Austin Food & Wine Festival 2026 features diverse culinary offerings

The 2026 Austin Food & Wine Festival took place despite rainy weather, offering attendees a variety of food and drink options included in the ticket price. Attendees experienced a range of culinary styles, including raw fish dishes and emerging trends like salsa macha.

Notable food highlights included seared scallops with butternut squash purée from 2020 Market, tuna ceviche from Alteño, and Korean barbecue short rib hand rolls from Esther Choi. Other standout dishes featured Tasmanian trout from Uchi, beef bolognese tteokbokki from MAHT, and porchetta tacos from Emmer & Rye.

The festival also included the Made in Texas VIP kickoff at the Long Center. While the kickoff offered views of downtown Austin, some logistical challenges were noted, such as slow bar lines and difficulties navigating food stations when lights were dimmed during musical performances.