These days, new hospitality trends seem to rise up and spread faster than ever before. It’s hard to open TikTok or Instagram without coming across yet another buzzy dish, drink, or service style. And as quickly as these trends appear, they often fade away just as quickly.  It can be difficult for a restaurant or bar to sift through the latest “it” concepts and figure out how to separate the flash-in-the-pan flukes from the ideas with real value (and maybe even with real staying power). Luckily, restaurateurs and bar owners have plenty of tools at their disposal to ease these challenges.

The story of Austin, Texas's growth over the last couple of decades is both a triumph and a tragedy, depending on who you ask. The heavy flow of tech companies making their way into the city brought unprecedented wealth into Austin, but even as “big city” chefs and restaurants started to open and thrive, many long-standing ATX staples had to shut their doors because of the rising living costs. Austin’s gentrification shows no signs of slowing down, so it’s important to celebrate and patronize the classic spots that remain as genuine and community-focused as ever. That’s where Habanero Cafe comes in.

A good dining deal is a rare and beautiful find in present-day Austin. To be clear, by “a good deal,” I don’t mean “rock-bottom prices.” I’m talking about a meal that’s completely worth the cash, both in terms of quality and quantity. And at Le Calamar, a new South First spot that specializes in Texan cuisine with a French accent, I found a prix fixe menu that, while not objectively cheap, felt like a total steal.

Central Texas has a proud tradition of producing and celebrating flavorful sodas. After all, Dr Pepper was created in the town of Waco, and its status as the soda's birthplace still drives plenty of tourism (if you’re passing through, don’t forget to check out the Dr Pepper Museum). But Waco’s contribution to the American soda canon doesn’t stop with Dr Pepper. This small city halfway between Dallas and Austin can also claim the founding of a much more niche soft drink that doesn't have the same national recognition, but that’s become a cult favorite in Texas. I’m talking about Big Red.

Opening a barbecue restaurant in the Hill Country requires steely determination and a ton of courage. Many of Texas’s top-rated smokehouses can be found in Central Texas, and when a newcomer enters an already crowded fray, enthusiasts have to wonder: what is this new kid on the block bringing to the table that the dozens of other great spots aren’t already providing?

Those of us who correctly recognize hot sauce as a top-tier condiment always have a place on our tables and in our kitchens for this spicy liquid. Hot sauce on eggs? Of course. Hot sauce on sandwiches? Definitely. Hot sauce on pizza? Bring it on. Hot sauce in cocktails? ... Actually, yes.

When it comes to spirits, mixers, syrups, and bitters, no one knows these products better than skilled and seasoned bartenders. So it always seems like a natural matter of course when a bartender decides to launch their own beverage-related brand of products.

On the southernmost edge of Florida—and just 100 miles from Havana, Cuba—is Key West, an island community beloved for its relaxed vibes, bohemian history, and top-notch barhopping scene. Key West bars take several cues from their not-so-distant neighbors in the Caribbean when building their cocktail menus; you’ll find plenty of fresh juices, drinks meant to be served frozen or on the rocks, and a heavy focus on rum.

I’ll preface this by saying: I am not one of those “everything is better in New York” New Yorkers. Since moving to Austin from Brooklyn a few years ago, I’ve found many local dishes that beat what I could find in New York (good luck trying to find any decent barbecue or Tex-Mex up north). But growing up in the suburbs of New Haven, Connecticut, and living in New York for over 15 years did have one major perk: the pizza was incredible.

I, like many of my fellow South Austinites, see the original location of Radio Coffee & Beer as a beacon of my neighborhood. The huge lawn, the top-tier food trucks, the live music and performance program – this is a space that connects the community and brightens up the little corner of Menchaca that straddles the 78704 and 78745 ZIP codes.

It’s summer in Austin, and we all know what that means: skyrocketing temperatures, sweaty walks to and from the car, and a desperate need to cool off by any means necessary. While cranking up the AC and taking a dip in the pool are tried-and-true remedies, Austin coffee aficionados know that an expertly-prepared iced latte is a necessary part of any cooldown strategy.

Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us, and many will celebrate the official start of summer with a lively outdoor barbecue. But as temperatures rise (particularly in the warmer areas of the United States), taking charge of the grill during an al fresco summer party is no small feat, and the grill maestro must be rewarded with refreshing beverages. At the same time, grilled and smoked dishes should be paired with drinks that highlight their savory, charred, and juicy characteristics, so cookout beers need to be more than just thirst-quenching.

These days, the subject of Donald Trump’s tariffs finds its way into just about any conversation about politics, the economy and life in general. These additional taxes on most items brought into the United States from other countries have caused a consumer panic, and those feelings of anxiety and uneasiness extend to the bar and restaurant business. Bar owners, beverage directors and spirits distributors must now grapple with what these tariffs mean for their business costs and their bottom lines.

“Give the people what they want” is a common piece of advice offered to small-business owners, and for good reason. Yet there’s something magical about a place that gives the people what they didn’t even know they wanted. A casual yet stylish restaurant serving Greek classics with a modern twist seems like a curious choice for an East Oltorf block that counts Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Domino’s among its residents, but the Greek Bar has quickly settled into its new digs with a quiet confidence.

If you’re surprised to hear that Cedar Park is in fact its own town rather than a far-north Austin neighborhood, you’re not alone. Located just steps over the Austin city line and a 25-minute drive to Downtown, Cedar Park feels a bit more urban than farther-flung suburbs like Leander and Georgetown, and its close proximity to tech campuses (like Apple in North Austin and Dell in Round Rock) makes it an appealing bedroom community for industry folks looking for more space without sacrificing city amenities like great restaurants. We’ve picked our Cedar Park favorites, including a high-end omakase, a laid-back Latin luncheonette, and a first-rate barbecue destination.

Food trends that thrive on TikTok and Instagram need to have a strong visual hook. Something about the thumbnail image must capture users’ attention and get them to stop their scrolling, so viral hits like the Dubai chocolate bar and Chamoy pickles rely on bright colors, clear lighting, and — in many cases — creators making eye contact with viewers and taking a big bite of the dish in question. This trend of social creators eating up-close-and-personal on camera has been a major influence on food-related TikToks and Instagram videos for years now, and while this video style is polarizing (more on that later), it definitely succeeds in getting users to click and watch.

Whether it’s loaded onto a sandwich, served on a platter with classic fixings, or even piled atop a basket of fries, pulled pork counts among the South’s most signature dishes. And, of course, every Southerner has an opinion about who (aside from their own family members) makes the best version of this slow-smoked BBQ specialty. We asked a group of Southern chefs to choose their favorite pulled pork purveyors in the region, and they named these eleven restaurants, food trucks, and stands as must-visit destinations.

I’ll admit to being a sucker for an elaborately designed restaurant. I love velvet cushions and crystal chandeliers and expensive flower arrangements. Yet I’m also fascinated by venues that keep their decor simple and let their menus have the last word. At Mercado Sin Nombre, a daytime-only cafe recently opened in far-ish East Austin, the kitchen’s laser focus on two ingredients offers a quiet confidence that turns its charmingly ramshackle aesthetic into something very special.

If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram or TikTok and found yourself captivated by a photo of a beautiful burger or a video of a salad being perfectly plated, then you understand the importance of social platforms in the food world these days.

I’m just gonna come out and tell the hard truth about “date night” restaurants: These spots can often get by with less-than-impressive menus as long as the vibes are right. Dim lighting, cozy banquettes, pretty decor, well-chosen music, and a hip location can conceal any number of culinary sins, and plenty of restaurateurs are willing to take the easy way out. But OKO, East Austin’s sexy new dinner spot in the former Ah Sing Den space, has far bigger ambitions.