Austin

Austin

A generation ago, Austin was a sleepy hippie town known for its music scene, Tex-Mex, and barbecue. As the population boomed, the city developed a culinary scene that chefs agree punches above its weight. There’s still world-class barbecue and Tex-Mex, but it’s joined by elegant small plates of Texas produce, high-end omakases, regional Mexican cuisine, and creative Lao fare. Austin is still casual — food trucks are a whole scene, and shorts are acceptable even at fancy spots — but it’s exciting to see the many different culinary interpretations of the state’s bounty.