Some Austin Favorites!
Food Scene
SO MUCH GREAT FOOD IN AUSTIN! Just some of our favorites:
Another Torchy's location close to where you're staying. This one is pretty new, large, has parking off South Congress, and has abundant indoor and outdoor seating. We recommend the hillbilly queso to start, then ANY taco, breakfast or lunch - they are all excellent. The taco of the month is fun to try, and they have a secret menu you can ask to see as well. Order like a local - if you get the Trailer Park taco, ask for it trashy (meaning queso on top!) or trashy on the side (queso on the side). Can you tell we like queso!? :)
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StAnother Torchy's location close to where you're staying. This one is pretty new, large, has parking off South Congress, and has abundant indoor and outdoor seating. We recommend the hillbilly queso to start, then ANY taco, breakfast or lunch - they are all excellent. The taco of the month is fun to try, and they have a secret menu you can ask to see as well. Order like a local - if you get the Trailer Park taco, ask for it trashy (meaning queso on top!) or trashy on the side (queso on the side). Can you tell we like queso!? :)
Because you have to have Torchy's! This one is a very easy walk from the Airbnb. There are other Torchy's locations, including another one on 1st, and a huge location on South Congress, but this one you can quickly walk to for that morning breakfast taco!
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StBecause you have to have Torchy's! This one is a very easy walk from the Airbnb. There are other Torchy's locations, including another one on 1st, and a huge location on South Congress, but this one you can quickly walk to for that morning breakfast taco!
This feels more like Florida than Texas, with tiki huts on the water! Grab a spot on the outdoor deck, and help yourself to the self-serve chips and salsa!
269 locals recommend
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdThis feels more like Florida than Texas, with tiki huts on the water! Grab a spot on the outdoor deck, and help yourself to the self-serve chips and salsa!
Come for the VIEW!! Food is decent, the view is the best in all of Central Texas!! :)
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailCome for the VIEW!! Food is decent, the view is the best in all of Central Texas!! :)
Just because you can! Secret menu items include 2x2, 3x3 (or any other combo), "animal style" and "protein style" for any of the burgers. Try it!
15 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
3701 South Lamar BoulevardJust because you can! Secret menu items include 2x2, 3x3 (or any other combo), "animal style" and "protein style" for any of the burgers. Try it!
Open 24/7!! Vegan and Vegetarian menu, everything is great and the menu is huge! Kill time next door if there's a wait!
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveOpen 24/7!! Vegan and Vegetarian menu, everything is great and the menu is huge! Kill time next door if there's a wait!
REALLY great steaks! There are many places to eat in Austin, many choices for eating steak, but this is one of our favorites.
12 locals recommend
III Forks
111 Lavaca StREALLY great steaks! There are many places to eat in Austin, many choices for eating steak, but this is one of our favorites.
Local, excellent. Stand outside on SoCo, you'll probably encounter a line for this delight!
397 locals recommend
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveLocal, excellent. Stand outside on SoCo, you'll probably encounter a line for this delight!
The most famous BBQ in Austin meets the most famous Asian cuisine in Austin, and Loro is born! Unique restaurant ordering experience, large, with indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent menu.
276 locals recommend
Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdThe most famous BBQ in Austin meets the most famous Asian cuisine in Austin, and Loro is born! Unique restaurant ordering experience, large, with indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent menu.
Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetGreat tex mex
BRUNCH!!!!! Always a line on the weekends, and they're only open for the first half of the day. Enormous breakfast/brunch menu. Everything is awesome!
214 locals recommend
Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdBRUNCH!!!!! Always a line on the weekends, and they're only open for the first half of the day. Enormous breakfast/brunch menu. Everything is awesome!
Picnik
4801 Burnet RdClean eats!
Mother's Cafe
Excellent Vegan restaurant with a great menu!
Counter Culture
2908 E Cesar Chavez StUnique East Austin Vegan restaurant
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StThe biggest breakfast tacos you'll ever see
Excellent classy Ramen joint, with a super cool interior! If there is a line, don't worry --- not only is it worth the wait, but it moves quickly due to their unique ordering and seating method. Plus, you can grab a cocktail and wait in line while you sip.
502 locals recommend
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdExcellent classy Ramen joint, with a super cool interior! If there is a line, don't worry --- not only is it worth the wait, but it moves quickly due to their unique ordering and seating method. Plus, you can grab a cocktail and wait in line while you sip.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdUpscale Sushi, famous in Austin
An outdoor area with food trucks gathered around, and picnic bench seating. Good options, great food!
68 locals recommend
The Picnic - Food Truck Park
1720 Barton Springs RdAn outdoor area with food trucks gathered around, and picnic bench seating. Good options, great food!
Baby Acapulco
1705 S Lakeshore BlvdFamous for it's Purple Margaritas (made with Everclear!)
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveFamous Tex Mex
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveFamous and popular
For all of your burger needs! Fun ordering system, lots of great and tasty options. Often has a line around the block!
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveFor all of your burger needs! Fun ordering system, lots of great and tasty options. Often has a line around the block!
ATX Cocina
110 San Antonio StFancy and pricey modern Mexican food, downtown Austin
Fancy and pricey upscale Chinese food. Delicate soup dumplings are excellent!
75 locals recommend
Wu Chow
500 W 5th StFancy and pricey upscale Chinese food. Delicate soup dumplings are excellent!
Lamberts
401 W 2nd StFancy downtown BBQ
THE flagship store, corporate offices on top! Multiple restaurants inside, and the most deli style prepared foods you've ever seen!
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdTHE flagship store, corporate offices on top! Multiple restaurants inside, and the most deli style prepared foods you've ever seen!
A little drive outside the city, but worth it to dine perched up above Lake Travis at sunset. Indoor, outdoor, and semi-outdoor seating options, and a great menu consisting mostly of fried chicken options. We love the huge nachos!
208 locals recommend
Lucy's Fried Chicken
2218 College AveA little drive outside the city, but worth it to dine perched up above Lake Travis at sunset. Indoor, outdoor, and semi-outdoor seating options, and a great menu consisting mostly of fried chicken options. We love the huge nachos!
Next Door to the "main" Oasis, go up the stairs to the right and experience nearly identical views, but a more craft beer and craft inspired menu!
97 locals recommend
Oasis Texas Brewing Company
6650 Comanche TrailNext Door to the "main" Oasis, go up the stairs to the right and experience nearly identical views, but a more craft beer and craft inspired menu!
Casino El Camino
517 E 6th StApparently THE best burgers!!
Outdoor & Adventure
Pennybacker Bridge Overlook
North Capital of Texas HighwayThe best view of our iconic 360 bridge!
Walk up the steps and spend some time at the top, overlooking Lake Austin and 360 bridge in the distance to your right. Great view!
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Walk up the steps and spend some time at the top, overlooking Lake Austin and 360 bridge in the distance to your right. Great view!
Crux is a climbing gym with an incredible food and coffee scene across the parking lot! Very popular all times of day.
32 locals recommend
Crux Climbing Center
121 Pickle RdCrux is a climbing gym with an incredible food and coffee scene across the parking lot! Very popular all times of day.
Congress Street bridge is also affectionately known as "bat bride" and people line up along both sides, at dusk, to watch our Mexican freetail population take to the skies for their evening meal. They don't really fly during the winter, so save this for spring through fall.
131 locals recommend
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress AveCongress Street bridge is also affectionately known as "bat bride" and people line up along both sides, at dusk, to watch our Mexican freetail population take to the skies for their evening meal. They don't really fly during the winter, so save this for spring through fall.
iFLY - Austin
13265 US-183Indoor Skydiving!
Topgolf
2700 Esperanza CrossingMulti-story driving range, food, drinks.
Capital Cruises
208 Barton Springs RdCruise the river at sunset to watch the bats!
Walk, jog, bike around and across "Lake Austin" and through/views of downtown
257 locals recommend
Ann And Roy Butler Hike And Bike Trail
Walk, jog, bike around and across "Lake Austin" and through/views of downtown
Parks & Nature
Downtown Austin views, with expanses of lush grass to lay or play in! There are also sand volleyball courts, there are always lots of dogs, and some fun rocks to climb on.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdDowntown Austin views, with expanses of lush grass to lay or play in! There are also sand volleyball courts, there are always lots of dogs, and some fun rocks to climb on.
Texas Rowing Center
1541 W Cesar Chavez StPaddle board, canoe, or Kayak, with epic views of downtown!
Winding trail, mostly shady, some views of water depending on the weather we've had
531 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayWinding trail, mostly shady, some views of water depending on the weather we've had
Enchanted Rock Summit
A little drive, but such a unique hiking experience!
A good spot to start a walk or jog around Town Lake. There are a couple of spots to enter the water, including a Dog Park with a mini-pier, across the water from the Google building. Great views of the city from across the lake ("lake"), and entertaining when there are lots of dogs around!
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrA good spot to start a walk or jog around Town Lake. There are a couple of spots to enter the water, including a Dog Park with a mini-pier, across the water from the Google building. Great views of the city from across the lake ("lake"), and entertaining when there are lots of dogs around!
Natural bottom pool, developed around the outside. Famous spot! $2 entry. You can walk to the left (you'll pass the playground, and find a set of stone stairs that lead down to the water) and enter the un-developed side of the creek free of charge. Dogs, music, swimming all popular on that side!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrNatural bottom pool, developed around the outside. Famous spot! $2 entry. You can walk to the left (you'll pass the playground, and find a set of stone stairs that lead down to the water) and enter the un-developed side of the creek free of charge. Dogs, music, swimming all popular on that side!
Shopping
Both local boutique style, and classic shopping mall options.
The SoCo district has boutique shopping, restaurants, bars, ice cream, coffee shops, boot stores, and more. Great place to walk and shop!
650 locals recommend
South Congress
The SoCo district has boutique shopping, restaurants, bars, ice cream, coffee shops, boot stores, and more. Great place to walk and shop!
A trip to Austin would not be complete without a stop in a Kendra Scott store. See what the hype is all about!
30 locals recommend
Kendra Scott Flagship
1701 S Congress AveA trip to Austin would not be complete without a stop in a Kendra Scott store. See what the hype is all about!
Closest indoor shopping mall if you need department stores and more chain-type options
74 locals recommend
Barton Creek Square
2901 S Capital of Texas HwyClosest indoor shopping mall if you need department stores and more chain-type options
Because even if you already have 8 pairs, it's still fun to go in and look around!
136 locals recommend
Allens Boots
1522 S Congress AveBecause even if you already have 8 pairs, it's still fun to go in and look around!
Outdoor mall with lots of bars, restaurants, upscale shopping. North Central Austin.
768 locals recommend
The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceOutdoor mall with lots of bars, restaurants, upscale shopping. North Central Austin.
YETI's AWESOME retail store, with a bar and corn hole on the front patio. Check out the full-sized boat inside the store, as well as all the new YETI gear. Fun stop along your South Congress day!
16 locals recommend
YETI Flagship
220 S Congress AveYETI's AWESOME retail store, with a bar and corn hole on the front patio. Check out the full-sized boat inside the store, as well as all the new YETI gear. Fun stop along your South Congress day!
Grocery Stores
From our local grocery store to a hole in the wall natural foods store, we have options!
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdClosest major grocery store to us
For something a little more "health-food-store-ish" than HEB, try Wheatsville.
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StFor something a little more "health-food-store-ish" than HEB, try Wheatsville.
Like Whole Foods, but our local chain! Lots of prepared food options, both packaged and DIY style. Great bread and bakery section, large facility with lots of great choices!
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdLike Whole Foods, but our local chain! Lots of prepared food options, both packaged and DIY style. Great bread and bakery section, large facility with lots of great choices!
FARM TO MARKET GROCERY
1718 S Congress Ave"Health food" and local goods!
We have a few TJ's locations; this will be your closest, and is in a cool part of downtown called the Seaholm District. Have lunch at True Foods Kitchen and dessert at The Baked Bear (ice cream and ice cream sandwiches!) while you're there!
289 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
211 Walter Seaholm DrWe have a few TJ's locations; this will be your closest, and is in a cool part of downtown called the Seaholm District. Have lunch at True Foods Kitchen and dessert at The Baked Bear (ice cream and ice cream sandwiches!) while you're there!
Coffee Spots
There is always Starbucks, but if you'd like a local option, here are some of our favorites.
Yes it's a shoe store, but there is a coffee shop inside! Indoor and outdoor seating, and great coffees. Sip and shop :)
61 locals recommend
TOMS Austin
1401 S Congress AveYes it's a shoe store, but there is a coffee shop inside! Indoor and outdoor seating, and great coffees. Sip and shop :)
Super close walk from the Airbnb (.4 miles through the neighborhood), and a popular Austin favorite with a few additional locations around town. This is the closest coffee shop to where you're staying - have a stroll over there, then try their "Moon Milk!"
176 locals recommend
Summer Moon Coffee
3115 S 1st StSuper close walk from the Airbnb (.4 miles through the neighborhood), and a popular Austin favorite with a few additional locations around town. This is the closest coffee shop to where you're staying - have a stroll over there, then try their "Moon Milk!"
Café No Sé
1603 S Congress AveSoCo spot, on the main drag and inside a hotel
Huge decks over the lake, Christmas lights display/show during the holidays.
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdHuge decks over the lake, Christmas lights display/show during the holidays.
Halcyon
218 W 4th StCoffee cocktails, s'mores platters, and a whole lot more
IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Your closest amenities, within a few minutes walk.
At the end of our street, a dive bar with a busy weekend night life scene! Most nights, there is a taco truck in the parking lot that has great food!
83 locals recommend
Crow Bar
3116 S Congress AveAt the end of our street, a dive bar with a busy weekend night life scene! Most nights, there is a taco truck in the parking lot that has great food!
We haven't personally eaten here, but we have guests say it's fantastic. Super close to your Airbnb, literally on the corner of our street and South Congress!
19 locals recommend
Poke-Poke
3100 S Congress AveWe haven't personally eaten here, but we have guests say it's fantastic. Super close to your Airbnb, literally on the corner of our street and South Congress!
Closest coffee shop, and a popular Austin spot with multiple destinations around town. They base their lattes off their "moon milk," a sweet concoction that can be ordered as full moon, 1/2 moon, 1/4 moon, and so on! Go on, try it! They also have breakfast tacos from Taco Deli (not our favorite, and they don't travel well, BUT if you're hungry, they will suffice!) and some pastries.
176 locals recommend
Summer Moon Coffee
3115 S 1st StClosest coffee shop, and a popular Austin spot with multiple destinations around town. They base their lattes off their "moon milk," a sweet concoction that can be ordered as full moon, 1/2 moon, 1/4 moon, and so on! Go on, try it! They also have breakfast tacos from Taco Deli (not our favorite, and they don't travel well, BUT if you're hungry, they will suffice!) and some pastries.
On the edge of the neighborhood, on South 1st street, but really a short walk.
33 locals recommend
Toss Pizzeria & Pub
2901 S 1st StOn the edge of the neighborhood, on South 1st street, but really a short walk.
Our closest Torchy's! A short walk, on the edge of our neighborhood on South 1st street. Small outdoor seating area, small indoor area - not the largest Torchy's in town, but the closest!
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StOur closest Torchy's! A short walk, on the edge of our neighborhood on South 1st street. Small outdoor seating area, small indoor area - not the largest Torchy's in town, but the closest!