Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Probably the best dining experience we have had so far in Austin, and we are very fussy in the culinary department. They have a prix-fixe menu, only about eight tables so it is hard to get a reservation but well worth it.
179 locals recommend
LENOIR
1807 S 1st StProbably the best dining experience we have had so far in Austin, and we are very fussy in the culinary department. They have a prix-fixe menu, only about eight tables so it is hard to get a reservation but well worth it.
Great Vietnamese inspired soups. Not quite a full blown Pho emporium, but a great selection of Asian inspired dishes.
426 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StGreat Vietnamese inspired soups. Not quite a full blown Pho emporium, but a great selection of Asian inspired dishes.
Great coffee, and we love the ham and cheese croissants. Nice way to start the day.
78 locals recommend
Seventh Flag Coffee
1506 S 1st StGreat coffee, and we love the ham and cheese croissants. Nice way to start the day.
This is actually a food truck but excellent value for money, generous portions, and pretty decent Indian. Their Chicken Tikka is a huge dish of Tandoori grilled chicken that can feed two comfortably. Comes with a tomato based masala sauce and rice on the side.
13 locals recommend
Bombay Dhaba
1207 S 1st StThis is actually a food truck but excellent value for money, generous portions, and pretty decent Indian. Their Chicken Tikka is a huge dish of Tandoori grilled chicken that can feed two comfortably. Comes with a tomato based masala sauce and rice on the side.
Pretty decent Mexican, only a short walking distance from the house. Tacos are good, but there is so much competition around Austin that I would not make any superior claims about this place. Nice for the convenience and when live music is playing
42 locals recommend
El Mercado
1302 S 1st StPretty decent Mexican, only a short walking distance from the house. Tacos are good, but there is so much competition around Austin that I would not make any superior claims about this place. Nice for the convenience and when live music is playing
Good Italian restaurant and their entrees are shareable, they are so huge. Be careful not to over order. I would not put this in the truly authentic Italian category, so far, I have not found anywhere in Austin that fits that description, but of the Italian restaurants we have eaten at, this is the best so far.
77 locals recommend
Juliet Italian Kitchen
1500 Barton Springs RdGood Italian restaurant and their entrees are shareable, they are so huge. Be careful not to over order. I would not put this in the truly authentic Italian category, so far, I have not found anywhere in Austin that fits that description, but of the Italian restaurants we have eaten at, this is the best so far.
Sway
1417 S 1st StIf you like Thai, what are you waiting for?
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdVery good sushi
Reasonably good Italian. On a par with Juliet. Not truly authentic, but you should leave happy. Next door is their Enoteca that is good for Sunday Brunch, much more casual. Strangely, they pour Cava Mimosas instead of Prosecco. Go figure.
158 locals recommend
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveReasonably good Italian. On a par with Juliet. Not truly authentic, but you should leave happy. Next door is their Enoteca that is good for Sunday Brunch, much more casual. Strangely, they pour Cava Mimosas instead of Prosecco. Go figure.
June's
1722 S Congress AveKnown for their brunch. Always a a long wait so get there early
If you are feeling flush with cash and looking to drop some serious coin on an Omakase experience, this place is for you. The go-to sushi place for the well heeled. Legendary cocktail bar to boot.
23 locals recommend
Otoko
1603 S Congress AveIf you are feeling flush with cash and looking to drop some serious coin on an Omakase experience, this place is for you. The go-to sushi place for the well heeled. Legendary cocktail bar to boot.
Very nice interior design (I like motorbikes so anyplace that puts one on a shelf for display gets my vote) with a great bar. Food is solid - not texture, but quality. Good vibe.
30 locals recommend
Central Standard
1603 S Congress AveVery nice interior design (I like motorbikes so anyplace that puts one on a shelf for display gets my vote) with a great bar. Food is solid - not texture, but quality. Good vibe.
Simply the best empanadas we have found outside of Argentina. And their parilla (Argentina barbecued steaks) is excellent.
143 locals recommend
Buenos Aires Café
1201 E 6th StSimply the best empanadas we have found outside of Argentina. And their parilla (Argentina barbecued steaks) is excellent.
French brasserie. Expensive, above average, but currently a very trendy spot with the hip crowd.
15 locals recommend
Le Politique
110 San Antonio StFrench brasserie. Expensive, above average, but currently a very trendy spot with the hip crowd.
Drinks & Nightlife
A slightly older, more refined crowd than found on the dirty sixth (6th St) but still skewing very young. Lots of bars, couple of restaurants, a food truck park, and great live music and dance spots.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetA slightly older, more refined crowd than found on the dirty sixth (6th St) but still skewing very young. Lots of bars, couple of restaurants, a food truck park, and great live music and dance spots.
It is a restaurant/bar/lounge up next to the pool deck of the Van Zandt hotel. Great crowd and great live music acts almost every night. Apparently the pool deck gets pretty hectic during the summer.
48 locals recommend
Geraldine's
605 Davis StIt is a restaurant/bar/lounge up next to the pool deck of the Van Zandt hotel. Great crowd and great live music acts almost every night. Apparently the pool deck gets pretty hectic during the summer.
The place to go for Jazz. Usually a $10 cover to get in for the live music, and the place is a bit of a dive, but the music is quality. Good selection of imported beers. An Austin institution.
224 locals recommend
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveThe place to go for Jazz. Usually a $10 cover to get in for the live music, and the place is a bit of a dive, but the music is quality. Good selection of imported beers. An Austin institution.
Bar/nightclub/live music. Always have great bands covering the full spectrum of music from country to punk.
193 locals recommend
HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th StBar/nightclub/live music. Always have great bands covering the full spectrum of music from country to punk.
Revelry Kitchen + Bar
1410 E 6th StGood pub food, sports bar with a nice patio. Very popular.
The White Horse
500 Comal StLive music. Beer. Crowds. Legendary.
Lamberts
401 W 2nd StLive Music: Jazz, Soul, Funk. Serve food, great place to hang.
Parks & Nature
When it is hot, this is the waterhole to go to. Gets crowded so get there early. Great natural spring fed swimming area.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrWhen it is hot, this is the waterhole to go to. Gets crowded so get there early. Great natural spring fed swimming area.
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StNice "in-town" trails
Lots of open green space and trails along the Colorado River. Great downtown skyline views.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdLots of open green space and trails along the Colorado River. Great downtown skyline views.
Entertainment & Activities
rent a kayak, or paddle board, and get out on Ladybird Lake (Colorado River) to beat the heat.
124 locals recommend
Zilker Park Boat Rentals
2101 Andrew Zilker Rdrent a kayak, or paddle board, and get out on Ladybird Lake (Colorado River) to beat the heat.
Indie movies, foreign films, reserved seating with bar and cafe
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StIndie movies, foreign films, reserved seating with bar and cafe