Guidebook for Austin
Drinks & Nightlife
Beer garden/brewery/venue/ restaurant /good people /nice place to hang/creative community
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StBeer garden/brewery/venue/ restaurant /good people /nice place to hang/creative community
Rock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local, are found at this legendary South Congress club.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveRock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local, are found at this legendary South Congress club.
Downstairs there's an R&B theme, with live music on the weekends, while upstairs is a Japanese-American bar.
242 locals recommend
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveDownstairs there's an R&B theme, with live music on the weekends, while upstairs is a Japanese-American bar.
Food Scene
Bustling seafood & oyster bar that serves lunch & dinner daily, and brunch on the weekends. Great large patio for dining and people watching.
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveBustling seafood & oyster bar that serves lunch & dinner daily, and brunch on the weekends. Great large patio for dining and people watching.
Serving up New York-style thin crust pizza in a fun, urban atmosphere. Always packed, but worth the wait, they also feature a take-out window next door for slices-to-go (including late night).
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveServing up New York-style thin crust pizza in a fun, urban atmosphere. Always packed, but worth the wait, they also feature a take-out window next door for slices-to-go (including late night).
Great indoor and outdoor seating. Chic, modern, laid back, delicious and healthy food. Located in the beautiful South Congress Hotel.
120 locals recommend
Café No Sé
1603 S Congress AveGreat indoor and outdoor seating. Chic, modern, laid back, delicious and healthy food. Located in the beautiful South Congress Hotel.
Most Austinites agree that it's one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
158 locals recommend
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveMost Austinites agree that it's one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
Award-winning, modern Thai Restaurant. Beautiful space. Indoor and outdoor seating.
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st StAward-winning, modern Thai Restaurant. Beautiful space. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Laid back sophisticated neighborhood cafe & wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafes, and hipster NYC wine bars. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
151 locals recommend
June's
1722 S Congress AveLaid back sophisticated neighborhood cafe & wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafes, and hipster NYC wine bars. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Tucked behind the South Congress Hotel, everything about Mañana feels boutique. Mexican-inspired tiled countertops, rustic wood furnishings, and a flood of natural light give an otherwise high-designed space a down-to-earth feel. A custom, wood-paneled espresso machine supplies the brew, while the hotel’s James Beard nominated pastry chef fills the cases with creative snacks like everything-seasoned kolaches.
84 locals recommend
Mañana
1603 S Congress AveTucked behind the South Congress Hotel, everything about Mañana feels boutique. Mexican-inspired tiled countertops, rustic wood furnishings, and a flood of natural light give an otherwise high-designed space a down-to-earth feel. A custom, wood-paneled espresso machine supplies the brew, while the hotel’s James Beard nominated pastry chef fills the cases with creative snacks like everything-seasoned kolaches.
Fresa's South First features on-site dining, a full bar and a handful of special menu items. The bright dining room and tree-shaded patio lend a taste of the neighborhood's easygoing character.
79 locals recommend
Fresa's South First Dine-In
1703 S 1st StFresa's South First features on-site dining, a full bar and a handful of special menu items. The bright dining room and tree-shaded patio lend a taste of the neighborhood's easygoing character.
The 70,000-square-foot fresh Central Market was designed to be reminiscent of a European style market, with aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, meats, seafood & an incredibly large cheese department.
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdThe 70,000-square-foot fresh Central Market was designed to be reminiscent of a European style market, with aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, meats, seafood & an incredibly large cheese department.
You'll feel "a wave of nostalgia" at this "eye‑popping" "sweet‑tooth circus" on SoCo.
91 locals recommend
Big Top Candy Shop
1706 S Congress AveYou'll feel "a wave of nostalgia" at this "eye‑popping" "sweet‑tooth circus" on SoCo.
Seasonal, rotating taps & a variety of varietals and other vintages. Pints, plates, & not your typical pub grub (calamari, polenta, creme brulee…). Lovely outdoor patio! Convenient to the Long Center.
38 locals recommend
Zax Restaurant & Bar
312 Barton Springs RdSeasonal, rotating taps & a variety of varietals and other vintages. Pints, plates, & not your typical pub grub (calamari, polenta, creme brulee…). Lovely outdoor patio! Convenient to the Long Center.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdConsistently rated as Austin's best Sushi, Uchi is not to be missed.
Less of a cafe and more of an upscale eatery, it serves inspired Southwestern fare. They have a great outdoor patio in the back.
279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveLess of a cafe and more of an upscale eatery, it serves inspired Southwestern fare. They have a great outdoor patio in the back.
An award-winning upscale/modern Mexican restaurant, featuring delicious food and the largest selection of tequila in Austin.
191 locals recommend
La Condesa
400 W 2nd StAn award-winning upscale/modern Mexican restaurant, featuring delicious food and the largest selection of tequila in Austin.
Hopdoddy has a winning formula: gourmet burgers at great prices. Burgers include beef, bison, turkey, tuna, veggie, plus a daily special. Organic salads, truffle fries, & innovative cocktails as well!
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveHopdoddy has a winning formula: gourmet burgers at great prices. Burgers include beef, bison, turkey, tuna, veggie, plus a daily special. Organic salads, truffle fries, & innovative cocktails as well!
Eco-friendly, bohemian cafe offering hearty vegetarian meals, coffees & a rotating monthly art show. It has a great outdoor patio. Tends to be busy so it's best to go between rush times.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StEco-friendly, bohemian cafe offering hearty vegetarian meals, coffees & a rotating monthly art show. It has a great outdoor patio. Tends to be busy so it's best to go between rush times.
The best little secret on the I-35 feeder road, just south of the woodland exit. Live music, south asian food, local & organic foods. Fantastic selection of beer on tap, wine bar, live music, patio.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdThe best little secret on the I-35 feeder road, just south of the woodland exit. Live music, south asian food, local & organic foods. Fantastic selection of beer on tap, wine bar, live music, patio.
Lenoir sources almost exclusively from Austin's vibrant community of farmers to serve a menu that changes with the seasons, and that’s truly Texas food. Dinner at Lenoir comes in three courses.
179 locals recommend
LENOIR
1807 S 1st StLenoir sources almost exclusively from Austin's vibrant community of farmers to serve a menu that changes with the seasons, and that’s truly Texas food. Dinner at Lenoir comes in three courses.
Sightseeing
Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
Lady Bird Lake BoardwalkA fantastic urban run, walk, and bike trail.
Parks & Nature
Zilker Botanical Garden is ideally located in the center of Austin. The gardens are on land that is magnificently endowed by nature with handsome trees, natural grottoes, and aquatic habitats.
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdZilker Botanical Garden is ideally located in the center of Austin. The gardens are on land that is magnificently endowed by nature with handsome trees, natural grottoes, and aquatic habitats.
Great neighborhood park shaded by live oaks. Playscape, tennis court, basketball court, small wading pool.
47 locals recommend
Little Stacy Neighborhood Park
1500 Alameda DrGreat neighborhood park shaded by live oaks. Playscape, tennis court, basketball court, small wading pool.
Beautiful park along ladybird lake hike & bike trail.
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrBeautiful park along ladybird lake hike & bike trail.
Entertainment & Activities
A historic landmark, Deep Eddy Pool has one of the best lap swimming pools as well as the largest wading pool in Austin. The Pool is fed by a 35 foot hand dug Artesian well.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveA historic landmark, Deep Eddy Pool has one of the best lap swimming pools as well as the largest wading pool in Austin. The Pool is fed by a 35 foot hand dug Artesian well.
One of Austin's famous landmarks & easily the most popular swimming hole in the city. Spring fed and over 900 feet long. It has a natural rock and gravel bottom. The water temperature averages 68 F
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrOne of Austin's famous landmarks & easily the most popular swimming hole in the city. Spring fed and over 900 feet long. It has a natural rock and gravel bottom. The water temperature averages 68 F
Small theater with plush seating, featuring indie films; Good food and cocktails selection. Oh yeah! We love it!
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StSmall theater with plush seating, featuring indie films; Good food and cocktails selection. Oh yeah! We love it!
Everything Else
Coming for a convention or SXSW? This is where the convention center is...
290 locals recommend
Austin Convention Center
500 E Cesar Chavez StComing for a convention or SXSW? This is where the convention center is...
Essentials
South Austin's main Heeeeeb, so it's usually very busy. But it's also packed with everything — including a small health food section. There’s a convenient pharmacy in-store
28 locals recommend
Heb Shopping Center
South Austin's main Heeeeeb, so it's usually very busy. But it's also packed with everything — including a small health food section. There’s a convenient pharmacy in-store
Friendly and small neighborhood grocery. Stock up on local produce and gourmet items including fresh fruit, coffee, cheese, wine and beer. Open 8-8.
87 locals recommend
FARM TO MARKET GROCERY
1718 S Congress AveFriendly and small neighborhood grocery. Stock up on local produce and gourmet items including fresh fruit, coffee, cheese, wine and beer. Open 8-8.