Located in the plaza of One Eleven Congress, Fareground is a centralized food hall built around local growth and community-driven dining. With seven eateries and two bars under one roof, the space offers a curated mix of cuisines to serve Austin’s downtown crowd as they filter in and out of office buildings that line Congress Avenue.
As the city’s first food hall, Fareground functions as an incubator for local restaurant owners to grow their businesses. It includes over 120 freshly made items spanning a range of cuisines that give guests the flexibility to mix and match dishes while experiencing several local eateries all in a single visit.
Credit: FaregroundThe Atmosphere
The first thing I noticed when I walked into Fareground was that it felt organized rather than overwhelming despite the wide range of options. The space is open and airy as natural light filters in from above and there are plenty of seating options, both indoors and outdoors. It resembles an upscale food court, but without the rushed energy that might come to mind when you hear that term.
The space never felt chaotic, even during peak lunch hours. The open layout also made it easy to move between vendors without feeling crowded. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite between meetings or staying a while to try multiple vendors like I did, Fareground seems to be the perfect place to turn a simple lunch into something more relaxed and social.
Credit: Lily WoodallCiccio Bomba
I decided to start my visit at Ciccio Bomba, an Italian bakery concept bringing traditional pastry craftsmanship to Austin. The vendor is a recent addition to Fareground as of November 2025 and specializes in handcrafted cornetti and pastries made using authentic techniques and premium ingredients.
Recommended to me was a flaky and sweet swirled pastry that I paired with a caffe latte. The pastry had a caramelized crispiness with a filling that melted beautifully between the layers, while the velvety latte served as the perfect complement. Ciccio Bomba was a simple but thoughtful start to the afternoon.
Credit: Lily WoodallAustin Rôtisserie
I headed over to Austin Rôtisserie next, a traditional French Rôtisserie concept with an Austin twist. This vendor focuses on fresh ingredients that bring rôtisserie cooking back to its roots.
I ordered the Quarter Bird, a Parisian-style chicken with potatoes cooked in creamy Dijon and salsa verde. The chicken arrived tender and juicy as the Dijon added a nice tang to the dish. To round it out, I also ordered the Salade de Chèvre, featuring arugula, goat cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, and a house vinaigrette. The meal was fantastic and felt balanced as it was both hearty without being too heavy and fresh without sacrificing the flavor.
Credit: Lily WoodallFour Brothers
Next up, I went to Four Brothers Venezuelan Grill for some bold, flavor-packed comfort food. The grill brings traditional Venezuelan dishes to Austin with their housemade sauces and vibrant flavor palettes.
I started with an order of taqueños, Venezuelan fresh cheese sticks served with homemade garlic sauce. They were crisp and golden with an inside filled with warm, stretchy cheese. I also purchased a side of sliced sweet plantains, which were served topped with Venezuelan sour cream and queso frito. It was the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The highlight of my Four Brother experience was the Fajita “Venezuelan Parilla” with grilled chicken breast topped with pico de gallo and sofrito served with garlic and avocado sauces. This dish was the standout for me as it was especially flavorful and bold.
Credit: Lily WoodallGolden Boy
After the Venezuelan flavors, I went to Golden Boy to enjoy their seasonal menu. Golden Boy’s unique dishes offer layered sauces and vibrant flavors.
I chose the Honey Macha Chicken that arrived topped with a delectable sauce and fresh pickles that kept the dish feeling balanced alongside an order of Gochugaru Smashed Cucumbers. The house seasoning gave the cucumbers a very unique taste that complemented the chicken in a way that kept the meal feeling refreshing. Both dishes were colorful and energizing as I left Golden Boy satisfied without feeling weighed down.
Credit: Lily WoodallTaco Pegaso
To end my visit on a sweeter note, I stopped at Taco Pegaso for an order of caramel-filled churros and a hibiscus lemonade. Taco Pegaso is known for its lively energy where the food is cooked fresh and inspired by gathering and bringing people together.
The churros arrived warm and dusted in sugar with a soft interior that gave way to a rich caramel filling that was sweet without being overwhelming. The hibiscus lemonade was tart and bright as it refreshed my palette between bites. This was the perfect reset for me to wrap up after sampling the bold dishes around other vendors at Fareground.
Credit: FaregroundFinal Thoughts
I had an amazing time exploring Fareground as I found it to be an immaculate representation of Austin’s evolving and diverse food scene. With seven distinct eateries under one roof, it offers the special ability to experience multiple cultures and flavors in one afternoon without feeling rushed.
Each stop felt intentional and thoughtfully crafted as no two vendors overlapped in style, but together, they created a cohesive experience. What stood out to me the most during my visit was the balance Fareground offered. I loved that I could easily and quickly get a small taste of each unique vendor here and there all within a compact space. After trying it myself, it’s safe to say that I will be back.