Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Austin staple that sells New York style slices. Conveniently located on South Congress. Expect a bit of a wait when you arrive.
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveAustin staple that sells New York style slices. Conveniently located on South Congress. Expect a bit of a wait when you arrive.
Authentic Mexican food and good daily specials. Stiff frozen margaritas. It's a two-story facility; upstairs is outside seating only and with a good view.
170 locals recommend
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdAuthentic Mexican food and good daily specials. Stiff frozen margaritas. It's a two-story facility; upstairs is outside seating only and with a good view.
Serves upscale takes on Vietnamese food, as well as French pastries. Excellent escargot, and I would strongly recommend their sake cocktails. Parking available at the food trailer space next door.
426 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StServes upscale takes on Vietnamese food, as well as French pastries. Excellent escargot, and I would strongly recommend their sake cocktails. Parking available at the food trailer space next door.
Extensive coffee list, beer on draft, pastries, diverse and creative vegetarian menu, neighborhood staple. All organic. Expect a wait during breakfast and lunch hours.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StExtensive coffee list, beer on draft, pastries, diverse and creative vegetarian menu, neighborhood staple. All organic. Expect a wait during breakfast and lunch hours.
Never seems too busy to take care of you. Counter service. Their thai food is definitely worth a try. Brunch. Gluten-free, vegan pastries. Dairy-free ice creams! Coffee bar. Beer of draft.
189 locals recommend
Thai Fresh
909 W Mary StNever seems too busy to take care of you. Counter service. Their thai food is definitely worth a try. Brunch. Gluten-free, vegan pastries. Dairy-free ice creams! Coffee bar. Beer of draft.
Largest assortment of salsas in Austin. Avocado margaritas. Very authentic.
200 locals recommend
Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf StLargest assortment of salsas in Austin. Avocado margaritas. Very authentic.
Nice wine and Tapas bar.
Half priced wine by the bottle on Monday and Wednesday nights.
115 locals recommend
Winebelly
519 W Oltorf StNice wine and Tapas bar.
Half priced wine by the bottle on Monday and Wednesday nights.
Opa
2050 S Lamar BlvdJust a nice place.
Good Greek food. Nice beer and wine selection.
This place serves Moroccan Souk Food
To be honest, at the time of recommending this, I have never eaten there. However, several friends have recommended it.
13 locals recommend
The Flying Carpet Moroccan Souk Food
504 W Oltorf StThis place serves Moroccan Souk Food
To be honest, at the time of recommending this, I have never eaten there. However, several friends have recommended it.
Tarbouch Lebanese Grill
534 E Oltorf StLebanese Food
For the price, this place is alright
New India Cuisine
2304 South Congress AvenuePretty good Indian food
Java Noodles Restaurant
2400 E Oltorf StIndonesian... AMAZING!
888 Pan Asian Restaurant
2400 E Oltorf StAsian food... you won't be disappointed.
Sway
1417 S 1st StExpensive Thai food. Highly recommend, though.
Seventh Flag Coffee
1506 S 1st StReally nice coffee shop. And prices to reflect it.
Great low key coffee shop. Most of my coffee-drinker friends say it's the best coffee around. Nice place to hang out on your computer, all day.
176 locals recommend
Summer Moon Coffee
3115 S 1st StGreat low key coffee shop. Most of my coffee-drinker friends say it's the best coffee around. Nice place to hang out on your computer, all day.
Not really close to the property, but a nice-enough place to recommend and make the effort to patronize.
435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdNot really close to the property, but a nice-enough place to recommend and make the effort to patronize.
Decent burger place. In my opinion, too much hype is built up around this place. Nothing to complain about, but can't really justify the wait in line. JUST SAYIN!
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveDecent burger place. In my opinion, too much hype is built up around this place. Nothing to complain about, but can't really justify the wait in line. JUST SAYIN!
Fair Bean Coffee
2210 South 1st StreetNice coffee shop with good food
Okay coffee shop. Usually, no place to sit because of the limited seating and computer campers.
115 locals recommend
Once Over Coffee Bar
2009 S 1st StOkay coffee shop. Usually, no place to sit because of the limited seating and computer campers.
Very creamy ice cream. The staff at any Amy's location are pretty nutz!
397 locals recommend
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveVery creamy ice cream. The staff at any Amy's location are pretty nutz!
I have a love/not so much love relationship with Habanero's. I have had some really good meals there and some that miss the mark. This place has had several good reviews from several airbnb guests.
70 locals recommend
Habanero Cafe
501 W Oltorf StI have a love/not so much love relationship with Habanero's. I have had some really good meals there and some that miss the mark. This place has had several good reviews from several airbnb guests.
Good 24 Hour Tex-Mex Diner. Unique menu, more Tex than Mex. Breakfast 24 hours a day. Try the Magnolia Mud queso.
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveGood 24 Hour Tex-Mex Diner. Unique menu, more Tex than Mex. Breakfast 24 hours a day. Try the Magnolia Mud queso.
Nice moderate to high priced restaurant. Great staff and great food.
279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveNice moderate to high priced restaurant. Great staff and great food.
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveNice Italian Restaurant. A little pricey, but worth it.
Local old-style drive-thru burger joint. Popular for their malts and fries. Good veggie burgers, too.
302 locals recommend
P. Terry's Burger Stand
404 S Lamar BlvdLocal old-style drive-thru burger joint. Popular for their malts and fries. Good veggie burgers, too.
Drinks & Nightlife
"Beer-lover's paradise". One of the largest lists of draft beer in town. Nice atmosphere and outdoor patio.
39 locals recommend
The Ginger Man Austin
301 Lavaca Street"Beer-lover's paradise". One of the largest lists of draft beer in town. Nice atmosphere and outdoor patio.
Ego's Bar
510 S Congress AveGreat dive bar. Pool tables. Karaoke nights.
Dog-friendly. Great staff. People watch on South Congress. Not so typical "bar-food". Try their asian hot wings or calamari.
49 locals recommend
Bobo's Snack Bar
3850 Airport BoulevardDog-friendly. Great staff. People watch on South Congress. Not so typical "bar-food". Try their asian hot wings or calamari.
Oilcan Harry's
211 W 4th StAustin's busiest gay bar and dance floor
Rain
217 W 4th StWarehouse district. A popular gay bar and lounge.
Great live music. Local bands. Occasional drag shows, DJ's. East Austin.
153 locals recommend
Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StGreat live music. Local bands. Occasional drag shows, DJ's. East Austin.
Great dance spot. Friday's are 80's night. Tuesgays are never a let-down.
153 locals recommend
Barbarella
611 Red River StGreat dance spot. Friday's are 80's night. Tuesgays are never a let-down.
Great place to grab a drink on the weekend. Rainey-street district. Located along a strip of other Bungalow-style houses converted to bars.
60 locals recommend
Icenhauer's
83 Rainey StGreat place to grab a drink on the weekend. Rainey-street district. Located along a strip of other Bungalow-style houses converted to bars.
Live music. Great service. Rainey-street district. Located along a strip of other Bungalow-style houses converted to bars.
23 locals recommend
THE BLACKHEART
86 Rainey StLive music. Great service. Rainey-street district. Located along a strip of other Bungalow-style houses converted to bars.
Neighborhood dive bar. A little nicer than the nearby 04 Lounge, Nice outdoor area. Decent beer selection and unique cocktails.
83 locals recommend
Crow Bar
3116 S Congress AveNeighborhood dive bar. A little nicer than the nearby 04 Lounge, Nice outdoor area. Decent beer selection and unique cocktails.
Great brew pub with really good food.
Although (among other things) they have really great whole pizzas, in my opinion the individual slices are to be avoided.
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StGreat brew pub with really good food.
Although (among other things) they have really great whole pizzas, in my opinion the individual slices are to be avoided.
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar BlvdSports Bar with okay food and a great beer selection.
By far, one of the weirdest bars in S Austin. Great beer selection, crappy pool tables, semi-functioning pinball games and one of the most surly bartenders (and owner) you'll ever meet. A must see!
16 locals recommend
G & S Lounge
2420 S 1st StBy far, one of the weirdest bars in S Austin. Great beer selection, crappy pool tables, semi-functioning pinball games and one of the most surly bartenders (and owner) you'll ever meet. A must see!
Very popular mexican food joint. My opinion is it's overrated, but no real complaints. Good place to people watch and spot celebrities.
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveVery popular mexican food joint. My opinion is it's overrated, but no real complaints. Good place to people watch and spot celebrities.
Fun night club, Shuffleboard and pool.
Check out their 6th Street location for the best hamburgers in town.
49 locals recommend
Casino South Side
1502 W Ben White BlvdFun night club, Shuffleboard and pool.
Check out their 6th Street location for the best hamburgers in town.
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveNice seafood place!
Taqueria Arandas
2448 S 1st StCheap authentic mexican food. Always good.
Really weird dive bar. Worn pool tables and really good good pool players. Okay beer selection. One of my favorite late-night hangouts.
11 locals recommend
The 04 Lounge
3808 S Congress AveReally weird dive bar. Worn pool tables and really good good pool players. Okay beer selection. One of my favorite late-night hangouts.
House Wine
408 Josephine StGreat wine bar. Often have chilled out live music.
Arts & Culture
Gem of a movie theatre downtown. Full bar. Outdoor patio seating. Artsy, independent films. The first row of seats are la-z boys. 'Nuff said.
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StGem of a movie theatre downtown. Full bar. Outdoor patio seating. Artsy, independent films. The first row of seats are la-z boys. 'Nuff said.
A unique movie theatre complete with waitstaff. Catch a film and a bite to eat.
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StA unique movie theatre complete with waitstaff. Catch a film and a bite to eat.
Historic. Intimate atmosphere. On busy Congress Ave. Downtown and walking distance from other interesting Austin spots.
75 locals recommend
The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress AveHistoric. Intimate atmosphere. On busy Congress Ave. Downtown and walking distance from other interesting Austin spots.
The main space for Austin's local art association. Hosts some really original exhibits. You can find out whats currently happening on their website.
173 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
700 Congress AveThe main space for Austin's local art association. Hosts some really original exhibits. You can find out whats currently happening on their website.
Yard Dog
916 Springdale RoadAmazing folk art gallery
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar BlvdWorld-class performing arts center.
Sightseeing
Scenic drive/ walk up. Nature. Nice view of the city. Sunrise/sunset.
9 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell Road
Mount Bonnell RoadScenic drive/ walk up. Nature. Nice view of the city. Sunrise/sunset.
Essentials
Just a few blocks away from where you'll be staying. Open 24 hours. Carries gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan groceries. High quality produce and meats.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdJust a few blocks away from where you'll be staying. Open 24 hours. Carries gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan groceries. High quality produce and meats.
A "convenience store" version of Whole Foods. Open until 8pm. South Congress. Parking in the back.
87 locals recommend
FARM TO MARKET GROCERY
1718 S Congress AveA "convenience store" version of Whole Foods. Open until 8pm. South Congress. Parking in the back.
A grocery facility with food court inside that serves gelato, pizza, asian dishes, salad bar, and other world-wide foods. You can find just about anything organic. Outdoor seating, kids playground.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdA grocery facility with food court inside that serves gelato, pizza, asian dishes, salad bar, and other world-wide foods. You can find just about anything organic. Outdoor seating, kids playground.
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdWhole Foods! What else is there to say?
Entertainment & Activities
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs RdProbably the most fun mini golf ever.
Always something going on here. You can check the calendar on their website. Located right by Auditorium shores, Lady Bird Lake, and dog park.
63 locals recommend
Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs RdAlways something going on here. You can check the calendar on their website. Located right by Auditorium shores, Lady Bird Lake, and dog park.
A fresh water pool, very cold water during the summer time. Good place to chill out from the Texas heat. Scenic. They do not allow any snacks or drinks, only water.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrA fresh water pool, very cold water during the summer time. Good place to chill out from the Texas heat. Scenic. They do not allow any snacks or drinks, only water.
Amazing public park. Location for many music concerts and festivals. Location for ACL Festival.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdAmazing public park. Location for many music concerts and festivals. Location for ACL Festival.
Amazing public park. Location for many music concerts and festivals. Yearly fireworks displays. Reggae Fest and many more Festivals.
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrAmazing public park. Location for many music concerts and festivals. Yearly fireworks displays. Reggae Fest and many more Festivals.
Everything Else
Furniture and art store with a nice wine bar.
Wednesday nights they have half priced bottles of wine and usually have a fun little band.
53 locals recommend
Aviary Decor
2110 S Lamar BlvdFurniture and art store with a nice wine bar.
Wednesday nights they have half priced bottles of wine and usually have a fun little band.
Only liquor store in the hood.
Like all texas liquor stores,
Warehouse closes at 9pm Monday - Saturday... Closed all day on Sundays
7 locals recommend
Warehouse Liquors
2424 S 1st StOnly liquor store in the hood.
Like all texas liquor stores,
Warehouse closes at 9pm Monday - Saturday... Closed all day on Sundays
Shell
1901 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdCheapest gas station in the hood. Usually cheaper than the sign advertises.
St. Edward's University
3001 S Congress AveClose to St Ed's University