Where to Eat and Drink Near ACL Music Festival 2025

Terry Black’s is a classic Austin favorite barbecue spot. It’s in Barton Springs, about five minutes from Zilker Park, which makes it a convenient location to stop by before or after the festival.

With plenty of indoor and outdoor picnic-style seating, the atmosphere captures Austin’s laid-back barbecue culture while offering flexible eating areas.

They have pit-smoked meats and housemade sides, and customers rave over their brisket and jalapeño-cheddar sausage.

Chuy’s is a classic go-to spot that serves delicious Mexican cuisine like burritos, enchiladas, and other Tex-Mex dishes.

Originally started in Austin, it’s been a city favorite for decades. Its fun and eclectic atmosphere serves as a fun place to end a long, exciting day.

It’s located right off Barton Springs, a quick five-minute drive from the festival. If you plan to go, customers love their chips and queso, chicken enchiladas, and taco salad.

Azul Tequila is a chill Mexican eatery known for its Aztec-inspired fare, jumbo margaritas & a weekend breakfast menu.

It’s on South Lamar, making it a quick ten-minute drive from Zilker Park. It’s slightly further than the previous spots but very worth it.

It has a fun, relaxed atmosphere, making it a laid-back place to pop in and out of before or after the festival. Customers love their entire menu, but specifically obsess over their cocktails and salsa.

Baby Acapulco, known as “Baby A’s” to Austinites, has been an Austin favorite for its delicious Tex-Mex food and infamous purple margaritas.

They have fun indoor and outdoor seating areas, and people often move around the restaurant to socialize and change scenery.

It’s about two and a half miles from Zilker and serves as a quick, chill place to relax after a long day at ACL. Whether you’re going to grab a quick bite or hang out for a while, Baby A’s is an authentic Austin mix of flavor and energy.

Matt’s El Rancho is one of Austin’s staples that has been around for decades. It’s always a safe choice if you’re feeling indecisive, and it has fantastic food and drinks. They tend to get crowded on weekends and only take walk-in reservations, so if you plan to go, make sure you aren’t in a time crunch.

They have indoor and outdoor seating with a huge patio and an indoor bar where you can stand around while waiting for your table.

They have delicious chips and queso, and customers love their “Bob,” a queso dip created for former Texas land commissioner Bob Armstrong, a combination of chile con queso, taco meat, and guacamole.

Corinne, located in the Marriott in Downtown Austin, about 1.8 miles from Zilker, is a polished eatery featuring seafood, craft cocktails, and brunch dishes, making it a perfect place to go before the festival.

Signature plates like wood-grilled salmon, chicken pot pie, and honey-butter biscuits pair seamlessly with their curated wine list and seasonal cocktails.

Juliet’s is a modern and classic Italian restaurant located in the heart of Austin’s Zilker Park and Arboretum neighborhoods.

They serve classic Italian-American dishes in a warm, welcoming setting, like house-made pastas, pizzas, and lasagna.

Known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere, Juliet’s is a go-to spot for groups looking to share a hearty meal before or after a day at ACL. Customers love their Juliet Old Fashioned drink and mushroom manicotti.

Loro Smokehouse blends Texas barbecue with rustic vibes and a relaxed atmosphere. It was brought to Austin in April 2018 by James Beard Award winners Chef Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and has been a city staple ever since.

It’s about a five-minute drive to Zilker Park on a typical day, making it a convenient location for festival attendees.

Customers enjoy the Frozen Gin & Tonic during happy hour, the Chicken Karage, and desserts like the Chocolate Creme Brulee.

Nido at the Loren hotel is Austin’s newest rooftop restaurant with wine and a cocktail lounge.

With a chic cocktail lounge and extensive wine selection, it offers both style and sophistication for festival-goers looking to elevate their dining experience. Along with their exciting drinks, they serve world-class cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs.

Nido is a little under two miles from Zilker, making it an excellent place for people visiting Austin for the first time to have a great view of the skyline and city.

El Alma is a chic, inventive Mexican restaurant highlighted for its local art and rooftop deck. They feature happy hour food, vegetarian options, and great cocktails.

It’s fun, flavorful, and less than a mile from ACL. It balances laid-back vibes with festivity and is a great place to start or end your festival experience.

If you go, customers recommend the carne asada tacos, pastor, and fish.