Guidebook for Austin
Casual Restaurants
Our favorite quick bites in family-friendly locations around the neighborhood and beyond.
Skip the lines at Franklin and walk a block away for this delicious smoked turkey and brisket! Blacks started in Lockhart, the "BBQ capital of Texas."
99 locals recommend
Black's Barbecue Austin
3110 Guadalupe StSkip the lines at Franklin and walk a block away for this delicious smoked turkey and brisket! Blacks started in Lockhart, the "BBQ capital of Texas."
An Austin original! Some of our favorite tacos and queso in town. Gets really busy, so calling in your order is never a bad idea!
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StAn Austin original! Some of our favorite tacos and queso in town. Gets really busy, so calling in your order is never a bad idea!
Local, cheap, delicious, high-quality fast food; need we say more?
302 locals recommend
P. Terry's Burger Stand
404 S Lamar BlvdLocal, cheap, delicious, high-quality fast food; need we say more?
We spend a lot of hours on this patio across the street. Simple Belgian food (try the mussels and fries) and great selection of craft beers. Spacious, dog-friendly patio and half a block away!
74 locals recommend
Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe StWe spend a lot of hours on this patio across the street. Simple Belgian food (try the mussels and fries) and great selection of craft beers. Spacious, dog-friendly patio and half a block away!
Enjoy a great happy hour on their porch or get yummy thin-crust pizza to go (Margarita is divine). Salads are just so-so, but the meatball sub is also a great choice.
26 locals recommend
Salvation Pizza
624 W 34th StEnjoy a great happy hour on their porch or get yummy thin-crust pizza to go (Margarita is divine). Salads are just so-so, but the meatball sub is also a great choice.
Fresh, creative, yummy sandwiches, soups, and salads for lunch. Don't forget their delicious home made cookies :)
37 locals recommend
FoodHeads
616 W 34th StFresh, creative, yummy sandwiches, soups, and salads for lunch. Don't forget their delicious home made cookies :)
Started by Mike's friends! Bakery and cafe serving fresh, simple, elegant food. Pork milanese, shrimp po' boy, and croissants are sensational. Mondays are half priced wine night!
54 locals recommend
Texas French Bread
2900 Rio Grande StStarted by Mike's friends! Bakery and cafe serving fresh, simple, elegant food. Pork milanese, shrimp po' boy, and croissants are sensational. Mondays are half priced wine night!
Our favorite place to relax with cheap tacos, cold margaritas, and queso that will change your life. Great place for watching games, too!
180 locals recommend
Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdOur favorite place to relax with cheap tacos, cold margaritas, and queso that will change your life. Great place for watching games, too!
Unique combinations of ingredients, awesome habenero salsa, and cheap prices make this a super popular Austin original. ProTip: Calling ahead is smart during peak times (closes at 3).
247 locals recommend
Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdUnique combinations of ingredients, awesome habenero salsa, and cheap prices make this a super popular Austin original. ProTip: Calling ahead is smart during peak times (closes at 3).
A local diner institution serving breakfast all day, lunch, and fresh Mexican comfort food (closes at 5pm).
59 locals recommend
The Omelettry
4631 Airport BlvdA local diner institution serving breakfast all day, lunch, and fresh Mexican comfort food (closes at 5pm).
They put the fries ON the sandwich. Need we say more? You're likely to spot some famous local chefs here too...
33 locals recommend
Sala and Betty
5201 Airport BlvdThey put the fries ON the sandwich. Need we say more? You're likely to spot some famous local chefs here too...
THE BEST burgers in town! There's something for everyone here, plus boozy milkshakes. :)
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveTHE BEST burgers in town! There's something for everyone here, plus boozy milkshakes. :)
Groceries & Provisions
Walk to this local organic grocery with delicious prepared foods, deli, coffee bar, tacos (including awesome breakfast tacos until 10:30am), bakery, produce, and essentials.
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StWalk to this local organic grocery with delicious prepared foods, deli, coffee bar, tacos (including awesome breakfast tacos until 10:30am), bakery, produce, and essentials.
Large grocery store with everything you could need and more. (You can also get groceries delivered to the house from here with Instacart. Contact Elizabeth for a referral code and $5 off!) ProTip: Try the delicious, warm, fresh tortillas!
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdLarge grocery store with everything you could need and more. (You can also get groceries delivered to the house from here with Instacart. Contact Elizabeth for a referral code and $5 off!) ProTip: Try the delicious, warm, fresh tortillas!
Awesome prepared foods and grocery selection, plus cafe, free live music Fri-Sun nights, outdoor patio, and playground. (You can also get groceries delivered to the house from here with Instacart. Contact Elizabeth for a referral code and $5 off!)
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdAwesome prepared foods and grocery selection, plus cafe, free live music Fri-Sun nights, outdoor patio, and playground. (You can also get groceries delivered to the house from here with Instacart. Contact Elizabeth for a referral code and $5 off!)
Parks & Nature
Take in some of the best (and most romantic) views of the city after this short (uphill) hike.
83 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell Viewing Platform
Take in some of the best (and most romantic) views of the city after this short (uphill) hike.
Run, bike, or walk around the lake trail or boardwalk; rent SUP, kayaks, and canoes; visit the dog park at Auditorium Shores; witness the infamous Congress Bridge bats - so much to do here!
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailRun, bike, or walk around the lake trail or boardwalk; rent SUP, kayaks, and canoes; visit the dog park at Auditorium Shores; witness the infamous Congress Bridge bats - so much to do here!
Take a picnic and go visit the peacocks! You can also get great views of Lake Austin, and there are usually kid-friendly activities going on too.
178 locals recommend
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StTake a picnic and go visit the peacocks! You can also get great views of Lake Austin, and there are usually kid-friendly activities going on too.
Entertainment & Activities
Barton Springs gets all the attention (for good reason), but this natural spring pool is perfect for families and lap swimming.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveBarton Springs gets all the attention (for good reason), but this natural spring pool is perfect for families and lap swimming.
Alamo gets most of the attention, but Violet Crown is much smaller, more intimate, and has much better food! ProTip: Park in the condo garage on San Antonio Street. VC will validate when you pick up your tickets!
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StAlamo gets most of the attention, but Violet Crown is much smaller, more intimate, and has much better food! ProTip: Park in the condo garage on San Antonio Street. VC will validate when you pick up your tickets!
Online reservations are required (book early), and for good reason! This natural spring pool looks like something straight out of a movie, and you can work up a good sweat hiking around the trails. Bring your own cooler and picnic (no glass bottles).
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdOnline reservations are required (book early), and for good reason! This natural spring pool looks like something straight out of a movie, and you can work up a good sweat hiking around the trails. Bring your own cooler and picnic (no glass bottles).
Another Austin original! Check out the special events for theme movie nights, dance/singalongs, and comedy performances. ProTip: Skip the food except for homemade chocolate chip cookies.
220 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Mueller
1911 Aldrich StAnother Austin original! Check out the special events for theme movie nights, dance/singalongs, and comedy performances. ProTip: Skip the food except for homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Shopping
The Downtown Farmers Market gets really busy, so try out this nearby alternative with lots of parking and local flavor, plus food trucks and a lovely lake view.
167 locals recommend
Mueller Farmers' Market
2006 Philomena StThe Downtown Farmers Market gets really busy, so try out this nearby alternative with lots of parking and local flavor, plus food trucks and a lovely lake view.
The place for all things Longhorn. Great prices and selection for UT apparel, gifts, etc. ProTip: Park in the Co-Op garage one block behind Guadalupe (validated with purchase).
17 locals recommend
University Co-op
2246 Guadalupe StThe place for all things Longhorn. Great prices and selection for UT apparel, gifts, etc. ProTip: Park in the Co-Op garage one block behind Guadalupe (validated with purchase).
Even if you're not in the market for a costume, you'd have a hard time not having fun in this store! Stroll up and down SoCo if you want to make a day of it.
87 locals recommend
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
1506 S Congress AveEven if you're not in the market for a costume, you'd have a hard time not having fun in this store! Stroll up and down SoCo if you want to make a day of it.
Drinks & Nightlife
THE place in downtown Austin for TX music, two-stepping, friendly people, and cold beers.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveTHE place in downtown Austin for TX music, two-stepping, friendly people, and cold beers.
The epitome of Austin dive bars, this where we had our first date :). Cheap drinks, great live music, and delicious ramen.
55 locals recommend
The Hole In the Wall
2538 Guadalupe StThe epitome of Austin dive bars, this where we had our first date :). Cheap drinks, great live music, and delicious ramen.
The first brewpub co-op in the world! Try out their delicious beers and tasty eats in a casual, relaxed setting. ProTip: Employees are paid a living wage and don't accept tips.
132 locals recommend
Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind DrThe first brewpub co-op in the world! Try out their delicious beers and tasty eats in a casual, relaxed setting. ProTip: Employees are paid a living wage and don't accept tips.
A truly unique bar! Started by a local and features tasty craft cocktails in super relaxed environment.
74 locals recommend
The Tigress Pub
100 W N Loop BlvdA truly unique bar! Started by a local and features tasty craft cocktails in super relaxed environment.
Grab some cocktails and take in the scene at this relaxed-yet-uber-trendy hotel. The bar is out back by the pool!
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveGrab some cocktails and take in the scene at this relaxed-yet-uber-trendy hotel. The bar is out back by the pool!
Our favorite neighborhood bar. They've got darts, $3 Texas drafts, and a yummy food truck.
9 locals recommend
Back Lot
606 Maiden LnOur favorite neighborhood bar. They've got darts, $3 Texas drafts, and a yummy food truck.
Arts & Culture
ColdTowne Theater
1700 East 2nd StreetThis neighborhood comedy club offers fun improv and local acts.
Great neighborhood theater featuring quality actors and interesting plays.
26 locals recommend
Hyde Park Theatre
511 W 43rd StGreat neighborhood theater featuring quality actors and interesting plays.
Beautiful art and lovely flowers...and you're right by Barton Springs if you want to go for a swim after!
235 locals recommend
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton RdBeautiful art and lovely flowers...and you're right by Barton Springs if you want to go for a swim after!
There's a lot to learn and see at the famous LBJ museum.
240 locals recommend
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StThere's a lot to learn and see at the famous LBJ museum.