Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Seriously the best BBQ in town. Crazy long lines, especially on the weekends. PRO TIP: order days in advance on their website (skip the line and no order minimum).
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StSeriously the best BBQ in town. Crazy long lines, especially on the weekends. PRO TIP: order days in advance on their website (skip the line and no order minimum).
One of Austin's most popular taco food trucks. I love their fresh squeezed juices and smoothies.
314 locals recommend
Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadOne of Austin's most popular taco food trucks. I love their fresh squeezed juices and smoothies.
Northern Thai street food style. Authentic and very spicy. Love the bag of sticky rice that comes with every dish.
46 locals recommend
DEE DEE - Northern Thai Street Food
4204 Menchaca RdNorthern Thai street food style. Authentic and very spicy. Love the bag of sticky rice that comes with every dish.
Food truck in Craft Pride serving delicious Detroit-style deep dish pizza. One of our favorite spots.
54 locals recommend
Via 313 Pizza - Rainey Street
96 Rainey StFood truck in Craft Pride serving delicious Detroit-style deep dish pizza. One of our favorite spots.
This beer garden also makes a huge selection of fresh-baked breads each morning. They sell their breads to restaurants all across town. Great place to stop by in the morning for a chocolate croissant.
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StThis beer garden also makes a huge selection of fresh-baked breads each morning. They sell their breads to restaurants all across town. Great place to stop by in the morning for a chocolate croissant.
Very popular local chain. Korean/Mexican fusion brick-and-mortar restaurant. This is a great spot for a quick bite. They have kimchi fries covered in bulgogi, magic sauce, cheese, kimchi, onion, and cilantro.
107 locals recommend
Chi'Lantro
1509 S Lamar BlvdVery popular local chain. Korean/Mexican fusion brick-and-mortar restaurant. This is a great spot for a quick bite. They have kimchi fries covered in bulgogi, magic sauce, cheese, kimchi, onion, and cilantro.
Another favorite local chain. Delicious kebabs and a great vibe. Great place for a casual dinner and beers.
64 locals recommend
Kebabalicious
1311 E 7th StAnother favorite local chain. Delicious kebabs and a great vibe. Great place for a casual dinner and beers.
Pho Please
1920 E Riverside DrTrendy pho shop with amazing pork belly buns.
Pueblo Viejo
The absolute best breakfast tacos with great prices.
Great place for a date night. Call ahead of time to check the wait; it is usually an hour or longer.
180 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez StGreat place for a date night. Call ahead of time to check the wait; it is usually an hour or longer.
They have a crazy weekend Southern brunch buffet. You may have to wait for a table. Lots of casserole, mac and cheese, waffles, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy...
150 locals recommend
Moonshine Grill
303 Red River StThey have a crazy weekend Southern brunch buffet. You may have to wait for a table. Lots of casserole, mac and cheese, waffles, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy...
Great sushi and environment. Try the Nomnomiyaki... just listen to this description... Japanese savory pork belly & napa cabbage pancake, topped with sunny side up egg, spicy mayo, tonkatsu, sriracha, crispy shallots, micro arugula.
112 locals recommend
Lucky Robot
1303 S Congress AveGreat sushi and environment. Try the Nomnomiyaki... just listen to this description... Japanese savory pork belly & napa cabbage pancake, topped with sunny side up egg, spicy mayo, tonkatsu, sriracha, crispy shallots, micro arugula.
Arguably the best sushi in Austin. Traditional sushi with $$$$ prices. They have slightly more affordable options during their daily 5-6:30PM happy hour. Get there before 5PM to get a seat.
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdArguably the best sushi in Austin. Traditional sushi with $$$$ prices. They have slightly more affordable options during their daily 5-6:30PM happy hour. Get there before 5PM to get a seat.
Order-at-the-window restaurant inside a bar. Large portions and fresh ingredients. My favorite is their tilapia salad.
17 locals recommend
Turf N' Surf Po Boy
407 Lavaca StOrder-at-the-window restaurant inside a bar. Large portions and fresh ingredients. My favorite is their tilapia salad.
Torchy's Tacos started right in Austin and has expanded throughout Texas. (We really love our local chains.) They have superb tacos, Mexican corn, and green chile queso. Order-at-the-front, free parking and BYOB! There is a gas station conveniently located next door where you can grab a six-pack to go along with you tacos.
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StTorchy's Tacos started right in Austin and has expanded throughout Texas. (We really love our local chains.) They have superb tacos, Mexican corn, and green chile queso. Order-at-the-front, free parking and BYOB! There is a gas station conveniently located next door where you can grab a six-pack to go along with you tacos.
Food truck that serves fresh, hot, savory and dessert donuts. They offer items like the Mother Clucker (fried chicken with donut) and Granny's Pie (caramel, pecans, bananas & graham cracker donut). One donut would make a meal! Also BYOB.
64 locals recommend
Gourdough's Big. Fat. Donuts.
1503 S 1st StFood truck that serves fresh, hot, savory and dessert donuts. They offer items like the Mother Clucker (fried chicken with donut) and Granny's Pie (caramel, pecans, bananas & graham cracker donut). One donut would make a meal! Also BYOB.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdSuch great ramen.
This spot has grown from one food truck to various locations over Austin. The downtown location is open 9:30PM to 3AM. Expect saucy kebabs and amazing chicken & rice dishes. A must-go if you are out and about.
30 locals recommend
Halal Bros
2712 Guadalupe StThis spot has grown from one food truck to various locations over Austin. The downtown location is open 9:30PM to 3AM. Expect saucy kebabs and amazing chicken & rice dishes. A must-go if you are out and about.
Butcher shop and trendy restaurant. They have an amazing burger and french fries with homemade ketchup. Try to make it for their happy hour - they have drinks specials and discounts on their meat boards.
151 locals recommend
Salt & Time
1912 E 7th StButcher shop and trendy restaurant. They have an amazing burger and french fries with homemade ketchup. Try to make it for their happy hour - they have drinks specials and discounts on their meat boards.
Menu created by Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, two beloved Austin restaurants. This restaurant offers an Asian-American fusion. All of their dishes are flavorful. Great Happy Hour specials. It's an order at the bar setup, so food comes out pretty quickly.
276 locals recommend
Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdMenu created by Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, two beloved Austin restaurants. This restaurant offers an Asian-American fusion. All of their dishes are flavorful. Great Happy Hour specials. It's an order at the bar setup, so food comes out pretty quickly.
This award-winning food truck offers a unique Indian-Mexican fusion. They serve items like chicken curry on paratha shells topped with tomatoes, avocado, and sauces. Reasonable prices and located in a food truck pod with many other great options. Try their mango lassi. Hidden gem in Austin!
Kurry Takos
2730 East Cesar Chavez StreetThis award-winning food truck offers a unique Indian-Mexican fusion. They serve items like chicken curry on paratha shells topped with tomatoes, avocado, and sauces. Reasonable prices and located in a food truck pod with many other great options. Try their mango lassi. Hidden gem in Austin!
This is an indoor food hall that features some local Austin chains. Restaurants inside offer a good selection of choices: ramen, cheese plates, sandwiches, tacos, etc. The outdoor seating includes a large space with artificial turf shaded by heritage trees. Great spot for a large group.
25 locals recommend
Fareground
111 Congress AveThis is an indoor food hall that features some local Austin chains. Restaurants inside offer a good selection of choices: ramen, cheese plates, sandwiches, tacos, etc. The outdoor seating includes a large space with artificial turf shaded by heritage trees. Great spot for a large group.
Quick, delicious, and affordable. Casual setting and amazing service.
50 locals recommend
Gus’s Fried Chicken
117 San Jacinto BlvdQuick, delicious, and affordable. Casual setting and amazing service.
Drinks & Nightlife
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey StLots of amazing beer and sausage selections
Specialty cocktails made with lots of love. Great atmosphere and has a Thai food truck inside for the munchies.
561 locals recommend
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StSpecialty cocktails made with lots of love. Great atmosphere and has a Thai food truck inside for the munchies.
Set inside actual shipping containers, this bar is always packed with people. Great place for dancing! Con: It's bachelor/bachelorette party magnet.
86 locals recommend
Container Bar
90 Rainey StSet inside actual shipping containers, this bar is always packed with people. Great place for dancing! Con: It's bachelor/bachelorette party magnet.
HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th StConnected to The Volstead Lounge. Double the music, double the fun!
The Volstead Lounge shares back patio space with another music venue called Hotel Vegas. When you visit one, you get access to the other. The two venues usually play different genres of music, so you can hop back and forth. These spots always have live music, a food truck out back, and a great time.
102 locals recommend
The Volstead Lounge
1500 E 6th StThe Volstead Lounge shares back patio space with another music venue called Hotel Vegas. When you visit one, you get access to the other. The two venues usually play different genres of music, so you can hop back and forth. These spots always have live music, a food truck out back, and a great time.
Stay Gold usually has a jam band playing live music. My favorite thing about this bar is the food truck in the back called Toaster which serves the absolute best mac and cheese.
207 locals recommend
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StStay Gold usually has a jam band playing live music. My favorite thing about this bar is the food truck in the back called Toaster which serves the absolute best mac and cheese.
One of the classic music venues on Red River Street. The multi-level floorplan makes for an intimate music experience.
166 locals recommend
Mohawk Austin
912 Red River StOne of the classic music venues on Red River Street. The multi-level floorplan makes for an intimate music experience.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. If you are looking to dance, this is the place to be.
153 locals recommend
Barbarella
611 Red River StI LOVE THIS PLACE. If you are looking to dance, this is the place to be.
Parks & Nature
This biking and running trail leads you right into downtown. It's a great place to stroll.
71 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
Lady Bird Lake BoardwalkThis biking and running trail leads you right into downtown. It's a great place to stroll.
The Greenbelt offers amazing hiking just minutes from downtown. When you are on the trail, it feels like you're away from the city. Don't forget to bring a swimsuit! There are plenty of watering holes for swimming. On the weekends, you will see slacklines, acro yoga, and music.
531 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayThe Greenbelt offers amazing hiking just minutes from downtown. When you are on the trail, it feels like you're away from the city. Don't forget to bring a swimsuit! There are plenty of watering holes for swimming. On the weekends, you will see slacklines, acro yoga, and music.
A great big green space in downtown. There is always something fun going on, make sure to check for upcoming events.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdA great big green space in downtown. There is always something fun going on, make sure to check for upcoming events.
This state park is just a few minutes from downtown. It's a great place to get away from the city on the weekday. During popular times (like weekends after 12PM), make sure to call ahead because they start turning people away when the park hits capacity. Bring a swimsuit! There are some nice places to swim.
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyThis state park is just a few minutes from downtown. It's a great place to get away from the city on the weekday. During popular times (like weekends after 12PM), make sure to call ahead because they start turning people away when the park hits capacity. Bring a swimsuit! There are some nice places to swim.
Great place to rent kayaks and paddleboards. You can walk over on the shaded Lady Bird Lake trail.
41 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Kayaks
74 Trinity StGreat place to rent kayaks and paddleboards. You can walk over on the shaded Lady Bird Lake trail.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to inspiring the conservation of native plants. They are a botanical garden open to the public year-round. The place is beautiful, and they work hard to educate the public about native plant conservation and give back to the community.
252 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveThe Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to inspiring the conservation of native plants. They are a botanical garden open to the public year-round. The place is beautiful, and they work hard to educate the public about native plant conservation and give back to the community.
Essentials
This convenience store is just a quick walk down the street. It's stocked with craft beers, gourmet ice cream, and anything else you would need for a weekend in Austin.
26 locals recommend
Bread Basket Holly
1514 Holly StThis convenience store is just a quick walk down the street. It's stocked with craft beers, gourmet ice cream, and anything else you would need for a weekend in Austin.
This gas station also doubles as a craft beer store. It has one of the best beer selections around. The store owners are friendly and helpful with beer recommendations. I even found Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA there.. only once though.
30 locals recommend
East 1st Grocery
1811 E Cesar Chavez StThis gas station also doubles as a craft beer store. It has one of the best beer selections around. The store owners are friendly and helpful with beer recommendations. I even found Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA there.. only once though.
Whole Foods' flagship store below the Whole Foods headquarters (before Amazon purchase). Lots of eat-in options inside the store including sushi, noodles, sandwich shop, BBQ, hot line, coffee, pizza, desserts, etc. Grab your lunch and head outside to the second floor patio. Free parking.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdWhole Foods' flagship store below the Whole Foods headquarters (before Amazon purchase). Lots of eat-in options inside the store including sushi, noodles, sandwich shop, BBQ, hot line, coffee, pizza, desserts, etc. Grab your lunch and head outside to the second floor patio. Free parking.
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdYour typical HEB. Has everything you need and more.
Grocery store with great selection of snacks, desserts, and wine. Cute spot to eat outside. Free parking.
289 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrGrocery store with great selection of snacks, desserts, and wine. Cute spot to eat outside. Free parking.
Newer convenience store with many grab-and-go options. They serve great hot paninis and pre-packaged salad/pasta/sandwich options. Also a good place to pick up some wine or beer before heading to a BYOB food truck pod.
141 locals recommend
Royal Blue Grocery
609 Congress AveNewer convenience store with many grab-and-go options. They serve great hot paninis and pre-packaged salad/pasta/sandwich options. Also a good place to pick up some wine or beer before heading to a BYOB food truck pod.
Entertainment & Activities
Largest indoor bouldering gym in the world. Lots of problems for both beginners and pros. It also has a full gym with squat racks and treadmills.
160 locals recommend
Austin Bouldering Project
979 Springdale RdLargest indoor bouldering gym in the world. Lots of problems for both beginners and pros. It also has a full gym with squat racks and treadmills.
There is always something going on at Auditorium Shores/Long Center. In the summer, they play free movies on the lawn. Check their calendar for upcoming events.
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrThere is always something going on at Auditorium Shores/Long Center. In the summer, they play free movies on the lawn. Check their calendar for upcoming events.
Donation-based yoga studio. They have tons of classes throughout the day.
61 locals recommend
Practice Yoga Austin
1103 E 6th StDonation-based yoga studio. They have tons of classes throughout the day.
Nearby neighborhood pool. Free and open year-round. Water is heated in the winter.
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak StNearby neighborhood pool. Free and open year-round. Water is heated in the winter.
Take your group to do this escape room. The clues are complex and the design of the room is detailed and realistic. You will feel full immersed in the experience and forget you're in a game.
19 locals recommend
The Escape Game Austin
405 Red River StTake your group to do this escape room. The clues are complex and the design of the room is detailed and realistic. You will feel full immersed in the experience and forget you're in a game.
Arts & Culture
Opened October 2017. You will be amazed by this library. Visit the roof garden for great views of the city.
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StOpened October 2017. You will be amazed by this library. Visit the roof garden for great views of the city.
Sightseeing
Texas has the largest state capitol building in the US. It is built from iconic pink granite and full of history. Free tours daily that last about 30 minutes.
1119 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveTexas has the largest state capitol building in the US. It is built from iconic pink granite and full of history. Free tours daily that last about 30 minutes.