Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Local produce, great Vietnamese noodle dishes, and the freshest French pastries--macarons, pain au chocolat, baguette--in town. Get the banh mi.
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Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StLocal produce, great Vietnamese noodle dishes, and the freshest French pastries--macarons, pain au chocolat, baguette--in town. Get the banh mi.
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveA stone classic. Iced turbos and treats for the dog.
Austin has many scene-y and envelope-pushing restaurants, where you can't get a reservation, there's typically a long line, and everyone is Instagramming their food. That's all well and good, but we find ourselves at Vespaio whenever we don't feel like fighting a crowd and feel like keeping a low profile. The service and the food are world-class, but the vibe is unfussy, and very old school Austin. They make their daily risotto to order, from scratch; if you can get a table early enough, before the nightly specials go on a count or sell out, it's highly recommended.
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Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveAustin has many scene-y and envelope-pushing restaurants, where you can't get a reservation, there's typically a long line, and everyone is Instagramming their food. That's all well and good, but we find ourselves at Vespaio whenever we don't feel like fighting a crowd and feel like keeping a low profile. The service and the food are world-class, but the vibe is unfussy, and very old school Austin. They make their daily risotto to order, from scratch; if you can get a table early enough, before the nightly specials go on a count or sell out, it's highly recommended.
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveLittle-known secret: Perla's has the best $18 cheeseburger in Austin.
Sophisticated, Thai-inspired spot around the corner, opened by Rene Ortiz, formerly the chef at La Condesa. I recommend the Son-in-Law.
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Sway
1417 S 1st StSophisticated, Thai-inspired spot around the corner, opened by Rene Ortiz, formerly the chef at La Condesa. I recommend the Son-in-Law.
Expect to stand in line, but the food is worth it. Hip, eco-minded burger joint with all-natural meats, housemade buns, shakes & interesting beers.
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Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveExpect to stand in line, but the food is worth it. Hip, eco-minded burger joint with all-natural meats, housemade buns, shakes & interesting beers.
Thin-crust slices & pies for dining in or carry out, open late for takeaway on weekends. Great for kids. Lesser-known menu item: Italian Sub. (You must add cherry peppers.)
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Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveThin-crust slices & pies for dining in or carry out, open late for takeaway on weekends. Great for kids. Lesser-known menu item: Italian Sub. (You must add cherry peppers.)
If an alien asked me to define Tex-Mex, I guess I'd send him/her/it to Guero's. There are much better Tex-Mex restaurants in town, but this place is so iconic you have to try it, at least once. Get a taco and a margherita.
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Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveIf an alien asked me to define Tex-Mex, I guess I'd send him/her/it to Guero's. There are much better Tex-Mex restaurants in town, but this place is so iconic you have to try it, at least once. Get a taco and a margherita.
Parks & Nature
Take Congress to the Ladybird Lake trail entrance--you can catch the bats, then walk west toward the Barton Springs foot bridge.
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Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdTake Congress to the Ladybird Lake trail entrance--you can catch the bats, then walk west toward the Barton Springs foot bridge.
The soul of the city. Without it, we'd be lost. Locals-only tip: go after 9 p.m.
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThe soul of the city. Without it, we'd be lost. Locals-only tip: go after 9 p.m.
Essentials
Everything you need in a locally owned and operated, mom-and-pop grocery store. We find ourselves in here every day, whether it's for coffee, a quick flower arrangement, a newspaper, dog food, or some other essential.
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FARM TO MARKET GROCERY
1718 S Congress AveEverything you need in a locally owned and operated, mom-and-pop grocery store. We find ourselves in here every day, whether it's for coffee, a quick flower arrangement, a newspaper, dog food, or some other essential.
Tacodeli
1500 Spyglass DrThe best taco in the universe, amen.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bi-level club hosting weekend performances on the main floor with a Japanese-American bar upstairs.
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C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveBi-level club hosting weekend performances on the main floor with a Japanese-American bar upstairs.
This place was cool before it was cool. Rock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local--when people mention "live music" in Austin, they are thinking of this place. Legendary.
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The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveThis place was cool before it was cool. Rock, country, jazz & blues acts, national & local--when people mention "live music" in Austin, they are thinking of this place. Legendary.
Justine's
4710 E 5th StSidecars, steak frites, red wine, existentialist brasserie heaven.
Arts & Culture
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveThe rotunda and that painting of Davy Crockett.
Sightseeing
South Congress
It has it all.
From March through November of each year, from 6PM to 9PM, thousands and thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from below and above the South Congress Bridge for a nightly feeding and aerial show. Don't miss this.
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Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueFrom March through November of each year, from 6PM to 9PM, thousands and thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from below and above the South Congress Bridge for a nightly feeding and aerial show. Don't miss this.