Laura's Guidebook
Food scene
My favorite restaurant in Austin. Exceptional food, cocktails and service. No compromise necessary at Odd Duck.
0.6 mile walk.
374 locals recommend
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdMy favorite restaurant in Austin. Exceptional food, cocktails and service. No compromise necessary at Odd Duck.
0.6 mile walk.
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StTacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrSway
1417 S 1st StMust visit. All Texas in all it’s glory personified in delicious food and a witty atmosphere.
60 locals recommend
Ranch 616
616 Nueces StMust visit. All Texas in all it’s glory personified in delicious food and a witty atmosphere.
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress AveLamberts
401 W 2nd StFareground
111 Congress AveAlways consistently good Tex Amex at an affordable price. Margaritas and view of the Texas hill country from the patio don’t hurt either.
27 locals recommend
Maudie's Milagro
3801 N Capital of Texas HwyAlways consistently good Tex Amex at an affordable price. Margaritas and view of the Texas hill country from the patio don’t hurt either.
There are Torchy’s locations all over Austin. Tacos, tacos and more tacos. This is one of the newest and nicest spaces, but the tacos are just as good at any location.
1076 locals recommend
Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StThere are Torchy’s locations all over Austin. Tacos, tacos and more tacos. This is one of the newest and nicest spaces, but the tacos are just as good at any location.
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 West Oltorf Street1.2 mile walk. Incredible beer. A master brewer in his element!
Swift's Attic
315 Congress AveDelicious and unique food dishes. Great for a special occasion.
An old classic, always consistently good and a fun experience!
63 locals recommend
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
3914 N Lamar BlvdAn old classic, always consistently good and a fun experience!
Visit the flagship Whole Foods (headquarters offices are above). It’s a beautiful store filled with dining experiences, a wine bar, food enough to dazzle the eye, and take the elevator to the roof for outdoor eating with a view. There’s also a playscape on the roof for kids!
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdVisit the flagship Whole Foods (headquarters offices are above). It’s a beautiful store filled with dining experiences, a wine bar, food enough to dazzle the eye, and take the elevator to the roof for outdoor eating with a view. There’s also a playscape on the roof for kids!
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StIncredible baked goods.
Breakfast all day! Delicious burgers, salads, milkshakes, too. Open late at night.
238 locals recommend
24 Diner
600 N Lamar BlvdBreakfast all day! Delicious burgers, salads, milkshakes, too. Open late at night.
Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdUchi
801 S Lamar BlvdUchiko is an amazing experience and combines influences of Texas cuisine and sushi. Go early for happy hour and discounted plates! Make a reservation.
309 locals recommend
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdUchiko is an amazing experience and combines influences of Texas cuisine and sushi. Go early for happy hour and discounted plates! Make a reservation.
La Condesa
400 W 2nd St
Mattie's
901 W Live Oak StBrunch and romantic mansion nestled in winding live oak trees
Le Politique
110 San Antonio StCarpenters Hall
400 Josephine St0.9 mile walk
Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StWalking distance. Delicious coffee and Taco Deli breakfast tacos!
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdWalking distance. Best ice cream ever consumed.
Tiny Pies
5035 Burnet RdThere’s a party in my tummy.
Sugar Mama's Bakeshop
1905 S 1st StEye candy, taste sensation.
Local brews that are beyond delicious. Scratchin’ hippo is my fav!
40 locals recommend
Adelbert's Brewery
2314 Rutland DrLocal brews that are beyond delicious. Scratchin’ hippo is my fav!
Austin Beerworks
3001 Industrial TerraceIron Works Barbecue
100 Red River StMatt's El Rancho
2613 South Lamar BoulevardTex-Mex as big as Texas
Delicious smoothies and soups for a quick bite on the go.
133 locals recommend
Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar
501 W Mary StDelicious smoothies and soups for a quick bite on the go.
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StCasual and funky all vegetarian dining
Barlata
1500 S Lamar BlvdSpanish tapas at their best.
Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826Go early and on a weekday if possible. Expect a wait!
Walk 0.6 mi. to an old local favorite. As featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
68 locals recommend
Green Mesquite BBQ
1400 Barton Springs RdWalk 0.6 mi. to an old local favorite. As featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Mongers
4119 Guadalupe StreetDelicious seafood! Hard to find in land locked Central Texas.
Fantastic seafood on the popular pedestrian promenade, S. Congress Avenue. Lovely outdoor eating area. Make a reservation or go early!
399 locals recommend
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveFantastic seafood on the popular pedestrian promenade, S. Congress Avenue. Lovely outdoor eating area. Make a reservation or go early!
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet RdBlue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th StOrder the hot chocolate!
Sightseeing
Greetings from Austin Mural
1720 S 1st StPhoto op at a local mural postcard
Beautiful spring fed pool with water at a cool ~68 degrees. 0.6 mile walk.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2131 William Barton DrBeautiful spring fed pool with water at a cool ~68 degrees. 0.6 mile walk.
Gorgeous trail along the Colorado River with views of the hill country and downtown. Total length is a 10 mile loop. Trailhead is a 0.6 mile walk.
257 locals recommend
Ann And Roy Butler Hike And Bike Trail
Gorgeous trail along the Colorado River with views of the hill country and downtown. Total length is a 10 mile loop. Trailhead is a 0.6 mile walk.
Beautiful hiking trail with multiple trailheads. A favorite for rock climbing and dipping in the creek when there’s water. Check latest photos on Google Maps to see if there’s water in the creek.
235 locals recommend
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead
Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailBeautiful hiking trail with multiple trailheads. A favorite for rock climbing and dipping in the creek when there’s water. Check latest photos on Google Maps to see if there’s water in the creek.
A short, steep hike leads to stunning views of Austin’s limestone cliffs, the Colorado River and the Texas Hill Country.
63 locals recommend
Pennybacker Bridge Overlook
North Capital of Texas HighwayA short, steep hike leads to stunning views of Austin’s limestone cliffs, the Colorado River and the Texas Hill Country.
Ascend ~100 steps to this beautiful view of the Colorado River and the Texas Hill Country.
1083 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Ascend ~100 steps to this beautiful view of the Colorado River and the Texas Hill Country.
A popular pedestrian street with shops, restaurants and a direct view of the Texas Capital.
448 locals recommend
South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueA popular pedestrian street with shops, restaurants and a direct view of the Texas Capital.
Especially beautiful in the fall and spring. However, the Japanese garden (my fav) and the prehistoric area (waterfall!) are beautiful year round.
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdEspecially beautiful in the fall and spring. However, the Japanese garden (my fav) and the prehistoric area (waterfall!) are beautiful year round.
Texas Capitol
1100 Congress AvenueBeautiful view of downtown and the Colorado River at a restful spot in the trail.
13 locals recommend
Lou Neff Point
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailBeautiful view of downtown and the Colorado River at a restful spot in the trail.
Beautiful after a good rain when there’s flowing water and falls.
376 locals recommend
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyBeautiful after a good rain when there’s flowing water and falls.
Stunning pool and landscape located ~1 hr. drive from Austin. Go early in the morning during warm months to arrive before it is filled to capacity with visitors. Or visit in the winter when it’s less crowded but still just as beautiful.
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdStunning pool and landscape located ~1 hr. drive from Austin. Go early in the morning during warm months to arrive before it is filled to capacity with visitors. Or visit in the winter when it’s less crowded but still just as beautiful.
Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardFav for canoe, kayak and paddle board rental on the Colorado River (aka Lady Bird Lake)
148 locals recommend
Rowing Dock
2418 Stratford DrFav for canoe, kayak and paddle board rental on the Colorado River (aka Lady Bird Lake)
Walk 0.5 miles to dinner and a movie with hilarious pre-show programming.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdWalk 0.5 miles to dinner and a movie with hilarious pre-show programming.
A walk over the Colorado River in the scenic southeastern part of the Hike and Bike Trail.
65 locals recommend
The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
1820 S Lakeshore BlvdA walk over the Colorado River in the scenic southeastern part of the Hike and Bike Trail.
Day trip 1.5 hrs. and visit local wineries in the area, walk through an old and quaint German Texas town, visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, and the Marketplatz. eat lunch at Lincoln St. Wine & Cigar Bar or The Auslander, and dinner at The Nest.
464 locals recommend
Fredericksburg
Day trip 1.5 hrs. and visit local wineries in the area, walk through an old and quaint German Texas town, visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, and the Marketplatz. eat lunch at Lincoln St. Wine & Cigar Bar or The Auslander, and dinner at The Nest.
Wild peacocks in all their beauty. Plus ponds and trails and lovely views.
178 locals recommend
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StWild peacocks in all their beauty. Plus ponds and trails and lovely views.
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveTil death Mural
1201 E 7th StPopular mural and photo op
Especially visit in October when there’s a splendid display of alters honoring the dearly departed.
83 locals recommend
Mexic-Arte Museum
419 Congress AvenueEspecially visit in October when there’s a splendid display of alters honoring the dearly departed.
Nightlife
Bars and venues with live music at night
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveLive jazz
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveLovely outdoor patio for drinks, open to the public.
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdLearn to dance the Texas two step from the locals
Children
Thinkery
1830 Simond AvenueLittle Zilker Park
1900 Bluebonnet LnZilker Metropolitan Park Playscape Shelter
Cash only. http://zilkerpark.org/zilker-park-amenities/zilker-park-train/
20 locals recommend
Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train (temporarily Closed For Repair)
2100 Barton Springs RdCash only. http://zilkerpark.org/zilker-park-amenities/zilker-park-train/
Neighborhoods
Zilker neighborhood was built in the 1950s and is in an era of change with old and new homes alike. Each house is unique. It is surrounded by some of Austin's hot spots - Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park and the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail. Zilker is also within walking distance to restaurants, bars and shops on Barton Springs Rd. and S. Lamar Blvd. Zilker has some of the oldest trees in Austin - several hundred year old live oaks!
99 locals recommend
Zilker
Zilker neighborhood was built in the 1950s and is in an era of change with old and new homes alike. Each house is unique. It is surrounded by some of Austin's hot spots - Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park and the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail. Zilker is also within walking distance to restaurants, bars and shops on Barton Springs Rd. and S. Lamar Blvd. Zilker has some of the oldest trees in Austin - several hundred year old live oaks!
City advice
Book before you go
Make reservations at restaurants you are dying to check out.
Many of Austin's popular restaurants are packed during peak meal times. Plan ahead for some key meals to try some of the most creative cuisine in the U.S.