Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Simply amazing French food, in a tiny family owned atmosphere. Great date spot as well.
20 locals recommend
Chez Nous
510 Neches StSimply amazing French food, in a tiny family owned atmosphere. Great date spot as well.
Seafood in an upscale atmosphere with live jazz bands at night. Happy hour specials include half price appetizers, all night on Sunday and Monday nights as well as early afternoons on weekdays.
45 locals recommend
Frank
407 Colorado StSeafood in an upscale atmosphere with live jazz bands at night. Happy hour specials include half price appetizers, all night on Sunday and Monday nights as well as early afternoons on weekdays.
One of austin's celebrated chefs cooks up innovative meals here--and the happy hour includes oysters and champagne
74 locals recommend
Parkside
301 E 6th StOne of austin's celebrated chefs cooks up innovative meals here--and the happy hour includes oysters and champagne
Shares a kitchen with the amazing parkside restaurant but focuses more on woodfired pizzas and many artfully crafted "small plates"
36 locals recommend
The Backspace
507 San Jacinto BlvdShares a kitchen with the amazing parkside restaurant but focuses more on woodfired pizzas and many artfully crafted "small plates"
Coffee house and Bar which is a great chill spot to hang out, even after hours. Known for their smores which you can make on a mini-fire at your table.
136 locals recommend
Halcyon
218 W 4th StCoffee house and Bar which is a great chill spot to hang out, even after hours. Known for their smores which you can make on a mini-fire at your table.
Great little coffee shop for the coffee connoisseur, often has wonderful local art on the walls. good sandwiches here too and many vegetarian options as well.
183 locals recommend
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos StGreat little coffee shop for the coffee connoisseur, often has wonderful local art on the walls. good sandwiches here too and many vegetarian options as well.
Excellent upscale spot for sushi, reasonably priced as well. Happy hour ends at 6.
19 locals recommend
Piranha Killer Sushi
207 San Jacinto BlvdExcellent upscale spot for sushi, reasonably priced as well. Happy hour ends at 6.
I haven't been to Bar Congress yet, but 2nd Bar and Kitchen has wonderful artisan drinks and food.
82 locals recommend
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress AveI haven't been to Bar Congress yet, but 2nd Bar and Kitchen has wonderful artisan drinks and food.
Known for having some of the best coffee in town, nice modern atmosphere
342 locals recommend
Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StKnown for having some of the best coffee in town, nice modern atmosphere
24 Diner
600 N Lamar BlvdFood with a gourmet touch 24 hours a day. Great for night owls.
BRUNCH! Call ahead to reduce your wait time but still be prepared to wait a bit, very much worth it though. Everything on the menu is good.
279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveBRUNCH! Call ahead to reduce your wait time but still be prepared to wait a bit, very much worth it though. Everything on the menu is good.
Beautiful old victorian house converted into a restaurant. Date atmosphere.
16 locals recommend
Paggi House
200 Lee Barton DrBeautiful old victorian house converted into a restaurant. Date atmosphere.
vintage cocktails in a 1920s speakeasy atmosphere where mustachio'd men in dark rimmed glasses serve you fancy drinks. Can fill up on busy nights because it is so small.
288 locals recommend
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th Stvintage cocktails in a 1920s speakeasy atmosphere where mustachio'd men in dark rimmed glasses serve you fancy drinks. Can fill up on busy nights because it is so small.
The Ginger Man Austin
301 Lavaca StreetFor the Beer snobs, also serves some food and cheese plates
Recommended for breakfast or lunch, and of course coffee. My favorite is the Honey Almond Latte, but don't expect to sleep for a few days.
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveRecommended for breakfast or lunch, and of course coffee. My favorite is the Honey Almond Latte, but don't expect to sleep for a few days.
Best burgers in town! I love the ahi Tuna burger. It has some wasabi crunchy layers in it that are divine.
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveBest burgers in town! I love the ahi Tuna burger. It has some wasabi crunchy layers in it that are divine.
Everything Else
Absinthe bar with wonderful decor and equally tasty drinks and small plates. Get the Spicy Bee's Knees here.
93 locals recommend
Péché
208 W 4th StAbsinthe bar with wonderful decor and equally tasty drinks and small plates. Get the Spicy Bee's Knees here.
Great art and design exhibits here, usually only $4-6 admission
173 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
700 Congress AveGreat art and design exhibits here, usually only $4-6 admission
Stunning architecture, a great space for art with a rooftop open to the public for $10 on wednesday evenings
173 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
700 Congress AveStunning architecture, a great space for art with a rooftop open to the public for $10 on wednesday evenings
upscale convenience store, good for getting a few things when you don't have time to go to a bigger grocery store
141 locals recommend
Royal Blue Grocery
609 Congress Aveupscale convenience store, good for getting a few things when you don't have time to go to a bigger grocery store
Best Carrot cake on the planet! But really plenty of healthy and delicious organic food, plus prepared foods. Ice skating on rooftop around Christmas. Grab a picnic here and eat it at the capitol.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdBest Carrot cake on the planet! But really plenty of healthy and delicious organic food, plus prepared foods. Ice skating on rooftop around Christmas. Grab a picnic here and eat it at the capitol.
Divey but classy at the same time. Hula hoops and ping pong for those are interested.
118 locals recommend
Lustre Pearl East
114 Linden StDivey but classy at the same time. Hula hoops and ping pong for those are interested.
Local record store with an awe inspiring collection of rare finds, both new and used.
135 locals recommend
Waterloo Records
600 N Lamar BlvdLocal record store with an awe inspiring collection of rare finds, both new and used.
Barbarella
611 Red River StGo here to Dance, but expect to get sweaty
One of the best live music venues around, especially for discovering indie talent
166 locals recommend
Mohawk Austin
912 Red River StOne of the best live music venues around, especially for discovering indie talent
Club de Ville
900 Red River StLaid back spot to hang out indoors or out, often with live music
Another part of the trail, the whole loop is great for jogging/walking with beautiful water views. Canoes also available for rent on the other (closer) side. Really only 5 blocks from the condo.
Town Lake Park
Another part of the trail, the whole loop is great for jogging/walking with beautiful water views. Canoes also available for rent on the other (closer) side. Really only 5 blocks from the condo.
Domy Books
913 East Cesar Chavez StreetGreat spot for hard-to-find art and design books
Big Top Candy Shop
1706 S Congress Aveprepare for sugar coma
If you like vintage furniture redone with a modern flair, you'll love this place. Also great for finding a gift for the snob who has everything.
Mercury Design Studio
225 W 2nd StIf you like vintage furniture redone with a modern flair, you'll love this place. Also great for finding a gift for the snob who has everything.
the original hipster dive bar. Huge outdoor patio with many nearby late night food trucks to hit up afterwards.
149 locals recommend
Shangri-La
1016 E 6th Stthe original hipster dive bar. Huge outdoor patio with many nearby late night food trucks to hit up afterwards.
Not open all the time, but conveniently located when you've forgotten certain necessities.
174 locals recommend
CVS
2101 S Lamar BlvdNot open all the time, but conveniently located when you've forgotten certain necessities.
Drinks & Nightlife
wonderful for its outdoor patio when the weather is good. Designed by one of the best known architects in town -- very tasteful midcentury inspired decor and landscaping
60 locals recommend
Icenhauer's
83 Rainey Stwonderful for its outdoor patio when the weather is good. Designed by one of the best known architects in town -- very tasteful midcentury inspired decor and landscaping
Old world victorian texas style historic hotel. A touristy spot but worth checking out if you haven't been. Go during happy hour.
104 locals recommend
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StOld world victorian texas style historic hotel. A touristy spot but worth checking out if you haven't been. Go during happy hour.
Shopping
Some of the coolest designs (apparel, jewelry, poster art) by local and Texas designers.
73 locals recommend
Parts & Labour
1704 S Congress AveSome of the coolest designs (apparel, jewelry, poster art) by local and Texas designers.
A boutique and dress shop that actually has some unique and tastefully designed things for women
34 locals recommend
Maya Star Austin
1508 S Congress AveA boutique and dress shop that actually has some unique and tastefully designed things for women
Curious and Interesting things--Many creepy and awesome items from the victorian era for sale here
194 locals recommend
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View RdCurious and Interesting things--Many creepy and awesome items from the victorian era for sale here