Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
East Side King
2310 S Lamar BlvdAmazing food, reasonable price. Top Chef winner Paul Qui.
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Indoor/outdoor coffee shop. Craft beer, wine and pizza during happy hour. Veracruz taco truck is on-site and has the best breakfast tacos i've EVER had.
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435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdIndoor/outdoor coffee shop. Craft beer, wine and pizza during happy hour. Veracruz taco truck is on-site and has the best breakfast tacos i've EVER had.
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Fun spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. Traditional Tex-Mex fare.
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304 locals recommend
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdFun spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. Traditional Tex-Mex fare.
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Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdDELICIOUS local fare. Amazing ambiance and customer service.
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Adorable indoor/outdoor "interior Mexico" fare. Ask for a table on the rooftop if it's nice out!
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170 locals recommend
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdAdorable indoor/outdoor "interior Mexico" fare. Ask for a table on the rooftop if it's nice out!
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Alcomar
1816 South 1st StreetDelicious Tex-Mex. Highly recommend the unique margaritas!
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Delicious Thai fusion. No reservations accepted, so be prepared to wait if you have a large party. Worth the wait!
$$$
349 locals recommend
Sway
1417 S 1st StDelicious Thai fusion. No reservations accepted, so be prepared to wait if you have a large party. Worth the wait!
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Another creation of Top Chef Paul Qui. Great for brunch, lunch, dinner or desert.
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8 locals recommend
St Philip
4715 S Lamar BlvdAnother creation of Top Chef Paul Qui. Great for brunch, lunch, dinner or desert.
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Amazing tapas-style fare. Great for large groups. Try the chef's tasting menu if you have a party of 8 or larger!
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85 locals recommend
Swift's Attic
315 Congress AveAmazing tapas-style fare. Great for large groups. Try the chef's tasting menu if you have a party of 8 or larger!
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Craft brewery and outstanding pizza. Indoor/outdoor setup - and I'm told it's kid-friendly.
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435 locals recommend
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StCraft brewery and outstanding pizza. Indoor/outdoor setup - and I'm told it's kid-friendly.
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Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetCasual Tex-Mex fare. Great for large groups!
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Unbelievable bakery. Highly recommend the pretzel and sandwiches. Large beer selection. Awesome ambiance on Waller Creek.
358 locals recommend
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StUnbelievable bakery. Highly recommend the pretzel and sandwiches. Large beer selection. Awesome ambiance on Waller Creek.
Amazing oysters! Best lobster roll i've ever had. Be prepared to wait if you don't have a reservation. It's worth it.
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246 locals recommend
Clark's Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th StAmazing oysters! Best lobster roll i've ever had. Be prepared to wait if you don't have a reservation. It's worth it.
$$$$
Great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Really cute place and outstanding food.
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279 locals recommend
South Congress Cafe
1600 S Congress AveGreat for brunch, lunch or dinner. Really cute place and outstanding food.
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ThunderCloud Subs
2308 Lake Austin BlvdMy favorite local sandwich shop. Casual, fresh and easy!
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Perla's
1400 S Congress AveAmazing oysters! Indoor/outdoor setup. Great for brunch and dinner!
Kerbey Lane Cafe
3003 S Lamar BlvdWonderful diner. Open 24 hours!
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Really great food and cocktails. Cute venue and great customer service.
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37 locals recommend
Porter
3715 South 1st StreetReally great food and cocktails. Cute venue and great customer service.
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Barlata
1500 S Lamar BlvdSpanish tapas restaurant. Amazing happy hour!
Amazing view of the hill country. Casual restaurant, good for brunch, lunch, happy hour or dinner.
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90 locals recommend
Red's Porch
Amazing view of the hill country. Casual restaurant, good for brunch, lunch, happy hour or dinner.
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Really cute indoor/outdoor venue. Amazing happy hour and brunch (Sunday only).
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297 locals recommend
Contigo
2027 Anchor LnReally cute indoor/outdoor venue. Amazing happy hour and brunch (Sunday only).
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Drinks & Nightlife
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar BlvdSports Bar with fun patio and good drink/food menu.
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Great live music daily! Usually low or no cover charge.
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815 locals recommend
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveGreat live music daily! Usually low or no cover charge.
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Really cute "speakeasy"! Drinks and live music is always great. Make sure to enter through the bookshelf at the hostel entrance!
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81 locals recommend
Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos StReally cute "speakeasy"! Drinks and live music is always great. Make sure to enter through the bookshelf at the hostel entrance!
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The Driskill bar has excellent wine, cocktails and apps. Make sure to try the truffle popcorn!
$$$
104 locals recommend
The Driskill In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt
604 Brazos StThe Driskill bar has excellent wine, cocktails and apps. Make sure to try the truffle popcorn!
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School House Pub
2207 Manor RdGreat food and drinks! Indoor/outdoor.
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Skylark Lounge
2039 Airport BlvdMy favorite Austin dive!! Blues lounge.
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Shopping
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdAmazing homemade ice cream. Unique flavors!
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Essentials
80,000 square foot global headquarters/flagship store. Numerous restaurants inside have been rated the top in Austin. Whole Foods gets more weekly visits than the state capital!
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar Blvd80,000 square foot global headquarters/flagship store. Numerous restaurants inside have been rated the top in Austin. Whole Foods gets more weekly visits than the state capital!
Arts & Culture
Lovely par-3 course in between my house and downtown. $10 to play, must bring cash! BYOB and dog friendly.
63 locals recommend
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
201 Lee Barton DrLovely par-3 course in between my house and downtown. $10 to play, must bring cash! BYOB and dog friendly.
Movie theater + amazing food and drink menu. Really unique venue.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdMovie theater + amazing food and drink menu. Really unique venue.
Casual craft brewery. Picnic tables and board games make this a great casual stop.
112 locals recommend
Hops & Grain Brewing
507 Calles StCasual craft brewery. Picnic tables and board games make this a great casual stop.