ATX Guidebook!
Bars, Breweries and Clubs
A great local brewery with a tap room. They have indoor and outdoor seating and games.
Flying Man Brewing Co.
2400 Patterson Industrial DrA great local brewery with a tap room. They have indoor and outdoor seating and games.
Little Woodrow's Tech Ridge
12601 Tech Ridge BlvdA great local bar chain with drinks and sports.
This has the very best sunset view of any brewery in Austin.
97 locals recommend
Oasis Texas Brewing Company
6650 Comanche TrailThis has the very best sunset view of any brewery in Austin.
Most locals stay away from Austin’s bars on 6th Street; try Rainey street instead, and start at G'Raj Mahal Café.
121 locals recommend
G'Raj Mahal
73 Rainey StMost locals stay away from Austin’s bars on 6th Street; try Rainey street instead, and start at G'Raj Mahal Café.
Try out EAST sixth for a different view; start at Violet Crown Social Club!
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StTry out EAST sixth for a different view; start at Violet Crown Social Club!
Breakfast and Brunch
Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central
3704 Kerbey LnAustin locals love Kerbey Lane Café
Juan in a Million has the famous “Don Juan” which you better come hungry to eat.
282 locals recommend
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StJuan in a Million has the famous “Don Juan” which you better come hungry to eat.
Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdThe newest hip spot is Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Lunch and Dinner
Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue was featured in Texas Monthly’s Best Texas BBQ Bites of 2017, an award it definitely deserves.
21 locals recommend
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue
15608 Spring Hill LnBrotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue was featured in Texas Monthly’s Best Texas BBQ Bites of 2017, an award it definitely deserves.
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ was featured in Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Texas Barbecue Joints of 2017; get tortillas instead of the traditional bread with your barbecue
146 locals recommend
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdValentina’s Tex Mex BBQ was featured in Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Texas Barbecue Joints of 2017; get tortillas instead of the traditional bread with your barbecue
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdRamen Tatsu-ya is a delicious, local Austin favorite.
Mother’s Café has delicious vegetarian and vegan options, and a Sloppy Joe that you can’t even tell is meatless.
146 locals recommend
Mother's Cafe
Mother’s Café has delicious vegetarian and vegan options, and a Sloppy Joe that you can’t even tell is meatless.
While the view at the Oasis at sunset is one of the most beautiful in the city, the food can leave something to be desired; head there for margaritas instead, and be sure to sit outside for sunset.
507 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailWhile the view at the Oasis at sunset is one of the most beautiful in the city, the food can leave something to be desired; head there for margaritas instead, and be sure to sit outside for sunset.
Torchy’s is Austin-famous for its unique tacos; try the “Trailer Park” but be sure to get it TRASHY and a “Green Chili Pork” and make sure you get some queso.
1076 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StTorchy’s is Austin-famous for its unique tacos; try the “Trailer Park” but be sure to get it TRASHY and a “Green Chili Pork” and make sure you get some queso.
El Mesón Tequileria
2038 S Lamar BlvdEl Meson has the best authentic Mexican food in Austin.
Entertainment
Alamo Drafthouse is a great not-so-local-anymore chain that has specialty events to die for – check out a Master Pancake and you’ll never realize you could laugh that hard; they also serve food: Ritz location, Mueller location, or Anderson location are the best ones in town.
7 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Ritz
320 East 6th StreetAlamo Drafthouse is a great not-so-local-anymore chain that has specialty events to die for – check out a Master Pancake and you’ll never realize you could laugh that hard; they also serve food: Ritz location, Mueller location, or Anderson location are the best ones in town.
Flix Brewhouse is another place to eat, drink, and watch!
33 locals recommend
Flix Brewhouse Round Rock
2200 S I-35 Frontage RdFlix Brewhouse is another place to eat, drink, and watch!
Violet Crown Cinema is a beautiful art cinema located downtown; order tickets ahead and online and get the front row to sit in recliners (that aren't too close) for no extra charge.
347 locals recommend
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StViolet Crown Cinema is a beautiful art cinema located downtown; order tickets ahead and online and get the front row to sit in recliners (that aren't too close) for no extra charge.
The Austin Central Library is brand new and absolutely gorgeous; check out the coffee shop downstairs and sit on the roof under the live tree, reading a book. You can even borrow board games to play at the library.
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StThe Austin Central Library is brand new and absolutely gorgeous; check out the coffee shop downstairs and sit on the roof under the live tree, reading a book. You can even borrow board games to play at the library.
This is one of the coolest places ever! A board game bar! Eat, drink, and play a ton of different games.
21 locals recommend
Vigilante Gastropub & Games
7010 Easy Wind DrThis is one of the coolest places ever! A board game bar! Eat, drink, and play a ton of different games.
Sightseeing
Watch the bats! Austin is home to the world’s largest urban colony of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats, viewable early March through early November from the Congress Ave. bridge. There are three main views of this (from the bridge, from the water, or from the hill at the Austin American Statesman), but I have a secret fourth one that think is best. Please reach out if you’d like help with this.
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueWatch the bats! Austin is home to the world’s largest urban colony of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats, viewable early March through early November from the Congress Ave. bridge. There are three main views of this (from the bridge, from the water, or from the hill at the Austin American Statesman), but I have a secret fourth one that think is best. Please reach out if you’d like help with this.
Hike up the stairs at Mount Bonnell for two beautiful views; one of West Austin, and one of the city from the east.
1083 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Hike up the stairs at Mount Bonnell for two beautiful views; one of West Austin, and one of the city from the east.
I prefer the view of Austin from the Pennybacker bridge; you can hike up the west side and see the whole city, and the bridge is beautiful too.
54 locals recommend
Pennybacker Bridge
5300 N Capital of Texas HwyI prefer the view of Austin from the Pennybacker bridge; you can hike up the west side and see the whole city, and the bridge is beautiful too.
Hike around the Greenbelt; start here if you want to see Twin Falls or swim there, and look at the stunningly beautiful trees in a less crowded place.
66 locals recommend
Twin Falls
3918 S MoPac ExpyHike around the Greenbelt; start here if you want to see Twin Falls or swim there, and look at the stunningly beautiful trees in a less crowded place.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has absolutely gorgeous flowers year-round!
21 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AvenueThe Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has absolutely gorgeous flowers year-round!