Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Try the Pork Jowl, but everything here is amazing. It's a local favorite
50 locals recommend
The Hightower
1209 E 7th StTry the Pork Jowl, but everything here is amazing. It's a local favorite
Licha's Cantina
1306 E 6th StMexican in a cute house
Dive bar with East Side King food truck out back. A famous truck in Austin. Thai fusion- incredible food
291 locals recommend
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetDive bar with East Side King food truck out back. A famous truck in Austin. Thai fusion- incredible food
Local coffee shop that also has beer on draft. I always get the Cold Brew
183 locals recommend
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos StLocal coffee shop that also has beer on draft. I always get the Cold Brew
Famous gourmet burger spot. Everything is good. If you like raw tuna definitely get the tuna burger, you'll have zero regrets. Also try the truffle fries.
Warning- there's usually a line
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveFamous gourmet burger spot. Everything is good. If you like raw tuna definitely get the tuna burger, you'll have zero regrets. Also try the truffle fries.
Warning- there's usually a line
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StCloses at 3pm. Mexican brunch for a hangover
Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th StNice little local spot for breakfast/lunch
Franklin's BBQ and La Barbecue are the two most popular spots in Austin for the best BBQ. The line is long at La BBQ as well but not nearly as bad as Franklin's. Also, local tip, you can pre-order La BBQ ahead of time but make sure it's a few days in advance
Pork ribs and brisket are the best.
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StFranklin's BBQ and La Barbecue are the two most popular spots in Austin for the best BBQ. The line is long at La BBQ as well but not nearly as bad as Franklin's. Also, local tip, you can pre-order La BBQ ahead of time but make sure it's a few days in advance
Pork ribs and brisket are the best.
Biergarten with live music during weekend brunch
264 locals recommend
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey StBiergarten with live music during weekend brunch
Coffee shop on the waterfront. Great place to do work or relax
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdCoffee shop on the waterfront. Great place to do work or relax
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdRamen spot
Multiple locations. Famous taco shop. The one on South Congress is the one Obama visitied
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StMultiple locations. Famous taco shop. The one on South Congress is the one Obama visitied
Koriente
621 E 7th StHealthy and quick Asian spot
Swift's Attic
315 Congress AveGood for brunch with $1 mimosas
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveCoffee shop with famous "I love you so much" graffiti
Everything Else
Try the Pork Jowl, but everything here is amazing. It's a local favorite
50 locals recommend
The Hightower
1209 E 7th StTry the Pork Jowl, but everything here is amazing. It's a local favorite
Drinks & Nightlife
Fantastic interior bar for cocktails. Also has a great Thai fusion food truck out back
561 locals recommend
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StFantastic interior bar for cocktails. Also has a great Thai fusion food truck out back
Street is lined with bars that are converted houses. One of the main going out areas in Austin
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetStreet is lined with bars that are converted houses. One of the main going out areas in Austin
One of the many bars on West 6th Street. You'll see the vibe of each as you walk past.
96 locals recommend
The Dogwood
715 W 6th StOne of the many bars on West 6th Street. You'll see the vibe of each as you walk past.
Dirty Sixth street in like the Bourbon street of Austin. College kids, trashy bars, cheap drinks. The street is closed off at night to cars and the strip (the highway to Congress Ave) because a party scene for the underage, the bachelorette parties, and tourists.
55 locals recommend
The Jackalope
404 E 6th StDirty Sixth street in like the Bourbon street of Austin. College kids, trashy bars, cheap drinks. The street is closed off at night to cars and the strip (the highway to Congress Ave) because a party scene for the underage, the bachelorette parties, and tourists.
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StChill cocktail bar with live music. Check their calendar ahead of time
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdWaterfront bar/restaurant
Barbarella
611 Red River StLate night sloppy dance spot
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River StMusic venue with some big shows
The White Horse
500 Comal StCountry music bar with live music nightly
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdFamous country music bar in Austin with two-steppin'
Sightseeing
South Congress Avenue is one of the main shopping/restaurant streets in Austin. Authentically Austin. The strip runs from Oltorf street towards downtown. There's a bus route along this street as well.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
South Congress Avenue is one of the main shopping/restaurant streets in Austin. Authentically Austin. The strip runs from Oltorf street towards downtown. There's a bus route along this street as well.
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveThe Capitol. Daily tours available
Massive graffiti wall. Constantly being spray painted by locals
130 locals recommend
HOPE Outdoor Gallery
741 Dalton LaneMassive graffiti wall. Constantly being spray painted by locals
Parks & Nature
Huge public pool that's a Natural spring. I believe it's $5 if you're not an Austin resident. Crowded on the weekends, especially in the summer months.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrHuge public pool that's a Natural spring. I believe it's $5 if you're not an Austin resident. Crowded on the weekends, especially in the summer months.
Hiking, swimming, etc. This is the main park in Austin that feels like a forest. The Flats and Twin Falls are the most popular watering holes to relax at. People do bring beers and koozies, but just know that it is illegal to drink there.
http://bartoncreekhome.com/barton-creek-greenbelt-swimming-holes
531 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayHiking, swimming, etc. This is the main park in Austin that feels like a forest. The Flats and Twin Falls are the most popular watering holes to relax at. People do bring beers and koozies, but just know that it is illegal to drink there.
http://bartoncreekhome.com/barton-creek-greenbelt-swimming-holes
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AvePublic pool
Essentials
Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StOverpriced for conveniences but has good coffee and craft beers
Shopping
The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceOutdoor mini man-made village. Shopping, restaurants, etc.