Steef's Guidebook
Essentials
This is a small grocer just around the corner. They are open until midnight, have a very kind
owner and an awesome assortment of local beers and wines. Very nearby and great to grab some
quick supplies.
North Loop Food Store
120 N Loop Blvd EKnown for: Good coffee and a tranquil vibe
Cozy and unique place with all kinds of art on the walls and ceilings. There is a nice and relaxing
patio and a printer if you need one.
99 locals recommend
Flightpath Coffeehouse
5011 Duval StKnown for: Good coffee and a tranquil vibe
Cozy and unique place with all kinds of art on the walls and ceilings. There is a nice and relaxing
patio and a printer if you need one.
Food scene
Known for: American style breakfast food truck
Popular daytime food truck (open until 2 pm), they serve a variety of biscuit dishes with creative
toppings and gravies, they also have vegan options
64 locals recommend
Biscuits and Groovy
5015 Duval StKnown for: American style breakfast food truck
Popular daytime food truck (open until 2 pm), they serve a variety of biscuit dishes with creative
toppings and gravies, they also have vegan options
Located at 501 E 53rd St, Austin, TX, 78751
Known for: NY-style pizza, vintage and quirky decor and kids' play area
My absolute favorite pizza in town! Great thing is, you can get it by the slice. They have nice
outdoor and indoor seating and are kid and dog friendly.
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveLocated at 501 E 53rd St, Austin, TX, 78751
Known for: NY-style pizza, vintage and quirky decor and kids' play area
My absolute favorite pizza in town! Great thing is, you can get it by the slice. They have nice
outdoor and indoor seating and are kid and dog friendly.
Known for: Romantic French fine dining.
Steaks and snails plus wine & cocktails in a little bungalow with a light-strung patio. This place
had amazing bread (hard to find in Austin!) It has a creative but high-end vibe and they have
some fancy French dishes that are still affordable. Make a reservation! They go quick.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StKnown for: Romantic French fine dining.
Steaks and snails plus wine & cocktails in a little bungalow with a light-strung patio. This place
had amazing bread (hard to find in Austin!) It has a creative but high-end vibe and they have
some fancy French dishes that are still affordable. Make a reservation! They go quick.
Known for: retro all-day cafe, creative crowd.
This place has a very artsy and creative feel. It's easy to bring your dog because there is tons of
outside seating. They sell wine, beer, cocktails, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
100 locals recommend
Kinda Tropical
3501 E 7th StKnown for: retro all-day cafe, creative crowd.
This place has a very artsy and creative feel. It's easy to bring your dog because there is tons of
outside seating. They sell wine, beer, cocktails, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Known for: breakfast. Comfort food.
A great traditional southern diner offering a full bar and breakfast. The lunch and dinner menu
offers choices inspired from the best kitchens between East Austin and New Orleans. Think
sunny side eggs, biscuit and gravy and grits!
140 locals recommend
Sawyer & Co
4827 E Cesar Chavez StKnown for: breakfast. Comfort food.
A great traditional southern diner offering a full bar and breakfast. The lunch and dinner menu
offers choices inspired from the best kitchens between East Austin and New Orleans. Think
sunny side eggs, biscuit and gravy and grits!
Known for: Restaurant, Stunning Views, Groups, Budget Friendly
Great when it's nice weather. Sit back and enjoy the view of lake Austin while drinking Piña
Coladas!
269 locals recommend
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdKnown for: Restaurant, Stunning Views, Groups, Budget Friendly
Great when it's nice weather. Sit back and enjoy the view of lake Austin while drinking Piña
Coladas!
There are multiple locations. If you are going vintage shopping near Guadalupe, there is one right there! Known for: Restaurant, Families, Budget Friendlv, Breakfast and Brunch
The best Queso in town!!!
270 locals recommend
Torchys Tacos
1822 South Congress AvenueThere are multiple locations. If you are going vintage shopping near Guadalupe, there is one right there! Known for: Restaurant, Families, Budget Friendlv, Breakfast and Brunch
The best Queso in town!!!
Known for: Stylish but casual New American dining
Very cute place with a great atmosphere. It is definitely more on the expensive side, but you get
what you pay for. Get reservations if you are planning to dine at Josephine's
176 locals recommend
Josephine House
1601 Waterston AveKnown for: Stylish but casual New American dining
Very cute place with a great atmosphere. It is definitely more on the expensive side, but you get
what you pay for. Get reservations if you are planning to dine at Josephine's
Drinks and nightlife
Known for: Affordable rustic-chic local bar with burgers and craft beer
Very fair priced! $6 Margaritas and some of the best bar food in Austin.
Known for: Affordable rustic-chic local bar with burgers and craft beer
Very fair priced! $6 Margaritas during happy hour and some of the best bar food in Austin.
105 locals recommend
Workhorse Bar
100 N Loop Blvd EKnown for: Affordable rustic-chic local bar with burgers and craft beer
Very fair priced! $6 Margaritas during happy hour and some of the best bar food in Austin.
Known for: Affordable laid-back saloon with eclectic music
Classic dive bar vibes, in the best way! Cozy but still lively enough to be exciting. With a jukebox, billiards, foosball and a patio
47 locals recommend
Barflys Austin
5420 Airport BlvdKnown for: Affordable laid-back saloon with eclectic music
Classic dive bar vibes, in the best way! Cozy but still lively enough to be exciting. With a jukebox, billiards, foosball and a patio
Known for: Cozy Gastropub, stylish, innovative cocktails
Super friendly bartenders who make great drinks, they have the willingness and creativity to
make a custom drink just for you. The brussel sprouts are very popular and there is a good
happy hour.
155 locals recommend
drink.well.
207 E 53rd StKnown for: Cozy Gastropub, stylish, innovative cocktails
Super friendly bartenders who make great drinks, they have the willingness and creativity to
make a custom drink just for you. The brussel sprouts are very popular and there is a good
happy hour.
Known for: dance club, LGBTQ friendly
This spot is fantastic. The coconut club is connected to Neon Grotto (the bar next door), so for
one entree you can go to two different rooftops, a dark dancy basement, a stylish Miami vice
type bar and more. They have drag shows on their rooftop and a funky and creative crowd.
16 locals recommend
Coconut Club
310B Colorado StKnown for: dance club, LGBTQ friendly
This spot is fantastic. The coconut club is connected to Neon Grotto (the bar next door), so for
one entree you can go to two different rooftops, a dark dancy basement, a stylish Miami vice
type bar and more. They have drag shows on their rooftop and a funky and creative crowd.
Known for: Nightclub, Late Nights, Groups, Touristy
This is the place to go when you love club dancing. Every night they have a different music
style and it's busy all the time. It's in the heart of most places to go out and drink but this place
is hands down the best. It can be a little sketchy on 6th street, so go with a little group and don't
leave your coat or purse unattended.
153 locals recommend
Barbarella
611 Red River StKnown for: Nightclub, Late Nights, Groups, Touristy
This is the place to go when you love club dancing. Every night they have a different music
style and it's busy all the time. It's in the heart of most places to go out and drink but this place
is hands down the best. It can be a little sketchy on 6th street, so go with a little group and don't
leave your coat or purse unattended.
Known for Brewery, Peace & Quiet, Stunning Views, Live Music, Families
This brewery is in 30th place of best breweries in the World. Jester King gives free tours around their farm (cute goats!) and in their farmhouse brewery where they spontaneously
ferment their beers. Great place to have unique beer, eat pizza and bring your kids (there is a play sand dune and scape) or bring your dog.
298 locals recommend
Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdKnown for Brewery, Peace & Quiet, Stunning Views, Live Music, Families
This brewery is in 30th place of best breweries in the World. Jester King gives free tours around their farm (cute goats!) and in their farmhouse brewery where they spontaneously
ferment their beers. Great place to have unique beer, eat pizza and bring your kids (there is a play sand dune and scape) or bring your dog.
Known for: Nightclub, Late Nights
This is an awesome place to experience the country culture of Texas. You can learn two
stepping and they have the best tacos in town
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StKnown for: Nightclub, Late Nights
This is an awesome place to experience the country culture of Texas. You can learn two
stepping and they have the best tacos in town
Known for: Nightlife, Secret Spots, Live Music, Romance, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly
This small little wine bar has the best Monday night open Mic-night. If you like to experience
what the musicians in Austin have to offer you can visit this open-mic for free and even bring
your own food. It's very close to the Barton springs pool
85 locals recommend
House Wine
408 Josephine StKnown for: Nightlife, Secret Spots, Live Music, Romance, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly
This small little wine bar has the best Monday night open Mic-night. If you like to experience
what the musicians in Austin have to offer you can visit this open-mic for free and even bring
your own food. It's very close to the Barton springs pool
Sightseeing
Known for: Great sunsets and big views
Beautiful view and nice short walk via steps up the mountain.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Known for: Great sunsets and big views
Beautiful view and nice short walk via steps up the mountain.
Known for: Point of Interest, bats
One of the most popular things to do in Austin is watching the bats come out from underneath
this bridge. It starts in late March and continues through early fall. They start their night flight
around sunset, hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake
The view from on the bridge is great but you can also rent a Canoe and watch it from the river.
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueKnown for: Point of Interest, bats
One of the most popular things to do in Austin is watching the bats come out from underneath
this bridge. It starts in late March and continues through early fall. They start their night flight
around sunset, hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake
The view from on the bridge is great but you can also rent a Canoe and watch it from the river.
Parks and nature
Known for: Stunning Views, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly
This is a very large park with so many different functions in the city. People come here to play
fetch with their dog, hang out in groups on blankets and have picnics. Play ultimate frisbee or
soccer. At night there are often fire spinners and acro yoga. This is the location of the music
festival ACL during the fall. Across the street from this park is a big playground for kids.
16 locals recommend
Zilker Park Disc Golf Course
2100 Barton Springs RdKnown for: Stunning Views, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly
This is a very large park with so many different functions in the city. People come here to play
fetch with their dog, hang out in groups on blankets and have picnics. Play ultimate frisbee or
soccer. At night there are often fire spinners and acro yoga. This is the location of the music
festival ACL during the fall. Across the street from this park is a big playground for kids.
Known for: Parks & Nature, Early Birds, Peace & Quiet, Secret Spots, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly, Touristy
This is my favorite place in this city. This vast Olympic size swimming pool is filled with natural
spring water and has a natural rock bottom. It's a dammed-off piece of the Colorado river.
People love to socialize on the grass and swim in the cold water when it's at it's hottest here in
Austin. No dogs or food and drinks but bring your floatie and good company/a good book. PRO
TIP: If you casually say the word 'local' at the front gate your price is only $3 instead of the
usual $9. (Pricing might be different after the Covid-19 Pandemic)
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrKnown for: Parks & Nature, Early Birds, Peace & Quiet, Secret Spots, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly, Touristy
This is my favorite place in this city. This vast Olympic size swimming pool is filled with natural
spring water and has a natural rock bottom. It's a dammed-off piece of the Colorado river.
People love to socialize on the grass and swim in the cold water when it's at it's hottest here in
Austin. No dogs or food and drinks but bring your floatie and good company/a good book. PRO
TIP: If you casually say the word 'local' at the front gate your price is only $3 instead of the
usual $9. (Pricing might be different after the Covid-19 Pandemic)
Known for: Parks & Nature, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly, Touristy
You can rent a little Canoe or Kayak here. It is walking distance so don't bother bringing your
car and looking for parking. You can walk along Ann and Roy butler hike and bike trail and
cross a small bridge to the left. You have to walk back on the other side of the river and you will
find the rental dock. It costs $18 for an hour of a rental. You can row all the way to congress
bridge or just hang out on the water with a drink
124 locals recommend
Zilker Park Boat Rentals
2101 Andrew Zilker RdKnown for: Parks & Nature, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly, Touristy
You can rent a little Canoe or Kayak here. It is walking distance so don't bother bringing your
car and looking for parking. You can walk along Ann and Roy butler hike and bike trail and
cross a small bridge to the left. You have to walk back on the other side of the river and you will
find the rental dock. It costs $18 for an hour of a rental. You can row all the way to congress
bridge or just hang out on the water with a drink
Arts & culture
Known for: 1892 Studio and Residence of celebrated German artist
It's the oldest museum in Austin with a lot of sculptures made by Elisabeth Ney and other
exhibits. Great outside walking area and a park across a bridge with tennis and areas to picnic.
77 locals recommend
Elisabet Ney Museum
304 E 44th StKnown for: 1892 Studio and Residence of celebrated German artist
It's the oldest museum in Austin with a lot of sculptures made by Elisabeth Ney and other
exhibits. Great outside walking area and a park across a bridge with tennis and areas to picnic.
Known for: School or University, Peace & Quiet, Stunning Views, Iconic Scenes, Secret Spots, Budget
Friendly. This place is great! It's a beautiful villa/art school. Would be nice to combine with a trip to peacock park and mount-Bonnel. You can walk around on their premises for free and stroll thru their sculpture garden with work of amongst others Ai Wei Wei. Sometimes they also have one
day courses in for example natural dying or wheel throwing.
98 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StKnown for: School or University, Peace & Quiet, Stunning Views, Iconic Scenes, Secret Spots, Budget
Friendly. This place is great! It's a beautiful villa/art school. Would be nice to combine with a trip to peacock park and mount-Bonnel. You can walk around on their premises for free and stroll thru their sculpture garden with work of amongst others Ai Wei Wei. Sometimes they also have one
day courses in for example natural dying or wheel throwing.
Known for: Art Gallery, Rainy Days, Peace & Quiet, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly
At Canopy on the East side you can see more then one gallery at once. Its a whole lot of galleries combined and they have a great coffee place too. Definitely worth going to if you love the arts.
84 locals recommend
Canopy Austin
916 Springdale RdKnown for: Art Gallery, Rainy Days, Peace & Quiet, Groups, Families, Budget Friendly
At Canopy on the East side you can see more then one gallery at once. Its a whole lot of galleries combined and they have a great coffee place too. Definitely worth going to if you love the arts.
Vintage shopping
Known for: Boutique for womenswear, vintage, designer labels
Not the friendliest staff (they don't like it when you take pictures), but very high-end designer vintage. Whether you can afford it or not, it's still a great place to check out and get inspired.
Big Bertha's Paradise
112 N Loop Blvd EKnown for: Boutique for womenswear, vintage, designer labels
Not the friendliest staff (they don't like it when you take pictures), but very high-end designer vintage. Whether you can afford it or not, it's still a great place to check out and get inspired.
Known for: Retro T-shirts, vintage for men & women.
Independent shop, small-ish selection but well chosen. Also reasonably priced
7 locals recommend
Ermine Vintage
106 N Loop Blvd EKnown for: Retro T-shirts, vintage for men & women.
Independent shop, small-ish selection but well chosen. Also reasonably priced
Known for: Vintage clothing, home goods and furniture.
Solid prices and good quality. It's not big and more furniture than clothing.
6 locals recommend
Revival Vintage
5201 N Lamar BlvdKnown for: Vintage clothing, home goods and furniture.
Solid prices and good quality. It's not big and more furniture than clothing.
Known for: Vintage, secondhand and upcycled Clothing Store
Cool affordable vintage store in a nice college neighborhood. There is also a Pavement vintage store right next to this one, and a couple of smaller vintage places right across the street
38 locals recommend
Buffalo Exchange
2904 Guadalupe StKnown for: Vintage, secondhand and upcycled Clothing Store
Cool affordable vintage store in a nice college neighborhood. There is also a Pavement vintage store right next to this one, and a couple of smaller vintage places right across the street
Known for: Shopping, Rainy Days, Live Music, Groups, Families, Touristy
Walk down SOCO the nicest street in Austin. Great vintage shops and overall good representation of what Austin has to offer.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
Known for: Shopping, Rainy Days, Live Music, Groups, Families, Touristy
Walk down SOCO the nicest street in Austin. Great vintage shops and overall good representation of what Austin has to offer.