Coline's Guidebook
Food scene
French bistro style spot with a great patio. Steak tartar is amazing.
522 Einheimische empfehlen
Justine's
4710 E 5th StFrench bistro style spot with a great patio. Steak tartar is amazing.
One of Austin’s best new restaurants. Serves incredible Goan inspired food.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Vixen's Wedding
1813 A E 6th StOne of Austin’s best new restaurants. Serves incredible Goan inspired food.
Japanese fusion with great food. You’ll usually need a reservation.
151 Einheimische empfehlen
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
2713 E 2nd StJapanese fusion with great food. You’ll usually need a reservation.
The Brewer's Table
4715 E 5th StFarm to table fare with a fantastic atmosphere.
Emmer & Rye
51 Rainey StOn the pricier side. This is a go-to for a meal to remember.
Launderette
2115 Holly StStellar food and amazing happy hour!
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StGreat tacos and beer!
Strangely out of the way and in a strip mall, these are my favorite tacos.
91 Einheimische empfehlen
Papalote Taco House
3632 S Congress AveStrangely out of the way and in a strip mall, these are my favorite tacos.
Uchi
801 S Lamar BlvdBest sushi in Austin also very pricey.
De Nada Cantina
4715 East Cesar Chavez StreetAwesome tacos and drinks
Sour Duck Market
1814 E Martin Luther King Jr BlvdBest pastries
Easy Tiger
1501 E 7th StAwesome brunch spot with great pastries and bread
Breweries!!
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StGreat tacos and beer!
Killer atmosphere. Brewery that serves beer, wine, and cocktails.
138 Einheimische empfehlen
Central Machine Works
4824 E Cesar Chavez StKiller atmosphere. Brewery that serves beer, wine, and cocktails.
Hops & Grain Brewing
507 Calles StCool spot next to EastCiders
Blue Owl Brewing
2400 E Cesar Chavez StFor those who love sours.
Friends & Allies Brewing
979 Springdale RdAustin Eastciders
979 Springdale RdCute Cidery
Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StGreat beer, great tacos. On the E 6th strip.
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 E 6th StCool brewery on E 6th
Oddwood Ales
3108 Manor RdCentral District Brewing
417 Red River StCoffee
The Buzz Mill
1505 Town Creek Dr24/7 spot for coffee and drinks
Flat Track Coffee
1619 E Cesar Chavez StBest coffee in Austin
Flitch Coffee
641 Tillery StCute, inexpensive coffee trailer right down the street
Fleet Coffee Co
2427 Webberville RdCute spot for coffee right across the park
Bars
Killer atmosphere. Brewery that serves beer, wine, and cocktails.
138 Einheimische empfehlen
Central Machine Works
4824 E Cesar Chavez StKiller atmosphere. Brewery that serves beer, wine, and cocktails.
Great craft cocktails. Also one of austin’s favorite first date spots
561 Einheimische empfehlen
Whisler's
1816 E 6th StGreat craft cocktails. Also one of austin’s favorite first date spots
Shangri-La
1016 E 6th StChill divey bar with cheap drinks
Awesome patio and great tiki-style cocktails in the neighborhood
153 Einheimische empfehlen
Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville RdAwesome patio and great tiki-style cocktails in the neighborhood
The Cavalier
2400 Webberville RdChill spot close by
Stay Gold
1910 E Cesar Chavez StGreat spot for music, awesome patio and good cocktails.
The Liberty
1618 East 6th StreetChill divey bar with cheap drinks
The White Horse
500 Comal StThis is where you go to learn the Texas two step :)
Domo Alley-Gato Tatsu-Ya
1600 E 6th StCool outdoor bar with good Japanese style food.
Nickel City
1133 E 11th StBest craft cocktails and bar food in Austin. Period.
For everyone who complains that Rainey Street just isn’t what it used to be, Lustre Pearl East is the solution. It’s the original bungalow that was uprooted from Rainey when they needed to make way for condos, but now with more outdoor space and way fewer UT students. It’s never too crowded, but there are always enough people to make it feel like a house party you’d actually want to be at.
118 Einheimische empfehlen
Lustre Pearl East
114 Linden StFor everyone who complains that Rainey Street just isn’t what it used to be, Lustre Pearl East is the solution. It’s the original bungalow that was uprooted from Rainey when they needed to make way for condos, but now with more outdoor space and way fewer UT students. It’s never too crowded, but there are always enough people to make it feel like a house party you’d actually want to be at.
Ah Sing Den
1100 E 6th StMore upscale spot for craft cocktails and small bites
Winery
LoLo
1504 E 6th StPricier spot for natural wines
Sightseeing and Fun Things Around Town
Mueller Farmers' Market
2006 Philomena StGreat farmers market, Sundays and Wednesdays
Tillery Street Plant Co.
801 Tillery StNursery with must-see plants
Govalle is known for its urban farms. Visit the farmers’ market stands at Boggy Creek Farm and Springdale Farm. You can’t find produce more local than this.
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Boggy Creek Farm
3414 Lyons RdGovalle is known for its urban farms. Visit the farmers’ market stands at Boggy Creek Farm and Springdale Farm. You can’t find produce more local than this.
If you’re in the mood for history, head to the French Legation Museum. This is the oldest house in Austin still at its original location and was built in the 1830’s as the French Embassy to the sovereign nation of Texas. It gives a unique glimpse into French life on the Texas frontier.
French Legation Museum
802 San Marcos StIf you’re in the mood for history, head to the French Legation Museum. This is the oldest house in Austin still at its original location and was built in the 1830’s as the French Embassy to the sovereign nation of Texas. It gives a unique glimpse into French life on the Texas frontier.
There is an enclave of artists working out of the Canopy galleries. One of those is the showroom of Keith Kreeger Studios, where you can see hand-thrown porcelain pottery with minimalist designs. Kreeger opened his space because he says he “hoped that Canopy would become a hub of the creative community here in East Austin.”
Sa-Ten located in the space has great coffee, tea, and small bites.
84 Einheimische empfehlen
Canopy Austin
916 Springdale RdThere is an enclave of artists working out of the Canopy galleries. One of those is the showroom of Keith Kreeger Studios, where you can see hand-thrown porcelain pottery with minimalist designs. Kreeger opened his space because he says he “hoped that Canopy would become a hub of the creative community here in East Austin.”
Sa-Ten located in the space has great coffee, tea, and small bites.
WHEN TO SEE THE BATS
Starting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake.
The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.
WHERE TO WATCH
From late spring until early fall, get ready for the sunset show by heading towards the grassy hill vantage point of the Statesman Bat Observation Center, adjacent to the bridge. Paid parking is available at the Austin American-Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave., or you can go down the steps at the corner of Congress Avenue and Barton Springs Road. Bring a blanket, some chairs and sit back and relax.
Visitors and residents alike line up nightly on the Congress Avenue Bridge to witness the bats fly out from beneath the bridge, forming a surreal dark cloud as they ascend into the night sky. Arrive early for a front row spot (the sidewalk gets crowded) and be sure to face the east, as the bats will fly out in that direction.
If you'd rather make it a more active experience, you can watch the bats emerge from the trail. There are many spots along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake where you can stand to enjoy the view. Try to find a spot east of the Congress Avenue Bridge with a clear view of the sky, but be sure to not block the trail from runners, walkers and cyclists passing by. You can also rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard board, canoe or water bike and join the other aquatic adventurers that float around under the bridge around sunset.
63 Einheimische empfehlen
Bats Across Texas
900 Congress AveWHEN TO SEE THE BATS
Starting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake.
The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.
WHERE TO WATCH
From late spring until early fall, get ready for the sunset show by heading towards the grassy hill vantage point of the Statesman Bat Observation Center, adjacent to the bridge. Paid parking is available at the Austin American-Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave., or you can go down the steps at the corner of Congress Avenue and Barton Springs Road. Bring a blanket, some chairs and sit back and relax.
Visitors and residents alike line up nightly on the Congress Avenue Bridge to witness the bats fly out from beneath the bridge, forming a surreal dark cloud as they ascend into the night sky. Arrive early for a front row spot (the sidewalk gets crowded) and be sure to face the east, as the bats will fly out in that direction.
If you'd rather make it a more active experience, you can watch the bats emerge from the trail. There are many spots along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake where you can stand to enjoy the view. Try to find a spot east of the Congress Avenue Bridge with a clear view of the sky, but be sure to not block the trail from runners, walkers and cyclists passing by. You can also rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard board, canoe or water bike and join the other aquatic adventurers that float around under the bridge around sunset.
EpicSUP
2200 S Lakeshore BlvdPaddle board the Colorado River!
Mount Bonnell
Best place to watch the sun set.
The Little Longhorn Saloon aka Ginny’s is a live music institution and one of Austin’s oldest and most historic bars, its tiny stage hosting decades of musicians who helped shape our city’s culture. On Sundays, crowds gather for cold beer and the anomaly known as Chicken Shit Bingo which is exactly what it sounds like--chickens shitting on bingo squares with a lucky winner claiming their prize each round. Try your luck every Sunday from 4pm-8pm; tickets are $2 but cheering for shitting chickens is priceless.
166 Einheimische empfehlen
Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon
5434 Burnet RdThe Little Longhorn Saloon aka Ginny’s is a live music institution and one of Austin’s oldest and most historic bars, its tiny stage hosting decades of musicians who helped shape our city’s culture. On Sundays, crowds gather for cold beer and the anomaly known as Chicken Shit Bingo which is exactly what it sounds like--chickens shitting on bingo squares with a lucky winner claiming their prize each round. Try your luck every Sunday from 4pm-8pm; tickets are $2 but cheering for shitting chickens is priceless.
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBest place to go swimming.
Uncommon Objects
1602 Fort View RdOne of the strangest shops in Austin.
BBQ
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveLamberts
401 W 2nd StLa Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StCheck out the mum food stand for the best pastrami and brisket in Austin!
167 Einheimische empfehlen
Mueller Farmers' Market
2006 Philomena StCheck out the mum food stand for the best pastrami and brisket in Austin!
Mum Foods Delicatessen
5811 Manor RdSome of the best pastrami in Austin.