Jon-Marc & Gigi’s Austin Guidebook
Nearby Restaurants
This is a must-try! It is less than two miles from the cottage and is one of our favorite places to enjoy Lake Austin. You won’t see tourists here; it is a local secret. It is all outdoor seating right on the lake. Even when it is hot outside the lake breezes keep you cool. It has a very chill vibe and is a great place to get a drink. You probably would not make a trip here just for the food, but it is decent enough. (Closed in the winter)
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Ski Shores Cafe
2905 Pearce RdThis is a must-try! It is less than two miles from the cottage and is one of our favorite places to enjoy Lake Austin. You won’t see tourists here; it is a local secret. It is all outdoor seating right on the lake. Even when it is hot outside the lake breezes keep you cool. It has a very chill vibe and is a great place to get a drink. You probably would not make a trip here just for the food, but it is decent enough. (Closed in the winter)
No views here, but if you’re looking for a chef-inspired Texas Hill Country dining experience, this is your place and it is less than 10 minutes away. This is a favorite of people in west Austin.
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Jack Allen’s Kitchen 360
3600 N Capital of Texas HwyNo views here, but if you’re looking for a chef-inspired Texas Hill Country dining experience, this is your place and it is less than 10 minutes away. This is a favorite of people in west Austin.
Amazing panoramic views of Lake Travis. Decent gourmet bar food and craft beer. Very casual place.
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Oasis Texas Brewing Company
6650 Comanche TrailAmazing panoramic views of Lake Travis. Decent gourmet bar food and craft beer. Very casual place.
Restaurants Worth a Drive
If you have the time (and can get a reservation) this is a must-try, one of a kind, fine dining experience. They have a very creative menu focused on locally sourced ingredients. While the food is amazing, the ambiance and décor is even better.
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Tillie's
3509 Creek RdIf you have the time (and can get a reservation) this is a must-try, one of a kind, fine dining experience. They have a very creative menu focused on locally sourced ingredients. While the food is amazing, the ambiance and décor is even better.
It’s not hyperbole to say this may be the best BBQ in the world and is a very authentic Texas BBQ experience. Many of the best BBQ places in Austin, like Franklins, can trace their lineage back to Louie Mullers, but you can eat here without having to wait for hours in line.
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Louie Mueller Barbecue
206 W 2nd StIt’s not hyperbole to say this may be the best BBQ in the world and is a very authentic Texas BBQ experience. Many of the best BBQ places in Austin, like Franklins, can trace their lineage back to Louie Mullers, but you can eat here without having to wait for hours in line.
Downtown/Central Austin Restaurants
If you’re looking for a fun place to eat near downtown with amazing food, this is it! This a “nicer” restaurant (by Austin standards), but still casual enough that you can wear jeans. They serve an inventive Texas style farm-to-table menu. Reservations recommended or try to grab dinner at the bar.
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Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar BlvdIf you’re looking for a fun place to eat near downtown with amazing food, this is it! This a “nicer” restaurant (by Austin standards), but still casual enough that you can wear jeans. They serve an inventive Texas style farm-to-table menu. Reservations recommended or try to grab dinner at the bar.
Authentic Upscale Mexican food (not Tex-Mex) great for dinner or Sunday Brunch…May need reservations on the weekends (Gigi’s yearly birthday request)
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Fonda San Miguel Restaurant
2330 W N Loop BlvdAuthentic Upscale Mexican food (not Tex-Mex) great for dinner or Sunday Brunch…May need reservations on the weekends (Gigi’s yearly birthday request)
You can’t come to Austin without trying some old school Tex-Mex at this counter-service gem. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, but this is incredibly fresh Tex-Mex that is hard to beat. It’s in a very hip East Austin neighborhood, but don’t worry the hipsters won’t bite.
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Tamale House East
1707 E 6th StYou can’t come to Austin without trying some old school Tex-Mex at this counter-service gem. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, but this is incredibly fresh Tex-Mex that is hard to beat. It’s in a very hip East Austin neighborhood, but don’t worry the hipsters won’t bite.
Stuffed from all the Tex-Mex and BBQ? This is a regional counter-service chain that focuses on delicious health foods and salads. Another plus is that its located in the vibrant Domain outdoor shopping area that is worth a visit in and of itself.
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Flower Child
11721 Rock Rose AveStuffed from all the Tex-Mex and BBQ? This is a regional counter-service chain that focuses on delicious health foods and salads. Another plus is that its located in the vibrant Domain outdoor shopping area that is worth a visit in and of itself.
This is legit Ramen and is Lily’s favorite place to eat. There are several locations now, but the original is on South Lamar near downtown.
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Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S Lamar BlvdThis is legit Ramen and is Lily’s favorite place to eat. There are several locations now, but the original is on South Lamar near downtown.
Hiking / Outdoor Activities
Less than one mile away in River Place neighborhood. Trailhead is near River Place Country Club (use 911 short cut). Well maintained trail with lots of elevation gain and steps…great place to get a workout. 5 mile full loop, but we usually do a mile in and a mile out instead of the full loop. On Saturdays and Sundays, there is a fee to use the trail, but free during the week.
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River Place Nature Trail Canyon Trailhead
4998 River Pl BlvdLess than one mile away in River Place neighborhood. Trailhead is near River Place Country Club (use 911 short cut). Well maintained trail with lots of elevation gain and steps…great place to get a workout. 5 mile full loop, but we usually do a mile in and a mile out instead of the full loop. On Saturdays and Sundays, there is a fee to use the trail, but free during the week.
A must-see! About 45 minutes away. When you take the short hike to this waterfall and natural pool, it will be hard to believe you’re still in Texas; it looks like an exotic destination that you would only see in the movies. Reservations recommended
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Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RoadA must-see! About 45 minutes away. When you take the short hike to this waterfall and natural pool, it will be hard to believe you’re still in Texas; it looks like an exotic destination that you would only see in the movies. Reservations recommended
This is an Austin tradition and is a must-do on hot summer days! It is a natural spring fed “pool” near downtown that offers ice cold crystal clear water, views of the downtown skyline and great people watching.
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrThis is an Austin tradition and is a must-do on hot summer days! It is a natural spring fed “pool” near downtown that offers ice cold crystal clear water, views of the downtown skyline and great people watching.
Less than two miles away. This trail is fairly flat and crosses Turkey Creek several times. In the springtime when the creek is flowing, you will need water shoes or sandals for the multiple creek crossings.
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Turkey Creek Trail
1401-1711 City Park RdLess than two miles away. This trail is fairly flat and crosses Turkey Creek several times. In the springtime when the creek is flowing, you will need water shoes or sandals for the multiple creek crossings.
In spring this is a popular trail along Barton Creek with waterfalls that’s great for swimming. Creek drys up in late Summer. Trailhead is at the southwest corner of Hwy 360 and Hwy 1 (MOPAC)
Gaines Creek and Twin Falls Access Point of Barton Creek Greenbelt
3918 S MoPac Expy In spring this is a popular trail along Barton Creek with waterfalls that’s great for swimming. Creek drys up in late Summer. Trailhead is at the southwest corner of Hwy 360 and Hwy 1 (MOPAC)