Guidebook for Soco Spaces
Food Scene
Serving up New York-style thin crust pizza in a fun, urban atmosphere. Always packed, but
worth the wait, they also feature a take-out window next door at More Slice for slices-to-go (including late night).
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveServing up New York-style thin crust pizza in a fun, urban atmosphere. Always packed, but
worth the wait, they also feature a take-out window next door at More Slice for slices-to-go (including late night).
Great indoor and outdoor seating. Chic, modern, laid back, delicious and healthy food. Located in the beautiful South Congress Hotel.
120 locals recommend
Café No Sé
1603 S Congress AveGreat indoor and outdoor seating. Chic, modern, laid back, delicious and healthy food. Located in the beautiful South Congress Hotel.
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveOne of the best Italian restaurants in Austin.
The “ever-changing” prix fixe menus at this Bouldin Creek destination comprise “locally sourced, sustainable” fare from hot-climate cuisines (Mediterranean, Indian, French) plus craft beers and wine.
179 locals recommend
LENOIR
1807 S 1st StThe “ever-changing” prix fixe menus at this Bouldin Creek destination comprise “locally sourced, sustainable” fare from hot-climate cuisines (Mediterranean, Indian, French) plus craft beers and wine.
One of our most beloved neighborhood businesses. Enjoy pastries, tacos and sandwiches, plus Stumptown coffee.
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveOne of our most beloved neighborhood businesses. Enjoy pastries, tacos and sandwiches, plus Stumptown coffee.
Eco-friendly, bohemian cafe offering hearty vegetarian meals, coffees & a rotating monthly art show. It has a great outdoor patio. Tends to be busy so it's best to go between rush times.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StEco-friendly, bohemian cafe offering hearty vegetarian meals, coffees & a rotating monthly art show. It has a great outdoor patio. Tends to be busy so it's best to go between rush times.
Don’t leave Austin without a visit to Whip In, the best little secret on the I-35 feeder road. Live music, south asian food, local & organic foods. Fantastic selection of beer & wine. Live music!
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdDon’t leave Austin without a visit to Whip In, the best little secret on the I-35 feeder road. Live music, south asian food, local & organic foods. Fantastic selection of beer & wine. Live music!
Hopdoddy has a winning formula: gourmet burgers at great prices. Burgers include beef, bison, turkey, tuna, veggie, plus a daily special. Organic salads, truffle fries, & innovative cocktails as well!
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveHopdoddy has a winning formula: gourmet burgers at great prices. Burgers include beef, bison, turkey, tuna, veggie, plus a daily special. Organic salads, truffle fries, & innovative cocktails as well!
Austin celebrities have been known to frequent this Austin institution, but most locals are more
interested in the margaritas and tacos. Enjoy live music in the beautiful oak filled courtyard.
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveAustin celebrities have been known to frequent this Austin institution, but most locals are more
interested in the margaritas and tacos. Enjoy live music in the beautiful oak filled courtyard.
Dolce Neve serves up 20 flavors of house-made gelato, sorbet, vegan gelato, and espresso in an an
adorable little bungalow on south first. The owners are from Italy, this is the real deal!
120 locals recommend
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S 1st StDolce Neve serves up 20 flavors of house-made gelato, sorbet, vegan gelato, and espresso in an an
adorable little bungalow on south first. The owners are from Italy, this is the real deal!
Amy’s whimsical roster of rotating flavors runs the gamut from Coffee Toffee to Shiner Bock. They also
carry fruit ices for the nondairy crowd.
397 locals recommend
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveAmy’s whimsical roster of rotating flavors runs the gamut from Coffee Toffee to Shiner Bock. They also
carry fruit ices for the nondairy crowd.
Lucky Robot offers Tokyo-style street food from sashimi to Asian pizza, plus an extensive brunch menu. A bright, friendly, modern space with affordable prices.
112 locals recommend
Lucky Robot
1303 S Congress AveLucky Robot offers Tokyo-style street food from sashimi to Asian pizza, plus an extensive brunch menu. A bright, friendly, modern space with affordable prices.
An award-winning upscale/modern Mexican restaurant, featuring delicious food and the largest selection of tequila in
Austin.
191 locals recommend
La Condesa
400 W 2nd StAn award-winning upscale/modern Mexican restaurant, featuring delicious food and the largest selection of tequila in
Austin.
Magnolia has a casual, laid back atmosphere and serves comfort food 24 hours a day.
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveMagnolia has a casual, laid back atmosphere and serves comfort food 24 hours a day.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdConsistently rated as Austin's best Sushi, Uchi is not to be missed.
Laid back sophisticated neighborhood cafe & wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafes, and hipster NYC wine bars. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
151 locals recommend
June's
1722 S Congress AveLaid back sophisticated neighborhood cafe & wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafes, and hipster NYC wine bars. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Fresa's South First features on-site dining, a full bar and a handful of special menu items. The bright dining room and tree-shaded patio lend a taste of the neighborhood's easygoing character.
79 locals recommend
Fresa's South First Dine-In
1703 S 1st StFresa's South First features on-site dining, a full bar and a handful of special menu items. The bright dining room and tree-shaded patio lend a taste of the neighborhood's easygoing character.
Tucked behind the South Congress Hotel, everything about Mañana feels boutique. Mexican-inspired tiled countertops, rustic wood furnishings, and a flood of natural light give an otherwise high-designed space a down-to-earth feel. A custom, wood-paneled espresso machine supplies the brew, while the hotel’s James Beard nominated pastry chef fills the cases with creative snacks like everything-seasoned kolaches.
84 locals recommend
Mañana
1603 S Congress AveTucked behind the South Congress Hotel, everything about Mañana feels boutique. Mexican-inspired tiled countertops, rustic wood furnishings, and a flood of natural light give an otherwise high-designed space a down-to-earth feel. A custom, wood-paneled espresso machine supplies the brew, while the hotel’s James Beard nominated pastry chef fills the cases with creative snacks like everything-seasoned kolaches.
Aba
1011 S Congress AveGorgeous outdoor patio and wonderful food - great for sharing.
Sightseeing
The Congress Ave Bridge spans Town Lake and is home to the largest urban bat colony in N. America. Watch them at dusk from mid-March to November.
131 locals recommend
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress AveThe Congress Ave Bridge spans Town Lake and is home to the largest urban bat colony in N. America. Watch them at dusk from mid-March to November.
Featured gardens include a
Japanese garden, xeriscape demonstration garden, rose garden, butterfly garden, and herb & fragrance garden.
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdFeatured gardens include a
Japanese garden, xeriscape demonstration garden, rose garden, butterfly garden, and herb & fragrance garden.
Entertainment & Activities
Free neighborhood pool - open year-round and spring-fed!
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak StFree neighborhood pool - open year-round and spring-fed!
Rowing Dock
2418 Stratford DrStand up Paddle Board and Kayak rentals
Texas Rowing Center
1541 W Cesar Chavez StStand up Paddle Board and Kayak rentals
Shopping
You'll feel "a wave of nostalgia" at this "eye‑popping" "sweet‑tooth circus" on SoCo.
91 locals recommend
Big Top Candy Shop
1706 S Congress AveYou'll feel "a wave of nostalgia" at this "eye‑popping" "sweet‑tooth circus" on SoCo.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdThe flagship whole foods. It's easy to spend hours here.
H-E-B
5808 Burnet Rdopen 24 hours
The 70,000-square-foot fresh Central Market was designed to be reminiscent of a European style market, with aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, meats, seafood & an incredibly large cheese department.
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdThe 70,000-square-foot fresh Central Market was designed to be reminiscent of a European style market, with aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, meats, seafood & an incredibly large cheese department.
Upscale corner neighborhood market. A nice variety of staples, local ingredients, and unique items. It's convenient and the staff is friendly. "Hold me closer tiny grocer"
17 locals recommend
Tiny Grocer - Opening March 8th @ 8 am
1718 S Congress AveUpscale corner neighborhood market. A nice variety of staples, local ingredients, and unique items. It's convenient and the staff is friendly. "Hold me closer tiny grocer"
Arts & Culture
The Long Center is a performing arts venue located along Lady Bird Lake, be sure to check out their calendar - something great is aways happening.
167 locals recommend
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W Riverside DrThe Long Center is a performing arts venue located along Lady Bird Lake, be sure to check out their calendar - something great is aways happening.
Small theater with plush seating, featuring indie films; Good food and cocktails selection.
Oh yeah! We love it!
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StSmall theater with plush seating, featuring indie films; Good food and cocktails selection.
Oh yeah! We love it!
A unique combination of theater and restaurant, the Alamo shows the best first-run and independent
films and offers an extensive menu and a wide selection of beer and wine.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdA unique combination of theater and restaurant, the Alamo shows the best first-run and independent
films and offers an extensive menu and a wide selection of beer and wine.
Drinks & Nightlife
A sleek, minimalist, Zen outdoor patio featuring well-chosen beers, wine, and a snack menu.
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveA sleek, minimalist, Zen outdoor patio featuring well-chosen beers, wine, and a snack menu.
Beer garden/brewery/venue/ restaurant /good people /nice place to hang/creative community
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StBeer garden/brewery/venue/ restaurant /good people /nice place to hang/creative community
Bustling seafood & oyster bar that serves lunch & dinner daily, and brunch on the weekends. Great
large patio for dining and people watching.
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveBustling seafood & oyster bar that serves lunch & dinner daily, and brunch on the weekends. Great
large patio for dining and people watching.
Rock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local, are found at this legendary South Congress club.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveRock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local, are found at this legendary South Congress club.
Downstairs there's an R&B theme, with live music on the weekends, while upstairs is a Japanese-American bar.
242 locals recommend
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveDownstairs there's an R&B theme, with live music on the weekends, while upstairs is a Japanese-American bar.