Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Local produce, great Vietnamese noodle dishes, and the freshest French pastries--macarons, pain au chocolat, baguette--in town. Get the banh mi.
426 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StLocal produce, great Vietnamese noodle dishes, and the freshest French pastries--macarons, pain au chocolat, baguette--in town. Get the banh mi.
A stone classic. Iced turbos and treats for the dog.
495 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveA stone classic. Iced turbos and treats for the dog.
Austin has many scene-y and envelope-pushing restaurants, where you can't get a reservation, there's typically a long line, and everyone is Instagramming their food. That's all well and good, but we find ourselves at Vespaio whenever we don't feel like fighting a crowd and feel like keeping a low profile. The service and the food are world-class, but the vibe is unfussy, and very old school Austin. They make their daily risotto to order, from scratch; if you can get a table early enough, before the nightly specials go on a count or sell out, it's highly recommended.
158 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveAustin has many scene-y and envelope-pushing restaurants, where you can't get a reservation, there's typically a long line, and everyone is Instagramming their food. That's all well and good, but we find ourselves at Vespaio whenever we don't feel like fighting a crowd and feel like keeping a low profile. The service and the food are world-class, but the vibe is unfussy, and very old school Austin. They make their daily risotto to order, from scratch; if you can get a table early enough, before the nightly specials go on a count or sell out, it's highly recommended.
Little-known secret: Perla's has the best $18 cheeseburger in Austin.
398 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveLittle-known secret: Perla's has the best $18 cheeseburger in Austin.
Sophisticated, Thai-inspired spot around the corner, opened by Rene Ortiz, formerly the chef at La Condesa. I recommend the Son-in-Law.
349 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sway
1417 S 1st StSophisticated, Thai-inspired spot around the corner, opened by Rene Ortiz, formerly the chef at La Condesa. I recommend the Son-in-Law.
Expect to stand in line, but the food is worth it. Hip, eco-minded burger joint with all-natural meats, housemade buns, shakes & interesting beers.
780 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveExpect to stand in line, but the food is worth it. Hip, eco-minded burger joint with all-natural meats, housemade buns, shakes & interesting beers.
Thin-crust slices & pies for dining in or carry out, open late for takeaway on weekends. Great for kids. Lesser-known menu item: Italian Sub. (You must add cherry peppers.)
791 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveThin-crust slices & pies for dining in or carry out, open late for takeaway on weekends. Great for kids. Lesser-known menu item: Italian Sub. (You must add cherry peppers.)
If an alien asked me to define Tex-Mex, I guess I'd send him/her/it to Guero's. There are much better Tex-Mex restaurants in town, but this place is so iconic you have to try it, at least once. Get a taco and a margherita.
398 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveIf an alien asked me to define Tex-Mex, I guess I'd send him/her/it to Guero's. There are much better Tex-Mex restaurants in town, but this place is so iconic you have to try it, at least once. Get a taco and a margherita.
Parks & Nature
Take Congress to the Ladybird Lake trail entrance--you can catch the bats, then walk west toward the Barton Springs foot bridge.
1533 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Metropolitano Zilker
2207 Barton Springs RdTake Congress to the Ladybird Lake trail entrance--you can catch the bats, then walk west toward the Barton Springs foot bridge.
The soul of the city. Without it, we'd be lost. Locals-only tip: go after 9 p.m.
2454 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThe soul of the city. Without it, we'd be lost. Locals-only tip: go after 9 p.m.
Essentials
Everything you need in a locally owned and operated, mom-and-pop grocery store. We find ourselves in here every day, whether it's for coffee, a quick flower arrangement, a newspaper, dog food, or some other essential.
87 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
FARM TO MARKET GROCERY
1718 S Congress AveEverything you need in a locally owned and operated, mom-and-pop grocery store. We find ourselves in here every day, whether it's for coffee, a quick flower arrangement, a newspaper, dog food, or some other essential.
Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrThe best taco in the universe, amen.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bi-level club hosting weekend performances on the main floor with a Japanese-American bar upstairs.
242 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveBi-level club hosting weekend performances on the main floor with a Japanese-American bar upstairs.
This place was cool before it was cool. Rock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local--when people mention "live music" in Austin, they are thinking of this place. Legendary.
815 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveThis place was cool before it was cool. Rock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local--when people mention "live music" in Austin, they are thinking of this place. Legendary.
Sidecars, steak frites, red wine, existentialist brasserie heaven.
522 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Justine's
4710 E 5th StSidecars, steak frites, red wine, existentialist brasserie heaven.
Arts & Culture
The rotunda and that painting of Davy Crockett.
1119 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveThe rotunda and that painting of Davy Crockett.
Sightseeing
South Congress
It has it all.
From March through November of each year, from 6PM to 9PM, thousands and thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from below and above the South Congress Bridge for a nightly feeding and aerial show. Don't miss this.
286 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueFrom March through November of each year, from 6PM to 9PM, thousands and thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from below and above the South Congress Bridge for a nightly feeding and aerial show. Don't miss this.