Austin Recommendations: Food, Music & Fun

pstrohl · Monday at 10:29 AM

For those of you who are able to make the trip to Austin, I'm sharing some of my personal favorites for things to see, do, eat and here while you're in town. I've seen a few others current or former Austin residents in other threads, so hoping they'll add on to this as well.

Hope you all have a great time in Austin and we'll see you at the game on 12/21. Go Tigers!

RESTAURANTS

Red Ash - My favorite restaurant in Austin hands down. Reservations hard to come by less than a month of two out, but if you're able to get there early or late and grab a spot in the bar area, you will not regret it.
Matt's El Rancho - Old school Austin Tex/Mex classic. Get the Bob Armstrong dip.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grill - I'm sure they have great steaks, but I wouldn't know because the pork chop is far and away the best thing on the menu. If you can get in Friday for the Friday pork chop lunch special it's an even better deal.
Fonda San Miguel - Another Austin longtime classic. Authentic interior Mexican menu in a great setting.
Odd Duck - James Beard award winner.
Lambert's - The very best BBQ in Austin mostly comes from food trucks or small spaces and you'll eat it the traditional way off butcher paper. If you want a sit down dinner BBQ experience in a great environment and location try Lambert's. Get the wild boar ribs!

BBQ

Franklin BBQ - It's on everyone's list and it's great if you're willing to burn several hours in line for the experience. There are other comparable options in Austin as well that won't eat up 1/2 a day. If it's on your bucket list, then do it. It's really good.
La Barbecue - My favorite go-to in Austin for BBQ. You might wait 30-45 minutes if you don't get there early, but well worth it. Get the beef rib if they haven't already sold out.
Mickelthwait - Another solid alternative to Franklin on the east side of Austin.
KG BBQ - Egyptian influenced BBQ. Sounds unusual, tastes great. Attached to a brewery/bar so you can have a couple while you wait in line.
Distant Relatives - Only place on this list I haven't been yet, but have friends who swear by it and call it their favorite in Austin.
Leroy and Lewis - Great BBQ in further South Austin.

SIGHTSEEING & TOURING

Zilker Park
Barton Springs - spring fed pool/swimming hole in Zilker park; constant temperature (cold) but will wake you up in a hurry
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike trail runs along Lake Austin
Lady Bird Johson Wildflower Center
South Congress (shopping, brunch, restaurants, music, with great views of downtown Austin)
Mount Bonnell
UT campus & tower
Bob Bullock Texas state history museum
Texas state capitol building

NIGHTLIFE

If you're staying downtown we always recommend a drink or two to start the night at the bar in the old Driskill Hotel. Copper ceilings, cowhide couches, bar stools, etc. A little bit of old school TX in a rapidly changing downtown.
E. 6th Street (East side of Congress Ave.) - college bars, shot bars, live music; also know as "Dirty 6th"; can be fun for an earlyish drink or two but not where I'd recommend late night; the farther east you get (towards I-35) the more questionable it gets
W. 6th Street - bars, clubs, restaurants catering to a 20-40 year old crowd and a little gentler than Dirty 6th; good place to eat, walk & bar hop
Rainey Street - 2-3 blocks of old houses converted to bars & restaurants amidst highrise residential; fun, loud, unique; try Banger's if you want a place to eat & drink
South Congress - mix of restaurants, bars, shopping and music (Continental Club is a great old S. Austin venue) that's a little quieter than the 3 listed above

MUSIC VENUES

Continental Club - South Congress favorite
Broken Spoke Dancehall - A true old-school TX dancehall for some chicken-fried steak and 2 stepping fun
Saxon Pub - another old school S. Austin classic
Antone's - great downtown location
Too many more to list so check here instead

pstrohl · Monday at 10:31 AM