its barbecue truck Sí are good bets for a meal during festivalness. From the former, noodles, rices, meats, and vegetables, alongside cocktails and wines. And the latter leans into Texas-Southeast Asian-Mexican flavors and ingredients.

Zoé Tong’s hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are third-party delivery services (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub); there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Sí Baby-Q’s hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday; takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are Uber Eats deliveries; and there are outdoor dine-in areas.

1530 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 387-6671
(512) 387-6671

P. Terry's

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A short walk to the Austin chain’s bustling location will yield late-night burgers (and one of the city's popular veggie burgers). Yes, expect significant lines. It’s open 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
(512) 473-2217

Also featured in:

El Alma

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This South Austin restaurant is the higher-end Mexican restaurant cousin to the Austin Tex-Mex mini-chain El Chile. The rooftop patio is an ideal space to share pre- or post-fest guacamole and margaritas. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Also featured in:

Terry Black's BBQ

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Assuming there's no time to make a barbecue pit stop in Lockhart if you’re in town just for ACL, the Austin location of the Texas mini-barbecue chain is the next best and easiest thing to do. There is even the opportunity for evening barbecue if you skip the headliners. It’s open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday; preorders can be placed online; takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX
(512) 394-5899
(512) 394-5899

Also featured in:

Sandy's Hamburgers

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Are these the best hamburgers in Austin? Who knows. Does it hit the spot and come with a side of frozen custard? Hell yes. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; takeout orders can be placed in person.

603 Barton Springs Rd (at S. 1st St.), Austin, TX 78704
(512) 478-6322
(512) 478-6322

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TLC Austin

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The South Lamar casual seafood restaurant is the place to go to, especially for larger groups seeking sharable plates and margaritas. It’s open from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 580-0971
(512) 580-0971

Also featured in:

Ramen Tatsu-ya

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Sure, there’ll probably be a line, but the ramen is restorative, which will fuel festival-goers after late nights filled with music and dancing. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Also, try your luck at the next-door sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya, because why not?

1234 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

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Deep Eddy Cabaret

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Have an after-fest beer or five far away from the Sixth Street crowds. Another easy walk across the pedestrian bridge. It’s open from noon to 2 a.m. daily; there are indoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-0961
(512) 472-0961

Pool Burger

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

For tiki cocktails and burgers within walking distance from the festival grounds, head to this casual West Austin restaurant and bar. It’s open from noon to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 334-9747
(512) 334-9747
A burger in a paper wrap and fries in a tray on a blue picnic table.
Pool Burger serves up a double burger.
Chad Wadsworth

Donn's Depot

1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

One of the city’s most fun dives, this West Austin bar is literally in an old train station structure. It’s open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and closed on Sunday; there are indoor and outdoor areas.

1600 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-0336
(512) 478-0336

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

The all-day cafe across the river has it all: breakfast and brunch-perfect sandwiches and pancakes; hearty cheeseburgers and cauliflower tots; lighter fare like salads and granola bowls; thoughtful espresso and coffee; and carefully curated cocktails, beers, and wines. The kitchen is open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786
Two plates of food, one with a sunny-side-up egg and a broth and the other with a sandwich with a cup of latte and a drinks menu on a wooden table.
Food and coffee at Better Half.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Dirty Bill's

511 Rio Grande St (6th St), Austin, TX 78701

The best littlest downtown dive bar there ever was. It’s open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily; there are indoor dine-in areas.

511 Rio Grande St (6th St), Austin, TX 78701

Rosen's Bagels

422 W 5th St C, Austin, TX 78701

The Austin bagel company runs a downtown cafe within Republic Square Park, making it a convenient pre-festival stop for daytime bagel sandwiches before hopping onto the official ACL shuttle. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

422 W 5th St C, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 502-5027
(512) 502-5027

The Roosevelt Room

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

Looking for a fancy drink and a cheese board after a day of festival fare? The expert bartenders at the Roosevelt Room, near the shuttle drop-off at Republic Square, make classic cocktails from every decade. It’s open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday; there are Uber Eats takeout and delivery orders; there are indoor dine-in services.

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094

Merit Coffee

222 West Ave #120, Austin, TX 78701

For coffee north of the river, head to the Seaholm location of this Texas mini-chain, found near both the Lamar-adjacent pedestrian bridge and walking distance of the shuttle drop-off. It’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

222 West Ave #120, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 906-0266
(512) 906-0266

Salt Traders Coastal Cooking Zilker

1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746

The Texas seafood comfort restaurant — from chef Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen’s Kitchen — is located near the southwest side of the park for those craving chowders, fish, or samples from the raw bar. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746
(737) 484-0095
(737) 484-0095
A circular tray of halved oysters and a pile of pink shrimp and ice are surrounded by a little bowl with empty oyster shells, condiments, and crackers.
Oysters from Salt Traders.
Salt Traders

Chuy's

1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

Do you want some Tex-Mex? Do you not want to walk far from the festival? The Austin-born Tex-Mex chain is here for you, and everyone else at ACL. Sometimes a big plate of enchiladas and a margarita are worth the wait. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-4452
(512) 474-4452

Zoé Tong & Sí Baby-Q

1530 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Perfectly situated on the road leading to one of the main ACL entrances, modern Chinese restaurant Zoé and its barbecue truck Sí are good bets for a meal during festivalness. From the former, noodles, rices, meats, and vegetables, alongside cocktails and wines. And the latter leans into Texas-Southeast Asian-Mexican flavors and ingredients.

Zoé Tong’s hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are third-party delivery services (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub); there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Sí Baby-Q’s hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday; takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are Uber Eats deliveries; and there are outdoor dine-in areas.

1530 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 387-6671
(512) 387-6671

P. Terry's

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

A short walk to the Austin chain’s bustling location will yield late-night burgers (and one of the city's popular veggie burgers). Yes, expect significant lines. It’s open 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
(512) 473-2217

El Alma

1025 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

This South Austin restaurant is the higher-end Mexican restaurant cousin to the Austin Tex-Mex mini-chain El Chile. The rooftop patio is an ideal space to share pre- or post-fest guacamole and margaritas. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Terry Black's BBQ

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX

Assuming there's no time to make a barbecue pit stop in Lockhart if you’re in town just for ACL, the Austin location of the Texas mini-barbecue chain is the next best and easiest thing to do. There is even the opportunity for evening barbecue if you skip the headliners. It’s open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday; preorders can be placed online; takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX
(512) 394-5899
(512) 394-5899

Sandy's Hamburgers

603 Barton Springs Rd (at S. 1st St.), Austin, TX 78704

Are these the best hamburgers in Austin? Who knows. Does it hit the spot and come with a side of frozen custard? Hell yes. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; takeout orders can be placed in person.

603 Barton Springs Rd (at S. 1st St.), Austin, TX 78704
(512) 478-6322
(512) 478-6322

Related Maps

TLC Austin

1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704

The South Lamar casual seafood restaurant is the place to go to, especially for larger groups seeking sharable plates and margaritas. It’s open from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 580-0971
(512) 580-0971

Ramen Tatsu-ya

1234 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Sure, there’ll probably be a line, but the ramen is restorative, which will fuel festival-goers after late nights filled with music and dancing. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Also, try your luck at the next-door sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya, because why not?

1234 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Related Maps