Downtown Restaurants
Great Italian food, need to book FAR in advance or get there early 5-6 pm on a weekday and try to get seats at the bar.
93 locals recommend
Red Ash
303 Colorado StGreat Italian food, need to book FAR in advance or get there early 5-6 pm on a weekday and try to get seats at the bar.
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdCreative modern restaurant, menu changes all the time
ATX Cocina
110 San Antonio StGreat modern Mexican food with good cocktails.
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveGreat seafood
Best BBQ quality for wait time ratio in Austin. Long lines on weekends, but weekdays are good. Peter Pan Mini golf place nearby
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdBest BBQ quality for wait time ratio in Austin. Long lines on weekends, but weekdays are good. Peter Pan Mini golf place nearby
Brunch on weekends with live jazz, must make a reservation for brunch. Good cocktail and dinner venue.
48 locals recommend
Geraldine's
605 Davis StBrunch on weekends with live jazz, must make a reservation for brunch. Good cocktail and dinner venue.
Fried and True Food Truck
1308 E 6th StModern Mexican
QI Austin: Modern Asian Kitchen
835 West 6th StreetTasty modern Asian cuisine and decor.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdCreative Japanese / sushi restaurant, but you must book FAR in advance.
High end and expensive seafood and steak restaurant for special occasions.
63 locals recommend
Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab
5350 Westheimer RoadHigh end and expensive seafood and steak restaurant for special occasions.
Modern Italian restaurant, one of my favorites. Great spot if you forgot to make a reservation because they always seem to have a table even during very busy nights.
65 locals recommend
North Italia
11506 Century Oaks TerraceModern Italian restaurant, one of my favorites. Great spot if you forgot to make a reservation because they always seem to have a table even during very busy nights.
Downtown Lounges
Great cocktail bar, must make a reservation in advance for weekends to avoid very long waits.
101 locals recommend
The Roosevelt Room
307 W 5th StGreat cocktail bar, must make a reservation in advance for weekends to avoid very long waits.
Péché
208 W 4th StGreat liquor selection and happy hour value
Creative cocktails, must download their app and make an account to book.
27 locals recommend
Here Nor There
612 Brazos StCreative cocktails, must download their app and make an account to book.
Water views, good cocktails, great for daytime or early evening date, gets busy and loud at night.
29 locals recommend
P6
111 E Cesar Chavez StWater views, good cocktails, great for daytime or early evening date, gets busy and loud at night.
Amazing live jazz music with performances every evening. Typically you do not need to make a reservation and can get a seat at the bar, but you may want to make a reservation to get a table during popular times on Fridays and Saturdays.
14 locals recommend
Parker Jazz Club
117 W 4th StAmazing live jazz music with performances every evening. Typically you do not need to make a reservation and can get a seat at the bar, but you may want to make a reservation to get a table during popular times on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Driskill
217 Congress AveA cocktail bar located in a scenic, historic hotel.
Great for brunch, cute outdoor seating patio on the street, $2-$3 mimosas and belinis.
50 locals recommend
Taverna
258 W 2nd StGreat for brunch, cute outdoor seating patio on the street, $2-$3 mimosas and belinis.
Local Breakfast
Awesome breakfast spot, but must get there before 9/9:30 AM for a reasonable wait time.
214 locals recommend
Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdAwesome breakfast spot, but must get there before 9/9:30 AM for a reasonable wait time.
Breakfast / lunch, generally wait times are low before 11 am on weekends.
13 locals recommend
First Watch
2525 W Anderson LnBreakfast / lunch, generally wait times are low before 11 am on weekends.
Great tacos, local chain that started in Austin and became very popular. Good for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StGreat tacos, local chain that started in Austin and became very popular. Good for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Nervous Charlie's
5501 N Lamar BlvdBreakfast, great bagels
Great cocktail bar on Rainey street, which has a street full of various bars and restaurants.
35 locals recommend
Half Step
75 1/2 Rainey StGreat cocktail bar on Rainey street, which has a street full of various bars and restaurants.
Local Restaurants
Nearby modern, very tasty food and cocktails with great service at good prices. Typically they have a table without a reservation. One of my favorites.
District Kitchen (Anderson Lane)
7858 Shoal Creek BoulevardNearby modern, very tasty food and cocktails with great service at good prices. Typically they have a table without a reservation. One of my favorites.
Great food and cocktails, great for brunch, lunch, or just drinks. Maybe even dinner, but haven't tried it for dinner yet.
7 locals recommend
Revelry on the Boulevard
6215 N Lamar BlvdGreat food and cocktails, great for brunch, lunch, or just drinks. Maybe even dinner, but haven't tried it for dinner yet.
Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind DrBurgers and large selection of beers.
Tatsumi Sushi
2700 West Anderson LaneGood food, service is not great, but sushi is worth it.
SOHA 소하
911 West Anderson LaneSmall Korean food joint: try bulgogi and fried chicken dishes.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveGreat selection of delicious burgers and cocktails.
SLAB BBQ & Beer
2701 State Hwy 71Quick and casual BBQ spot for tasty BBQ.
Domain Restaurants
Good food and cocktails with a large outdoor patio, gets busy on weekends and evenings.
53 locals recommend
Culinary Dropout
11721 Rock Rose AveGood food and cocktails with a large outdoor patio, gets busy on weekends and evenings.
Plank Seafood Provisions
11410 Century Oaks TerraceGood seafood in a modern setting
North Italia
11506 Century Oaks TerraceModern Italian restaurant
Flower Child
11721 Rock Rose AveFast and healthy food in a chic setting
Casual Korean food - stop and go, pick what you want in a bowl (try their Kimchi fries, chicken wings, and any bowls).
9 locals recommend
Chi'Lantro
11005 Burnet RdCasual Korean food - stop and go, pick what you want in a bowl (try their Kimchi fries, chicken wings, and any bowls).
True Food Kitchen
222 West AvenueHealthy food restaurant
Velvet Taco
11501 Rock Rose AveCasual and quick spot for tasty and creative tacos
Nearby Grocery Stores
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdLarge grocery store
Midtown Grocery & Cafe
7010 Easy Wind DrSmall convenience store with some groceries
Fresh Plus Grocery
7108 Woodrow AvenueSmall grocery store nearby
Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrMedium sized grocery store
Things to Do
River Place Nature Trails
8820 Big View DrTough hike, but great work out and nature views
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StSmall outdoor modern sculpture museum
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveYou can sign up for tours
Amazing views of Lake Travis, great for photos. Food and drinks are ok, but go for the views.
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailAmazing views of Lake Travis, great for photos. Food and drinks are ok, but go for the views.
Short hike, pretty views. Check out the Contemporary Austin sculpture museum nearby and Mayfield Park and Nature preserve, where you can see (and maybe even feed) peacocks.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Short hike, pretty views. Check out the Contemporary Austin sculpture museum nearby and Mayfield Park and Nature preserve, where you can see (and maybe even feed) peacocks.
This small park full of peacocks is located near Mt Bonnell and Contemporary Austin Sculpture Museum.
178 locals recommend
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StThis small park full of peacocks is located near Mt Bonnell and Contemporary Austin Sculpture Museum.
Domain NORTHSIDE
11821 Rock Rose AveA development full of outdoor shopping, restaurants, and bars.
You can start Lake Austin Trail hike here or watch the bats that come out before sunset.
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueYou can start Lake Austin Trail hike here or watch the bats that come out before sunset.
A street full of bars, restaurants, and some outdoor dancing and live music
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetA street full of bars, restaurants, and some outdoor dancing and live music
Great spot for nearby entertainment -- bowling, arcade games, throwing axes, golf, and good bar for drinks and bar food.
High 5 Anderson Lane
2700 West Anderson LaneGreat spot for nearby entertainment -- bowling, arcade games, throwing axes, golf, and good bar for drinks and bar food.