Best of ATX 2026: Austin Monthly Celebrates the People, Places and Flavors Making the City Shine
From standout restaurants and sustainable shopping to inspiring Austinites and a revitalized Rainey Street, Austin Monthly is celebrating the best of the capital city in its annual Best of ATX issue.
We Are Austin hosts Trevor Scott and Sierra Waggoner sat down with Austin Monthly Editor-in-Chief Madeline Hollern to explore Best of ATX 2026 and some of the people, businesses and experiences that earned a spot in this year’s issue.
We Are Austin hosts Trevor Scott and Sierra Waggoner sat down with Austin Monthly Editor-in-Chief Madeline Hollern to explore Best of ATX 2026 and some of the people, businesses and experiences that earned a spot in this year’s issue.
Finding the Best of Austin
Creating an issue devoted to Austin’s best requires a year of research, which in Hollern’s case means experiencing as much of the city as possible.
“All year long, you guys know me, I’m incredibly social,” Hollern said. “Our editors, we are out checking out the pulse of the city, dining out, going to bars, drinking mocktails in my place, checking out all the new spots.”
The final issue combines selections from Austin Monthly’s editors with picks chosen by readers.
“This is just the best of the city that we find throughout the year,” Hollern said.
Austin Monthly celebrates the people, places, and flavors that shine in Best of ATX 2026!
Christy Carlson Romano Takes the Cover
This year’s cover features Christy Carlson Romano, the actress many fans grew up watching in Disney’s “Kim Possible” and “Even Stevens.”
Now an Austin resident, Romano is preparing to release a memoir this fall and has another movie project ahead.
“She’s kind of having this renaissance in the city,” Hollern said.
Austin Monthly photographed Romano at The Driskill’s Victorian Room, with Hollern describing her as “so fun and charismatic and great.”
Austin Monthly celebrates the people, places, and flavors that shine in Best of ATX 2026!
Dining, Nightlife and a Rainey Street Revival
Food and nightlife are naturally a major part of Best of ATX, and one of Hollern’s personal favorites this year is Jupiter Supper Club.
“It’s just, like, gorgeous hues,” Hollern said. “It’s mostly vegetarian food, but they’ve added meat to the menu, and then they’ve got this hidden jazz bar in the back, like a tucked-away hidden gem.”
The issue also explores the continuing evolution of Rainey Street.
Austin Monthly devoted a full page to what it calls the Rainey Street revival, highlighting new restaurants, bars and developments reshaping the district.
“It’s not just for 20-somethings and tourists anymore,” Hollern said. “It’s kind of grown up and sophisticated.”
Austin Monthly celebrates the people, places, and flavors that shine in Best of ATX 2026!
Sustainable Shopping With an Austin Twist
Local shopping picks include jewelry designer Nina Berenato, whose Forever Nose jewelry turns an impression of a pet’s nose into a keepsake.
“It’s just this forever memento that you can keep for your pets,” Hollern said. “They’re so cute, and it’s just so heartfelt.”
The issue also features Kelly Campbell, who repurposes paint-covered materials from artists’ workspaces into one-of-a-kind accessories.
“They’re all sustainable, they’re all unique, and they’re really just gorgeous,” Hollern said.
Austin Monthly celebrates the people, places, and flavors that shine in Best of ATX 2026!
More Than 200 Reader Picks
For the first time, Austin Monthly partnered with the Austin American-Statesman for the Readers’ Choice portion of Best of ATX, bringing together audiences from both publications.
“This is the biggest iteration that we’ve ever done,” Hollern said. “We have more than 200 winners all in.”
For Hollern, the finished guide is also an invitation to experience more of Austin.
“It’s a great way to get to know the city, try new places, discover things you haven’t done before,” she said.
Austin Monthly celebrates the people, places, and flavors that shine in Best of ATX 2026!
Austin Monthly’s Best of ATX 2026 issue is out now. Visit AustinMonthly.com to explore this year’s winners and discover even more of the people, places and businesses making Austin shine.
Austin Monthly celebrates the people, places, and flavors that shine in Best of ATX 2026!