Guidebook for Austin
Food Scene
Great enchiladas and chicken plates. I always get the enchiladas with half red sauce half green sauce. Or if I am feeling off I get the chicken soup. It is medicine. Get a Mexican martini- also medicine. If you are only going to go one place for dinner I would send you here- if money is no object for the evening go to Uchiko instead. Breakfast and lunch served too! Closed Sunday evenings. (cash only- but there's an ATM)
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Julio's Cafe
4230 Duval StGreat enchiladas and chicken plates. I always get the enchiladas with half red sauce half green sauce. Or if I am feeling off I get the chicken soup. It is medicine. Get a Mexican martini- also medicine. If you are only going to go one place for dinner I would send you here- if money is no object for the evening go to Uchiko instead. Breakfast and lunch served too! Closed Sunday evenings. (cash only- but there's an ATM)
Try the rosemary apple pie or the salty oat cookie.
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Quack's 43rd Street Bakery
411 E 43rd StTry the rosemary apple pie or the salty oat cookie.
Sunday is paella night! They take reservations. Great atmosphere. Great olives. Great mussels. If you are a wine person you should really go there. It won't disappoint. If I were a date night curator I would say- go there before the show at the Hyde Park Theater, then go to the Parlor afterward for some jukebox wildness.
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Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe StSunday is paella night! They take reservations. Great atmosphere. Great olives. Great mussels. If you are a wine person you should really go there. It won't disappoint. If I were a date night curator I would say- go there before the show at the Hyde Park Theater, then go to the Parlor afterward for some jukebox wildness.
Ok, this is a big deal. Uchiko is really important. The food is outstanding- and the service makes you feel like princess Kate. I write them love letters. "Social hour" is 7 days a week from 5-6:30. Get there at 4:50 to ensure a table. Amazing deals at social hour, even teachers and yet-to-be-celebrated artists can afford it. 3 dollar unfiltered sake. 3-10 dollar options on the menu. Really, try everything. Reservations accepted for dinner (no reservations for social hour). A few days in advance is best. Dinner will be pricey but so so worth it. We go on our anniversary. Dang, I LOVE Uchiko. Try the P-38, hotate, kaarage...the one with salmon and kale and blueberries...Let your server guide you through. This will be one of the best meals of your life- even if you are Jacques Pepin.
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Uchiko
4200 N Lamar BlvdOk, this is a big deal. Uchiko is really important. The food is outstanding- and the service makes you feel like princess Kate. I write them love letters. "Social hour" is 7 days a week from 5-6:30. Get there at 4:50 to ensure a table. Amazing deals at social hour, even teachers and yet-to-be-celebrated artists can afford it. 3 dollar unfiltered sake. 3-10 dollar options on the menu. Really, try everything. Reservations accepted for dinner (no reservations for social hour). A few days in advance is best. Dinner will be pricey but so so worth it. We go on our anniversary. Dang, I LOVE Uchiko. Try the P-38, hotate, kaarage...the one with salmon and kale and blueberries...Let your server guide you through. This will be one of the best meals of your life- even if you are Jacques Pepin.
Asti is an institution. It is fancyish. Not dressy, but a step up from outdoor Julio's. Still friendly for kids. Great service. Great specials. We love the white pizza. I usually get one of the specials. Entrees are between 10-25 dollars. You'll love it.
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ASTI Trattoria
408 E 43rd StAsti is an institution. It is fancyish. Not dressy, but a step up from outdoor Julio's. Still friendly for kids. Great service. Great specials. We love the white pizza. I usually get one of the specials. Entrees are between 10-25 dollars. You'll love it.
Foreign & Domestic
306 E 53rd StA food adventure for when you feel just a bit fancy.
Great people run this place. Pizza, beer, full bar, pinball, jukebox, wifi, porch. Super quick walk. Super casual. Heavy metal vibes at first, then you realize it is a place where you belong.
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The Parlor
4301 W Guadalupe StGreat people run this place. Pizza, beer, full bar, pinball, jukebox, wifi, porch. Super quick walk. Super casual. Heavy metal vibes at first, then you realize it is a place where you belong.
Best tacos according to me (it is an Austin chain- there are maybe 4 locations). I like The Otto along side an Egg and Sirloin. Hot damn. The taco of the month is always fun. Breakfast and lunch only.
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Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdBest tacos according to me (it is an Austin chain- there are maybe 4 locations). I like The Otto along side an Egg and Sirloin. Hot damn. The taco of the month is always fun. Breakfast and lunch only.
Great for breakfast, BRUNCH, lunch, or dinner. Small yet plenty menu. Good vibes. Super local.
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Texas French Bread
2900 Rio Grande StGreat for breakfast, BRUNCH, lunch, or dinner. Small yet plenty menu. Good vibes. Super local.
Whatever you do get the egg. There is a north locale too. Best ramen in Austin.
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Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdWhatever you do get the egg. There is a north locale too. Best ramen in Austin.
Essentials
Heaven really. Easy Tiger baguettes and cheese make for a great lunch to bring to the grounds of the Elizabet Ney museum.
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Antonelli's Cheese Shop
4220 Duval StHeaven really. Easy Tiger baguettes and cheese make for a great lunch to bring to the grounds of the Elizabet Ney museum.
A full cafe, a great calendar of cooking classes, bands on the deck, playground... and even without any of that I would still call it the best grocery store in America. It is my happy place. When I am on my way there I get all filled up with gratitude and reverence. (Kids eat free Tues.)
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdA full cafe, a great calendar of cooking classes, bands on the deck, playground... and even without any of that I would still call it the best grocery store in America. It is my happy place. When I am on my way there I get all filled up with gratitude and reverence. (Kids eat free Tues.)
Fresh Plus is our neighborhood grocery store. They have about everything. It's where you go for about 10 items. For larger trips you would go to Central Market, HEB, Wheatsville.... Fresh Plus is special because it is so close and easy. Oh, you need garlic and beer? Just walk to Fresh Plus. Easy. But I like to imagine it is a live art installation. The employees, their perfect body language, the music, the start up vendor wanting you to try their salsa, the neighbors getting their odds and ends, the light. It's all just right for us to walk through and choose a paid and useful and soon to be consumed souvenir. An added daytime bonus: the mural on the side of the building is a great photography backdrop and it gets great afternoon light.
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Fresh Plus Grocery
1221 W Lynn StFresh Plus is our neighborhood grocery store. They have about everything. It's where you go for about 10 items. For larger trips you would go to Central Market, HEB, Wheatsville.... Fresh Plus is special because it is so close and easy. Oh, you need garlic and beer? Just walk to Fresh Plus. Easy. But I like to imagine it is a live art installation. The employees, their perfect body language, the music, the start up vendor wanting you to try their salsa, the neighbors getting their odds and ends, the light. It's all just right for us to walk through and choose a paid and useful and soon to be consumed souvenir. An added daytime bonus: the mural on the side of the building is a great photography backdrop and it gets great afternoon light.
Really worth a visit. In operation since 1909. Oldest continually operating grocery store in Austin. Good sandwiches. Go there.
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Avenue B Grocery & Market
4403 Avenue BReally worth a visit. In operation since 1909. Oldest continually operating grocery store in Austin. Good sandwiches. Go there.
Drinks & Nightlife
Good for gelato with the kids or a bar! Great drinks, fair prices, happy hour all day Sunday.
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Dolce Vita
Good for gelato with the kids or a bar! Great drinks, fair prices, happy hour all day Sunday.
A beer lover's must! They take reservations too! I love reservations. Great food- and brunch! Have you ever had a sour beer? It is pretty weird in a great way. I like to get the beet salad or the onion tart, but Nate always goes for the burger adding a fried egg. Mmm.
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Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe StA beer lover's must! They take reservations too! I love reservations. Great food- and brunch! Have you ever had a sour beer? It is pretty weird in a great way. I like to get the beet salad or the onion tart, but Nate always goes for the burger adding a fried egg. Mmm.
This is a good place when you are in the mood for a fancy drink that is not annoying. I would highly recommend the "Royale with Ease" I feel like I am on vacation when I drink it. This is about a 20 minute walk through the neighborhood- no big deal.
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drink.well.
207 E 53rd StThis is a good place when you are in the mood for a fancy drink that is not annoying. I would highly recommend the "Royale with Ease" I feel like I am on vacation when I drink it. This is about a 20 minute walk through the neighborhood- no big deal.
It is so tiny! About 20 people can visit at a time. They have really good drinks, and it is fun to be in such a tiny bar. Good vibes.
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The Tigress Pub
100 W N Loop BlvdIt is so tiny! About 20 people can visit at a time. They have really good drinks, and it is fun to be in such a tiny bar. Good vibes.
This is Nate's favorite bar on North Loop. Really good bar food and great beer selection. Cool people go here. Patio in the back.
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Workhorse Bar
100 N Loop Blvd EThis is Nate's favorite bar on North Loop. Really good bar food and great beer selection. Cool people go here. Patio in the back.
Best time on Earth. Best bar ever. A good band every night and rarely a cover. Just go. Everyone is welcome at the White Horse. Want me to come? I will take you.
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The White Horse
500 Comal StBest time on Earth. Best bar ever. A good band every night and rarely a cover. Just go. Everyone is welcome at the White Horse. Want me to come? I will take you.
Entertainment & Activities
Good sandwiches, but the real treasure is the Beatles cover band on Tuesdays at 6:30. So good. Free. Eclectic crowd. A secret gem. I don't even tell my friends about this- it is that much of a secret gem!
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New World Deli
4101 Guadalupe StGood sandwiches, but the real treasure is the Beatles cover band on Tuesdays at 6:30. So good. Free. Eclectic crowd. A secret gem. I don't even tell my friends about this- it is that much of a secret gem!
Well, it is the best movie theater in America.
Truth: sometimes it is hard for me to live in Austin. My soul, deep down, is restless and lonely without the mountains and the ocean. But I could stay here forever just because of the Alamo Drafthouse. Get the "Once upon a time in Mexico" salad.
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Alamo Drafthouse Village
2700 W Anderson LnWell, it is the best movie theater in America.
Truth: sometimes it is hard for me to live in Austin. My soul, deep down, is restless and lonely without the mountains and the ocean. But I could stay here forever just because of the Alamo Drafthouse. Get the "Once upon a time in Mexico" salad.
Arts & Culture
Amazing woman! Ate a raw egg each day and slept in a hammock to save time on housework so she had more time to sculpt! You can see it in a few minutes. Free!
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Elisabet Ney Museum
304 E 44th StAmazing woman! Ate a raw egg each day and slept in a hammock to save time on housework so she had more time to sculpt! You can see it in a few minutes. Free!
Hyde Park Theatre
511 W 43rd StTiny theater- great plays. You will have fun.
Spend the day! Swim in the summer! Borrow a tennis racket. Shoot some hoops. Lay under a tree.
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Shipe Neighborhood Park
4400 Avenue GSpend the day! Swim in the summer! Borrow a tennis racket. Shoot some hoops. Lay under a tree.
Great permanent collection. Great shows. Good portrait ops in the stairwell with all the blue tile.
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The Blanton Museum of Art
200 East Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardGreat permanent collection. Great shows. Good portrait ops in the stairwell with all the blue tile.
Parks & Nature
Right downtown..Go rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board. Super fun. Great views. Fresh air. Lots of birds. I like renting from Texas Rowing Center best. Earn your extra tacos and drinks.
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Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailRight downtown..Go rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board. Super fun. Great views. Fresh air. Lots of birds. I like renting from Texas Rowing Center best. Earn your extra tacos and drinks.
An hour drive, but pretty stunning. Grottos are the best. Check out the website for closure info. It is often closed after a rain. Just a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot, and wowee.
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Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdAn hour drive, but pretty stunning. Grottos are the best. Check out the website for closure info. It is often closed after a rain. Just a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot, and wowee.
Go walk around the lake. Great people watching and a fun way to spend some time in the city. So many places to park or enter. You can make a 1 mile, 3 mile, 5 mile, or 10 mile loop of it. I would suggest parking by the Mopac underpass. Always plenty of parking there, or if you are already downtown you can enter from Congress Ave or Guadalupe.
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Ladybird Lake & Bike Trail
2 Robert T Martinez Jr StGo walk around the lake. Great people watching and a fun way to spend some time in the city. So many places to park or enter. You can make a 1 mile, 3 mile, 5 mile, or 10 mile loop of it. I would suggest parking by the Mopac underpass. Always plenty of parking there, or if you are already downtown you can enter from Congress Ave or Guadalupe.
Peacocks! Everywhere. Good fun for a quick visit. Don't miss Laguna Gloria right next door.
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Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StPeacocks! Everywhere. Good fun for a quick visit. Don't miss Laguna Gloria right next door.