Frank’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
Rainey Street is a very popular area in downtown Austin for drinks during the day and night. The entire street is full of bars and restaurants that have been converted from old houses. Some of my favorite spots are Bangers, Unbarlievable, Container Bar, and Bungalow, but there are plenty more to try on the street. The crowd on this street is typically young professionals and tourists. It is not as wild as sixth street but will be very busy any night of the week.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetRainey Street is a very popular area in downtown Austin for drinks during the day and night. The entire street is full of bars and restaurants that have been converted from old houses. Some of my favorite spots are Bangers, Unbarlievable, Container Bar, and Bungalow, but there are plenty more to try on the street. The crowd on this street is typically young professionals and tourists. It is not as wild as sixth street but will be very busy any night of the week.
Sixth street in between Sabine Street and Congress Ave is one of the most famous and popular destinations in Austin for night life. The locals call it Dirty Six for its wild nightlife. It is a strip of local bars known for live music and dancing and is completely blocked off for car traffic on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting at 9PM. The crowd on this street varies but is typically younger adults and tourists. Be sure to check it out if you just walk the street and don't go into any bars, just watching the people on the street is entertaining alone!
A good place to start if you want to do a little bar crawl is The Blind Pig. Other favorite spots are San Jac Saloon and The Library Bar, but they are all good on the street.
137 locals recommend
Sixth Street Historic District
Sixth street in between Sabine Street and Congress Ave is one of the most famous and popular destinations in Austin for night life. The locals call it Dirty Six for its wild nightlife. It is a strip of local bars known for live music and dancing and is completely blocked off for car traffic on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting at 9PM. The crowd on this street varies but is typically younger adults and tourists. Be sure to check it out if you just walk the street and don't go into any bars, just watching the people on the street is entertaining alone!
A good place to start if you want to do a little bar crawl is The Blind Pig. Other favorite spots are San Jac Saloon and The Library Bar, but they are all good on the street.
West sixth street is a great spot for drinks and food both day and night. The west sixth street area is known as the area that spans Sixth Street in Downtown from San Antonio Street to West Ave. On this street you will find great bars such as The Dogwood, The Rustic Tap, Buford's Beer Garden, Little Woodrow's, Concrete Cowboy, and more. The crowd on this street is typically a bit less touristy and more of an older 20's to mid 30's crowd. It is less rowdy than Dirty Six and Rainey Streets.
There is also a great breakfast/brunch place called Walton's Fancy & Staple that is owned and operated by Sandra Bullock in this area. I have been multiple times and it never disappoints!
334 locals recommend
West 6th Street
West 6th StreetWest sixth street is a great spot for drinks and food both day and night. The west sixth street area is known as the area that spans Sixth Street in Downtown from San Antonio Street to West Ave. On this street you will find great bars such as The Dogwood, The Rustic Tap, Buford's Beer Garden, Little Woodrow's, Concrete Cowboy, and more. The crowd on this street is typically a bit less touristy and more of an older 20's to mid 30's crowd. It is less rowdy than Dirty Six and Rainey Streets.
There is also a great breakfast/brunch place called Walton's Fancy & Staple that is owned and operated by Sandra Bullock in this area. I have been multiple times and it never disappoints!
South Congress is a great spot both day and night. It is a street full of restaurants, bars, and shopping. The area considered South Congress is the area located on South Congress street that spans from Academy Drive to East Annie Street.
Food: A great Italian food spot on this street is Vespaio. Good pizza in Texas is hard to come by, but More Home Slice Pizza is not bad. Joann's Fine Foods is also another hot spot as well as Gueros Taco Bar. Finish off the night with desert at the Austin's famous Amy's Ice Cream know for their weird flavors and combos of ice cream.
Bars: The Continental Club is a good spot for some funky live music. Check out their website for who is playing. Austin's motel is a good spot as well.
Other: Big Top Candy Store is a really cool old style candy shop. Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is a very cool old school costume shop. It is something you do not see everyday. Stop is and grab some funny photos.
650 locals recommend
South Congress
South Congress is a great spot both day and night. It is a street full of restaurants, bars, and shopping. The area considered South Congress is the area located on South Congress street that spans from Academy Drive to East Annie Street.
Food: A great Italian food spot on this street is Vespaio. Good pizza in Texas is hard to come by, but More Home Slice Pizza is not bad. Joann's Fine Foods is also another hot spot as well as Gueros Taco Bar. Finish off the night with desert at the Austin's famous Amy's Ice Cream know for their weird flavors and combos of ice cream.
Bars: The Continental Club is a good spot for some funky live music. Check out their website for who is playing. Austin's motel is a good spot as well.
Other: Big Top Candy Store is a really cool old style candy shop. Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is a very cool old school costume shop. It is something you do not see everyday. Stop is and grab some funny photos.
Very nice area for food, drinks, groceries, walks in the park, movies, etc! On Sunday they have a Farmers Market that is really nice!
105 locals recommend
Mueller
Very nice area for food, drinks, groceries, walks in the park, movies, etc! On Sunday they have a Farmers Market that is really nice!
East Sixth Street is another popular area for night life. East sixth street area consists of Sixth Street in downtown that spans from San Marcos Street to Chicon Street. Some really great local spots on this street such as Zilker Brewing, Lazarus Brewing, Hotel Vegas, etc.
395 locals recommend
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetEast Sixth Street is another popular area for night life. East sixth street area consists of Sixth Street in downtown that spans from San Marcos Street to Chicon Street. Some really great local spots on this street such as Zilker Brewing, Lazarus Brewing, Hotel Vegas, etc.
Awesome area with some good live music, restaurants, and bars! Check out Uchi, Bouldin Acres, Peter Pan Mini-Golf, Snooze, and Opa!
31 locals recommend
South Lamar
Awesome area with some good live music, restaurants, and bars! Check out Uchi, Bouldin Acres, Peter Pan Mini-Golf, Snooze, and Opa!
Restaurants & Bars Within Walking Distance
Great place across the street for food and drinks. Very low key. Great spot to watch soccer games!
246 locals recommend
Haymaker
2310 Manor RdGreat place across the street for food and drinks. Very low key. Great spot to watch soccer games!
AMAZING Italian food! Located right inside The Vortex (you can see this place from your bedroom window), this italian food truck is rated as one of the best italian food places in Austin. It is all completely homemade pasta and sauces. Definitely worth checking out!
182 locals recommend
Patrizi's
2307 Manor RdAMAZING Italian food! Located right inside The Vortex (you can see this place from your bedroom window), this italian food truck is rated as one of the best italian food places in Austin. It is all completely homemade pasta and sauces. Definitely worth checking out!
Heard great things about this place, but have never been. It is a Cajun styled seafood restaurant right across the street, that I heard has great food and drinks.
27 locals recommend
Vic and Al's
2406 Manor RdHeard great things about this place, but have never been. It is a Cajun styled seafood restaurant right across the street, that I heard has great food and drinks.
Right across the street, farm-to-table fare from locally sourced ingredients served in a rustic space with a butcher shop.
263 locals recommend
Dai Due
2406 Manor RdRight across the street, farm-to-table fare from locally sourced ingredients served in a rustic space with a butcher shop.
Cool outdoor bar spot right next to the complex. Their drinks are good, and they usually have some shows / live music (check out their website). They also have trivia night on Tuesdays if you are into that!
https://vortexrep.org/calendar
145 locals recommend
The Butterfly Bar Austin
2307 Manor RdCool outdoor bar spot right next to the complex. Their drinks are good, and they usually have some shows / live music (check out their website). They also have trivia night on Tuesdays if you are into that!
https://vortexrep.org/calendar
El Chilito
2219 Manor RdGood tacos for lunch or dinner.
School House Pub
2207 Manor RdGreat spot for food and cocktails.
Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdAmazing breakfast tacos.
Great coffee shop with small bites. Nice outdoor area for working from home.
251 locals recommend
Thunderbird Coffee
2200 Manor RdGreat coffee shop with small bites. Nice outdoor area for working from home.
Awesome local spot with local Texas food. To become a Texan you need to try one of Texas' original food, the Chicken Fried Steak.
163 locals recommend
Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor RdAwesome local spot with local Texas food. To become a Texan you need to try one of Texas' original food, the Chicken Fried Steak.
Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveGreat local Austin spot for Ice Cream.
Salty Sow
1917 Manor RdGreat spot for some finer pork dishes.
Great Mexican restaurant with great food with margaritas.
141 locals recommend
El Chile Cafe y Cantina
1900 Manor RdGreat Mexican restaurant with great food with margaritas.
Abo Youssef Mediterranean Food
2101 Manor RdGood halal spot.
Thai Thani
2101 Manor RdGreat pad thai!
The best tacos I believe within walking distance to the apartment. Great breakfast and lunch tacos!
56 locals recommend
Taco Mex
2611 Manor RdThe best tacos I believe within walking distance to the apartment. Great breakfast and lunch tacos!
Bird Bird Biscuit
2701 Manor RdGood breakfast place with biscuit sandwiches.
Love Supreme
2805 Manor RoadAmazing pizza and drinks place with an awesome outdoor patio!
Sour Duck Market
1814 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdGood spot for working, eating, drinking, or all three.
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdGood spot for juices and healthier menu items.
The Wheel
1902 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdCocktail bar.
Breweries
Oddwood Ales
3108 Manor RdClose by. 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
St Elmo Brewing Company
440 E St Elmo RdThe Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StVista Brewing
13551 FM150 WFar out of the city, but good spot!
Outdoor SOUR brewery. Cool drive through the hill country to get there.
298 locals recommend
Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdOutdoor SOUR brewery. Cool drive through the hill country to get there.
Central Machine Works
4824 E Cesar Chavez StAustin Eastciders Offices
4007 Commercial Center DrCider brewery home to Austin.
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StZilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StBlue Owl Brewing
2400 E Cesar Chavez StSours!
Coffee Shops
Cherrywood Coffeehouse
1400 E 38th 1/2 StGreat coffee and food!
Bennu Coffee
2001 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdBest Coffee Shop in Austin! On Lake Austin with amazing views! Definitely check it out!
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdBest Coffee Shop in Austin! On Lake Austin with amazing views! Definitely check it out!
CookBook Cafe
710 W Cesar Chavez StCool coffeeshop in the heart of downtown!
Alta's Cafe
74 Trinity StreetCool view of Lady Bird Lake!
Thunderbird Coffee
2200 Manor RdWalking distance!
Sour Duck Market
1814 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdWalking distance!
Opa
2050 S Lamar BlvdCool outdoor coffee shop!
Breakfast
Mary's Cafe
3209 Red River StSmall low key breakfast spot close to the apartment.
Le Café Crêpe
200 San Jacinto BlvdPaperboy
1203 E 11th StSnooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdGreat small chain for breakfast/brunch!
Kerbey Lane Cafe - Mueller
2200 Aldrich StGood spot for breakfast/brunch!
Counter Cafe
1914 E 6th StWalton's Fancy & Staple
609 W 6th StArturo's Underground Cafe
314 W 17th StRockstar Bagels
1900 Rosewood AveMi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdTexas BBQ
Known as the best BBQ in Austin. This place is relatively close. Make sure to show up early and be prepared to wait. There is never a time without a line.
919 locals recommend
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StKnown as the best BBQ in Austin. This place is relatively close. Make sure to show up early and be prepared to wait. There is never a time without a line.
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StNot your traditional BBQ place, but a great spot!
My favorite BBQ in Austin. A half pound of Ribs and Brisket each with sides will have you wanting to take a nap after!
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdMy favorite BBQ in Austin. A half pound of Ribs and Brisket each with sides will have you wanting to take a nap after!
Lunch/Dinner
Via 313 Pizza
10106 W 6th StGreat Chicago style pizza.
Tso Chinese Delivery
3909 N Interstate Hwy 35Great delivery only Chinese.
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveLive Music on Wednesdays
Aba
1011 S Congress AveOne of my favorite places in Austin for Tex-Mex and Tropical drinks. The views from their deck of Lake Austin and the West Hills is amazing! Be sure to check it out!
269 locals recommend
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdOne of my favorite places in Austin for Tex-Mex and Tropical drinks. The views from their deck of Lake Austin and the West Hills is amazing! Be sure to check it out!
Lucy's Fried Chicken
2218 College AveCool old school fried chicken place.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
6929 Airport BlvdUchi
801 S Lamar BlvdAmazing upscale sushi place!
Moonshine Grill
303 Red River StUncle Nicky's Italian Specialties
4222 Duval St