Food scene
An Austin icon. Been around since before I was born. Excellent tex-mex and atmosphere. Prepare to wait or call ahead for reservations during busy times. Great outdoor patio. Live mariachi on Thursday nights.
304 locals recommend
Matt's El Rancho
2613 S Lamar BlvdAn Austin icon. Been around since before I was born. Excellent tex-mex and atmosphere. Prepare to wait or call ahead for reservations during busy times. Great outdoor patio. Live mariachi on Thursday nights.
Good, light tex-mex. More of a "dive" than Matt's El Ranch with less atmosphere, but good nonetheless.
80 locals recommend
Maudie's Too
1212 S Lamar BlvdGood, light tex-mex. More of a "dive" than Matt's El Ranch with less atmosphere, but good nonetheless.
Interesting southern food and great atmosphere, especially when its nice outside. Enjoy a game of washers while you wait for a table.
89 locals recommend
Red's Porch
Interesting southern food and great atmosphere, especially when its nice outside. Enjoy a game of washers while you wait for a table.
This is shaved ice--the real deal. Perfect refresher on a hot afternoon.
South Austin Sno — serving local snow cones and shaved ice since 2005!
1817 S Lamar BlvdThis is shaved ice--the real deal. Perfect refresher on a hot afternoon.
American Fare with an Austin twist. Campy. Great patio and occasional live music. Prepare to wait in line during busy times.
171 locals recommend
Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs RdAmerican Fare with an Austin twist. Campy. Great patio and occasional live music. Prepare to wait in line during busy times.
TLC Austin
1100 S Lamar BlvdCampy, hip restaurant. Good food the one time I tried it :)
Quaint, sophisticated with the feel of a European sidewalk cafe. Great quiet spot at night. Can't recommend it enough. Pricy.
90 locals recommend
Barlata
1500 S Lamar BlvdQuaint, sophisticated with the feel of a European sidewalk cafe. Great quiet spot at night. Can't recommend it enough. Pricy.
Never eaten here but there are lines out the door in the morning so it must be good. Healthy breakfast fare.
214 locals recommend
Snooze an AM Eatery
1700 S Lamar BlvdNever eaten here but there are lines out the door in the morning so it must be good. Healthy breakfast fare.
Located on Barton Springs and has a fun atmosphere. Not in walking distance like this one is, but we would also recommend Rudy's on Capital of Texas Highway.
98 locals recommend
Uncle Billy's Brewery & Smokehouse
1530 Barton Springs RdLocated on Barton Springs and has a fun atmosphere. Not in walking distance like this one is, but we would also recommend Rudy's on Capital of Texas Highway.
Juliet Italian Kitchen
1500 Barton Springs RdIf you are looking for an upscale night out.
Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdSmall, family-owned ice cream shop.
Family-owned homade bread and good coffee within walking distance. Not a lot of variety.
20 locals recommend
ThoroughBread
1709 Bluebonnet LnFamily-owned homade bread and good coffee within walking distance. Not a lot of variety.
Austin original. Old-fashioned burgers with a commitment to quality ingredients.
301 locals recommend
P. Terry's Burger Stand
404 S Lamar BlvdAustin original. Old-fashioned burgers with a commitment to quality ingredients.
Austin's Pizza South Lamar
1817 S Lamar BlvdGreat pizza. You name it, they can make it.
Fun atmosphere to enjoy really good pizza and craft beer, if you don't mind sitting next to strangers because it's usually crowded and there aren't many private tables.
101 locals recommend
Pinthouse Pizza
4236 S Lamar BlvdFun atmosphere to enjoy really good pizza and craft beer, if you don't mind sitting next to strangers because it's usually crowded and there aren't many private tables.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
3003 S Lamar BlvdAmerican Fare with a local twist. Locally famous.
Getting Out
Enjoy non-traditional movie fare served at your seat while you watch a movie. They have current, popular titles as well as classics and indie.
770 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
1120 S Lamar BlvdEnjoy non-traditional movie fare served at your seat while you watch a movie. They have current, popular titles as well as classics and indie.
Broken Spoke
3201 S Lamar BlvdOne of the oldest dance halls in Texas. Crowded, dumpy and perfect!
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs RdMinituare golf course right near the house with local flair.
Austin icon. Natural spring pool. Beautiful, unique, and COLD. Early morning free entry. Caution if you have children with you--new City ordinance allows nudity. Not a lot of people partake but good chance you will encounter this.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrAustin icon. Natural spring pool. Beautiful, unique, and COLD. Early morning free entry. Caution if you have children with you--new City ordinance allows nudity. Not a lot of people partake but good chance you will encounter this.
Use the hike and bike trail that surrounds the lake or rent a canoe or paddle board. Feed the ducks.
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailUse the hike and bike trail that surrounds the lake or rent a canoe or paddle board. Feed the ducks.
Home to Barton Springs. Large park to enjoy a picnic or sunbathe. Playground and kiddie train. Botanical garden is excellent. At Christmas time it offers the trail of lights and a Christmas tree made entirely of lights. You can spin underneath and enjoy hot cocoa and kettle corn.
1533 locals recommend
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdHome to Barton Springs. Large park to enjoy a picnic or sunbathe. Playground and kiddie train. Botanical garden is excellent. At Christmas time it offers the trail of lights and a Christmas tree made entirely of lights. You can spin underneath and enjoy hot cocoa and kettle corn.
Small outdoor museum. If the weather is good it gets you outside and doesn't take long to tour.
235 locals recommend
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton RdSmall outdoor museum. If the weather is good it gets you outside and doesn't take long to tour.
Go anywhere along or under the Congress Avenue bridge from March to October and see 1.5 million bats emerge each evening at dusk for their nightly feeding.
131 locals recommend
Statesman Bat Observation Center
305 S Congress AveGo anywhere along or under the Congress Avenue bridge from March to October and see 1.5 million bats emerge each evening at dusk for their nightly feeding.
Great local theater. Been around forever but recent renovations make it feel new.
149 locals recommend
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar BlvdGreat local theater. Been around forever but recent renovations make it feel new.
Groceries
Gourmet grocery akin to Whole Foods but you don't have to fight the downtown traffic.
764 locals recommend
Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdGourmet grocery akin to Whole Foods but you don't have to fight the downtown traffic.
Smaller and more authentically local than Whole Foods or Central Market. You will pay a little extra if you aren't a member.
337 locals recommend
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
3101 Guadalupe StSmaller and more authentically local than Whole Foods or Central Market. You will pay a little extra if you aren't a member.
Flagship store. The food will not disappoint. Harder to get to and you will need to park in their garage. But great place to shop quality and grab pre-made meals.
1332 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdFlagship store. The food will not disappoint. Harder to get to and you will need to park in their garage. But great place to shop quality and grab pre-made meals.
Sprouts Farmers Market
4006 S Lamar BlvdIf you need something quick this convenience store is right around the corner and down a few blocks. Great breakfast tacos.
29 locals recommend
Barton Hills Market
1220 Barton Hills DrIf you need something quick this convenience store is right around the corner and down a few blocks. Great breakfast tacos.
Coffee
Patika
2159 S Lamar BlvdAuthentic, sophisticated coffee house.
Old house converted to coffee and wine bar. Great cozy space and nice outdoor tables as well.
129 locals recommend
Opa
2050 S Lamar BlvdOld house converted to coffee and wine bar. Great cozy space and nice outdoor tables as well.
Hip scene if you're into that. Simple and basic with good amount of outdoor seating. Busy all day and evening. Food truck on site with good tacos.
435 locals recommend
Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdHip scene if you're into that. Simple and basic with good amount of outdoor seating. Busy all day and evening. Food truck on site with good tacos.
Irie Bean Coffee & Wine Bar
2310 S Lamar BlvdSmall and local.
Liquor Stores
South Lamar Wine & Spirits
2418 S Lamar BlvdLess than a mile from the house. Knowledgeable staff.
Farmer's Markets
Sunset Valley Farmers Market
3200 Jones RdGreat farmer's market with more than just food...
Equally close the house, in the parking lot of Barton Creek Mall. Never been to this one but hear it's good. Good view of the city!
10 locals recommend
Barton Creek Farmers Market
2901 South Capital of Texas HighwayEqually close the house, in the parking lot of Barton Creek Mall. Never been to this one but hear it's good. Good view of the city!