When a bloated ( possibly even flaming - shirted ) TV food for thought bozo deem one of your metropolis ’s fabled restaurants " a hidden gem , " we lie with that ’s not the slip . When you really stumble upon great chuck outside of a airstrip mall wig store … nowthat’sa hide gem . There are an abundance of unbelievable restaurants in Austin , but somehow the food for thought tastes well when it comes with a side of secret club . In the spirit of share-out , we ’ve been digging deeply to find out the places none of your booster are talking about – but should be .

College Roadhouse

You ca n’t help but say “ roadhouuuuuuse ! ” in your school principal every time this plaza occur to mind . Soju bar ? Korean eating house ? Sports pub ? Karaoke waiting room ? It ’s all of those thing , plus a basket of KFC ( Korean deep-fried wimp ) . find oneself it in the quoin of a strip show mall on north Lamar by a wigging shop and a Tejano bar for basically a perfect nighttime … and get a vodka slush , only $ 3 on Tuesdays .

Troy

Blink and you ’ll overleap it ! Tiny but mighty , Troy is one of the few Turkish places in town . Those who are “ in the know ” fuck that it ’s worth the postponement . The most speak - about stunner is the Beef Iskender – yogurt , doner , and crispen bread , with browned butter poured on top . For those sept wanting to save a twain of bills , it ’s BYOB . There ’s also alive euphony on Thursdays for a side of tune with your Turkish coffee .

Marakesh Cafe & Grill

Marakesh used to be one of the only comme il faut place to eat on Congress . My my , how metre have changed . The new embodiment lives in a small place off of Steck . The interior is retiring , with inlaid roofing tile table , hanging lamp , and bright silk throw pillows . It serves classical in-between Eastern and Mediterranean dishes and often has globe music bands to attach to your dinner party .

Southern Hospitality

Pastor Fred and crew are serving up ego - proclaimed solid food for the mortal , meaning   a Southern - style buffet that is smack - yo’-momma good . The snack counter is $ 9.99 , drink admit , and waffles uncommitted at all meals ( obviously ) . Fried wimp , fried fish , mac & cheese , chicken fried steak , cornbread , sugared corn , collard commons … the list is endless . verify you check over the schedule before head up over , as it ’s close for Bible bailiwick on Wednesdays .

Royal Jelly

No , this is not a jam shop … but it is the jam . Take a right field onto St. Johns from Lamar , and you ’ve come ; this piffling gastropub is the first to pop up on this road , though it ’s assuredly not the last . Happy hour runs all day on Sunday , and 4 - 7pm Tuesday through Saturday . Small dental plate change all the metre , but the goat meatballs and merguez sliders are systematically available . lave it down with a Mol’e Fashioned , or some house - made sangria .

Vazquez Restaurant

This mom - and - pop Mexican nose dive might be surround by industrial building , but the Vazquez family has been serve it up spicy and brisk for over 20 years . The parking is tricky for sure , but once you get in , you ’re greeted with hot salsa , chilaquiles , enchiladas divorciadas , cheap breakfast tacos , and carne guisada freehanded enough for two repast . Fair admonition : the chips & salsa are seemingly endless .

Saffron

Nepalese and Indian intellectual nourishment come together here in a glorious profusion of flavors . As you credibly glean from its name , Saffron has a heavy hand when it occur to the bright and lovely flavors of both cultures . It ’s an Instagrammer ’s dream . Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will find something on its extensive carte . Try a small bit of all matter at the lunch sideboard . BYOB just sweetens the pot .

G’s Dynamite Deli

It feels like erstwhile Austin in here – wall covered in poster and sticker , a small walking - up parry , tiny kitchen , and bangin ’ sandwiches . It uses only the bracing ingredients , and you ’ll be severely - pressed to choose between killer menu options . Topping the list are the Texas Dip ( with Shiner Bock gold jus ) and the spinach artichoke grill cheeseflower , mushroom brie soup , and the buffalo chicken salad sandwich .

Alta’s Cafe

What if we state you there was a spot right on Town Lake with a pure terrace , fresh smoothies , cold brew coffee tree , local beer , excellent wine , destitute yoga on Tuesday mornings , and bottomless silver wattle on every first Saturday ? It ’s not too good to be true . Head over to Alta ’s , a posh coffee bar right next to Rō Fitness , and you too can endure witness to the ultimate unavowed spot for taking a break from the trail .

Cafe Bistro

This restaurant is n’t just hidden … it ’s entirely obscured by Nordstrom . Did you know Nordstrom had a restaurant ? Now you do . Give those reference cards and your butt a residuum and enjoy a sports stadium of crab bisque , fresh berry & fig salad … or an entire brick - oven pizza pie . The bistro is dedicated to local , sustainable , lifelike , and organic solid food . It also fully composts and recycles . Even the menus are made of post - consumer waste .

Gammad Oriental Store & Restaurant

In the way of many Asian markets in Austin , this is both a grocery shop and a small eatery . The market offer grocery store that launch the gamut , but the prepared food is chiefly Filipino . For the uninitiated , pork barrel adobo or caldereta ( beef lather ) are probably the items most familiar to the American palate . The place is n’t long on atmosphere , but the authenticity constituent is pretty bloody high-pitched .

JR’s Tacos

In this era of food - as - organized religion , even gas station are stepping up their nutrient secret plan . grade your monastic order at JR ’s windowpane and watch those Guy get to shape on make something fresh and fast . The crack of an egg , the sizzle of the grill , the on - point green salsa … cull up a 44 oz Slurpee to couple with your breakfast tacos . We recommend take it to go ( or do n’t , if the neon beer signs assume you as romantic ) .

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Alta’s Cafe in Austin

Alta’s Cafe

College RoadHouse Austin

College RoadHouse

Marakesh Cafe and Grill Austin

Marakesh Cafe and Grill

Royal Jelly Austin

Royal Jelly

Saffron Indian Fusion Austin

Saffron Indian Fusion

Alta’s Cafe beer Austin

Alta’s Cafe