Our Guide to Downtown & Austin
Food Scene
Deli and bakery. Cute atmosphere on 6th. We like the "Turkey Sweet" sandwich
46 locals recommend
Walton's Fancy & Staple
609 W 6th StDeli and bakery. Cute atmosphere on 6th. We like the "Turkey Sweet" sandwich
Super popular Asian-fusion food truck at the back of a dive bar. Everyone loves the chicken dish... and everything else. Find it by going to Liberty Bar and going into the back courtyard.
77 locals recommend
East Side King
2000 E 6th StSuper popular Asian-fusion food truck at the back of a dive bar. Everyone loves the chicken dish... and everything else. Find it by going to Liberty Bar and going into the back courtyard.
Vegan food truck with a Chili Mac & Cheese that's vegan and cheesy. I don't know how they do it, but it's great.
43 locals recommend
Arlo's
2906 Fruth StVegan food truck with a Chili Mac & Cheese that's vegan and cheesy. I don't know how they do it, but it's great.
This is a very hot local Austin spot tailored to Vegetarians and vegans. My favorite by far is the "Renidict" with tofu instead of eggs... It's seriously awesome, but sells out well before dinner, so go for lunch or brunch.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StThis is a very hot local Austin spot tailored to Vegetarians and vegans. My favorite by far is the "Renidict" with tofu instead of eggs... It's seriously awesome, but sells out well before dinner, so go for lunch or brunch.
Eastside Café
2113 Manor RdSouthern food done slightly fancy.
Black's Barbecue Austin
3110 Guadalupe StWhen in Texas order Brisket and the Giant Beef Rib.
Our favorite BBQ. When in Texas, try the Brisket and Beef Rib (the beef rib is sometimes very salty, fyi).
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdOur favorite BBQ. When in Texas, try the Brisket and Beef Rib (the beef rib is sometimes very salty, fyi).
Lamberts
401 W 2nd StBest BBQ, and best food happy hour (daily from 5-7, only @ bar)
The best tacos in all of Austin. My favorite is the chilaquiles with red sauce (or a good mole). Also good is the abuela and al pastor. Closed on Sundays and every day after 3:00-ish.
31 locals recommend
Granny's Tacos
1401 E 7th StThe best tacos in all of Austin. My favorite is the chilaquiles with red sauce (or a good mole). Also good is the abuela and al pastor. Closed on Sundays and every day after 3:00-ish.
Nashville Style Hot Chicken. (The half chicken is definitely enough for two people). The"Very Hot" is very spicy, not joke.
Tumble 22
Nashville Style Hot Chicken. (The half chicken is definitely enough for two people). The"Very Hot" is very spicy, not joke.
Try the XX Chili, and Mac & Cheese (made with queso), and if you really really like spicy food, you can try the Habanero Chili.
38 locals recommend
Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca StTry the XX Chili, and Mac & Cheese (made with queso), and if you really really like spicy food, you can try the Habanero Chili.
Wu Chow
500 W 5th StUpscale dim sum / Chinese food.
Le Bleu
9070 Research BlvdFavorite Vietnamese place in town (mostly for the fresh vermicelli bowls).
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdGood if you want to drop $100 on a great Austin style meal for two.
The most famous of Austin's unique taco scene, and one of the most raved about spots by tourists. (I still prefer TacoDeli because I prefer salmon to fried chicken and queso - ymmv).
12 locals recommend
Torchys Tacos
110 San Antonio StThe most famous of Austin's unique taco scene, and one of the most raved about spots by tourists. (I still prefer TacoDeli because I prefer salmon to fried chicken and queso - ymmv).
Our favorite of the gourmet taco scene. My favorite taco is the Pork Belly (only on Sat & Wed), but love all the seafood ones, the breakfast ones (like the Jess Special and Otto)... and pretty much all of em.
247 locals recommend
Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdOur favorite of the gourmet taco scene. My favorite taco is the Pork Belly (only on Sat & Wed), but love all the seafood ones, the breakfast ones (like the Jess Special and Otto)... and pretty much all of em.
A food court / market area of hot Austin restuarants that have a stand here (I love the boar tacos from Dai Due).
25 locals recommend
Fareground
111 Congress AveA food court / market area of hot Austin restuarants that have a stand here (I love the boar tacos from Dai Due).
Drinks & Nightlife
Austin bar with a great outdoor patio, and a great happy hour (I think 4:30 - 5:30pm).
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StAustin bar with a great outdoor patio, and a great happy hour (I think 4:30 - 5:30pm).
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StPopular east side Brewery.
the side bar
602 E 7th StA dive bar with strong cocktails. By far the best deal in the area.
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdMonday Nights Bluegrass Night is high quality bluegrass.
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StFancy bar with good outdoor seating, and unique, well-liked cocktails.
Something like 100 beers on tap, and people go for their sausages. Also, people like visiting Rainey Street, so this will give you a taste of the Rainey Street vibe.
264 locals recommend
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey StSomething like 100 beers on tap, and people go for their sausages. Also, people like visiting Rainey Street, so this will give you a taste of the Rainey Street vibe.
Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StVery Austin. Super funky spot.
Sightseeing
Graffiti Park at Castle Hill
1008 Baylor StNot far, so you might as well go snap a photo.
Cool library. Go up to the roof top garden to get a view of the river.
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StCool library. Go up to the roof top garden to get a view of the river.
Parks & Nature
Huge park, and it has a great view of Austin from the trail in the north east corner of the park.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdHuge park, and it has a great view of Austin from the trail in the north east corner of the park.
Take the " Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail" all around Lady Bird Lake.
32 locals recommend
Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
222 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailTake the " Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail" all around Lady Bird Lake.
We like to walk this all the way down to the river walk. Just walk straight west on 11th to get to the entrance, then take it down to the river or library.
38 locals recommend
Shoal Creek Trail
Shoal Creek TrailWe like to walk this all the way down to the river walk. Just walk straight west on 11th to get to the entrance, then take it down to the river or library.
Entertainment & Activities
A spring turned into a giant pool. The water is VERY cold, so it's great on a hot day. Note that on holidays and weekends there can be a huge line. Also it's closed on Thursdays for cleaning.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrA spring turned into a giant pool. The water is VERY cold, so it's great on a hot day. Note that on holidays and weekends there can be a huge line. Also it's closed on Thursdays for cleaning.