From smoky brisket to sweet scoops, here’s your guide to the flavors making Zilker their stage.
Words Ashley Bowling
Austin City Limits isn’t just a music festival; it’s a feast. Each October, Zilker Park transforms into a playground for both your ears and your taste buds, and this year’s ACL Eats lineup is stacked with hometown heroes and fresh culinary debuts. With more than 15 first-time vendors and exclusive bites tucked away in the VIP lounges, there’s never been more reason to show up hungry. Here’s a list of our hometown faves.
KG BBQ
This buzzed-about newcomer blends Texas smoke with Egyptian flair. Think brisket shawarma, lamb ribs kissed with spice and topped with chimichurri, and tangy house-made baladi salad. KG BBQ is proof that ACL can be a global stage.
Cuantos Tacos
Beloved for their Mexico City–style tacos, Cuantos serves up trompo, suadero, and campechano so rich you might miss a set waiting for a second round. Small tortillas, big flavor—the way tacos were meant to be.
La Santa Barbacha
Sunday mornings in Austin often mean barbacoa, and La Santa Barbacha has perfected the tender, smoky beef tucked into handmade tortillas, dripping with tradition and comfort. It’s ACL fuel that sticks with you.
Desnudo Coffee
Festival mornings (and afternoons) get a serious jolt with Desnudo’s craft coffee. Sourcing beans with intention and roasting with precision, their iced lattes are the pick-me-up your dancing feet will thank you for.
NADC Burger
ACL’s VIP lounges get first dibs on this smash-burger revelation: juicy, crispy-edged patties layered with molten cheese and house sauce. Not A Damn Chance is Austin’s burger renaissance, served on a golden stage.
Rockman Bakeshop
Dessert is its own headliner with Rockman’s artisanal pastries. Salty cookies, flaky croissants, and seasonal specials are the treats worth saving room for. Catch them in VIP for the sugar rush you won’t easily forget.
Gati Ice Cream
Their plant-based, Thai-inspired scoops taste like summer in a cup. With flavors from coconut to mango sticky rice, Gati delivers refreshing relief under the Texas sun without sacrificing indulgence.
OKO
Making their ACL debut as the “New Kid on the Block,” OKO brings modern Japanese street food to the festival. Expect skewers, bold flavors, and the kind of savory bite you’ll crave long after the headliners take the stage.
Veracruz All Natural
An ACL staple for a reason, these migas tacos have earned cult status citywide. At the fest, it’s a sunrise-to-sunset lifesaver—fresh, authentic, and authentically Austin-meets-Mexico.
East Side King
Paul Qui’s iconic food truck brings back ACL favorites like Thai chicken karaage and beet fries: bold, colorful, and endlessly fun, much like the Eastside itself.
Burro Grilled Cheese
Sometimes, nothing hits like gooey grilled cheese. Burro takes the classic and levels it up with inventive combos. Think sharp cheddar + brisket or fontina + roasted veggies. It’s comfort food with “strings attached.”
Brotherton’s BBQ
A first-time ACL Eats vendor, Brotherton’s arrives with Central Texas cred and smoke to spare. Brisket, ribs, and their signature sandwiches will lure you from any stage. It’s barbecue worth planning around.
What’s New at ACL Eats 2025
- More than 15 first-time vendors, from Brotherton’s BBQ to OKO, adding fresh flavor to the lineup.
- ACL Eats South is back, serving fan favorites on the south end of Zilker Park.
- The Grove debuts near Bonus Tracks with Ranch 616 and Ceviche Tostilocos.
- VIP lounges step up their game with Desnudo Coffee, NADC Burger, and Rockman Bakeshop.
- Food hawkers roam the park, keeping popsicles and hot dogs within arm’s reach so you never miss a beat.
ACL 2025 is more than crowd pleasing music; it’s a citywide tasting menu. Whether you’re chasing brisket, tacos, coffee, or ice cream, Austin’s best flavors are ready to headline alongside the bands. Bring an appetite.
