Explore the best food events in Austin! This post features the city’s best food festivals and fundraisers. Post updated in May 2025.
Austin is a foodie’s paradise. The city’s vibrant culinary community is fueled by talented chefs, a giving and enthusiastic community, good festival weather, and a love of events. Culinary events fill foodies’ social calendars year-round in addition to restaurant openings and are a great way to meet chefs and try new restaurants. Many are “sip and stroll,” which includes trying samples at each participating restaurant’s booth.
I’ve gathered the 11 best food events to help you explore Austin’s culinary scene. Please check websites for the most updated information.
Austin Food and Wine Festival
- Details: Three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits, featuring Texas’ most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. Think mingling with chefs, seeing demos and indulging in tasting sessions.
- Date: November
- Proceeds Benefit: Texas Food and Wine Alliance
- See my experience here
CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
- Details: This tasting event honors local restaurants with an awards ceremony. Find out who wins awards such as Restaurant and Chef of the Year
- Date: May
- Proceeds Benefit: Central Texas Food Bank
Farm to Plate
- Details: More than 25 Austin chefs and restaurants sharing delicious bites at a beautiful venue.
- Date: May
- Proceeds Benefit: Sustainable Food Center
Field Guide Festival
- Details: 3-day event focused on local chefs and farmers
- Date: April
- Proceeds Benefit: Central Texas Food Bank
- See my experience here
Food for Thought
- Details: A handful of Austin’s chefs serving samples while celebrating Communities in Schools of Central Texas
- Date: October
- Proceeds Benefit: Communities in Schools of Central Texas
Hot Luck Festival
- Details: Created by Aaron Franklin, this festival features four days of tastings and music in several venues around Austin
- Date: May
- Proceeds Benefit: Southern Smoke Foundation
Texas Craft Brewers Festival
- Details: Texas’ largest celebration of small and independent Texas craft breweries. Try beers (200+ options) by breweries from all over Texas
- Date: November
- Proceeds Benefit: Texas Craft Brewers Guild
- See my experience here
Texas Monthly BBQ Festival
- Details: Taste top Texas BBQ joints on Texas Monthly’s annual list
- Date: November
- Proceeds Benefit: Texas Monthly
- See my experience here
Toast of Texas
- Details: This event gives guests the opportunity to try different wine styles, varieties and regions
- Date: June
- Proceeds Benefit: The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Scholarships
Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis
- Details: Event includes bites from Austin’s top chefs, live music, and a silent auction.
- Date: November
- Proceeds Benefit: Lone Star Paralysis Foundation
Umlauf Garden Party
- Details: Stroll through the beautiful garden while enjoying bites and drinks from local restaurants
- Date: April
- Proceeds Benefit: Umlauf Sculpture Garden
What’s your favorite food event in Austin?
P.S. Need more food ideas? Check out these posts:
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