Amanda’s guidebook
Food scene
Local favorites
A true hidden gem in the last place you’d think to try - located inside of a convenience store, this is one of our “go to” spots for Sunday (or any!) morning breakfast. They serve breakfast tacos all day and also have a great selection for lunch. There are two tiny tables and a few counter stools if you prefer to eat in, or carry out.
Casa Linda Taqueria
623 W Dittmar Rd A true hidden gem in the last place you’d think to try - located inside of a convenience store, this is one of our “go to” spots for Sunday (or any!) morning breakfast. They serve breakfast tacos all day and also have a great selection for lunch. There are two tiny tables and a few counter stools if you prefer to eat in, or carry out.
Food truck located at Radio Coffee & Beer, they also have agua frescas! (and dog friendly!)
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Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadFood truck located at Radio Coffee & Beer, they also have agua frescas! (and dog friendly!)
Mornin' Donuts
6501 S Congress AveDonuts, Kloches, Breakfast Sandwiches - great service, owners are super sweet.
Take a beautiful country drive out to one of the area’s staples for BBQ. This is a great place for the whole family. It’s BYOB, so load up your cooler - or buy a bucket-o-beer once you arrive. Don’t forget to get your picture taken next to the open fire pit.
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Salt Lick BBQ
18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826Take a beautiful country drive out to one of the area’s staples for BBQ. This is a great place for the whole family. It’s BYOB, so load up your cooler - or buy a bucket-o-beer once you arrive. Don’t forget to get your picture taken next to the open fire pit.
If you like 90s hip hop and fast BBQ, this is your spot. They always have a little Biggie bumping in the background as you enjoy your delicious brisket meal. It’s a little faster pace than a sit down restaurant - order at the counter kind of place.
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SLAB BBQ & Beer
2701 State Hwy 71If you like 90s hip hop and fast BBQ, this is your spot. They always have a little Biggie bumping in the background as you enjoy your delicious brisket meal. It’s a little faster pace than a sit down restaurant - order at the counter kind of place.
A south Austin outdoor bar with huge fire pits, games and live music. (dog friendly!) Because it's an outdoor bar, it's best to visit when the weather is good.
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Moontower Saloon
10212 Menchaca RdA south Austin outdoor bar with huge fire pits, games and live music. (dog friendly!) Because it's an outdoor bar, it's best to visit when the weather is good.
If you don’t mind waiting in line, it’s damn good BBQ. You can even buy in bulk to ship home!
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Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StIf you don’t mind waiting in line, it’s damn good BBQ. You can even buy in bulk to ship home!
DELICIOUS pizza. You can order a whole pie or by the slice (when available).
Homeslice is located on South Congress right in the heart of boutique shopping, so they can get pretty busy depending on the time of day. If there’s a wait, grab an open spot at the bar to watch pizza being made while you eat or head next door to “More Homeslice” for fast window service.
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Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveDELICIOUS pizza. You can order a whole pie or by the slice (when available).
Homeslice is located on South Congress right in the heart of boutique shopping, so they can get pretty busy depending on the time of day. If there’s a wait, grab an open spot at the bar to watch pizza being made while you eat or head next door to “More Homeslice” for fast window service.
This food truck serves delicious, creamy ice cream and mouth watering cakes. There are a few other food trucks nearby if you'd like to eat dinner before dessert.
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Manolis Ice Cream Pastries & Cakes
8907 W Live Oak StThis food truck serves delicious, creamy ice cream and mouth watering cakes. There are a few other food trucks nearby if you'd like to eat dinner before dessert.
You’ve never had a donut like this. There’s a food truck on South 1st or a brick and mortar on Lamar - both pretty close.
They serve sweet and savory donut concoctions.
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Gourdough's Big. Fat. Donuts.
1503 S 1st StYou’ve never had a donut like this. There’s a food truck on South 1st or a brick and mortar on Lamar - both pretty close.
They serve sweet and savory donut concoctions.
Delicious grass fed burgers and did someone say truffle fries??
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Hopdoddy Burger Bar
1400 S Congress AveDelicious grass fed burgers and did someone say truffle fries??
Great happy hour and appetizers. Not your standard mozzarella sticks and nachos.
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Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdGreat happy hour and appetizers. Not your standard mozzarella sticks and nachos.
Did someone say cheese curds? Their deep fried cheese curds are the closest you’re going to find to actually being in Wisconsin. YUM. It’s a cozy bar inside with an outdoor patio. You can catch a game on their big screen TVs. Parking can be tricky - if the lot is full, check side streets but be sure to read “residential parking only” signs.
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Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar BlvdDid someone say cheese curds? Their deep fried cheese curds are the closest you’re going to find to actually being in Wisconsin. YUM. It’s a cozy bar inside with an outdoor patio. You can catch a game on their big screen TVs. Parking can be tricky - if the lot is full, check side streets but be sure to read “residential parking only” signs.
Great place to eat out for a celebration. Great location downtown with valet parking.
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Truluck's Austin Downtown
300 Colorado StGreat place to eat out for a celebration. Great location downtown with valet parking.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdLocal favorite sushi spot
Neighborhoods
A 30 minute drive gets you to a small Texas town where there’s a great debate about which establishment has the best BBQ. Try one or try them all, you will not be disappointed!
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Lockhart
A 30 minute drive gets you to a small Texas town where there’s a great debate about which establishment has the best BBQ. Try one or try them all, you will not be disappointed!
South Congress draws plenty of foot traffic to its vibrant stretch of hip boutiques, trendy lodging options and Austin-original eateries. Live music shows abound, including nightly sets at the legendary Continental Club. There’s also a picture-postcard vista of the Texas State Capitol. Taking flight every summer evening from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge is the world’s largest urban bat colony.
A few favorites in this area are Homeslice Pizza, Hop Doddys, Guerros outdoor area (usually has live music), The Continental Club. Oh, and the iconic "I love you so much" wall.
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South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueSouth Congress draws plenty of foot traffic to its vibrant stretch of hip boutiques, trendy lodging options and Austin-original eateries. Live music shows abound, including nightly sets at the legendary Continental Club. There’s also a picture-postcard vista of the Texas State Capitol. Taking flight every summer evening from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge is the world’s largest urban bat colony.
A few favorites in this area are Homeslice Pizza, Hop Doddys, Guerros outdoor area (usually has live music), The Continental Club. Oh, and the iconic "I love you so much" wall.
Old bungalow houses turned into bars, each with their own unique flair. Fun to "house hop" from place to place and within walking distance to 6th street bar district.
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Rainey Street
Rainey StreetOld bungalow houses turned into bars, each with their own unique flair. Fun to "house hop" from place to place and within walking distance to 6th street bar district.
Hidden Gems
These recommendations are local favorites not often advertised or found on top 10 lists.
On South Congress, take a few steps in and you'll see a secluded modern oasis-like cafe (open to the public!) with delicious french press coffee, drinks and appetizers.
**** This is also where you'll find the cleanest public restroom in on South Congress Ave ***
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Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveOn South Congress, take a few steps in and you'll see a secluded modern oasis-like cafe (open to the public!) with delicious french press coffee, drinks and appetizers.
**** This is also where you'll find the cleanest public restroom in on South Congress Ave ***
Secret dive bar with delicious burgers. Some say it's the best burger bar in town. Located right in the heart of 6th street.
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Casino El Camino
517 E 6th StSecret dive bar with delicious burgers. Some say it's the best burger bar in town. Located right in the heart of 6th street.
Whether you just want to walk through and admire the unique character and history of this old hotel or have a drink at the bar, this is one of Austin’s oldest (haunted!) hotels on 6th Street.
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The Driskill
217 Congress AveWhether you just want to walk through and admire the unique character and history of this old hotel or have a drink at the bar, this is one of Austin’s oldest (haunted!) hotels on 6th Street.
Shopping
*Huge* outdoor shopping mall with stores from H&M to Louis Vitton. Plenty of restaurants.
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The Domain
11410 Century Oaks Terrace*Huge* outdoor shopping mall with stores from H&M to Louis Vitton. Plenty of restaurants.
South Congress has a dozen boutiques, local art and restaurants sprinkled throughout.
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South Congress Avenue
South Congress AvenueSouth Congress has a dozen boutiques, local art and restaurants sprinkled throughout.
From Tshirts to local crafts, this is your best place for variety of decently priced souvenirs.
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Austin Gift Company
4211 S Lamar BlvdFrom Tshirts to local crafts, this is your best place for variety of decently priced souvenirs.
Barton Creek Square
2901 S Capital of Texas HwyTypical indoor mall, nice big chain stores.
Unique antique shop, a little pricer than typical antiques and really neat to walk through!
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Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View RdUnique antique shop, a little pricer than typical antiques and really neat to walk through!
Very large antique mall in north Austin, tons of booths to spend hours looking through.
The Austin Antique Mall
8822 McCann DrVery large antique mall in north Austin, tons of booths to spend hours looking through.
Activities
Sweet hiking trail with swimming holes. It’s free to access and rules are pretty relaxed so feel free to bring your dog and set up along the river. Keep in mind the water levels can vary depending on the amount of recent rain. To find the trailhead, navigate to Taco Deli at 1500 Spyglass Dr.
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Campbell's Hole
Sweet hiking trail with swimming holes. It’s free to access and rules are pretty relaxed so feel free to bring your dog and set up along the river. Keep in mind the water levels can vary depending on the amount of recent rain. To find the trailhead, navigate to Taco Deli at 1500 Spyglass Dr.
A pretty drive out to the west side of Austin will give you sweeping views of the hill country. Once you arrive, you can hike the trails or if there’s been enough rain, dip your feet in the water or swim. There are a couple of entrances, so check them out to decide which you prefer. (one has a waterfall, the other has a bathroom and picnic area) Our favorite has waterfalls and cool streams to duck into right near parking.
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Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail
Bull Creek Greenbelt TrailA pretty drive out to the west side of Austin will give you sweeping views of the hill country. Once you arrive, you can hike the trails or if there’s been enough rain, dip your feet in the water or swim. There are a couple of entrances, so check them out to decide which you prefer. (one has a waterfall, the other has a bathroom and picnic area) Our favorite has waterfalls and cool streams to duck into right near parking.
Take a country drive to a hidden swimming hole out in the Hill Country. If you’re lucky and get there early, you may be the only ones there. There's a hidden entrance next to an apartment building - take a look a the couple of routes you can take and choose your favorite.
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Jacobs Well
Take a country drive to a hidden swimming hole out in the Hill Country. If you’re lucky and get there early, you may be the only ones there. There's a hidden entrance next to an apartment building - take a look a the couple of routes you can take and choose your favorite.
Take a day trip to Gruene, TX, a historic town near the river in New Braunfels, TX. Gruene Hall is an old dance hall with live music on the weekends. There are restaurants and a couple of shops nearby.
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Gruene Hall
1281 Gruene RdTake a day trip to Gruene, TX, a historic town near the river in New Braunfels, TX. Gruene Hall is an old dance hall with live music on the weekends. There are restaurants and a couple of shops nearby.
Texas Tubes
250 Meusebach StCheck out the city skyline from a whole new perspective. Rent by the hour or day, paddle, kayak or canoe on the peaceful river through downtown.
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Texas Rowing Center
1541 W Cesar Chavez StCheck out the city skyline from a whole new perspective. Rent by the hour or day, paddle, kayak or canoe on the peaceful river through downtown.
Local donation based ($10-20) yoga. Most classes are for intermediate yogis. There's also a new studio nearby Black Swan called Yoga Flow.
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Black Swan Yoga
403 Orchard StLocal donation based ($10-20) yoga. Most classes are for intermediate yogis. There's also a new studio nearby Black Swan called Yoga Flow.
Fun for all - even the skeptics. Check Groupon to find a deal on an escape room. There are several around town - challenging fun.
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The Escape Game Austin
405 Red River StFun for all - even the skeptics. Check Groupon to find a deal on an escape room. There are several around town - challenging fun.
Sightseeing
Mount Bonnell
Great views of the city, river and Hill Country
Cool to experience in person - The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, also known as the LBJ Presidential Library, is the presidential library and museum of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States.
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LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StCool to experience in person - The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, also known as the LBJ Presidential Library, is the presidential library and museum of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States.
Groceries
Organic grocery store, great for produce. Doesn't carry traditional brands and is a bit pricey.
Sprouts Farmers Market
6920 Menchaca RoadOrganic grocery store, great for produce. Doesn't carry traditional brands and is a bit pricey.
Upscale, grocery store, organic foods, great bakery, deli, meats etc.
Also a great spot to pick up delicious, quality pre-made cheese trays, pre-made meals, deli etc.
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Central Market
4477 South Lamar BoulevardUpscale, grocery store, organic foods, great bakery, deli, meats etc.
Also a great spot to pick up delicious, quality pre-made cheese trays, pre-made meals, deli etc.
Local Grocery Chain - all the products you need at great prices.
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H-E-B
5800 W Slaughter LnLocal Grocery Chain - all the products you need at great prices.