My favorite restaurants
Beautiful outside seating area for food and drinks with delicious Mediterranean food. On South Congress. Reservations recommended but must be secured well in advance. They do take walk-ins but recommend that you go early for dinner. This place is within walking distance.
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aba
1011 S Congress AveBeautiful outside seating area for food and drinks with delicious Mediterranean food. On South Congress. Reservations recommended but must be secured well in advance. They do take walk-ins but recommend that you go early for dinner. This place is within walking distance.
Austin isn't exactly known for its seafood, but the fresh fish and oysters at this SoCo restaurant won't disappoint, especially if the weather is nice enough to sit on the patio under the tree tops. This restaurant is within walking distance.
398 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Perla's
1400 S Congress AveAustin isn't exactly known for its seafood, but the fresh fish and oysters at this SoCo restaurant won't disappoint, especially if the weather is nice enough to sit on the patio under the tree tops. This restaurant is within walking distance.
My go-to lunch spot and favorite takeout place, Vinaigrette offers a whole menu of delicious salads with beautiful indoor and outdoor seating areas though inside can get pretty loud.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vinaigrette
2201 College AveMy go-to lunch spot and favorite takeout place, Vinaigrette offers a whole menu of delicious salads with beautiful indoor and outdoor seating areas though inside can get pretty loud.
Delicious New York-style pizza on South Congress. Grab a slice to go or order a pie and sit for awhile. This restaurant is within walking distance.
791 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress AveDelicious New York-style pizza on South Congress. Grab a slice to go or order a pie and sit for awhile. This restaurant is within walking distance.
Charming Vietnamese restaurant and bakery within walking distance on South First. This restaurant is within walking distance.
425 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StCharming Vietnamese restaurant and bakery within walking distance on South First. This restaurant is within walking distance.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Austin, El Alma serves a healthier Baja-style fare across Barton Springs Rd. from Butler Park. I recommend the shrimp tacos and the margaritas. Sit on the rooftop patio if the weather is nice.
El Alma is about 1.5 miles away and you can walk almost all the way there on the hike and bike trail. Leave the trail before you pass under the railroad trestle after Auditorium Shores but before you reach the pedestrian bridge and South Lamar. Cross Riverside and walk through Butler Park until you come to Barton Springs Road. El Alma is directly across the street at the light when you come out of Butler Park.
170 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs RdMy favorite Mexican restaurant in Austin, El Alma serves a healthier Baja-style fare across Barton Springs Rd. from Butler Park. I recommend the shrimp tacos and the margaritas. Sit on the rooftop patio if the weather is nice.
El Alma is about 1.5 miles away and you can walk almost all the way there on the hike and bike trail. Leave the trail before you pass under the railroad trestle after Auditorium Shores but before you reach the pedestrian bridge and South Lamar. Cross Riverside and walk through Butler Park until you come to Barton Springs Road. El Alma is directly across the street at the light when you come out of Butler Park.
Local coffee shop on S. Congress. Great place to sit, have coffee and people watch. Frito pie is delicious. Jo's is within walking distance.
495 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jo's Coffee
1300 S Congress AveLocal coffee shop on S. Congress. Great place to sit, have coffee and people watch. Frito pie is delicious. Jo's is within walking distance.
Amy’s ice cream on South Congress is delicious and cheaper but if you want something unusual this gelato place on South First is amazing with flavors like goat cheese and fig, plus you can actually sit down inside.
119 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dolce Neve Gelato
1713 S 1st StAmy’s ice cream on South Congress is delicious and cheaper but if you want something unusual this gelato place on South First is amazing with flavors like goat cheese and fig, plus you can actually sit down inside.
Good food and ambiance with a beautiful tavern in the back.
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eberly
615 S Lamar BlvdGood food and ambiance with a beautiful tavern in the back.
Healthy and tasty breakfast within walking distance of the apartment on SoCo. Also highly recommend their cheeseburger and fries.
120 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Café No Sé
1603 S Congress AveHealthy and tasty breakfast within walking distance of the apartment on SoCo. Also highly recommend their cheeseburger and fries.
My favorite bars
One of the oldest and most famous live music venues in Austin located just up the street on South Congress.
815 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveOne of the oldest and most famous live music venues in Austin located just up the street on South Congress.
Another great place within walking distance to see live music.
242 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveAnother great place within walking distance to see live music.
The back patio at the Hotel San Jose is a beautiful and relaxing place to grab a drink. Wine and beer only.
209 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hotel San Jose Lounge
1316 S Congress AveThe back patio at the Hotel San Jose is a beautiful and relaxing place to grab a drink. Wine and beer only.
A short drive away on South Lamar, this Texas dance hall is an Austin institution and definitely worth a visit for a drink, live music and Texas two stepping.
478 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdA short drive away on South Lamar, this Texas dance hall is an Austin institution and definitely worth a visit for a drink, live music and Texas two stepping.
Laid back bar enjoyed by people of all ages. Well, over 21 at least. They tend to card everyone regardless of age so bring your ID. It's worth it.
133 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Donn's Depot
1600 W 5th StLaid back bar enjoyed by people of all ages. Well, over 21 at least. They tend to card everyone regardless of age so bring your ID. It's worth it.
Great small venue to see/hear live music. For people who actually want to listen to the show.
284 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar BlvdGreat small venue to see/hear live music. For people who actually want to listen to the show.
Things to do on a rainy day
Local movie chain offers good food, drinks and unique pre-movie viewing.
770 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdLocal movie chain offers good food, drinks and unique pre-movie viewing.
Violet Crown is the closest movie theater to the apartment. Art house films mostly. Food and drink are available with counter service. There is a parking garage.
346 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Violet Crown Social Club
1111 E 6th StViolet Crown is the closest movie theater to the apartment. Art house films mostly. Food and drink are available with counter service. There is a parking garage.
Opened in 2018, Austin's Central Library was named one of the top 100 places to visit by Time that year. The architecture is beautiful as is the view from the rooftop deck. Conveniently located next to Seaholm and the Second Street retail district.
148 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StOpened in 2018, Austin's Central Library was named one of the top 100 places to visit by Time that year. The architecture is beautiful as is the view from the rooftop deck. Conveniently located next to Seaholm and the Second Street retail district.
The LBJ Presidential Library was recently renovated and is well worth a visit.
240 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River StThe LBJ Presidential Library was recently renovated and is well worth a visit.
I-Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardBeautiful art museum on the UT Campus.
Things to see
Great stores, bars and restaurants line the street. Spend the afternoon, evening or both. Maya and Parts and Labor are my favorite local stores.
649 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
South Congress
Great stores, bars and restaurants line the street. Spend the afternoon, evening or both. Maya and Parts and Labor are my favorite local stores.
Home to the largest urban bat colony in the U.S. Crowds gather at dusk to watch thousands and thousands fly off into the sunset.
286 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ibridge ye-Congress Avenue
Congress AvenueHome to the largest urban bat colony in the U.S. Crowds gather at dusk to watch thousands and thousands fly off into the sunset.
Nature
Take a dip in this beautiful spring-fed pool. The cold water feels great in the summer heat.
2454 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrTake a dip in this beautiful spring-fed pool. The cold water feels great in the summer heat.
Beautiful way to see the Hill Country. This park is about 30 minutes west of Austin and requires reservations. Take a short hike to the Pedernales River or take a dip in Hamilton Pool under the waterfall.
587 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdBeautiful way to see the Hill Country. This park is about 30 minutes west of Austin and requires reservations. Take a short hike to the Pedernales River or take a dip in Hamilton Pool under the waterfall.
Walk or bike this 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake that's just a very short walk from the apartment.
257 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ann And Roy Butler Hike And Bike Trail
Walk or bike this 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake that's just a very short walk from the apartment.
The greenbelt offers miles of trails. The creek is beautiful when it's not dry and people swim in the clear water and water falls.
531 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barton Creek Greenbelt
3755 South Capital of Texas HighwayThe greenbelt offers miles of trails. The creek is beautiful when it's not dry and people swim in the clear water and water falls.
Another great place to hike. It's not a long drive but you will need a car.
376 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iparke yaseMcKinney Falls
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyAnother great place to hike. It's not a long drive but you will need a car.