Best of East Side Food and Culture in Austin
East Side Food Scene
Local insider insight on what places have the best food and drink spots in Austin.
Incredible rotisserie beef, chicken and salads you can eat in the comfy back yard next to the fire pit. Dog friendly, and it has a ping-pong table, and cornhole floor games if you’re feeling competitive.
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Lou’s
1900 E Cesar Chavez StIncredible rotisserie beef, chicken and salads you can eat in the comfy back yard next to the fire pit. Dog friendly, and it has a ping-pong table, and cornhole floor games if you’re feeling competitive.
This place is always packed, gotta line up early or wait in line! Try the Espresso BBQ sauce.
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Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StThis place is always packed, gotta line up early or wait in line! Try the Espresso BBQ sauce.
The place to go for Soul Food - Southern Fried Pork Chops, Cheese Grits, Elgin Chili Burger, Chicken 'n Dumplings, Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Better than Cracker Barrel - and that's saying a lot!
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Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor RdThe place to go for Soul Food - Southern Fried Pork Chops, Cheese Grits, Elgin Chili Burger, Chicken 'n Dumplings, Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Better than Cracker Barrel - and that's saying a lot!
Try the Gourmet Mac and Cheese, and if you are in the mood for sandwiches, this is the place! Mixed Drinks, Raw Oysters, Pastries, Macarons! Cool Haus Ice Cream is a must...!! Need I say more?
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Hillside Farmacy
1209 E 11th StTry the Gourmet Mac and Cheese, and if you are in the mood for sandwiches, this is the place! Mixed Drinks, Raw Oysters, Pastries, Macarons! Cool Haus Ice Cream is a must...!! Need I say more?
Excellent Farm-to-Table restaurant sourcing local and sustainable vegetables and foods. The delicious rotating menu with complex flavors and cultural combinations, changes with the seasonal vegetables available. The restaurant features its own butcher shop and deli in the front of the store.
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Dai Due
2406 Manor RdExcellent Farm-to-Table restaurant sourcing local and sustainable vegetables and foods. The delicious rotating menu with complex flavors and cultural combinations, changes with the seasonal vegetables available. The restaurant features its own butcher shop and deli in the front of the store.
Salty Sow serves modern farmhouse cuisine, new old-world combinations of braising, poaching, & stewing. Fresh-out-of-the-garden signature cocktail ingredients, featuring local & organic spirits.
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Salty Sow
1917 Manor RdSalty Sow serves modern farmhouse cuisine, new old-world combinations of braising, poaching, & stewing. Fresh-out-of-the-garden signature cocktail ingredients, featuring local & organic spirits.
Full-service butcher shop, salumeria and restaurant featuring fresh cut meats from sustainable Texas ranches. Offers a wide selection of house made sausages, salumi and charcuterie, as well as fine artisan foods, coffee, beer and wine. Try the Nitro Cold Brew!
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Salt & Time
1912 E 7th StFull-service butcher shop, salumeria and restaurant featuring fresh cut meats from sustainable Texas ranches. Offers a wide selection of house made sausages, salumi and charcuterie, as well as fine artisan foods, coffee, beer and wine. Try the Nitro Cold Brew!
Very close to our Airbnb location just on Cesar Chavez. Vegan food, vegetarian fare.
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Counter Culture
2908 E Cesar Chavez StVery close to our Airbnb location just on Cesar Chavez. Vegan food, vegetarian fare.
Best kept secret on the east side! 1937 vibe, French food and wine - mussels, escargot, garlic fries to share. Great atmosphere, outdoor patio seating.
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Justine's
4710 E 5th StBest kept secret on the east side! 1937 vibe, French food and wine - mussels, escargot, garlic fries to share. Great atmosphere, outdoor patio seating.
Salted Caramel ice cream is a favorite! Mint & Beet, Goat Cheese & Thyme are the best flavors. Go for a sweet treat and cool off from the summer heat!
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Lick Honest Ice Creams
1100 S Lamar BlvdSalted Caramel ice cream is a favorite! Mint & Beet, Goat Cheese & Thyme are the best flavors. Go for a sweet treat and cool off from the summer heat!
To find it you have to go through Liberty, a bar on East 6th street. My most favorite local Food Truck - Asian fusion. Must try the Brussel Sprout Salad, Pork Belly Buns, Thai Chicken Karaage, and dont forget the Beet Home Fries: created by Exec Chef Paul Qui at Uchiko
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East Side King
2000 E 6th StTo find it you have to go through Liberty, a bar on East 6th street. My most favorite local Food Truck - Asian fusion. Must try the Brussel Sprout Salad, Pork Belly Buns, Thai Chicken Karaage, and dont forget the Beet Home Fries: created by Exec Chef Paul Qui at Uchiko
Pollo a la Poblana - Seared chicken breast with rajas, mushrooms and crema. Served with white rice and guacamole salad. Great sit-down restaurant with inside and outside seating. Best Chips and Salsa!
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El Chile Cafe y Cantina
1900 Manor RdPollo a la Poblana - Seared chicken breast with rajas, mushrooms and crema. Served with white rice and guacamole salad. Great sit-down restaurant with inside and outside seating. Best Chips and Salsa!
Delicious hand-pulled noodles, made in store. It’s not everyday that you can watch chefs hand-make your noodles through the window to the kitchen. Yes, it is a chain, but it’s one of the few chains I’d recommend in Austin.
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Xian Sushi and Noodle
1801 E 51st StDelicious hand-pulled noodles, made in store. It’s not everyday that you can watch chefs hand-make your noodles through the window to the kitchen. Yes, it is a chain, but it’s one of the few chains I’d recommend in Austin.
Quick Bites
Your one stop get-it-all shops. Pizza shops, lunch stops and Convenient stores with gourmet snacks, beer, wine and lunch.
Colorful local eatery, outdoor patio seating. Great selection of tacos for a quick bite. Cool down with a Horchata, and Mexican popsicle with real frozen fruit!
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El Chilito
2219 Manor RdColorful local eatery, outdoor patio seating. Great selection of tacos for a quick bite. Cool down with a Horchata, and Mexican popsicle with real frozen fruit!
Lots of local beers on tap. Great alcohol selection. Pick up ready-made quick bites, pasta, sandwiches, and quinoa. Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches. Or find organic popsicles to quench your thirst.
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Quickie Pickie
2027 E Cesar Chavez StLots of local beers on tap. Great alcohol selection. Pick up ready-made quick bites, pasta, sandwiches, and quinoa. Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches. Or find organic popsicles to quench your thirst.
Delicious thin crust pizzas, small outdoor seating area, delivery is a plus.
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East Side Pies
1401 Rosewood AveDelicious thin crust pizzas, small outdoor seating area, delivery is a plus.
The Bee Grocery
1001 E 6th StConvenient spot to pickup food and snacks to go.
Close convenient store that carries Wine and locally brewed beer & ciders
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East 1st Grocery
1811 E Cesar Chavez StClose convenient store that carries Wine and locally brewed beer & ciders
Essentials
We know the store owner, Lee. He's a quiet, friendly, bike aficionado that can fix a flat, service your bike, or give great advice on what bike to purchase.
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Eastside Pedal Pushers
4607 Bolm RdWe know the store owner, Lee. He's a quiet, friendly, bike aficionado that can fix a flat, service your bike, or give great advice on what bike to purchase.
Open Wednesdays-Saturdays 8am-1pm. Fresh, non-GMO produce. Local and sustainable lamb and beef, artisan goat cheese, goat milk ice cream, yogurt, Miles of Chocolate deserts. Check their Yelp page.
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Boggy Creek Farm
3414 Lyons RdOpen Wednesdays-Saturdays 8am-1pm. Fresh, non-GMO produce. Local and sustainable lamb and beef, artisan goat cheese, goat milk ice cream, yogurt, Miles of Chocolate deserts. Check their Yelp page.
Outdoor Recreation
East Austin Parks and points of interest
Great east side park to run, walk, bike, people watch. The entire 10 mile loop around the lake is paved with crushed granite, the south side has concrete walkways over the water. There’s a shorter 5 mile route circling from pleasant valley to the South Congress bridge. There are a few sculptural art spots on the way, and bridges that cross over the river near our place, native flowers and fruiting trees planted along the path.
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Edward Rendon Sr. Park im Festival Beach im Town Lake Metropolitan Park
2101 Jesse E. Segovia StGreat east side park to run, walk, bike, people watch. The entire 10 mile loop around the lake is paved with crushed granite, the south side has concrete walkways over the water. There’s a shorter 5 mile route circling from pleasant valley to the South Congress bridge. There are a few sculptural art spots on the way, and bridges that cross over the river near our place, native flowers and fruiting trees planted along the path.
Also known as Town Lake, connected to the Edward Renton Park and Festival Beach
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Ladybird Lake & Bike Trail
2 Robert T Martinez Jr StAlso known as Town Lake, connected to the Edward Renton Park and Festival Beach
Brightly lit Tennis Courts, Bike Polo, Basketball courts, almost-Olympic-sized Swimming pool. Thursday Night Social Ride for cyclists.
Givens District Park
3811 E 12th StBrightly lit Tennis Courts, Bike Polo, Basketball courts, almost-Olympic-sized Swimming pool. Thursday Night Social Ride for cyclists.
Almost Olympic sized pool, sadly closed to renovation. Will update when it’s open again…
Givens Neighborhood Pool
3811 E 12th StAlmost Olympic sized pool, sadly closed to renovation. Will update when it’s open again…
Secret Beach
Remote path to hike to the beach from Roy G Guerrero Park.
For the adventurer, kayak to small islands in the middle of Ladybird Lake close to Festival Beach. The other island is called Snake Island. You can kayak to both islands from our bridge entrance at Edward Renton Park.
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Red Bud Isle
3401 Redbud TrailFor the adventurer, kayak to small islands in the middle of Ladybird Lake close to Festival Beach. The other island is called Snake Island. You can kayak to both islands from our bridge entrance at Edward Renton Park.
Festival Beach Food Forest is a grassroots pilot project neighboring the Festival Beach Community Garden and RBJ Residential Center in East Austin. Three acres of a 90-acre park transformed into an edible forest garden where visitors can openly forage and enjoy fresh food on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Fruits, nuts, vegetables and herbs will now inhabit the city-owned land.
Festival Beach Community Garden
35 Waller StFestival Beach Food Forest is a grassroots pilot project neighboring the Festival Beach Community Garden and RBJ Residential Center in East Austin. Three acres of a 90-acre park transformed into an edible forest garden where visitors can openly forage and enjoy fresh food on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Fruits, nuts, vegetables and herbs will now inhabit the city-owned land.
Arts & Culture
Must-see Museums, Galleries, and Artist studios to visit on the East side of Austin
Canopy hosts 100’s of artist studios, galleries, retail spaces and Satén cafe. East Austin Studio Tours formerly EAST has turned into a 3 weekend open house tour of all of Austin’s artists studios, where artists open their studios and showcase their incredible work each year in November each.
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Canopy Austin
916 Springdale RdCanopy hosts 100’s of artist studios, galleries, retail spaces and Satén cafe. East Austin Studio Tours formerly EAST has turned into a 3 weekend open house tour of all of Austin’s artists studios, where artists open their studios and showcase their incredible work each year in November each.
Museum of Human Achievment
3600 Lyons RoadEclectic contemporary art and art events located in Canopy’s parking lot.
Museum of The Weird
412 E 6th StWonderspaces Austin
1205 Sheldon CoveDadalab is a coworking space in Austin
that hosts Dadageek classes for local students and open to students worldwide interested in learning more about producing digital art installations and experimental music. I’ve taken their classes and they host incredibly innovative music and art shows featuring local and internationally known artists, and speakers from the largest production companies doing industry leading work for museums and music, as well as talks from individual artists that produce their own incredible work that is influencing today’s art and culture.
dadaLab
2008 Alexander AvenueDadalab is a coworking space in Austin
that hosts Dadageek classes for local students and open to students worldwide interested in learning more about producing digital art installations and experimental music. I’ve taken their classes and they host incredibly innovative music and art shows featuring local and internationally known artists, and speakers from the largest production companies doing industry leading work for museums and music, as well as talks from individual artists that produce their own incredible work that is influencing today’s art and culture.
Coffee & Tea
If you’re in need of a good cup of joe or tea, and a good remote work location.
Zhi Tea carries hand blended organic loose-leaf teas direct from Asia. Hand picked and processed in small batches – Zhi Teas are fresh and flavorful. Great tea room to have a relaxing chat.
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Zhi Tea
1023 Springdale RdZhi Tea carries hand blended organic loose-leaf teas direct from Asia. Hand picked and processed in small batches – Zhi Teas are fresh and flavorful. Great tea room to have a relaxing chat.
Austin's Japanese coffeeshop: by the couple who brought you Kome and Daruma Ramen. Japanese Breakfast or Snacks: try the toast with sausage and egg & the honey butter Thick Toast. Japanese Lunches: try a Chicken Teriyaki Karaage or the Chicken Katsu with rice with your cortado. Hidden gem amongst the artists’ studios at Canopy
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Sa-Tén
916 Springdale RdAustin's Japanese coffeeshop: by the couple who brought you Kome and Daruma Ramen. Japanese Breakfast or Snacks: try the toast with sausage and egg & the honey butter Thick Toast. Japanese Lunches: try a Chicken Teriyaki Karaage or the Chicken Katsu with rice with your cortado. Hidden gem amongst the artists’ studios at Canopy
Roasting facility for Medici’s beans, and great remote-working location, indoors and outdoors. Grab a sushi handroll for lunch at Uroko. And get your haircut you’ve been needing at the barbershop inside Springdale General.
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Caffe Medici
1101 W Lynn StRoasting facility for Medici’s beans, and great remote-working location, indoors and outdoors. Grab a sushi handroll for lunch at Uroko. And get your haircut you’ve been needing at the barbershop inside Springdale General.
Catch a good cup of espresso or coffee on Chicon just north of us. Good vibe. Great quiet spot to work, as well.
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Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
1111 Chicon StCatch a good cup of espresso or coffee on Chicon just north of us. Good vibe. Great quiet spot to work, as well.