If you've been living in Austin long enough to remember when South Congress was actually affordable, you already know the drill — every year the Austin Chronicle rounds up the city's best, and every year it somehow still manages to feel like a big deal. Well, they've just dropped their 35th Annual Best of Austin Awards, and honestly, that's a milestone worth pausing for.
Thirty-five years of crowning the city's favorite taco spots, music venues, local makers, and hidden gems is no small thing. For creators, small business owners, and community builders across ATX, landing a spot on this list is basically the local equivalent of going viral — except the clout actually sticks around longer than 24 hours.
What makes the Best of Austin Awards special in a sea of "best of" lists is the community backbone behind it. These picks come from readers who are embedded in the culture — the regulars, the regulars' regulars, the people who take their Austin identity seriously. It's a snapshot of what this city actually values right now, which, given how fast Austin is changing, feels more important than ever.
For creators and entrepreneurs putting in the work, a Chronicle nod can translate into real foot traffic, new followers, and that priceless word-of-mouth energy that no ad budget can manufacture. If your favorite local spot, artist, or maker made the list this year, shout them out — they earned it the old-fashioned way.
Whether you're a longtime Austinite or someone still figuring out which breakfast taco spot deserves your loyalty, the 35th Annual Best of Austin is your cheat code for navigating this city like a local. Go check out the full list over at the Austin Chronicle and see who's repping ATX this year.