Taste Austin Like a Local.
Do not spend hours waiting for great barbecue. Our prearranged tour access helps you bypass the long public lines at participating stops while you experience East Austin through its barbecue, tacos, murals, people and neighborhood stories.
What makes this tour different
Austin’s Most Celebrated Barbecue, Without the Wait
Taste some of Austin’s most celebrated barbecue, including a Michelin-starred smokehouse, multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand recipients, Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ joints, and restaurants led by James Beard Award-recognized pitmasters. Skip the public lines at participating stops and experience Austin barbecue through a carefully curated, locally guided tour.
Available experiences
Choose Your Austin Food Tour
Compare the two experiences, then use the live Bookeo calendar to select your date and number of guests.
Most Popular
Locals Know BBQ Tour
Skip the long public lines and ride through Central East Austin while tasting Michelin-starred, Michelin Bib Gourmand and Texas Monthly Top 50 barbecue, including restaurants led by James Beard Award-recognized pitmasters.
- Skip the public lines at participating BBQ stops
- Transportation between food stops
- Five barbecue stops plus a surprise
- Brisket, sausage, lamb, pastrami and more
- Non-alcoholic drinks included
- Optional $35 drink package
- Excellent for visitors, families and groups
Walk, Talk & Taste
Locals Know Taco Tour
Walk and taste your way through East Austin with locally loved tacos, colorful murals, community spaces and neighborhood backstories.
- Four locally loved taco stops
- Regional taco styles, salsa and dessert
- Murals, a community garden and local history
- Non-alcoholic drinks included
- Optional $35 drink package
- Great for couples, locals and visitors
Starting prices are shown for comparison. Current prices, schedules, add-ons and availability appear in the live booking calendar.
Book your experience
Select a Tour and Date
Use the live calendar to see current departure times, prices, open seats and optional add-ons. Exact meeting instructions are sent after booking.
A taste of what is ahead
What You May Eat
Every tour is designed to provide enough food for a full meal while introducing guests to a variety of East Austin flavors.
BBQ Tour Tastings
- Brisket and house-made sausage
- Middle Eastern-spiced smoked lamb
- Texas pastrami on house-made rye
- Creative pitmaster specials and traditional sides
- A surprise final tasting
Taco Tour Tastings
- Barbacoa and quesabirria-style flavors
- Al pastor and other regional taco styles
- House-made salsa, guacamole and aguas frescas
- A mix of traditional and creative local tacos
- A sweet final bite
Guest feedback
A Local Experience Worth Talking About
Real guests consistently highlight the food, local storytelling and the feeling of getting special access to hard-to-visit Austin favorites.
“The skip-the-line experience made us feel like VIPs.”Read on TripAdvisor
“Our guide was knowledgeable, fun and full of great East Austin stories.”Read Guest Reviews
“Worth every penny. We left completely full and found places we would not have discovered alone.”Find Google Reviews
Before you arrive
Know Before You Go
Clear meeting and arrival information helps everyone start on time and enjoy the full experience.
Meeting Location
Tours begin in Central East Austin. The exact address and parking or rideshare instructions are included in your confirmation.
Arrive Early
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure. The group cannot delay restaurant reservations for late arrivals.
Dress for Austin
Wear comfortable shoes and check the weather. Taco tours include outdoor walking, while BBQ tours include vehicle transportation.
Find Your Guide
Your confirmation explains exactly where to meet and includes contact information in case you have trouble finding the group.
Tour End Point
Review your confirmation for the ending location and transportation details. Routes can change when restaurant schedules require it.
Food & Restrooms
Come hungry. Restroom access is available at selected stops, but availability may vary along the route.
Before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when do the tours begin?
Current departure times appear in Bookeo. Tours begin in Central East Austin, and the exact meeting address and arrival instructions are included in your confirmation.
How much food is included?
Come hungry. Tastings are selected to add up to a satisfying full meal for most guests.
What happens if I arrive late?
Please arrive 10 minutes early. Tours follow restaurant reservation times and may not be able to wait for late guests. Contact the tour number in your confirmation immediately if you are delayed.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?
Some common dietary needs may be accommodated when disclosed during booking. Because stops share kitchens and preparation spaces, serious allergies and highly restrictive diets may not be safely accommodated. Contact us before reserving.
Are children allowed?
Families are welcome on many departures. Every guest who will eat requires a ticket. Review the booking options or contact us with questions about younger children, strollers or car-seat needs.
Are the tours wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility varies by route, restaurant and vehicle. Contact us before booking so we can review the specific departure and help determine whether it will work for your needs.
What happens if it rains or the weather is extreme?
Tours normally operate rain or shine and can include indoor and outdoor portions. When severe conditions affect safety or restaurant operations, the tour team will contact booked guests.
How does the optional drink package work?
When offered, the drink package can be selected during booking. Guests consuming alcohol must be 21 or older and present a valid government-issued ID.
What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy?
The current cancellation and rescheduling terms are displayed in Bookeo before payment. Review those terms carefully before completing your reservation.
Do restaurants and dishes ever change?
Yes. Stops, dishes and route order may change because of restaurant hours, sellouts, special events, weather or other operating needs. Substitutions are selected to preserve the overall quality and amount of food.
Ready to Taste East Austin?
Choose your tour, select a date and come hungry.