6 Best {Picnics}

Support local restaurants while enjoying the great outdoors.

There’s nothing like dining under the Texas sun this time of year. As the weather warms up, Austinites are spending more and more time in local parks and even outdoor patios and backyards. East Austin has some of the most ‘picnic-able’ meals. Simply grab these snacks or full-blown feasts, a blanket, and get outside.

1. Bento Picnic

It’s so easy to take these delicious Bento boxes on a picnic that it’s in the name. These colorful and balanced meals are beautifully arranged and easily portable. Customers can choose from three different Bento boxes, each following the Japanese method of Washoku. Every meal features five colors, five tastes, and five cooking techniques. Experience this delicious variety with the sun shining down and the clouds overhead at Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake!

2600 E Cesar Chavez St. | bentopicnic.com

2. Patrizi’s

It’s not too often one finds authentic Italian fare served from a food truck, but Patrizi’s has perfected the process. Their hand-pulled pasta is made to order so every dish is fresh and bursting with flavor. Pair cacio e pepe with a side of their Marfa tomatoes or roasted beets to add a little extra color to the plate. Located adjacent to The Butterfly Bar, pasta lovers can savor their meal al fresco in the backyard patio or easily take it to Patterson Park.

2307 Manor Rd. | patrizis.com

3. Rebel Cheese

For those who forge their own path, there’s Rebel Cheese. Conveniently located in the Mueller Town Center, this plant-based cheese company is venturing into new territory by providing 100% vegan charcuterie boards so tasty that even the omnivores will enjoy the spread. Then simply head over to Mueller Lake Park to enjoy tasting the array lakeside.

2200 Aldrich St., Suite 120 | rebelcheese.com

4. Wicky’s Walk Up

Fans of The Cavalier will be pleased with their new venture: a New Orleans style walk-up counter outfitted with muffalettas, Cajun-inspired rolls and biscuits, and even to-go daiquiris. Picnickers can simply stroll up to Wicky’s to pick up provisions, then head straight to their destination such as Boggy Creek Greenbelt. This gem just opened in March, so if you enjoy it make sure to go back for seconds and support this new Eastside establishment.

2400 Webberville Rd. | thecavalieratx.com

5. Saigon Le Vendeur

This Vietnamese food truck serves banh mi sandwiches alongside noodles and a select few Vietnamese specialties. The sandwiches are easy to pack up and take on a stroll or a hike on the scenic Austin walking trails around South Shore Drive. These hearty, protein-packed sandwiches are made to fuel any adventure.

2404 E 7th St. | saigon7th.square.site

6. Spartan Pizza

With Spartan Pizza, it’s as easy as pie to pick up a ‘za and take it to the park. Located in Corazon Apartments, Spartan Pizza makes everything from scratch, from pizza dough to salad dressing, meaning their thoughtful menu is full of fresh ingredients, and each item is made with care. Build a custom dish or choose one of their specialty pizzas featuring fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce, and inventive topping combinations. After selecting the perfect pie, take a blanket and settle along the well-kept grounds of the Texas State Cemetery.

1007 E 6th St. | spartanpizzaaustin.com