Where Austin Actually Eats at 2am

Most trailers now take cards and Apple Pay. Tacos El Charly is cash only — say that out loud before you drive out there at 1am.

The North Lamar lots

Tacos El Charly

Cash only. Doesn't open until 7pm. Al pastor cooked on a trompo, with live music most nights and a line that moves fast.

4.6 stars, 1,246 reviews. $. This is the single best late-night answer in Austin, and it is entirely IYKYK. Open 7pm–1am Mon–Thu, 7pm–3am Fri–Sun.

Taqueria 7 Estrellas #2

Same general area as El Charly — a big parking lot with weekend crowds and music.

4.2 stars, 582 reviews. $.

El Tacorrido

Has a drive-thru on North Lamar, which at 2am is a genuine feature.

4.2 stars, 960 reviews. $. Try the revuelta taco: pork shoulder, skin, and stomach.

East side

Las Trancas Taco Stand

Pastor, tripas, and carne asada, with fierce red and green salsas.

4.7 stars, 2,757 reviews. $.

Delray Cafe

Nobody knows the name — say "the food truck behind Nickel City." Sliders, wings, coney dogs, and tater tots, all executed properly.

4.2 stars, 94 reviews. $.

Sit-down

Magnolia Cafe

Midnight Mon–Thu, 24 hours Fri–Sun. Pancakes, migas, burgers, and a cross-section of old Austin and new Austin at 3am.

4.5 stars, 7,283 reviews. $$.

Sap's Ver Fine Thai Cuisine

Thai food, late.

4.4 stars, 2,755 reviews. Order the pad see ew or crab fried rice at an hour when nothing else good is open.

Tandoori Lounge + Bar (Indian Cuisine)

Open until 3am with $2 house beers — a quiet room and good charred meats.

4.8 stars, 3,482 reviews. $$.

JABS

Smashburgers until 2am Thursday through Saturday.

4.3 stars, 87 reviews. $$.

Kerbey Lane Cafe - South

The readers' pick for late-night dining.

4.5 stars, 4,544 reviews. $$. The Paris Texas breakfast platter works at any hour.

Also worth knowing

Velvet Taco

A national chain, but the Domain Northside location has run 24-hour service — worth a call to confirm before a 3am run.

4.5 stars, 4,870 reviews. Try the Korean Fried Chicken taco or the classic pastor.

Chuy's

The original South Congress location has historically stayed open late on weekends. Queso-filled tacos and house margaritas.

4.4 stars, 5,528 reviews. $$.

Papalote Taco House

Longtime East Austin favorite with a taco window open late on weekends.

4.5 stars, 1,382 reviews. Known for crispy "Texas-style" tacos and green sauce.