This is the second location of Antonelli's Cheese Shop, Austin's premiere store for top-notch fromage and cheese classes. At the Fareground location, you can choose both take-home and dine-in options from the vendor's expansive selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as soups, sandwiches (grilled cheese, of course), raclette, an insanely good mac and cheese dish and more. There's also a daily cheese board that brings customers on a journey through cheese regions—a trip we'd all like to take, thanks.
While the rest of the country has Eataly and Grand Central Market and Pike Place Market, Austin has been anxiously awaiting a food hall of its own. Well, it's finally here: Fareground is the first of its kind in the Texas capital, a downtown dining destination that houses multiple vendors, a bar and plenty of seating to sit and take it all in. It's home to a few offshoots of Austin's best restaurants, but before we introduce the vendors, let's break down some basics.
Fareground is located at 111 Congress Avenue, in the subterranean level and plaza of One Eleven at the corner of Congress Ave and Second St. Coming in from the street, you might first notice the sprawling patio that serves as a comfortable place to eat, drink and chill on a nice day. Inside the Michael Hsu-designed space, you'll find a semi-circle of vendors curated by the ELM Restaurant Group and anchored by Fareground Bar in the middle—the latest addition to downtown's bar scene, and helmed by ELM's beverage director (and master somm) Craig Collins. Wine and cocktails (everything from French 76s to Bloody Marys) are all available. A second bar—this one located at street level—is still in the works.
Get to know the vendors currently slinging kolaches, ramen, rice bowls, tacos and more at Fareground, and be sure to pay the food hall a visit from 7am to 10pm weekdays and 9am to 10pm on weekends.
