Our readers regularly vote Cheer Up the best LBGTQ hangout in Austin, but this this vegan bar/music venue is an all-inclusive haven for hipsters and slackmeisters, too. Kombucha on tap, y’all!
Think Parisian bistro, burlesque cabaret, and steampunk film set, with upscale food and bar menus based on seasonal, local ingredients. Execution can be spotty, but the ambience is always spot-on.
You access this swanky side lounge from the alley. Follow the red X to the snug, spy-themed interior; continuing the theme, craft cocktails bear names like Mata Hari and the Cyanide Pill.
With dark lighting, cool air, and the Beach Boys on the jukebox, this is a perfect after-work stop that holds up nicely into the night. The long, L-shaped bar is good for chill TV watching.
A daytime coffee shop evolves into a comfortable bar after dark, offering fabulous drinks and a party-garage vibe. The Bloody Mary – deliciously pickled, rimmed with Creole seasoning – is a must.
Tiny, with a jukebox ranging from Hot Snakes to Otis Redding, the Brixton is a straight-up, no-fuss bar that highlights the beauty of tattoos, good folks, and bar talk.
With its vintage funeral-parlor-meets-antique-taxidermy-museum vibe, the Volstead appears to pride itself on dirty cool. Sister bar Hotel Vegas next door has live music.
Cheap drinks + ESK curry buns and beet fries make this our go-to bar. Chances are you’ll run into someone you know on the back patio, and the communal benches mean you’ll be making new friends, too.
We seriously dig this bar’s sticky-floor aesthetic and convivial vibes. The room is dark, the music is hot, the crowd is diverse, and friendly barkeeps keep the margaritas and the Two Steps flowing.
The Scoot has been in business off and on for over 140 years, making it one of the oldest beer-slinging honky-tonks in Texas. We adore this dive bar, but the bathrooms are strictly to be avoided.
Classic cocktails, a short but uncommonly adventurous wine list, and an elevated bar food menu make the casual Yellow Jacket a winner. Snag an outside table and enjoy a pork belly bánh mì in the sun.
This no-frills neighborhood bar is named for the patron saint of dogs and those who love them. Try the Leftover Cereal Milk, a perfectly named shot.
This NYC import ain't messin' around: It has a novella-length cocktail list and harvests its ice from 300-pound crystal blocks. That's the type ice sculptors use – perfect for craft cocktail art.
This innovative Thai venture from ESK and Uchiko vets has even the staunchest center-city dwellers making the trek out to Cedar Park. The Thai basil mint sangria makes a refreshing coda to a warm day. Read more.
No such thing as giving the Pig too much love. From bread to bacon, everything is house-made, and they turn out some of the best sandwiches in town. The swine-free catfish sandwich is amazing, too. Read more.
We wouldn't say no to a maple bacon donut, but the real winners here are the elegant cake balls in flavors both traditional and adventurous, like the chai ball that is subtly spiced and not too sweet. Read more.
The orange-infused crème brulee at this wonderful Cajun-Creole eatery is the best example of this particular French delicacy we've ever had anywhere, in any year. Read more.
This small, classy shop in the Arboretum offers an exemplary product line of flavor-infused extra virgin olive oils, truffle oils, and aged balsamic vinegars. Delectable flavors abound. Read more.
At this 24-foot yellow chrome trailer, the pork ribs are St. Louis cuts and the pork loin is meltingly tender. Stay for the magnificent Pedernales Valley sunsets. Read more.
Yes, the ramen is authentic and delicious, but it’s the spicy edamame tossed with citrus, fresh jalapeños, shichimi spice, and sea salt we're obsessed with. End your meal with the green tea mochi ice. Read more.
This once-sleepy outpost underwent a spit-shine with an interior remodel and the exterior strip mall's ongoing revitalization. Pizza + a bucket of beer + a Nineties Boy Band Sing-Along = perfection.
A sports bar that doesn’t cram the concept down your throat. We like the Greek Island Calamari as a starter and the bold flavors of the Hickory Burger. Share a dessert; the portions are huge. Read more.
What started as a supper club has grown into a full-fledged bistro with limited menus that change frequently. Solid farm-to-table, Cali-Med fare, and ideal for the neighborhood. Read more.
Start with shrimp 'n' grits, tofu popcorn, or a choose-your-own tasting plate, then wash down a sandwich with one of the tasty local brews on tap at the nation's first-ever cooperatively run brewpub.
Pair the house-made merguez with a seasonal salad, and go ahead and order a bottle of wine; it beats getting back in line for another glass, and the ambience is so nice you're going to want to linger. Read more.
This family-friendly Italian eatery is comfortable and sedate, staffed with eager to please servers. Its Lincoln Village setting is a touch uninspired, but Verona is indisputably a good value. Read more.
Susan Post’s much-loved bookstore has provided a launchpad for women writers, a sanctuary for literary seekers, and a safe space for generations of feminists.
Quality has been Austin's signature fishmonger since 1938, and in 2012, it underwent a major expansion. Go for oysters, Gulf shrimp, and Cajun- and Creole-influenced seafood dishes. Read more.
Our favorite dishes here are the dahl makhani (lentils in a creamy sauce) and Malabar (lamb, coconut, onion). The level of spiciness here depends on who's in the kitchen, so it's a good idea to ask.
The first Mex-Korean truck in the ATX still makes the best bulgogi tacos and kimchi fries in the city. And if you get the burger, by all means get the optional fried egg.
Look out over Lady Bird Lake and transcend the usual hotel-dining scene. The focus is on unique and creative preparations of appetizers, side dishes, terrific steaks, and seafood. Read more.
Playful cuisine, delectable desserts, appropriate libations, and excellent service. The atmosphere can get boisterous, but a night at Swift's promises both a memorable meal and a super fun time. Read more.
A laid-back place to watch the game while enjoying cold beer and good Louisiana-style food – especially the seasonal crawfish boils. On a sunny day, the patio overlooking the creek is hard to beat.
