Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Probably our favorite restaurant for special occasions. Try to get a reservation or if you're here on Sundays, go for Happy Hour in the bar (opens at 4:30pm). The entire bar snack menu is half off (which is a good deal on the usually priced $26 burger). Cocktails and wine also have discounts.
183 locals recommend
Jeffrey's
1204 W Lynn StProbably our favorite restaurant for special occasions. Try to get a reservation or if you're here on Sundays, go for Happy Hour in the bar (opens at 4:30pm). The entire bar snack menu is half off (which is a good deal on the usually priced $26 burger). Cocktails and wine also have discounts.
A family run Tex-Mex spot within a huge environment on South Lamar. Great for margaritas, queso and fajitas. Get a large bob ;)
304 locals recommend
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdA family run Tex-Mex spot within a huge environment on South Lamar. Great for margaritas, queso and fajitas. Get a large bob ;)
Order the Otto for breakfast, call ahead and grab a coffee at Houndstooth next door. Free pro tip!
247 locals recommend
Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdOrder the Otto for breakfast, call ahead and grab a coffee at Houndstooth next door. Free pro tip!
This East Austin spot is known for its owner Juan, his firm handshake, and delicious Mexican food. Go early for breakfast to avoid lines and get the breakfast taco of your choosing.
281 locals recommend
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StThis East Austin spot is known for its owner Juan, his firm handshake, and delicious Mexican food. Go early for breakfast to avoid lines and get the breakfast taco of your choosing.
This is unlike most Chinese you've had. Located on East 11th, they've prepped some awesome dishes like brisket fried rice, delicious Dan Dan noodles and cauliflower.
70 locals recommend
Old Thousand
1000 E 11th StThis is unlike most Chinese you've had. Located on East 11th, they've prepped some awesome dishes like brisket fried rice, delicious Dan Dan noodles and cauliflower.
One of Austin's most famous chefs, Tyson Cole, created magic with this sushi / Japanese small plates restaurant. While pricey, it's unpretentious and one of the best meals you'll have if you like Japanese. It's. that. good. It's also close to the house!
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdOne of Austin's most famous chefs, Tyson Cole, created magic with this sushi / Japanese small plates restaurant. While pricey, it's unpretentious and one of the best meals you'll have if you like Japanese. It's. that. good. It's also close to the house!
A Southern haven located in South Austin on the grounds of an old estate. Either sit outside amongst the Live Oaks and peacocks or go inside to the newly renovated interior that has a sophisticated yet approachable setting. Have an old fashioned in the quaint upstairs bar and try the two best dishes on the menu: the cauliflower and the biscuits.
54 locals recommend
Mattie's
901 W Live Oak StA Southern haven located in South Austin on the grounds of an old estate. Either sit outside amongst the Live Oaks and peacocks or go inside to the newly renovated interior that has a sophisticated yet approachable setting. Have an old fashioned in the quaint upstairs bar and try the two best dishes on the menu: the cauliflower and the biscuits.
The closest restaurant to us! You can even walk there. Originally started in Houston, Tiny's is known for their upscale, beach house environment and chocolate chip cookies. It's a great spot to grab a glass of wine at the bar or patio, a cheese board and some light entrees. Also great for weekend brunch.
35 locals recommend
Tiny Boxwoods Austin
1503 W 35th StThe closest restaurant to us! You can even walk there. Originally started in Houston, Tiny's is known for their upscale, beach house environment and chocolate chip cookies. It's a great spot to grab a glass of wine at the bar or patio, a cheese board and some light entrees. Also great for weekend brunch.
They have pizza and the best beer selection in Austin. What more could you want? They have a location about 5 minutes from here.
175 locals recommend
Pinthouse Pizza
4729 Burnet RdThey have pizza and the best beer selection in Austin. What more could you want? They have a location about 5 minutes from here.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a classic Texan honky tonk and (for now) fairly untouched by tourists. Local and non-local country bands play every night and the Lone Star Beer flows like the Rio Grande or the Draa River (that's a river in Morocco).
166 locals recommend
Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon
5434 Burnet RdThis is a classic Texan honky tonk and (for now) fairly untouched by tourists. Local and non-local country bands play every night and the Lone Star Beer flows like the Rio Grande or the Draa River (that's a river in Morocco).
Great cocktails in an awesome indoor/outdoor environment. It's about 10-15 minutes away by car.
178 locals recommend
Weather Up
1808 E Cesar Chavez StGreat cocktails in an awesome indoor/outdoor environment. It's about 10-15 minutes away by car.
Another impressive beer location that's even closer than Pinthouse. It's a German-inspired beer hall with outdoor seating and a food truck on the weekends.
131 locals recommend
Draught House Pub & Brewery
4112 Medical PkwyAnother impressive beer location that's even closer than Pinthouse. It's a German-inspired beer hall with outdoor seating and a food truck on the weekends.
Go dancing at Broken Spoke (the largest honky tonk on South Lamar). If you're a Yankee they have free two-step lessons Wed-Saturday from 8-9pm.
478 locals recommend
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdGo dancing at Broken Spoke (the largest honky tonk on South Lamar). If you're a Yankee they have free two-step lessons Wed-Saturday from 8-9pm.
Sightseeing
Take the Lake Austin exit on highway 1 and go straight down to the Lake. You can walk the trail or grab a kayak or a canoe and get out on the water.
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailTake the Lake Austin exit on highway 1 and go straight down to the Lake. You can walk the trail or grab a kayak or a canoe and get out on the water.
Stroll along South Congress and wander into the storefronts like the Yeti Store, Warby Parker, San Jose Hotel, South Congress Hotel, Kendra Scott, STAG, By George and a whole lot more.
447 locals recommend
South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueStroll along South Congress and wander into the storefronts like the Yeti Store, Warby Parker, San Jose Hotel, South Congress Hotel, Kendra Scott, STAG, By George and a whole lot more.
Parks & Nature
Natural spring water pool that will remind you of Sandlot.
322 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveNatural spring water pool that will remind you of Sandlot.
A classic Austin pool in the heart of the city. It's known for it's quirky regulars, cold water and beautiful setting.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrA classic Austin pool in the heart of the city. It's known for it's quirky regulars, cold water and beautiful setting.
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdEssentials
Super close to the house, great variety of beer and wine, live music, and all of your grocery essentials.
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdSuper close to the house, great variety of beer and wine, live music, and all of your grocery essentials.
Entertainment & Activities
Dine in movie theatre. Great food and drinks.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdDine in movie theatre. Great food and drinks.
Arts & Culture
Perfect for a rainy day or to beat the heat. The Blanton has an impressive collection and a lovely Ellsworth Kelly's instillation.
644 locals recommend
The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardPerfect for a rainy day or to beat the heat. The Blanton has an impressive collection and a lovely Ellsworth Kelly's instillation.