Guidebook for Austin

Jaime
Guidebook for Austin

Food Scene

By day, a cute coffeehouse with baked goods and mellow vibe. By night, more of a wine bar with light food. Both indoors and outdoors are a delight and often have live music. Wifi, bocce. 5-min walk!
129 locals recommend
Opa
2050 S Lamar Blvd
129 locals recommend
By day, a cute coffeehouse with baked goods and mellow vibe. By night, more of a wine bar with light food. Both indoors and outdoors are a delight and often have live music. Wifi, bocce. 5-min walk!
Amazing selection of draft beers. Good pub grub, reputed to be the best burger in South Austin. The patio is often packed but that just adds to the fun. Has pool tables, shuffleboard and other games.
291 locals recommend
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar Blvd
291 locals recommend
Amazing selection of draft beers. Good pub grub, reputed to be the best burger in South Austin. The patio is often packed but that just adds to the fun. Has pool tables, shuffleboard and other games.
My top pick for pizza would be Home Slice (South Congress) or Southside Flying Pizza (South Lamar) but this is pretty good. It's close to home, and they deliver (not many Austin pizza joints do).
19 locals recommend
Austin's Pizza South Lamar
1817 S Lamar Blvd
19 locals recommend
My top pick for pizza would be Home Slice (South Congress) or Southside Flying Pizza (South Lamar) but this is pretty good. It's close to home, and they deliver (not many Austin pizza joints do).
A low-key but beloved South Austin coffeeshop with a cool, dog-friendly patio in back. Light food, wine and beer. Occasionally music or other events. Wifi. One-third mile south on Lamar.
73 locals recommend
Irie Bean Coffee & Wine Bar
2310 S Lamar Blvd
73 locals recommend
A low-key but beloved South Austin coffeeshop with a cool, dog-friendly patio in back. Light food, wine and beer. Occasionally music or other events. Wifi. One-third mile south on Lamar.
Maria's Taco X-Press is legendary. The vibe is pure South Austin, indoors and out. Often live music. Love the food, esp breakfast tacos (and mexi martinis). Hippie Church on Sundays (~12) is a blast.
76 locals recommend
Maria's Taco Xpress
1210 S Lamar Blvd
76 locals recommend
Maria's Taco X-Press is legendary. The vibe is pure South Austin, indoors and out. Often live music. Love the food, esp breakfast tacos (and mexi martinis). Hippie Church on Sundays (~12) is a blast.
Our fave Tex-Mex in the area. Good quality food and cheap prices, especially at happy hour. Very friendly, accommodating wait staff. A fun place to satisfy your craving for combo platters.
80 locals recommend
Maudie's Too
1212 S Lamar Blvd
80 locals recommend
Our fave Tex-Mex in the area. Good quality food and cheap prices, especially at happy hour. Very friendly, accommodating wait staff. A fun place to satisfy your craving for combo platters.
Authentic interior Mexican food, always pleases. Award-winning salsas. Patio. 5-minute walk.
31 locals recommend
Sazon
1816 S Lamar Blvd
31 locals recommend
Authentic interior Mexican food, always pleases. Award-winning salsas. Patio. 5-minute walk.
Popular and trendy Spanish tapas bar with plenty of innovative small plates and a variety of paellas. Good happy hour specials. Large wine list.
91 locals recommend
Barlata
1500 S Lamar Blvd
91 locals recommend
Popular and trendy Spanish tapas bar with plenty of innovative small plates and a variety of paellas. Good happy hour specials. Large wine list.
Foodie alert! This upscale eatery gets rave reviews for its contemporary, farm-fresh "New American" food. Reservations highly recommended.
374 locals recommend
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar Blvd
374 locals recommend
Foodie alert! This upscale eatery gets rave reviews for its contemporary, farm-fresh "New American" food. Reservations highly recommended.
Nationally renowned for its traditional Japanese sushi and other dishes. Stylish and sophisticated - reservations strongly recommended.
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar Blvd
688 locals recommend
Nationally renowned for its traditional Japanese sushi and other dishes. Stylish and sophisticated - reservations strongly recommended.
The south side outpost of this creative, funky eatery by acclaimed chef Paul Qui. Asian fusion small plates and tacos.
111 locals recommend
East Side King
2310 S Lamar Blvd
111 locals recommend
The south side outpost of this creative, funky eatery by acclaimed chef Paul Qui. Asian fusion small plates and tacos.
A sleek storefront cafe with addictive Korean BBQ-Mexican fusion food. Good vegetarian choices. Famous for their kimchi fries. Half mile north on Lamar, next to One-2-One.
107 locals recommend
Chi'Lantro
1509 S Lamar Blvd
107 locals recommend
A sleek storefront cafe with addictive Korean BBQ-Mexican fusion food. Good vegetarian choices. Famous for their kimchi fries. Half mile north on Lamar, next to One-2-One.
A good place to grab a slice or a pie on your way back to the guest house. Huge slices, cheap and tasty.
18 locals recommend
360 Pizza
2107 Kinney Ave
18 locals recommend
A good place to grab a slice or a pie on your way back to the guest house. Huge slices, cheap and tasty.
It's "only" a trailer - but what a trailer! A relatively unknown gem in the competitive world of barbecue, it gets high ratings from those in the know. It's a 5-minute walk, in the parking lot of the Corner Bar, where you can enjoy your brisket in the bar.
25 locals recommend
Brown's BBQ
1901 S Lamar Blvd
25 locals recommend
It's "only" a trailer - but what a trailer! A relatively unknown gem in the competitive world of barbecue, it gets high ratings from those in the know. It's a 5-minute walk, in the parking lot of the Corner Bar, where you can enjoy your brisket in the bar.
NadaMoo has delicious dairy-free and gluten-free "ice creams" made with coconut milk. Perfect for the steamy Austin summers. It also offers vegan baked foods and coffee with dairy-free creamers. About 5-7 minute walk.
18 locals recommend
NadaMoo! Scoop Shop
1701 S Lamar Blvd
18 locals recommend
NadaMoo has delicious dairy-free and gluten-free "ice creams" made with coconut milk. Perfect for the steamy Austin summers. It also offers vegan baked foods and coffee with dairy-free creamers. About 5-7 minute walk.

Essentials

Forget to pack something (and we don't have it)? Pick up those essentials, plus beverages and snacks.
174 locals recommend
CVS
2101 S Lamar Blvd
174 locals recommend
Forget to pack something (and we don't have it)? Pick up those essentials, plus beverages and snacks.
More of a small grocery story, this is our go-to place for produce, quality meats and most other grocery essentials. Reasonable prices. 1.5 mile south on Lamar.
165 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
4006 S Lamar Blvd
165 locals recommend
More of a small grocery story, this is our go-to place for produce, quality meats and most other grocery essentials. Reasonable prices. 1.5 mile south on Lamar.
This is the mega grocery story; has pretty much everything you might want, including a pharmacy. It is very busy, sometimes long lines at checkout. 1 mile east on Oltorf.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet Rd
1667 locals recommend
This is the mega grocery story; has pretty much everything you might want, including a pharmacy. It is very busy, sometimes long lines at checkout. 1 mile east on Oltorf.
Target ... what more do you need to know?
99 locals recommend
Target
2300 W Ben White Blvd
99 locals recommend
Target ... what more do you need to know?
A slightly farther alternative to CVS. 1 mile south on Lamar at Bluebonnet.
143 locals recommend
Walgreens
2501 S Lamar Blvd
143 locals recommend
A slightly farther alternative to CVS. 1 mile south on Lamar at Bluebonnet.

Drinks & Nightlife

Always great bands and most days a free HH show at 6 pm. Has a distinctive, dark vibe and germanic decor. It's fine to drink, talk and have fun, but music is the focus. 0.6 mile north on Lamar.
284 locals recommend
Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar Blvd
284 locals recommend
Always great bands and most days a free HH show at 6 pm. Has a distinctive, dark vibe and germanic decor. It's fine to drink, talk and have fun, but music is the focus. 0.6 mile north on Lamar.
One of our faves, a fun pizza parlor/brewpub. Enjoy a tasty beer in their expansive beer garden. Sandwiches, salads. Kitchen closes at 11, bar at 12 pm. Beer & wine only. Live free music most evenings and on Sunday afternoons at 4.
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf St
435 locals recommend
One of our faves, a fun pizza parlor/brewpub. Enjoy a tasty beer in their expansive beer garden. Sandwiches, salads. Kitchen closes at 11, bar at 12 pm. Beer & wine only. Live free music most evenings and on Sunday afternoons at 4.
For over 50 years, this authentic Texas dance hall has been packing in the two-steppers and honkytonk music lovers. Now straddled by condos, this place is an endangered species and a true treasure.
478 locals recommend
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar Blvd
478 locals recommend
For over 50 years, this authentic Texas dance hall has been packing in the two-steppers and honkytonk music lovers. Now straddled by condos, this place is an endangered species and a true treasure.
A happening music venue with shows early (usually) and late every evening. Features Austin musicians and a broad variety music styles. Usually a modest cover charge. 0.5 mile north on Lamar.
52 locals recommend
One-2-One Bar
1509 S Lamar Blvd
52 locals recommend
A happening music venue with shows early (usually) and late every evening. Features Austin musicians and a broad variety music styles. Usually a modest cover charge. 0.5 mile north on Lamar.
A fun, electic place. Adjacent to the Alamo Drafthouse, it features live music and other fun events nightly, plus private karaoke rooms. Creative cocktails and bar bites. 0.75 mile north on Lamar.
152 locals recommend
The Highball
1120 S Lamar Blvd
152 locals recommend
A fun, electic place. Adjacent to the Alamo Drafthouse, it features live music and other fun events nightly, plus private karaoke rooms. Creative cocktails and bar bites. 0.75 mile north on Lamar.
This place is the best! It is a historic landmark on the National Historic Register for its music (not the building). Great booking (mostly Americana) and fun, free matinee shows on the weekends. Don't miss Redd Volkaert on Saturdays at 3:30! The upstairs Gallery is a sweet little music room, too. About 1.5 mile east, on happening South Congress.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress Ave
815 locals recommend
This place is the best! It is a historic landmark on the National Historic Register for its music (not the building). Great booking (mostly Americana) and fun, free matinee shows on the weekends. Don't miss Redd Volkaert on Saturdays at 3:30! The upstairs Gallery is a sweet little music room, too. About 1.5 mile east, on happening South Congress.
This is a sister venue to Continental Club, about a mile from here on South Congress. Nice vibe, most shows are free. On Sundays at 3:30 they host the South Austin version of chicken shit bingo with live music. It's a hoot!
242 locals recommend
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress Ave
242 locals recommend
This is a sister venue to Continental Club, about a mile from here on South Congress. Nice vibe, most shows are free. On Sundays at 3:30 they host the South Austin version of chicken shit bingo with live music. It's a hoot!
Located on the site of the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, this outdoor venue hosts lots of great acts. Seating is often limited (depending on the act) so you might want to bring a folding chair; we will loan you one. It is adjacent to a restaurant renowned for its delicious southern food and its Sunday gospel brunch. About 2 miles NE.
64 locals recommend
Threadgill's World Headquarters
301 W Riverside Dr
64 locals recommend
Located on the site of the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, this outdoor venue hosts lots of great acts. Seating is often limited (depending on the act) so you might want to bring a folding chair; we will loan you one. It is adjacent to a restaurant renowned for its delicious southern food and its Sunday gospel brunch. About 2 miles NE.

Arts & Culture

Besides being a cool outdoors sculpture museum, this beautiful property has outdoor yoga classes in a serene garden setting - yoga is Wed & Fri, 10-11:30, Sat 12-1, $15. Across from the back entrance of Barton Springs pool.
235 locals recommend
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton Rd
235 locals recommend
Besides being a cool outdoors sculpture museum, this beautiful property has outdoor yoga classes in a serene garden setting - yoga is Wed & Fri, 10-11:30, Sat 12-1, $15. Across from the back entrance of Barton Springs pool.
Iconic theater hosts mainstream flicks, plus lots of unique and quirky stuff. A main venue for SXSW and other film festivals. Full menu and drinks served right to your seat! .75 mile north on Lamar.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar Blvd
770 locals recommend
Iconic theater hosts mainstream flicks, plus lots of unique and quirky stuff. A main venue for SXSW and other film festivals. Full menu and drinks served right to your seat! .75 mile north on Lamar.
It's defined as a "museum," but in reality it's a quirky trip back in time that explores Austin's "weird" culture, often musical. Cheap (throw a donation into the bucket), pretty small (you'll be out within an hour) and definitely worth a look.
19 locals recommend
South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
6416 North Lamar Boulevard
19 locals recommend
It's defined as a "museum," but in reality it's a quirky trip back in time that explores Austin's "weird" culture, often musical. Cheap (throw a donation into the bucket), pretty small (you'll be out within an hour) and definitely worth a look.

Entertainment & Activities

This is my regular studio. Tons of classes of a wide variety of styles, wonderful teachers and staff. 2.5 miles south on Lamar (just past Hwy 71).
27 locals recommend
Yoga Yoga Westgate
4477 S Lamar Blvd
27 locals recommend
This is my regular studio. Tons of classes of a wide variety of styles, wonderful teachers and staff. 2.5 miles south on Lamar (just past Hwy 71).
My second 'go-to' yoga studio. Nice vibe, great instructors. My only small gripe is that they sometimes burn incense, which my respiratory system does not like. $20 drop in rate. 8 minute walk.
18 locals recommend
Sukha Yoga Austin
2324 S Lamar Blvd
18 locals recommend
My second 'go-to' yoga studio. Nice vibe, great instructors. My only small gripe is that they sometimes burn incense, which my respiratory system does not like. $20 drop in rate. 8 minute walk.

Parks & Nature

The crown jewel of Austin, this spring-fed pool is situated in a beautiful natural setting. A refreshing 68 degrees year-round. Use the South Entrance (1 mile from us) for easiest access. $4 admission
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2131 William Barton Dr
2454 locals recommend
The crown jewel of Austin, this spring-fed pool is situated in a beautiful natural setting. A refreshing 68 degrees year-round. Use the South Entrance (1 mile from us) for easiest access. $4 admission
This expansive park is home to ACL Festival, Holiday of Lights and more. Adjacent to Lady Bird Lake and the hike & bike trail, near Barton Springs eateries. A pleasant 1.25 miles from the guest house.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs Rd
1533 locals recommend
This expansive park is home to ACL Festival, Holiday of Lights and more. Adjacent to Lady Bird Lake and the hike & bike trail, near Barton Springs eateries. A pleasant 1.25 miles from the guest house.
If Barton Springs happens to be closed (due to weather or maintenance), here's a sweet spot to take a swim. In the Travis Heights neighborhood, between South Congress and I-35. The Blum Creek greenbelt also has a nice trail for strolling.
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak St
158 locals recommend
If Barton Springs happens to be closed (due to weather or maintenance), here's a sweet spot to take a swim. In the Travis Heights neighborhood, between South Congress and I-35. The Blum Creek greenbelt also has a nice trail for strolling.
This is a great trail for hiking in the heart of the city, but not necessarily for beginners.
235 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail
235 locals recommend
This is a great trail for hiking in the heart of the city, but not necessarily for beginners.

Shopping

Middle Eastern grocer with delicious house-made pita, hummus, tabouli, falafel and much more. Great for a picnic. They also make inexpensive sandwiches to go. 1 mile south on Lamar.
28 locals recommend
Phoenicia
2912 S Lamar Blvd
28 locals recommend
Middle Eastern grocer with delicious house-made pita, hummus, tabouli, falafel and much more. Great for a picnic. They also make inexpensive sandwiches to go. 1 mile south on Lamar.
Lots of fun to stroll South Congress, especially on the weekend. Great people watching, tons of restaurants, cafes, food trailers and bars, quirky shops and outdoors markets, live music and more.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
650 locals recommend
Lots of fun to stroll South Congress, especially on the weekend. Great people watching, tons of restaurants, cafes, food trailers and bars, quirky shops and outdoors markets, live music and more.
Not quite as pedestrian friendly as South Congress, but this main drag has plenty of interesting shops and boutiques, as well as restaurants, coffee shops & cafes, plus essentials like drug stores and more.
19 locals recommend
South Lamar Boulevard
South Lamar Boulevard
19 locals recommend
Not quite as pedestrian friendly as South Congress, but this main drag has plenty of interesting shops and boutiques, as well as restaurants, coffee shops & cafes, plus essentials like drug stores and more.
Lots of funky little shops, food trailers and coffeeshops on South First. Ignore the Airbnb map - the heart of the area I'm referring to intersects with Mary Street, about half a mile from us. The stretch extends several blocks north and south of that intersection.
13 locals recommend
South 1st Street
South 1st Street
13 locals recommend
Lots of funky little shops, food trailers and coffeeshops on South First. Ignore the Airbnb map - the heart of the area I'm referring to intersects with Mary Street, about half a mile from us. The stretch extends several blocks north and south of that intersection.