What characterizes Austin better than its music, graffiti, or its sensational food? With its strong ties to its local roots, it’s plethora of original restaurants, and its tendency to meet together as a community, Austin is about to welcome a new meeting spot that will bring each of these aspects together.

Story by Elise Horsak

Located at 111 Congress Plaza in the heart of downtown, The Fareground is a modern food court that is looking to celebrate the food culture of Austin while bringing people and local businesses together. The site will be run by ELM Restaurant Group, the same company that brought some of Austin’s most visited restaurants, such as Irene’s and 24 Diner.

This will be an attraction unlike any other as it joins indoor and outdoor spaces; city centered and isolated environments; and community and culinary. At the heart of it all, the site hopes to become a meeting ground for people to congregate. Whether it is people strolling in from seeing the bats or wandering around the streets of downtown, the downward stairs guide people off the street and into a one-stop food destination.

There is truly something for everyone and every appetite in this new food court. Each vendor is unique yet a local Austin favorite, sure to please any crowd. Included in the line-up is:

• Easy Tiger: another stroke of genius started by ELM, where visitors can enjoy their fresh baked breads for breakfast or their bratwurst and beers for happy hour.  
• The charcuterie and cheese-filled dishes of Antonelli’s Cheese Shop for that charcuterie fix that everyone needs at the end of the day.
• Contigo: bringing its southern hospitality, its laid-back vibes, and some of its restaurant favorites along with it.
• Dai Due Taquería: a spin on their original butcher shop to bring tacos, tortas and molletes using only locally sourced vegetables and milled on-site tortillas.
• Ni-Kome will end the struggle of choosing between sushi and ramen by incorporating the work of Komé and their sister shop, Daruma Ramen.
• Henbit is brought by the makers of Emmer & Rye, which will continue their traditions of working with local farmers to bring the healthiest, freshest and most seasonal dishes for each meal of the day.   

In addition, there will be two bars on the upper and lower levels as well as a grab-and-go station on the ground level facing the streets, offering quick bites from all of the vendors for those who are always on the move.

Whether it is a planned meeting spot or a spur-of-the-moment decision, The Fareground is about to redefine the food scene. So sound the lunch bell and grab your trays; it’s time to eat!

The Fareground will open on Jan. 18, 2018.