Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
This all vegetarian (with lots of vegan options) is inside an old gas station in south Austin. Be prepared for a wait during busy weekend hours, or grab a seat at the bar. The tofu scramble can't be beat, there's excellent people watching, and the service is always good. Patio and indoor seating. Beer and wine also available.
565 paikallista suosittelee
Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StThis all vegetarian (with lots of vegan options) is inside an old gas station in south Austin. Be prepared for a wait during busy weekend hours, or grab a seat at the bar. The tofu scramble can't be beat, there's excellent people watching, and the service is always good. Patio and indoor seating. Beer and wine also available.
Kerbey Lane is an Austin chain with several locations across the city. Food is always solid, the waitstaff is pleasant, but be prepared for a wait on the weekends. They're known for their gingerbread pancakes. I always get the Eggs Francisco, made vegan.
144 paikallista suosittelee
Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central
3704 Kerbey LnKerbey Lane is an Austin chain with several locations across the city. Food is always solid, the waitstaff is pleasant, but be prepared for a wait on the weekends. They're known for their gingerbread pancakes. I always get the Eggs Francisco, made vegan.
Mi Madres is solid Tex Mex, with the best chips and salsa in town. It's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but the service is great and you'll leave feeling satisfied.
180 paikallista suosittelee
Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdMi Madres is solid Tex Mex, with the best chips and salsa in town. It's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but the service is great and you'll leave feeling satisfied.
I'm not much of a foodie, but this is my go-to for special occasions. You'll more than likely need a reservation. It's pricey but definitely worth it. They are happy to veganize a menu if you like, just let them know when you make the reservation. Excellent cocktails also!
374 paikallista suosittelee
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdI'm not much of a foodie, but this is my go-to for special occasions. You'll more than likely need a reservation. It's pricey but definitely worth it. They are happy to veganize a menu if you like, just let them know when you make the reservation. Excellent cocktails also!
Guero's is always super crowded except for brunch on the weekends. I have no idea why! They have their own small parking lot that may actually have an open space on a weekend morning, and if you sit at the bar, you're good to go!
398 paikallista suosittelee
Güero's Taco Bar
1412 S Congress AveGuero's is always super crowded except for brunch on the weekends. I have no idea why! They have their own small parking lot that may actually have an open space on a weekend morning, and if you sit at the bar, you're good to go!
I love Ka Prow and think it's the best Thai in the city! The waitstaff is always efficient, the food is excellent, and the price is right. They have some good happy hour specials too. You can order on a spicy level of 1-5, and while I like things spicy, I can't go higher than a 3 here. You can also order to-go from Ka Prow which I do occasionally. Other people in Austin swear by Titaya's, but I think the food there is just okay, the prices are too high for the quality and service, and the wait times are often ridiculous.
6 paikallista suosittelee
Ka-Prow Thai and Sushi Bistro
1200 W Howard LnI love Ka Prow and think it's the best Thai in the city! The waitstaff is always efficient, the food is excellent, and the price is right. They have some good happy hour specials too. You can order on a spicy level of 1-5, and while I like things spicy, I can't go higher than a 3 here. You can also order to-go from Ka Prow which I do occasionally. Other people in Austin swear by Titaya's, but I think the food there is just okay, the prices are too high for the quality and service, and the wait times are often ridiculous.
It doesn't matter if you are vegan or not... these tacos are fantastic! The migas are my favorite & whatever you do, don't forget the sauces!! Pro tip: call in your order.
34 paikallista suosittelee
The Vegan Nom
2324 E Cesar Chavez StIt doesn't matter if you are vegan or not... these tacos are fantastic! The migas are my favorite & whatever you do, don't forget the sauces!! Pro tip: call in your order.
Drinks & Nightlife
This sports bar (which is also a chain) is about 2 miles from my house. They have your typical bar food, along with an impressive beer selection and a full bar. Patio and indoor seating.
7 paikallista suosittelee
Little Woodrow's Tech Ridge
12601 Tech Ridge BlvdThis sports bar (which is also a chain) is about 2 miles from my house. They have your typical bar food, along with an impressive beer selection and a full bar. Patio and indoor seating.
Midnight Cowboy is a really special place where I always take out of town guests. You must have a reservation, and you have to go down to dirty 6th (which I normally avoid), but it's worth it. It's a 2-hr maximum, and many of the cocktails are made tableside. This is a quiet, classy space that is always hard to leave.
107 paikallista suosittelee
Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StMidnight Cowboy is a really special place where I always take out of town guests. You must have a reservation, and you have to go down to dirty 6th (which I normally avoid), but it's worth it. It's a 2-hr maximum, and many of the cocktails are made tableside. This is a quiet, classy space that is always hard to leave.
Donn's Depot is an Austin icon that shouldn't be missed. It's in an old train depot, and the ladies bathroom is an actual caboose. This bar will have patrons anywhere from 21 to 81, and if you're there on a Friday night or a Saturday night, you'll get to hear some great music from a live band!
133 paikallista suosittelee
Donn's Depot
1600 W 5th StDonn's Depot is an Austin icon that shouldn't be missed. It's in an old train depot, and the ladies bathroom is an actual caboose. This bar will have patrons anywhere from 21 to 81, and if you're there on a Friday night or a Saturday night, you'll get to hear some great music from a live band!
This is a great bar about 10 minutes from my house. The service is always friendly. It can get pretty noisy inside and pretty smoky outside. They make a great old fashioned though to make up for it!
72 paikallista suosittelee
Knomad Bar
1213 Corona DrThis is a great bar about 10 minutes from my house. The service is always friendly. It can get pretty noisy inside and pretty smoky outside. They make a great old fashioned though to make up for it!
Parish is one of my favorite music venues. Yes, it's on dirty 6th, but it's a nice, intimate venue so I get over it. Limited seating. Check online listings to make sure they're not sold out. And drop by Voodoo Donuts next door after the show!
22 paikallista suosittelee
Parish
501 E 6th StParish is one of my favorite music venues. Yes, it's on dirty 6th, but it's a nice, intimate venue so I get over it. Limited seating. Check online listings to make sure they're not sold out. And drop by Voodoo Donuts next door after the show!
The Mohawk always seems to have fun bands so check listings. Insider tip: get there when doors open to snag a front spot on one of the 3 balconies for a perfect view (very important if you're short like me!). Afterwards, head down the street to Cheer Up Charlies for a cocktail.
166 paikallista suosittelee
Mohawk Austin
912 Red River StThe Mohawk always seems to have fun bands so check listings. Insider tip: get there when doors open to snag a front spot on one of the 3 balconies for a perfect view (very important if you're short like me!). Afterwards, head down the street to Cheer Up Charlies for a cocktail.
The Elephant Room is just a cool bar. And if you like jazz, then you'll really like it! It's downstairs in a great space, and seating goes quickly on the weekends.
224 paikallista suosittelee
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveThe Elephant Room is just a cool bar. And if you like jazz, then you'll really like it! It's downstairs in a great space, and seating goes quickly on the weekends.
This is my favorite dive bar, hands down. Plenty of seating, cheap yet strong drinks, friendly bartenders, and clean bathrooms. I like the Iron Whip, which is basically a frozen Orange Julius with vodka. Only $4.50!
347 paikallista suosittelee
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StThis is my favorite dive bar, hands down. Plenty of seating, cheap yet strong drinks, friendly bartenders, and clean bathrooms. I like the Iron Whip, which is basically a frozen Orange Julius with vodka. Only $4.50!
Parks & Nature
I've traveled a lot and there's nothing quite like Barton Springs Pool. It is a spring fed mecca in the middle of downtown Austin, and the water is 68 degrees year round. It can get really crowded on warm days, especially in the summer, so insider tip: park in the parking lot off Robert E Lee, and go EARLY to claim a good spot. Be prepared for the best people watching of your life!
2454 paikallista suosittelee
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrI've traveled a lot and there's nothing quite like Barton Springs Pool. It is a spring fed mecca in the middle of downtown Austin, and the water is 68 degrees year round. It can get really crowded on warm days, especially in the summer, so insider tip: park in the parking lot off Robert E Lee, and go EARLY to claim a good spot. Be prepared for the best people watching of your life!
Deep Eddy is a nice alternative to Barton Springs. It is also spring fed, and the water is about 70 degrees year round. There's a wading pool for kiddos, and lots of nice grassy spots to lounge about and read your book.
322 paikallista suosittelee
Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveDeep Eddy is a nice alternative to Barton Springs. It is also spring fed, and the water is about 70 degrees year round. There's a wading pool for kiddos, and lots of nice grassy spots to lounge about and read your book.
Pedernales Falls has some of the best hiking and swimming, and is about an hour from my house. The rocks make you feel like you're on the moon, and the swimming holes are clear and crisp. It's a great way to spend a day!
318 paikallista suosittelee
Pedernales Fallsin osavaltionpuisto
2585 Park Rd 6026Pedernales Falls has some of the best hiking and swimming, and is about an hour from my house. The rocks make you feel like you're on the moon, and the swimming holes are clear and crisp. It's a great way to spend a day!
Entertainment & Activities
Pinballz is a blast! It's an arcade with...pinball machines! But there's classic video games as well. It's also BYOB which makes it more popular than it probably would be otherwise.
60 paikallista suosittelee
Pinballz Arcade
8940 Research BlvdPinballz is a blast! It's an arcade with...pinball machines! But there's classic video games as well. It's also BYOB which makes it more popular than it probably would be otherwise.
Everything Else
If you want one of the best and cheapest massages ever, look no further! English is limited so don't bother trying to call to make a reservation. They'll show you the menu when you arrive, and you point at the service you want. I usually get 1/2 hour foot and 1/2 hour back, for $35 total. Cash only.
Beijing Foot Spa
7301 Burnet RdIf you want one of the best and cheapest massages ever, look no further! English is limited so don't bother trying to call to make a reservation. They'll show you the menu when you arrive, and you point at the service you want. I usually get 1/2 hour foot and 1/2 hour back, for $35 total. Cash only.
Essentials
This Texas chain of grocery stores will have anything you need as far as toiletries, groceries, and beer and wine. It is about 2 miles from my house. Make sure you bring your own bag!
157 paikallista suosittelee
H-E-B
603 Louis Henna BlvdThis Texas chain of grocery stores will have anything you need as far as toiletries, groceries, and beer and wine. It is about 2 miles from my house. Make sure you bring your own bag!