Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Like Chick-Fil-A except they're open Sundays, serve booze, and don't hate gay people! Plus, they source way better quality meat and have much delicious food - try the spicy chicken sandwich 'superfly'!
30 locals recommend
Flyrite Chicken Sandwiches
2129 E 7th StLike Chick-Fil-A except they're open Sundays, serve booze, and don't hate gay people! Plus, they source way better quality meat and have much delicious food - try the spicy chicken sandwich 'superfly'!
Cute little spot with decent vegetarian/vegan food. I recommend the veggie royale, the vegan BLT, or the potato leek omelette. Cheap mimosas, good coffee, very 'austin' vibes. Elijah Wood lives in this neighborhood and is spotted here frequently. OOOOOOoooooOOO!
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StCute little spot with decent vegetarian/vegan food. I recommend the veggie royale, the vegan BLT, or the potato leek omelette. Cheap mimosas, good coffee, very 'austin' vibes. Elijah Wood lives in this neighborhood and is spotted here frequently. OOOOOOoooooOOO!
Fresh asian food specializing in vegetarian/vegan choices. Very good. Ask for things spicy! Add avocado to everything! (they have beer too!)
75 locals recommend
Koriente
621 E 7th StFresh asian food specializing in vegetarian/vegan choices. Very good. Ask for things spicy! Add avocado to everything! (they have beer too!)
Crazy little vegan/health restaurant nestled in the trees. Home to a yoga studio and a private school, with a strange almost cafeteria-like restaurant. They only serve one meal per day (set menu) but it's usually very good - and extremely healthy. No alcohol here. Very old school Austin.
163 locals recommend
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdCrazy little vegan/health restaurant nestled in the trees. Home to a yoga studio and a private school, with a strange almost cafeteria-like restaurant. They only serve one meal per day (set menu) but it's usually very good - and extremely healthy. No alcohol here. Very old school Austin.
Great spot for vegetarian/vegan food in the heart of beautiful Hyde Park (oldest neighborhood in Austin)
146 locals recommend
Mother's Cafe
Great spot for vegetarian/vegan food in the heart of beautiful Hyde Park (oldest neighborhood in Austin)
Voted some of the best vegan food in town - coming out of a tiny food truck.
23 locals recommend
The Vegan Yacht
2000 Southern Oaks DrVoted some of the best vegan food in town - coming out of a tiny food truck.
This place is a butcher shop/salameria AND restaurant. Great selection of responsibly raised meats and hard to find craft beers.
151 locals recommend
Salt & Time
1912 E 7th StThis place is a butcher shop/salameria AND restaurant. Great selection of responsibly raised meats and hard to find craft beers.
One of the best restaurants in the city, hands down. Crazy fresh fish, beautifully crafted plates, and stellar service. Expensive, but worth it.
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdOne of the best restaurants in the city, hands down. Crazy fresh fish, beautifully crafted plates, and stellar service. Expensive, but worth it.
Chico's favorite restaurant in Austin. Delicious modern take on Thai food with a beautiful selection of Rieslings and Gewurztraminers to pair with it.
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st StChico's favorite restaurant in Austin. Delicious modern take on Thai food with a beautiful selection of Rieslings and Gewurztraminers to pair with it.
One of the best ramen places in the country. Get the original and add brussels sprouts and an extra egg. Also, plan to take a nap afterwords.
502 locals recommend
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdOne of the best ramen places in the country. Get the original and add brussels sprouts and an extra egg. Also, plan to take a nap afterwords.
The less-talked about (but - shh! - actually preferred by some of our Japanese friends) ramen spot in town. Erin gets the spicy miso add avocado, but Chico prefers the shoyu with extra egg and bok choy.
21 locals recommend
Daruma Ramen
5301 Airport BoulevardThe less-talked about (but - shh! - actually preferred by some of our Japanese friends) ramen spot in town. Erin gets the spicy miso add avocado, but Chico prefers the shoyu with extra egg and bok choy.
BEST OYSTERS IN TOWN. flown in twice a day. check out their happy hour for $5 cocktails and oyster specials. cute little patio!
246 locals recommend
Clark's Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th StBEST OYSTERS IN TOWN. flown in twice a day. check out their happy hour for $5 cocktails and oyster specials. cute little patio!
East Side Pies
1401 Rosewood AveThin crispy crust, amazing variety of delicious pizzas!
Incredible burgers with amazing fries that you can dip in truffle aioli or chili con queso and BEEEEER and shakes...the list goes on...
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveIncredible burgers with amazing fries that you can dip in truffle aioli or chili con queso and BEEEEER and shakes...the list goes on...
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveAn Austin institution. Best NY style pizza in town.
Cocktails and a cute atmosphere with a FULL MENU UNTIL 2AM!!! And when I say cute atmosphere, I mean magical. Adorable old house spinning vinyl with a beautiful old wood bar. French food. Huge patio with lights in the summer, beautiful outdoor velvet tent in the winter. Do yourself a favor, spend a late night here.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StCocktails and a cute atmosphere with a FULL MENU UNTIL 2AM!!! And when I say cute atmosphere, I mean magical. Adorable old house spinning vinyl with a beautiful old wood bar. French food. Huge patio with lights in the summer, beautiful outdoor velvet tent in the winter. Do yourself a favor, spend a late night here.
One of our favorite spots to stop for a mid afternoon snack/drink/coffee. We love the goat cheese and pine nut salad, and we add chicken salad and pesto! At dinner, try the mushroom crepes, mussels or the coq au vin!
351 locals recommend
Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th StOne of our favorite spots to stop for a mid afternoon snack/drink/coffee. We love the goat cheese and pine nut salad, and we add chicken salad and pesto! At dinner, try the mushroom crepes, mussels or the coq au vin!
AMAZING Neapolitan pizza, beautiful appetizers, and a stunning wine list just down the street!
180 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez StAMAZING Neapolitan pizza, beautiful appetizers, and a stunning wine list just down the street!
Our favorite coffee shop. Wonderful food, coffee, booze, and a cute atmosphere just down the street! Try their bagel and lox or breakfast tacos for breakfast, or at lunch their fish tacos and chips and guac! Beautiful patio.
379 locals recommend
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StOur favorite coffee shop. Wonderful food, coffee, booze, and a cute atmosphere just down the street! Try their bagel and lox or breakfast tacos for breakfast, or at lunch their fish tacos and chips and guac! Beautiful patio.
Mongers
4119 Guadalupe StreetFresh seafood a short walk down the street!
Counter Cafe
1914 E 6th StBreakfast! Only open 7-4. Classic diner experience, Austin style.
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveIncredible BBQ - without the wait! (food truck)
Amazing BBQ in our backyard! Just be prepared for the lines.... (food truck)
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StAmazing BBQ in our backyard! Just be prepared for the lines.... (food truck)
Best brisket in the world, period. But you will wait half a day to eat it.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StBest brisket in the world, period. But you will wait half a day to eat it.
One of the best new restaurants in town - locally sourced produce, all meat and seafood from Texas, EVERYTHING from scratch - bread, pasta, even the flour! ...and you can walk down Rainey street to all the bars after dinner.
Must try: Cacio e Pepe and Carnitas
69 locals recommend
Emmer & Rye
51 Rainey StOne of the best new restaurants in town - locally sourced produce, all meat and seafood from Texas, EVERYTHING from scratch - bread, pasta, even the flour! ...and you can walk down Rainey street to all the bars after dinner.
Must try: Cacio e Pepe and Carnitas
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdOne of the best restaurants in town. Gotta try the parker house rolls!
This taco truck serves some of the best (and cheapest) tacos in Austin. Traditional mexican street food made to order right in front of you from Yolanda Guerrero herself - the sweetest Abuela you will ever meet. Brush up on your Spanish before you hit this place if you want some good practice, and order the Carne Asada if she has it (she runs out of food through out the day, so she closes when she's out of too much stuff - best to see her before 2pm).
12 locals recommend
Tacos Guerrero
96 N Pleasant Valley RdThis taco truck serves some of the best (and cheapest) tacos in Austin. Traditional mexican street food made to order right in front of you from Yolanda Guerrero herself - the sweetest Abuela you will ever meet. Brush up on your Spanish before you hit this place if you want some good practice, and order the Carne Asada if she has it (she runs out of food through out the day, so she closes when she's out of too much stuff - best to see her before 2pm).
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StBrewery and restaurant. Chorizo queso is AMAZING.
Drinks & Nightlife
Dive bar with cheap drinks, pool, and the original East Side King food truck (try the Brussels sprouts, chicken, or beet fries!)
291 locals recommend
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetDive bar with cheap drinks, pool, and the original East Side King food truck (try the Brussels sprouts, chicken, or beet fries!)
Gay bar with a sports bro vibe early in the evening, transitioning to a fun dance spot late at night. Drag show every Sunday night!!!
28 locals recommend
Oilcan Harry's
211 W 4th StGay bar with a sports bro vibe early in the evening, transitioning to a fun dance spot late at night. Drag show every Sunday night!!!
Dive bar with great bloody mary's, and espresso machine, and cool vibes. BYOV (Bring your own vinyl) night on Mondays!
114 locals recommend
Rio Rita
1203 Chicon StDive bar with great bloody mary's, and espresso machine, and cool vibes. BYOV (Bring your own vinyl) night on Mondays!
HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th StChill dive bar to catch local bands
Beerland
711 Red River StChill dive bar to catch local bands
The Sidewinder
715 Red River StreetGreat spot to check out touring bands and good local music
the side bar
602 E 7th StBest dive for cheap drinks and big pours downtown
One of our favorite venues in town - plus, an awesome LBGTQ club with solid DJs, fun dance nights, and great live shows.
153 locals recommend
Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StOne of our favorite venues in town - plus, an awesome LBGTQ club with solid DJs, fun dance nights, and great live shows.
Cheap drinks, punk rock karaoke, and pool right behind our house! Good bar food, too!
104 locals recommend
Drinks Lounge
2001 E Cesar Chavez StCheap drinks, punk rock karaoke, and pool right behind our house! Good bar food, too!
Cheap drinks, great bar food, and a huge patio to hang out with your dog a short walk from our house. Food is decent.
244 locals recommend
Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th StCheap drinks, great bar food, and a huge patio to hang out with your dog a short walk from our house. Food is decent.
Incredible cocktails, a fun mezcal bar hidden upstairs, and home to East Side King Thai Kun food truck! (Amazing spicy thai food!)
561 locals recommend
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StIncredible cocktails, a fun mezcal bar hidden upstairs, and home to East Side King Thai Kun food truck! (Amazing spicy thai food!)
Dive bar with an awesome patio, huge selection of whiskey, and home to Romanouska's Delicatessen food truck - try the strip loin or Ruben!
70 locals recommend
Grackle
1700 E 6th StDive bar with an awesome patio, huge selection of whiskey, and home to Romanouska's Delicatessen food truck - try the strip loin or Ruben!
Great cocktails and live music right behind our house! Also with Toaster (grilled cheese food truck on the patio) - try the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Sandwich!
207 locals recommend
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StGreat cocktails and live music right behind our house! Also with Toaster (grilled cheese food truck on the patio) - try the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Sandwich!
dive bar with SUPER cheap drinks (food truck via 313 Detroit style pizza out front!)
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th Stdive bar with SUPER cheap drinks (food truck via 313 Detroit style pizza out front!)
Western/Texas themed bar with two stepping, live music, cheap drinks, and boatloads of hipsters
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StWestern/Texas themed bar with two stepping, live music, cheap drinks, and boatloads of hipsters
Connected to hotel vegas - usually has dancing on the weekends
102 locals recommend
The Volstead Lounge
1500 E 6th StConnected to hotel vegas - usually has dancing on the weekends
#1 dance spot in town (inside and outside dance floors) - just be warned - DO NOT COME HERE SOBER. Trust me. Tuesday nights = TuesGAYZ (awesome)
153 locals recommend
Barbarella
611 Red River St#1 dance spot in town (inside and outside dance floors) - just be warned - DO NOT COME HERE SOBER. Trust me. Tuesday nights = TuesGAYZ (awesome)
Shangri-La
1016 E 6th StGreat dive bar.
Mohawk Austin
912 Red River StGreat spot to check out touring bands and good local music
Swanky bar with a great atmosphere a block away - pretty good food too!
178 locals recommend
Weather Up
1808 E Cesar Chavez StSwanky bar with a great atmosphere a block away - pretty good food too!
Parks & Nature
Historic, man-made swimming pool. Deep Eddy is the oldest swimming pool in Texas and features a bathhouse built during the Depression era by the Works Progress Administration. The pool began as a swimming hole in the Colorado River, became a resort in the 1920s, and is today a popular swimming pool operated by the City of Austin.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveHistoric, man-made swimming pool. Deep Eddy is the oldest swimming pool in Texas and features a bathhouse built during the Depression era by the Works Progress Administration. The pool began as a swimming hole in the Colorado River, became a resort in the 1920s, and is today a popular swimming pool operated by the City of Austin.
Twin Falls
3918 S MoPac ExpySecret swimming spot!
Beautiful spot to enjoy Austin the way the locals do - hiding from the crowds and getting close to some water!
235 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead
Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailBeautiful spot to enjoy Austin the way the locals do - hiding from the crowds and getting close to some water!
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton RdZilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdBeautiful place to go for a walk.
The essential Austin summer spot. Lounge around on grassy slopes with big beautiful trees overlooking a huge natural spring fed pool. Take a dip in the freezing water to cool off, or swim laps if you're looking for exercise. Prepare yourself for some Austin gems like the dude who shows up every day in a thong speedo, and elderly women sunbathing topless.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2131 William Barton DrThe essential Austin summer spot. Lounge around on grassy slopes with big beautiful trees overlooking a huge natural spring fed pool. Take a dip in the freezing water to cool off, or swim laps if you're looking for exercise. Prepare yourself for some Austin gems like the dude who shows up every day in a thong speedo, and elderly women sunbathing topless.
Arts & Culture
French Legation Museum
802 San Marcos StreetBullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress AveHarry Ransom Center
300 W 21st StThe Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardEssentials
Our go-to for everything. Beer, wine, coffee, toiletries, frozen pizza, blocks of cheese, kale chips - they've got it. They also have a little restaurant, but it's not that great to be honest. Good if you're in a bind though!
354 locals recommend
Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StOur go-to for everything. Beer, wine, coffee, toiletries, frozen pizza, blocks of cheese, kale chips - they've got it. They also have a little restaurant, but it's not that great to be honest. Good if you're in a bind though!
Amazing beer and wine selection, and AWESOME food. Fun place to hear live music sometimes as well.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdAmazing beer and wine selection, and AWESOME food. Fun place to hear live music sometimes as well.
This is our local grocery store. In the process of being gentrified, so it doesn't have the best organic/specialty selection - but it's decent and close.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdThis is our local grocery store. In the process of being gentrified, so it doesn't have the best organic/specialty selection - but it's decent and close.
This place has EVERYTHING. An east side gem. Specialty groceries, food, booze, a patio, and a great atmosphere. Fun to grab a bite on the go, or stop and have a few beers. OPEN UNTIL 12AM! This is the original location. The new location is across the street from our house!
354 locals recommend
Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StThis place has EVERYTHING. An east side gem. Specialty groceries, food, booze, a patio, and a great atmosphere. Fun to grab a bite on the go, or stop and have a few beers. OPEN UNTIL 12AM! This is the original location. The new location is across the street from our house!
Best corner store EVER. Craft beer, specialty sweets and snacks, local ice creams, and the nicest guys in town! Open until 12am
30 locals recommend
East 1st Grocery
1811 E Cesar Chavez StBest corner store EVER. Craft beer, specialty sweets and snacks, local ice creams, and the nicest guys in town! Open until 12am
Entertainment & Activities
In case you need a little relaxation....donation based yoga classes all day every day - minimum donation is only $5 cash!
61 locals recommend
Practice Yoga Austin
1103 E 6th StIn case you need a little relaxation....donation based yoga classes all day every day - minimum donation is only $5 cash!
How to even explain the magic of the Alamo Drafthouse? Old timey movie theater with every other row removed - so that you have a table in front of you. Food and booze service all throughout the movie. And not just regular movies. All kinds of movie events. 80's movie quote alongs, musical sing alongs, themed dinners to go with Lord of the Rings...you name it, they've got it. They're all over town, but this location is the original.
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StHow to even explain the magic of the Alamo Drafthouse? Old timey movie theater with every other row removed - so that you have a table in front of you. Food and booze service all throughout the movie. And not just regular movies. All kinds of movie events. 80's movie quote alongs, musical sing alongs, themed dinners to go with Lord of the Rings...you name it, they've got it. They're all over town, but this location is the original.