Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
The newest, biggest, and nicest of the food-truck born creative taco Austin original empire. Ask me for the secret menu.
1075 residents recomanen
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StThe newest, biggest, and nicest of the food-truck born creative taco Austin original empire. Ask me for the secret menu.
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AvePizza. Iconic and delicious on SoCo.
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveHigher end very nice modern seafood place in the heart of SoCo.
Almost as good as Franklin's. The line is much shorter, but still long. Not a secret any more.
421 residents recomanen
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StAlmost as good as Franklin's. The line is much shorter, but still long. Not a secret any more.
The undisputed king of Texas BBQ. Get there by 9:30 and bring a chair and tailgate. If that line is too much, try La BBQ or Mickelwait.
919 residents recomanen
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StThe undisputed king of Texas BBQ. Get there by 9:30 and bring a chair and tailgate. If that line is too much, try La BBQ or Mickelwait.
Excellent BBQ near Franklin, with a vastly shorter line if you don't want to devote 4-5 hours for BBQ.
215 residents recomanen
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveExcellent BBQ near Franklin, with a vastly shorter line if you don't want to devote 4-5 hours for BBQ.
Excellent BBQ trailer with almost no line. Also can still order after 5pm, which isn't true for most of the other great BBQ places in town.
25 residents recomanen
Brown's BBQ
1901 S Lamar BlvdExcellent BBQ trailer with almost no line. Also can still order after 5pm, which isn't true for most of the other great BBQ places in town.
World class gelato. Try it. Cool art galleries on side and across street.
120 residents recomanen
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S 1st StWorld class gelato. Try it. Cool art galleries on side and across street.
Innovative cuisine. If you are watching your spend, go during happy hour, have a drink and some awesome food in a great venue for $20 a head and leave insanely happy. Try the Hamachi Pipettes. $11 for not much food, but one of the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth.
41 residents recomanen
VOX Table
1100 South Lamar BoulevardInnovative cuisine. If you are watching your spend, go during happy hour, have a drink and some awesome food in a great venue for $20 a head and leave insanely happy. Try the Hamachi Pipettes. $11 for not much food, but one of the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth.
This is a very good Indian restaurant with a phenomenal craft beer selection.
267 residents recomanen
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdThis is a very good Indian restaurant with a phenomenal craft beer selection.
Trailer with outstanding food on Oltorf. A hole in the wall, but phenomenal budget food.
13 residents recomanen
The Flying Carpet Moroccan Souk Food
504 W Oltorf StTrailer with outstanding food on Oltorf. A hole in the wall, but phenomenal budget food.
More traditional, but EXCELLENT tacos from a trailer very near the house.
41 residents recomanen
Con Madre Kitchen
628 E Oltorf StMore traditional, but EXCELLENT tacos from a trailer very near the house.
Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf StTry the avocado margarita.
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdVery good tex mex in an Austin landmark.
Doughnuts are the main course. 2 other locations, one DT, one on S. Lamar.
226 residents recomanen
Gourdough's Public House
209 W 5th StDoughnuts are the main course. 2 other locations, one DT, one on S. Lamar.
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress Ave24 hours. Close to the house. Dope.
Fast casual Austin original. Kimchi fries are the most popular thing here.
107 residents recomanen
Chi'Lantro
1509 S Lamar BlvdFast casual Austin original. Kimchi fries are the most popular thing here.
A great food truck in a lot full of them. Great for a pre- or post Zilker grub stop.
6 residents recomanen
Hey!...You Gonna Eat or What?
1720 Barton Springs RoadA great food truck in a lot full of them. Great for a pre- or post Zilker grub stop.
Nestled in verdant surrounds just off of South Congress, this Austin icon in a restored Victorian home artfully blends historic charm and sophistication in its dining, lounge and patio areas. New American dinner and brunch menus are distinctly Southern and the beverage selection incorporates both wine and craft cocktails, including the classic milk punch. P.S. Keep an eye out for white peacocks.
Go for a kind of pricey brunch, or an extended Happy Hour the goes until 9pm and is a good value.
54 residents recomanen
Mattie's
901 W Live Oak StNestled in verdant surrounds just off of South Congress, this Austin icon in a restored Victorian home artfully blends historic charm and sophistication in its dining, lounge and patio areas. New American dinner and brunch menus are distinctly Southern and the beverage selection incorporates both wine and craft cocktails, including the classic milk punch. P.S. Keep an eye out for white peacocks.
Go for a kind of pricey brunch, or an extended Happy Hour the goes until 9pm and is a good value.
Winebelly
519 W Oltorf StSway
1417 S 1st StModern, high end, Thai. Great alternative take on brunch.
Haymaker
2310 Manor RdGreat sports bar.
Food and beer hall/ bakery, with a great patio on a creek in Dirty 6th
358 residents recomanen
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StFood and beer hall/ bakery, with a great patio on a creek in Dirty 6th
Moonshine Grill
303 Red River StGood for brunch, fancy, more mature, busy
Taco Joint
2809 San Jacinto BlvdVery underrated taco brick and mortar
Slightly upscale Mexican with an awesome patio with a spectacular DT view.
170 residents recomanen
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdSlightly upscale Mexican with an awesome patio with a spectacular DT view.
Really well done takes on traditional brunch and breakfast stuff with a twist.
36 residents recomanen
Phoebe's Diner
533 W Oltorf StReally well done takes on traditional brunch and breakfast stuff with a twist.
housed in a former Fed Ex delivery truck that has been painted bright yellow and retrofitted into a mobile kitchen, serves authentic Brazilian street food. Hidden gem.
13 residents recomanen
Boteco
1720 E 6th Sthoused in a former Fed Ex delivery truck that has been painted bright yellow and retrofitted into a mobile kitchen, serves authentic Brazilian street food. Hidden gem.
New American dishes, a raw bar, wine & drinks are served in modern digs in the South Congress Hotel.
30 residents recomanen
Central Standard
1603 S Congress AveNew American dishes, a raw bar, wine & drinks are served in modern digs in the South Congress Hotel.
WhichCraft Beer Store
2110 South Lamar BoulevardSuperb selection
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StBeer hall on the east side.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdHigh end sushi. Excellent
One of the best sushi places in the world. Not kidding. Ticketed menu, not cheap. Awesome and worth the high price.
23 residents recomanen
Otoko
1603 S Congress AveOne of the best sushi places in the world. Not kidding. Ticketed menu, not cheap. Awesome and worth the high price.
Eberly
615 S Lamar BlvdSuper sceney, interesting and pretty room, kind of pricey.
Kuneho
1600 East 6th StreetCreative sushi and Asian food in a nice room
Parks & Nature
This is a nice park and great spring fed pool about a block from the house. It's free, heated in the winter, with long hours.
158 residents recomanen
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak StThis is a nice park and great spring fed pool about a block from the house. It's free, heated in the winter, with long hours.
Connected to Big Stacy by a greenbelt trail great for biking and walking. Tennis Courts, Wading Pool, Basketball.
47 residents recomanen
Little Stacy Neighborhood Park
1500 Alameda DrConnected to Big Stacy by a greenbelt trail great for biking and walking. Tennis Courts, Wading Pool, Basketball.
One of Austin's crown jewels, the gateway to a great greenbelt, Zilker Park, phenomenal swimming holes, SUP and Kayak rentals.
11 residents recomanen
Barton Creek
One of Austin's crown jewels, the gateway to a great greenbelt, Zilker Park, phenomenal swimming holes, SUP and Kayak rentals.
This is a large urban park with open fields used by people and dogs for lounging, playing sports, festivals, a small train for kids, disc golf, and more.
1533 residents recomanen
Parc Metropolità de Zilker
2207 Barton Springs RdThis is a large urban park with open fields used by people and dogs for lounging, playing sports, festivals, a small train for kids, disc golf, and more.
Drinks & Nightlife
A dozen or so bars and restaurants in a few blocks. It has become one of Austin's iconic scenes over the last few years.
793 residents recomanen
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetA dozen or so bars and restaurants in a few blocks. It has become one of Austin's iconic scenes over the last few years.
One of my favorite parts of Austin. Lots of great restaurants of all types and one of a kind bars and patios. Super hipster.
395 residents recomanen
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetOne of my favorite parts of Austin. Lots of great restaurants of all types and one of a kind bars and patios. Super hipster.
Otherwise known as "Dirty 6th". On weekends, they shut it down for pedestrians only. Many of those pedestrians are very drunk. One of the most iconic nightlife scenes in the world. Epic people watching. Every type of bar you might want, with some restaurants in the mix. Live music all over the place. Enjoy.
137 residents recomanen
Sixth Street Historic District
Otherwise known as "Dirty 6th". On weekends, they shut it down for pedestrians only. Many of those pedestrians are very drunk. One of the most iconic nightlife scenes in the world. Epic people watching. Every type of bar you might want, with some restaurants in the mix. Live music all over the place. Enjoy.
A little more Bougie. Still Austin, but more leaning toward Yuppie Dallas. Nice, depending on your mood.
334 residents recomanen
West 6th Street
West 6th StreetA little more Bougie. Still Austin, but more leaning toward Yuppie Dallas. Nice, depending on your mood.
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveIconic Texas music venue on South Congress.
Close to the house, run by the same people who run the Continental Club, this is a Blues Club. Great vibe.
242 residents recomanen
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveClose to the house, run by the same people who run the Continental Club, this is a Blues Club. Great vibe.
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar BlvdIconic dive bar and lounge with good food on S. Lamar
Dive bar on dirty 6th, likely playing old school metal. Huge, huge quality burgers offering great value.
74 residents recomanen
Casino El Camino
517 E 6th StDive bar on dirty 6th, likely playing old school metal. Huge, huge quality burgers offering great value.
Make a reservation. Cool spot on dirty 6th, quiet, adult, in a former brother. Pricey, high end drinks with table service.
107 residents recomanen
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StMake a reservation. Cool spot on dirty 6th, quiet, adult, in a former brother. Pricey, high end drinks with table service.
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveNice lounge outside on S. Congress, tucked away
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf Stbig beer garden with pizza and live music
Entertainment & Activities
Iconic Master Pancake Show on Weekends. Plus, standard Alamo awesomeness.
228 residents recomanen
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StIconic Master Pancake Show on Weekends. Plus, standard Alamo awesomeness.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdThe Congress Street bats are a must see. Every night at sunset, a few million of them fly out from under the bridge.
131 residents recomanen
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress AveThe Congress Street bats are a must see. Every night at sunset, a few million of them fly out from under the bridge.
Mini Golf with Psychedelic Sculptures. Sno Cones, and BYOB. Two courses. Go. Uniquely Austin.
201 residents recomanen
Minigolf Peter Pan
1207 Barton Springs RdMini Golf with Psychedelic Sculptures. Sno Cones, and BYOB. Two courses. Go. Uniquely Austin.
Everything Else
This has a great patio, and is a chill bar, but the Truck next door does a knock out job with high end sandwiches during the day, and the very best $12 brunch in Austin on Sundays. Dog friendly on the patio.
181 residents recomanen
Gibson Street Bar
1109 S Lamar BlvdThis has a great patio, and is a chill bar, but the Truck next door does a knock out job with high end sandwiches during the day, and the very best $12 brunch in Austin on Sundays. Dog friendly on the patio.
Arts & Culture
Go. Look. Love . Wear closed toed shoes. Take pictures. Add your own art to the space.
207 residents recomanen
Parc de Graffiti a Castle Hill
1008 Baylor StGo. Look. Love . Wear closed toed shoes. Take pictures. Add your own art to the space.
Shopping
You can smell it from the outside. Boots, more boots. Then more boots.
136 residents recomanen
Botiga Allens
1522 S Congress AveYou can smell it from the outside. Boots, more boots. Then more boots.
Parts & Labour
1704 S Congress AveLocal Austin Artists, with lots of variety.
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View Rd