Austin’s food scene rivals any major culinary destination in America, and there’s no better way to experience it than on a guided food tour. Our Tour Leader, Jason, recently explored downtown Austin with Austin Eats Food Tours, sampling everything from Michelin-starred barbecue to award-winning craft beer. Here’s why this Austin food tour should be at the top of your Texas travel itinerary.
I’m fortunate that my family lives in the greater Austin area, giving me regular access to one of America’s top 10 foodie cities (according to US News Travel). While I love exploring on my own, the Austin Eats “BBQ, Brunch, and Breweries Tour“ revealed hidden gems and backstories I never would have discovered independently.
This tour explores the “funky” side of downtown Austin, featuring the city’s most notable BBQ, breakfast tacos, and local breweries. I opted for the drink pairings—because who wouldn’t want to eat and drink their way through Austin?
Our Austin food tour began at Zilker Brewing Co., founded by two brothers (Patrick and Forrest) and their friend Marco—affectionately calling themselves the “founding fathers.” What started as garage brewing in 2008 evolved into a beloved East Austin taproom by 2015, where community and quality beer take center stage.
We selected tasters from their rotating tap menu, and my “beertenders” recommended their coffee milk stout and pale ale—both excellent choices. As we settled in with our beers, our guide Joe explained we’d be “speed dating” five restaurants across four stops.
Joe surprised us with pre-ordered pulled pork, turkey, and brisket from la Barbecue. It was prepared by the first female pit master in Texas. This is one of only seven Michelin-starred restaurants in Austin, and every bite proved why. The tender, smoky meat paired with their phenomenal house sauces was unforgettable.
Pro tip: If you visit la Barbecue in person, don’t miss their disco-themed bathroom!
Zilker hosts rotating food trucks, and our second tasting came from Spicy Boys: yellow curry with roti bread (think flakier, buttery naan). While they’re famous for fried chicken, this curry stole the show. The rich, aromatic curry with soft, flaky bread might have been my favorite bite of the entire Austin food tour.
The story behind Lazarus Brewing Company is remarkable. The owner, originally a Montana pastor, started growing barley and brewing beer to fund his local community nonprofit. His passion for brewing eventually led him to Austin, where Lazarus now operates two locations and has been serving unique craft brews for nearly a decade.
I couldn’t resist the Horchata Milk Stout (anything horchata wins me over) alongside their crisp Prodigal Pilsner.
Lazarus isn’t just a brewery—it’s also a full restaurant and coffee shop. Our tasting featured an iconic Austin breakfast taco: chorizo and egg on a street taco topped with their signature red and green sauces. As someone who typically prefers sweet breakfasts, this savory taco converted me instantly.
Here’s a fun fact: one of Austin’s most beloved pizza spots serves Detroit-style pizza! Two brothers from Detroit (hence the 313 area code) moved to Austin in 2011 and started a pizza food truck that became a local phenomenon.
We sampled two pizzas: “The Detroiter” (their most popular, featuring smoked pepperoni under the cheese with natural casing pepperoni on top) and their monthly special—Chicken Tikka Masala pizza. The thick, flaky crust was absolutely divine. The creative flavor combinations showcased why Via 313 has become an Austin staple.
Our drink pairing offered wine, beer, an old fashioned, ranch water cocktail, or the nostalgic Detroit choice: Faygo Pop.
Our Austin food tour concluded at a charming gelato shop with an impressive pedigree. The owner, raised in Italy, attended gelato university (yes, that’s real!). She honed her craft in Milan and eventually competed in the national gelato championship where her flavors ranked in the world’s top 10.
Facing a rainbow of options—from salted caramel to pistachio and cantaloupe sorbet—I chose goat cheese and pecan. It was the perfect sweet, creamy ending to an incredible culinary journey.
Austin Eats delivered an expertly curated experience that showcased Austin’s diverse food scene while sharing the stories behind each business. This tour pushed me beyond my usual choices and introduced me to flavors I never would have tried on my own.
Our guide Joe was knowledgeable, personable, and clearly passionate about Austin’s culinary landscape. The variety—from Michelin-starred BBQ to world-class gelato—made every stop memorable.
I took the “BBQ, Brunch, and Breweries Tour“, but you might also check out “Cocktails, Cowboy Boots, and Cervezas,“ which is a boozy East Side bar crawl.
Whether you’re visiting Austin for the first time or you’re a local looking to explore your city differently, this food tour is absolutely worth it. And if you’re ever in Colorado, come take a food tour with us at Rocky Mountain Food Tours!
Cheers,
Jason | Tour Leader at Rocky Mountain Food Tours
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