Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Great place to get coffee or have a beer and sit on their outside patio.
251 locals recommend
Thunderbird Coffee
2200 Manor RdGreat place to get coffee or have a beer and sit on their outside patio.
Down home cooking, including smoked meats and homemade pies. Small and large portion sizes and great frozen margaritas.
163 locals recommend
Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor RdDown home cooking, including smoked meats and homemade pies. Small and large portion sizes and great frozen margaritas.
El Chilito
2219 Manor RdA good place to go for a quick taco (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Fresh, organic and healthy meals. A little on the pricey side ($12-$20) per entree. Very good and reservations are recommended.
160 locals recommend
Eastside Café
2113 Manor RdFresh, organic and healthy meals. A little on the pricey side ($12-$20) per entree. Very good and reservations are recommended.
Salty Sow
1917 Manor RdUpper scale restaurant that is very good and has good cocktails.
Designer sandwiches in a remodeled Tejano club with a killer Wednesday night trivia club and curated beer selection. East Austin to the max. Jenga on the patio.
193 locals recommend
Gourmands
2316 Webberville RdDesigner sandwiches in a remodeled Tejano club with a killer Wednesday night trivia club and curated beer selection. East Austin to the max. Jenga on the patio.
Good food, good beer, and good coffee. Large outside area to hang out. Has music and movies at night.
250 locals recommend
Cherrywood Coffeehouse
1400 E 38th 1/2 StGood food, good beer, and good coffee. Large outside area to hang out. Has music and movies at night.
Bennu Coffee
2001 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd24 hour coffee shop. No alcohol.
Colorful and small, Nubian Queen Lola boasts great soul food with a conscience. http://www.nubianqueenlolas.com/
23 locals recommend
Nubian Queen Lola's
Colorful and small, Nubian Queen Lola boasts great soul food with a conscience. http://www.nubianqueenlolas.com/
Mexican home cooking with a great patio; try the mango habanero margarita. Beware the frozen margaritas are far stronger than you think.
176 locals recommend
Takoba
1411 E 7th StMexican home cooking with a great patio; try the mango habanero margarita. Beware the frozen margaritas are far stronger than you think.
At both lunch and dinner, this bright Airport Boulevard sushi spot fills up with Austinites dying for Také and Kayo Asazu's Japanese pub favorites and Tsukiji-fresh sushi.
197 locals recommend
Komé
5301 Airport BlvdAt both lunch and dinner, this bright Airport Boulevard sushi spot fills up with Austinites dying for Také and Kayo Asazu's Japanese pub favorites and Tsukiji-fresh sushi.
I've eaten a lot of breakfast tacos, and few come close to the stomach-taming goodness of Mi Madre's.
180 locals recommend
Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdI've eaten a lot of breakfast tacos, and few come close to the stomach-taming goodness of Mi Madre's.
Warning: this is a rare half-your-paycheck dining experience. The service is tip-top, and the food is to die. Trust your server and have one of the best meals of your life, guaranteed.
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdWarning: this is a rare half-your-paycheck dining experience. The service is tip-top, and the food is to die. Trust your server and have one of the best meals of your life, guaranteed.
This South Austin restaurant features global dishes from Texas-sourced ingredients, served on a three-course menu priced at $35. Make reservations there are only about thirty seats available.
179 locals recommend
LENOIR
1807 S 1st StThis South Austin restaurant features global dishes from Texas-sourced ingredients, served on a three-course menu priced at $35. Make reservations there are only about thirty seats available.
With a carefully curated craft beer selection and a French-inspired gastropub menu, Hopfields lends a lot of class to the University of Texas campus area.
74 locals recommend
Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe StWith a carefully curated craft beer selection and a French-inspired gastropub menu, Hopfields lends a lot of class to the University of Texas campus area.
Aaron Franklin's produces what has quickly become one of Texas's, if not the country's, most talked-about barbecue. It's so good, they regularly run out of meat shortly after opening; get there early.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StAaron Franklin's produces what has quickly become one of Texas's, if not the country's, most talked-about barbecue. It's so good, they regularly run out of meat shortly after opening; get there early.
Cheap, fast, and insanely delicious Vietnamese. Get the cream puffs.
9 locals recommend
Tam Deli & Cafe
8222 N Lamar BlvdCheap, fast, and insanely delicious Vietnamese. Get the cream puffs.
It's a convenience store, a Tex-Indian restaurant, a brewpub, a magical place where Austinites of all stripes come to hang out and sample some of the city's best vegetarian fare.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdIt's a convenience store, a Tex-Indian restaurant, a brewpub, a magical place where Austinites of all stripes come to hang out and sample some of the city's best vegetarian fare.
Forget upscale comfort food. There's nothing upscale about Cisco's and that's why hangovers, love it.
90 locals recommend
Cisco's Restaurant
1511 E 6th StForget upscale comfort food. There's nothing upscale about Cisco's and that's why hangovers, love it.
A tucked-away East side bistro with a romantic outdoor space, well-executed classic French cuisine, and reasonably-priced wine list. Late night meals/drinks.
522 locals recommend
Justine's
4710 E 5th StA tucked-away East side bistro with a romantic outdoor space, well-executed classic French cuisine, and reasonably-priced wine list. Late night meals/drinks.
Vegetarian restaurant has engineered one of the world's finest salad toppings with their cashew tamari dressing; even omnivores will want to eat their way through the whole creative menu.
146 locals recommend
Mother's Cafe
Vegetarian restaurant has engineered one of the world's finest salad toppings with their cashew tamari dressing; even omnivores will want to eat their way through the whole creative menu.
Excellent vegan and vegetarian options. Free parking off Sabine and E. 6th. Get there early. Service is slow, but the food is worth it. Great spot to eat before a show at Stubb's.
75 locals recommend
Koriente
621 E 7th StExcellent vegan and vegetarian options. Free parking off Sabine and E. 6th. Get there early. Service is slow, but the food is worth it. Great spot to eat before a show at Stubb's.
Serves a lighter take on traditional ramen than other noodle shops in town. They're the only ramen restaurant in Austin that serves vegan ramen on the regular.
21 locals recommend
Daruma Ramen
5301 Airport BoulevardServes a lighter take on traditional ramen than other noodle shops in town. They're the only ramen restaurant in Austin that serves vegan ramen on the regular.
The Indian food trailer offers tableside service under cozy tents and twinkly lights. A good place to eat if you are bar hopping on Rainey street. http://www.grajmahalaustin.com/
121 locals recommend
G'Raj Mahal
73 Rainey StThe Indian food trailer offers tableside service under cozy tents and twinkly lights. A good place to eat if you are bar hopping on Rainey street. http://www.grajmahalaustin.com/
A dog park at a bar? Yes, listen to live music while your pup plays in the fenced-in area and you down craft brews and enormous housemade sausage sandwiches.
264 locals recommend
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden
79 Rainey StA dog park at a bar? Yes, listen to live music while your pup plays in the fenced-in area and you down craft brews and enormous housemade sausage sandwiches.
WuWu Sushi
1407 East 7th StreetIt's sushi what more is there to say.
This romantic little west side European restaurant serves some of the city's best continental fare.
51 locals recommend
Fabi + Rosi
509 Hearn StThis romantic little west side European restaurant serves some of the city's best continental fare.
Mediterranean tapas and small plates restaurant has much to offer connoisseurs of both food and cocktails.
14 locals recommend
Fino Restaurant Patio & Bar
2905 San Gabriel StMediterranean tapas and small plates restaurant has much to offer connoisseurs of both food and cocktails.
Freedmen's is a more upscale take on the usual beers-and-brisket scene. Pitmaster Evan LeRoy is turning out quality meats along with smoked sides and even desserts.
43 locals recommend
Freedmen's
Freedmen's is a more upscale take on the usual beers-and-brisket scene. Pitmaster Evan LeRoy is turning out quality meats along with smoked sides and even desserts.
El Meson stands out in a city veritably teeming with Mexican options. Grab a breakfast taco from the Burleson Road location, or sit and stay awhile on South Lamar.
43 locals recommend
El Mesón Tequileria
2038 S Lamar BlvdEl Meson stands out in a city veritably teeming with Mexican options. Grab a breakfast taco from the Burleson Road location, or sit and stay awhile on South Lamar.
The Vegan Yacht
2000 Southern Oaks DrQuick vegan meal at a food truck.
Mr. Natural
1901 E Cesar Chavez StVegan/Vegetarian restaurant and natural food store.
Great place to grab a bite to eat or a drink. Outside seating and within walking distance.
2310 Manor Rd
2310 Manor RoadGreat place to grab a bite to eat or a drink. Outside seating and within walking distance.
Great place to grab a bite to eat or drink. Outside seating and within walking distance.
2207 Manor Rd
2207 Manor RoadGreat place to grab a bite to eat or drink. Outside seating and within walking distance.
This is a close-by to grab a sandwich and bring it home or hang out there. Friday is an especially good day to hang out there as they have Free Beer Friday. A free cold Lone Star.
111 locals recommend
Austin Daily Press
1900 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdThis is a close-by to grab a sandwich and bring it home or hang out there. Friday is an especially good day to hang out there as they have Free Beer Friday. A free cold Lone Star.
Great tacos and other Mexican food choices. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Good coffee. Offers vegan and vegetarian choices.
141 locals recommend
Tyson's Tacos
4905 Airport BlvdGreat tacos and other Mexican food choices. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Good coffee. Offers vegan and vegetarian choices.
Essentials
All around grocery store and pharmacy. Tends to be crowded most of the time.
1667 locals recommend
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdAll around grocery store and pharmacy. Tends to be crowded most of the time.
Closest grocery store. Limited selection and you must bring your own packaging. Sells beer in growlers and has a nice outside area to sit.
138 locals recommend
in.gredients
Closest grocery store. Limited selection and you must bring your own packaging. Sells beer in growlers and has a nice outside area to sit.
Quality Seafood has been providing Austinites with fresh Gulf seafood for over seventy years.
65 locals recommend
Quality Seafood Market
5621 Airport BlvdQuality Seafood has been providing Austinites with fresh Gulf seafood for over seventy years.
Grab a hearty sandwich at lunch and take home a nice cut of meat for dinner later on. Also sells beer, coffee and brunch. Best butcher shop in town.
151 locals recommend
Salt & Time
1912 E 7th StGrab a hearty sandwich at lunch and take home a nice cut of meat for dinner later on. Also sells beer, coffee and brunch. Best butcher shop in town.
This is the closest all around grocery store. The patio has music and local beers on tap.
1801 E 51st St
This is the closest all around grocery store. The patio has music and local beers on tap.
Everything Else
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdAll around grocery store with speciality items.
A fleet of more than 100 canoes and kayaks. Now, they offer stand-up kayaks, too. Open every day, 10 a.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. weekends, until dark. $12 an hour, $40 all day. Cash only.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StA fleet of more than 100 canoes and kayaks. Now, they offer stand-up kayaks, too. Open every day, 10 a.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. weekends, until dark. $12 an hour, $40 all day. Cash only.
Rowing, paddling, canoe and kayak rentals. If you’re new to stand-up paddling, someone on staff will be there to give you a quick lesson.
171 locals recommend
Texas Rowing Center
1541 W Cesar Chavez StRowing, paddling, canoe and kayak rentals. If you’re new to stand-up paddling, someone on staff will be there to give you a quick lesson.
Capital Cruises has canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, swan pedal boats, or barge. Rental prices for boards, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats range from $10 to $20 an hour. Electric boats are $65 an hour.
41 locals recommend
Capital Cruises
208 Barton Springs RdCapital Cruises has canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, swan pedal boats, or barge. Rental prices for boards, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats range from $10 to $20 an hour. Electric boats are $65 an hour.
Watercraft for $17 an hour, $10 for half an hour. Also available are 90-minute bat tours for $30, and moonlight on the water for $20 an hour. fb fans get 1/2 on Fri from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Austin Water Bikes
208 Barton Springs RdWatercraft for $17 an hour, $10 for half an hour. Also available are 90-minute bat tours for $30, and moonlight on the water for $20 an hour. fb fans get 1/2 on Fri from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Kayak rentals start at $10 an hour, and stand up paddle boards are $20 an hour.
41 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Kayaks
74 Trinity StOpen from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Kayak rentals start at $10 an hour, and stand up paddle boards are $20 an hour.
St. David's Medical Center
919 E 32nd StClosest hospital
Mueller
Closest Home Depot
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
3600 Presidential BlvdAirport
Drinks & Nightlife
Contigo's minimalist beer garden, craft cocktails and locally sourced, inventive food from Chef Andrew Wiseheart embody everything that's essential to a great Austin restaurant right this second.
297 locals recommend
Contigo
2027 Anchor LnContigo's minimalist beer garden, craft cocktails and locally sourced, inventive food from Chef Andrew Wiseheart embody everything that's essential to a great Austin restaurant right this second.
A great bar and the original East Side King, an Asian-style street food truck from Top Chef winner Paul Qui, offers new classics like brussels sprouts, chicken karaage and fried beets. Late night food
291 locals recommend
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetA great bar and the original East Side King, an Asian-style street food truck from Top Chef winner Paul Qui, offers new classics like brussels sprouts, chicken karaage and fried beets. Late night food
Great music, free music, and the Metro Rail is one stop South of MLK. Whiskey on tap even. Great honkey tonk!
672 locals recommend
The White Horse
500 Comal StGreat music, free music, and the Metro Rail is one stop South of MLK. Whiskey on tap even. Great honkey tonk!
Great outdoor setting, very chilled and as a resident East Side King truck if you get hungry.
149 locals recommend
Shangri-La
1016 E 6th StGreat outdoor setting, very chilled and as a resident East Side King truck if you get hungry.
Great neighborhood bar and has a resident East Side King food truck on the premises.
70 locals recommend
Grackle
1700 E 6th StGreat neighborhood bar and has a resident East Side King food truck on the premises.
Gypsy Lounge
1504 E 6th StGood bar on the east side.
Good outside area to hang out and not a bad spot for day drinking.
244 locals recommend
Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th StGood outside area to hang out and not a bad spot for day drinking.
All around good bar on the eastside to hang out and maybe catch some music.
193 locals recommend
HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th StAll around good bar on the eastside to hang out and maybe catch some music.
It also has a giant, comfortable patio with black-and-bare-wood picnic tables, craft beer, big sausage sandwiches with a view of the creek. It’s a perfect low-key locale to escape Dirty Sixth Street.
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StIt also has a giant, comfortable patio with black-and-bare-wood picnic tables, craft beer, big sausage sandwiches with a view of the creek. It’s a perfect low-key locale to escape Dirty Sixth Street.
When a former brothel is reincarnated into a speakeasy-style luxury cocktail lounge, you know there is fun to be had. Reservations required. Make them online.
http://midnightcowboymodeling.com/
107 locals recommend
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StWhen a former brothel is reincarnated into a speakeasy-style luxury cocktail lounge, you know there is fun to be had. Reservations required. Make them online.
http://midnightcowboymodeling.com/
North Loop neighborhood bar focuses on American-made beer, wine and spirits, and their small but mighty menu compliments their crafty drinks perfectly. House-made Twinkies.
155 locals recommend
drink.well.
207 E 53rd StNorth Loop neighborhood bar focuses on American-made beer, wine and spirits, and their small but mighty menu compliments their crafty drinks perfectly. House-made Twinkies.