Christine's East Austin (and a bit beyond) Guide
Eat
Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca StDive bar with great chili and strong drinks
Its a drive, but the best BBQ in Central Texas. The BEEF RIB is to die for.
30 locals recommend
Louie Mueller Barbecue
206 W 2nd StIts a drive, but the best BBQ in Central Texas. The BEEF RIB is to die for.
Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadThe Migas tacos are some of the best in town!
Casual cafe with a great patio, bar, and good food & coffee. Opens at 11am daily.
100 locals recommend
Kinda Tropical
3501 E 7th StCasual cafe with a great patio, bar, and good food & coffee. Opens at 11am daily.
Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
1111 Chicon StBest cappuccino on the east side
Retro Canjun inspired diner on the east side with solid breakfast/brunch with a well stocked bar.
140 locals recommend
Sawyer & Co
4827 E Cesar Chavez StRetro Canjun inspired diner on the east side with solid breakfast/brunch with a well stocked bar.
Space is limited but the fresh take on classic diner food is worth the wait. Try the Joe's Special w a poached egg with extra parm.
211 locals recommend
Counter Cafe
1914 E 6th StSpace is limited but the fresh take on classic diner food is worth the wait. Try the Joe's Special w a poached egg with extra parm.
Launderette
2115 Holly StAmazing restaurant in an old laundromat with fantastic desserts.
Great sandwich trailer, you can walk to the bar across the parking lot and have your food delivered to you.
111 locals recommend
Austin Daily Press
1900 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdGreat sandwich trailer, you can walk to the bar across the parking lot and have your food delivered to you.
Yolanda makes the best authentic tacos, breakfast & lunch, no frills, homemade tortillas. Need we say more
12 locals recommend
Tacos Guerrero
96 N Pleasant Valley RdYolanda makes the best authentic tacos, breakfast & lunch, no frills, homemade tortillas. Need we say more
El Chilito
2219 Manor RdQuick and easy tex-mex, get the frozen sangria.
Butcher shop cafe with amazing lunch and dinner in a casual but elegant environment. Odd bits, bavette and a kolsch are our personal favorites.
151 locals recommend
Salt & Time
1912 E 7th StButcher shop cafe with amazing lunch and dinner in a casual but elegant environment. Odd bits, bavette and a kolsch are our personal favorites.
Nose to tail and farm to table Italian from the chef and AMAZING chocolates by his chocolatier wife. Sit at the bar.
48 locals recommend
Intero Restaurant
2612 E Cesar Chavez StNose to tail and farm to table Italian from the chef and AMAZING chocolates by his chocolatier wife. Sit at the bar.
Fresh juices and smoothies to make you feel "healthy" after all of those tacos
519 locals recommend
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdFresh juices and smoothies to make you feel "healthy" after all of those tacos
Palamino Coffee
4136 E 12th StA quick walk down to 12th street for coffee & pastries
Small plates in this hybrid counter service cafe with a great wine list and patio
30 locals recommend
Birdie's
2944 East 12th StreetSmall plates in this hybrid counter service cafe with a great wine list and patio
Casual sit down with amazing decor, strong and tasty margaritas with tacos, chips & queso
39 locals recommend
De Nada Cantina
4715 East Cesar Chavez StreetCasual sit down with amazing decor, strong and tasty margaritas with tacos, chips & queso
A part of Camp East, this natural wine shop allows you to buy bottles and sit in the spacious backyard to enjoy with food from Fil N' Viet trailer or all on its own.
10 locals recommend
Cork & Screw
2907 East 12th StreetA part of Camp East, this natural wine shop allows you to buy bottles and sit in the spacious backyard to enjoy with food from Fil N' Viet trailer or all on its own.
A local favorite restaurant groups Ramen shop, in the heart of the east 6th entertainment district.
502 locals recommend
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdA local favorite restaurant groups Ramen shop, in the heart of the east 6th entertainment district.
Dont miss these award winning tacos served counter style with beer and wine and a large patio.
78 locals recommend
Nixta Taqueria
2512 E 12th StDont miss these award winning tacos served counter style with beer and wine and a large patio.
Mongers
4119 Guadalupe StreetFreshest seafood in town
A bit of everything at the latest outpost of one of Austin's favorite Chefs Bryce Gilmore- bakery, bar and cafe. Kid friendly patio gets a bit quieter after 7pm. Great seasonal comfort food offerings along with bread and pastries, beer wine and draft cocktails.
152 locals recommend
Sour Duck Market
1814 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdA bit of everything at the latest outpost of one of Austin's favorite Chefs Bryce Gilmore- bakery, bar and cafe. Kid friendly patio gets a bit quieter after 7pm. Great seasonal comfort food offerings along with bread and pastries, beer wine and draft cocktails.
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
2713 E 2nd StJapanese and bbq come together from the famous Tatsu-ya family
Breakfast, brunch & cocktails served in a warm, hip restaurant that has a patio
132 locals recommend
Paperboy
1203 E 11th StBreakfast, brunch & cocktails served in a warm, hip restaurant that has a patio
See and be seen at the original far east outpost for classic French dining
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StSee and be seen at the original far east outpost for classic French dining
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveAmazing BBQ without the 4 hour line at Franklins.
Hailing from the Louie Muller line, this female run BBQ outpost is worth standing in line. Shorter than Franklins but longer than Micklethwait
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StHailing from the Louie Muller line, this female run BBQ outpost is worth standing in line. Shorter than Franklins but longer than Micklethwait
When you just need a good old fashion griddle burger and curly fries to soak up the alcohol from the night before
34 locals recommend
Dan's Hamburgers
5602 N Lamar BlvdWhen you just need a good old fashion griddle burger and curly fries to soak up the alcohol from the night before
Amazing vegan ice cream highlighting Thai flavors in yummy combinations
15 locals recommend
Gati Coconut Milk Ice Cream
1512 Holly StAmazing vegan ice cream highlighting Thai flavors in yummy combinations
Great Mexican breakfast and brunch in expansive outdoor space, next to Feet Coffee trailer
La Santa Barbacha
Great Mexican breakfast and brunch in expansive outdoor space, next to Feet Coffee trailer
Coffee trailer on the same lot as La Santa Barbacha with a expansive outdoor seating area
Fleet Coffee
Coffee trailer on the same lot as La Santa Barbacha with a expansive outdoor seating area
Uptown Sports Club
Cajun inspired food in this artfully restored old boxing club.
Sights
Spring fed pool that makes everything better on a hot Texas day
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrSpring fed pool that makes everything better on a hot Texas day
Neighborhoods
One of the densest areas for local shopping - Take Heart, Miranda Bennett, Love Craft, Kindred Spirits, and Charm School Vintage.
Grab a drink at Nickel City (frozen Irish Coffee!)
Eat BBQ at Micklewait (short wait) or Franklin (long wait), Hillside Farmacy for lighter fair, and Paperboy for brunch.
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetOne of the densest areas for local shopping - Take Heart, Miranda Bennett, Love Craft, Kindred Spirits, and Charm School Vintage.
Grab a drink at Nickel City (frozen Irish Coffee!)
Eat BBQ at Micklewait (short wait) or Franklin (long wait), Hillside Farmacy for lighter fair, and Paperboy for brunch.
Touristy but still a great way to spend a day. Try going during the week for a more authentic experience
650 locals recommend
South Congress
Touristy but still a great way to spend a day. Try going during the week for a more authentic experience
Shopping
esby apparel
2124 S Congress AveLocal clothing designer
take heart
1211 E 11th StAmazing gift store
Miranda Bennett Studio
1211 E 11th StLocal clothing designer
Son of a Sailor
916 Springdale RdLocal jewelry & home goods designer
Charm School Vintage
1111 E 11th StGreat bohemian vintage in this dense shopping district
APT F
1200 East 11th StreetMoroccan rugs and imports mixed with well designed home decor staples.
Nightlife
Great live music any night of the week from happy hour till close.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveGreat live music any night of the week from happy hour till close.
Live music. Hipster country with a dance floor and whisky on tap.
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StLive music. Hipster country with a dance floor and whisky on tap.
A great bar when you dont want to deal with E 6th street. Frozen irish coffee in the Margarita machine!
97 locals recommend
Nickel City
1133 E 11th StA great bar when you dont want to deal with E 6th street. Frozen irish coffee in the Margarita machine!
Laid-back live music venue in an old juke joint with an African twist
132 locals recommend
Sahara Lounge
1413 Webberville RdLaid-back live music venue in an old juke joint with an African twist
FUNKY dive bar (with patio & billiards) hosting blues bands & other live music. Super local
188 locals recommend
Skylark Lounge
2039 Airport BlvdFUNKY dive bar (with patio & billiards) hosting blues bands & other live music. Super local
Great hidden poolside bar for a quiet drink away from the madness of S Congress.
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveGreat hidden poolside bar for a quiet drink away from the madness of S Congress.
Dive bar with local music and pizza in the new nightlife destination for Austin's young and hip.
89 locals recommend
King Bee Lounge
1906 E 12th StDive bar with local music and pizza in the new nightlife destination for Austin's young and hip.
Arts
Artist compound with open studio events frequently, galleries, shopping and a cafe
84 locals recommend
Canopy Austin
916 Springdale RdArtist compound with open studio events frequently, galleries, shopping and a cafe