Picking a place to eat in Austin is always a bit of a challenge — too many good restaurants exist! It’s even harder near attractions like the Moody Center.
Here’s a list of five great places to try before you pop into the arena for a concert, sports game, or whatever else they’re cooking up over there:
If Posse East has no fans, I’ve died. I love this dive bar so much and it’s my number one recommendation for a quick bite before a show. Located just 1.1 miles away from the Moody Center, Posse East is a nice spot to grab a burger, cheese fries, a beer, or nachos. Pro tip: If you don’t mind a walk, Posse East has lots of street parking you can nab before walking to the arena.
Looking for something a little fancier? Try Salty Sow. The restaurant is less than a mile (0.8 miles) away from the Moody Center and has a heavenly menu made up of Southern comfort food including biscuits, fried chicken, cheese grits, and more. Fun fact: Former first lady Michelle Obama dined here in 2016! She wanted to try the bread pudding.
Ah, an Austin classic. Scholz Garten has been around since 1866 and is just half a mile away from the Moody Center. Grab a big pretzel and German bratwurst to fuel up for your night out. Please report back on which pretzel condiment you liked best: Bier cheese, garlic butter, or Dusseldorf mustard.
If you close your eyes and point at the Patrizi’s menu, you’ll end up with something delicious no matter what. The pasta food truck is located inside The VORTEX on Manor Road, just 1.3 miles from the Moody Center. The cacio e pepe (add pancetta) is worth the trip alone.
This spot is the farthest away from the Moody Center (a whole 2 miles) on this list. But you’ll be glad you made the trek. KG BBQ, which is headed by Pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh, offers Texas barbecue with Egyptian and Middle Eastern twists. And, the barbecue joint is open until 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
