Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Food Truck! Amazing breakfasts, you're missing out if you skip this.
64 locals recommend
Biscuits and Groovy
5015 Duval StFood Truck! Amazing breakfasts, you're missing out if you skip this.
Food Truck! If you don't want to wait 3+ hours in line at Franklins La BBQ is just as good with 1/3 of the wait.
Not open Mondays.
Kamil recommends - Brisket
Amanda recommends - Turkey
421 locals recommend
La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StFood Truck! If you don't want to wait 3+ hours in line at Franklins La BBQ is just as good with 1/3 of the wait.
Not open Mondays.
Kamil recommends - Brisket
Amanda recommends - Turkey
Great French Bistro, amazing happy hour with super cheap beer, wine and bottles. Great cheese and charcuterie plates. If it's not too hot sit in the adorable covered backyard.
Amanda recommends - Happy Hour Sparkling wine & Charcuterie
351 locals recommend
Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E 11th StGreat French Bistro, amazing happy hour with super cheap beer, wine and bottles. Great cheese and charcuterie plates. If it's not too hot sit in the adorable covered backyard.
Amanda recommends - Happy Hour Sparkling wine & Charcuterie
24 hour Tacos - not the best in Austin but if it's 3am and you're on your way back it's a few blocks from the guesthouse, and good solid late night food.
Amanda recommends - Rage 2.0
Kamil recommends - Avocado Abogado
141 locals recommend
Tyson's Tacos
4905 Airport Blvd24 hour Tacos - not the best in Austin but if it's 3am and you're on your way back it's a few blocks from the guesthouse, and good solid late night food.
Amanda recommends - Rage 2.0
Kamil recommends - Avocado Abogado
Open overnight 7pm - 10am!
Want an awesome late night donut? Go to the drive up window, place your order and drive just a few blocks back to the guesthouse to enjoy.
Kamil recommends - Raspberry Filled & Plain Glazed
Amanda recommends - Maple Glazed
33 locals recommend
Mrs Johnson's Bakery
4909 Airport BlvdOpen overnight 7pm - 10am!
Want an awesome late night donut? Go to the drive up window, place your order and drive just a few blocks back to the guesthouse to enjoy.
Kamil recommends - Raspberry Filled & Plain Glazed
Amanda recommends - Maple Glazed
Bun Belly
6929 Airport BlvdBeer & Bao - need we say more?
Gluten free and Vegan options, cute local bakery.
Kamil recommends - Cheese Danish & Ham and Cheese Croissant
Amanda recommends - Latte & Sausage Kolache
197 locals recommend
Quack's 43rd Street Bakery
411 E 43rd StGluten free and Vegan options, cute local bakery.
Kamil recommends - Cheese Danish & Ham and Cheese Croissant
Amanda recommends - Latte & Sausage Kolache
Awesome Vegan Ice Cream, try the unicorn poop!
Amanda recommends - Keto Ice cream (rotating flavors)
47 locals recommend
Sweet Ritual
4631 Airport BlvdAwesome Vegan Ice Cream, try the unicorn poop!
Amanda recommends - Keto Ice cream (rotating flavors)
In-N-Out Burger
4515 Airport BlvdIconic burgers
Italic
123 W 6th StGreat little Italian spot, awesome wine list. Great for Date night!
Epoch isn't the closest coffee shop to us (Flightpath is!) but it's super cute. On a cute street next to a vintage shop, record store it has an old vintage vibe and is constantly bustling. They have an extremely limited menu - the basics and some cold brew.
151 locals recommend
Epoch Coffee
221 W N Loop BlvdEpoch isn't the closest coffee shop to us (Flightpath is!) but it's super cute. On a cute street next to a vintage shop, record store it has an old vintage vibe and is constantly bustling. They have an extremely limited menu - the basics and some cold brew.
Less than a block away and RIGHT next to Biscuits and Groovy. Pick up your amazing food truck breakfast and head to Flightpath to sit and grab some coffee. Hot and iced coffee's have $1 refills. This place gets extremely busy while school is in session, people have all day study sessions here.
99 locals recommend
Flightpath Coffeehouse
5011 Duval StLess than a block away and RIGHT next to Biscuits and Groovy. Pick up your amazing food truck breakfast and head to Flightpath to sit and grab some coffee. Hot and iced coffee's have $1 refills. This place gets extremely busy while school is in session, people have all day study sessions here.
Brunch!
Usually a wait but they have a big mimosa menu with an area of the counter specially for those waiting for a table so you're not crowding around people trying to eat.
214 locals recommend
Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdBrunch!
Usually a wait but they have a big mimosa menu with an area of the counter specially for those waiting for a table so you're not crowding around people trying to eat.
Salty Sow
1917 Manor RdReservations recommended - super popular.
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveFeatured on Food Networks Best Thing I Ever Ate
Bird Bird Biscuit
2701 Manor RdInsane chicken focused breakfast sandwiches
Haymaker
2310 Manor RdSuper popular, very casual, great bar food
Great coffee shop with a Churro Food Truck in the back!
77 locals recommend
Thunderbird Cafe & Tap Room
1401 W Koenig LnGreat coffee shop with a Churro Food Truck in the back!
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdFood Truck - Legendary Brisket Taco - worth the drive
Cute restaurant, cute cocktails, cute desserts, great if you’re in town on a girls trip!
397 locals recommend
Launderette
2115 Holly StCute restaurant, cute cocktails, cute desserts, great if you’re in town on a girls trip!
Dean's One Trick Pony
111 E Cesar Chavez StUpscale bar food with happy hour, inside the Line hotel
ONLY open Saturdays - get there EARLY (before 8am) for one of the top 3 bbq experiences in all of Texas.
24 locals recommend
Snow's BBQ
516 Main StONLY open Saturdays - get there EARLY (before 8am) for one of the top 3 bbq experiences in all of Texas.
Super popular and crowded kind of a tourist trap BUT still great BBQ.
Kamil recommends - Brisket
Amanda recommends - Pork Ribs
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdSuper popular and crowded kind of a tourist trap BUT still great BBQ.
Kamil recommends - Brisket
Amanda recommends - Pork Ribs
Asian with extensive wine list. Visit Sunday before 3pm for their weekend Dim Sum menu where all their dumplings are made by hand!
Kamil & Amanda recommend - Sunday Dim Sum and Pork Pan Fried Noodle
10 locals recommend
Jade Restaurant
3801 N Capital of Texas HwyAsian with extensive wine list. Visit Sunday before 3pm for their weekend Dim Sum menu where all their dumplings are made by hand!
Kamil & Amanda recommend - Sunday Dim Sum and Pork Pan Fried Noodle
Bougie’s Donuts & Coffee
5400 Brodie LnInstagram Friendly - rated best donuts in Austin 2019
The Yard Milkshakes
3400 Esperanza CrossingCrazy Milkshakes at the Domain
Insanity popular ramen, 2 locations both will have lines. The line is usually shorter at the North Location.
502 locals recommend
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdInsanity popular ramen, 2 locations both will have lines. The line is usually shorter at the North Location.
Drinks & Nightlife
Rainy Street is the iconic must do bar street in Austin (move over 6th street!) Rainy is a few blocks of old bungalows converted into bars equipped with backyard games, picnic tables, great happy hours, and food trucks. Great Happy Hours but also good for late night bar hopping.
793 locals recommend
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetRainy Street is the iconic must do bar street in Austin (move over 6th street!) Rainy is a few blocks of old bungalows converted into bars equipped with backyard games, picnic tables, great happy hours, and food trucks. Great Happy Hours but also good for late night bar hopping.
Lucille is one of my favorites on Rainy Street, they make drinks fast but also make them good. Their happy hour goes until 7:30 which is about 30 minutes later than most places on Rainy.
33 locals recommend
Lucille Patio Lounge
77 Rainey StLucille is one of my favorites on Rainy Street, they make drinks fast but also make them good. Their happy hour goes until 7:30 which is about 30 minutes later than most places on Rainy.
Our favorite happy hour on Rainy street, with a menu that includes beautiful daiquiris served in a coup, to a handcrafted old fashioned their bartenders care just as much when the cocktail costs $5 as they do when you're paying full price.
35 locals recommend
Half Step
75 1/2 Rainey StOur favorite happy hour on Rainy street, with a menu that includes beautiful daiquiris served in a coup, to a handcrafted old fashioned their bartenders care just as much when the cocktail costs $5 as they do when you're paying full price.
Wonderful cocktails!
Often a contender in Austin's annual cocktail competition drink well has a craft cocktails, a good happy hour and over 50 types of Whiskey.
- all day happy hour sunday
- can get packed quickly
- a close walk from the guesthouse
- they have a rotating house made twinkie. :)
155 locals recommend
drink.well.
207 E 53rd StWonderful cocktails!
Often a contender in Austin's annual cocktail competition drink well has a craft cocktails, a good happy hour and over 50 types of Whiskey.
- all day happy hour sunday
- can get packed quickly
- a close walk from the guesthouse
- they have a rotating house made twinkie. :)
Great Dive bar within walking distance from the Guesthouse. A bunch of little bars in the area you can hop around.
105 locals recommend
Workhorse Bar
100 N Loop Blvd EGreat Dive bar within walking distance from the Guesthouse. A bunch of little bars in the area you can hop around.
Local brewery, try a flight, a pint or grab a growler to go.
159 locals recommend
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StLocal brewery, try a flight, a pint or grab a growler to go.
Large in / outdoor beer garden and bakery. Pets allowed, live music on weekends. Over 50 rotating beers on draft. You can also visit their downtown location on 6th st.
53 locals recommend
Easy Tiger Linc
6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage RdLarge in / outdoor beer garden and bakery. Pets allowed, live music on weekends. Over 50 rotating beers on draft. You can also visit their downtown location on 6th st.
The Lost Lei
720 W 4th StTiki Bar
She’s Not Here
440 W 2nd StTiki Drinks and small bites
The Cat's Pajamas
610 Nueces StMore Tiki Themed Fun
Parks & Nature
Lady Bird lake runs along most of downtown, go for a picnic or a jog, you can rent a bike from Austin's B-Cycle stations (per hour or $12 for a day pass) and bike along the river. There's also Kayak stations where you can rent by the hour and kayak under the iconic congress street bat bridge.
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailLady Bird lake runs along most of downtown, go for a picnic or a jog, you can rent a bike from Austin's B-Cycle stations (per hour or $12 for a day pass) and bike along the river. There's also Kayak stations where you can rent by the hour and kayak under the iconic congress street bat bridge.
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrLake turned pool!
Trail around lady bird lake has multiple spots to rent a Kayak, spend your day in the river and if you’re in season go out st sunset under the Congress st. Bridge to see the thousands of bats come out!
41 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Kayaks
74 Trinity StTrail around lady bird lake has multiple spots to rent a Kayak, spend your day in the river and if you’re in season go out st sunset under the Congress st. Bridge to see the thousands of bats come out!
Reservations required so make sure to make one in advance!
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdReservations required so make sure to make one in advance!
Best view of the city, movies in the park Wednesday in the Summer. Great place to bring a picnic and sit out and relax.
246 locals recommend
Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
900 W Riverside DrBest view of the city, movies in the park Wednesday in the Summer. Great place to bring a picnic and sit out and relax.
Bull Creek District Park
Bull Creek District Park: Pedestrian Walkway 2Swimming Hole in Austin
Essentials
High end grocery store with large selection of wine and cheese. Great bakery inside with a focus on fresh made breads. Outdoor cafe almost always has a live band playing.
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdHigh end grocery store with large selection of wine and cheese. Great bakery inside with a focus on fresh made breads. Outdoor cafe almost always has a live band playing.
One block up great corner market. Huge selection of wine and local beers, good snacks and essentials.
Duval Market
500 E 51st StOne block up great corner market. Huge selection of wine and local beers, good snacks and essentials.
Entertainment & Activities
Vodka Tasting! A bit of a drive but a lot more fun than you would expect? Just make sure to bring a designated driver.
150 locals recommend
Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room
2250 US-290Vodka Tasting! A bit of a drive but a lot more fun than you would expect? Just make sure to bring a designated driver.
Wine tasting in Texas Hill Country! If you visit you can stop at the original Salt Lick Bbq. On your way back, ask the winery to cork your wines for you, Salt Lick is BYOB.
108 locals recommend
Duchman Family Winery
13308 FM150 WWine tasting in Texas Hill Country! If you visit you can stop at the original Salt Lick Bbq. On your way back, ask the winery to cork your wines for you, Salt Lick is BYOB.
Free admission, amazing architecture and rooftop terrace.
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StFree admission, amazing architecture and rooftop terrace.
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrReservation Required
North Austin, massive Asian market with huge Asian food court. Incredible Korean Fried Chicken, Katsu, and desserts! They usually have live music and beer / wine for sale.
18 locals recommend
H Mart Austin
11301 Lakeline BlvdNorth Austin, massive Asian market with huge Asian food court. Incredible Korean Fried Chicken, Katsu, and desserts! They usually have live music and beer / wine for sale.
Yes it’s BBQ but also a concert venue, see if anyone is in town during your stay!
282 locals recommend
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River StYes it’s BBQ but also a concert venue, see if anyone is in town during your stay!
The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceOutdoor shopping mall with bars and restaurants
Topgolf
2700 Esperanza CrossingThe Driskill
217 Congress AveHistoric hotel with great lobby bar and live music
Sightseeing
Greetings from Austin Mural
1720 S 1st StYou’re My Butter Half Mural
2000 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdAustin Texas Murals
3700 Guadalupe StHOPE Outdoor Gallery
Willie For President Mural
100-130 E Elizabeth StTau Ceti
Brazos Streettallest mural in Austin at 103 feet