Best of the West & S. Side of Austin Food, Culture and Recreation
West Side Food Scene
Best of the West side of I-35
Paul Qui worked his way up from Uchi to eventually Exec Chef at Uchiko to adapt trad Japanese dishes with local flavors, all while incorporating influences from South East Asian and European cuisine.
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdPaul Qui worked his way up from Uchi to eventually Exec Chef at Uchiko to adapt trad Japanese dishes with local flavors, all while incorporating influences from South East Asian and European cuisine.
The dark interior and large square community tables give it cozy upscale vibe. Chicken, quail, & duck small plate dishes are expertly prepared and plated, and the flavors were balanced and complex.
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st StThe dark interior and large square community tables give it cozy upscale vibe. Chicken, quail, & duck small plate dishes are expertly prepared and plated, and the flavors were balanced and complex.
Vegan, gluten-free options, amazing food. The Garden Chalupa was incredible. I didn't think I would like vegan - but now I'm a believer! I've never been dissapointed with anything I've eaten there!!
23 locals recommend
The Vegan Yacht
2000 Southern Oaks DrVegan, gluten-free options, amazing food. The Garden Chalupa was incredible. I didn't think I would like vegan - but now I'm a believer! I've never been dissapointed with anything I've eaten there!!
One of Austin's best sushi places, and amazing inventive Eastern inspired dishes.
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdOne of Austin's best sushi places, and amazing inventive Eastern inspired dishes.
Sophisticated and highly rated. Top Chef and James Beard Award Winner Chef Paul Qui's (@pqui) flagship restaurant in Austin, Texas.
79 locals recommend
Kuneho
1600 East 6th StreetSophisticated and highly rated. Top Chef and James Beard Award Winner Chef Paul Qui's (@pqui) flagship restaurant in Austin, Texas.
Incredible baked goods. Best pretzel and cheese, the Lunch Special is the deal to get. Local beers on tap, great place to hang out on the patio with friends. Ping pong tables.
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StIncredible baked goods. Best pretzel and cheese, the Lunch Special is the deal to get. Local beers on tap, great place to hang out on the patio with friends. Ping pong tables.
Incredible Neapolitan pizzas, delicious flavors, brick oven fired.
180 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez StIncredible Neapolitan pizzas, delicious flavors, brick oven fired.
Make plans for Happy Hour! Juicy burgers are on the Happy Hour Menu (put a fried egg on it!) Amazing ceviche, garlic aoli & garlic fries, and incredible delectable desserts. Need to try all of them!
74 locals recommend
Parkside
301 E 6th StMake plans for Happy Hour! Juicy burgers are on the Happy Hour Menu (put a fried egg on it!) Amazing ceviche, garlic aoli & garlic fries, and incredible delectable desserts. Need to try all of them!
Try Local Brews paired with Brats - Jalapeno Cheddar Bacon Burger Sausage, Beet and Goat Cheese. Seasonal Pecan Porters, Coffee Porters, &Ales. 100 Beers on Tap. Austin's Sausage House & Beer Garden.
264 locals recommend
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey StTry Local Brews paired with Brats - Jalapeno Cheddar Bacon Burger Sausage, Beet and Goat Cheese. Seasonal Pecan Porters, Coffee Porters, &Ales. 100 Beers on Tap. Austin's Sausage House & Beer Garden.
Arts and Culture
The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardBallet Austin
501 W 3rd StAustin’s small but impressive downtown Modern Art museum, plan for half a day visit, and spend time in the Art Library for fascinating books upstairs.
173 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
700 Congress AveAustin’s small but impressive downtown Modern Art museum, plan for half a day visit, and spend time in the Art Library for fascinating books upstairs.
Austin’s Public Library that is comparable to the Seattle Public Library, with its impressive rooftop gardens, 3D printers, AR computers and a interactive children’s section. Free Seed Library for friends with gardens!
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StAustin’s Public Library that is comparable to the Seattle Public Library, with its impressive rooftop gardens, 3D printers, AR computers and a interactive children’s section. Free Seed Library for friends with gardens!
Great spot to stop on a night bike ride. Light installation art embedded in the concrete floor outside. Check online for shows and events!
30 locals recommend
Bass Concert Hall
510 E 23rd StGreat spot to stop on a night bike ride. Light installation art embedded in the concrete floor outside. Check online for shows and events!
Desserts
Salted Caramel ice cream is a favorite! Mint & Beet, Goat Cheese & Thyme are the best flavors. Go for a sweet treat and cool off from the summer heat!
270 locals recommend
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdSalted Caramel ice cream is a favorite! Mint & Beet, Goat Cheese & Thyme are the best flavors. Go for a sweet treat and cool off from the summer heat!
Find Austin’s hidden talent mixing creamy local ice cream flavors with every topping imaginable! Especially essential for Austin’s sizzling summer temperatures.
397 locals recommend
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveFind Austin’s hidden talent mixing creamy local ice cream flavors with every topping imaginable! Especially essential for Austin’s sizzling summer temperatures.
Essentials
On Cesar Chavez about 5 miles away, west of I-35. Friendly and dependable, downtown location parking garage is free for 1 hour.
289 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrOn Cesar Chavez about 5 miles away, west of I-35. Friendly and dependable, downtown location parking garage is free for 1 hour.
Whole Foods Headquarters, great healthy food selection. Get your wine, baked goods, pizza, deli, salad, lunch and groceries at the same time. Walk-in Beer freezer.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdWhole Foods Headquarters, great healthy food selection. Get your wine, baked goods, pizza, deli, salad, lunch and groceries at the same time. Walk-in Beer freezer.
Excellent Cheese selection. Great variety of wines and beers. Probably the best restaurant playground to bring kids to. Live music on the weekends and everything on the menu is delicious!!
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdExcellent Cheese selection. Great variety of wines and beers. Probably the best restaurant playground to bring kids to. Live music on the weekends and everything on the menu is delicious!!
Great prices on groceries. They also have a restaurant with decent barbeque, pastas and more. Live music on the weekends.
100 locals recommend
H-E-B Pharmacy
1801 E 51st StGreat prices on groceries. They also have a restaurant with decent barbeque, pastas and more. Live music on the weekends.
This is where all the college students go grocery shopping, so they are open 24 hours. Slightly busy, even in the evening hours. Good selection of local beers and wine.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdThis is where all the college students go grocery shopping, so they are open 24 hours. Slightly busy, even in the evening hours. Good selection of local beers and wine.
Recreation
Outdoor activities in Austin. Hiking trails, cycling, swimming in Austin’s natural and manmade wonders
One of our favorite hiking spots. Rock climbing. Mostly a dry rock creek, but when it rains you can kayak thru the Greenbelt. At the end of the trail - a half an hour hike, there are caves in the limestone rock faces.
235 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead
Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailOne of our favorite hiking spots. Rock climbing. Mostly a dry rock creek, but when it rains you can kayak thru the Greenbelt. At the end of the trail - a half an hour hike, there are caves in the limestone rock faces.
Secret Beach
Hiking trail to an undisclosed beach.
Need to go for a run, a stroll in the park? Meuller has a great new playscape. Concrete and granite paths circle around a beautiful pond where ducks and geese live. Movies, Music & Food Trailers.
105 locals recommend
Mueller
Need to go for a run, a stroll in the park? Meuller has a great new playscape. Concrete and granite paths circle around a beautiful pond where ducks and geese live. Movies, Music & Food Trailers.
Underground aquifer feeds Barton Springs. 75 degrees year round, the crystal clear blue water is refreshing in the summer heat.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrUnderground aquifer feeds Barton Springs. 75 degrees year round, the crystal clear blue water is refreshing in the summer heat.
Great place to hike on the northwest side of the bridge. Fantastic views overlook the Colorado river.
209 locals recommend
360 Bridge
4801 Plaza on the LakeGreat place to hike on the northwest side of the bridge. Fantastic views overlook the Colorado river.
Pennybacker Bridge Overlook
North Capital of Texas HighwayUnchlorinated pool fed by an underground aquifer, always 75 degrees, oldest pool in Austin. Check out austin.culturemap.com for more information about the pool.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveUnchlorinated pool fed by an underground aquifer, always 75 degrees, oldest pool in Austin. Check out austin.culturemap.com for more information about the pool.
Entertainment & Activities
Austin's new Children's Museum opened December 2013. Monthly event where the museum is open to the "adult" public. there's a cash bar and other unique activities/booths in addition to the regular muse
272 locals recommend
Thinkery
1830 Simond AveAustin's new Children's Museum opened December 2013. Monthly event where the museum is open to the "adult" public. there's a cash bar and other unique activities/booths in addition to the regular muse
Great parks and playgrounds for kids and dogs. Suburban paths and walkways for runners and cyclists. Trailers open for lunch and coffee. Often movies in the park are shown, and live music local orchestras and musicians. The Thinkery is right there.
167 locals recommend
Mueller Farmers' Market
2006 Philomena StGreat parks and playgrounds for kids and dogs. Suburban paths and walkways for runners and cyclists. Trailers open for lunch and coffee. Often movies in the park are shown, and live music local orchestras and musicians. The Thinkery is right there.
Shopping
Thoughtful selection of Japanese-inspired home decor, accessories, gifts and art. Not open on Mondays. Walking distance from Blue Dahlia restaurant, right next door.
75 locals recommend
take heart
1211 E 11th StThoughtful selection of Japanese-inspired home decor, accessories, gifts and art. Not open on Mondays. Walking distance from Blue Dahlia restaurant, right next door.
Best walkable area with newly opened stores and some of Austin’s favorite local music and shops like the Continental Club, South Congress Pizza, and keeping Austin weird with Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
Best walkable area with newly opened stores and some of Austin’s favorite local music and shops like the Continental Club, South Congress Pizza, and keeping Austin weird with Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds.