South Austin Guidebook
Food Scene
Matt's is well-known and loved for a reason! Great patio, great margaritas, "The Bob" and wonderful service. They are closed on Tuesdays and weekends are packed, but waiting at the bar is half the fun.
304 locals recommend
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdMatt's is well-known and loved for a reason! Great patio, great margaritas, "The Bob" and wonderful service. They are closed on Tuesdays and weekends are packed, but waiting at the bar is half the fun.
Open 24/7 this South Congress mainstay harkens back to "old Austin". We're partial to the Neptunian Landscape, the gingerbread pancakes and anything with Love Butter, but with their comprehensive menu, there is something for everyone. "Everybody knows, everybody goes."
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveOpen 24/7 this South Congress mainstay harkens back to "old Austin". We're partial to the Neptunian Landscape, the gingerbread pancakes and anything with Love Butter, but with their comprehensive menu, there is something for everyone. "Everybody knows, everybody goes."
Located at The Yard on St. Elmo, this hip coffee & beer spot is a great place to get some work done on the laptop with some kickin java, local brews, tasty nibbles, and fantastic music.
36 locals recommend
Spokesman - St. Elmo
440 E St Elmo RdLocated at The Yard on St. Elmo, this hip coffee & beer spot is a great place to get some work done on the laptop with some kickin java, local brews, tasty nibbles, and fantastic music.
So so so good! But be forewarned: they are serious about their spice! So good.
26 locals recommend
New India Cuisine
2304 South Congress AvenueSo so so good! But be forewarned: they are serious about their spice! So good.
Back in the day, Torchy's was a little taco truck off of S. 1st near Barton Springs and Friday mornings always started with tacos. We are so glad they made it big. This little joint is their first bricks-and-morter location and still our fave.
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StBack in the day, Torchy's was a little taco truck off of S. 1st near Barton Springs and Friday mornings always started with tacos. We are so glad they made it big. This little joint is their first bricks-and-morter location and still our fave.
Summer Moon has seriously good coffee. We love that they open at 6am.
176 locals recommend
Summer Moon Coffee
3115 S 1st StSummer Moon has seriously good coffee. We love that they open at 6am.
We love St. Elmo Brewing - the yard, the suds, the people. And we are not alone in that love for one of Austin's chillest beer gardens. Dog-friendly. Just a great place to relax and have fun.
95 locals recommend
St Elmo Brewing Company
440 E St Elmo RdWe love St. Elmo Brewing - the yard, the suds, the people. And we are not alone in that love for one of Austin's chillest beer gardens. Dog-friendly. Just a great place to relax and have fun.
If you're not in Manchaca (pronounced man-shack by the locals), it's a drive. But the tacos and the food are so worth it! Their salsa bar is dreamy - chipotle salsa, spicy avocado sauce, pickled onions, poblano cream, all creating layers of yum.
16 locals recommend
Mi Ranchito Restaurant
1105 Farm to Market 1626If you're not in Manchaca (pronounced man-shack by the locals), it's a drive. But the tacos and the food are so worth it! Their salsa bar is dreamy - chipotle salsa, spicy avocado sauce, pickled onions, poblano cream, all creating layers of yum.
Another great hangout to get some work done on the laptop. Great yard, friendly service, and tasty coffee, tea or suds.
435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdAnother great hangout to get some work done on the laptop. Great yard, friendly service, and tasty coffee, tea or suds.
If you've never been to Whataburger, you need to stop what you're doing and go. This Texas burger chain knows what's what. Especially good after a long night.
97 locals recommend
Whataburger
601 Barton Springs RdIf you've never been to Whataburger, you need to stop what you're doing and go. This Texas burger chain knows what's what. Especially good after a long night.
Sightseeing
A fascinating, mind-boggling labor of love that you have to see to really appreciate. Best to make an appointment. $5 suggested donation. Take a camera!
110 locals recommend
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrA fascinating, mind-boggling labor of love that you have to see to really appreciate. Best to make an appointment. $5 suggested donation. Take a camera!
Parks & Nature
Rugged beauty on the edge of town, McKinney Falls SP is a great getaway for hiking, biking, camping, geocaching, picnicking and swimming. Nature therapy!
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyRugged beauty on the edge of town, McKinney Falls SP is a great getaway for hiking, biking, camping, geocaching, picnicking and swimming. Nature therapy!
There's nothing more refreshing than a swimming hole on a hot summer's day.
41 locals recommend
Gus Fruh
2642 Barton Hills DrThere's nothing more refreshing than a swimming hole on a hot summer's day.
Essentials
An Austin staple, we were thrilled when Wheatsville Co-op opened their south Lamar location. Shop local!
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StAn Austin staple, we were thrilled when Wheatsville Co-op opened their south Lamar location. Shop local!
Entertainment & Activities
Who doesn't love to burn off some energy playing laser tag? Indulge your inner secret agent.
20 locals recommend
Blazer Tag Adventure Center
1701 W Ben White BlvdWho doesn't love to burn off some energy playing laser tag? Indulge your inner secret agent.
Getting Around
Within minutes, Cap Metro's South First route (#10) will get you down to South Park Meadows for some shopping or up to downtown for a night out. Get on or off at S. 1st/Heartwood. Don't drink and drive!
2701 S 1St/Cumberland station
South 1st StreetWithin minutes, Cap Metro's South First route (#10) will get you down to South Park Meadows for some shopping or up to downtown for a night out. Get on or off at S. 1st/Heartwood. Don't drink and drive!
The Enterprise location on S. IH-35 at Ben White will pick you up and get you set up with a sweet set of wheels. Good selection at this busy location, and cheaper than rentals from the airport.
76 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
319 S Lamar BlvdThe Enterprise location on S. IH-35 at Ben White will pick you up and get you set up with a sweet set of wheels. Good selection at this busy location, and cheaper than rentals from the airport.
Drinks & Nightlife
Spacious yard? Check. Tasty hand-crafted cocktails? Check. Live music? Check. Upscale grub? Check. Just add friends for many memorable evenings (or afternoons!). Dog-friendly.
104 locals recommend
The Little Darlin'
6507 Circle S RdSpacious yard? Check. Tasty hand-crafted cocktails? Check. Live music? Check. Upscale grub? Check. Just add friends for many memorable evenings (or afternoons!). Dog-friendly.
Down in Way-South Austin, the Moontower is a hangout that's basically a playground for adults. Pitch washers, listen to music, sit back and shoot the breeze until the wee hours of the morning and thank your lucky stars that you're in Austin.
215 locals recommend
Moontower Saloon
10212 Menchaca RdDown in Way-South Austin, the Moontower is a hangout that's basically a playground for adults. Pitch washers, listen to music, sit back and shoot the breeze until the wee hours of the morning and thank your lucky stars that you're in Austin.
You haven't really experienced Austin until you've been to the time warp that is Ego's. Grab some friends for a game of pool or to indulge your inner karaoke diva and savor the atmosphere.
98 locals recommend
Ego's Bar
510 S Congress AveYou haven't really experienced Austin until you've been to the time warp that is Ego's. Grab some friends for a game of pool or to indulge your inner karaoke diva and savor the atmosphere.