Get a tune up at least a week or more before SXSW. This small shop's work load fills up fast.
Bring a towel to lay on and enter on the south side (there is more sun bathing room & shade tree room)
Order the Just Say No or the Hurts So Good... if you dare. Panang Curry is THE BEST durring dinner.
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.
There are few better places to lay down a layer of food before a night of heavy drinking on the Dirty Sixth, and their burgers are a well-deserved Austin institution. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Built in 1871, The Scoot is the oldest continuously running beer joint in central Texas.
Best outdoor area around. Tons of tables under a canopy of trees…and they've got Prince on the juke box!
Might be my fave bar in Austin: ping-pong, taco truck, big backyard & dancing in an old swampy shack, does it get any better?
Hands down coolest music venue in Austin. Head outside to the main stage or up the stairs to the rooftop deck that looks over the stage. If you want a more intimate experience head to the back stage.
Every vintage piece here is a winner, whether it’s a batwing-sleeved dress, a Stevie Nicks–ish crystal pendant, or an appliquéd silk peasant blouse. Read more.
Makes an art of bar food. See: the spicy fried pickles, the Bar Congress that you can add foie gras, an egg, avocado, pork belly, double meat & double cheese, should you so choose. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Chef Rene Ortiz's take on modern Mexican cuisine. Not to miss: the riffs on guacamole, the wild tacos, the cocktails, and pastry chef Laura Sawicki's ice creams. [Eater 38 Member]
The cash-only first location of this stand behind Liberty has become a bit of an East Sixth legend, counting Anthony Bourdain among the many fans of its Asian-inspired street food. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
It's almost a cliche to recommend Torchy's in Austin, but the local chain has earned that recognition with creative combinations that stand out in a city full of tacos. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
For fans of New York-style pizza, Home Slice is as close as you can get in Austin, possibly thanks to yearly staff trips to the Big Apple. You know, for research. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Unfussy Italian fare with a South Congress-friendly patio. What's more, their deli counter of pates and antipasti sets it above other Austin neighborhood Italian restaurants. [Eater 38 Member]
The convenience store/liquor store/Indian restaurant combo is odd, but that's what makes it quintessentially Austin. The naan sandwiches are what earned it a place on our list. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Get away from the hustle and bustle that is Austin for a few hours and enjoy some BBQ (or super hearty veggie sides). Mapquest organizes a free BBQ bus every year at SXSW. - Erica Swallow
Sit at the bar, order a drink from the cocktail list, and order some pork cracklings.
Get a pitcher of margaritas and some salsa from the salsa bar then chill in the parking lot till your table is ready.
This is one of the greatest spots to enjoy with a large group of friends. Sit on the patio and enjoy being in Austin.
