The Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival draws hundreds of thousands of people to Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, every year. With multiple stages of music, food vendors, and activities, there’s a lot to be excited about. Because the right fuel can make or break your weekend, it’s best to plan what you’ll eat and drink before, during, and after the festival. Staying hydrated and maintaining mindful eating habits will help you enjoy this multi-day event.

While ACL has a no outside food or drink policy, you’ll find plenty of on-site vendors and nutritious options nearby. To make your experience as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled tips for navigating food at ACL. Whether you need help finding nutritious meals for specific dietary needs or simply choosing food and drinks before, during, and after the festival, this guide has you covered.

Tips for Planning Meals Before and After the Festival

While you can’t bring your own food or drinks into ACL, you can plan nourishing meals before and after each day of the fest. Here are some tips to help:

Eat a Balanced Meal Before You Go 

Before you head into the festival each day, try to eat a meal with protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and healthy fats. For example, these meals can help you start your day off right:

• A breakfast taco with eggs, beans, and avocado
• A grain bowl with chicken or tofu, greens, and brown rice
• Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts
• A whole-grain sandwich with turkey or tempeh and a side salad

Pair these meals with plenty of water. It’s best to start hydrating a few days before ACL to prepare for the heat and activity.

Hit up Local Nutritious Spots

If you’d rather grab a quick bite at a local restaurant before heading to the festival, you’ll find many nourishing options in Austin. For example, The Well, known for its local and sustainable ingredients, is just minutes from Zilker Park. Bouldin Creek Cafe is another restaurant that offers vegan fare, while Casa de Luz has fresh, locally sourced food, including plant-based, macrobiotic plates. Alternatively, placed conveniently near one of the festival entrances, JuiceLand on Barton Springs Road offers smoothies, juices, and plant-forward bowls.  

Prep Your Post-Festival Meals

Stock your hotel mini fridge or home kitchen with easy meals you can eat after getting back from the festival each night. These could include overnight oats, cut fruit, hummus and veggies, protein bars, or a ready-to-eat protein like rotisserie chicken or baked tofu. Prep a grain or pasta salad ahead so you can eat as soon as you get back. You can find quick and flavorful frozen rice options that cook in 3–5 minutes at most grocery stores, such as Grain Trust. The next morning, refuel with something balanced, like pre-made oatmeal such as MUSH or Oats Overnight, with banana and nut butter, or eggs with tortillas and salsa. 

ACL Festival Dietary Tips — Navigating Food Options Inside the Festival  

Beyond the sets and stages, what you eat and drink will shape your experience. Austin is known for its vibrant food scene and plant-based, locally sourced meals, so you’re sure to find tasty and nutritious options within the festival grounds. Here’s our Austin music festival food guide to make your experience as enjoyable as possible: 

1. Check the Food Vendor Map

Before heading to the festival, check the ACL app for a list of its food vendors. Knowing what they have before going will make planning and finding nourishing options that much easier. Austin City Limits festival food is typically known for its diverse options, from barbecue to Tex-Mex and tacos. You can also use the food vendor map to plan where you’ll go between music sets when you need nourishment.  

2. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a leading issue at music festivals. So, make sure you’re sipping water consistently each day of ACL. You are allowed to bring a reusable water bottle, so be sure to continuously refill it, and consider adding electrolytes if it’s hot or you sweat a lot. In the morning, drink a glass or two of water, then keep a steady pace during the festival by taking small sips regularly. Caffeine is OK, but make sure you match it with water, and go easy on alcohol to avoid dehydration.

3. Prioritize Essential Nutrients

Mindful eating at music festivals can be as easy as searching for food with the essential nutrients. Look for vendor signage that reveals ingredients to ensure you follow a balanced meal pattern. Examples might include:

• Rice Bowl: Brown rice (carbs), grilled chicken (protein), avocado (healthy fat), and mixed vegetables
• Whole-Grain Wrap: Whole-grain tortilla (carbs), turkey or tofu (protein), hummus or avocado (healthy fat), and fresh veggies
• Avocado Toast with Egg: Whole-grain bread (carbs), egg (protein), avocado (healthy fat), and tomato or spinach (vegetables)
• Grain Bowl: Quinoa (carbs), grilled salmon or beans (protein), olive oil or avocado (healthy fat), roasted broccoli and peppers (vegetables)
• Mediterranean Plate: Couscous or whole-grain pita (carbs), grilled chicken or chickpeas (protein), olive oil or tahini (healthy fat), cucumber, tomato, and spinach salad (vegetables)

While there are ACL festival food restrictions, following a general rule of getting essential nutrients and staying hydrated can ensure you feel full, satisfied, and energized throughout the festival. 

4. Practice Mindful Eating

Practice mindful meal patterns by listening to your body throughout the festival and making conscious decisions about what you eat. Pay close attention to your hunger and fullness cues, and take breaks and rest when needed. Allow yourself to enjoy festival treats, but remember that balance is key — be flexible and go easy on yourself, or even share with friends if you start to feel full. 

Tips for Festival-Goers With Specific Dietary Needs

Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or managing allergies, a little prep goes a long way. While outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the festival grounds, ACL has specified that patrons with special medical dietary restrictions can bring in items. You can also follow these tips for eating at music festivals when you have a specific nutritional need:  

• Research vendors: As soon as ACL releases the vendor lists and menus, mark three to five safe options on your map. You might even follow vendors on social media and ask them about their ingredients, cross-contact and other dietary questions.   
• Have an allergy plan: If prescribed, be sure to remember your allergy medications or have a medical ID when entering the festival. Let your group know about your plan and mark any medical tents on the festival map. 
• Read food signs during the festival: When you enter the festival, look for gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, or dairy-free options to help you determine where to eat. Note that “gluten-friendly” can mean cross-contact, so ask about this when you visit a food vendor.
• Ask about ingredients: Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the food options at each vendor, such as whether they have a dedicated fryer or if they can change gloves. You might also double-check whether they have corn or flour tortillas or the types of ingredients in sauces to confirm you’re not allergic to them.
• Have a post-festival safety net: Stock your car or hotel with safe snacks, like protein bars, fruit, nuts, and instant oats for a late-night bite after the show.

Fuel Your ACL Weekend With Registered Dietitians

To ensure nutritious eating at Austin City Limits and make the weekend as enjoyable as possible, plan your food, hydrate, and make meal plans for each day. Your mind and body will thank you for it, and you’ll have the energy to enjoy this exciting festival to the fullest. If you need additional support, turn to Doherty Nutrition. 

Our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists provide weight-inclusive, evidence-based guidance grounded in intuitive eating. We can help you map balanced pre-fest meals, dietary needs, and post-show recovery snacks so you can feel energized all weekend. We offer virtual and in-person sessions tailored to your needs. If you choose to visit us in person, our office is conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from Zilker Park.

To get started, book a consultation with us today. Take the first step toward a flexible, sustainable approach to festival — and everyday — fueling.

Links:

1. https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/acl-survival-guide/ 
2. https://support.aclfestival.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405460843412-What-items-are-allowed-prohibited-at-ACL
3. https://support.aclfestival.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407019200404-Is-there-a-mobile-app
4. https://www.eatwellatx.com/locations
5. https://bouldincreekcafe.com/
6. https://www.casadeluz.org/home
7. https://www.juiceland.com/locations/barton-springs/
8. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2025/04/08/this-music-festival-season-stay-on-the-fun-side-of-the-medical-tent-with-this-advice
9. https://dohertynutrition.com/breaking-down-different-types-of-hunger/
10. https://support.aclfestival.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405452971924-I-have-special-dietary-needs-and-or-have-prescription-medicine-that-I-need-Can-I-bring-this
11. https://dohertynutrition.com/our-team-2/
12. https://dohertynutrition.com/request-counseling/