Laura’s East Side Austin Guide Book
Neighborhoods
Home to tons of local history and deeply-rooted culture, Austin's East Cesar Chavez neighborhood is where old Austin meets new. The area surrounding East Cesar Chavez Street, named for the Latino-American labor and civil rights advocate, sits just east of IH 35 from Downtown, and is a great place to discover authentic Austin. Experience local, family-owned restaurants and shops in the area, along with dive bars, hip cafes, art galleries and more.
The neighborhood has a strong history of local street art and people are friendly. Take a walk around and keep your eyes open to experience the neighborhood.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
East Cesar Chavez
Home to tons of local history and deeply-rooted culture, Austin's East Cesar Chavez neighborhood is where old Austin meets new. The area surrounding East Cesar Chavez Street, named for the Latino-American labor and civil rights advocate, sits just east of IH 35 from Downtown, and is a great place to discover authentic Austin. Experience local, family-owned restaurants and shops in the area, along with dive bars, hip cafes, art galleries and more.
The neighborhood has a strong history of local street art and people are friendly. Take a walk around and keep your eyes open to experience the neighborhood.
Breakfast & Brunch
Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StClose by spot for brunch, lunch, and coffee. Try their migas!
A bougie, boozie brunch go-to! Upscale, Texas-fied brunch classics like chicken & biscuits, migas, and grits bowls. Try to make a reservation, especially on the weekends.
132 abantu bendawo batusa
Paperboy
1203 E 11th StA bougie, boozie brunch go-to! Upscale, Texas-fied brunch classics like chicken & biscuits, migas, and grits bowls. Try to make a reservation, especially on the weekends.
My go-to for classy diner food. The hotcakes are delicious and huge!
211 abantu bendawo batusa
Counter Cafe
1914 E 6th StMy go-to for classy diner food. The hotcakes are delicious and huge!
Brunch and dinner inside a beautiful historic pharmacy building.
354 abantu bendawo batusa
Hillside Farmacy
1209 E 11th StBrunch and dinner inside a beautiful historic pharmacy building.
Coffee
Great for coworking and friendly baristas, Flat Track is the closest coffee shop to the Airbnb
127 abantu bendawo batusa
Flat Track Coffee
1619 E Cesar Chavez StGreat for coworking and friendly baristas, Flat Track is the closest coffee shop to the Airbnb
A short walk from the Airbnb, Wright Bros is also a great spot for coworking and people-watching.
183 abantu bendawo batusa
Wright Bros. Brew and Brew
500 San Marcos StA short walk from the Airbnb, Wright Bros is also a great spot for coworking and people-watching.
A bit of the trek from the Airbnb, but favorite coffee-for-coffee’s-sake on the East Side.
201 abantu bendawo batusa
Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
1111 Chicon StA bit of the trek from the Airbnb, but favorite coffee-for-coffee’s-sake on the East Side.
Lunch & Dinner
High-end, masa-driven Mexican food. They have one of the best mezcal collections in the United States — ask them for mezcal and cocktail recommendations.
151 abantu bendawo batusa
Fried and True Food Truck
1308 E 6th StHigh-end, masa-driven Mexican food. They have one of the best mezcal collections in the United States — ask them for mezcal and cocktail recommendations.
Known for its sourdough, Easy Tiger serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They’re great for a quick lunch, coworking, or happy hour.
358 abantu bendawo batusa
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StKnown for its sourdough, Easy Tiger serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They’re great for a quick lunch, coworking, or happy hour.
A quick walk from the Airbnb, Lou’s serves great tacos, salads, and rotisserie chicken. They’ve also got great custard. They’re a nice quick spot that doesn’t require a reservation.
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Lou’s
1900 E Cesar Chavez StA quick walk from the Airbnb, Lou’s serves great tacos, salads, and rotisserie chicken. They’ve also got great custard. They’re a nice quick spot that doesn’t require a reservation.
Delicious and innovative Carribbean and Guyanese food. They were named one of Bon Appetit’s top 10 restaurants in the US this year, so make sure to get a reservation!
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Canje
1914 East 6th StreetDelicious and innovative Carribbean and Guyanese food. They were named one of Bon Appetit’s top 10 restaurants in the US this year, so make sure to get a reservation!
BBQ
My Favorite bbq in East Austin. Make sure to order ahead or arrive early for the line!
421 abantu bendawo batusa
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StMy Favorite bbq in East Austin. Make sure to order ahead or arrive early for the line!
An East Side food truck serving up BBQ and creative side dishes. My favorites are the cheese grits and the slaw. Tends to have short lines.
215 abantu bendawo batusa
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveAn East Side food truck serving up BBQ and creative side dishes. My favorites are the cheese grits and the slaw. Tends to have short lines.
The most famous bbq restaurant in Austin. It lives up to expectation, but expect a long line!
919 abantu bendawo batusa
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StThe most famous bbq restaurant in Austin. It lives up to expectation, but expect a long line!
If you’re out of luck with the other spots, Terry Black’s has a quick-moving line and is open every day of the week. It’s a bit of a trek from East Austin but is always a sure bet.
372 abantu bendawo batusa
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdIf you’re out of luck with the other spots, Terry Black’s has a quick-moving line and is open every day of the week. It’s a bit of a trek from East Austin but is always a sure bet.
Tacos
A 5 minute walk from the Airbnb, Las Trancas has amazing street tacos at a great price. My go-to is the campechano.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Las Trancas Taco Stand
1210 E Cesar Chavez StA 5 minute walk from the Airbnb, Las Trancas has amazing street tacos at a great price. My go-to is the campechano.
The best breakfast tacos in Austin. Try the migas taco and get a Mr. Verde juice too!
68 abantu bendawo batusa
Veracruz All Natural
111 East Cesar Chavez StreetThe best breakfast tacos in Austin. Try the migas taco and get a Mr. Verde juice too!
Award-winning discada-style tacos. This northern style of Mexican taco is a mix of beef, pork, and vegetables. The tacos come with a pink pickled chili + red onion garnish — ask for extra!
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Discada
1319 Rosewood AveAward-winning discada-style tacos. This northern style of Mexican taco is a mix of beef, pork, and vegetables. The tacos come with a pink pickled chili + red onion garnish — ask for extra!
Also 5 minutes from the Airbnb, this small taco truck specializes in gorditas. They’re a fluffy, fried taco-like shell.
Taqueria La Esperanza
1305 East Cesar Chavez StreetAlso 5 minutes from the Airbnb, this small taco truck specializes in gorditas. They’re a fluffy, fried taco-like shell.