Guidebook for Austin
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place for a beer, gourmet sandwich, cheese plate, charcuterie and sitting on the patio. Dog friendly. Bike friendly. Kid friendly. Friendly friendly. Great people.
244 locals recommend
Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th StGreat place for a beer, gourmet sandwich, cheese plate, charcuterie and sitting on the patio. Dog friendly. Bike friendly. Kid friendly. Friendly friendly. Great people.
Total dive bar. Probably best burger on the planet. Featured on Food network & Travel channel. Rude kitchen service & take a long time but well worth the wait!! Pool tables, pinball & small patio.
74 locals recommend
Casino El Camino
517 E 6th StTotal dive bar. Probably best burger on the planet. Featured on Food network & Travel channel. Rude kitchen service & take a long time but well worth the wait!! Pool tables, pinball & small patio.
Starting as a gas station & conv. store in 1986, has evolved to be an Austin Landmark offering not just sustainable, local, & organic produce & groceries but 60 beers on tap & live music. Beer lovers!
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdStarting as a gas station & conv. store in 1986, has evolved to be an Austin Landmark offering not just sustainable, local, & organic produce & groceries but 60 beers on tap & live music. Beer lovers!
local pub within a few hundred meters, features local craft beers, great burgers and flatbreads and super friendly people
58 locals recommend
Hi Hat Public House
2121 E 6th Stlocal pub within a few hundred meters, features local craft beers, great burgers and flatbreads and super friendly people
you will never see another place like this, lost in time, it’s like it’s from a David Lynch movie, old folk country western meets hipster/biker hooligan.
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal Styou will never see another place like this, lost in time, it’s like it’s from a David Lynch movie, old folk country western meets hipster/biker hooligan.
old building, recently redone, great atmosphere people, patio, multiple bars and a food truck on site
561 locals recommend
Whisler's
1816 E 6th Stold building, recently redone, great atmosphere people, patio, multiple bars and a food truck on site
“built in 1871, it’s the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas” live music venue
99 locals recommend
Historic Scoot Inn
1308 E 4th St“built in 1871, it’s the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas” live music venue
Drinks Lounge
2001 E Cesar Chavez StNew Bar... short walk
coffee house, artisan bake shop & amazing beer garden, artisan pretzels, sausages, cheeses, corned beef, roast beef, pastrami, charcuterie plates. Right near conv ctr. Ping pong tables outside!
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th Stcoffee house, artisan bake shop & amazing beer garden, artisan pretzels, sausages, cheeses, corned beef, roast beef, pastrami, charcuterie plates. Right near conv ctr. Ping pong tables outside!
great local pub with great sandwich menu, games, nothing fancy but good food, big outdoor patio, games and TV screen inside
193 locals recommend
Gourmands
2316 Webberville Rdgreat local pub with great sandwich menu, games, nothing fancy but good food, big outdoor patio, games and TV screen inside
HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th Stlive music, LOUD, dive, outside patio
The Brixton
1412 E 6th Stjukebox, foosball
The Liberty
1618 East 6th Streetpatio
coffee/bar. Great location!! Perfect place to start the night. Day or night. Good wifi coffee bar.
136 locals recommend
Halcyon
218 W 4th Stcoffee/bar. Great location!! Perfect place to start the night. Day or night. Good wifi coffee bar.
VERY interesting pub/bar in the heart of the University of Texas area
176 locals recommend
Spider House Ballroom
2906 Fruth StVERY interesting pub/bar in the heart of the University of Texas area
Great place for a round of drinks before dinner somewhere.
Built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill, The Driskill Hotel remains a legendary landmark in Texas hospitality.
104 locals recommend
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StGreat place for a round of drinks before dinner somewhere.
Built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill, The Driskill Hotel remains a legendary landmark in Texas hospitality.
Roaring Fork
10850 Stonelake BlvdGreat place for a round of drinks. Higher end dining and drinks.
"Bar & cafe pairing coffee & craft brews with sandwiches & light bites in stylish industrial digs."
183 locals recommend
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos St"Bar & cafe pairing coffee & craft brews with sandwiches & light bites in stylish industrial digs."
Sputnik
1300 East 6th Streetdive bar, burgers, good time, loud
St Roch's Bar
515 Pedernales Sttotal New Orleans style neighborhood dive bar
Rio Rita
1203 Chicon Stdive bar and food. Heard some good things about it...
Gypsy Lounge
1504 E 6th Stloud bar, live music, patio
awesome little boutique hotel with a great little patio/courtyard bar.
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress Aveawesome little boutique hotel with a great little patio/courtyard bar.
"Cocktails, beer & signature popsicle drinks at this chill outdoor hangout with all-day happy hours."
19 locals recommend
Key Bar
617 W 6th St"Cocktails, beer & signature popsicle drinks at this chill outdoor hangout with all-day happy hours."
"Relaxed, modern watering hole with Jenga, craft beer & 2 patios for people-watching."
38 locals recommend
Star Bar
600 W 6th St"Relaxed, modern watering hole with Jenga, craft beer & 2 patios for people-watching."
Craft Pride
61 Rainey St54 craft beers on tap. More Texas beers than you even knew existed.
Although it's in the heart of the University area... this is NOT a college bar.
"The beer-focused bar features almost 50 beers on tap, beer and wine cocktails and a French comfort-food menu."
74 locals recommend
Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe StAlthough it's in the heart of the University area... this is NOT a college bar.
"The beer-focused bar features almost 50 beers on tap, beer and wine cocktails and a French comfort-food menu."
A decent Tapas bar. Nice atmosphere, gets the job done. Nothing to write home about.
9 locals recommend
Malaga Tapas & Bar
440 W 2nd StA decent Tapas bar. Nice atmosphere, gets the job done. Nothing to write home about.
"Wine shop with reds & whites at various price points, plus weekly tastings, craft brews & a patio."
48 locals recommend
East End Wines
1209 Rosewood Avenue"Wine shop with reds & whites at various price points, plus weekly tastings, craft brews & a patio."
Food Scene
Great French cuisine. An Austin favorite, french food, great atmosphere outdoor and indoor.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StGreat French cuisine. An Austin favorite, french food, great atmosphere outdoor and indoor.
Great breakfast tacos. Local favorite and landmark. Closes at 3PM
281 locals recommend
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StGreat breakfast tacos. Local favorite and landmark. Closes at 3PM
Winner of two James Beard awards. Expensive but may be the best dinner you'll ever have. Sushi...fusion? Doesn't even do it justice. One of the top ten most influential restaurants in the US.
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdWinner of two James Beard awards. Expensive but may be the best dinner you'll ever have. Sushi...fusion? Doesn't even do it justice. One of the top ten most influential restaurants in the US.
Must try. Classic vintage cocktails from the 'golden age'!served in an artistic and eclectic atmosphere. Amazing Cuisine featuring ingredients from local farms delivered daily with ever changing menu
288 locals recommend
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StMust try. Classic vintage cocktails from the 'golden age'!served in an artistic and eclectic atmosphere. Amazing Cuisine featuring ingredients from local farms delivered daily with ever changing menu
Truly great gourmet pizza using local and organic ingredients. This is NOT your college delivery pizza place. Pesto, Black Bean, Hummus, Curry, Ricotta sauces avail as well as red, & they deliver.
321 locals recommend
East Side Pies
1401 Rosewood AveTruly great gourmet pizza using local and organic ingredients. This is NOT your college delivery pizza place. Pesto, Black Bean, Hummus, Curry, Ricotta sauces avail as well as red, & they deliver.
Fine dining in laid back Austin. Great place for champagne or martinis. Try their selection of oysters, sample the raw bar or indulge in bone marrow, braised ribs or venison
74 locals recommend
Parkside
301 E 6th StFine dining in laid back Austin. Great place for champagne or martinis. Try their selection of oysters, sample the raw bar or indulge in bone marrow, braised ribs or venison
Truly a unique place to see a movie. Recline & watch a new release, documentary or foreign film. Share a bottle of wine over dinner brought to your seat. Be sure you have your cell phone turned off!!
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StTruly a unique place to see a movie. Recline & watch a new release, documentary or foreign film. Share a bottle of wine over dinner brought to your seat. Be sure you have your cell phone turned off!!
Contemporary Mexican cuisine, huge selection of Tequilas, great drinks, beautiful atmosphere right downtown.
191 locals recommend
La Condesa
400 W 2nd StContemporary Mexican cuisine, huge selection of Tequilas, great drinks, beautiful atmosphere right downtown.
Mimosa brunch! Authentic food from rural Aguascalientes area of central Mexico, fresh local ingredients. Good place to catch Soccer game or adjacent Onion St. Lounge which shares the kitchen. Patio
176 locals recommend
Takoba
1411 E 7th StMimosa brunch! Authentic food from rural Aguascalientes area of central Mexico, fresh local ingredients. Good place to catch Soccer game or adjacent Onion St. Lounge which shares the kitchen. Patio
"recognized as one of finest int. Mexican rests in country. features classic regional Mexican cuisine prepared w/ authentic recipes & numerous ingredients from restaurant’s on-site organic garden."
162 locals recommend
Fonda San Miguel Restaurant
2330 W N Loop Blvd"recognized as one of finest int. Mexican rests in country. features classic regional Mexican cuisine prepared w/ authentic recipes & numerous ingredients from restaurant’s on-site organic garden."
Contemporary Japanese dining & sushi. Pricey but worth every cent! Tyson Cole (owner/chef) named Best New Chef of 2005 by Food & Wine Magazine. Can't say enough about this place, mind blowing!
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdContemporary Japanese dining & sushi. Pricey but worth every cent! Tyson Cole (owner/chef) named Best New Chef of 2005 by Food & Wine Magazine. Can't say enough about this place, mind blowing!
The Clay Pit
1601 Guadalupe StGood Indian food. Very nice atmosphere with comforting bar/lounge.
Fine Italian food. Great patio seating out front right in the center of downtown. Great location!! Near Moody Theatre/ACL Live. Great wine selection.
50 locals recommend
Taverna
258 W 2nd StFine Italian food. Great patio seating out front right in the center of downtown. Great location!! Near Moody Theatre/ACL Live. Great wine selection.
Hill Country feel right outside of downtown, along an active creek filled w/ hundreds of turtles which make it worth going to see by itself. A step up from your picnic table family style BBQ joint!
111 locals recommend
County Line
5204 Ranch Rd 2222Hill Country feel right outside of downtown, along an active creek filled w/ hundreds of turtles which make it worth going to see by itself. A step up from your picnic table family style BBQ joint!
Hot Mama's Catering & Events
2401 E 6th StCute local artsy coffee house. Short walk away.
Live Oak Barbecue
2713 E 2nd StRated one of Austin's best. Short walk away.
amazing wood fired pizza… Italy good! Super friendly staff and patrons. Perfect slice of Austin.
180 locals recommend
Bufalina Pizza
2215 E Cesar Chavez Stamazing wood fired pizza… Italy good! Super friendly staff and patrons. Perfect slice of Austin.
serving natural, organic & generally locally sourced fare with breakfast served all day.
211 locals recommend
Counter Cafe
1914 E 6th Stserving natural, organic & generally locally sourced fare with breakfast served all day.
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez Stfull menu, coffee, beer, outdoor seating
Rustic-cool cafe in a butcher shop serving meat-centric farm-to-table American fare, beer & wine.
151 locals recommend
Salt & Time
1912 E 7th StRustic-cool cafe in a butcher shop serving meat-centric farm-to-table American fare, beer & wine.
Kuneho
1600 East 6th Street"Multi-cultural cuisine”
Lunch only and you better get there early and prepared to stand in line and wait for a while or else no BBQ for you. They run out everyday…it’s that good.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StLunch only and you better get there early and prepared to stand in line and wait for a while or else no BBQ for you. They run out everyday…it’s that good.
“purveyors of artisan sausage”… bacon infused vodka is just the beginning. antelope, rabbit, sriracha oh my!
45 locals recommend
Frank
407 Colorado St“purveyors of artisan sausage”… bacon infused vodka is just the beginning. antelope, rabbit, sriracha oh my!
Buenos Aires Café
1201 E 6th StArgentinian food with great reviews
Z Tejas | 6th Street
1110 West 6th Streetgreat Tex-mex
Lamberts
401 W 2nd Stmore upscale “fine” BBQ. Think BBQ and Martinis.
everything is fantastic on this menu. Brunch here is an almost must
279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress Aveeverything is fantastic on this menu. Brunch here is an almost must
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress Avecomfortable relaxed, good pizza, this is Austin
an Austin Tex-Mex favorite known more for it’s enchiladas and burritos but not fajitas. Place feels like a 1950’s tribute to hubcaps and Elvis. Fun and loud.
412 locals recommend
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs Rdan Austin Tex-Mex favorite known more for it’s enchiladas and burritos but not fajitas. Place feels like a 1950’s tribute to hubcaps and Elvis. Fun and loud.
24 Diner
600 N Lamar Blvda diner but Austin style, plenty of healthy food alternatives on menu
Sway
1417 S 1st StModern Thai fusion... very impressive
Mexican/Polynesian food. A GREAT time with friends!! Food is just OK, you go there for drinks while sitting over the water with a great view of the lake and people watching.
269 locals recommend
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdMexican/Polynesian food. A GREAT time with friends!! Food is just OK, you go there for drinks while sitting over the water with a great view of the lake and people watching.
great mixture of food, atmosphere, patio, location and cocktails. sort of 21st Century diner with wifi and cocktails
49 locals recommend
Bobo's Snack Bar
3850 Airport Boulevardgreat mixture of food, atmosphere, patio, location and cocktails. sort of 21st Century diner with wifi and cocktails
perfect, nice smooth, “Fish, oysters & surf 'n' turf are dished at this laid-back spot with an open kitchen & shaded patio.” Featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress Aveperfect, nice smooth, “Fish, oysters & surf 'n' turf are dished at this laid-back spot with an open kitchen & shaded patio.” Featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.
great burgers & beer, friendly staff as long as you don’t mind standing in line for a ridiculous amount of time. It’s good but 80% of the time I leave because the line is stupid long.
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress Avegreat burgers & beer, friendly staff as long as you don’t mind standing in line for a ridiculous amount of time. It’s good but 80% of the time I leave because the line is stupid long.
typical Austin Tex-mex, tequila bar restaurant. "large menu, salsa bar & hand-shaken margaritas in landmark bldg w/ patio." I believe Robert Rodriguez and Q. Tarantino have used it for movie scenes.
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress Avetypical Austin Tex-mex, tequila bar restaurant. "large menu, salsa bar & hand-shaken margaritas in landmark bldg w/ patio." I believe Robert Rodriguez and Q. Tarantino have used it for movie scenes.
great little French Vietnamese cafe. Great for lunch or dinner.
426 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st Stgreat little French Vietnamese cafe. Great for lunch or dinner.
Sawyer & Co
4827 E Cesar Chavez Stnew... New Orleans/Cajun food.
Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile
3235 E Cesar Chavez StVERY new... upscale??
burgers, beer, big screens, rooftop/outdoor seating, a little overpriced and still working out the kinks but nice atmosphere.
20 locals recommend
The Silo on Seventh
1300 E 7th Stburgers, beer, big screens, rooftop/outdoor seating, a little overpriced and still working out the kinks but nice atmosphere.
Local chain known for steaks, chops & fresh seafood, with drinks & jazz in an adjacent lounge.
76 locals recommend
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
301 E 5th StLocal chain known for steaks, chops & fresh seafood, with drinks & jazz in an adjacent lounge.
Mettle - East Austin Bistro
507 Calles Street"upscale bistro"
Counter Culture
2908 E Cesar Chavez StVegan + beer and wine.
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveItalian dining on the awesome South Congress
Truluck's Austin Downtown
300 Colorado StSeafood, Steak and Crab House
"Java, baked goods & sandwiches along with an outdoor area for people-watching."
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress Ave"Java, baked goods & sandwiches along with an outdoor area for people-watching."
"Classic Austin, family-friendly & known for burgers & malts since 1939."
32 locals recommend
Hut's Hamburgers
807 W 6th St"Classic Austin, family-friendly & known for burgers & malts since 1939."
uuuummmmm, do you like bacon??
"Bacon-themed menu with classics like waffles, wedge salads & burgers, served counter-style."
23 locals recommend
Bacon Restaurant
900 West 10th Streetuuuummmmm, do you like bacon??
"Bacon-themed menu with classics like waffles, wedge salads & burgers, served counter-style."
"Crawfish, burgers, beer & spirited football fans fuel this hopping Cajun bar & grill."
41 locals recommend
Shoal Creek Saloon
909 N Lamar Blvd"Crawfish, burgers, beer & spirited football fans fuel this hopping Cajun bar & grill."
Attached to Mellow Johnny's (Lance Armstrong's bike shop).
In case you didn't get the joke in the title... "Juan"... sounds like "one" and "pelota" is Spanish for ball.
12 locals recommend
Juan Pelota Cafe
400 Nueces StAttached to Mellow Johnny's (Lance Armstrong's bike shop).
In case you didn't get the joke in the title... "Juan"... sounds like "one" and "pelota" is Spanish for ball.
Everything Else
locally owned and operated cinema with four screens devoted to art, independent, documentary and international films. Features full bar and mixed cuisine
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th Stlocally owned and operated cinema with four screens devoted to art, independent, documentary and international films. Features full bar and mixed cuisine
It's a 'W'. Not really an Austin vibe but you know what you are walking into.
78 locals recommend
W Austin
200 Lavaca StIt's a 'W'. Not really an Austin vibe but you know what you are walking into.
ACL Live
310 W Willie Nelson BlvdGreat live music venue. Austin landmark
High end bike sales and rental with coffee shop attached. May have heard of the guy behind it... Lance Armstrong.
29 locals recommend
Mellow Johnny's
115 Nueces StHigh end bike sales and rental with coffee shop attached. May have heard of the guy behind it... Lance Armstrong.
Bike rental... No better way to do Austin central than with bikes.
30 locals recommend
Eastside Pedal Pushers
4607 Bolm RdBike rental... No better way to do Austin central than with bikes.
Pedego Austin
1608 E Riverside DrBike rental
"a new retail experience in East Austin from a team that brings together expertise in fashion, food, art, design, and music all under one roof."
45 locals recommend
Friends & Neighbors
2614 East Cesar Chavez Street"a new retail experience in East Austin from a team that brings together expertise in fashion, food, art, design, and music all under one roof."
Essentials
Must see. Great place to have lunch. Rooftap patio. It's like an organic gourmet food court with a wine bar and tap room. Oh yeah...it's not a bad grocery store either.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdMust see. Great place to have lunch. Rooftap patio. It's like an organic gourmet food court with a wine bar and tap room. Oh yeah...it's not a bad grocery store either.
Full grocery, pharmacy, deli, bakery... no frills but can get anything you need.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdFull grocery, pharmacy, deli, bakery... no frills but can get anything you need.
mini-mart... GREAT beer selection! Indian theme and a Gandhi mural on side of building!
30 locals recommend
East 1st Grocery
1811 E Cesar Chavez Stmini-mart... GREAT beer selection! Indian theme and a Gandhi mural on side of building!
pretty decent beer and wine selection for a minimart. A variety of other things you would expect from a "convenient store".
19 locals recommend
Bread Basket 7th Street
2150 E 7th Stpretty decent beer and wine selection for a minimart. A variety of other things you would expect from a "convenient store".
Sightseeing
Great 5 minute hike up to a viewing area of some of Austin.
83 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell Viewing Platform
Great 5 minute hike up to a viewing area of some of Austin.
Shopping
Parts & Labour
1704 S Congress Aveone of the many fun Austin boutiques of unique stuff
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View Rdmore awesome South Congress unique shopping.
if you wanna' get some real Texas gear (if you're into mythological cowboy hats and boots) They do NOT have pirate attire.
136 locals recommend
Allens Boots
1522 S Congress Aveif you wanna' get some real Texas gear (if you're into mythological cowboy hats and boots) They do NOT have pirate attire.
"Clothing, footwear, outerwear, travel tools, and nature education from Kerrville to Kilimanjaro since 1970."
25 locals recommend
Whole Earth Provision Co.
1014 N Lamar Blvd"Clothing, footwear, outerwear, travel tools, and nature education from Kerrville to Kilimanjaro since 1970."