Austin ranks at the top of my list for places to visit. The capital of Texas has all of my favorites including Mexican food, Etsy style boutique shopping and a variety of outdoor activities. Austin is famous for it’s “dive joints” – eclectic, funky, mom and pop businesses that have a one-of-a-kind feel plus some of the best Tex-Mex and Barbecue in the state. Are you getting hungry? The city is a food lover’s paradise with no shortage of dining options. What once was a small hippie city has transformed into something much slicker thanks to big events like the SXSW music festival and celebrity sightings.
EAT
Whole Foods Market is the flagship location and one of the largest.
Vera Cruz All Natural serves the best breakfast tacos in town. Order the migas in a bowl or tortilla.
Picnik is a healthy restaurant that can accommodate all diets. Everything on the menu is gluten-free. The butter bone broth is delicious.
The Well is another healthy restaurant in downtown Austin. Everything on the menu is gluten-free.
ATX Cocina is a completely gluten-free Mexican restaurant downtown.
Taco Deli has a location in the Austin airport. I like the salads.
Torchy’s Tacos is where the tacos have crazy names. The queso is the best in town.
Franklin Barbecue is the top barbecue in Austin. Arrive early to avoid long lines.
The Salt Lick is another popular barbecue restaurant in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Casa De Luz is a lovely macrobiotic restaurant.
Rogue Radish is a food truck selling healthy grain bowls & salads, plus craft drinks.
East Side King is my favorite food truck in Austin. The East side location is located inside the Liberty Bar. Check the website for other food truck locations. The beet fries are popular. I am crazy about the fried Kimchi.
Elizabeth Street Cafe features French-Vietnamese cuisine.
Uchi is an award-winning sushi restaurant in a refurbished old home in South Austin.
DRINK
Sour Duck Market is my favorite coffee shop.
Try Hard Coffee is a funky coffee shop downtown near Franklin Barbecue.
Spokesman Coffee has a location near I-35 Doubletree Hotel.
Juice Land is my pick for healthy juices and smoothies.
Houndstooth Coffee is another popular coffee shop in Austin.
Winebelly is great local wine bar in South Austin with a lot of gluten-free options on the menu.
The Steeping Room is a café serving different teas.
Aviary Wine & Kitchen is a cozy wine bar.
SWEETS
Delish Bakery is my pick for delicious gluten-free cupcakes. *GF *V
Dolce Neve Gelato is the best gelato in Austin. The owners are from Italy. Need I say more? The hazelnut is fantastic.
Lick is my favorite ice cream. I like the Texas sheet cake. *V *GF menu
Amy’s Ice Cream is another groovy ice cream parlor. I recommend the Mexican Vanilla. *V* GF menu
Dolce Vita is a gelato and espresso bar in Hyde Park.
Sweet Ritual is an adorable vegan ice cream shop. *V
Red Rabbit is a vegan donut shop. Several coffee shops sell the tasty donuts. *V
Capital City Bakery is the best vegan bakery tucked away in a cute bungalow.
Gourdough’s Donuts are awesome dessert style donuts.
Teo Coffee and Gelato is an adorable cafe serving delicious gelato.
SHOP
Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings in downtown Austin. Check the schedule for dates and locations.
People RX is a local pharmacy that carries a large selection of supplements from top brands.
Take Heart is a home decor boutique.
Good Company is a women’s clothing home decor boutique.
Eliza Page is a local jewelry store with beautiful engagement rings.
Underwear is a cute boutique with pretty lingerie.
Wee is an adorable kid’s shop.
Tears of Joy Sauces carries a variety of hot sauces. Take some home for gifts.
By George is a designer women’s fashion boutique.
Stag is a stylish men’s boutique.
Feathers Boutique specializes in vintage clothing for women.
Spartan is an adorable gift boutique.
Uncommon Objects is an antique and vintage boutique.
Room Service Vintage is a funky vintage decor store.
Eco Wise is an organic store.
Service is a popular men’s clothing store.
Moss is a designer consignment boutique.
The Paper Place is a fun stationary and card shop.
Waterloo Records is a massive music store.
Faraday’s is a well-stocked kitchen supply store.
Gorin Bros Hat Company is a great shop to pick up a fedora or cool hat.
Toy Joy sells cool toys and gifts.
Big Top Candy is great for party favors.
Allen’s Boots carries a large inventory of cowboy boots including my favorite brand, Frye boots.
JM Dry Goods specializes in beautiful hand-selected pieces from Mexico and other countries.
Book People is a cozy bookstore. Check out the book signing schedule.
VISIT
Texas State Capital is a beautiful building, and the grounds are perfect for a picnic.
Blanton Museum of Art is home to the Guttenberg Bible.
Alamo Cinema features independent and repertory films.
Friday Night Lights Tour is a must for fans of the hit television show.
Mount Bonnell offers the best view of the city skyline.
The Oasis is the best place to watch the sunset overlooking Lake Travis. The food is mediocre, but the view is breathtaking.
Baylor Street Art Wall is one of the largest graffiti walls in town. A great spot for colorful photographs.
Congress Bridge is the home of the largest bat colony in North America.
LISTEN
Austin City Limits is an Austin institution. Check the schedule for events.
The Elephant Room is a jazz club in an unusual place.
East Side Showroom is an eclectic venue for live events.
Mohawk is a live music venue.
Sixth Street Entertainment District is a popular entertainment district.
Rainey Street is the locals version of sixth street.
MOVE
Lady Bird Lake is great for recreational activities including stand up paddle boarding, bike and running trails.
Barton Springs Pool is a 1,000 foot natural limestone pool, fed by several underground springs
Zilker Park is a beautiful park with trails, paddle boats, and other outdoor activities. Grab some grub from one of the food trucks and enjoy the view.
STAY
The Hotel San Jose is a stylish hotel in the hip South of Congress Neighborhood.
Hotel Saint Cecilia is a sprawling Victorian mansion with cute poolside bungalows.
The Driskill reminds me of old Hollywood ambiance.
The Four Seasons Resort sits on Lady Bird Lake. The Sunday brunch is famous.
Kimber is an ultra modern boutique hotel.
Lone Star Court is a retro inspired hotel.
Hotel Ella offers boutique accommodations in a historic mansion.
Heywood is a charming seven room bungalow bed and breakfast.
The Otis Hotel is a newer boutique hotel downtown.
GET AROUND
Austin Metro Rail connects riders to downtown. There is a stop near the Doubletree I-35.
Austin B Cycle is the best way to see the city.
What are some of your favorite places to visit in Austin? Leave your responses in the comment section.
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