Austin Guide Book
Food Scene
Rosita's Al Pastor
1801 E Riverside DrFamous tacos al pastor.
La tunita 512
2400 Burleson RoadBirria, tacos, & quesotacos.
Still Austin Whiskey Co
440 E St Elmo RdLocal barrel aged Texas whiskeys.
The Meteor
2110 S Congress AveRoman style pizza, wine, coffee, & bikes.
1618 Asian Fusion
1618 E Riverside DrCocktails & fusion.
Texas Sake
440 East Saint Elmo RoadLocally made sake. Flights available.
New-school Texas BBQ; beef cheeks, smoked beets, califlower burnt ends, etc.
12 locals recommend
Leroy And Lewis Barbecue
5621 Pickle RdNew-school Texas BBQ; beef cheeks, smoked beets, califlower burnt ends, etc.
Meanwhile Brewing Company
3901 Promontory Point DrLarge space w/ outdoor dining, food trucks.
Excellent family-run Thai food outside the city. Try the boat noodles and fish cakes.
12 locals recommend
Little Thailand
4315 Caldwell LnExcellent family-run Thai food outside the city. Try the boat noodles and fish cakes.
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdFamous Tex meets Mex BBQ.
Sabor Tapatio
5604 South Congress AvenueAll sorts of Mexican street eats.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdHigh-end inventive sushi, famous in Texas.
QI Austin: Modern Asian Kitchen
835 West 6th StreetInteresting downtown dim sum spot.
Tamale House East
1707 E 6th StOld east-side tamale and tex-mex joint.
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StBBQ!
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StBBQ w/ a line!
Kerlin BBQ
2207 E Cesar Chavez StBBQ.
Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
2305 E 7th StFamily-run tex-mex with famous breakfast dishes.
Nixta Taqueria
2512 E 12th StUpscale taqueria: duck carnitas, tuna tostado, etc.
Gati Coconut Milk Ice Cream
1512 Holly StThai ice creams, mostly coconut based.
Out of the city but nationally-famous wild/sour beer venue on a ranch w/ beers, wines, ciders, pizza, and lots of room for kids to run wild.
298 locals recommend
Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdOut of the city but nationally-famous wild/sour beer venue on a ranch w/ beers, wines, ciders, pizza, and lots of room for kids to run wild.
Blue Owl Brewing
2400 E Cesar Chavez StDowntown sour beer destination.
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
2713 E 2nd StJapanese-Texan.
A Chihuahuan-method of taco preparation by guys from Mexico City; w/ elotes.
18 locals recommend
Discada
1319 Rosewood AveA Chihuahuan-method of taco preparation by guys from Mexico City; w/ elotes.
Russian restaurant decorated to the gills w/ artifacts from the old country; vodka shot complementary.
19 locals recommend
Russian House
307 E 5th StRussian restaurant decorated to the gills w/ artifacts from the old country; vodka shot complementary.
Sam's BBQ
2000 E 12th StHistoric BBQ spot on the east side.
Roland's
1311 Chestnut AveSoul food.
Dai Due
2406 Manor RdMeat-centric dining house.
Beer & towering (tens of stories off the lake) views of Lake Travis which is awesome at sunset. (Much better choice than the mediocre tex-mex at similarly named "the oasis" in same complex.)
97 locals recommend
Oasis Texas Brewing Company
6650 Comanche TrailBeer & towering (tens of stories off the lake) views of Lake Travis which is awesome at sunset. (Much better choice than the mediocre tex-mex at similarly named "the oasis" in same complex.)
Sammataro
2907 East 12th StreetBest pizza in Austin: wood-fired out of a truck.
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StLocations around town. Famous Detroit-style pizza.
Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville RdHipster tropical bar w/ pool & lots of outdoor seating.
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetStaple bar w/ food truck behind.
The Roosevelt Room
307 W 5th StHip cocktail spot.
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveUnderground jazz bar.
Here Nor There
612 Brazos StSemi-private cocktail lounge; i.e. make reservation on their app.
Draught House Pub & Brewery
4112 Medical PkwySo many beers, old German tavern.
Kumar's Austin
15803 Windermere DrOn weekends they do banana-leaf style service lunches (eat with your hands).
The Buzz Mill
1505 Town Creek DrCoffee and beer w/ food trucks.
Habanero Cafe
501 W Oltorf StFamily-run old-school joint with tacos and lunch specials.
Coffee, drinks, and food; reverse happy hour late night.
85 locals recommend
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
406 Walsh StCoffee, drinks, and food; reverse happy hour late night.
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet RdInventive, very good smaller-plate locally-sourced food.
Phở Phong Lưu
11800 Dessau RoadOne of the city's better pho places.
Middle-eastern w/ plentiful spread of dessert specialities especially their baklava.
8 locals recommend
Peace Bakery
11220 N Lamar BlvdMiddle-eastern w/ plentiful spread of dessert specialities especially their baklava.
ARTIPASTA
7800 South 1st StreetFood truck w/ fresh house-made pastas.
Nervous Charlie's
5501 N Lamar BlvdBagels: ingredients shipped in from NYC.
Distant Relatives
3901 Promontory Point DriveJames beard nominee for bbq; excellent sides.
Interstellar BBQ
12233 Ranch Rd 620 NTexas monthly's number two spot for bbq 2021.
Rock N Grill - Indian Cuisine and Bar
1702 North Mays Streetin our humble opinion, best from scratch Indian food in area.
Bombay Street Food
13775 Research BoulevardIndian street food.
Ros Niyom Thai
2000 S I-35 Frontage Rdexcellent Thai; duck larb is a hidden heavy hitter.
Kiin Di
1901 South Lamar BoulevardThai truck; ask for seasonal specials.
Loro
2115 S Lamar Blvdfranklin's bbq + uchi collaboration
House of Three Gorges
8557 Research Boulevardbest sichuan in city.
Llama Kid - Peruvian Food
4620 East Cesar Chavez Streethip Peruvian spot, lots of outdoor seating, cocktails.
Lima Criolla
6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage RdPeruvian, excellent ceviche mixto.
Meat & Bread
360 Nueces Streetporchetta sandwiches
Bamboo House Austin
Peking duck.
Sightseeing
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyHiking & swimming at the falls; minutes from the city.
Bonsai Garden of Texas
2392 State Hwy 71Fossils, bonsai, rocks, crystals, etc. etc. all from Mr. Chen.
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrSpring-fed freezing cold pool...very famous.
If Barton Springs Pool too busy, head across the river: both spring-fed pool and treated pool.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveIf Barton Springs Pool too busy, head across the river: both spring-fed pool and treated pool.
Beautiful park out in Hill Country w/ falls, swimming area, and camping. Book ahead online.
318 locals recommend
Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Rd 6026Beautiful park out in Hill Country w/ falls, swimming area, and camping. Book ahead online.
Lots of locations to access trails and swimming spots along this creek in West Austin.
15 locals recommend
Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail
Bull Creek Greenbelt TrailLots of locations to access trails and swimming spots along this creek in West Austin.
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StPeacocks and trails!
Not much of a climb (there's stairs) but people like the spot and the view's ok.
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Not much of a climb (there's stairs) but people like the spot and the view's ok.
Large lawns w/ ancient pecan trees, lake access for swimming, and usually a younger crowd.
34 locals recommend
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park
614 N Commons Ford RdLarge lawns w/ ancient pecan trees, lake access for swimming, and usually a younger crowd.
Large-scale art installations around a historical villa on the lakefront; artist workshops and cottages.
98 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StLarge-scale art installations around a historical villa on the lakefront; artist workshops and cottages.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveWildflowers, native plants, and trails.
The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardArt museum on campus.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs RdBYOB mini-golf.
Access just down the street; miles of walking and biking trail around Lady Bird (old-school Austin: Town) Lake. Places rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle-boards up and down the river.
65 locals recommend
The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
1820 S Lakeshore BlvdAccess just down the street; miles of walking and biking trail around Lady Bird (old-school Austin: Town) Lake. Places rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle-boards up and down the river.
Performing arts center: in the summer there are often outdoor concerts.
167 locals recommend
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W Riverside DrPerforming arts center: in the summer there are often outdoor concerts.
Hippie Hollow Park
7000 Comanche TrailNudist Beach.
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveMusic & club; around for a long time. South Congress.
A good hour and a half outside Austin known for its massive pink granite dome towering over the Hill Country. Beautiful views. Close to Cooper's BBQ in Llano (excellent) and the German settlement and now tourist town of Fredericksburg.
301 locals recommend
Enchanted Rock Summit
A good hour and a half outside Austin known for its massive pink granite dome towering over the Hill Country. Beautiful views. Close to Cooper's BBQ in Llano (excellent) and the German settlement and now tourist town of Fredericksburg.
Jacobs Well
Famous swimming hole. Make reservations early.
Neighborhoods
Lots of bars and restaurants...parking can be a challenge so plan ahead or take alternate transportation.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetLots of bars and restaurants...parking can be a challenge so plan ahead or take alternate transportation.
Walking district just south of downtown w/ shops, restaurants, bars, and music venues.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
Walking district just south of downtown w/ shops, restaurants, bars, and music venues.
Riverside
Adjacent to downtown. Access to Lady Bird Lake.
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetYounger & hip nightlife. Many bars & restaurants.
Weekend party: streets closed to traffic. Bars tend to the "party" crowd.
334 locals recommend
West 6th Street
West 6th StreetWeekend party: streets closed to traffic. Bars tend to the "party" crowd.
North of campus. Mix of residential, student housing, bars, and new restaurants.
34 locals recommend
North Loop IBIZ District
North of campus. Mix of residential, student housing, bars, and new restaurants.
City/town information
BBQ: Smitty's Market, Kreuz Market, Chisholm Trail BBQ, & Black's Barbecue. W/ an architecturally interesting courthouse & a history of many movies being shot within the town.
42 locals recommend
Lockhart
BBQ: Smitty's Market, Kreuz Market, Chisholm Trail BBQ, & Black's Barbecue. W/ an architecturally interesting courthouse & a history of many movies being shot within the town.
German settlement w/ drinking on streets, lots of German food and shops; access to many Hill Country destinations.
463 locals recommend
Fredericksburg
German settlement w/ drinking on streets, lots of German food and shops; access to many Hill Country destinations.
Historic river town. Water park. Close to San Antonio and Six Flags.
182 locals recommend
New Braunfels
Historic river town. Water park. Close to San Antonio and Six Flags.
Bastrop
Bastrop State Park. Pine forests.
2 hours from Austin on I-35. If you need recommendations for the city for food, sight-seeing, or night-life just message us.
147 locals recommend
San Antonio
2 hours from Austin on I-35. If you need recommendations for the city for food, sight-seeing, or night-life just message us.