Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Iconic local Tex-Mex joint famous for original menu items and the Mexican Martini.
72 locals recommend
Trudy's Texas Star
409 W 30th StIconic local Tex-Mex joint famous for original menu items and the Mexican Martini.
Brunch hotspot with a nice patio and crowd-pleasing menu. Waits can get long on weekends, but it's tasty and walking distance.
214 locals recommend
Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdBrunch hotspot with a nice patio and crowd-pleasing menu. Waits can get long on weekends, but it's tasty and walking distance.
Austin outpost from legendary Lockhart, TX BBQ family. Great patio and selection of TX beers and sodas (think Big Red). If BBQ is on your Austin agenda, this should be your first stop. Get the brisket and sausage!
99 locals recommend
Black's Barbecue Austin
3110 Guadalupe StAustin outpost from legendary Lockhart, TX BBQ family. Great patio and selection of TX beers and sodas (think Big Red). If BBQ is on your Austin agenda, this should be your first stop. Get the brisket and sausage!
French inspired bakery that acts like an elegant coffee shop by day and a gourmet bistro by night.
54 locals recommend
Texas French Bread
2900 Rio Grande StFrench inspired bakery that acts like an elegant coffee shop by day and a gourmet bistro by night.
My favorite pizza joint serving deep dish Detroit-style pies and homemade thin crust. Full bar and draft beers. Also, they have Fanta!
372 locals recommend
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StMy favorite pizza joint serving deep dish Detroit-style pies and homemade thin crust. Full bar and draft beers. Also, they have Fanta!
World famous Japanese farmhouse cuisine / sushi. Go for the eary evening sake social hour for huge discounts to their somewhat pricey menu.
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdWorld famous Japanese farmhouse cuisine / sushi. Go for the eary evening sake social hour for huge discounts to their somewhat pricey menu.
Our favorite Sushi spot. Stylisn yet unpretentioys and always impecible food quality.
197 locals recommend
Komé
5301 Airport BlvdOur favorite Sushi spot. Stylisn yet unpretentioys and always impecible food quality.
Drinks & Nightlife
Neighborhood pub with well-curated draft beers, wines, and sake with outstanding French food open until Midnight.
74 locals recommend
Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe StNeighborhood pub with well-curated draft beers, wines, and sake with outstanding French food open until Midnight.
Local institution bar/coffee shop/music venue with massive & surreal patio under huge pecan trees. Open super late with awesome food and beverage options. Live music & events most nights.
176 locals recommend
Spider House Ballroom
2906 Fruth StLocal institution bar/coffee shop/music venue with massive & surreal patio under huge pecan trees. Open super late with awesome food and beverage options. Live music & events most nights.
So close, so fantastic! Great dive bar from the hometown team behind the local-favorite North Loop bar, Workhorse. Solid selection of Texas drafts and liquor, outdoor patio, good jukebox, and tasty Pastrami-centric deli food truck open late. It's literally less than a block away!
9 locals recommend
Back Lot
606 Maiden LnSo close, so fantastic! Great dive bar from the hometown team behind the local-favorite North Loop bar, Workhorse. Solid selection of Texas drafts and liquor, outdoor patio, good jukebox, and tasty Pastrami-centric deli food truck open late. It's literally less than a block away!
Campus area institution for live music. You won't see superstars here, but you can show up most nights and see some honky tonk and indie rock to write home about.
55 locals recommend
The Hole In the Wall
2538 Guadalupe StCampus area institution for live music. You won't see superstars here, but you can show up most nights and see some honky tonk and indie rock to write home about.
Intimate venue on UT Campus with eclectic and often outstanding acts. Check in advance for lineups because it sells out fast.
21 locals recommend
Cactus Cafe
2247 Guadalupe StIntimate venue on UT Campus with eclectic and often outstanding acts. Check in advance for lineups because it sells out fast.
Quirky little-know dive bar serving canned beer only just past Mount Bonnell. Last time I was there an old lady with a mullet and a wolf t-shirt gave me a koozy for my can of Lone Star and I drank up on the roof among the treetops on a sunny afternoon. What more do you want of your Austin experience?
8 locals recommend
Dry Creek Cafe
4812 Mt Bonnell RdQuirky little-know dive bar serving canned beer only just past Mount Bonnell. Last time I was there an old lady with a mullet and a wolf t-shirt gave me a koozy for my can of Lone Star and I drank up on the roof among the treetops on a sunny afternoon. What more do you want of your Austin experience?
Secret Mezcal & Tequila bar above a Mexican restaurant. You have to enter through the front yard another fine bar, School House Pub. Very friendly and informative bartenders. Try a mezcal flight: sip from little terra cotta cups with chile-salt dipped oranges on the side.
49 locals recommend
Techo Mezcaleria and Agave Bar
2201 Manor RdSecret Mezcal & Tequila bar above a Mexican restaurant. You have to enter through the front yard another fine bar, School House Pub. Very friendly and informative bartenders. Try a mezcal flight: sip from little terra cotta cups with chile-salt dipped oranges on the side.
Parks & Nature
Great park you can access via the Shoal Creek Greenbelt urban trail, which you can access just west of Lamar Blvd. at 30th st. Continue through Pease Park along the greenbelt straight into dowtown!
100 locals recommend
Pease District Park
1100 Kingsbury StGreat park you can access via the Shoal Creek Greenbelt urban trail, which you can access just west of Lamar Blvd. at 30th st. Continue through Pease Park along the greenbelt straight into dowtown!
Sightseeing
Must do overlook of the Colorado and Austin hill country. Lots of steps to the top, so leave your pointy boots and stilettos at at the house. If you work up a thirst, drive about a quarter mile past the entrance to the Dry Creek Saloon for a cold one. It's weird in a mostly good way.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Must do overlook of the Colorado and Austin hill country. Lots of steps to the top, so leave your pointy boots and stilettos at at the house. If you work up a thirst, drive about a quarter mile past the entrance to the Dry Creek Saloon for a cold one. It's weird in a mostly good way.
It's a pedestrian only bridge spanning Lady Bird Lake connecting two great sections of the hike and bike trail. Best place to catch sunsets and skyline view. It's where I proposed!
32 locals recommend
Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
222 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailIt's a pedestrian only bridge spanning Lady Bird Lake connecting two great sections of the hike and bike trail. Best place to catch sunsets and skyline view. It's where I proposed!
Part of the Contemporary Austin Museum family. A historic lakefront mansion with incredibly lush grounds adorned with stunning (and often massive) art installations.
6 locals recommend
Laguna Gloria Trail
Laguna Gloria TrailPart of the Contemporary Austin Museum family. A historic lakefront mansion with incredibly lush grounds adorned with stunning (and often massive) art installations.
Shopping
Gigantic gourmet grocery store from Texas grocery institution, HEB. Originally intended to compete with Whole Foods, CM has become more of a foodie destination with rare imports and second to none meat, seafood, and produce. Good for groceries, fun to roam and graze. Easy walk
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdGigantic gourmet grocery store from Texas grocery institution, HEB. Originally intended to compete with Whole Foods, CM has become more of a foodie destination with rare imports and second to none meat, seafood, and produce. Good for groceries, fun to roam and graze. Easy walk
Cute boutique with clothes, bath and body items, and great souvenirs
12 locals recommend
Blue Elephant Boutique
4001 N Lamar BlvdCute boutique with clothes, bath and body items, and great souvenirs
Essentials
Local favorite grocery co-op with fantastic prepared snacks, plus rotating hot food and salad bar. Decent beer and wine selection, too. Easy walk and quick to get in and out.
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StLocal favorite grocery co-op with fantastic prepared snacks, plus rotating hot food and salad bar. Decent beer and wine selection, too. Easy walk and quick to get in and out.
SpinCycle Coin Laundry
3501 Guadalupe StReliable 24-hour turnaround wash and fold.
EcoClean
4012 N Lamar Blvd