Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
A super adorable French bistro. Great for brunches, the garden in the back is beautiful
351 locals recommend
Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th StA super adorable French bistro. Great for brunches, the garden in the back is beautiful
This place has excellent coffee and excellent beer, and a great working atmosphere as well.
183 locals recommend
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos StThis place has excellent coffee and excellent beer, and a great working atmosphere as well.
A wonderful french restaurant in cute space. A bit further out but worth the trek.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StA wonderful french restaurant in cute space. A bit further out but worth the trek.
El Chilito has excellent tacos, and some of the best breakfast tacos in town. In addition, it has a full menu of coffees, agua frescas, and sangrias and mimosas. It’s located outdoors only.
302 locals recommend
El Chilito
2219 Manor RdEl Chilito has excellent tacos, and some of the best breakfast tacos in town. In addition, it has a full menu of coffees, agua frescas, and sangrias and mimosas. It’s located outdoors only.
A nice traditional coffeeshop located on Manor Road, this is a perfect place to take a laptop and work all day.
251 locals recommend
Thunderbird Coffee
2200 Manor RdA nice traditional coffeeshop located on Manor Road, this is a perfect place to take a laptop and work all day.
Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdCheap mexican restaurant with happy hour
A slightly more upscale sit down version of El Chilito. Tex-mex
141 locals recommend
El Chile Cafe y Cantina
1900 Manor RdA slightly more upscale sit down version of El Chilito. Tex-mex
A delicious and affordable Brazilian restaurant in East Austin. Great Mussels, Great Happy Hour.
25 locals recommend
Rio's Brazilian Cafe
408 N Pleasant Valley RdA delicious and affordable Brazilian restaurant in East Austin. Great Mussels, Great Happy Hour.
JuiceLand has some of the best juices and smoothies you can get anywhere, with the Originator being a particular favorite. They’re innovative, delicious, and healthy.
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdJuiceLand has some of the best juices and smoothies you can get anywhere, with the Originator being a particular favorite. They’re innovative, delicious, and healthy.
You have to eat some Mexican food while in Austin- this place is the epitome of the style of Mexican we have. The avacado margaritas are some of the best in town.
200 locals recommend
Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf StYou have to eat some Mexican food while in Austin- this place is the epitome of the style of Mexican we have. The avacado margaritas are some of the best in town.
A little bit more upscale Mexican. The design of this place is fantastic, and it’s downtown, close to everything. The happy hour has very reasonably priced items (happy hour menu is all half off!)
191 locals recommend
La Condesa
400 W 2nd StA little bit more upscale Mexican. The design of this place is fantastic, and it’s downtown, close to everything. The happy hour has very reasonably priced items (happy hour menu is all half off!)
John Mueller taught Aaron Franklin everything he knows about barbecue, and some argue that this is actually the best barbecue in town. Much better waiting times (get your food in 30 minutes or less)
40 locals recommend
John Mueller Meat Co
2500 E 6th StJohn Mueller taught Aaron Franklin everything he knows about barbecue, and some argue that this is actually the best barbecue in town. Much better waiting times (get your food in 30 minutes or less)
A sweet coffeeshop with good food and beer as well. Located inside an old house on Cesar Chavez Street- also has a great outdoor seating space overlooking the street.
379 locals recommend
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StA sweet coffeeshop with good food and beer as well. Located inside an old house on Cesar Chavez Street- also has a great outdoor seating space overlooking the street.
A good representation of east sixth street, this place has a great outdoor area to have a drink surrounded by bearded men that ride motorcycles.
244 locals recommend
Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th StA good representation of east sixth street, this place has a great outdoor area to have a drink surrounded by bearded men that ride motorcycles.
Tamale House East
1707 E 6th StTamale House East is a true east Austin institution
Even though this is a trailer, the menu is curated by Top Chef winning Paul Qui (who used to be the head chef at Uchiko and Uchi). Amazing food- I highly recommend the beet fries, brussel sprout salad
291 locals recommend
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetEven though this is a trailer, the menu is curated by Top Chef winning Paul Qui (who used to be the head chef at Uchiko and Uchi). Amazing food- I highly recommend the beet fries, brussel sprout salad
Delicious menu and great design within walking distance. How to get there: WALK: 8 minutes DRIVE; 2 minutes
354 locals recommend
Hillside Farmacy
1209 E 11th StDelicious menu and great design within walking distance. How to get there: WALK: 8 minutes DRIVE; 2 minutes
Drinks & Nightlife
A very lively bar with a great selection of live music- most nights, people will be two-stepping here.
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StA very lively bar with a great selection of live music- most nights, people will be two-stepping here.
Rio Rita
1203 Chicon StA cute, eclectic cocktail bar and coffeeshop on the east side.
Bar and Restaurant. Great cocktails and all day happy hour on Mondays.
288 locals recommend
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StBar and Restaurant. Great cocktails and all day happy hour on Mondays.
Really high quality cocktail bar- drinks are expensive (10- 15 each) but expertly made.
178 locals recommend
Weather Up
1808 E Cesar Chavez StReally high quality cocktail bar- drinks are expensive (10- 15 each) but expertly made.
One of the best designed spaces in the whole city, the Hotel San Jose courtyard is a perfect place to get a drink.
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveOne of the best designed spaces in the whole city, the Hotel San Jose courtyard is a perfect place to get a drink.
It absolutely does not get more ‘Texas’ than this. Sit on genuine leather seats surrounded by cowboys and taxi- dermy. I love this place.
104 locals recommend
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StIt absolutely does not get more ‘Texas’ than this. Sit on genuine leather seats surrounded by cowboys and taxi- dermy. I love this place.
Within walking distance of the house, this place has extremely charming character and knowledgable staff (Sam) who will help you select the perfect bottle out of hundreds.
48 locals recommend
East End Wines
1209 Rosewood AvenueWithin walking distance of the house, this place has extremely charming character and knowledgable staff (Sam) who will help you select the perfect bottle out of hundreds.
Arts & Culture
The Alamo Drafthouse was originally founded in Austin, and is now all over the United States. It’s a theater in which you can order food and drinks.
13729 Research Blvd #840
13729 Research BoulevardThe Alamo Drafthouse was originally founded in Austin, and is now all over the United States. It’s a theater in which you can order food and drinks.
Essentials
Although Whole Foods is now an international sensation,it actually had its humble beginnings in Austin, Texas. The 6th Street and Lamar location is its corporate headquarters.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdAlthough Whole Foods is now an international sensation,it actually had its humble beginnings in Austin, Texas. The 6th Street and Lamar location is its corporate headquarters.
Even though this is a convenience store, QP has an amazing assortment of beers, kombuchas, & coffees,plus real food (burgers, roast chicken, breakfast, brunch etc.
352 locals recommend
Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StEven though this is a convenience store, QP has an amazing assortment of beers, kombuchas, & coffees,plus real food (burgers, roast chicken, breakfast, brunch etc.
Sightseeing
The Lyndon B Johnson Library was newly renovated with the highest technology, and is extremely entertaining and education.
11 locals recommend
LBJ Library station
The Lyndon B Johnson Library was newly renovated with the highest technology, and is extremely entertaining and education.
Austin has the largest urban bat population of any city in North America. Many people gather at the bridge every evening as the sun is setting to watch the bats do a giant loop through the air.
919 Congress Ave
919 Congress AvenueAustin has the largest urban bat population of any city in North America. Many people gather at the bridge every evening as the sun is setting to watch the bats do a giant loop through the air.
This is an absolute must for anyone visiting Austin, especially in the summer. Often described as the ‘soul of Austin’, this is a naturally fed spring pool located in the very center of the city.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThis is an absolute must for anyone visiting Austin, especially in the summer. Often described as the ‘soul of Austin’, this is a naturally fed spring pool located in the very center of the city.