Barbecues and Breweries: a Feast-Worthy Food Tour of Austin

Sleep in a living monument to the Lone Star State’s history at the Driskill, a downtown grande-dame built in 1886 by a wealthy cattle baron. You’ll be floored by the grandeur as soon as you walk in – the stately lobby is all marble columns, stained glass and gilded oil portraits. And thanks to cowhide barstools in the Driskill Bar, longhorns on the wall and cattle-branding irons built into some of the bedframes, you’ll never forget you’re in Texas. From its central Sixth Street location, you’ll be within easy walking distance of Austin’s buzziest restaurants and live-music venues. However, you can experience some of the city’s best dining without going anywhere at all. The Driskill Grill offers a selection of dry-aged steaks from nearby ranches, while the 1886 Café and Bakery serves classic comfort food dishes such as the Hangover Burger and hot fried chicken.

This tour will take you outside Austin to the scenic city of Dripping Springs in the Texas Hill Country to visit a family-owned, organic, olive-oil farm. Enjoy fresh breezes and bucolic scenery as you stroll through the orchard, learn about planting and harvesting and even meet a few chickens before sampling its award-winning, extra-virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars in the tasting room. Before heading home, walk around the on-site boutique to shop its curated range of infused oils, beauty products and homeware.

All aboard the brunch bus – this BYOB ride combines a whistle-stop tour of Austin’s best brunch spots with a concert on wheels. It’ll take you to visit three eateries for breakfast tacos, Czech kolaches (pastries) and chicken and waffles (with a boozy beverage included at each stop), all adding up to one very satisfying mega-brunch. While en route, groove to the sounds of live music from talented local musicians.

A brew with a view – that’s what you get on this pedicab tour of three of Austin’s top microbreweries: Lazarus Brewing, Hops & Grain, and Zilker Brewing. Your guide will do the pedaling from one brewery to the next while you sit back and enjoy your beers under the sun. You can pay as you go or opt for the all-inclusive beer flight to make sure you don’t miss a sip. And if you get peckish along the way, fret not – there’ll be some tasty snacks at the breweries to pair with your fresh-from-the-keg craft beers.