Alejandra’s guidebook
Govalle Local Spots
Where to go in the neighborhood
Marcelino's Pan y Vino shop is a STAPLE on the East Side, but still largely under the radar. It has hands down the best breakfast tacos I've had anywhere - super generous portions, always fresh, a variety of traditional TexMex options. They serve filling breakfast/lunch foods besides tacos and have a wall full of beverage options. It's a cozy mom and pop with a lively but comfortable atmosphere. Many hangover victims shuffling about.
My personal favorite fillings are papas rancheras, carne con chile, and rajas.
Two warnings: 1 very filling! 2 they sell out quick, usually by 1pm they are done.
40 locals recommend
Marcelino's
901 Tillery StMarcelino's Pan y Vino shop is a STAPLE on the East Side, but still largely under the radar. It has hands down the best breakfast tacos I've had anywhere - super generous portions, always fresh, a variety of traditional TexMex options. They serve filling breakfast/lunch foods besides tacos and have a wall full of beverage options. It's a cozy mom and pop with a lively but comfortable atmosphere. Many hangover victims shuffling about.
My personal favorite fillings are papas rancheras, carne con chile, and rajas.
Two warnings: 1 very filling! 2 they sell out quick, usually by 1pm they are done.
The original Springdale location is just down the road at the Canopy Arts complex. The coffee and other drinks are exceptional. The Japanese cuisine inspired breakfast and lunch foods are delicious. You'll often find this coffee shop buzzing with creatives - lot's of workspace, intimate meetings in funky digs, and surrounded by galleries in case you need an inspo break.
112 locals recommend
Sa-Tén
916 Springdale RdThe original Springdale location is just down the road at the Canopy Arts complex. The coffee and other drinks are exceptional. The Japanese cuisine inspired breakfast and lunch foods are delicious. You'll often find this coffee shop buzzing with creatives - lot's of workspace, intimate meetings in funky digs, and surrounded by galleries in case you need an inspo break.
7/11 on the corner of Shady and Airport is the closest (and therefore most convenient) store. Your standard 7/11, but remember TEXAS DOES NOT SELL LIQUOR AT CONVENIENCE STORES.
863 Airport Blvd
863 Airport Boulevard7/11 on the corner of Shady and Airport is the closest (and therefore most convenient) store. Your standard 7/11, but remember TEXAS DOES NOT SELL LIQUOR AT CONVENIENCE STORES.
Any Day Grocery is the next closest convenience store - with a bit more substance. It's smaller than 7/11 but has a better selection of snacks, actual groceries & personal items at lower prices. It's also a Govalle stalwart and worth visiting for the murals and quirky regulars. Also does not sell hard liquor.
919 Springdale Rd
919 Springdale RoadAny Day Grocery is the next closest convenience store - with a bit more substance. It's smaller than 7/11 but has a better selection of snacks, actual groceries & personal items at lower prices. It's also a Govalle stalwart and worth visiting for the murals and quirky regulars. Also does not sell hard liquor.
This is my favorite late night spot. The food is good no matter what time you order. The drinks and atmosphere are even better. The music selection is fantastic. If you get lucky enough to enjoy a drink + book on the patio with few patrons around, they'll play your songs. You'll be just as lucky to join the revelry that takes place on most nights. This place is ritzy, but fun - anything goes! Dress up for fun, not obligation.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StThis is my favorite late night spot. The food is good no matter what time you order. The drinks and atmosphere are even better. The music selection is fantastic. If you get lucky enough to enjoy a drink + book on the patio with few patrons around, they'll play your songs. You'll be just as lucky to join the revelry that takes place on most nights. This place is ritzy, but fun - anything goes! Dress up for fun, not obligation.
The Hard Luck is my go to local pub. It's old school blue collar - they only serve beer or liquor. No cocktails. Smoking is encouraged. Pool table takes up the majority of the indoor bar. A honky tonk may be taking place out back, no biggie.
36 locals recommend
Hard Luck Lounge
3526 E 7th StThe Hard Luck is my go to local pub. It's old school blue collar - they only serve beer or liquor. No cocktails. Smoking is encouraged. Pool table takes up the majority of the indoor bar. A honky tonk may be taking place out back, no biggie.
Easy, fast, yummy Tex Mex. Right next door to Hard Luck. You can bring food over to the bar. The owner and cashier is a darling with the most Southern Belle laugh you'll ever hear.
13 locals recommend
Beto's Restaurants
3518 E 7th StEasy, fast, yummy Tex Mex. Right next door to Hard Luck. You can bring food over to the bar. The owner and cashier is a darling with the most Southern Belle laugh you'll ever hear.
An art complex that is free to visit. Galleries, artist studios, theater, interactive installations, handmade/maker studios and shops. Canopy helps organize the East Austin Studio tour, and other massive arts events.
84 locals recommend
Canopy Austin
916 Springdale RdAn art complex that is free to visit. Galleries, artist studios, theater, interactive installations, handmade/maker studios and shops. Canopy helps organize the East Austin Studio tour, and other massive arts events.
Austin's oldest urban farm. Free to visit and stroll around their beautiful, organic farm. They have a farmer's market open to all on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. You'll run into The who's who of Austin's chef scene at the farmstand.
48 locals recommend
Boggy Creek Farm
3414 Lyons RdAustin's oldest urban farm. Free to visit and stroll around their beautiful, organic farm. They have a farmer's market open to all on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. You'll run into The who's who of Austin's chef scene at the farmstand.
Friends & Allies Brewing
979 Springdale RdAustin Eastciders
979 Springdale RdAustin Tinkering School
1507 Airport BlvdNext door park. One of the best parks in Austin (which has many high contenders) because it is part open usual park with amenities, part greenbelt, and part wild crazy trails - some unexplored. The tame part of the park becomes a bike/run trail that follows Boggy Creek. If you walk out to the edge of the park and keep following the river, you'll arrive at a bridge and see where it suddenly goes wild again. You see old Austin as it used to be - open spaces, pecan groves, humble farmhouse and rolling river banks. This park is never crowded, but very safe. If you were to follow the bike/run trail it becomes the Boggy Trail which takes you through beautiful greenscapes. If you venture into the wild looking patch, there are some trails, but beware of venturing too far and getting lost.
24 locals recommend
Govalle Neighborhood Park
5200 Bolm RdNext door park. One of the best parks in Austin (which has many high contenders) because it is part open usual park with amenities, part greenbelt, and part wild crazy trails - some unexplored. The tame part of the park becomes a bike/run trail that follows Boggy Creek. If you walk out to the edge of the park and keep following the river, you'll arrive at a bridge and see where it suddenly goes wild again. You see old Austin as it used to be - open spaces, pecan groves, humble farmhouse and rolling river banks. This park is never crowded, but very safe. If you were to follow the bike/run trail it becomes the Boggy Trail which takes you through beautiful greenscapes. If you venture into the wild looking patch, there are some trails, but beware of venturing too far and getting lost.