Where To Eat On The Drive Between Austin And Waco

By Kelsey Kennedy | November 4, 2024

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The drive from Austin to Waco is about 2 hours, give or take from annoying I-35 traffic. And as long as you’re road trippin’, you might as well stop for some good eats and drinks! Here’s where to eat on the drive between Austin and Waco.

Where To Eat On The Drive Between Austin And Waco

We’re going to do this as a drive from Austin, finishing with the final destination in downtown Waco. You can, of course, pick any of these spots along the way by using the map above of the best food and drinks between Austin and Waco.

1. Bird Bird Biscuit

On your way out of Austin, swing by Bird Bird Biscuit for a delicious, decadent biscuit sandwich that you can eat in the car. These biscuits are the perfect combo of dense and fluffy, ideally made for giant sandwiches stuffed full of fried chicken, crisp bacon, and spicy mayo.

If you’re driving north on I-35, place a to-go order online to pick up at the Manor Road location. Driving up MOPAC? Pick up your order at the Koenig Lane location.

WEBSITE | 2701 Manor Rd Austin, TX 78722

2. Round Rock Donuts

It’s seriously hard to beat these world-famous glazed donuts in Round Rock! The Round Rock Donuts shop has been serving ridiculously tasty donuts at both their drive-thru window and their walk-up counter to hungry Texans since 1926, and the line out the door on any given morning is a clue that they’re not slowing down any time soon!

The Texas-sized donut is as big as a dozen mini donuts, so order that if you’re going somewhere and want to show up with a gift. (It’s always a huge hit!) Otherwise, a couple of their regular donuts are an excellent drive-thru treat. They go great with basic black coffee.

WEBSITE | 106 W Liberty Ave Round Rock, TX 78664

3. 309 Coffee in Georgetown

309 Coffee, named after its address on Main Street in Georgetown, TX, has become my go-to spot to caffeinate on the drive from Austin to Waco.

Compared to a lot of the lackluster chains and drive-thru coffee spots in central Texas, 309 Coffee is head and shoulders above the rest in regards to quality coffee roasting and brewing. They roast their own coffee in addition to supplying from nationally renowned coffee roasters, and they offer traditional espresso drinks (cortados, lattes, cappuccinos) as well as pretty good basic drip coffee and pour overs.

The pastries here are amazing, so if you need a coffee + a bite, 309 coffee is an excellent choice on your drive between Waco and Austin.

WEBSITE | 309 S Main St Georgetown, TX 78626

4. Monument Cafe in Georgetown

We’re going to share one more stop in Georgetown, because Monument Cafe is something special. It was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, but every Georgetown resident knows that this breakfast and lunch classic diner was popular way before that.

Stop by for any of your Texas diner favorites, like their famous chicken and biscuits, delicious buttermilk pancakes, or the oh-so-popular chicken fried steak for lunch.

Monument Café is only open for breakfast and lunch, so don’t plan on stopping by if you’re doing this drive any time after 3:00 pm.

WEBSITE | 500 S Austin Ave Georgetown, TX 78627

5. Robertson’s in Salado

You’ve probably driven past this nondescript building in Salado a bunch of times, but try stopping by next time you’re doing the drive from Austin to Waco!

Robertson’s Hams is a jerky and smoked meats shop. You can walk right in and find all sorts of delicious jerky to snack on or get a ham sandwich for lunch. They also have gift boxes, condiments, and even get holiday hams.

Photo Credits: Rain W., Yelp

WEBSITE | 1420 N Robertson Rd Salado, TX 76571

6. Miller’s Smokehouse in Belton

Miller’s Smokehouse was listed in Texas Monthly’s top 50 BBQ joints in Texas, and it’s well worth a stop if you want a big hearty lunch on the drive between Waco and Austin!

It’s classic central Texas barbecue food, aka BRISKET! It’s really peppery and delicious, and the sides are so good here, too.

Photo Credits: Lacey T., Yelp

WEBSITE | 300 E Central Ave Belton, TX 76513

7. Buc-ee’s in Temple

Buc-ee’s…most people in Texas love it, and it’s really hard to not fall in love with that giant candy wall, the spiced nuts, the quick grab-and-go lunch items, and all the fudge! And if you’re a die-hard Buc-ee’s fan, there’s all the Buc-ee’s memorabilia to purchase, too. Buc-ee’s onesie? Buc-ee’s pool float? Buc-ee’s Christmas décor? They’ve got it all, folks.

Photo Credits: Minna A., Yelp

WEBSITE | 4155 N General Bruce Dr Temple, TX 76501

8. Our Daily Bread in Eddy, TX

You’ve almost made it to Waco, and you really don’t want to have to wait in line at Magnolia Table or some of the other popular spots in Waco. So…stop by Our Daily Bread in Eddy, TX!

Our Daily Bread is a family restaurant about 20 miles south of Waco. It’s an easy on/off from I-35, and they have basic diner food like pancakes and waffles, burgers and onion rings, baskets with crispy chicken or steak fingers.

It’s not going down in the greatest restaurant in America, but it is a really sweet family-owned spot where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner on your drive from Austin to Waco.

Photo Credits: Paul N., Yelp

WEBSITE | 201 W 3rd St Eddy, TX 76524