Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
my fave. super cute atmosphere-- both indoor and out. great for any meal. get gin punch. period. plus watermelon salad! also truffle mac n cheese. also oysters rockafeller.
354 locals recommend
Hillside Farmacy
1209 E 11th Stmy fave. super cute atmosphere-- both indoor and out. great for any meal. get gin punch. period. plus watermelon salad! also truffle mac n cheese. also oysters rockafeller.
best thai food. srsly. since i was in thailand. eat. there. kinda fancy/pricey, but menu covers a few price points, could still leave full for under 20$. highly recommend the salt and pepper prawns
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st Stbest thai food. srsly. since i was in thailand. eat. there. kinda fancy/pricey, but menu covers a few price points, could still leave full for under 20$. highly recommend the salt and pepper prawns
PITCHERS OF FROZEN MARGARITAS + TILAPIA FAJITAS = ALL MY DREAMS!!!!
277 locals recommend
Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetPITCHERS OF FROZEN MARGARITAS + TILAPIA FAJITAS = ALL MY DREAMS!!!!
beet fries. even if you think you hate beets. they are DELECTABLE. oh yeah also, it is owned and run by paul qui the top cheff winner from austin.
291 locals recommend
The Liberty
1618 East 6th Streetbeet fries. even if you think you hate beets. they are DELECTABLE. oh yeah also, it is owned and run by paul qui the top cheff winner from austin.
top 3 for me. great hh for those on a budget. designed impeccably-- but you probably care more about the insane ceviche, ridiculous mexican street corn, and the largest tequila tasting menu in texas.
191 locals recommend
La Condesa
400 W 2nd Sttop 3 for me. great hh for those on a budget. designed impeccably-- but you probably care more about the insane ceviche, ridiculous mexican street corn, and the largest tequila tasting menu in texas.
MY FAVORITE PLACE THAT HAS EVER EXISTED. great coffee, vegetarian frito pie, local beer on tap, irish coffee. HUGE PATIO! TONS OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! outdoor flim screenings. live music.
176 locals recommend
Spider House Ballroom
2906 Fruth StMY FAVORITE PLACE THAT HAS EVER EXISTED. great coffee, vegetarian frito pie, local beer on tap, irish coffee. HUGE PATIO! TONS OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! outdoor flim screenings. live music.
best juice combos ever. even if you arent big into juicing, they have yummy smoothies and super creative juice combos! they also are a sister restaurant to juicebox and soup peddler....
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs Rdbest juice combos ever. even if you arent big into juicing, they have yummy smoothies and super creative juice combos! they also are a sister restaurant to juicebox and soup peddler....
alot of hype about this place... it's pretty right on. one must stand in line usually for 1-2 hours prior to eating, & get in line around 10/11am due to demand & how quickly the restaurant sells out
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th Stalot of hype about this place... it's pretty right on. one must stand in line usually for 1-2 hours prior to eating, & get in line around 10/11am due to demand & how quickly the restaurant sells out
doughnuts! sweet and savory! my favorite is the HONEY BUTTER & FRIED CHICKEN! so freaking delicious. like SO. this is a MUST.
226 locals recommend
Gourdough's Public House
209 W 5th Stdoughnuts! sweet and savory! my favorite is the HONEY BUTTER & FRIED CHICKEN! so freaking delicious. like SO. this is a MUST.
sandwiches ON garlic dougnuts... get the breast lift. expanded menu than trailer with full bar and AWESOME food.
226 locals recommend
Gourdough's Public House
209 W 5th Stsandwiches ON garlic dougnuts... get the breast lift. expanded menu than trailer with full bar and AWESOME food.
a "covenience" store. this place is AWEOSME. live music, creative indian food, brewery AND upscale grocery... go here.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage Rda "covenience" store. this place is AWEOSME. live music, creative indian food, brewery AND upscale grocery... go here.
fan. cy.... where. to. take. a girl. you. want. to. impress.... where. to. get. the. best. seafood. you. have. ever. had.
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress Avefan. cy.... where. to. take. a girl. you. want. to. impress.... where. to. get. the. best. seafood. you. have. ever. had.
breakfast tacos are a MUST here. lunch is also pretty spectacular. usually have a slew of hot men working there too.
203 locals recommend
Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass Drbreakfast tacos are a MUST here. lunch is also pretty spectacular. usually have a slew of hot men working there too.
360 Pizza
2107 Kinney Avethis pizza blew my mind and very well could yours too.
fancy, hipster, french, delicious. great outdoor area. great bar. a favorite indeed.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th Stfancy, hipster, french, delicious. great outdoor area. great bar. a favorite indeed.
all vegetarian, AND DELICIOUS, also yummy coffee. and fun place to people watch.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st Stall vegetarian, AND DELICIOUS, also yummy coffee. and fun place to people watch.
Contigo
2027 Anchor Lngreat drinks. best patio in austin. delicious texas ranch food.
3 time james beard award winning restaurant. AMAZING creative delicious.
153 locals recommend
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet Rd3 time james beard award winning restaurant. AMAZING creative delicious.
yummy juice, yummy soup, yummy grilled cheese!
133 locals recommend
Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar
501 W Mary Styummy juice, yummy soup, yummy grilled cheese!
whoa.... so good. incredible uses of pork, but many other creative culinary highlights paired with phenominal drinks.
381 locals recommend
Salty Sow
1917 Manor Rdwhoa.... so good. incredible uses of pork, but many other creative culinary highlights paired with phenominal drinks.
Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th Stdelish tartines. mimosas... quaint french farmhouse feel.
japanese farmhouse style. paul, top chef winner worked here when he was on the show. DELISH. get JAR. JAR. DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! super affordable happy hour for a fancy place.
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar Blvdjapanese farmhouse style. paul, top chef winner worked here when he was on the show. DELISH. get JAR. JAR. DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! super affordable happy hour for a fancy place.
chicken and waffles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 bacon biscuits and gravy!!!!!!!!! so yummy! black bean burger also delish! HUGEST mimosa of your life.
23 locals recommend
Bacon Restaurant
900 West 10th Streetchicken and waffles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 bacon biscuits and gravy!!!!!!!!! so yummy! black bean burger also delish! HUGEST mimosa of your life.
Vivo
2015 Manor Roadmargaritas.... BOMB. puffy tacos... BOMB. salsa.... BOMB.
OKAY, so it is not vietnamese like seattle style. BUT it is a presh little french/vietnamese cafe with STUMPTOWN coffee (!!!) and styled very cute... also, their daily curries are unreal delicious.
426 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StOKAY, so it is not vietnamese like seattle style. BUT it is a presh little french/vietnamese cafe with STUMPTOWN coffee (!!!) and styled very cute... also, their daily curries are unreal delicious.
OMG. amazing. get the don juan. go here for breakfast one day for reals. eat a few don juans, and if you succeed w/o throwing up, then they will put your picture on the wall.
281 locals recommend
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StOMG. amazing. get the don juan. go here for breakfast one day for reals. eat a few don juans, and if you succeed w/o throwing up, then they will put your picture on the wall.
bomb sausage and bomb beers on tap. they even have wine on tap. their sausages range from the usge to vegetarian options like broccoli cheese.... really creative combos!
264 locals recommend
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey Stbomb sausage and bomb beers on tap. they even have wine on tap. their sausages range from the usge to vegetarian options like broccoli cheese.... really creative combos!
awesome biscuit trailer with both vegan and non vegan breakfast.
64 locals recommend
Biscuits and Groovy
5015 Duval Stawesome biscuit trailer with both vegan and non vegan breakfast.
line out the door- totally worth it good. best. hamburgers. ever. they even have a tuna tar tar burger. good drinks too.
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress Aveline out the door- totally worth it good. best. hamburgers. ever. they even have a tuna tar tar burger. good drinks too.
Me So Hungry
1104 E 6th Stawesome bahn mi! awesome noodles....
Once Over Coffee Bar
2009 S 1st Stcuvee coffee. freaking delicious.
french set 3 course menu--- SO GOOD, beautiful design with a to-die-for backyard.
179 locals recommend
LENOIR
1807 S 1st Stfrench set 3 course menu--- SO GOOD, beautiful design with a to-die-for backyard.
Komé
5301 Airport BlvdYUM
a sister restaurant to perla's (the fancy seafood place) with awesome quality but cheaper more casual dining experience.
246 locals recommend
Clark's Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th Sta sister restaurant to perla's (the fancy seafood place) with awesome quality but cheaper more casual dining experience.
Sugar Mama's Bakeshop
1905 S 1st Stred velvet cupcakes!
CHEAP AUTHENTIC TACOS! i crave these on a regular basis! they are open 24/7 and make not only baller baked goods but their barbacoa is out of this world.
61 locals recommend
La Mexicana Bakery
1924 S 1st StCHEAP AUTHENTIC TACOS! i crave these on a regular basis! they are open 24/7 and make not only baller baked goods but their barbacoa is out of this world.
24 HR DELICIOUSNESS! worth going to during the day as well. GREAT QUESO! (get the one with black beans and guac in it!) also the gingerbread or pecan banana pancakes. sandwhiches and salads too!
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress Ave24 HR DELICIOUSNESS! worth going to during the day as well. GREAT QUESO! (get the one with black beans and guac in it!) also the gingerbread or pecan banana pancakes. sandwhiches and salads too!
stellar outdoor BYOB indian. very romantic vibe and walkable to many fun bars (***can be very crowded on the weekends)
121 locals recommend
G'Raj Mahal
73 Rainey Ststellar outdoor BYOB indian. very romantic vibe and walkable to many fun bars (***can be very crowded on the weekends)
incredible poboys. featured on the food network multiple times... long line, but totally worth it! also open kitchen so you can watch how they prepare whole lobsters and crab alike! so YUM!
65 locals recommend
Quality Seafood Market
5621 Airport Blvdincredible poboys. featured on the food network multiple times... long line, but totally worth it! also open kitchen so you can watch how they prepare whole lobsters and crab alike! so YUM!
i know texas monthly and i said franklin was the best bbq, but that is debatable... 45 minute drive. ***it is in a dry county, so BYOB. they just let you bring it in. it is awesome.***
480 locals recommend
Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826i know texas monthly and i said franklin was the best bbq, but that is debatable... 45 minute drive. ***it is in a dry county, so BYOB. they just let you bring it in. it is awesome.***
el equinox= horchata + espresso... i get one almost everyday! this random lil drivethru/walk up restaurant has really delicious street and breakfast tacos.
51 locals recommend
El Tacorrido
2316 S 1st Stel equinox= horchata + espresso... i get one almost everyday! this random lil drivethru/walk up restaurant has really delicious street and breakfast tacos.
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey Rdorganic vegan/vegetarian restaurant with rave reviews.
Takoba
1411 E 7th Stgreat upscale mexican food with nice bar and lots of outdoor seating.
brunch here is a pretty darn good idea. shrimp and grits, pork belly hash, & more.
59 locals recommend
Olivia
2043 South Lamar Boulevardbrunch here is a pretty darn good idea. shrimp and grits, pork belly hash, & more.
great self roasted coffe with great art and great people.
183 locals recommend
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos Stgreat self roasted coffe with great art and great people.
THREE WORDS: FRIED AVOCADO TACO... two more: GREEN CHILLIES! omg. so good. comes on queso, and some tacos too! try it all. my fave is the democrat. i also like the trashy trailer park.
275 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
1311 South 1st StreetTHREE WORDS: FRIED AVOCADO TACO... two more: GREEN CHILLIES! omg. so good. comes on queso, and some tacos too! try it all. my fave is the democrat. i also like the trashy trailer park.
awesome sunday brunch buffet. for lunch or dinner get the mac n' cheese. its baller.
150 locals recommend
Moonshine Grill
303 Red River Stawesome sunday brunch buffet. for lunch or dinner get the mac n' cheese. its baller.
Evangeline Cafe
8106 Brodie Lnblow your mind cajun food. nothing else like it in austin!
terrible food, but AWESOME HAPPY HOUR + PATIO. 96 cent wells, 2$ margs and spiked lemonades, CHEAP BEERS, and if its over 100 degress outside the margaritas are only 1$! patio is dog & kid friendly!
25 locals recommend
Freddie's Place
1703 S 1st Stterrible food, but AWESOME HAPPY HOUR + PATIO. 96 cent wells, 2$ margs and spiked lemonades, CHEAP BEERS, and if its over 100 degress outside the margaritas are only 1$! patio is dog & kid friendly!
polynesian-mexican! VERY touristy BUT worth going to anyway. REALLY good frozen margs... REALLY good QUESO!!!! (maybe my favorite) REALLY good salsa! also right on lake austin with great views!
269 locals recommend
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin Blvdpolynesian-mexican! VERY touristy BUT worth going to anyway. REALLY good frozen margs... REALLY good QUESO!!!! (maybe my favorite) REALLY good salsa! also right on lake austin with great views!
Drinks & Nightlife
favorite east side bar.... great outdoor space surrounded with crate and mertle trees and bistro lights.... fun people watching. great food/drinks. delish brunch. awesome pulled pork frito pie.
244 locals recommend
Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th Stfavorite east side bar.... great outdoor space surrounded with crate and mertle trees and bistro lights.... fun people watching. great food/drinks. delish brunch. awesome pulled pork frito pie.
delightful indie rockabilly punk venue and bar. pretty darn popular with lots of attractive people and good shows.
166 locals recommend
Mohawk Austin
912 Red River Stdelightful indie rockabilly punk venue and bar. pretty darn popular with lots of attractive people and good shows.
great courtyard, poolside bar. my design wet dream hotel- best ambiance ever. MICHELADAS! (modelo beer, tomato, spicy, yum) SANGRIA! CHAMPASSION! (champers & passion fruit) *only have beer and wine
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress Avegreat courtyard, poolside bar. my design wet dream hotel- best ambiance ever. MICHELADAS! (modelo beer, tomato, spicy, yum) SANGRIA! CHAMPASSION! (champers & passion fruit) *only have beer and wine
favorite neighborhood bar. beards & preps alike enjoy this bar. great drink specials. pretty good food. nice front porch with heaters when cold out. AWESOME FRIED JALEPENOS.
291 locals recommend
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar Blvdfavorite neighborhood bar. beards & preps alike enjoy this bar. great drink specials. pretty good food. nice front porch with heaters when cold out. AWESOME FRIED JALEPENOS.
hipster honkytonk. SUPER fun. live country/rockabilly musics.DANCING! - both serious actual cowboys, and crazy others just winging it. outdoor patio. PLUS a bomb taco truck inside.
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal Sthipster honkytonk. SUPER fun. live country/rockabilly musics.DANCING! - both serious actual cowboys, and crazy others just winging it. outdoor patio. PLUS a bomb taco truck inside.
The Eastern
1511 E 6th Stfun place to dance amidst many other fun bars
another cute vintage inspired bar complete with big brass band type music, silent movies, and pompadores galore. delish cocktails & it is nestled between all the cute fun bars on east sixth street.
288 locals recommend
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th Stanother cute vintage inspired bar complete with big brass band type music, silent movies, and pompadores galore. delish cocktails & it is nestled between all the cute fun bars on east sixth street.
JOHNNY CASH BAR! GREAT JUKEBOX. beer and wine only tho. small dive bar- themed johnny cash. tons of portraits and art and crazy shit everywhere. great outdoor seating.
131 locals recommend
Mean-Eyed Cat
1621 W 5th StJOHNNY CASH BAR! GREAT JUKEBOX. beer and wine only tho. small dive bar- themed johnny cash. tons of portraits and art and crazy shit everywhere. great outdoor seating.
GREAT GREAT GREAT bar with ping pong, tons of outdoor seating, taco truck adjacent to, and great selection of cheap texas beer and delicious cocktails! can be VERY crowded and annoying on weekends tho
118 locals recommend
Lustre Pearl East
114 Linden StGREAT GREAT GREAT bar with ping pong, tons of outdoor seating, taco truck adjacent to, and great selection of cheap texas beer and delicious cocktails! can be VERY crowded and annoying on weekends tho
live music at an old famous dive bar near campus with east side kings in the back with RAMEN!
55 locals recommend
The Hole In the Wall
2538 Guadalupe Stlive music at an old famous dive bar near campus with east side kings in the back with RAMEN!
Shangri-La
1016 E 6th StAWESOME outdor area, lots of christmas lights, pool, delightful bar!
AMAZING underground jazz club. in a basement,where they have awesome live music, and sometimes just impromtu jazz sessions. you just see people stroll in with intruments and just jump in...
224 locals recommend
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveAMAZING underground jazz club. in a basement,where they have awesome live music, and sometimes just impromtu jazz sessions. you just see people stroll in with intruments and just jump in...
SOUL NIGHT THURSDAYS! TUESGAYS!!!! this place is a SUPER fun video dance club! very very fun... and dangerously debaucherous.
153 locals recommend
Barbarella
611 Red River StSOUL NIGHT THURSDAYS! TUESGAYS!!!! this place is a SUPER fun video dance club! very very fun... and dangerously debaucherous.
The Volstead Lounge
1500 E 6th Stgreat old fashion with a taxidermied tapir
The Jackalope
404 E 6th Stgreat hamburgers and cheap drinks on dirty 6th
Weather Up
1808 E Cesar Chavez Stgreat mixology bar with creative delicious drinks and great ambiance
get a hamburger and a bloody mary. scale how hot you want it from one to 10; they use a different pepper for each number-- ending with a ghost.
74 locals recommend
Casino El Camino
517 E 6th Stget a hamburger and a bloody mary. scale how hot you want it from one to 10; they use a different pepper for each number-- ending with a ghost.
Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River Stgreat music. great moscow mules....
Shopping
coolest. thrift. store. ever. more antiques actually. a little pricey. but hella cool! definitely worth just walking around. AND amidst a great food, shopping, drinking strip of stuff.
194 locals recommend
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View Rdcoolest. thrift. store. ever. more antiques actually. a little pricey. but hella cool! definitely worth just walking around. AND amidst a great food, shopping, drinking strip of stuff.
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar Blvdcreative flavors made with local ingredients.
Henri's Cheese & Wine
2026 South Lamar Boulevardawesome selection of awesome cheeses.
very cool ecclectic finds that are way out of my price range but wish they were not. succulent planters, letter press, home decor, jewelry, fancy weapons.... ja'dore.
14 locals recommend
Spartan Shop
1210 SE Grand Avevery cool ecclectic finds that are way out of my price range but wish they were not. succulent planters, letter press, home decor, jewelry, fancy weapons.... ja'dore.
Mercury Design Studio
225 W 2nd Stvery cool design store with strange and beautiful taxidermy.
Mockingbird Made
107 Ash Stcan you tell i love design stores?
really cool and weird finds! like macrame plant hangers and ryan gosling coloring books. also, gret ceremics.
7 locals recommend
Nannie Inez
701 S Lamar Blvdreally cool and weird finds! like macrame plant hangers and ryan gosling coloring books. also, gret ceremics.
End Of An Ear
4304 Clawson Rdbest record store in town. fo the realz.
Room Service Vintage
117 N Loop Blvd Efunky finds- always.
New Brohemia
2209 S 1st StMENS vintage clothing. awesome selection.
New Bohemia
115 Airport Blvdmen and women's fashion... never left without something awesome.
Arts & Culture
one of my favs. movie theater yes. beer. sangria. good food. AND then like hilarious sing along showings or like dress up rocky horror midnight showings etc.
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th Stone of my favs. movie theater yes. beer. sangria. good food. AND then like hilarious sing along showings or like dress up rocky horror midnight showings etc.
upscale movie theater with bar and restaurant attached. the chairs are like living room arm chairs... so comfy... if you get handicap seating there's an ottoman. get a double and sit back and relax!
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th Stupscale movie theater with bar and restaurant attached. the chairs are like living room arm chairs... so comfy... if you get handicap seating there's an ottoman. get a double and sit back and relax!
Sightseeing
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdGORGEOUS. SWIMMING.
Krause Springs
424 Co Rd 404more beauty. more swimming.
3$ buys you a day of lounging and swimming in a naturally fed pool in the heart of zilker park and south austin. hot people everywhere. just saying. kid friendly too.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton Dr3$ buys you a day of lounging and swimming in a naturally fed pool in the heart of zilker park and south austin. hot people everywhere. just saying. kid friendly too.
great hiking and exploration. also close to fredricksburg which is a cute little town you can stroll the streets with a glass of wine in hand.
233 locals recommend
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Rd 965great hiking and exploration. also close to fredricksburg which is a cute little town you can stroll the streets with a glass of wine in hand.
Twin Falls
3918 S MoPac Expymore hiking, more swimming, more beauty.
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwygreat for any/all outdoorsy activity.