Lockhart (BBQ Capital of Texas) ★ 4.8
Famous for: Black's, Smitty's and Kreuz Market BBQ
Lockhart in Caldwell County is the BBQ Capital of Texas, a 45-minute drive south from Austin with the three legendary smokehouses: Black's (1932).
Food destinations within easy reach of Austin. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Worth the trip
Fredericksburg (Hill Country wine country) ★ 4.6
Famous for: Texas Hill Country wineries plus German and Czech kitchens
Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country is the wine-country day trip from Austin, an 1846 German village with over 100 wineries, German kitchens and Main.
Driftwood (Salt Lick BBQ) ★ 4.3
Famous for: Open-pit BBQ at Salt Lick since 1969
Driftwood is the 30-minute Hill Country drive from Austin for The Salt Lick BBQ since 1969, a destination open-pit smokehouse with BYOB policy.
Round Rock (Round Rock Donuts) ★ 4.4
Famous for: Yellow yeast doughnuts since 1926
Round Rock is a 30-minute drive north from Austin for Round Rock Donuts at 106 W Liberty Avenue, the Lone Star doughnut counter since 1926 famous.
Elgin (sausage capital and BBQ) ★ 4.4
Famous for: Southside Market sausage and Meyer's Smokehouse
Elgin is the 30-minute drive east from Austin to the self-styled Sausage Capital of Texas, home to Southside Market since 1882 and Meyer's Smokehouse.