Eat Your Way from Asheville to Austin: 21 Places to Eat and Drink on the Road
Are you planning a road trip from Asheville to Austin? Are you wondering where to eat? Learn all about our favorite stops during our food-motivated road trip.
This post contains affiliate links. As always, all photographs are copyrighted Reese Moore Photography unless otherwise stated and cannot be used without express permission.
Miniature Fruit Tart from French Kiss in Ocean Springs, MS.
I've always said that eating is my favorite sport, and nowhere is that more evident than on our current cross-country road trip. We've been snacking and sipping our way across the Southeast, and here's a list of the real gems we've discovered along the way!
Rarely is a meal out so appreciated as when you're living out of a van. A good, hot meal is an enormous comfort in a new routine marked by tiny inconveniences, constantly bumped heads and elbows, and questionable bathhouses. Beyond that, eating out gives you an overwhelming gratitude for all of those people working in hospitality. It is such a treat to be taken care of!
Now, if you're looking at this list and the map and wondering, "Damn, how often do these people EAT?!" that's fair. My husband is working full-time from the van (with our lunatic Australian Shepherd), so we're trying to only drive 2-4 hours a day to keep everyone relaxed and happy.
Where to Eat in Asheville, NC:
Curate: Kick off your road trip with one last foodie hurrah: a fine dining tapa experience at Curate. You can never go wrong with the Patatas Bravas or Gambas al Ajillo, but it really doesn't matter what you order: everything is prepared perfectly and the flavors flawlessly balanced. You'll need to make your reservations in advance as this AVL hotspot books up quickly.
Early Girl Eatery: This tried-and-true restaurant serves up delicious eats and a cozy, comfortable vibe. Hit that Veggie Breakfast Bowl (and a side of Banana Quick Bread) for a healthy start to your epic road trip.
Electric City Pizza Company in Anderson, SC has a fun, casual vibe, making it the perfect stop after a long drive.
Where to Eat and Drink in Anderson, SC:
Electric City Pizza Company: This hip, casual eatery dishes up pies, pizza bowls, and Southern-inspired tacos. The tacos are where it's at: grab a Chicken & Waffle, a Southern-fried, and a Samurai Chicken Taco for the fried chicken trifecta.
Viva Wine Bar: A good, neighborhood wine bar is a national treasure, and they're few and far between on the road. Viva is an intimate spot just off the main drag in Anderson that offers an excellent wine selection and tasty truffles.
Bollywood Tacos in Milledgeville, Georgia serves up creative Indian-Mexican fusion tacos.
Where to Eat in Milledgeville, GA:
Bollywood Tacos: We almost named this blog "Tour de Taco" because of how many tacos we eat, so trust me when I say Bollywood Tacos is a must-try. This Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant has some real gems on the menu, such as Chicken Shawarma, Bombay Chicken, and Chili Chicken Tacos. Looking for something more traditional? The Honey Chipotle Shrimp and Peach Country are delicious.
Eatz on the Corner serves up generous portions of veggie-rich, Caribbean cuisine.
Where to Eat in Pine Mountain, GA:
Eatz on the Corner: In town awash in BBQ and standard resort fare, Eatz on the Corner is a stand-out serving up delicious Caribbean fare. This colorful, hole-in-the-way cafe dishes up plates of flavorful, creative, and veggie-forward fare. We got the Chaka Chaka Philly with Lava Fries and a Curry Chicken Stir-fry and joined the clean plate club.
Slurp Society in Mobile, Alabama has an undeniably hip vibe and killer spicy cucumbers.
Where to Eat and Drink in Mobile, AL:
Squid Ink Eclectic Eats and Drinks: After a long day on the road, the creative menu at Squid Ink Eclectic Eats and Drinks was a light at the end of the tunnel. This hip dining spot recently won an award for the most innovative menu, and the outdoor patio swings and chic bar area make this spot particularly noteworthy in a town that's awash in casual Southern fare. We ordered almost everything (I do get hangry), so here are our top picks: Street Cauliflower, Chicken Banh Mi Salad, and the Tuna Poke Bowl. Their cocktail menu is almost equally impressive.
The Haberdasher: After you eat your fill at Squid Ink Eclectic, mosey across the street for fine cocktails at The Haberdasher. My husband was particularly enamored of their bourbon list, while I sang the praises of the 50:50 Martini featuring Japanese gin. The Guadala-Holla! is also tasty, and I loved that they serve Athletic Brewing Company's non-alcoholic craft beers.
Kick back after a long day with some pinball and a Watermelon Sour Beer at Old Majestic Brewing in Mobile, AL.
Old Majestic Brewing: If the chill space, outdoor firepits, and pinball machines don’t reel you in, the Watermelon Sour absolutely will. This spacious and hip hangout frequently hosts food trucks as well.
Slurp Society: Slurp Society is just cool. This Mobile, AL ramen spot has that intangible “it” factor that just makes it a place you want to be, but the food is stellar as well. We loved the Spicy Cukes and the Slurp O.G. Sit at the bar for an eagle-eye view of the kitchen staff flingin’ noods.
A latte and miniature fruit tart is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up in Ocean Springs, MS.
Best Coffee Spot in Ocean Springs, MS:
French Kiss: Stretch your legs with a stroll down Ocean Springs' historic downtown and refuel at French Kiss, the local coffee and pastry spot. This hip cafe offers specialty coffee drinks, 3-inch cakes (perfect for sharing), gourmet scones, macarons, and delectable miniature fruit tarts.
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi is home to the cozy Mockingbird Cafe, a must for a casual, hearty breakfast.
Where to Eat in Bay Saint Louis, MS:
200 North Beach Restaurant: Crawl out of your camper and treat yourself to a tasty meal at this elegant, contemporary dinner spot. The vibe is elegant without being fussy, and the portions are substantial. We loved the Smoked Mushrooms over Pasta, the Filet Mignon, and the Southwestern Chicken Salad.
Mockingbird Cafe: For a quick and cozy breakfast, venture over to the Mockingbird Cafe (inspired by To Kill A Mockingbird). This neighborhood spot has a homey, chill vibe and yummy bites. The Veggie Breakfast Burrito is packed with savory sauteed vegetables, the Good Karma Hash is straight-up addictive, and Avocado Toast is a tasty breakfast standard.
Cate’s Street Food Station is housed in Hammond, Louisiana’s former freight station.
Where to Eat in Hammond, LA:
Cate’s Street Food Station: If tasty sushi, creative Cajun fusion dishes, and Louisiana classics weren’t enough to reel you in, the space alone is worth a visit. Cate’s Street Food Station is housed in the former Hammond's freight station, and the rustic industrial signage and architectural details are a delight. We loved the Fresh Market Roll.
Where to Eat in Orange, TX:
Tia Juanita's Fish Camp: This colorful Texas chain makes for a great bite to eat on your cross-country road trip. The casual yet festive atmosphere, quick service, and extensive menu make dinner-on-the-go a breeze. The housemade salsa is delicious, and the Blackened Gator Tacos offer a vibrant hit of local flavor. Pro tip: Order the Gator Tacos with a side of Mango-Pineapple Pico De Gallo!
I will rave about The Meating Place BBQ’s brisket and smoked chicken quesadilla for the rest of this lifetime.
The Meating Place BBQ in Magnolia, TX has an Instagrammable sign.
Where to Eat in Magnolia, TX:
The Meating Place BBQ: I cannot say enough great things about the smoky, mouth-watering BBQ at The Meating Place. We were completely blown away, and we have yet to have better BBQ in Texas, even after spending twice as much money at trendy Austin restaurants.
Everything is delicious, from the Brisket and Pulled Pork to the Smoked Chicken Quesadilla, and the portions are huge. Also, don't skimp on the sides! The mac and cheese, coleslaw, and oversized curly fries are crave-worthy.
Finally, be sure to grab a snap in front of the massive cow yard art for your Instagram before getting back on the road.
Brenham, Texas is home to Mescalito Coffee, which has a calm, charming vibe and chic retail store attached.
Best Coffee in Brenham, TX:
Mescalito Coffee: Mescalito is an adorable coffee shop in an adorable town. Everything is charming here, and this neighborhood coffee shop is no exception. Order a latte and peruse the adjacent stylish retail boutique while you wait. This oasis of sophisticated calm is just what you need before getting back on the road.
Floppy Disk Repair Co. is an amazing speakeasy in Austin, Texas.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Austin, TX:
Floppy Disk Repair: Austin loves a speakeasy, but this one is next-level fun. The flawlessly retro storefront will give all Millenials a giggle, but you'll need the most recent key code to access the small, hip bar inside. (We got the code from our waitress at dinner.) Peruse the extensive menu of eyebrow-raising cocktail descriptions at the gimmicky but very Instagrammable swing chairs before moving to an actual bar stool or booth with proper lumbar support.
Dai Due: Skip the trademark Austin kitsch and settle in for a quality farm-to-table gourmet meal at Dai Due, a beloved restaurant and butcher shop. The meat-heavy menu is flawlessly executed, and it's a welcome relief from the endless string of taco and BBQ joints. We ordered the Centex Mezze Platter, Tallow-fried Fish & Chips, and Mixed Greens Salad.
Sour Duck Market: Sour Duck Market was a delightful discovery near our Airbnb. We fell in love with the rustic-industrial space, the friendly, laid-back vibe, and the ridiculously yummy eats. Order up a Breakfast Taco (They're huge! There are fries in there!), grab the Ciabatta Melt (with both hands!), and tuck into a tasty TX Farm Chop Salad.
Garage Bar: I love a good gimmick, but only when the business has the chops to back it up, and Garage Bar is the full package. Hidden away under a ramp in a parking garage, Garage Bar's fun speakeasy concept is seamlessly bolstered by a swanky, dimly lit interior and excellent craft cocktails... and the best mocktail I've ever had, the Third Verse.
A more extensive list on all our favorite Austin eateries is coming soon, so stay tuned if you’ll be in the area for a few days!
Do you have a must-try restaurant, watering hole, or coffee shop between Asheville and Austin? Drop it in the comments below!
