Guidebook for Austin
Drinks & Nightlife
beer garden/brewery/venue/restaurant /good people /nice place to hang/creative community.
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf Stbeer garden/brewery/venue/restaurant /good people /nice place to hang/creative community.
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveGreat hotel patio bar on S. Congress
The granddaddy of all local music venues, the Continental Club has enjoyed a reputation as the premier club for live music since 1957. The best of the Austin live music scene can be found any night.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveThe granddaddy of all local music venues, the Continental Club has enjoyed a reputation as the premier club for live music since 1957. The best of the Austin live music scene can be found any night.
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveFood Scene
The hub of SoCo. Great coffee and friendly staff. Breakfast tacos, sandwiches, cold beer. They often hold fun events - music, movies, pet parades in their parking lot.
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveThe hub of SoCo. Great coffee and friendly staff. Breakfast tacos, sandwiches, cold beer. They often hold fun events - music, movies, pet parades in their parking lot.
Great coffee, fun and cozy atmosphere, with great seating areas outside. Both a shoe store and a coffee house.
61 locals recommend
TOMS Austin
1401 S Congress AveGreat coffee, fun and cozy atmosphere, with great seating areas outside. Both a shoe store and a coffee house.
Dolce Neve serves up 20 flavors of house-made gelato, sorbet, vegan gelato, and espresso in an an adorable little bungalow on south first. The owners are from Italy, this is the real deal!
120 locals recommend
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S 1st StDolce Neve serves up 20 flavors of house-made gelato, sorbet, vegan gelato, and espresso in an an adorable little bungalow on south first. The owners are from Italy, this is the real deal!
Tucked behind the South Congress Hotel, everything about Mañana feels boutique. Mexican-inspired tiled countertops, rustic wood furnishings, and a flood of natural light give an otherwise high-designed space a down-to-earth feel. A custom, wood-paneled espresso machine supplies the brew, while the hotel’s James Beard nominated pastry chef fills the cases with creative snacks like everything-seasoned kolaches.
84 locals recommend
Mañana
1603 S Congress AveTucked behind the South Congress Hotel, everything about Mañana feels boutique. Mexican-inspired tiled countertops, rustic wood furnishings, and a flood of natural light give an otherwise high-designed space a down-to-earth feel. A custom, wood-paneled espresso machine supplies the brew, while the hotel’s James Beard nominated pastry chef fills the cases with creative snacks like everything-seasoned kolaches.
Amy’s whimsical roster of rotating flavors runs the gamut from Coffee Toffee to Shiner Bock. They also carry fruit ices for the nondairy crowd.
397 locals recommend
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveAmy’s whimsical roster of rotating flavors runs the gamut from Coffee Toffee to Shiner Bock. They also carry fruit ices for the nondairy crowd.
In case you're craving delicious thin crust pizza - or italian subs! The margarita pizza is especially yummy. Fantastic back yard patio too!
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveIn case you're craving delicious thin crust pizza - or italian subs! The margarita pizza is especially yummy. Fantastic back yard patio too!
In case you're craving delicious thin crust pizza - or italian subs! The margarita pizza is especially yummy. Fantastic back yard patio too!
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveIn case you're craving delicious thin crust pizza - or italian subs! The margarita pizza is especially yummy. Fantastic back yard patio too!
Authentic, upscale Italian (Vespaio) and it's more casual sister bistro (Enoteca Vespaio) next door.
158 locals recommend
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveAuthentic, upscale Italian (Vespaio) and it's more casual sister bistro (Enoteca Vespaio) next door.
Award-winning, modern Thai Restaurant. Beautiful space. Indoor and outdoor seating.
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st StAward-winning, modern Thai Restaurant. Beautiful space. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Great vegetarian restaurant and coffee house. Nice outdoor patio.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StGreat vegetarian restaurant and coffee house. Nice outdoor patio.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdConsistently rated as Austin's best Sushi, Uchi is not to be missed.
An award-winning upscale/modern Mexican restaurant, featuring the largest selection of tequila in Austin and a craft bar program overseen by cocktail World Cup champion Nate Wales.
191 locals recommend
La Condesa
400 W 2nd StAn award-winning upscale/modern Mexican restaurant, featuring the largest selection of tequila in Austin and a craft bar program overseen by cocktail World Cup champion Nate Wales.
Creative decor blends into the kitschy surroundings of this popular shopping district. Enormous plate-glass windows along the restaurant's front allow natural light in + a view of the bustling street.
279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveCreative decor blends into the kitschy surroundings of this popular shopping district. Enormous plate-glass windows along the restaurant's front allow natural light in + a view of the bustling street.
Austin celebrities have been known to frequent this Austin institution, but most locals are more interested in the margaritas and tacos. Live music in the shaded oak garden.
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveAustin celebrities have been known to frequent this Austin institution, but most locals are more interested in the margaritas and tacos. Live music in the shaded oak garden.
Lucky Robot offers a playful menu of Japanese street food classics. “We prepare everything fresh in house. Our dumplings are made from scratch and hand pressed."
112 locals recommend
Lucky Robot
1303 S Congress AveLucky Robot offers a playful menu of Japanese street food classics. “We prepare everything fresh in house. Our dumplings are made from scratch and hand pressed."
No matter the hour, Magnolia Cafe has a crowd. Twenty-four hours a day, they serve sandwiches, great tacos, French toast, and omelets along with fresh-squeezed orange juice, and strong joe.
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveNo matter the hour, Magnolia Cafe has a crowd. Twenty-four hours a day, they serve sandwiches, great tacos, French toast, and omelets along with fresh-squeezed orange juice, and strong joe.
Great indoor and outdoor seating. Chic, modern, laid back, delicious and healthy food. Located in the beautiful South Congress Hotel.
120 locals recommend
Café No Sé
1603 S Congress AveGreat indoor and outdoor seating. Chic, modern, laid back, delicious and healthy food. Located in the beautiful South Congress Hotel.
Fresa's South First features on-site dining, a full bar and a handful of special menu items. The bright dining room and tree-shaded patio lend a taste of the neighborhood's easygoing character.
79 locals recommend
Fresa's South First Dine-In
1703 S 1st StFresa's South First features on-site dining, a full bar and a handful of special menu items. The bright dining room and tree-shaded patio lend a taste of the neighborhood's easygoing character.
Laid back sophisticated neighborhood cafe & wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafes, and hipster NYC wine bars. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
151 locals recommend
June's
1722 S Congress AveLaid back sophisticated neighborhood cafe & wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafes, and hipster NYC wine bars. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
The best little secret on the I-35 feeder road, just south of the woodland exit. Live music, south asian food, local & organic foods. Fantastic selection of beer on tap, wine bar, live music, patio.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdThe best little secret on the I-35 feeder road, just south of the woodland exit. Live music, south asian food, local & organic foods. Fantastic selection of beer on tap, wine bar, live music, patio.
Delicious gourmet burgers with a great local beer selection on tap. Get there early or grab a seat at the bar to beat the line out the door
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveDelicious gourmet burgers with a great local beer selection on tap. Get there early or grab a seat at the bar to beat the line out the door
Lenoir sources almost exclusively from Austin's vibrant community of farmers to serve a menu that changes with the seasons, and that’s truly Texas food. Dinner at Lenoir comes in three courses.
179 locals recommend
LENOIR
1807 S 1st StLenoir sources almost exclusively from Austin's vibrant community of farmers to serve a menu that changes with the seasons, and that’s truly Texas food. Dinner at Lenoir comes in three courses.
Parks & Nature
Zilker Botanical Garden is ideally located in the center of Austin. The gardens are on land that is magnificently endowed by nature with handsome trees, natural grottoes, and aquatic habitats.
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdZilker Botanical Garden is ideally located in the center of Austin. The gardens are on land that is magnificently endowed by nature with handsome trees, natural grottoes, and aquatic habitats.
Beautiful park along ladybird lake hike & bike trail.
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrBeautiful park along ladybird lake hike & bike trail.
Entertainment & Activities
Small theater with plush seating, featuring indie films; Good food and cocktails selection. Oh yeah! We love it!
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StSmall theater with plush seating, featuring indie films; Good food and cocktails selection. Oh yeah! We love it!
We love the Alamo! Fun movie theater with drink and food service. Unique programming.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdWe love the Alamo! Fun movie theater with drink and food service. Unique programming.
This mini course has been around for over 50 years, and covers all the turf, from the traditional first teen date, to getting the kids away from the tube, or even a day with grandma. BYOB after dark!
201 locals recommend
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs RdThis mini course has been around for over 50 years, and covers all the turf, from the traditional first teen date, to getting the kids away from the tube, or even a day with grandma. BYOB after dark!
Spring fed, free, heated, and open year round. One of Austin's famed moontowers can be seen from the pool.
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak StSpring fed, free, heated, and open year round. One of Austin's famed moontowers can be seen from the pool.
Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
Lady Bird Lake BoardwalkA fantastic urban run, walk, and bike trail.
One of Austin's famous landmarks & easily the most popular swimming hole in the city. Spring fed and over 900 feet long. It has a natural rock and gravel bottom. The water temperature averages 68 F.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrOne of Austin's famous landmarks & easily the most popular swimming hole in the city. Spring fed and over 900 feet long. It has a natural rock and gravel bottom. The water temperature averages 68 F.
Rowing Dock
2418 Stratford DrOffers rowing lessons, kayak & paddle boat rentals & summer camps.
A historic landmark, Deep Eddy Pool has one of the best lap swimming pools as well as the largest wading pool in Austin. The Pool is fed by a 35 foot hand dug Artesian well.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveA historic landmark, Deep Eddy Pool has one of the best lap swimming pools as well as the largest wading pool in Austin. The Pool is fed by a 35 foot hand dug Artesian well.
Shopping
Colorful, circus-themed sweets store featuring old-school confections & a soda fountain.
91 locals recommend
Big Top Candy Shop
1706 S Congress AveColorful, circus-themed sweets store featuring old-school confections & a soda fountain.
Essentials
Friendly and small neighborhood grocery. Stock up on local produce and gourmet items including fresh fruit, coffee, cheese, wine and beer. Open 8-8.
87 locals recommend
FARM TO MARKET GROCERY
1718 S Congress AveFriendly and small neighborhood grocery. Stock up on local produce and gourmet items including fresh fruit, coffee, cheese, wine and beer. Open 8-8.
The 70,000-square-foot fresh Central Market Westgate was designed to be reminiscent of a European-style market, with aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, meats, seafood and an a large cheese department.
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdThe 70,000-square-foot fresh Central Market Westgate was designed to be reminiscent of a European-style market, with aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, meats, seafood and an a large cheese department.
South Austin's main Heeeeeb, so it's usually very busy. But it's also packed with everything — including a small health food section. There’s a convenient pharmacy in-store. Most important - it's open 24 hours.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdSouth Austin's main Heeeeeb, so it's usually very busy. But it's also packed with everything — including a small health food section. There’s a convenient pharmacy in-store. Most important - it's open 24 hours.
The huge flagship whole foods is a healthy eater's dream, w/ a focus on natural & organic goods, a large selection of fruits, vegetables & vegan products. Vast selection of top-quality meats and fish.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdThe huge flagship whole foods is a healthy eater's dream, w/ a focus on natural & organic goods, a large selection of fruits, vegetables & vegan products. Vast selection of top-quality meats and fish.
Everything Else
Coming for a convention or SXSW? This is where the convention center is...
290 locals recommend
Austin Convention Center
500 E Cesar Chavez StComing for a convention or SXSW? This is where the convention center is...