Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Comfortable, casual atmosphere with 32 award-winning Texas brews on tap, full menu & bar, and the largest HD sports screen in Texas! Lunch specials and "every day" happy hour; free covered parking
40 locals recommend
Draft Pick
1620 East Riverside DriveComfortable, casual atmosphere with 32 award-winning Texas brews on tap, full menu & bar, and the largest HD sports screen in Texas! Lunch specials and "every day" happy hour; free covered parking
Not just another Austin coffee house - they're locally owned and committed to making a difference in the world
69 locals recommend
Dominican Joe
Not just another Austin coffee house - they're locally owned and committed to making a difference in the world
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress Ave24-hour breakfast; wine, beer, mimosas
Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor RdBest chicken fried steak in Austin!
Brisket, ribs and sausage are delicious; creamed corn is simply the best.Top it all off with traditional banana pudding. Self-proclaimed “The Worst BBQ in Texas”, don’t let the sign fool you!
62 locals recommend
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
3914 N Lamar BlvdBrisket, ribs and sausage are delicious; creamed corn is simply the best.Top it all off with traditional banana pudding. Self-proclaimed “The Worst BBQ in Texas”, don’t let the sign fool you!
No secret the Oasis is just for the view - especially at sunset. Drinks and food are all right but higher priced due to the restaurant’s location.
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailNo secret the Oasis is just for the view - especially at sunset. Drinks and food are all right but higher priced due to the restaurant’s location.
Go for the succulent ribs, the fall apart brisket, and special recipe sausage. You may spot Jay Leno, Kevin Costner, Leonardo Dicaprio ... and CinnaMan!
48 locals recommend
Iron Works Barbecue
100 Red River StGo for the succulent ribs, the fall apart brisket, and special recipe sausage. You may spot Jay Leno, Kevin Costner, Leonardo Dicaprio ... and CinnaMan!
Tex-Mex at its best! but ... the décor is erotic, sexy, gaudy and everything in between. If you do not like naked women looking at you while you’re eating or in the bathroom, stick with Pappasito’s.
34 locals recommend
Vivo
2015 Manor RoadTex-Mex at its best! but ... the décor is erotic, sexy, gaudy and everything in between. If you do not like naked women looking at you while you’re eating or in the bathroom, stick with Pappasito’s.
mesquite-grilled steaks, signature slow-smoked sirloin and many combinations. You can’t beat the 2 for $25 offer when available. Full bar
9 locals recommend
Texas Land & Cattle
1101 S MoPac Expymesquite-grilled steaks, signature slow-smoked sirloin and many combinations. You can’t beat the 2 for $25 offer when available. Full bar
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress Avebrunch daily - famous for its carrot cake french toast
Every Sunday; live Gospel music and a world-renowned buffet, featuring: southern-style grits, migas, fried catfish, and BBQ brisket. “Make your own” Bloody Mary bar.
282 locals recommend
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River StEvery Sunday; live Gospel music and a world-renowned buffet, featuring: southern-style grits, migas, fried catfish, and BBQ brisket. “Make your own” Bloody Mary bar.
Bread is baked in-house everyday and served fresh; real meat, fresh veggies – no additives, no vegetable-based fillers, no fake stuff - best of the best. Many locations.
20 locals recommend
Jimmy John's
3203 Red River StBread is baked in-house everyday and served fresh; real meat, fresh veggies – no additives, no vegetable-based fillers, no fake stuff - best of the best. Many locations.
Iconic coffee shack on SoCo. Get your pic taken at the famous "I love you so much" wall
495 locals recommend
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveIconic coffee shack on SoCo. Get your pic taken at the famous "I love you so much" wall
A little bit of Paris in Austin. Sweet and savory crêpes, all delicious. CinnaMan loves "La Cannelle"...
14 locals recommend
Le Café Crêpe
200 San Jacinto BlvdA little bit of Paris in Austin. Sweet and savory crêpes, all delicious. CinnaMan loves "La Cannelle"...
open 7 days, 7a to 3p. DON JUAN - El Taco Grande - as seen on Man vs Food. A secret combination of potato, egg, bacon, and cheese in a deliciously hot tortilla
281 locals recommend
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez Stopen 7 days, 7a to 3p. DON JUAN - El Taco Grande - as seen on Man vs Food. A secret combination of potato, egg, bacon, and cheese in a deliciously hot tortilla
Great meals, great prices. Authentic Mexican margaritas made from orange liqueur, tequila, and fresh lime juice only. Saturdays music & tacos on the patio. Celebrate First Thursday @ Güero's
398 locals recommend
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveGreat meals, great prices. Authentic Mexican margaritas made from orange liqueur, tequila, and fresh lime juice only. Saturdays music & tacos on the patio. Celebrate First Thursday @ Güero's
Best Vietnamese in Austin - Pan Asian dishes ranging from traditional Pho to pan fried noodles, fried rice, and classic vermicelli bowls with an assortments of grilled meats to choose from.
61 locals recommend
Hai Ky
1931 E Oltorf StBest Vietnamese in Austin - Pan Asian dishes ranging from traditional Pho to pan fried noodles, fried rice, and classic vermicelli bowls with an assortments of grilled meats to choose from.
Best Pad Thai in Austin - line for lunch buffet
(MWF only) can be looong (it's that goood).
Large menu covering a large selection of Asian
and fusion dishes.
136 locals recommend
888 Pan Asian Restaurant
2400 E Oltorf StBest Pad Thai in Austin - line for lunch buffet
(MWF only) can be looong (it's that goood).
Large menu covering a large selection of Asian
and fusion dishes.
Arts & Culture
Austin Museum of Art's Italian villa in a beautiful setting on the Lake Austin; site specific installations highlight the gardens and architecture.
98 locals recommend
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StAustin Museum of Art's Italian villa in a beautiful setting on the Lake Austin; site specific installations highlight the gardens and architecture.
4 screens devoted to art, independent, documentary and international films. Bar and Cafe Lounge is open to non-movie goers. Must reserve seats in advance; parking validated 4 hrs.
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th St4 screens devoted to art, independent, documentary and international films. Bar and Cafe Lounge is open to non-movie goers. Must reserve seats in advance; parking validated 4 hrs.
Everything Else
good-sized, free-admission pool complete with swimming lanes and a deep end suitable for diving; fed by water from a naturally warm artesian well
158 locals recommend
Big Stacy Neighborhood Park
700 E Live Oak Stgood-sized, free-admission pool complete with swimming lanes and a deep end suitable for diving; fed by water from a naturally warm artesian well
The behemoth pool, 3 acres in size, is man-made, but it is fed by underground spring waters that stay an average of 68 degrees year-round. Great way to cool off in the Austin heat!
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThe behemoth pool, 3 acres in size, is man-made, but it is fed by underground spring waters that stay an average of 68 degrees year-round. Great way to cool off in the Austin heat!
where Austin golf legends Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite honed their games under Harvey Penick's watchful eyes. Large putting and chipping green near the pro shop; walkers and walkups are always welcome.
15 locals recommend
Riverside Golf Course
1020 Grove Blvdwhere Austin golf legends Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite honed their games under Harvey Penick's watchful eyes. Large putting and chipping green near the pro shop; walkers and walkups are always welcome.
The Center’s gardens display the native plants of the Central Texas Hill Country, South and West Texas. Seminars, sales, special events - there's always something going on
252 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveThe Center’s gardens display the native plants of the Central Texas Hill Country, South and West Texas. Seminars, sales, special events - there's always something going on
Many of our guests walk or bike; approx 10-minute ride on the #7, #20, or #100 bus.
290 locals recommend
Austin Convention Center
500 E Cesar Chavez StMany of our guests walk or bike; approx 10-minute ride on the #7, #20, or #100 bus.
Open 24 hrs, Bootleg locally roasted coffee, cold brew coffee on tap (you gotta try this), draft beer, full bar, huge patio
246 locals recommend
The Buzz Mill
1505 Town Creek DrOpen 24 hrs, Bootleg locally roasted coffee, cold brew coffee on tap (you gotta try this), draft beer, full bar, huge patio
State-of-the-art race track featuring Formula One, MotoGP, V8 Supercars, and more. On site Austin360 Auditorium starring big name concerts and events
346 locals recommend
Circuit of The Americas
9201 Circuit of the Americas BlvdState-of-the-art race track featuring Formula One, MotoGP, V8 Supercars, and more. On site Austin360 Auditorium starring big name concerts and events
Shopping
Austin's premiere artisan cheese and charcuterie shop, also featuring craft beer, wine, oils & vinegars, olives, honey, nuts, and chocolate. Closed on Mon.
91 locals recommend
Antonelli's Cheese Shop
4220 Duval StAustin's premiere artisan cheese and charcuterie shop, also featuring craft beer, wine, oils & vinegars, olives, honey, nuts, and chocolate. Closed on Mon.
Located on nearly 2 acres, Great Outdoors is an Austin garden institution. Huge selection, knowledgeable and friendly help.
The Great Outdoors
2730 S Congress AveLocated on nearly 2 acres, Great Outdoors is an Austin garden institution. Huge selection, knowledgeable and friendly help.
Austin landmark - feed store, western wear, hardware, tack, housewares, and gifts
11 locals recommend
Callahan's General Store
501 S Hwy 183Austin landmark - feed store, western wear, hardware, tack, housewares, and gifts
full-service grocery retailer owned by BEB or vv. The "original" Central Market store is on North Lamar. Multiple locations in Austin
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar Blvdfull-service grocery retailer owned by BEB or vv. The "original" Central Market store is on North Lamar. Multiple locations in Austin
Cowboy boots by respected brands like Justin, Lucchese, Old Gringo and more. Best boot shopping experience; boot fitting experts won't try to shoehorn you into a boot that won't work for you.
136 locals recommend
Allens Boots
1522 S Congress AveCowboy boots by respected brands like Justin, Lucchese, Old Gringo and more. Best boot shopping experience; boot fitting experts won't try to shoehorn you into a boot that won't work for you.
Neighborhood European-style cheese, charcuterie and wine retail shop. Sandwiches, salads, soup for lunch, evening plates, wine tastings.
44 locals recommend
Henri's Cheese & Wine
2026 South Lamar BoulevardNeighborhood European-style cheese, charcuterie and wine retail shop. Sandwiches, salads, soup for lunch, evening plates, wine tastings.
Drinks & Nightlife
300 wine selections from all over the world - HH small plate bites starting @ $3 each; wine flights $3 off. Daily specials. Wine Spectator 2012 Award of Excellence winner!
18 locals recommend
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar (2nd Street - Austin)
238 W 2nd St300 wine selections from all over the world - HH small plate bites starting @ $3 each; wine flights $3 off. Daily specials. Wine Spectator 2012 Award of Excellence winner!
bourbon and whiskey aged in oak; Commercial Suicide beer aged in oak; great cocktails. Try TenOak Mule Cocktail or Frozen Eddy in summer. Small, shareable plates, unusual creations
TenOak
409 Colorado Stbourbon and whiskey aged in oak; Commercial Suicide beer aged in oak; great cocktails. Try TenOak Mule Cocktail or Frozen Eddy in summer. Small, shareable plates, unusual creations
Emo’s has and always will be a little rough
around the edges. The new venue boasts a state-
of-the-art sound system, complete with quality
lighting and staging capabilities.
135 locals recommend
Emo's Austin
2015 E Riverside DrEmo’s has and always will be a little rough
around the edges. The new venue boasts a state-
of-the-art sound system, complete with quality
lighting and staging capabilities.
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveGranddaddy of all local music venues
Sightseeing
as seen on CNN: sales, rentals and daily tours - the most awesome electric bikes you'll ever ride. Pedal as much or as little as you like, and enjoy Austin without parking worries.
42 locals recommend
Pedego Austin
1608 E Riverside Dras seen on CNN: sales, rentals and daily tours - the most awesome electric bikes you'll ever ride. Pedal as much or as little as you like, and enjoy Austin without parking worries.
Stand up paddle board (SUP) sales, rentals, lessons, yoga and tours. Located at the dock on Lady Bird Lake behind AMLI South Shore @ 1620 East Riverside Drive & S. Lakeshore Blvd
23 locals recommend
Paddle Zen
Stand up paddle board (SUP) sales, rentals, lessons, yoga and tours. Located at the dock on Lady Bird Lake behind AMLI South Shore @ 1620 East Riverside Drive & S. Lakeshore Blvd
kayak and canoe rentals and tours: Congress Bridge Bats (March-October), full day trips on the Guadalupe, San Marcos, and Colorado rivers, Urban Tour (November-February)
44 locals recommend
Live Love Paddle
1610 E Riverside Drkayak and canoe rentals and tours: Congress Bridge Bats (March-October), full day trips on the Guadalupe, San Marcos, and Colorado rivers, Urban Tour (November-February)