Guidebook for Austin

Josh
Guidebook for Austin

Food Scene

The newest, biggest, and nicest of the food-truck born creative taco Austin original empire. Ask me for the secret menu.
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st St
1075 locals recommend
The newest, biggest, and nicest of the food-truck born creative taco Austin original empire. Ask me for the secret menu.
Pizza. Iconic and delicious on SoCo.
791 locals recommend
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress Ave
791 locals recommend
Pizza. Iconic and delicious on SoCo.
Higher end very nice modern seafood place in the heart of SoCo.
398 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress Ave
398 locals recommend
Higher end very nice modern seafood place in the heart of SoCo.
Almost as good as Franklin's. The line is much shorter, but still long. Not a secret any more.
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez St
421 locals recommend
Almost as good as Franklin's. The line is much shorter, but still long. Not a secret any more.
The undisputed king of Texas BBQ. Get there by 9:30 and bring a chair and tailgate. If that line is too much, try La BBQ or Mickelwait.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th St
919 locals recommend
The undisputed king of Texas BBQ. Get there by 9:30 and bring a chair and tailgate. If that line is too much, try La BBQ or Mickelwait.
Excellent BBQ near Franklin, with a vastly shorter line if you don't want to devote 4-5 hours for BBQ.
215 locals recommend
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood Ave
215 locals recommend
Excellent BBQ near Franklin, with a vastly shorter line if you don't want to devote 4-5 hours for BBQ.
Excellent BBQ trailer with almost no line. Also can still order after 5pm, which isn't true for most of the other great BBQ places in town.
25 locals recommend
Brown's BBQ
1901 S Lamar Blvd
25 locals recommend
Excellent BBQ trailer with almost no line. Also can still order after 5pm, which isn't true for most of the other great BBQ places in town.
World class gelato. Try it. Cool art galleries on side and across street.
120 locals recommend
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S 1st St
120 locals recommend
World class gelato. Try it. Cool art galleries on side and across street.
Innovative cuisine. If you are watching your spend, go during happy hour, have a drink and some awesome food in a great venue for $20 a head and leave insanely happy. Try the Hamachi Pipettes. $11 for not much food, but one of the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth.
41 locals recommend
VOX Table
1100 South Lamar Boulevard
41 locals recommend
Innovative cuisine. If you are watching your spend, go during happy hour, have a drink and some awesome food in a great venue for $20 a head and leave insanely happy. Try the Hamachi Pipettes. $11 for not much food, but one of the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth.
This is a very good Indian restaurant with a phenomenal craft beer selection.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage Rd
267 locals recommend
This is a very good Indian restaurant with a phenomenal craft beer selection.
Trailer with outstanding food on Oltorf. A hole in the wall, but phenomenal budget food.
13 locals recommend
The Flying Carpet Moroccan Souk Food
504 W Oltorf St
13 locals recommend
Trailer with outstanding food on Oltorf. A hole in the wall, but phenomenal budget food.
More traditional, but EXCELLENT tacos from a trailer very near the house.
41 locals recommend
Con Madre Kitchen
628 E Oltorf St
41 locals recommend
More traditional, but EXCELLENT tacos from a trailer very near the house.
Try the avocado margarita.
200 locals recommend
Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf St
200 locals recommend
Try the avocado margarita.
Very good tex mex in an Austin landmark.
304 locals recommend
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar Blvd
304 locals recommend
Very good tex mex in an Austin landmark.
Doughnuts are the main course. 2 other locations, one DT, one on S. Lamar.
226 locals recommend
Gourdough's Public House
209 W 5th St
226 locals recommend
Doughnuts are the main course. 2 other locations, one DT, one on S. Lamar.
24 hours. Close to the house. Dope.
478 locals recommend
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress Ave
478 locals recommend
24 hours. Close to the house. Dope.
Fast casual Austin original. Kimchi fries are the most popular thing here.
107 locals recommend
Chi'Lantro
1509 S Lamar Blvd
107 locals recommend
Fast casual Austin original. Kimchi fries are the most popular thing here.
A great food truck in a lot full of them. Great for a pre- or post Zilker grub stop.
6 locals recommend
Hey!...You Gonna Eat or What?
1720 Barton Springs Road
6 locals recommend
A great food truck in a lot full of them. Great for a pre- or post Zilker grub stop.
Nestled in verdant surrounds just off of South Congress, this Austin icon in a restored Victorian home artfully blends historic charm and sophistication in its dining, lounge and patio areas. New American dinner and brunch menus are distinctly Southern and the beverage selection incorporates both wine and craft cocktails, including the classic milk punch. P.S. Keep an eye out for white peacocks. Go for a kind of pricey brunch, or an extended Happy Hour the goes until 9pm and is a good value.
54 locals recommend
Mattie's
901 W Live Oak St
54 locals recommend
Nestled in verdant surrounds just off of South Congress, this Austin icon in a restored Victorian home artfully blends historic charm and sophistication in its dining, lounge and patio areas. New American dinner and brunch menus are distinctly Southern and the beverage selection incorporates both wine and craft cocktails, including the classic milk punch. P.S. Keep an eye out for white peacocks. Go for a kind of pricey brunch, or an extended Happy Hour the goes until 9pm and is a good value.
115 locals recommend
Winebelly
519 W Oltorf St
115 locals recommend
Modern, high end, Thai. Great alternative take on brunch.
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st St
349 locals recommend
Modern, high end, Thai. Great alternative take on brunch.
Great sports bar.
246 locals recommend
Haymaker
2310 Manor Rd
246 locals recommend
Great sports bar.
Food and beer hall/ bakery, with a great patio on a creek in Dirty 6th
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th St
358 locals recommend
Food and beer hall/ bakery, with a great patio on a creek in Dirty 6th
Good for brunch, fancy, more mature, busy
150 locals recommend
Moonshine Grill
303 Red River St
150 locals recommend
Good for brunch, fancy, more mature, busy
Very underrated taco brick and mortar
46 locals recommend
Taco Joint
2809 San Jacinto Blvd
46 locals recommend
Very underrated taco brick and mortar
Slightly upscale Mexican with an awesome patio with a spectacular DT view.
170 locals recommend
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs Rd
170 locals recommend
Slightly upscale Mexican with an awesome patio with a spectacular DT view.
Really well done takes on traditional brunch and breakfast stuff with a twist.
36 locals recommend
Phoebe's Diner
533 W Oltorf St
36 locals recommend
Really well done takes on traditional brunch and breakfast stuff with a twist.
housed in a former Fed Ex delivery truck that has been painted bright yellow and retrofitted into a mobile kitchen, serves authentic Brazilian street food. Hidden gem.
13 locals recommend
Boteco
1720 E 6th St
13 locals recommend
housed in a former Fed Ex delivery truck that has been painted bright yellow and retrofitted into a mobile kitchen, serves authentic Brazilian street food. Hidden gem.
New American dishes, a raw bar, wine & drinks are served in modern digs in the South Congress Hotel.
30 locals recommend
Central Standard
1603 S Congress Ave
30 locals recommend
New American dishes, a raw bar, wine & drinks are served in modern digs in the South Congress Hotel.
Superb selection
11 locals recommend
WhichCraft Beer Store
2110 South Lamar Boulevard
11 locals recommend
Superb selection
Beer hall on the east side.
159 locals recommend
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th St
159 locals recommend
Beer hall on the east side.
High end sushi. Excellent
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar Blvd
688 locals recommend
High end sushi. Excellent
One of the best sushi places in the world. Not kidding. Ticketed menu, not cheap. Awesome and worth the high price.
23 locals recommend
Otoko
1603 S Congress Ave
23 locals recommend
One of the best sushi places in the world. Not kidding. Ticketed menu, not cheap. Awesome and worth the high price.
Super sceney, interesting and pretty room, kind of pricey.
92 locals recommend
Eberly
615 S Lamar Blvd
92 locals recommend
Super sceney, interesting and pretty room, kind of pricey.
Creative sushi and Asian food in a nice room
79 locals recommend
Kuneho
1600 East 6th Street
79 locals recommend
Creative sushi and Asian food in a nice room

Parks & Nature

This is a nice park and great spring fed pool about a block from the house. It's free, heated in the winter, with long hours.
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak St
158 locals recommend
This is a nice park and great spring fed pool about a block from the house. It's free, heated in the winter, with long hours.
Connected to Big Stacy by a greenbelt trail great for biking and walking. Tennis Courts, Wading Pool, Basketball.
47 locals recommend
Little Stacy Neighborhood Park
1500 Alameda Dr
47 locals recommend
Connected to Big Stacy by a greenbelt trail great for biking and walking. Tennis Courts, Wading Pool, Basketball.
One of Austin's crown jewels, the gateway to a great greenbelt, Zilker Park, phenomenal swimming holes, SUP and Kayak rentals.
11 locals recommend
Barton Creek
11 locals recommend
One of Austin's crown jewels, the gateway to a great greenbelt, Zilker Park, phenomenal swimming holes, SUP and Kayak rentals.
This is a large urban park with open fields used by people and dogs for lounging, playing sports, festivals, a small train for kids, disc golf, and more.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs Rd
1533 locals recommend
This is a large urban park with open fields used by people and dogs for lounging, playing sports, festivals, a small train for kids, disc golf, and more.

Drinks & Nightlife

A dozen or so bars and restaurants in a few blocks. It has become one of Austin's iconic scenes over the last few years.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey Street
793 locals recommend
A dozen or so bars and restaurants in a few blocks. It has become one of Austin's iconic scenes over the last few years.
One of my favorite parts of Austin. Lots of great restaurants of all types and one of a kind bars and patios. Super hipster.
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th Street
395 locals recommend
One of my favorite parts of Austin. Lots of great restaurants of all types and one of a kind bars and patios. Super hipster.
Otherwise known as "Dirty 6th". On weekends, they shut it down for pedestrians only. Many of those pedestrians are very drunk. One of the most iconic nightlife scenes in the world. Epic people watching. Every type of bar you might want, with some restaurants in the mix. Live music all over the place. Enjoy.
137 locals recommend
Sixth Street Historic District
137 locals recommend
Otherwise known as "Dirty 6th". On weekends, they shut it down for pedestrians only. Many of those pedestrians are very drunk. One of the most iconic nightlife scenes in the world. Epic people watching. Every type of bar you might want, with some restaurants in the mix. Live music all over the place. Enjoy.
A little more Bougie. Still Austin, but more leaning toward Yuppie Dallas. Nice, depending on your mood.
334 locals recommend
West 6th Street
West 6th Street
334 locals recommend
A little more Bougie. Still Austin, but more leaning toward Yuppie Dallas. Nice, depending on your mood.
Iconic Texas music venue on South Congress.
815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress Ave
815 locals recommend
Iconic Texas music venue on South Congress.
Close to the house, run by the same people who run the Continental Club, this is a Blues Club. Great vibe.
242 locals recommend
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress Ave
242 locals recommend
Close to the house, run by the same people who run the Continental Club, this is a Blues Club. Great vibe.
Iconic dive bar and lounge with good food on S. Lamar
291 locals recommend
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar Blvd
291 locals recommend
Iconic dive bar and lounge with good food on S. Lamar
Dive bar on dirty 6th, likely playing old school metal. Huge, huge quality burgers offering great value.
74 locals recommend
Casino El Camino
517 E 6th St
74 locals recommend
Dive bar on dirty 6th, likely playing old school metal. Huge, huge quality burgers offering great value.
Make a reservation. Cool spot on dirty 6th, quiet, adult, in a former brother. Pricey, high end drinks with table service.
107 locals recommend
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th St
107 locals recommend
Make a reservation. Cool spot on dirty 6th, quiet, adult, in a former brother. Pricey, high end drinks with table service.
Nice lounge outside on S. Congress, tucked away
209 locals recommend
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress Ave
209 locals recommend
Nice lounge outside on S. Congress, tucked away
big beer garden with pizza and live music
435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf St
435 locals recommend
big beer garden with pizza and live music

Entertainment & Activities

Iconic Master Pancake Show on Weekends. Plus, standard Alamo awesomeness.
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th St
228 locals recommend
Iconic Master Pancake Show on Weekends. Plus, standard Alamo awesomeness.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar Blvd
770 locals recommend
The Congress Street bats are a must see. Every night at sunset, a few million of them fly out from under the bridge.
131 locals recommend
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress Ave
131 locals recommend
The Congress Street bats are a must see. Every night at sunset, a few million of them fly out from under the bridge.
Mini Golf with Psychedelic Sculptures. Sno Cones, and BYOB. Two courses. Go. Uniquely Austin.
201 locals recommend
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs Rd
201 locals recommend
Mini Golf with Psychedelic Sculptures. Sno Cones, and BYOB. Two courses. Go. Uniquely Austin.

Everything Else

This has a great patio, and is a chill bar, but the Truck next door does a knock out job with high end sandwiches during the day, and the very best $12 brunch in Austin on Sundays. Dog friendly on the patio.
181 locals recommend
Gibson Street Bar
1109 S Lamar Blvd
181 locals recommend
This has a great patio, and is a chill bar, but the Truck next door does a knock out job with high end sandwiches during the day, and the very best $12 brunch in Austin on Sundays. Dog friendly on the patio.

Arts & Culture

Go. Look. Love . Wear closed toed shoes. Take pictures. Add your own art to the space.
207 locals recommend
Graffiti Park at Castle Hill
1008 Baylor St
207 locals recommend
Go. Look. Love . Wear closed toed shoes. Take pictures. Add your own art to the space.

Shopping

You can smell it from the outside. Boots, more boots. Then more boots.
136 locals recommend
Allens Boots
1522 S Congress Ave
136 locals recommend
You can smell it from the outside. Boots, more boots. Then more boots.
Local Austin Artists, with lots of variety.
72 locals recommend
Parts & Labour
1704 S Congress Ave
72 locals recommend
Local Austin Artists, with lots of variety.
194 locals recommend
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View Rd
194 locals recommend