Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Torchy's Tacos
1311 South 1st StreetAddictive and deluxe tacos
Sway
1417 S 1st StAmazing Thai food
High-end Vietnamese cuisine with a stylin' hipster vibe
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Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StHigh-end Vietnamese cuisine with a stylin' hipster vibe
Best sushi in the city. Arrive at 4:30pm for great happy hour specials or be prepared for a long wait.
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Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdBest sushi in the city. Arrive at 4:30pm for great happy hour specials or be prepared for a long wait.
DAILY JUICE
1625 Barton Springs RoadJuice!
Once Over Coffee Bar
2009 S 1st StGreat espresso drinks and patio
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrCrepes near the convention center
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveSeafood
Delicious unique burgers. I like the bison or venison ones.
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Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveDelicious unique burgers. I like the bison or venison ones.
Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveItalian
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StHealthy and lots of vegetarian options
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdGreat salsa, appetizers, and margaritas
Casual spot with big patio serving cheese fries, nachos, burgers & live music under pecan trees.
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Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs RdCasual spot with big patio serving cheese fries, nachos, burgers & live music under pecan trees.
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdVegan / Macrobiotic
Flip Happy Crepes
400 Jessie StDelicious crepes from a food trailer
High end restaurant with molecular gastronomy touches. One of my very favorite in Austin.
Amazing small plates; prix fixe only.
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Barley Swine
6555 Burnet RdHigh end restaurant with molecular gastronomy touches. One of my very favorite in Austin.
Amazing small plates; prix fixe only.
Henri's Cheese & Wine
2026 South Lamar BoulevardGood cheese plates, salad and wine
Best ice cream in town. Local flavors. I prefer this to Amy's.
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Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdBest ice cream in town. Local flavors. I prefer this to Amy's.
Freebirds World Burrito
515 S Congress AveFilling when you're in a hurry
Conscious Cravings
1311 S 1st StVegetarian food trailer
Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
2004 South 1st StreetMexican seafood
LENOIR
1807 S 1st StDelicious, with intimate atmosphere and prix fixe menu
Alcomar
1816 South 1st StreetLove their tacos and Mexican food
Habanero Cafe
501 W Oltorf StTasty tapas and decent wine selection
The Flying Carpet Moroccan Souk Food
504 W Oltorf StDelicious, casual Moroccan cuisine
New India Cuisine
2304 South Congress AvenueDelicious and distinctive Indian cuisine
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S Congress Ave24 hour restaurant
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveSuper yummy thin crust pizza
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S 1st StThe best gelato in Austin
Olivia
2043 South Lamar BoulevardMy favorite eggs benedict in town.
Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf StInterior Mexican. You can have food wrapped in banana leaves.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdDelicious ramen. Worth the long line that usually goes fast.
Great espresso drinks. Cool minimalist ambiance. Porch with picnic tables
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Seventh Flag Coffee
1506 S 1st StGreat espresso drinks. Cool minimalist ambiance. Porch with picnic tables
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdUnique ingredients. Only wood-burning stove I know of in Austin
Habana Restaurant
2728 S Congress AveCuban food
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StBBQ as good as Franklin's with a slightly shorter wait
High end old school Austin. It's not my very favorite food, but the historic grounds are beautiful and usually have peacocks running around
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Green Pastures Events
811 W Live Oak StHigh end old school Austin. It's not my very favorite food, but the historic grounds are beautiful and usually have peacocks running around
This is one of my favorite restaurants for high-end food. The hamachi pipettes are awe-inspiring.
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VOX Table
1100 South Lamar BoulevardThis is one of my favorite restaurants for high-end food. The hamachi pipettes are awe-inspiring.
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdAlso the best sushi in the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveLegendary club
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveCheck out the hidden bar behind the hotel
Decent cocktails and fun ambiance. The food used to be great there, but I haven't eaten there since they changed their head chef.
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Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StDecent cocktails and fun ambiance. The food used to be great there, but I haven't eaten there since they changed their head chef.
live music, craft beer, and sharing pizza pies
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The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf Stlive music, craft beer, and sharing pizza pies
Arts & Culture
Watch great movies while you have dinner and drinks
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdWatch great movies while you have dinner and drinks
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar BlvdOne of the best places in town for live theatre.
Threadgill's World Headquarters
301 W Riverside DrLocal food and great live music
South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
6416 North Lamar BoulevardZany museum
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdAustin City Limits takes place here
Everything Else
Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StSXSW happens here
Austin Shambhala Meditation Center
1702 S 5th StGood place to meditate and relax
Trek Bicycle Lamar
517 S Lamar BlvdThey rent bikes
Auditorium Shores kwaTown Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrFestivals, people watching
Macaroons and French pastries. Good place for coffee on a rainy day
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La Pâtisserie
602 W Annie StMacaroons and French pastries. Good place for coffee on a rainy day
Shopping
End Of An Ear
4304 Clawson RdGreat for LPs and CDs and indie books and magazines.
This place is like a museum of vintage and antique items. Very unusual fascinating stuff to look at.
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Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View RdThis place is like a museum of vintage and antique items. Very unusual fascinating stuff to look at.
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
1506 S Congress AveAmazing costume shop
Izicathulo ze-Allens
1522 S Congress AveEnormous boot selection