Austin Guidebook
Food scene
Best BBQ is at Mickelthwait, La Barbecue, or Franklins. They are basically the same quality, but you’ll be waiting 5 hours at Franklins and 45min at La Barbecue. I recommend going to Micklethwait, which is not as well-known and may not have more than a 20min wait.
215 locals recommend
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveBest BBQ is at Mickelthwait, La Barbecue, or Franklins. They are basically the same quality, but you’ll be waiting 5 hours at Franklins and 45min at La Barbecue. I recommend going to Micklethwait, which is not as well-known and may not have more than a 20min wait.
Russell’s Bakery is in the neighborhood and great for coffee and baked goods. You can walk down the street and right over the Hancock bridge to get there (0.5 mile).
20 locals recommend
Russell's Bakery & Coffee Bar
3339 Hancock DrRussell’s Bakery is in the neighborhood and great for coffee and baked goods. You can walk down the street and right over the Hancock bridge to get there (0.5 mile).
High-end Mexican restaurant. Great for special occasions! Happy hour Monday through Thursday 5-7pm in bar area only.
162 locals recommend
Fonda San Miguel Restaurant
2330 W N Loop BlvdHigh-end Mexican restaurant. Great for special occasions! Happy hour Monday through Thursday 5-7pm in bar area only.
The Peached Tortilla
5520 Burnet RdThe whole restaurant is gluten-free, soy-free and peanut-free. Still tastes great though!
105 locals recommend
Picnik
4801 Burnet RdThe whole restaurant is gluten-free, soy-free and peanut-free. Still tastes great though!
Fun place for special occasions or a nice dinner or brunch. Amazing desserts too!
32 locals recommend
Chez Zee American Bistro
5406 Balcones DrFun place for special occasions or a nice dinner or brunch. Amazing desserts too!
Small café right down the street. Love going here for lunch or coffee. They also have a selection of gourmet cheese. French-American comfort food with modern twists in an airy space that also stocks gourmet groceries.
44 locals recommend
épicerie café & grocery
2307 Hancock DrSmall café right down the street. Love going here for lunch or coffee. They also have a selection of gourmet cheese. French-American comfort food with modern twists in an airy space that also stocks gourmet groceries.
I love the Power Bowl at Citizen. Warning... everything in the restaurant is vegan, but it actually tastes good! Citizen Eatery is a bright, health-conscious cafe & full bar serving a 100% meat-free menu including all-day breakfast. Find something delicious!
30 locals recommend
Citizen Eatery - Vegan food, Paleo food, Gluten free food
5011 Burnet RdI love the Power Bowl at Citizen. Warning... everything in the restaurant is vegan, but it actually tastes good! Citizen Eatery is a bright, health-conscious cafe & full bar serving a 100% meat-free menu including all-day breakfast. Find something delicious!
Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdExpensive high-end sushi restaurant. Best sushi I've ever had!
Foodie hot spot serving a fixed-price menu with seasonal American small plates & a deep beer list.
153 locals recommend
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet RdFoodie hot spot serving a fixed-price menu with seasonal American small plates & a deep beer list.
Tacos, tortas & more plus tequila cocktails & beer in a modern, lodgelike space with a bar. If you want to try something different and spicy, the Jalapeno margaritas are really good!
46 locals recommend
Taco Flats
5520 Burnet RdTacos, tortas & more plus tequila cocktails & beer in a modern, lodgelike space with a bar. If you want to try something different and spicy, the Jalapeno margaritas are really good!
Handcrafted Neapolitan pies with artisanal ingredients join beer & wine in a cool space.
70 locals recommend
Bufalina Due
6555 Burnet RdHandcrafted Neapolitan pies with artisanal ingredients join beer & wine in a cool space.
Musashino Sushi Dokoro
2905 San Gabriel StGreat sushi!
Pinthouse Pizza
4729 Burnet RdGreat pizza and craft brewpub
Gourmet grocery store with cafe attached. Large outdoor patio and huge playground for kids to run around. Sometimes they have live music. They also offer cooking and wine classes.
765 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdGourmet grocery store with cafe attached. Large outdoor patio and huge playground for kids to run around. Sometimes they have live music. They also offer cooking and wine classes.
Geraldine's
605 Davis StRestaurant located in 4th floor of Hotel VanZandt
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveSightseeing
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StMount Bonnell
Walk to the top of the stairs for a great view of Austin
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StStarting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake.
The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueStarting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake.
The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdThe gardens are beautiful and so peaceful.
South Congress
Great place to walk around and shop
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
801 Red River StLive Music venue, check website for concerts
ACL Live
310 W Willie Nelson BlvdLive Music venue, check website for concerts
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveBarton Springs Pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBarton Springs Pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs.