Festival season has finally come, and Austinites and festival-goers alike could not be more excited for these juicy, local bites.

Story by Laura Rivas

As we head into October, the air is buzzing with excitement. Festival season has always energized the Austin community and its visitors, since everyone rejoices at the rhythm of the music and eats the best of the best. Austin flourishes with live music, dancing and stomachs full of food.

Austin City Limits is more ready than ever this year with tons of food, dessert and beverage options. Notably, ACL puts local businesses at the forefront, giving both natives and tourists the unique Austin foodie experience. Convenient, cashless payments now make the process stress-free and there are vast options available, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.

Luckily, ORANGE created the perfect guide to ACL dining that will allow everyone to experience the best concerts and the most mouthwatering food.

Top 4 Foodie Destinations

Burro Cheese Kitchen

This is the place for artisan grilled cheese brought to a whole new level. Folks love Burro because of their inventive, decadent sandwiches and house-made sauces. Gluten-free and vegan-friendly options available.

The Mighty Cone

The iconic “Hot ‘n’ Crunchy” cones are the best choice for festival food because of their size and shape. The Mighty Cone was born at the first-ever ACL Fest in 2002. If you’re looking for a satisfying meal, find chicken, shrimp, or avocado wrapped in a tortilla and paper drink cone for easy transport when walking around the festival. Vegetarian-friendly.

Austin’s Pizza

This popular, local pizza joint allows you to combine any number of toppings to create the most fabulous, build-your-own pizza with quality ingredients and toppings. Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly.

Chi’lantro BBQ

This award-winning restaurant is influenced by Korean BBQ and Mexican cuisine. It’s a combination of a mobile food truck, brick and mortar, and a full-service catering company that is recognized for one of its classics: Kimchi Fries. This signature dish is made with your choice of protein (meat or tofu), caramelized kimchi, cheese, onions, cilantro, magic sauce and Sriracha on a crispy bed of french fries. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

Top 3 Sweet Treats

Amy’s Ice Cream

Handcrafted artisan ice creams, dairy-free fruit ices, and frozen yogurt are all offered in this Austin-born shop. Though there may be a limited amount at ACL, Amy’s Ice Cream has over 350 flavors available in store. Don’t forget to try their Mexican vanilla ice cream, the number one best-seller! Gluten-free and vegan options available.

Bananarchy

This may be one of the most delicious and loaded desserts one could try. Bananarchy was founded in Austin four years ago, and since then, has been revolutionizing the world of bananas. They are coated with your preferred dip and rolled in a topping of your choice. Gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Tiff’s Treats

The home of the original warm cookie delivery started in Austin back in 1999. Their slow-bake process creates a flawlessly gooey cookie. Golden edges with a soft, warm inside will leave you thinking about them far after the last set of the night.

Top 3 Drink Stops

JuiceLand

Serving fresh juice and superfood smoothies since 2001, JuiceLand founder Mark Shook was inspired by his refreshing summer days at Barton Springs Pool. The drink menu is dynamic, extensive and can satisfy one’s daily dose of fruits and veggies. Their full menu includes additional options like bottled juices, shots, cleanses, bowls and vegan cuisine.

High Brew Coffee

High Brew’s natural coffee is made from 100% direct trade Arabica beans that are cold-brewed over time. The process produces more antioxidants, twice the caffeine and lowers the acidity of the coffee, especially when compared to traditionally brewed, commercial coffee. It’s a necessity for rocking all weekend long.

Shade Tree Organic Lemonade

Starting as a lemonade stand at ACL in 2002, this local brand sells certified organic, low-calorie drinks for everyone to enjoy. With original, strawberry and blueberry lemonade options, this juice company provides a tart, refreshing experience for days spent in the Texas heat.

This year’s Austin City Limits provides a wide assortment of savory, sweet and nutritious options to choose from. All created in the city of Austin, don’t forget these top-notch festival eats. You’ll be able to satisfy your cravings, and fuel your dancing all weekend long.