Austin Like a Local
Food Scene
Local chain, tacos for any time of the day. Queso is in the running for best in Austin.
1075 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StLocal chain, tacos for any time of the day. Queso is in the running for best in Austin.
Love sushi? Paul Qui's original sushi joint is one of the best in the country. Try happy hour to get out of there for under $60 for two, or bring a group and share.
688 locals recommend
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdLove sushi? Paul Qui's original sushi joint is one of the best in the country. Try happy hour to get out of there for under $60 for two, or bring a group and share.
Amazing application of the farm-to-plate concept, the menu here is always changing, always creative, and always awesome. No reservations so come early, order a bunch, and share everything!
153 locals recommend
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet RdAmazing application of the farm-to-plate concept, the menu here is always changing, always creative, and always awesome. No reservations so come early, order a bunch, and share everything!
There are a million mexican restaurants in Austin, but Sazon is special. Something of a local secret, they serve great interior Mexican dishes and quality margs. Try anything with the pumpkin sauce.
31 locals recommend
Sazon
1816 S Lamar BlvdThere are a million mexican restaurants in Austin, but Sazon is special. Something of a local secret, they serve great interior Mexican dishes and quality margs. Try anything with the pumpkin sauce.
Looking for the quintessential Tex-Mex experience? Maudie's has you covered. The cheesiest cheese enchiladas, and an all-around crowd pleasing menu at good prices.
80 locals recommend
Maudie's Too
1212 S Lamar BlvdLooking for the quintessential Tex-Mex experience? Maudie's has you covered. The cheesiest cheese enchiladas, and an all-around crowd pleasing menu at good prices.
All kinds of great stuff on the menu here, my favorite being the enchiladas con chili colorado (guajillo simmered pork tips!) Also try the avocado margaritas.
200 locals recommend
Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf StAll kinds of great stuff on the menu here, my favorite being the enchiladas con chili colorado (guajillo simmered pork tips!) Also try the avocado margaritas.
I love hot pressed sandwiches, and these guys have the best in the neighborhood. I'm in love with the Cuban, but everything on the Love menu is amazing.
8 locals recommend
Toastie's Sub Shop
215 S Lamar BlvdI love hot pressed sandwiches, and these guys have the best in the neighborhood. I'm in love with the Cuban, but everything on the Love menu is amazing.
Used to be my favorite food trailer in town, now it's my favorite place to take a group of out of town friends. Bring a crowd and order everything, the small plates are meant for sharing.
374 locals recommend
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdUsed to be my favorite food trailer in town, now it's my favorite place to take a group of out of town friends. Bring a crowd and order everything, the small plates are meant for sharing.
It really is as good as you hear, but only if showing up two hours early with folding chairs and a cooler sounds like a fun experience (it can be!). Mmmmm. Meat.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StIt really is as good as you hear, but only if showing up two hours early with folding chairs and a cooler sounds like a fun experience (it can be!). Mmmmm. Meat.
Great weekend outing, head out to the Salt Lick and bring a cooler with you, it's BYOB! Their strengths are the sausage and the sauce.
480 locals recommend
Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826Great weekend outing, head out to the Salt Lick and bring a cooler with you, it's BYOB! Their strengths are the sausage and the sauce.
It's Happy Hour all day here Sunday and Monday, turning an upscale spot super affordable. $5 cocktails and 1/2 off a bunch of menu items. Awesome.
93 locals recommend
Péché
208 W 4th StIt's Happy Hour all day here Sunday and Monday, turning an upscale spot super affordable. $5 cocktails and 1/2 off a bunch of menu items. Awesome.
They have a full bar and are downtown so it's more of a bar in the evening, but if you need a late night sandwich or chocolate martini definitely duck in here!
136 locals recommend
Halcyon
218 W 4th StThey have a full bar and are downtown so it's more of a bar in the evening, but if you need a late night sandwich or chocolate martini definitely duck in here!
Paul Qui's food truck endeavor really took off, and now they have a few locations around town including this one! The beet home fries and brussel sprouts salad are AMAZING.
111 locals recommend
East Side King
2310 S Lamar BlvdPaul Qui's food truck endeavor really took off, and now they have a few locations around town including this one! The beet home fries and brussel sprouts salad are AMAZING.
Really really solid diner-style burger joint, and you can order your burgers small/med/large depending on how hungry you are!
31 locals recommend
Dan's Hamburgers
4308 Menchaca RdReally really solid diner-style burger joint, and you can order your burgers small/med/large depending on how hungry you are!
If you're not from Texas, our obsession with Whataburger can be a bit confusing, but it's the only acceptable fast food option around. Try the Patty Melt or the Honey Barbecue Chicken Strip Sandwich!
97 locals recommend
Whataburger
601 Barton Springs RdIf you're not from Texas, our obsession with Whataburger can be a bit confusing, but it's the only acceptable fast food option around. Try the Patty Melt or the Honey Barbecue Chicken Strip Sandwich!
Great coffee, AWESOME vegetarian and vegan menu. The tamales are especially good around breakfast, and the loaded grilled cheese is yummy.
565 locals recommend
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StGreat coffee, AWESOME vegetarian and vegan menu. The tamales are especially good around breakfast, and the loaded grilled cheese is yummy.
Home cooking at it's finest, everything on this menu is delicious. Fun place to eat as well with a really unique space.
208 locals recommend
Lucy's Fried Chicken
2218 College AveHome cooking at it's finest, everything on this menu is delicious. Fun place to eat as well with a really unique space.
My favorite Indian food in town, and an awesome place to start a night on Rainey Street. Be aware you'll be in the middle of a dense bar district if you're just coming for dinner though. Stephen and Courtney's first date was here!
121 locals recommend
G'Raj Mahal
73 Rainey StMy favorite Indian food in town, and an awesome place to start a night on Rainey Street. Be aware you'll be in the middle of a dense bar district if you're just coming for dinner though. Stephen and Courtney's first date was here!
Hooray for neighborhood restaurants with yummy fresh food and coffee! Everything is good, and the Thai ice creams are a treat.
189 locals recommend
Thai Fresh
909 W Mary StHooray for neighborhood restaurants with yummy fresh food and coffee! Everything is good, and the Thai ice creams are a treat.
Top notch tacos, and perfectly situated at Radio Coffee & Beer. Tacos and coffee halfway through the dog's walk around the block were a huge part of our routine living here!
314 locals recommend
Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadTop notch tacos, and perfectly situated at Radio Coffee & Beer. Tacos and coffee halfway through the dog's walk around the block were a huge part of our routine living here!
Essentials
Great grocery full of organic and healthy options, fantastic beer and wine selection, attached cafe offering all kinds of American fare as well as seasonal special menus and great coffee!
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdGreat grocery full of organic and healthy options, fantastic beer and wine selection, attached cafe offering all kinds of American fare as well as seasonal special menus and great coffee!
Everything is bigger in Texas, including our wholesale liquor stores. ALL the craft beers, aisles and aisles of wine, every brand of liquor you can imagine, cigars, snacks, and an awesome deli!
33 locals recommend
Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
4970 US-290Everything is bigger in Texas, including our wholesale liquor stores. ALL the craft beers, aisles and aisles of wine, every brand of liquor you can imagine, cigars, snacks, and an awesome deli!
If you're looking for fresh produce, Sprouts is where it's at. Better prices than Central Market as well.
165 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
4006 S Lamar BlvdIf you're looking for fresh produce, Sprouts is where it's at. Better prices than Central Market as well.
Nothing but USDA Certified Organic products here, and tons of health conscious options available for those with gluten or food allergies.
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StNothing but USDA Certified Organic products here, and tons of health conscious options available for those with gluten or food allergies.
Everything Else
Looking for a relaxed studio to practice while traveling? Black Swan has a suggested donation of $10 per class and caters to all skill levels.
93 locals recommend
Black Swan Yoga
403 Orchard StLooking for a relaxed studio to practice while traveling? Black Swan has a suggested donation of $10 per class and caters to all skill levels.
Free parking in the garage if you exit before 5 PM! Save yourself the circling around looking for a meter spot and just park here and walk.
7 locals recommend
Austin City Hall
163 Lavaca StFree parking in the garage if you exit before 5 PM! Save yourself the circling around looking for a meter spot and just park here and walk.
Drinks & Nightlife
Neighborhood sports bar with tons of TVs, great atmosphere, beer selection, shuffleboard, and a few arcades. Really solid food too, try the cheese curds if you're not sure what to order!
291 locals recommend
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar BlvdNeighborhood sports bar with tons of TVs, great atmosphere, beer selection, shuffleboard, and a few arcades. Really solid food too, try the cheese curds if you're not sure what to order!
Great neighborhood bar with attached food trailer Luke's that serves top notch sammys. Texas craft beer selection and Moustache Monday bourbon specials are a highlight here.
181 locals recommend
Gibson Street Bar
1109 S Lamar BlvdGreat neighborhood bar with attached food trailer Luke's that serves top notch sammys. Texas craft beer selection and Moustache Monday bourbon specials are a highlight here.
This is my stumbling distance bar. Unusual crowd most of the time, but affordable drinks and friendly service make it a frequent stop on dog walks.
49 locals recommend
Casino South Side
1502 W Ben White BlvdThis is my stumbling distance bar. Unusual crowd most of the time, but affordable drinks and friendly service make it a frequent stop on dog walks.
If you're seeing a show at Mohawk or Stubb's, this is where you want to be before and after! Super cheap drinks, wonderful atmosphere, you can't help but be happy here!
153 locals recommend
Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StIf you're seeing a show at Mohawk or Stubb's, this is where you want to be before and after! Super cheap drinks, wonderful atmosphere, you can't help but be happy here!
The older sister of Casino South Side by my house, the grill here serves unbelievable burgers and the bloody marys are my favorite in town. Tell 'em how hot you want it on a 1-10 scale =)
74 locals recommend
Casino El Camino
517 E 6th StThe older sister of Casino South Side by my house, the grill here serves unbelievable burgers and the bloody marys are my favorite in town. Tell 'em how hot you want it on a 1-10 scale =)
Don't be scared following your GPS, the road only looks sketchy because it's right next to the train track. Try brunching here, or just stopping in to enjoy the patio.
244 locals recommend
Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th StDon't be scared following your GPS, the road only looks sketchy because it's right next to the train track. Try brunching here, or just stopping in to enjoy the patio.
The coolest cocktail lounge in Austin, but it's a bit of an enigma wrapped inside a mystery. Top notch tableside cocktail service in what used to be a brothel and speakeasy. You need reservations.
107 locals recommend
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StThe coolest cocktail lounge in Austin, but it's a bit of an enigma wrapped inside a mystery. Top notch tableside cocktail service in what used to be a brothel and speakeasy. You need reservations.
Great cocktails, cheese trays, and all-around great place to hang out. The hostel upstairs means you're bound to have some interesting company at the bar!
81 locals recommend
Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos StGreat cocktails, cheese trays, and all-around great place to hang out. The hostel upstairs means you're bound to have some interesting company at the bar!
The most authentic country dancing spot in town, made even more iconic by its dirt parking lot now being surrounded by luxury apartments.
478 locals recommend
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdThe most authentic country dancing spot in town, made even more iconic by its dirt parking lot now being surrounded by luxury apartments.
Whip In is a bizarre and awesome mix of a micro-brewery, bar, corner store, Indian restaurant, and music venue. Huge draft beer selection and knowledgable bartenders to help you pick.
267 locals recommend
Whip in
1950 S I-35 Frontage RdWhip In is a bizarre and awesome mix of a micro-brewery, bar, corner store, Indian restaurant, and music venue. Huge draft beer selection and knowledgable bartenders to help you pick.
Entertainment & Activities
Great spot to take the kids, but I've also taken plenty of dates here! You can BYOB, I've got the perfect cooler you can borrow.
201 locals recommend
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs RdGreat spot to take the kids, but I've also taken plenty of dates here! You can BYOB, I've got the perfect cooler you can borrow.
Barton Springs is a must-see pretty much any part of the year, there's just nothing quite like it anywhere else. A giant outdoor spring-fed pool in the middle of an urban setting? Amazing! $3 entry.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBarton Springs is a must-see pretty much any part of the year, there's just nothing quite like it anywhere else. A giant outdoor spring-fed pool in the middle of an urban setting? Amazing! $3 entry.
Arts & Culture
Best outdoor venue in the city for seeing an A-list band without going to an arena. Check out who's playing while you're here!
282 locals recommend
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River StBest outdoor venue in the city for seeing an A-list band without going to an arena. Check out who's playing while you're here!
Probably my favorite music venue in town for sentimental reasons, some of my all-time favorite shows have been here. Check out who's playing!
166 locals recommend
Mohawk Austin
912 Red River StProbably my favorite music venue in town for sentimental reasons, some of my all-time favorite shows have been here. Check out who's playing!
The Drafthouse has started opening locations all over the country, and they've been successful for very good reason. Check out the unique programming available during your stay, or catch a first run!
228 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StThe Drafthouse has started opening locations all over the country, and they've been successful for very good reason. Check out the unique programming available during your stay, or catch a first run!
Shopping
There are still a few real bookstores left here! Bookpeople is the best, check out their schedule of signings and events if you're a literature buff.
146 locals recommend
BookPeople
603 N Lamar BlvdThere are still a few real bookstores left here! Bookpeople is the best, check out their schedule of signings and events if you're a literature buff.
Want to look the part while you're out and about in Texas? Allen's has the highest quality and best selection in town. Fair warning, cowboy boots are much more expensive than you might think.
136 locals recommend
Allens Boots
1522 S Congress AveWant to look the part while you're out and about in Texas? Allen's has the highest quality and best selection in town. Fair warning, cowboy boots are much more expensive than you might think.