Whether they’re here for an event or just a regular ol’ getaway, celebrities love to experience Austin like a local. From barbecue to coffee to Tex Mex and more, these are the Austin restaurants celebrities love.
Verbena Food + Drink
During our staycation at the Canopy, a hotel concept by Hilton, we spotted Bastrop area resident Zachary Levi dining on the patio. No word on what he ordered but we had a couple of the flatbreads and the Burrata Panzanella and all was delish!
Franklin BBQ
Everyone loves Franklin BBQ. Even President Barack Obama, the only known person in the universe who has been allowed to skip the line that forms at Franklin every day. “Hell’s Kitchen” chef Gordon Ramsay (who secretly skipped the line as well), Quest Love of the Roots, and Jimmy Kimmel have also expressed a love for Franklin. Kanye West also attempted to cut the line, however, he was rebuked by staff, and we’re pretty sure he didn’t stick around to wait like all us common folk.
Emmer & Rye
Speaking of Gordon Ramsay, the same year he chowed down on Franklin BBQ while in town for the Formula 1 race, he also dined at Rainey Street’s Emmer & Rye. He shared a picture of his meal on his official Facebook page saying, “Loved this delicious mackerel dish, well done guys.” Rachael Ray also mentioned eating here during SXSW 2017.
Home Slice
Rachael Ray has a list of favorite restaurants in Austin that just keeps getting longer and longer. While she tries new spots every time she’s in town, Home Slice is one of the places she and hubby John Cusimano always visit. Frances McDormand and Jenna Elfman have been spotted here as well and Andrew Zimmern of “Bizarre Foods” once tweeted, “Home Slice is worth the wait.”
Guero’s Taco Bar
While in Austin shooting two seasons of the AMC series “The Son,” Pierce Brosnan shared all kinds of pictures of life in Austin. One of those pictures happened to be a lovely shot of the debonaire actor sitting on the front sidewalk of Guero’s Taco Bar. The South Congress restaurant has been a regular for celebs for many years. Other famous fans include Ryan Gosling, Quentin Tarantino, and even President Bill Clinton.
Alamo Drafthouse
While on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Kirsten Dunst schooled Jimmy on Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse. Her go to food is apparently the fried pickles and ranch dressing. “I’ll go to bad movies just so I can sit there in the dark and eat,” she told the late night host.
Boteco ATX Food Truck
Camila Alves, aka Mrs. Matthew McConaughey, says her favorite place in Austin for real-deal Brazilian street food is the Boteco ATX food truck. She even posted a behind-the-scenes video inside the food truck for her online community Women of Today, showing followers how they make the best Moqueca Baiana.
Mr. Natural
Ethan Hawke told Eater Austin that whenever he comes to the ATX, Mr. Natural is the first place he goes. It’s also one of vegetarian Richard Linklater’s favorite spots. He even took the cast of Newton Boys there when it shot back in the late ’90s. “I remember listening to Matthew McConaughey go, ‘Where’s the meat?,’” Hawke told Eater.
Roppola Pizza
After a night out on Dirty Sixth, there’s nothing better than pizza. And it seems Oprah’s bestie Gayle King agrees. While in town for the F1 race in 2017, the newscaster posted a string of pics from Sixth Street including one with a slice of Roppola stating, “Austin! Wow! Fav son likes w/ranch dressing- why? 1 am snack tons @weightwatchers points ..I’m not proud.”
Torchy’s Tacos
Actor Greg Grunberg tweeted a pic of his Torchy’s Tacos and mentioned hitting up the Austin staple with Scott Speedman while on stage for the “Felicity” reunion at the ATX Television Festival in 2018. Phil Rosenthal also talked about Torchy’s on the opening night red carpet, stating that the streets of Austin are “paved with queso.”
Jo’s Coffee
Anyone who’s ever seen even one episode of “Friday Night Lights” loves Tim Riggins. And Tim Riggins himself, aka Taylor Kitsch, loves Jo’s Coffee. He’s frequently spotted here and even told Spill the ATX that when he returns to Austin, the thing he looks forward to most is Jo’s Coffee. Luke Wilson and Rachael Ray are also fans.
Aba
Located in Music Lane, Aba is a hot spot for celeb sightings. Some celebrities that have been spotted there include James Marsden, the Queer Eye gang, Renee Zellweger, Anne Hathaway, and more.
Ten-Ten
After his first show in Austin in 2023, Drake and friends visited downtown hot spot TenTen, where they ate Wagyu tacos. The following night he and his full entourage, including Kevin Durant, held a private gathering at Devil May Care.
Trulucks
In September of 2023, we crossed paths with Kirk Cameron as he was flying out of Austin. He informed us that he enjoyed dining at Truluck’s new location downtown.
Uchi
While in town to promote their film Somebody I Used to Know, Allison Brie and hubby Dave Franco told FOX 7 Austin that they ate at Uchi.
