Guidebook for Austin
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdThe flagship store
KeyCafe pick-up/drop-off site. Quirky gourmet mini-mart. Their pressed deli sandwiches are to die for.
27 locals recommend
Live Oak Market
4410 Menchaca RdKeyCafe pick-up/drop-off site. Quirky gourmet mini-mart. Their pressed deli sandwiches are to die for.
Sprouts Farmers Market
4006 S Lamar BlvdOur favorite local grocer
Drinks & Nightlife
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveBest live jazz in the city
Porter
3715 South 1st StreetTasty gastropub fare. Try the oxtail croquettes and Tito's Mule on tap
The White Horse
500 Comal StDive bar + live tunes + patio + taco truck. Enough said :)
Classy, upscale hotel and bar. Live tunes on Saturday night. Austin landmark.
104 locals recommend
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StClassy, upscale hotel and bar. Live tunes on Saturday night. Austin landmark.
Barbarella
611 Red River StAustin landmark
Shopping
Cavender's Boot City
8809 Burnet RdCheaper alternative to the tourist trap, Allens Boots
Convenient shopping mall with all the major shops and department stores
97 locals recommend
Barton Creek Square
Convenient shopping mall with all the major shops and department stores
Food Scene
Sway
1417 S 1st StExcellent and seriously spicy thai, bit pricey $$$
La Mexicana Bakery
1924 S 1st StAuthentic Mexican pastries, super affordable prices
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StCoffee shop/brunch/small bites/wifi + great outdoor lawn space
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveBest brunch and brunch cocktails in the city!
La Condesa
400 W 2nd StUpscale mexican street food
Henri's Cheese & Wine
2026 South Lamar BoulevardDelicious sandwiches and good selection of wine and cheese
Our favorite local coffee and craft beer bar. Stop by Monday night for live bluegrass on the lawn!
435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdOur favorite local coffee and craft beer bar. Stop by Monday night for live bluegrass on the lawn!
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdGreat sunsets and desserts (coffee is so-so)
Organic, vegan, macrobiotic fare in a holistic education center
163 locals recommend
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdOrganic, vegan, macrobiotic fare in a holistic education center
Green Mesquite BBQ
1400 Barton Springs RdCheap, decent bbq + live tunes
Breakfast tacos! Hit it up on a weekday and before 11am to ensure you get some with out a long wait!
203 locals recommend
Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrBreakfast tacos! Hit it up on a weekday and before 11am to ensure you get some with out a long wait!
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdBest Ramen in the city - perfect for a rainy or cold day
Inventive and locally-sourced ice cream. Definitely worth a stop!
270 locals recommend
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdInventive and locally-sourced ice cream. Definitely worth a stop!
Gourmet burgers. Super long queues. Order it via Postmates to save time, if you have the money to spend
780 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveGourmet burgers. Super long queues. Order it via Postmates to save time, if you have the money to spend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailSunset views! But overpriced, mediocre Tex-mex.
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdMexican fare w/ rooftop patio
Opt for the brick chicken! Hipstery hangout on the East Side with outdoor patio. Bit overpriced for small portions.
397 locals recommend
Launderette
2115 Holly StOpt for the brick chicken! Hipstery hangout on the East Side with outdoor patio. Bit overpriced for small portions.
Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdTexmex chain + quirky decor
Arguably, the best place for BBQ in the city limits. Queue up early, especially on weekends as they * do * run out of food. Google to ensure you're familiar with the process :)
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StArguably, the best place for BBQ in the city limits. Queue up early, especially on weekends as they * do * run out of food. Google to ensure you're familiar with the process :)
Beautiful vineyard, tasting room, and bistro - worth a stop en route to Fredericksburg!
84 locals recommend
Grape Creek Vineyards
10587 US-290Beautiful vineyard, tasting room, and bistro - worth a stop en route to Fredericksburg!
Sightseeing
The famed natural pool - hike down the greenbelt and enjoy a dip!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThe famed natural pool - hike down the greenbelt and enjoy a dip!
Great view of the colorado river - drive, hike, or bike up to it!
83 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell Viewing Platform
Great view of the colorado river - drive, hike, or bike up to it!
Roadhouse Relics
1720 S 1st StFamed 'Welcome to Austin' street mural
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailBoat it, paddle board it, bike it! Great for outdoor enthusiasts!
Great day-trip. Google it. Worth the trip! $15 entrance fee.
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdGreat day-trip. Google it. Worth the trip! $15 entrance fee.
Perfect day-trip from Austin. Authentic Bavarian-style town with beer gardens and German fare galore...antique shopping, wine + cheese shops.
463 locals recommend
Fredericksburg
Perfect day-trip from Austin. Authentic Bavarian-style town with beer gardens and German fare galore...antique shopping, wine + cheese shops.
Lovely for an afternoon stroll - includes Japanese garden
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdLovely for an afternoon stroll - includes Japanese garden
Our favorite outdoor trail - the place to train for runners and bikers
48 locals recommend
Zilker Park Hike and Bike Trail
Our favorite outdoor trail - the place to train for runners and bikers
Arts & Culture
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdQuirky cinema
Austin institution - put on your dancin' boots for 2-steppin' the night away!
478 locals recommend
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdAustin institution - put on your dancin' boots for 2-steppin' the night away!
Live music venue + cheap drinks. What Austin is all about!
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveLive music venue + cheap drinks. What Austin is all about!