A hearty welcome to anyone and everyone coming to Austin for Node Interactive. This will be my first technical conference as a developer, and as such, I figure I should share what I know best: Where to eat.

Listed here are places within walking distance of the JW Marriott. Take it all with a grain, but if you like to code and you like to eat, this guide should help you out for the rest of the week.

Fancy Lunch (and Dinner, Too)

Swift’s Attic

Swanky at night, comfy during the day. (Recommended: Anything)

Second Bar + Kitchen

Never been there myself, but it’s on my list. (Rec: the Congress burger)

Trace

Fancy food in a (different) fancy hotel.

The Backspace

Small spot with great pizza

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro

Technically from Ft. Worth, but oh so much Texas meat.

Healthy Lunch

Slake Cafe

A little bit of a walk, but worth it. (Rec: the yellow curry)

Koriente

A longer walk, but a great place. (Rec: It’s all good.)

Hardy Lunch

Frank

Sausages for days! (Rec: Any of the specials, and poutine!)

Uncle Julio’s

Overpriced chain Tex-Mex, but oh those fajitas. (Red: those fajitas)

Turf N Surf Po’ Boy

Seafood is king, but chicken and salads are great.

Greasy Lunch

The Jackalope

To quote the Toadies, “Do you wanna die!”, because you might. And you’ll love it. (Rec: burgers)

Casino El Camino

Same song as above, different verse. Again, great burgers in a cool bar.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Maybe not the best hot fried chicken in the world, but it’s still hot fried chicken.

Breakfast Best Bets

1886 Cafe & Bakery

Breakfast is great, but don’t sleep on the Croque Madame. (Rec: the Croque Madame)

Taco Shack

Austin loves breakfast tacos, and the Burnet Road Burrito and Shack tacos will keep you going all day.

Annies Cafe & Bar

Often busy, but a good, convenient morning option. (Rec: full English breakfast)

BBQ

Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

Not the best in town, but this import from Llano, TX will do you right. (Pro tip: eat upstairs.)

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue

A little “too fancy” for barbecue, but damn it’s good.

Quick but Good

Chi’Lantro

One of Austin’s most successful food trucks has expanded. (Rec: kimchi fries)

P. Terry’s Burger Stand

Austin’s version of In-N-Out, and deserving of that moniker.

The Best Wurst

Great street food on Dirty Sixth.

Kebabalicious

You must eat this at least once. (Rec: beef and lamb kebab, and make it spicy.)

Dinner Only

Counter 3. FIVE. VII

Expense this one.

Parkside

Out of place on Sixth Street but top notch.

Coffee

Caffe Medici

Very cool, and Seattle-level coffee.

Houndstooth

Maybe even cooler than Medici, and just as good of coffee.

Royal Blue Grocery

Hipster grocery story with great coffee.

If You’ve Got Access to a Car (or a Good Pair of Walking Shoes)

Barbecue

You’ve maybe heard of Franklin BBQ, and while it’s good, the line isn’t really doable during a conference. Instead, go to Micklethwait, La Barbecue. or Kerlin’s. (Check hours first.)

South Congress

A very cool area just south of the conference with tons of food and shopping. Try Home Slice Pizza, Guero’s, South Congress Cafe, and the Big Top Candy Shop.