Delivering on its name, Day Maker Half Day Cafe is a cafe open daily for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Whichever of those you choose to celebrate, you’ll find the Zilker spot packed with families, couples, and groups of friends dining around tables full of churro pancakes and huevos rancheros tostadas. It’s bright and airy inside, with light wooden tables in the dining room and a grab-and-go coffee counter up front, in case you’d rather take your latte on the road.

Loudmouth is the type of casual neighborhood Italian joint you’ll find yourself drifting to the next time a craving for meatballs, Neapolitan pies, or Italian subs hits. It’s right across the street from its sister restaurant, Paperboy. But unlike that buzzy brunch spot's hyper-modern design, Loudmouth is set in a cozy, renovated old house, complete with a front porch where you can look out over the block while enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail.

Everything you need to know about Cockti is right there in the name. This is juicy fried chicken at its best. The menu at the East MLK food truck is small but mighty—nuggets, sandwiches, and bone-in pieces—but the sauces and seasonings are what set Cockti apart from your average Popeyes. Fried chicken sandwiches start with an ultra-crispy thigh, then get topped with things like chipotle, cinnamon, and agave, or Sichuan peppercorns, pickles, and creamy house sauce.

Try to remember what you were doing two months ago. That’s approximately when the giant slabs of tuna belly started dry-aging at Top Roe, a swanky new handroll bar Downtown. They’re on display when you walk in, but most of the fish is caught in the Gulf each morning before getting prepped to go into little temaki rolls right in front of you. This is classic sushi with a taste of Texas—even the red wine vinegar that seasons the rice is made in the Hill Country.

To say we were excited when we heard that Los Angeles’ legendary Chengdu Taste was opening an outpost in The Triangle would be an understatement. Mian & Bao doesn’t have as extensive of a menu as its California counterpart, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in spice and punch. Dumplings and noodles are the centerpieces here—and they’re evenly matched—but don’t let that push you away from bowls of steamed eggs, savory beef pancake rolls, or a dozen other small plates to try.

We can pretty much guarantee that the juicy little bites of lechon at this bright and lively East Side spot will be the highlight of your week. At least until you get to the crispy sinigang wings, bone marrow kare-kare, and roasted half-chicken served with a variety of vinegars, dips, and sauces worth collecting on the table “just in case.” This is a meal you won’t want to end. Fortunately, you can order every dessert on the menu to prolong the experience.

Meat nerds everywhere will feel their ears perk up after hearing the words “Olympia Provisions.” We mention those words because the Portland-based restaurant with a cultlike following supplies the mortadella, capicola, and salami for Knuckle Sandwich’s Italian sub. But it’s not just excellent meats that make this sandwich worth crossing town for. It’s light and crunchy bread topped with za’atar. It’s Mama Lil’s pickled peppers. It’s a long, thin sheet of crispy baked parmesan cheese.

If you didn’t have tamarind buffalo quail legs on your Downtown food bingo card, make your way to Y Comida at Bar Ellis, the street-level bar near the Fareground food hall. Y Comida is a temporary restaurant open through the end of 2024, with a menu that blends Texan, Mexican, and Cajun flavors. And since it’s a walk-in situation, nothing is stopping you from heading over and ordering buffalo quail lollipops along with duck confit tacos, cornmeal fried crab fingers, and mezcal ice cream.

After developing a cult-like following for hand-rolled New York-style bagels at Austin farmers markets, David Doughies recently opened a food trailer outside of Fleet Coffee in East Austin. Now, instead of battling long lines and the risk of a “sold out” sign, you have access to the best bagels in Austin four days a week. They’re soft and chewy inside, with a dark crust covered in tiny bubbles and a perfect bite.

We normally don’t get that excited about coffee shops opening, but Mercado Sin Nobre is no ordinary coffee shop. This East Austin newcomer is a roaster, tortilleria, and bakery that’s all about Mexican coffee and maize. In addition to a great cup of drip brew, you’ll find things like atole cortados and masa twinkies with orange buttercream. Settle in on one of the short stools outside and get cozy—there’s no indoor seating.