What to do in Austin, TX | A Guide to Food, Activities, Hotels, Dessert + Coffee
Explore the vibrant heart of Austin, Texas, with this curated guide to its best food, activities, and unique neighborhoods. From iconic South Congress to culinary hotspots and charming cafes, discover the eclectic spirit that makes Austin a must-visit destination.
CIDERCADE
A cider arcade with a large outdoor patio, swings, cider, and pizza (including gluten-free options), offering unlimited games for a flat entry fee. It is a popular spot for a date or girls' night.
Zilker Park
A popular park for sunset picnics, dog-friendly, with views of downtown and opportunities for activities like volleyball.
Austin Antique Mall
A large antique mall with hundreds of vendors offering a wide array of quirky and fun items.
E 11TH
A street with cute shops, vintage stores, and boutiques, offering a walkable experience with views of the capital.
Try Hard Coffee
A coffee shop located on East 11th Street.
PaperBoy
A breakfast spot located on East 11th Street.
Lovecraft Botique
A boutique shop located on East 11th Street.
Charm School Vintage
A vintage shop located on East 11th Street.
Apt F
A boutique located on East 11th Street.
MANANA
A coffee shop on South Congress known for its matcha.
SOCO
Area for walking and shopping
NOBLE JOE’S
A food truck coffee shop located right on the trail, providing direct access for walking with a coffee in hand.
PALOMINO
A coffee shop with Adobe Southwestern vibes, known for its delicious coffee.
FLITCH
A cute little food truck on the east side with the best coffee in Austin, known for its chocolaty espresso.
PROUD MARY
An Australian coffee shop with a strong Australian espresso and a fun breakfast menu.
NIXTA
An interesting taco shop on the east side that serves fusion tacos, is fully gluten-free, and makes its own corn in-house.
NEIGHBORHOOD SUSHI
A cute and delicious sushi restaurant located on South Congress that offers gluten-free options.
LORO
A restaurant with an interesting fusion between Asian and barbecue, owned by the owners of Uchi and Franklin Barbecue.
COMEDOR
A vibey downtown restaurant with elevated nice Mexican cuisine, known for its bone marrow taco.
SUERTE
A fresh and cute restaurant with elevated nice Mexican cuisine, famous for their brisket com feet tacos.
ATX COCINA
A beautiful and fresh restaurant with elevated nice Mexican cuisine that is fully gluten-free and served family style.
ESTE
A cute and flavorful seafood restaurant owned by Suerte.
DE NADA
A Tex-Mex restaurant with great tacos and the strongest frozen margaritas, everything on the menu is also gluten-free.
OSEYO
A Korean restaurant that offers new flavors in a beautiful environment.
GATI
A fully gluten-free bakery known for their vegan ice creams and, most famously, their oatmeal cookie cream pies.
OMG SQUEE
A Mochi-based doughnut spot that decorates their donuts so cute and are gluten-free.
PROPER
A luxury hotel downtown on Second Street with a Mediterranean spot in the lobby called the peacock and a Mexican spot on the roof called Laina.
THE LINE
A central and cute hotel with great views of the water, a fun pool, and an Alfred coffee in the lobby.
SOCO HOTEL
A hotel with one of the best lobbies, especially for co-working, a great bar, and a great coffee shop, also offers bunk rooms.
South Congress Bridge
Known for the bats that live under it, best viewed from The Line hotel during bat season.