Guidebook for Austin
Essentials
This little store is right down the street and remarkably well-stocked for the size! Full deli, pizzas to go, fresh produce, quality chocolate, movies for rent, good wine selection, great owners.
29 locals recommend
Barton Hills Market
1220 Barton Hills DrThis little store is right down the street and remarkably well-stocked for the size! Full deli, pizzas to go, fresh produce, quality chocolate, movies for rent, good wine selection, great owners.
The mother ship of healthy food and beautiful people. Yes, it's pricey, but you've got to see it to believe it, AND in the winter, there's ice skating on the roof!
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdThe mother ship of healthy food and beautiful people. Yes, it's pricey, but you've got to see it to believe it, AND in the winter, there's ice skating on the roof!
Now called Sprouts. A good alternative to Whole Foods, smaller, cheaper, and more manageable with rockin' good deals weekly.
Sun Harvest
4006 South Lamar BoulevardNow called Sprouts. A good alternative to Whole Foods, smaller, cheaper, and more manageable with rockin' good deals weekly.
Cheapest groceries in Austin, and a freaky slice of the population that you might've otherwise missed!
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdCheapest groceries in Austin, and a freaky slice of the population that you might've otherwise missed!
The original Austin food co-op...funky, friendly, and right across the street from Toy Joy!
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StThe original Austin food co-op...funky, friendly, and right across the street from Toy Joy!
Food Scene
Yummy down-home cooking, nice outdoor dining area, funky Austin vibe, and free concerts on Thursday nights. The fries rock!
171 locals recommend
Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs RdYummy down-home cooking, nice outdoor dining area, funky Austin vibe, and free concerts on Thursday nights. The fries rock!
My favorite tex-mex in Austin...the fish fajitas are more than enough for two people and DEElicious!!!
72 locals recommend
Irie Bean Coffee & Wine Bar
2310 S Lamar BlvdMy favorite tex-mex in Austin...the fish fajitas are more than enough for two people and DEElicious!!!
Best breakfast tacos in town, lots of live music. Check out the hippie church gospel brunch on sundays!
75 locals recommend
Maria's Taco Xpress
1210 S Lamar BlvdBest breakfast tacos in town, lots of live music. Check out the hippie church gospel brunch on sundays!
The food is ridiculously over-the-top (think fried twinkies), but the atmosphere is fun, happy hour is cheap, there's a nice play area for kids, regular washers tournaments, and live music at night.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveThe food is ridiculously over-the-top (think fried twinkies), but the atmosphere is fun, happy hour is cheap, there's a nice play area for kids, regular washers tournaments, and live music at night.
A macrobiotic restaurant and oasis. The food is delicious and pure and healing. There are also classes and events offered on premises, including yoga, kirtan, massage, and cooking classes.
163 locals recommend
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdA macrobiotic restaurant and oasis. The food is delicious and pure and healing. There are also classes and events offered on premises, including yoga, kirtan, massage, and cooking classes.
DAILY JUICE
1625 Barton Springs RoadBest smoothies in the known universe!
Good coffee, laid-back vibe, free wireless, live music nightly, excellent people watching.
26 locals recommend
Flipnotics
1601 Barton Springs RoadGood coffee, laid-back vibe, free wireless, live music nightly, excellent people watching.
Open 24/7 with hearty breakfasts, gigantic pancakes, great sandwiches (the Flamingo and Turkey Reuben are A+). The black bean entree with jalapenos in the corncake rocks too!
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress AveOpen 24/7 with hearty breakfasts, gigantic pancakes, great sandwiches (the Flamingo and Turkey Reuben are A+). The black bean entree with jalapenos in the corncake rocks too!
This is all about the view - and bottomless cups of coffee, free wireless...a good place to chill for an hour or two.
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdThis is all about the view - and bottomless cups of coffee, free wireless...a good place to chill for an hour or two.
Hands down the best sushi I've ever had.
It's loud, expensive, self-consciously hip, there's always a wait...and it's worth every penny. Food as art. Unbelievable. Be sure and try the Shag Roll!
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdHands down the best sushi I've ever had.
It's loud, expensive, self-consciously hip, there's always a wait...and it's worth every penny. Food as art. Unbelievable. Be sure and try the Shag Roll!
Beets Cafe
1611 W 5th StRaw food restaurant - great juices, salads, and sandwiches. Yum!
Everything Else
The jeweled heart of Austin. Refreshing, relaxing, and great people watching. Great for an afternoon of lazy lounging!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThe jeweled heart of Austin. Refreshing, relaxing, and great people watching. Great for an afternoon of lazy lounging!
Smaller than Barton Springs, but just as cool...good lap lanes, and they show weekly movies there in the summer!
25 locals recommend
Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park
401 Deep Eddy AveSmaller than Barton Springs, but just as cool...good lap lanes, and they show weekly movies there in the summer!
Arts & Culture
Huge park - there's always something going on here; music, sports, festivals of all sorts, picnic areas awesome playground and train for the kids. Adjacent to the hike-and-bike trail.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdHuge park - there's always something going on here; music, sports, festivals of all sorts, picnic areas awesome playground and train for the kids. Adjacent to the hike-and-bike trail.
My favorite bike shop.The staff here is friendly and helpful. Rent bikes, get a map of the best bike routes, etc.
42 locals recommend
Trek Bicycle Lamar
517 S Lamar BlvdMy favorite bike shop.The staff here is friendly and helpful. Rent bikes, get a map of the best bike routes, etc.
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar BlvdGet your cultural fix with their off-center plays and performances.
Sightseeing
People watch! Feed the ducks! Get your walk,run or ride on! Get from point A to point B without a single car to hinder your path! I love this trail!
257 locals recommend
Ann And Roy Butler Hike And Bike Trail
People watch! Feed the ducks! Get your walk,run or ride on! Get from point A to point B without a single car to hinder your path! I love this trail!
Shopping
Because there's already enough stuff in the world!
6 locals recommend
Goodwill Central Texas - South Lamar Store
4001 S Lamar BlvdBecause there's already enough stuff in the world!
Toy Joy
403 West 2nd StreetThe best toy store. Ever.