Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
10 minute walk. And also, they have a pretty good taco bar. Breakfast tacos are served until 11 during the week, not sure what time on weekends.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar Blvd10 minute walk. And also, they have a pretty good taco bar. Breakfast tacos are served until 11 during the week, not sure what time on weekends.
Really great breakfast/lunch. It's tiny and cute and only open until 3 or 4 pm. Try the eggs benedict or the crab cakes. The burger is fresh and sweet and one of the best in the city.
211 locals recommend
Counter Cafe
1914 E 6th StReally great breakfast/lunch. It's tiny and cute and only open until 3 or 4 pm. Try the eggs benedict or the crab cakes. The burger is fresh and sweet and one of the best in the city.
As the name implies, it's open 24 hours. And the food is pretty good, too!
238 locals recommend
24 Diner
600 N Lamar BlvdAs the name implies, it's open 24 hours. And the food is pretty good, too!
The closest place to get a coffee and a breakfast taco. They have a cute patio, a full menu and some awesome baked goods from Sugar Mama's Bakeshop.
35 locals recommend
Austin Java
1206 ParkwayThe closest place to get a coffee and a breakfast taco. They have a cute patio, a full menu and some awesome baked goods from Sugar Mama's Bakeshop.
Wink
1014 N Lamar BlvdFine dining experience with local ingredients. Pricey, but very good.
A very cool specialty shop. I highly recommend the Hot Cinnamon Spice tea for making hot toddies. Or chill the tea for summer toddies. They have a wide assortment of teas from across the world.
Tea Embassy
900 Rio Grande StA very cool specialty shop. I highly recommend the Hot Cinnamon Spice tea for making hot toddies. Or chill the tea for summer toddies. They have a wide assortment of teas from across the world.
If you are a true coffee snob, this place makes a pretty good latte and cappuccino.
342 locals recommend
Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StIf you are a true coffee snob, this place makes a pretty good latte and cappuccino.
Related to Bar Congress, but with a full food menu and less cocktail options. The food is moderately priced and everything is good.
82 locals recommend
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress AveRelated to Bar Congress, but with a full food menu and less cocktail options. The food is moderately priced and everything is good.
Sandra Bullock owns this restaurant. It's a great breakfast or lunch spot. Try a sandwich or dessert.
46 locals recommend
Walton's Fancy & Staple
609 W 6th StSandra Bullock owns this restaurant. It's a great breakfast or lunch spot. Try a sandwich or dessert.
Cute, modern Tex-mex. They have reasonable prices on both food and carafes of margaritas. On Wednesdays, they have $2 margaritas and sangria-ritas and a complimentary nacho bar from 10-midnight.
106 locals recommend
Zocalo Cafe
1110 W Lynn StCute, modern Tex-mex. They have reasonable prices on both food and carafes of margaritas. On Wednesdays, they have $2 margaritas and sangria-ritas and a complimentary nacho bar from 10-midnight.
Austin's must-try Mexican restaurant. They have an amazing salsa bar, a huge menu and good margaritas. There is often a wait on weekends, but they'll serve you margaritas before you're seated.
277 locals recommend
Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetAustin's must-try Mexican restaurant. They have an amazing salsa bar, a huge menu and good margaritas. There is often a wait on weekends, but they'll serve you margaritas before you're seated.
Shopping
Most popular record store in Austin. They have a great selection of vinyl and cds, as well as books, movies and knickknacks. They also have in-store shows with nationally touring bands regularly.
135 locals recommend
Waterloo Records
600 N Lamar BlvdMost popular record store in Austin. They have a great selection of vinyl and cds, as well as books, movies and knickknacks. They also have in-store shows with nationally touring bands regularly.
Ladies clothing store, moderately priced. They have a huge clothing and accessories selection as well as gifts and greeting cards.
Emeralds
624 N Lamar BlvdLadies clothing store, moderately priced. They have a huge clothing and accessories selection as well as gifts and greeting cards.
Anthropologie
601 N Lamar BlvdIt is what it is.
Lance Armstrong owns this bike shop. It's kind of over-priced, but it's large and has a lot in stock. They also do bike rentals.
29 locals recommend
Mellow Johnny's
115 Nueces StLance Armstrong owns this bike shop. It's kind of over-priced, but it's large and has a lot in stock. They also do bike rentals.
lululemon
1016 W 6th StFor ladies exercise clothing. Expensive, but good quality workout gear.
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveAustin's most popular locally-owned ice cream shop.
LUSH
1012 W 6th StBath bombs, hand soaps, lotions. This place smells like heaven.
Wildflower Organics
524 N Lamar BlvdOrganic bedding, towels, robes, furniture and gifts.
Everything Else
Austin's biggest independent bookstore. They have a great book selection and a stellar reading series.
146 locals recommend
BookPeople
603 N Lamar BlvdAustin's biggest independent bookstore. They have a great book selection and a stellar reading series.
REI
601 N Lamar BlvdFor all your camping, backpacking and outdoorsy needs (should you have any).
Pretty cool graffiti, street art-- it's definitely worth a walk by when you're heading downtown.
The Foundation Municipal Park
Pretty cool graffiti, street art-- it's definitely worth a walk by when you're heading downtown.
They were the only bike shop nearby that had tired for my vintage Schwinn cruiser. A little cheaper than Mellow Johnny's.
Austinbikes
1010 W Lynn StThey were the only bike shop nearby that had tired for my vintage Schwinn cruiser. A little cheaper than Mellow Johnny's.
If you want to avoid the crowds, Fresh Plus is a good place to pick up some groceries. It's a smallish store, but they have a pretty good selection.
291 locals recommend
Fresh Plus Grocery
1221 W Lynn StIf you want to avoid the crowds, Fresh Plus is a good place to pick up some groceries. It's a smallish store, but they have a pretty good selection.
Wiggy's Wine & Spirits
1104 N Lamar BlvdSmall liquor store, five minute walk.
For all your exercise needs. They allow every person 3 free visits a year. Facility has standard weight room, cardio room, classes, and a lap pool. Make sure to bring your ID.
12 locals recommend
Townlake YMCA
1100 W Cesar Chavez StFor all your exercise needs. They allow every person 3 free visits a year. Facility has standard weight room, cardio room, classes, and a lap pool. Make sure to bring your ID.
Drinks & Nightlife
Directly next to the capital, down a flight of stairs. The bar is dark and kind of divey. Sometimes it's empty, sometimes it's humming along. Politicians go there for happy hour when in session.
82 locals recommend
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress AveDirectly next to the capital, down a flight of stairs. The bar is dark and kind of divey. Sometimes it's empty, sometimes it's humming along. Politicians go there for happy hour when in session.
A true, Texas honky tonk. Go on a weekend night for a live band and two-stepping. Around Christmas the place is decked out in thousands of lights. Just don't order any fancy drinks, trust me.
133 locals recommend
Donn's Depot
1600 W 5th StA true, Texas honky tonk. Go on a weekend night for a live band and two-stepping. Around Christmas the place is decked out in thousands of lights. Just don't order any fancy drinks, trust me.
Arts & Culture
Check it out: it's free, the architecture is amazing and the exhibits are usually good too.
173 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
700 Congress AveCheck it out: it's free, the architecture is amazing and the exhibits are usually good too.
Locally-owned cinema that screens art, independent and documentary films. Seats are assigned and crazy comfortable. They sell food and beverages at the bar which you can take with you to your seat.
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StLocally-owned cinema that screens art, independent and documentary films. Seats are assigned and crazy comfortable. They sell food and beverages at the bar which you can take with you to your seat.
It's an Austin establishment. They screen new and old films, have girlie-nights, quote alongs, text-ins, and food/bar service at your seat. Quirky, fun, truly Austin. Arrive early, seats fill fast.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdIt's an Austin establishment. They screen new and old films, have girlie-nights, quote alongs, text-ins, and food/bar service at your seat. Quirky, fun, truly Austin. Arrive early, seats fill fast.