Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
These are all places where WE dine. We eat out a lot, and love our neighborhood restaurants!
Often rated the #1 sushi restaurant in the country. Usually a wait to get seated. A splurge, but worth it if you can afford it. Can easily hit $100+/person before alcohol. WORTH IT. $$$
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Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdOften rated the #1 sushi restaurant in the country. Usually a wait to get seated. A splurge, but worth it if you can afford it. Can easily hit $100+/person before alcohol. WORTH IT. $$$
A FAVORITE: Excellent traditional Mexico City style cooking. (Owner and chef are from Mexico City.) NOT Tex-Mex or Cali-Mex. Fantastic, extensive, mind-blowing, Mexico City buffet brunch on Sunday mornings ($22). Tell Yves and Marisela that Dede sent you. There's a 50% chance you'll run into us there because it is SO GOOD. A 10 minute walk from the apartment. GO FOR THIS BRUNCH! $-$$
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El Mesón Tequileria
2038 S Lamar BlvdA FAVORITE: Excellent traditional Mexico City style cooking. (Owner and chef are from Mexico City.) NOT Tex-Mex or Cali-Mex. Fantastic, extensive, mind-blowing, Mexico City buffet brunch on Sunday mornings ($22). Tell Yves and Marisela that Dede sent you. There's a 50% chance you'll run into us there because it is SO GOOD. A 10 minute walk from the apartment. GO FOR THIS BRUNCH! $-$$
Without a doubt, the best coffee and espresso drinks on South Lamar. Muffins, croissants, cookies and an excellent food trailer out back. (Order and pay at the front counter.) Indoor and outdoor seating. Wifi, of course. Less than a 10-minute walk from the apartment.
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Patika
2159 S Lamar BlvdWithout a doubt, the best coffee and espresso drinks on South Lamar. Muffins, croissants, cookies and an excellent food trailer out back. (Order and pay at the front counter.) Indoor and outdoor seating. Wifi, of course. Less than a 10-minute walk from the apartment.
Traditional Tex-Mex. Large and popular. El Rancho has been an Austin tradition for 50 years. We eat there a couple of times a year just for tradition's sake. Excellent Margaritas and Mexican Martinis. Indoor/outdoor dining. A madhouse on weekend evenings. Closed Tuesdays. Less than a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
$-$$
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Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdTraditional Tex-Mex. Large and popular. El Rancho has been an Austin tradition for 50 years. We eat there a couple of times a year just for tradition's sake. Excellent Margaritas and Mexican Martinis. Indoor/outdoor dining. A madhouse on weekend evenings. Closed Tuesdays. Less than a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
$-$$
A FAVORITE: Our personal favorite coffee shop. As good as Patika, but not within walking distance. Indoor and outdoor seating. Wifi. Best of all, the Primo Taco Trailer is right out front! Double yum!
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Once Over Coffee Bar
2009 S 1st StA FAVORITE: Our personal favorite coffee shop. As good as Patika, but not within walking distance. Indoor and outdoor seating. Wifi. Best of all, the Primo Taco Trailer is right out front! Double yum!
Most creative tacos in town. Owners are from Mexico City, but the tacos are more Mexican-inspired than Mexican-style. Healthy. There's another location on Spyglass Drive and another up north on Burnet Road. All locations close at 3pm. Open 7 days a week. $
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Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdMost creative tacos in town. Owners are from Mexico City, but the tacos are more Mexican-inspired than Mexican-style. Healthy. There's another location on Spyglass Drive and another up north on Burnet Road. All locations close at 3pm. Open 7 days a week. $
OUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: The BEST authentic street-food tacos in the universe. Cooked to order on a flattop grill by two guys from Michoacan. Steve's fave is the chorizo and egg with onions, cilantro, cheese, add avocado. On corn tortillas; don't embarrass yourself by asking for flour tortillas. Order "for here" (not "to go") and take your basket inside Once Over Coffee or out on their patio to dine. They're totally cool with that; you can even wait until after you've eaten to order your espresso. Closed Sunday. $
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El Primo
2101 S 1st StOUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: The BEST authentic street-food tacos in the universe. Cooked to order on a flattop grill by two guys from Michoacan. Steve's fave is the chorizo and egg with onions, cilantro, cheese, add avocado. On corn tortillas; don't embarrass yourself by asking for flour tortillas. Order "for here" (not "to go") and take your basket inside Once Over Coffee or out on their patio to dine. They're totally cool with that; you can even wait until after you've eaten to order your espresso. Closed Sunday. $
Excellent coffee and espresso drinks. Wifi. Convenient to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Lick Ice Cream.
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Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StExcellent coffee and espresso drinks. Wifi. Convenient to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Lick Ice Cream.
Nationally recognized, award-winning ramen. Line looks long, but it moves fast and fades fast. Usually has vegetarian options, but check first. Steve's standby at lunch is the Old-Skool with an add-on of fish cakes and a chili bomb. Pro tip: One chili bomb add-on is sufficient for two or three people to share. 20 minute walk from the apartment. Slurrrrp! $
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Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdNationally recognized, award-winning ramen. Line looks long, but it moves fast and fades fast. Usually has vegetarian options, but check first. Steve's standby at lunch is the Old-Skool with an add-on of fish cakes and a chili bomb. Pro tip: One chili bomb add-on is sufficient for two or three people to share. 20 minute walk from the apartment. Slurrrrp! $
Vegetarian. Insanely crowded on weekend mornings/lunch, with a long wait. (To be honest, not worth the wait on weekends.)
$-$$
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Bouldin Creek Cafe
1900 S 1st StVegetarian. Insanely crowded on weekend mornings/lunch, with a long wait. (To be honest, not worth the wait on weekends.)
$-$$
French/Vietnamese. Tasty and fun. Vegetarian and gluten-free options. Good croissants and other pastries. To be honest, their pho and bun are a bit boring, so go for the bahn mi and their crepe and noodle dishes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Indoor/outdoor seating.
$$
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Elizabeth Street Cafe
1501 S 1st StFrench/Vietnamese. Tasty and fun. Vegetarian and gluten-free options. Good croissants and other pastries. To be honest, their pho and bun are a bit boring, so go for the bahn mi and their crepe and noodle dishes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Indoor/outdoor seating.
$$
Creative American-style food, with lots of small/medium plates. Another big award winner. Lunch and dinner. Packed every day it's open. Expect a wait unless you go right when they open.
$$-$$$
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Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdCreative American-style food, with lots of small/medium plates. Another big award winner. Lunch and dinner. Packed every day it's open. Expect a wait unless you go right when they open.
$$-$$$
A favorite easy-evening haunt of ours. Good wine list and good menu of small plates and tapas. Some half-price bottles on Sunday and Monday. Indoor/outdoor seating.
$$
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Winebelly
519 W Oltorf StA favorite easy-evening haunt of ours. Good wine list and good menu of small plates and tapas. Some half-price bottles on Sunday and Monday. Indoor/outdoor seating.
$$
Brewpub and pizzas. Large selection of their house-brewed beers (better beer than ABGB in our opinion) and a larger selection of other micro-brews. Good pizza. Indoor/outdoor seating.
$-$$
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Pinthouse Pizza
4236 S Lamar BlvdBrewpub and pizzas. Large selection of their house-brewed beers (better beer than ABGB in our opinion) and a larger selection of other micro-brews. Good pizza. Indoor/outdoor seating.
$-$$
A FAVORITE:
Truly authentic Italian. Extensive menu with changing list of daily specials. Great bar, great wine list. Excellent service. Casual high-class dining, 7 nights a week. One of our favorites in town.
$$-$$$
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Vespaio
1610 S Congress AveA FAVORITE:
Truly authentic Italian. Extensive menu with changing list of daily specials. Great bar, great wine list. Excellent service. Casual high-class dining, 7 nights a week. One of our favorites in town.
$$-$$$
A FAVORITE: Nouvelle "Southern" cuisine, but probably not what you might think of as "Southern". Another nationally award-winning restaurant, and darn well worth it. Consistently rated in the top 3 restaurants in Austin. Treat yourself here and you won't be disappointed. One of our personal favorite places in town.
$$$
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Olamaie
1610 San Antonio StA FAVORITE: Nouvelle "Southern" cuisine, but probably not what you might think of as "Southern". Another nationally award-winning restaurant, and darn well worth it. Consistently rated in the top 3 restaurants in Austin. Treat yourself here and you won't be disappointed. One of our personal favorite places in town.
$$$
Offshoot of a couple of popular Bay Area joints. Spanish tapas, wine, mixed drinks. Plenty of garage parking. 15 minute walk from the apartment.
$$
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Barlata
1500 S Lamar BlvdOffshoot of a couple of popular Bay Area joints. Spanish tapas, wine, mixed drinks. Plenty of garage parking. 15 minute walk from the apartment.
$$
A fun take on Tex-Mex and NewMex-Mex. Shrines to Elvis and excellent adult beverages. Crowded at the times you'd expect a place to be crowded. Slightly less crowded otherwise. Order a Margarita and wait for your table...
$$
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Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdA fun take on Tex-Mex and NewMex-Mex. Shrines to Elvis and excellent adult beverages. Crowded at the times you'd expect a place to be crowded. Slightly less crowded otherwise. Order a Margarita and wait for your table...
$$
Made-to-order juices, smoothies, cleanses. All organic, all fresh. Dede hits it up a couple of times a week. Local, with several other locations in town.
$
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JuiceLand
1625 Barton Springs RdMade-to-order juices, smoothies, cleanses. All organic, all fresh. Dede hits it up a couple of times a week. Local, with several other locations in town.
$
Made-to-order juices and smoothies, plus house-made soups. Originally, the owner delivered soups by bike (thus the name); now they have several fixed locations around town.
$
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Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar
501 W Mary StMade-to-order juices and smoothies, plus house-made soups. Originally, the owner delivered soups by bike (thus the name); now they have several fixed locations around town.
$
Oysters, yes. Also lots of other super-fresh seafood and, surprisingly, one of the city's best burgers. A small place, so it stays packed, with a wait list. Indoor/outdoor dining. Wine.
$$
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Clark's Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th StOysters, yes. Also lots of other super-fresh seafood and, surprisingly, one of the city's best burgers. A small place, so it stays packed, with a wait list. Indoor/outdoor dining. Wine.
$$
A FAVORITE: You might've heard of Franklin's Barbecue. La Barbecue, also on the East Side, is 97% as good, but with a 45-minute line instead of a 3-hour line. Their brisket, pork ribs, and beef rib will give you religion! From their website: "Like the badass bosses they are, LeAnn and her wife Ali run La Barbecue in East Austin." Go early (11:00); they do run out of barbecue and close the line when they run out, anywhere from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
$$
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La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StA FAVORITE: You might've heard of Franklin's Barbecue. La Barbecue, also on the East Side, is 97% as good, but with a 45-minute line instead of a 3-hour line. Their brisket, pork ribs, and beef rib will give you religion! From their website: "Like the badass bosses they are, LeAnn and her wife Ali run La Barbecue in East Austin." Go early (11:00); they do run out of barbecue and close the line when they run out, anywhere from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
$$
Macrobiotic and vegan cafe. Not a typical cafe, but associated with a yoga/meditation retreat. Low-key. One (varied) set meal daily, lunch or dinner. We go when we've overdone all the fancy dining and drinking. ($12)
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Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey RdMacrobiotic and vegan cafe. Not a typical cafe, but associated with a yoga/meditation retreat. Low-key. One (varied) set meal daily, lunch or dinner. We go when we've overdone all the fancy dining and drinking. ($12)
A FAVORITE: Another good Tex-Mex cafe, but with more genuine Mexican influence than most. Recipes came from the owners' grandmother in Mexico. Order a skinny Margarita, followed by the Enchiladas Chiapas or Huevos Albanil. May seem a little on the dumpy side, but that means it's real, not corporate. Indoor/Outdoor dining. $-$$
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Curra's Grill
614 E Oltorf StA FAVORITE: Another good Tex-Mex cafe, but with more genuine Mexican influence than most. Recipes came from the owners' grandmother in Mexico. Order a skinny Margarita, followed by the Enchiladas Chiapas or Huevos Albanil. May seem a little on the dumpy side, but that means it's real, not corporate. Indoor/Outdoor dining. $-$$
Take-out pizza. Nothing mind-blowing, but it's close by and it does the trick when you just want to bring some pizza back to the apartment. They deliver. $
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Austin's Pizza South Lamar
1817 S Lamar BlvdTake-out pizza. Nothing mind-blowing, but it's close by and it does the trick when you just want to bring some pizza back to the apartment. They deliver. $
Locally made ice cream from a beloved set of local shops. Ever-changing list of flavors. Amy's has been around for over 30 years. This location shares space with Phil's Icehouse, with great burgers. $
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Amys Ice Creams
1301 S Congress AveLocally made ice cream from a beloved set of local shops. Ever-changing list of flavors. Amy's has been around for over 30 years. This location shares space with Phil's Icehouse, with great burgers. $
Great burgers and fries (both regular and sweet potato). Beer, sodas, and shakes. Shares this location with local favorite Amy's Ice Creams. $
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Phil's Icehouse
2901 S Lamar BlvdGreat burgers and fries (both regular and sweet potato). Beer, sodas, and shakes. Shares this location with local favorite Amy's Ice Creams. $
Local sandwich chain. Large selection of typical subs, made to order. The bread, which they make themselves and are quite proud of, could be a LOT better. But when you need a $5 sub, they're there. $
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ThunderCloud Subs
2308 Lake Austin BlvdLocal sandwich chain. Large selection of typical subs, made to order. The bread, which they make themselves and are quite proud of, could be a LOT better. But when you need a $5 sub, they're there. $
Good (not great, but good) pizza only 3-4 blocks from the house. Pick-up or delivery. $
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360 Pizza
2107 Kinney AveGood (not great, but good) pizza only 3-4 blocks from the house. Pick-up or delivery. $
A FAVORITE: Excellent authentic Italian, not American Italian. Seasonal menu. Decent wine list. We like it a lot. Indoor/outdoor seating. $$
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ASTI Trattoria
408 E 43rd StA FAVORITE: Excellent authentic Italian, not American Italian. Seasonal menu. Decent wine list. We like it a lot. Indoor/outdoor seating. $$
Really good ice cream, made right on the premises. In the same complex as Alamo Drafthouse (movies), Medici (coffee) and Vox (nice high-end restaurant). Plenty of parking, but they're only a 20 minute walk from the apartment. $
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Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdReally good ice cream, made right on the premises. In the same complex as Alamo Drafthouse (movies), Medici (coffee) and Vox (nice high-end restaurant). Plenty of parking, but they're only a 20 minute walk from the apartment. $
A FAVORITE: Best banh mi in town. Sold from a large food trailer with plenty of outdoor tables. They also serve some noodle dishes and curries, but the banh mi is the best! 11-9 most days, 11-5 Saturday, closed Sunday. It's way over on the east side, but worth it. $
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Saigon Le Vendeur
2601 E 7th StA FAVORITE: Best banh mi in town. Sold from a large food trailer with plenty of outdoor tables. They also serve some noodle dishes and curries, but the banh mi is the best! 11-9 most days, 11-5 Saturday, closed Sunday. It's way over on the east side, but worth it. $
A very new, very "hot" place. Co-owned by two of Austin's nationally-known, James Beard award-winning chefs, Tyler Cole (of Uchi and Uchiko) and Aaron Franklin (of Franklin's Barbecue). Billed as an "Asian Smokehouse and Bar", that pretty much sums it up. Go early (6pm) to beat the crowds, but worth it even if you have to wait. Open 7 days a week. Only a 10-minute walk from the apartment. $$
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Loro
2115 S Lamar BlvdA very new, very "hot" place. Co-owned by two of Austin's nationally-known, James Beard award-winning chefs, Tyler Cole (of Uchi and Uchiko) and Aaron Franklin (of Franklin's Barbecue). Billed as an "Asian Smokehouse and Bar", that pretty much sums it up. Go early (6pm) to beat the crowds, but worth it even if you have to wait. Open 7 days a week. Only a 10-minute walk from the apartment. $$
Popular brunch-only spot. A 5-minute drive or 15-minute neighborhood walk from the apartment. Weekends are insane, weekdays less so.
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Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdPopular brunch-only spot. A 5-minute drive or 15-minute neighborhood walk from the apartment. Weekends are insane, weekdays less so.
Good, creative menu and a good (if quirky) wine list. We're partial to their week-day happy hour, when oysters are cheap and select wines are, too. A 7-8 minute walk from the apartment.
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Aviary Decor
2110 S Lamar BlvdGood, creative menu and a good (if quirky) wine list. We're partial to their week-day happy hour, when oysters are cheap and select wines are, too. A 7-8 minute walk from the apartment.
Originally an award-winning restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico (we dined there years ago), this is the Austin branch. The chef-owner now lives in Austin. Her recipes are unique and the execution is wonderful. Excellent drinks menu, as well. 15-minute walk or 3-minute drive from the apartment. $$
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El Naranjo
2717 South Lamar BoulevardOriginally an award-winning restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico (we dined there years ago), this is the Austin branch. The chef-owner now lives in Austin. Her recipes are unique and the execution is wonderful. Excellent drinks menu, as well. 15-minute walk or 3-minute drive from the apartment. $$
High-end "American" dining and a very cool, large bar. 5 minute drive (or 25 minute walk) from the apartment. $$-$$$
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Eberly
615 S Lamar BlvdHigh-end "American" dining and a very cool, large bar. 5 minute drive (or 25 minute walk) from the apartment. $$-$$$
Essentials
Great local grocery co-op, totally open to non-members. Fresh organic produce, meats, fish, cheese, wine, beer, supplements. If the checker asks if you're an "owner" (=member), tell them yes and reel off Steve's phone number to get the member discount.
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Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StGreat local grocery co-op, totally open to non-members. Fresh organic produce, meats, fish, cheese, wine, beer, supplements. If the checker asks if you're an "owner" (=member), tell them yes and reel off Steve's phone number to get the member discount.
Great high-end grocery store. Tons of produce including lots of high-quality organic. Great meat and fish markets. Much better than average wine and beer selection. Mostly real "groceries"; not much associated stuff. For that, go to HEB.
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdGreat high-end grocery store. Tons of produce including lots of high-quality organic. Great meat and fish markets. Much better than average wine and beer selection. Mostly real "groceries"; not much associated stuff. For that, go to HEB.
It's, uhhh... Whole Foods. This is the flagship store and office headquarters of the entire company, love it or hate it. Never seen a grocery store with 2,000 people in it, half of them dining and drinking? Check it out.
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Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdIt's, uhhh... Whole Foods. This is the flagship store and office headquarters of the entire company, love it or hate it. Never seen a grocery store with 2,000 people in it, half of them dining and drinking? Check it out.
NOT 24 HOURS! Minor emergency care from 9am-9pm.
On the east side of S. Lamar just south of Barton Springs Rd. Next door to Bicycle Sport Shop.
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CareNow Urgent Care - Barton Springs
517 S Lamar BlvdNOT 24 HOURS! Minor emergency care from 9am-9pm.
On the east side of S. Lamar just south of Barton Springs Rd. Next door to Bicycle Sport Shop.
Good standard grocery store. Long-time Texas chain. HEB is the parent company of the more upscale Central Market concept, described elsewhere here.
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H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdGood standard grocery store. Long-time Texas chain. HEB is the parent company of the more upscale Central Market concept, described elsewhere here.
Shopping
Best and biggest bike shop in Austin. Locally owned for 30 years. Bicycle rentals, both on- and off-road. Large repair department. All possible cycling clothing and accessories. A 20 minute walk from the apartment. (If you pull the location up in a search engine, be sure to go to the South Lamar location. The closer West Oltorf location is their office, not the shop.)
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Trek Bicycle Lamar
517 S Lamar BlvdBest and biggest bike shop in Austin. Locally owned for 30 years. Bicycle rentals, both on- and off-road. Large repair department. All possible cycling clothing and accessories. A 20 minute walk from the apartment. (If you pull the location up in a search engine, be sure to go to the South Lamar location. The closer West Oltorf location is their office, not the shop.)
A FAVORITE: Without a doubt, the best wine shop in town. Wear a sweater, 'cause they keep it chilly. Ask for John (owner), and tell him Steve and Betsy sent you. He'll look at you like you're crazy, but eventually he'll show you some great wines.
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The Austin Wine Merchant
512 W 6th StA FAVORITE: Without a doubt, the best wine shop in town. Wear a sweater, 'cause they keep it chilly. Ask for John (owner), and tell him Steve and Betsy sent you. He'll look at you like you're crazy, but eventually he'll show you some great wines.
A FAVORITE: One of the best independent record stores in the country. Iconic. We've been buying music there since we had pacifiers in our mouths. CDs, new and used. Extensive vinyl selection. Live artist showcases most Friday afternoons. Across the street from BookPeople and Whole Foods.
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Waterloo Records
600 N Lamar BlvdA FAVORITE: One of the best independent record stores in the country. Iconic. We've been buying music there since we had pacifiers in our mouths. CDs, new and used. Extensive vinyl selection. Live artist showcases most Friday afternoons. Across the street from BookPeople and Whole Foods.
Drugstore, open 24 hours. Corner of Bluebonnet and South Lamar. Less than a 10 minute walk (or 5 minute drive) from the apartment.
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Walgreens
2501 S Lamar BlvdDrugstore, open 24 hours. Corner of Bluebonnet and South Lamar. Less than a 10 minute walk (or 5 minute drive) from the apartment.
All your booze and cigar needs. A weak and limited wine selection, but they've got you covered in the hard stuff department. Three blocks away at the corner of Bluebonnet and South Lamar. Note that Texas law closes liquor stores at 9pm and all day Sunday. (Don't panic! You can still get wine/beer at groceries and convenience stores until midnight most days, and noon to midnight Sundays.)
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South Lamar Wine & Spirits
2418 S Lamar BlvdAll your booze and cigar needs. A weak and limited wine selection, but they've got you covered in the hard stuff department. Three blocks away at the corner of Bluebonnet and South Lamar. Note that Texas law closes liquor stores at 9pm and all day Sunday. (Don't panic! You can still get wine/beer at groceries and convenience stores until midnight most days, and noon to midnight Sundays.)
Large, rambling, eclectic, used book store. Almost all used books, with prices ranging from half-price down to a dollar. Small selection of audio books. Locally-founded chain, with a dozen outlets in town.
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Half Price Books
2929 S Lamar BlvdLarge, rambling, eclectic, used book store. Almost all used books, with prices ranging from half-price down to a dollar. Small selection of audio books. Locally-founded chain, with a dozen outlets in town.
A FAVORITE: One of the largest and best independent book stores in the country. Far more than just the latest bestsellers. Knowledgable staff. Coffee shop inside on the first floor. Next door to REI, across the street from Waterloo Records and Whole Foods. Make a morning of it!
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BookPeople
603 N Lamar BlvdA FAVORITE: One of the largest and best independent book stores in the country. Far more than just the latest bestsellers. Knowledgable staff. Coffee shop inside on the first floor. Next door to REI, across the street from Waterloo Records and Whole Foods. Make a morning of it!
Parks & Nature
Totally terrific spring-fed pool. Truly the jewel of the city. Huge! Open 5am-10pm year-round, free until 8am and after 8pm. (Closed March 1-11, and every Thursday for cleaning.) Water temp is 68-70 degrees year-round. A 20 minute walk from the apartment. (Mostly downhill going, but uphill returning.) $3 if you're an Austin resident, $8 otherwise. (They never ask, but if they do, tell 'em you just moved to town.) Please take a beach towel, not one of our bath towels. Thanks!
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrTotally terrific spring-fed pool. Truly the jewel of the city. Huge! Open 5am-10pm year-round, free until 8am and after 8pm. (Closed March 1-11, and every Thursday for cleaning.) Water temp is 68-70 degrees year-round. A 20 minute walk from the apartment. (Mostly downhill going, but uphill returning.) $3 if you're an Austin resident, $8 otherwise. (They never ask, but if they do, tell 'em you just moved to town.) Please take a beach towel, not one of our bath towels. Thanks!
National wildflower and native plant research and education facility. Exhibits and walks vary depending on the season. We like it. Relaxing, educational, not flashy.
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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveNational wildflower and native plant research and education facility. Exhibits and walks vary depending on the season. We like it. Relaxing, educational, not flashy.
Unchlorinated, spring-fed pool on the north side of the river. 68-70 degree water year-round. Two sides to the pool --- one for casual swimming, the other for lap swimmers only. $3 if you're an Austin resident, $8 otherwise. (They never ask, but if they do, tell 'em you just moved to town.) Please take a beach towel, not one of our bath towels. Thanks!
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Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveUnchlorinated, spring-fed pool on the north side of the river. 68-70 degree water year-round. Two sides to the pool --- one for casual swimming, the other for lap swimmers only. $3 if you're an Austin resident, $8 otherwise. (They never ask, but if they do, tell 'em you just moved to town.) Please take a beach towel, not one of our bath towels. Thanks!
Drinks & Nightlife
Long-time local music joint, hosting multiple artists nightly. Early shows are free/cheap, cover for later acts might hit $10. Local and national acts in an intimate setting. Beer and mixed drinks. Parking is limited, but the Saxon is just a 15 minute walk from the apartment.
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Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar BlvdLong-time local music joint, hosting multiple artists nightly. Early shows are free/cheap, cover for later acts might hit $10. Local and national acts in an intimate setting. Beer and mixed drinks. Parking is limited, but the Saxon is just a 15 minute walk from the apartment.
A FAVORITE: Large and hopping brewpub with excellent artisan pizzas and sandwiches. Free live music several times a week. Indoor/outdoor drinking. Bonus: Trains go blasting by only feet away a couple times an hour. 15 minute walk from the apartment.
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The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf StA FAVORITE: Large and hopping brewpub with excellent artisan pizzas and sandwiches. Free live music several times a week. Indoor/outdoor drinking. Bonus: Trains go blasting by only feet away a couple times an hour. 15 minute walk from the apartment.
Renowned music club. Everybody's played here, including Johnny Cash, Jimmie Vaughn, Lucinda Williams, the Replacements and all those other cool bands you meant to see. Who cares who's playing, just go!
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The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveRenowned music club. Everybody's played here, including Johnny Cash, Jimmie Vaughn, Lucinda Williams, the Replacements and all those other cool bands you meant to see. Who cares who's playing, just go!
The Continental Club's little brother. Low-key and local. Breaking acts play here first. (I'm looking at you, Leon Bridges.) Go now. Right now.
242 Einheimische empfehlen
C-Boys Heart and Soul
2008 S Congress AveThe Continental Club's little brother. Low-key and local. Breaking acts play here first. (I'm looking at you, Leon Bridges.) Go now. Right now.
Popular bar and burger joint. Indoor and outdoor seating. Always buzzing. We don't go there much, but it's a good hangout. Parking is limited, but it's only a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
291 Einheimische empfehlen
Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S Lamar Blvd Popular bar and burger joint. Indoor and outdoor seating. Always buzzing. We don't go there much, but it's a good hangout. Parking is limited, but it's only a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
An okay little wine bar, notable mostly for being relatively close. The wine list isn't very long or very broad, but it's okay. Inside and outside seating. A 10-minute drive from the apartment. (Winebelly, at 519 W Oltorf, is closer and has a better wine list. Or, if you don't mind driving a little further, we highly recommend Vino Vino at 4119 Guadalupe.)
85 Einheimische empfehlen
House Wine
408 Josephine StAn okay little wine bar, notable mostly for being relatively close. The wine list isn't very long or very broad, but it's okay. Inside and outside seating. A 10-minute drive from the apartment. (Winebelly, at 519 W Oltorf, is closer and has a better wine list. Or, if you don't mind driving a little further, we highly recommend Vino Vino at 4119 Guadalupe.)
A mere mile down South Lamar. Long-time local joint. Good selection of beer. Mixed drinks. Right next door to the Broken Spoke if you fancy some country dancing before or after.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Lavaca St Bar
3121 S Lamar BlvdA mere mile down South Lamar. Long-time local joint. Good selection of beer. Mixed drinks. Right next door to the Broken Spoke if you fancy some country dancing before or after.
Entertainment & Activities
A FAVORITE: Local cinema chain gone national. If you've never been to a movie at an Alamo, you'd better fix that! Beer, wine, food, and their world-famous NO TALKING policy. For hilarious proof that they really kick people out, Google "alamo drafthouse youtube". Seriously, do that. Plenty of parking, but only a 20 minute walk from the apartment.
770 Einheimische empfehlen
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdA FAVORITE: Local cinema chain gone national. If you've never been to a movie at an Alamo, you'd better fix that! Beer, wine, food, and their world-famous NO TALKING policy. For hilarious proof that they really kick people out, Google "alamo drafthouse youtube". Seriously, do that. Plenty of parking, but only a 20 minute walk from the apartment.
Brought your 7-iron and putter along? Hit this 9-hole pitch-and-putt REAL golf course packed into a couple blocks of grass and trees. Costs about $10 a round. BYOBeer, because everyone else does.
63 Einheimische empfehlen
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
201 Lee Barton DrBrought your 7-iron and putter along? Hit this 9-hole pitch-and-putt REAL golf course packed into a couple blocks of grass and trees. Costs about $10 a round. BYOBeer, because everyone else does.
Arts & Culture
Outdoor sculpture garden. Worth a visit if you like sculpture.
235 Einheimische empfehlen
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton RdOutdoor sculpture garden. Worth a visit if you like sculpture.