Austin like a local
Best coffee in town
Austin has an excellent coffee roasting scene. I'm a bit of a coffee fanatic, and these are some of my favorites. I love to order an espresso over ice on all those hot days in Texas.
My favorite coffee in town, and (surprise!) also my favorite migas tacos! This place is far more than a coffee shop—locals sign up to spin their own vinyl records in the shop daily, the food is on point, and the service is so, so delightful. This one is becoming popular so there might be a line, but I promise it's worth it—and they're incredibly COVID cautious, too.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Try Hard Coffee Roasters
1115 E 11th StMy favorite coffee in town, and (surprise!) also my favorite migas tacos! This place is far more than a coffee shop—locals sign up to spin their own vinyl records in the shop daily, the food is on point, and the service is so, so delightful. This one is becoming popular so there might be a line, but I promise it's worth it—and they're incredibly COVID cautious, too.
Excellent coffee shop, shares a space with Cycleast Bike Shop. Definitely a local favorite
127 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flat Track Coffee
1619 E Cesar Chavez StExcellent coffee shop, shares a space with Cycleast Bike Shop. Definitely a local favorite
Extremely tasty coffee & food (avocado toast, acai bowls, etc!). Their west location on Cuernavaca is home to Butters the Goat!
Civil Goat Coffee
3423 Guadalupe StreetExtremely tasty coffee & food (avocado toast, acai bowls, etc!). Their west location on Cuernavaca is home to Butters the Goat!
Flitch Coffee
641 Tillery StGreat coffee from a little coffee trailer
Great neighborhood coffee shop with vegan & gluten free bites
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dear Diary Coffeehouse
1212 Chicon StGreat neighborhood coffee shop with vegan & gluten free bites
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdCasual (delicious) eats
Austin has an awesome casual, but insanely tasty, food scene. Most have spacious outdoor areas, great for groups or just dropping by for some delicious food.
All spots on this list are friendly for vegan/vegetarian and gluten free eaters.
Best Japanese curry & crispy tofu around. I get the crispy tofu plate with curry, kale salad and rice—don't forget a side of grilled veggies! The okra is to-die-for. And the coffee's great too!
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sa-Tén
916 Springdale RdBest Japanese curry & crispy tofu around. I get the crispy tofu plate with curry, kale salad and rice—don't forget a side of grilled veggies! The okra is to-die-for. And the coffee's great too!
Definitely get the birdie sanders & the super fresco! & don't forget to ask for a beer—they're free!
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Vegan Nom
2324 E Cesar Chavez StDefinitely get the birdie sanders & the super fresco! & don't forget to ask for a beer—they're free!
Nom Burgers
2324 East Cesar Chavez StreetOut-of-this-world delicious.
Milky Way Shakes
2324 East Cesar Chavez StreetUn.Real.Good.
Komé
5301 Airport BlvdMy favorite sushi in town!
JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdNot cheap, but the most delicious smoothies and juices
Tasty upscale Mexican food in a very casual setting—mostly outdoor seating!
78 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nixta Taqueria
2512 E 12th StTasty upscale Mexican food in a very casual setting—mostly outdoor seating!
Great for that Texmex fix you have to get in Austin
180 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mi Madre's Restaurant
2201 Manor RdGreat for that Texmex fix you have to get in Austin
Order Chinese for an easy night in! I love the Drunken Noodles and the Veggie Stir Fry—and you HAVE to get an order (or three) of the sesame balls.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tso Chinese Delivery
3909 N Interstate Hwy 35Order Chinese for an easy night in! I love the Drunken Noodles and the Veggie Stir Fry—and you HAVE to get an order (or three) of the sesame balls.
Rebel Cheese
2200 Aldrich StBest brunch!
Great brunch with plenty of outdoor seating! They are both a coffee house & cocktail bar. Go before 10am on the weekends if you can! The line gets long but it does move quickly
85 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
406 Walsh StGreat brunch with plenty of outdoor seating! They are both a coffee house & cocktail bar. Go before 10am on the weekends if you can! The line gets long but it does move quickly
This salad spot is unreal—my mom's favorite place in all of Austin! Get a glass of wine and a huge salad, and sit out on their massive patio under the live oaks & string lights for a great afternoon or evening.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vinaigrette
2201 College AveThis salad spot is unreal—my mom's favorite place in all of Austin! Get a glass of wine and a huge salad, and sit out on their massive patio under the live oaks & string lights for a great afternoon or evening.
Easily the best pho in Austin. I get B4—tofu, broccoli, carrots with vegetarian broth.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pho Dan
11220 N Lamar BlvdEasily the best pho in Austin. I get B4—tofu, broccoli, carrots with vegetarian broth.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Reservations recommended
The spots on this list are really delicious, but the tables often book up! Reservations are recommended. The atmospheres are on point—but it's Austin, so you can dress up or dress down, however you please.
Emmer & Rye
51 Rainey StGreat little tapas spot right on Rainey
Tasty soups and noodle dishes in a cute little house on 1st street. Excellent cocktails too!
426 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StTasty soups and noodle dishes in a cute little house on 1st street. Excellent cocktails too!
Delicious hotpot and an awesome experience! Fun for a small group or for a date night. I loved everything on the mushroom cart!
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya
7301 Burnet RdDelicious hotpot and an awesome experience! Fun for a small group or for a date night. I loved everything on the mushroom cart!
Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdElementary
Bar Peached
1315 W 6th StOut for drinks
The perfect mix of high end whiskeys and cheap pitchers.
97 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nickel City
1133 E 11th StThe perfect mix of high end whiskeys and cheap pitchers.
Excellent happy hour with a spacious outdoor area! The paloma on-tap is so tasty, and you have to try the curly fries.
100 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kinda Tropical
3501 E 7th StExcellent happy hour with a spacious outdoor area! The paloma on-tap is so tasty, and you have to try the curly fries.
The Wheel
1902 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdCozy upstairs mezcal bar with a great little deck. Get a custom mezcal flight from any of the incredibly knowledgeable bartenders!
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Techo Mezcaleria and Agave Bar
2201 Manor RdCozy upstairs mezcal bar with a great little deck. Get a custom mezcal flight from any of the incredibly knowledgeable bartenders!
drink.well.
207 E 53rd StFavorite spot for an old fashioned or a gimlet
The best cider I've ever had, and it's an Austin local! Stop by their cider co. for some good drinks—they'll roll up the garage doors to open up their big tables and neon signs. There are food trucks outside and plenty of breweries nearby for some fun brew-hopping!
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fairweather Cider Co.
10609 Metric BlvdThe best cider I've ever had, and it's an Austin local! Stop by their cider co. for some good drinks—they'll roll up the garage doors to open up their big tables and neon signs. There are food trucks outside and plenty of breweries nearby for some fun brew-hopping!
Tiki Tatsu-Ya
Sign Bar
Outside hangs
There's some really beautiful nature right in and around Austin! Grab some food and drinks and enjoy the water & the sunshine.
A great little spot by the water to hang a hammock, bring some drinks and enjoy the sunshine.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iphakamisa ye-Red Bud Isle
3401 Redbud TrailA great little spot by the water to hang a hammock, bring some drinks and enjoy the sunshine.
Head out of the city to see the surrounding hill country! Jester King is nationally known in the brewing community. The grounds are beautiful, and fun to run around with little ones, and they pizza shop on the property is so, so good.
298 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jester King
13187 Fitzhugh RdHead out of the city to see the surrounding hill country! Jester King is nationally known in the brewing community. The grounds are beautiful, and fun to run around with little ones, and they pizza shop on the property is so, so good.
Get out on a paddleboard or kayak for some of the best views of the skyline!
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
EpicSUP
2200 S Lakeshore BlvdGet out on a paddleboard or kayak for some of the best views of the skyline!
Fun spot along the water with great hike/bike trails
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park
614 N Commons Ford RdFun spot along the water with great hike/bike trails
Hippie Hollow Park
7000 Comanche TrailReimers Ranch Swimming Hole
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
14400 E State Hwy 29Iparke yaseMcKinney Falls
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyInks Lake State Park
3630 Park Rd 4 WInside activities
Fun spot to do some bouldering, also a fully equipped gym and lounge/remote work area. You can rent climbing shoes and chalk bags—no need to come with gear!
160 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Austin Bouldering Project
979 Springdale RdFun spot to do some bouldering, also a fully equipped gym and lounge/remote work area. You can rent climbing shoes and chalk bags—no need to come with gear!
This is a true neighborhood gem—pop in (bring a mask!), and make any craft you can imagine! They have all the tools and supplies you need, and the staff is incredibly helpful and kind. Just leave a donation on your way out!
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
CRAFT
916 Springdale RoadThis is a true neighborhood gem—pop in (bring a mask!), and make any craft you can imagine! They have all the tools and supplies you need, and the staff is incredibly helpful and kind. Just leave a donation on your way out!
Must-do in Austin, especially to beat the summer (ok, year-round) heat. Definitely order the buffalo cauliflower!
220 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Mueller
1911 Aldrich StMust-do in Austin, especially to beat the summer (ok, year-round) heat. Definitely order the buffalo cauliflower!
Vintage shopping
Great little selection of vintage clothes, purses and shoes. Right between Try Hard (for a great cup of coffee), and several other clothing and goods boutiques
39 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Charm School Vintage
1111 E 11th StGreat little selection of vintage clothes, purses and shoes. Right between Try Hard (for a great cup of coffee), and several other clothing and goods boutiques
Some of the best vintage furniture finds! Check out their Instagram to see what's in stock—pieces move fast!
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Room Service Vintage
117 N Loop Blvd ESome of the best vintage furniture finds! Check out their Instagram to see what's in stock—pieces move fast!
Really nice, modern & midcentury pieces. My dining table came from here!
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Uptown Modern
5111 Burnet RdReally nice, modern & midcentury pieces. My dining table came from here!
The Austin Antique Mall
8822 McCann DrMassive selection of booths with some really great finds
This is another great spot for furniture—be sure to check out their Instagram for the latest pieces!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Revival Vintage
5201 N Lamar BlvdThis is another great spot for furniture—be sure to check out their Instagram for the latest pieces!
New vintage shop in town! This cutie shop has a good mix of vintage clothing, housewares and accessories. Check it out!
Okasan
6001 Burnet RoadNew vintage shop in town! This cutie shop has a good mix of vintage clothing, housewares and accessories. Check it out!
Cutest boutique plant shop, with all the good smells—they carry candles and incense as well. Great place to grab a gift to bring home!
Flourish Shop
215 West North Loop BoulevardCutest boutique plant shop, with all the good smells—they carry candles and incense as well. Great place to grab a gift to bring home!
Fun antique shop with a handful of well-curated, unique booths
194 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View RdFun antique shop with a handful of well-curated, unique booths
Does vinyl count as vintage? Squeezing this one into the Guide because it’s SO worth your time!
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
End Of An Ear
4304 Clawson RdDoes vinyl count as vintage? Squeezing this one into the Guide because it’s SO worth your time!
Lady Collective