AUSTIN

(includes Cedar Creek, Cedar Park, Del Valle, Elgin & Volente)

BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM, JUICE & TEA
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Elizabeth Street Cafe – 1501 South 1^st Street (Bouldin Creek); 512-291-2881; elizabethstreetcafe.com; French-Vietnamese bakery; different macarons every day; exotic pastries like kouign amann.
●Jo’s Coffee – 1300 South Congress Avenue (SoCo); 512-444-3800; joscoffee.com; coffee & pastries in morning; beer in afternoon; every other Wednesday, from 8-10 pm., “Drag Queen Bingo.”
●La Mexicana Bakery – 1924 South 1^st Street (Bouldin Creek); 512-443-6369; la-mexicana-bakery.com; panaderia open 24 hours; good for breakfast; try feathery flour tortilla with molten refried beans.
●Lick Ice Creams – 1100 South Lamar Boulevard, #1135 (Barton Hills); 512-363-5622; ilikelick.com; ice creams, such as goat cheese, honey & thyme.
●Moonlight Bakery – 2300 South Lamar Boulevard (Barton Hills); 512-462-1302; moonlightbakery.com; kolaches & streudel, in particular.
●Sandy’s Frozen Custard & Root Beer – 603 Barton Springs Road (Bouldin Creek); 512-478-6322; facebook.com/pages/Sandys-Frozen-Custard/117842954943761; frozen custard; also burgers, fries, etc.
●Sno-Beach Hawaiian Shaved Ice – 801 Barton Springs Road (Bouldin Creek); 512-784-0670; snobeachatx.com; try wedding cake sno-cone with cream or anything with “Tiger’s Blood.”
●Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop – 1905 South 1^st Street (Bouldin Creek); 512-448-3727; sugarmamasbakeshop.com; Austin’s go-to resource for still-trendy cupcake; gluten-free products.

Clarksville
●Sweetish Hill – 1120 West 6^th Street (Clarksville); 512-472-1347; sweetishhill.com; try bear claws and/or fruit Danish.

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●Capital City Bakery – 2211 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-666-7437; capitalcitybakery.com; brownies & cheesecake alone are worth visit.
●Hillside Farmacy – 1209 East 11^th Street; 512-628-0168; hillsidefarmacy.com; nouvelle soda fountain; great lattes.
●Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop – 2305 East 7^th Street; 512-472-0017; joesbakery.com; great breakfast tacos.
●Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop – 2406 Manor Road, Suite B; 512-220-7296; sugarmamasbakeshop.com; Austin’s go-to resource for still-trendy cupcake; gluten-free products.

Hyde Park
●Sweet Ritual – currently 4500 Duval Street (as of June 2016, 4631 Airport Boulevard, Suite 125); 512-666-8346; sweetritual.com; gluten-free, vegan ice cream.

North Austin (from Koenig to Parmer Lanes & on to Tollway 45, includes Allandale)
●Lick Ice Creams – 6555 Burnet Road; 512-609-8029; ilikelick.com; ice creams, such as goat cheese, honey & thyme.
●Tomunchi – 1701 West Parmer Lane; 512-491-7138; tomunchi.com; try peanut butter and/or taro.
●Tous Les Jours – 6808 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-373-8080; tljus.com; novelty cakes, baguettes & boba tea.

Rosedale (from West 45^th Street to North Loop, includes Brykerwoods)
●Upper Crust Bakery – 4508 Burnet Road; 512-467-0102; uppercrustbakery.com; notable for cinnamon rolls; also serves cakes, pies, pastries, breads & lunch.

6^th Street
●Easy Tiger – 709 East 6^th Street; 512-614-4972; easytigeraustin.com; popular bakery & beer garden.
●Jim-Jim’s Water-Ice – 615A East 6^th Street; 512-708-8285; jimjimswaterice.com; shave ice & sno-cones.

South Austin (south of Highway 290)
●Bahama Freeze – 8213 Brodie Lane; 512-426-3008; bahamafreeze.com; shave ice & sno-cones.
●La Morena Jugos & Frutas – 6542 South Congress Avenue; 512-916-1222; drinks made with 100% fresh fruit; absolute best thing to get is fruit with yogurt & granola (or nuts); little pricey ($6 for 2 fruits, more if you add more fruit) but well worth it; enough to be meal; earlier in day for best fruit selection.

Tarrytown (includes Deep Eddy Heights, Mt. Bonnell & Lake Austin Boulevard)
●Jim-Jim’s Water-Ice – 401 Deep Eddy Avenue (Deep Eddy Heights, at Deep Eddy Swimming Pool); 512-708-8285; jimjimswaterice.com; shave ice & sno-cones.

360 (includes RM 2222 & Ranch Road 620)
●Austin Java 360 – 3310 North Capitol Of Texas Highway; 512-732-2166; austinjava.com; coffee shop with nice couch at gas station; beautiful sunset views on outdoor balcony with small intimate tables.

UT Area
●Ken’s Doughnuts & Pastries – 2820 Guadalupe Street; 512-320-8484; kensdonutsaustin.com; even offers samosas.
●Sno-Beach Hawaiian Shaved Ice – 3402 Guadalupe Street; 512-784-0670; try wedding cake sno-cone with cream or anything with “Tiger’s Blood.”
●Texas French Bread – 2900 Rio Grande Street; 512-499-0544; texasfrenchbread.com; longtime Austin restaurant & bakery; serious about coffee, artisan breads & pastries in house.

Westlake Hills (out to Highway 71)
●Baguette et Chocolat – 12101 Bee Cave Road; 512-263-8388; baguetteetchocolat.com; crepes, quiches, salads & sandwiches, as well as excellent pastries.
●Great Harvest – 3201 Bee Cave Road, # 126 (Westlake Hills); 512-329-9216; austintexas.greatharvestbread.com; baked goods & juices.

Windsor Park
●Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs – 808 East 51^st Street; 512-345-2999; caseys-snowballs.com; season is March to late-September; if you’re feeling indulgent, ask them to add condensed milk.



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Broken Spoke – 3201 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-442-6189; brokenspokeaustintx.net; old-time honky tonk; dance classes weekly.
●C Boy’s Heart & Soul – 2008 South Congress Avenue; 512-215-0023; cboysheartnsoul.com; owned by Continental Club folks.
●Continental Club – 1315 South Congress Avenue; 512-441-2444; continentalclub.com; known for live music; Mondays is Peterson Brothers; Wednesdays at midnight is James McMurtry.
●Highball – 1120 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-383-8309; thehighball.com; bowling, skee-ball, dance floor & private karaoke rooms, bar & restaurant.
●House Wine – 408 Josephine Street; 512-322-5210; housewineaustin.com; like hanging out at hip friend’s bungalow; free appetizers on Thursdays.
●Juliet – 1500 Barton Springs Road; 512-479-1800; juliet-austin.com; great happy hour specials; ask for Roman Cowboy cocktail.
●Saxon Pub – 1320 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-448-2552; thesaxonpub.com; live music by such Austin greats as W.C. Clark & Earl Poole Jones (septuagenarians).

Clarksville
●Donn’s Depot – 1600 West 5^th Street; 512-478-0336; donnsdepot.com; piano bar & saloon in old train depot.
●Josephine House – 1601 Waterston Avenue; 512-477-5584; josephineofaustin.com; “adorable” cottage, little sister to next-door Jeffrey’s; “seasonal” New American fine-dining menu featuring many locally sourced ingredients, plus Monday night steak frites dinner; classy, simple interior features white walls & marble bar for wine & craft cocktails; outside patio & small lawn with chairs for lounging.
●Mean Eyed Cat Bar – 1621 West 5^th Street; 512-920-6645; themeaneyedcat.com.

Downtown (does not include East 6^th Street)
●Bar Congress – 200 Congress Avenue; 512-827-2760; congressaustin.com; supercozy, 22-person-capacity; curtained off in narrow space separating 3-tiered collective’s prix fixe, fine-dining side; ask bartender if will make “Montegomaticas” — overproof rum, Fernet-Branca, Velvet falernum (syrup) & lime.
●Cedar Door – 201 Brazos Street; 512-473-3712; cedardooraustin.com; Mexican martini; none of the original bar’s charm.
●Garage – 503 Colorado Street; 512-369-3490; garagetx.com; lovingly restored building (mid-century); have to know bar is there to find it; worth effort; try Formula 3.
●Malverde – 400 West 2^nd Street (at La Condesa restaurant); 512-499-0300; lacondesa.com/malverde; 96 different tequilas; open on weekends only.
●Mohawk – 912 Red River Street; 512-666-0877; mohawkaustin.com; rock music; maybe Austin’s best live-music venue.
●Péché – 208 West 4^th Street; 512-494-4011; pecheaustin.com; Austin’s 1^st absinthe bar; prohibition-style speakeasy; ask for Devil’s Cocktail (limoncello, gin & 10 other secret ingredients).
●Townsend Bar – 718 Congress Avenue, #100; 512-887-8778; thetownsendaustin.com; modern cocktails & elegant small plates served in historic space with chic, throwback decor.

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●Ah Sing Den – 1100 East 6^th Street; 512-467-4280; ahsingden.com; bar serving Asian-inspired hot & cold dishes, plus sweets, cocktails & sake in intimate setting.
●Butterfly Bar – 2307 Manor Road; 512-478-5282; butterflybaraustin.com; outdoor courtyard lit with Christmas lights; distinctive.
●Contigo – 2027 Anchor Lane; 512-614-2260; contigotexas.com; inventive cocktails & excellent wine-by-glass selection; large all-weather patio.
●Grackle – 1700 East 6^th Street; 512-520-8148; facebook.com/thegrackleaustin; dark interior & covered outdoor deck; can order food from adjacent trailer(s).
●Kitty Cohen’s – 2211 Webberville Road; ; kittycohens.com; retro, Palm Springs-inspired bar offering specialty drinks & punches, plus spacious yard with shaded poolside seating.
●Longbranch Inn – 1133 East 11^th Street; 512-472-5477; facebook.com/longbranch.inn; dates back to 1934, when prohibition lifted.
●Scoot Inn – 1308 East 4^th Street (at Navasota); 512-394-5486; scootinnaustin.com; began as railroad saloon sometime around 1871; in 1940, Scoot Ivy & his buddy Red, opened Red’s Scoot Inn, catering to railroadmen & workers; they owned business until 1980, when they died in their late 70’s; rebuilt in 90’s; run by Vera Sandaval; she & mother, Red, keep close eye on things & bring in good crowd.

Hyde Park
●Vino Vino – 4119 Guadalupe Street (between 41^st & 42^nd Streets); 512-465-9282; vinovinoaustin.com; tapas & live music in Hyde Park.

North Austin (from Koenig to Parmer Lanes & on to Tollway 45, includes Allandale)
●Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon – 5434 Burnet Road; 512-524-1291; thelittlelonghornsaloon.com; play bingo with chicken on Sunday between 4-8 pm.
●Nosh & Bevvy – 8440 Burnet Road, #100; 512-454-8636; facebook.com/Nosh-and-Bevvy-146131925407703/; British pub grub & pints.

Rainey Street
●Bar 96 – 96 Rainey Street; 512-433-6604; bar96austin.com; sports bar in simple bungalow with spare interior & tin ceiling, wraparound porch & backyard.
●Clive Bar – 609 Davis Street; 512-524-1623; clivebar.com like classy 1970s cocktail bar; wooden side porch; in backyard is “Bar Illegal,” which serves straight-up mezcal.

Rosedale (from West 45^th Street to North Loop, includes Brykerwoods)
●Foreign & Domestic – 306 East 53^rd Street; 512-459-1010; fndaustin.com; great bar food.

Sixth Street
●Midnight Cowboy – 313 East 6^th Street; 512-843-2715; midnightcowboymodeling.com; intimate reservations-only lounge known for its hip speakeasy vibe & old-school cocktail menu.

Tarrytown (includes Deep Eddy Heights, Mt. Bonnell & Lake Austin Boulevard)
●Deep Eddy Cabaret – 2315 Lake Austin Boulevard; 512-472-0961; deepeddycabaret.com; dive bar; converted grocery store & bait shop; appeal here is simple, as has been for half-century.

UT Area
●Hole in Wall – 2538 Guadalupe Street; 512-302-1470; holeinthewallaustin.com; old stand-by.

Volente (north to Manor Road)
●Twin Creeks Hall – 13400 FM 2769; 512-401-905; twincreekshall.com; rural dive bar with creek running through property.

Westlake Hills (out to Highway 71)
●Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen – 6317 Bee Caves Road; 512-327-8822; grovewinebar.com; other locations; pizzeria & wine bar; relaxing patio.



FOOD TRUCKS
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts – 1503 South 1^st Street; 512-607-6568; gourdoughs.com; try “Motherclucker,” donut with fried chicken strips & honey butter.
●Mighty Cone – 1720 Barton Springs Road; 512-383-9609; mightycone.com; try grass-fed venison in cone-shaped tortilla.

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●La Barbecue – 1906 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-605-9696; labarbecue.com; run by LeAn Mueller (John Mueller’s sister); housed in little trailer with few picnic tables.
●Hoover’s Soular Food – 2002 Manor Road; 512-479-5006; hooverscooking.com; soul food favored by Mike Judge.
●Thai Kun at Whisler’s – 1816 East 6^th Street; 512-407-8166; eskaustin.com; great Thai.
●Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ – 7612 Brodie Lane; 512-221-4248; valentinastexmexbbq.com; great breakfast tacos, in particular.



HOTELS
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Fairview Hotel – 1304 Newning Avenue (Travis Heights); 512-402-6214; fairviewaustin.com; antebellum plantation manor, renovated with eye to comfort & minimalism; each room is perfect in terms of cleanliness & comfort, with free wifi throughout; excellent breakfasts.
●Gateway Guesthouse – 1001 East Riverside Drive (Travis Heights); 512-326-2646; gatewayguest.com; welcome baskets stuffed with locally made treats & luxe bathrobes; includes breakfast, which can be served by pool; each room unique, with lush Old World-style, airy layouts, modern fixtures & local art; chefs at Gateway have published their own cookbook & often offer food adventures – such as BBQ tours & wine pairings; located in Travis Heights.
●Kimber Modern Hotel – 110 Circle (Travis Heights); 512-912-1046; kimbermodern.com; 6 minimalist rooms from $250; hammock-strung patio; stunning, design lovers’ dream, from Eames-laden interiors to open-air courtyard centered around massive live oak tree; self-serve gourmet breakfasts & automated coffee machines spouting specialty drinks by button touch; 400' square “Art Barn,” standalone, luxury crash pad with private patio & continuously evolving blackboard ‘art wall’ curbside facade, recently added to existing property.
●Hotel Saint Cecelia – 112 Academy Drive; 512-852-2400; hotelstcecilia.com; 9 modern studios & bungalows; 5 rooms; eclectic, decidedly Austin accommodations, from its Art Deco-style bar, to neon lights that read “S-O-U-L” shining above outdoor pool; swanky hotel, named after music’s patron saint; no 2 rooms alike on expansive South Congress estate, from contemporary poolside bungalows to suites in historic Victorian building, though each reflects extravagant, vintage-inspired style in rock-n-roll meets turn-of-century France motif; luxurious Haastens beds, mini-bar stocked with local cheeses, pâtés & wines, uniquely refinished antiques & unconventional artwork ranging from rock photography of Keith Richards to vintage Cuban movie posters; free bikes for guests.
●Hotel San José – 1316 South Congress Avenue; 512-444-7322 or 800-574-8897; sanjosehotel.com; uber-hip, bungalow-style boutique hotel, amidst South Congress Avenue action, features modern, minimalist style, adorned with balconies, patios & tropical vegetation; rooms have concrete floors, flat-screen TVs, locally-stocked mini bars & spartan, artist-driven interior design, like pine furniture created by Marfa, Texas artisans; pretty but small pool; courtyard lounge serves bar snacks, beer, wine & select cocktails, like their signature champassions (champagne & passion fruit juice with raspberries); Jo’s Coffee occupies same lot & several 1^st-rate restaurants nearby.
●South Congress Hotel – 1603 South Congress Avenue; 512-920-6405; southcongresshotel.com; recreation of mid-century hotel with 2^nd story swimming pool; great restaurant (Central Standard).
●Verde Camp – 1505 Drake Avenue; 512-850-5150; verdecamp.com; scattering of renovated, comfortably furnished, houses in Clarksville & SoCo areas; modern & retro, comfortable & in ideal location (quiet, birds, flowers, but only 5 minutes from South Congress Avenue & its cafes, restaurants & shops).

Downtown (does not include East 6^th Street)
●Driskill Hotel – 604 Brazos Street; 512-474-5911 or 800-252-9367; driskillhotel.com; Austin’s Grande Dame.
●Four Seasons – 98 San Jacinto Boulevard; 512-478-4500 or 800-819-5053; fourseasons.com/Austin; you get what you pay for in superior amenities & services at this elegant hotel on beautifully manicured grounds overlooking Lady Bird Lake; beds have goose-down pillows, L’Occitane bath products provided & iPod docking stations standard; some rooms have small balconies; upper-floor units enjoy impressive views, either of downtown or lake; extras include lending library of Texas literature & outstanding onsite restaurant; outdoor saltwater pool, indoor pool & whirlpool, as well as fitness center & full spa.
●Hotel Inter-Continental (Stephen F. Austin Hotel) – 701 Congress Avenue; 512-457-8800 or 888-424-6835; austin.intercontinental.com; 1924 hotel underwent multimillion-dollar renovation in 2013, which modernized guestrooms, while retaining historic charms; 4 blocks from Capitol; popular terrace bar overlooks Congress Avenue & Capitol; Roaring Fork, in-house restaurant, specializes in wood-fired steaks & upscale American fare.
●Hotel Van Zandt – 605 Davis Street; 512-542-5300 or 877-202-2191; hotelvanzandt.com; hipster hotel.
●W Austin – 200 Lavaca Street; 512-542-3600 or 877-822-0000; whotelaustin.com; 251 rooms; guitar-themed with original concert photography by local artists; ask for corner suite.

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●Architect’s House – 2008 Riverview Street; 512-402-7300; iloveinns.com/the-architects-house-id45556.html; actually trio of ultramodern homes designed by local Luciana Misi; downtown havens available for short- or long-term rental; herb planters, roof gardens & landscaped grounds; main house sleeps 8; guest house sleeps 3.
●Heywood Hotel – 1609 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-271-5522; heywoodhotel.com; boutique hotel; restored 1920s bungalow; exterior, with front porch & hanging basket chairs; interiors are sleek & sophisticated with mid-century modern style & historic accents, like original long-leaf pine floors; each room slightly different, split between original bungalow & 2^nd floor of adjacent building, accessed by communal courtyard; complimentary bicycles.
●Hotel Eleven – 1123 East 11^th Street; 512-675-0011; hotelelevenaustin.com; four-story, 14-room boutique hotel offering comfortable accommodations & beautiful Austin views; sunny orange chairs pop on front patio, contrasting hotel’s signature blue (2 colors incorporated throughout hotel with warm wood accents & bright gray walls, giving entire space airy yet vibrant feel); rooftop deck — only accessible by hotel guests — boasts panoramic views; unique guestrooms feature hand-selected wallpaper of varying color & design; freestanding, modern tubs in guest suites; gorgeous midcentury modern restaurant & bar on ground floor open to guests & visitors.

Elgin
●Green Acres – 2889 FM 1704; 323-573-7628; greenacresatx.com; 2 roomy yurts, fire pit, barn kitchen, hammocks & trails.

Lake Travis
●Float House Austin – Trails End Road; 512-431-4734, 512-346-4359, or 512-796-6191; floathouseaustin.com; $200-600 night; 2-story lake-house-party-boat vacation rental; bobs in quiet cove.
●Lake Austin Spa Resort – 1705 South Quinlan Park Road; 512-372-7300 or 800-847-5637; lakeaustin.com; among Austin’s most exclusive escapes located 30 minutes from town, on prime stretch of Lake Austin shoreline; cottage-style guest rooms overlook verdant lawns & calm lake waters; daily fitness & wellness programs, including Tai Chi on docks, culinary classes & hydro-bike rides on lake included in package rates; onsite Aster Cafe features healthy, yet flavorful, gourmet fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner; recently redesigned rooms epitomize rustic elegance, with every imaginable amenity & comfort.
●Travaasa Austin – 13500 FM 2769; 512-364-0061 or 855-868-7282; travaasa.com/austin; slightly north & east of Volente; on hilltop ridge amidst Balcones Canyonlands nature preserve, just 30 minutes from Austin; refreshing spin on luxury resort, inspired by its Hill Country setting; daily itineraries of “adventures” engage guests with their surroundings, from Zen garden meditations & ropes courses to horseback riding & campfire stargazing; infinity pool & recently renovated organic spa, which includes additional lounge areas & private steam rooms; Watsu pool for specialized aquatic therapies; Preserve Kitchen & Bar offers seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine in romantic setting; rooms are arranged in varying sizes, some with charming treeline views.

South Austin (south of Highway 290)
●Austin Heaven Cabin – 8906 McMeans Trail; 512-771-4842; facebook.com/AustinHeavenCabin/; on 20 acres few miles from Capitol; modern updates on traditional Old West style; intricate wood interior houses designer furnishings & perks such as claw-foot tub, record player & projection screen, plus full kitchen & plenty of space for socializing; cabin is perfect central spot for day trippers who want to explore attractions such as Krause Springs, Hamilton Pool, or Gruene Hall – & rocking chairs on porch are ideal place to enjoy sunset; sleeps 4.

UT Area
●Hotel Ella – 1900 Rio Grande Street; 512-495-1800; hotelella.com; landmark home built in 1900 for Dr. Goodall Wooten & his wife, Ella; expanded into grand, white-columned mansion in 1910; 48 rooms, 10 in original mansion; lush gardens; lap pool with own bar & cabanas.



RESTAURANTS
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Alcomar: Mariscos Y Mas – 1816 South 1^st Street; 512-401-3161; alcomaratx.com; Latin-inspired eatery for oysters, ceviche & other seafood in casual digs with octopus mural; great happy hour deals on drinks & food.
●Black Sheep Lodge – 2108 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-707-2744; blacksheeplodge.com; best burger in south Austin (allegedly); notable soccer venue, showing sports on flat screen tvs inside & out.
●El Borrego del Oro – 3900 South Congress Avenue; 512-383-0031; facebook.com/pages/El-Borrego-de-Oro/148339075196729; great breakfast tacos & soup; best birria (goat meat) in town - try tacos.
●Botticelli’s – 1321 South Congress Avenue; 512-916-1315; botticellissouthcongress.com; signature gnocchi & stuffed bread; outdoor back patio offers live music some nights.
●East Side King South Lamar – 2310 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 101; 512-383-8382; eskaustin.com or facebook.com/EastSideKingATX; brick-&-mortar location of food-truck chain serving Asian-fusion small plates & creative tacos.
●Elizabeth Street Cafe – 1501 South 1^st Street; 512-291-2881; elizabethstreetcafe.com; French-Vietnamese bakery-restaurant; can sit outside, weather permitting; great ba minh.
●La Flor – 4901 South 1^st Street; 512-417-4214; facebook.com/pages/La-Flor/170041419693277; extraordinarily nondescript locale, but unassuming exterior masks something heavenly: affordable, filling tacos served on freshly made corn tortillas; meats are focus, nopales & onions are as close as you’ll get to proper vegetables here; simple pollo taco stands out: study in flat-top griddle mastery, crispy chicken that’s been charred on flat-top, chunky white, grill-kissed onions & bit of cilantro; if you prefer red meat, desebrada (shredded beef) is noble runner-up.
●Hill’s Café – 4700 South Congress Avenue; 512-851-9300; hillscafe.com; enormous restaurant with appealingly-updated, classic Texas roadhouse menu, serving reasonably priced & well-made food; for 1^st 25-30 years Hill’s Cafe offered same classic menu: steaks with baked potatoes; burger and/or club sandwich with fries; Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes, etc.; while key elements of that classic menu remain, food not frozen in time: consider Chicken Fried Steak with crackermeal crust & 2 gravy options, Yella & white pepper.
●Hopdoddy Burger Bar – 1400 South Congress Avenue; 512-243-7505; hopdoddy.com; other locations; try Greek (lamb) burger, with arugula, feta & tzatziki; all organic ingredients; long waits.
●Juliet – 1500 Barton Springs Road; 512-479-1800; juliet-austin.com; Italian; beautiful outdoor seating & some of best Italian food in Austin but limited menu.
●Lenoir – 1807 South 1^st Street (Bouldin Creek); 512-215-9778; lenoirrestaurant.com; “ever-changing” prix fixe menus comprised of “locally sourced, sustainable” fare from hot-climate cuisines (French, Indian & Mediterranean); craft beers & wine; “date”-worthy, intimate space, bedecked with reclaimed furnishings, vintage crochet curtains & old drugstore–style bar; seats only 34 people (though there’s tree-shaded wine garden too).
●Magnolia South – 1920 South Congress Avenue; 512-445-0000; magnoliacafeaustin.com; open 24 hours; best sandwich is Flamingo; great pies; reliable diner food with extensive menu & some beer-wine selection.
●Maria’s Taco Xpress – 2529 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-444-0261; tacoxpress.com; Mexican food all day; excellent breakfast tacos.
●Matt’s El Rancho – 2613 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-462-9333; mattselrancho.com; because Gwen Bell asked it of me; Austin tradition serving classic, solid Tex-Mex & killer margaritas in family atmosphere since 1952; huge garden patio with flowers & fountain offers relief from high noise level indoors; get Bob Armstrong dip.
●La Mexicana – 1924 South 1^st Street; 512-443-6369; la-mexicana-bakery.com; panaderia open 24 hours; good for breakfast.
●Michi Ramen South – 3005 South Lamar Boulevard, D-114B (at Corners Shopping Center); 512-394-6350; michiramen.com; take-out only; try sapporo ramen (with soft-boiled egg).
●Odd Duck Restaurant – 1201 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-433-6521; oddduckaustin.com; lunch, dinner & late night; intensely local, seasonal fare prepared in wood fired oven; try beet panna cotta for dessert.
●Olivia – 2043 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-804-2700; olivia-austin.com; modern building amid auto repair shops; among standouts are grilled bison heart with crème fraiche & lamb as well as mushroom ravioli; also, MacDaddy with poached eggs; try orange cake for dessert.
●Patsy’s Cafe – 5001 East Ben White Boulevard; 512-444-2020; patsyscafe.com; good burger stop on way from or to airport.
●Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar – 1400 South Congress Avenue; 512-291-7300; perlasaustin.com; decadent lobster omelet & oyster shooters; beautiful outdoor seating.
●QC Meat Market – 730 West Stassney Lane, #105; 512-707-1200; qcmeatmarket.com; great breakfast tacos (get pork carnitas and/or lengua taco).
●Ramen Tatsu-Ya South – 1234 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-893-5561; ramen-tatsuya.com; 15 minutes from downtown; perpetually packed; try tonkotsu ramen (egg noodles, pork belly & soft-boiled egg in pork broth) or tsukemen (noodles with soup served on side).
●Sandy’s Frozen Custard & Root Beer – 603 Barton Springs Road; 512-478-6322; facebook.com/pages/Sandys-Frozen-Custard/117842954943761; cheap, old-school hamburgers.
●Shady Grove – 1624 Barton Springs Road; 512-474-9991; theshadygrove.com; casual; live music; near Barton Springs; ask for off-menu items such as chicken Philly sandwich or Barbecued Chicken Salad (mixed greens with arugula & basil, tossed in pesto ranch dressing & sprinkled with wontons, grilled chicken, barbecue sauce & green chili sauce).
●South Congress Cafe – 1600 South Congress Avenue; 512-447-3905; southcongresscafe.com; outdoor seating on deck behind restaurant; mixed drinks, wine, good food; for brunch, try carrot cake French toast.
●Sway – 1417 South 1^st Street (Bouldin Creek); 512-326-1999; swayaustin.com; Thai in swanky environment; lovely outdoor courtyard.
●Thai Fresh – 909 West Mary Street, Unit B; 512-494-6436; thai-fresh.com; compact storefront restaurant & cooking school.
●Uchi – 801 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-916-4808; uchiaustin.com; Japanese barbecue & farmhouse cuisine that combines Texan ingredients with Japanese ideals & techniques; reservations must.
●Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ – 7612 Brodie Lane; 512-221-4248; valentinastexmexbbq.com; ask for “Real Deal Holyfield.”
●Vespaio Ristorante – 1610 South Congress Avenue (SoCo); 512-441-6100; austinvespaio.com; desserts & cafe next door; great Italian grill.

Cedar Park
●Korner Kitchen – 251 North Bell Boulevard, #101; 512-763-7642; korner-kitchen.com; healthy eating using freshest, organic & locally derived ingredients; many different vendors sharing 1 kitchen.

Clarksville
●Café Josie – 1200 West 6^th Street; 512-322-9226; cafejosie.com; Tuesdays prix fixe night starts with specialty arrival cocktail; 5-course tasting paired with 5 hand-picked wines for $85 per person.
●Clark’s Oyster Bar – 1200 West 6^th Street (Clarksville); 512-297-2525; clarksoysterbar.com; seafood bistro; make sure to order shrimp toast (classic dim sum, white bread smeared with shrimp paste & then deep-fried).
●Counter Café – 626 North Lamar Boulevard (Clarksville); 512-708-8800; countercafe.com; great burgers & fried oysters.
●Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon – 915 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-428-5077; fresaschicken.com; charcoal-grilled chicken; added bonus - ice creams for dessert.
●Jeffrey’s – 1204 West Lynn Street (Clarksville); 512-477-5584; jeffreysofaustin.com; reopened under McGuire Moorman Hospitality Group management; co-owners Larry McGuire & Tom Moorman bought majority stake from founders Peggy & Ron Weiss in fall 2011; McGuire company also runs Perla’s & Elizabeth Street Cafe; cocktails at bar, with bar menu including dishes such as basil-fed escargot, marrow bones with chervil salad & dry-aged burger; chicken dinner on Sundays.
●Josephine House – 1601 Waterston Avenue (Clarksville); 512-477-5584; josephineofaustin.com; California cuisine in tiny cottage; Monday is steak frites night.
●Shoal Creek Saloon – 909 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-474-0805; shoalcreeksaloon.com; ask for off-menu item, Brian: chicken-fried tuna steak with mashed potatoes & green beans.
●24 Diner – 600 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-472-5400; 24diner.com; roasted banana & brown sugar milk shake.
●Winflo Osteria – 1315 West 6^th Street (Clarksville); 512-582-1027; winfloosteria.com; chic timbered interior & expansive shaded patio; classic Italian fare made simply, from locally sourced ingredients.
●Wink – 1014 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-482-8868; winkrestaurant.com; little oasis tucked away in nondescript location; known for innovative, farm-to-table, New American dining; expensive.

Downtown (does not include East 6^th Street)
●Alta’s Cafe – 74 Trinity Street; 512-499-0470; facebook.com/AltasCafe; casual, farm-to-table cafe fare, including sandwiches & breakfast, plus coffee, wine & craft beer.
●Annie’s Café & Bar – 319 Congress Avenue; 512-472-1884; anniescafebar.com; popular lunch spot for office workers, also hit for breakfast, dinner & weekend brunch; New American fare like stone-oven pizza, roast chicken & salads; full bar.
●Backspace – 507 San Jacinto Boulevard; 512-474-9899; thebackspace-austin.com; classic Italian fare; exquisite pizza out of wood-fired oven; try antipasti, either baked ricotta or prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella.
●Bar Chi Sushi – 206 Colorado Street; 512-382-5557; barchiaustin.com; modern & traditional Japanese cuisine intersection; try Togarashi blackened tuna; very popular for happy hour.
●Forthright – 98 San Jacinto Boulevard; 512-433-6155; forthright.cafe; New American cafe favorites, plus coffee, cocktails & happy hour specials.
●La Condesa – 400 West 2^nd Street; 512-499-0300; lacondesa.com; contemporary Mexican dishes, vast tequila selection & happy-hour deals in sophisticated setting; try pork ribs.
●Congress – 200 Congress Avenue; 512-827-2750; secondbarkitchen.com; tasting menus; elegant; prix fixe menu 5 nights weekly; also has more casual tavern (2^nd Bar + Kitchen); also bar.
●Kemuri Tatsu-Ya – 2713 East 2^nd Street; 512-893-5561; kemuri-tatsuya.com; casual izakaya & bar serving meat-centric shareable plates with Japanese & Texan influences.
●Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue – 401 West 2^nd Street; 512-494-1500; lambertsaustin.com; “fancy” barbecue & great beers; lively, 2^nd Street District destination also known for fantastic cocktails & happy hour; set in historic Schneider Brothers Building & outfitted in leather banquets; dignified, upscale feel, plus good live music in bar upstairs.
●Malaga Tapas & Bar – 440 West 2^nd Street; 512-236-8020; malagaaustin.com; inventive nibbles & extensive wine selection (including flights) in earthy-chic, bricked-walled setting; occasional live music & flamenco dancing; excellent; for cocktails, try malajito.
●Max’s Wine Dive – 207 San Jacinto Boulevard; 512-904-0111; maxswinedive.com; great fried chicken & hamburgers; downtown outpost of this mini-chain, with knowledgeable servers help to pair comfort food with fine wines, yielding fun combos like fried chicken & champagne; popular happy hour locale.
●Olamaie – 1610 San Antonio Street; 512-474-2796; olamaieaustin.com; Southern food with modern, farm-to-table spin; menu is elegantly plated in former home tastefully refurbished with neutral hues, tufted banquettes & charming art.
●Roaring Fork – 701 Congress Avenue; 512-583-0000; roaringfork.com; wood-fired food, especially resulting in great burgers; American & Southwest cuisine.
●Rounders Pizzeria – 1203 West 6^th Street; 512-477-0404; rounderspizzeria.com; full-service for pizza, salads, draft beers & wine with video games & outdoor patio; shows movies.
●Second Bar + Kitchen – 200 Congress Avenue; 512-827-2750; secondbarkitchen.com; casual, bistro environment; Asian, French & International cuisine.
●Taverna – 258 West 2^nd Street (at Lavaca Street); 512-477-1001; tavernabylombardi.com; casual Italian chainlet featuring pizzas, risottos & sidewalk seating.
●La Traviata – 314 Congress Avenue; 512-479-8131; latraviatatx.com; Italian; Chad & Kurt say, “Best Italian in Texas.”

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●Buenos Aires Café Este – 1201 East 6^th Street; 512-382-1189; buenosairescafe.com; Argentinian food.
●Bufalina Pizza – 1519 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-524-2523; bufalinapizza.com/about; ode to Neapolitan pizza (if like something besides pizza, there are couple of salads, some olives, 2 desserts & meat & cheese boards); Pizza Napoletano popular, as is Fresca, which pairs spicy prosciutto with arugula, Meyer lemon, olive oil & mozzarella; great wine choices.
●Contigo – 2027 Anchor Lane; 512-614-2260; contigotexas.com/austin; housemade spaetzle; open for brunch but closed Sunday evenings; beef tongue hash with poached eggs sounds gross but actually yummy; also try fries & dewberry chicken.
●Dai Due – 2406 Manor Road; 512-524-0688; daidue.com; butcher shop & Italian; overrated; go only to try venison pate and/or cactus pear sorbet.
●Eastside Café – 2113 Manor Road; 512-476-5858 (Cherrywood); eastsidecafeaustin.com; early locavore enterprise prepares American cuisine from vegetables grown in garden out back & other locally sourced ingredients; in old bungalow.
●Eden East – 755 Springdale Road; 512-428-6500; edeneastaustin.com; as romantic as rustic dining gets in Austin; ancient elm tree strung with twinkling lights serves both as farm’s cornerstone & Eden East’s communal dining area; Chef Sonya Cote’s talented team create inspired new menus every month with ingredients that take phrase “farm-to-table” to another level; each dinner service starts with complimentary cocktails from Deep Eddy, or wine/beer/spirits you can bring yourself; culinary experience to remember: over 2-3 hours, you will be served 5-6 courses that include local meats, herbed vegetables & much more.
●Franklin Barbecue – 900 East 11^th Street; 512-653-1187; franklinbarbecue.com; changed Anthony Bourdain’s mind about Texas barbecue (“finest brisket” he’d ever had).
●La Fruta Feliz – 3124 Manor Road; 512-473-0037; lafrutafeliz.com; great Mexican food in general & especially good for breakfast tacos (try barbacoa de chivo (goat), slow cooking having coaxed gentler side from meat (meaning no gamier goat flavor.
●Hightower – 1209 East 7^th Street; 512-524-1448; thehightoweraustin.com; try fried gulf oysters with pork rind, sriracha aioli, sunflower sprouts, flying fish roe, lime & avocado oil or blistered green beans with farro, honey mustard & candied pecans.
●Hillside Farmacy – 1209 East 11^th Street; 512-628-0168; hillsidefarmacy.com; nouvelle soda fountain; can order poached eggs on any sandwich; also, great lattes.
●Hoover’s Cooking – 2002 Manor Road; 512-479-5006; hooverscooking-hub.com; chicken-fried steak, pork ribs, sandwiches & sides; favored by Mike Judge.
●Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile – 3235 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-366-5808; jacobysaustin.com; Southern comfort haven; ranch-to-table food.
●Juan in Million – 2300 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-472-3872; juaninamillion.com; Mexican breakfasts; try Don Juan Taco (potato, egg, bacon & cheese in hot tortilla) or Con Queso breakfast (2 eggs any stle with queso, carne guisada, refried beans, potatoes & 2 flour tortillas).
●Justine’s Brasserie – 4710 East 5^th Street; 512-385-2900; justines1937.com; French bistro in industrial area; no-frills, serving old-fashioned Gallic comfort food; strong butter & celery broth surrounding Moules Mariniere (with frites) worth special visit when on menu; kitchen serves until 1:30am, so splendid people-watching.
●Kerlin BBQ – 1700 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-412-5588; kerlinbbq.com; some of Austin’s best BBQ; only open Friday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until it runs out.
●Kuneho – 1600 East 6^th Street; 512-436-9626; kunehoatx.com; Japanese bites with global twist, plus sushi & creative cocktails in pared-down, modern space.
●Launderette – 2115 Holly Street; 512-382-1599; launderetteaustin.com; globally inspired fare in converted laundromat (now polished, retro-chic space); small snack plates, wood-grilled entrees, extensive vegetable menu & Sawicki’s acclaimed desserts; try fried oysters & poached eggs.
●Mongers Market + Kitchen – 2401 East Cesar Chavez Boulevard; 512-215-8972; mongersaustin.com; seafood featuring creative takes on Southern fare.
●John Mueller Meat Co. – 2500 East 6^th Street (entrance on Pedernales Street); 512-571-6509 or 796-1322; johnmuellermeatco.com; barbecue; meat runs out early afternoon.
●Porfirio’s – 1512 Holly Street (at Comal Street); 512-476-5030; facebook.com/porfiriostacos; breakfast taco purveyor; chorizo & egg & bean & bacon are local paragons.
●Qui – 1600 East 6^th Street; 512-436-9626; quiaustin.com; minimalist Asian cuisine; Filipino offerings worth exploring.
●Salt & Time – 1912 East 7^th Street; 512-524-1383; saltandtime.com; in-house salumi, sausages & smoked meats; also good for burgers; should you prefer non-burger option, try cauliflower steak, braised beef stroganoff, or polenta with cracklings, kale & egg.
●Salty Sow – 1917 Manor Road; 512-391-2337; saltysow.com; braised, poached & stewed dishes, plus cocktails & craft brews, served in laid-back setting; 1^st place Michelle Obama ate in Austin.
●Sawyer & Co. – 4827 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-531-9033; sawyerand.co; try Bloody Marys & Trailer Park Eggs Benedict (poached eggs on Frito pie).
●Taco-Mex – 2601 Manor Road; 512-524-0860; tacomexorders.com; popular, no-frills Mexican joint in strip mall preparing grab-&-go tacos from breakfast to dinner.
●Takoba – 1411 East 7^th Street; 512-628-4466; takobarestaurant.com; recognized by Texas Monthly as among state’s 50 best Mexican restaurants; sleek atmosphere; try Bloody Mary with poached eggs & salmon.
●Taqueria Chapala – 2101 East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-320-0308; breakfast tacos; try barbacoa-stuffed tacos dorado.

Hyde Park
●Asti Trattoria – 408 East 43^rd Street; 512-451-1218; astiaustin.com; specialty escarole salad with baked cheese, white truffle oil, toped with poached egg.
●House Pizzeria – 5111 Airport Boulevard; 512-600-4999; housepizzeria.com; wood-burning oven-generated eco-pizza in old KFC with outdoor seating.

North Austin (from Koenig to Parmer Lanes & on to Tollway 45, includes Allandale)
●Barley Swine – 6555 Burnet Road; 512-394-8150; barleyswine.com; brick & mortar restaurant; emphasis on local & seasonal ingredients; try seared scallops on cauliflower puree.
●Bufalina Due – 6555 Burnet Road, #100; 512-215-8662; bufalinapizza.com; ode to Neapolitan pizza (if like something besides pizza, there are couple of salads, some olives, 2 desserts & meat & cheese boards); Pizza Napoletano popular, as is Fresca, which pairs spicy prosciutto with arugula, Meyer lemon, olive oil & mozzarella; great wine choices.
●Cover 3 – 2700 West Anderson Lane (at Village Shopping Center); 512-374-1121; cover-3.com; great hamburgers; sports bar.
●Din Ho Chinese BBQ – 8557 Research Boulevard, #116; 512-832-8788; dinhochinesebbq.com; barbecue duck & pork, as well as scallop & vegetable stir fry & fish maw soup; limited beer & wine selection.
●Fonda San Miguel – 2330 West North Loop Boulevard (Allandale); 512-459-4121; fondasanmiguel.com; authentic Mexican food in gorgeous setting (despite unlikely neighborhood); try cochinita pibil (pork baked in banana leaves); no other restaurant in US has been more important in shaping Mexican food’s North American definition.
●Foreign & Domestic – 306 East 53^rd Street; 512-459-1010; fndaustin.com; try parsnip ravioli with crispy pig ears.
●Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster – 14735 Bratton Lane (Wells Branch); 512-350-9814; garboslobsteratx.com; family flies in fresh lobster daily for rolls; get your sandwich Maine-style with mayo, celery & Bibb lettuce, or Connecticutt-style, brushed with lemon-tarragon drawn butter & scallions; clam chowder.
●Gusto’s Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar – 4800 Burnet Road; 512-458-1100; gustoitaliankitchen.com; neighborhood trattoria adorned with Italian-themed graffiti for simple but refined cooking.
●Hanabi Gateway – 9503 Research Boulevard, Suite 500; 512-795-8666; hanabiaustin.com; inventive rolls & hot dishes served in upscale Japanese cafe amid bamboo touches.
●Michi Ramen North – 6519 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-386-1908; michiramen.com; in old Quonset hut; try chashu (burnt pork ends) on rice with bonito flakes; also good is sapporo ramen (with soft-boiled egg).
●Noble Sandwich Co. – 4805 Burnet Road; 512-666-5124; noblesandwiches.com; affordable gourmet sandwiches with farm-to-table slant.
●Nosh & Bevvy – 8440 Burnet Road, #100; 512-454-8636; facebook.com/Nosh-and-Bevvy-146131925407703; British pub grub & pints.
●Peached Tortilla – 5520 Burnet Road, Suite 100; 512-330-4439; thepeachedtortilla.com; southern & Asian ideas can stretch out further than burgers & tacos (though those are here, too); favorite dishes include Thai Chop Chop Salad (fried tofu, green apple, fried shallots, peanuts, fresno chiles, radishes & fish sauce caramel); also good is Southern Fun, chow fun noodle dish accented with smoky, moist brisket & kale; do not skip dessert, either Asian Movie Night (popcorn ice cream, Asian caramel & rice pu ffs) or Singapore Fling (coconut tapioca, palm sugar syrup, grilled Asian pear & lime).
●Phara’s Mediterranean Cuisine & Christopher’s Casbah – 111 North Loop Boulevard E; 512-632-7067; pharas.com; BYOB; Mediterranean cuisine served amid elaborate Egyptian-themed decor, plus hookah lounge & courtyard.
●Ramen Tatsu-ya North – 8557 Research Boulevard, Suite 126; 512-339-0855; ramen-tatsuya.com; 15 minutes from downtown; perpetually packed; try tonkotsu ramen (egg noodles, pork belly & soft-boiled egg in pork broth) or tsukemen (noodles with soup served on side).
●Roaring Fork – 10850 Stonelake Boulevard (overlooking Quarry Lake); 512-342-2700; eddiev.com; great burgers; nestled in oak grove; American & Southwest cuisine.
●Santorini Cafe – 11800 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-833-6000; facebook.com/pages/Santorini-Cafe-Austin-TX/186609728147903?sk=info&tab=overview; Greek; in renovated house.
●Shu Shu’s Asian Cuisine – 8303 Burnet Road, #1; 512-291-3002; shushus.com; straightforward Chinese kitchen serving rice dishes & noodles, plus lunch specials.
●Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew – 6610 North Lamar Boulevard (Brentwood, in Violet Crown Shopping Center); 512-380-9199; stilesswitchbbq.com; young-gun pitmaster Lance Kirkpatrick (of Mueller’s fame) turns out amazingly moist brisket & hot sausage, backed by cold, craft beer on draft; contrary to trend, open all day & don’t have to wait in line for 5 hours to get in; great outdoor seating.
●Uchiko – 4200 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-916-4808; uchikoaustin.com; must order sweet corn sorbet with polenta custard.
●Z’Tejas – 10525 West Parmer Lane; 512-388-7772; ztejas.com; try eggs benedict Z’Tejas-style.
●Zed’s – 501 Canyon Ridge Drive (off IH-35); 512-339-9337; zeds.bz; nestled in 3-acre, outdoor garden, featuring spacious decks, pond & biking trails; fuss-free American fare.

Rosedale (from West 45^th Street to North Loop, includes Brykerwoods)
●èpicerie cafe & grocery – 2307 Hancock Drive; 512-371-6840; epicerieaustin.com; American-French comfort food with modern twists in airy space; outdoor patio seating.
●Kerbey Lane Cafe – 3704 Kerbey Lane; 512-451-1436; kerbeylanecafe.com; various other locations; get Carl’s Breakfast served on request, natural, upscale egg & muffin combo.
●Olive & June – 3411 Glenview Avenue (Brykerwoods); 512-467-9898; elegant yet casual, multilevel space with large terrace; Italian.
●Russell’s Bistro – 1601 West 38^th Street (at Jefferson Square); 512-467-7877; russellsbistro.com; French food; outdoor patio.

Sixth Street
●Eureka! – 200 East 6^th Street; 512-735-1144; eurekarestaurantgroup.com; burger bar serving craft beer & small-batch whiskeys in historic space with woodsy flair; good salads.
●Parkside – 301 East 6^th Street; 512-474-9898; parkside-austin.com; known for small plates & extensive drink menu in upscale (for 6^th Street) setting; great burgers.
●Russian House NaZdorovye – 307 East 5^th Street; 512-428-5442; russianhouseofaustin.com; equal parts nightclub & restaurant (to get to food, thread way through dark house front, where infused vodkas line walls like sinister science project; frequently has live music; place empty before about 8 pm, but on Thursday or Friday, after 9 pm, hectic; incongruity: while front pulsates, rear dining room is quaint; menu includes manti (Black Sea region meat dumplings), kulebyaka (salmon pie in brioche), cheburek (deep-fried, meat-filled dumpling that originates from Balkan & Turkish cuisine, Ukrainian borscht (layered flavors make worth special trip), solyanka (tomato-tinged cabbage casserole slow-cooked with sausage & other meats), golubtsy (meat-stuffed cabbage) & Uzbek plov (browned onions, carrots (sometimes pumpkin) & lamb, baked in fluffy, spice-scented rice).

South Austin (south of Highway 290)
●Cafe Malta – 3421 West William Cannon Drive; 512-853-9584; cafemaltaaustin.com; eclectic European-inspired menu – including housemade pasta & rotating lunch, dinner & Sunday brunch menus; charming, South Austin brasserie that features 2 special prix fixe dinners monthly (highlighting regional cuisine); old-world vibe with dark wood, white linen tablecloths & bar serving craft cocktails – plus some outdoor seating.
●Little Darlin – 6507 Circle S Road; 512-814-0999; austin.eater.com/venue/the-little-darlin; neighborhood watering hole featuring craft beer, global bistro fare & spacious yard with games.
●Me Con Bistro – 3421 West William Cannon Drive; 512-899-2390; meconbistrotx.com; reliable Chinese & Vietnamese.

Tarrytown (includes Deep Eddy Heights, Mt. Bonnell & Lake Austin Boulevard)
●Magnolia – 2304 Lake Austin Boulevard (Deep Eddy Heights); 512-478-8645; magnoliacafeaustin.com; open 24 hours; best sandwich is Flamingo; great pies; reliable diner food with extensive menu & some beer-wine selection.

360 (includes RM 2222 & Ranch Road 620)
●Noble Sandwich Co. – 12233 Texas Ranch Road 620 North, #105; 512-382-6248; noblesandwiches.com; affordable gourmet sandwiches with farm-to-table slant; try smoked duck pastrami with Russian dressing & rye pickles; casual, counter-service space is also open for breakfast (served till noon), offering hearty menu that includes homemade biscuits with sausage & gravy & crispy blueberry waffle stuffed with sausage & scrambled eggs.
●Oasis on Lake Travis – 6550 Comanche Trail; 512-266-2442; oasis-austin.com; for views only, which are spectacular; unbelieveably bad food.

UT Area
●Burger Tex II – 2912 Guadalupe; 512-477-8433; burgertexii.com; Chinese & Korean hamburgers; bills itself as healthy burger place.
●Carillon – 1900 University Avenue; 512-404-3655; thecarillonrestaurant.com; New American dishes reinterpreted, such as duck breast in chestnut-Nutella sauce & beef tenderloin poached in olive oil atop potato puree.
●Dirty Martin’s Place – 2808 Guadalupe Street; 512-477-3173; dirtymartins.com; since 1926, burgers.
●House Park Bar-B-Que – 900 West 12^th Street; 512-472-9621; houseparkbbq.net; among country’s best BBQ joints; Austin’s Oldest Barbecue Pit (since 1943).
●Ruby’s BBQ – 512 West 29^th Street; 512-477-1651; rubysbbq.com; pit-smoked, Cajun-style fare; try 3-meat plate.

Westlake Hills (out to Highway 71)
●Baguette et Chocolat – 12101 Bee Cave Road; 512-263-8388; baguetteetchocolat.com; crepes, quiches, salads & sandwiches, as well as excellent pastries.
●Buenos Aires Café Galleria – 13500 Galleria Circle, Suite 120 (Bee Cave, at Hill Country Galleria); 512-441-9000; buenosairescafe.com; Argentinian food.



SERVICES
●Barton Springs Bike Rental – 1707 Barton Springs Road; 512-480-0200; bartonspringsbikerental.com; bike rentals & bike tours.
●Historic Walking Tours – 602 East 4^th Street (Downtown, at Austin Visitor Center); 512-478-0098; austintexas.org/visit/plan-your-trip/historic-walking-tours; call to find dates & times re free tours, sometimes available; begin at Capitol.
●Lake Austin Spa Resort – 1705 South Quinlan Park Road; 512-372-7380 or 800-847-5637; lakeaustin.com/spa-resort; great facials & massages; long way from city center; beautiful location.
●Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop – 400 Nueces Street; 512-473-0222; mellowjohnnys.com; sells & rents bikes & accessories; adjacent café offers coffee & smoothies; staff will chart trip along Austin’s 20 miles of hike & bike trails.
●My Private Driver – 9600 Great Hills Trail (at Arboretum); 512-733-5700; myprivatedriver.com/index.html; provides suited, professional driver; can drive your car or supply limo.



SHOPPING
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Kyle Bunting – 1340 Airport Commerce Drive #325; 512-264-1148; kylebunting.com; furniture.
●By George – 1400 South Congress Avenue; 512-441-8600; bygeorgeaustin.com; upscale men’s & women’s accessories & clothes.
●Creatures Boutique – 1206 South Congress Avenue; 512-707-2500; creaturesboutique.com; handpicked apparel & accessories made by local artists & independent designers.
●End of Ear – 2209 South 1^st Street; 512-462-6008; endofanear.com; some vinyl records and, sometimes, live music.
●Friends of Sound – 1704 South Congress Avenue; 512-447-1000; friendsofsound.com; collectible & rare vinyl.
●Heritage Boot – 1200 South Congress Avenue; 512-326-8577; heritageboot.com; fanciful boots made from exotic leathers, using vintage (1930-1960s) patterns.
●Hill Country Weavers – 1701 South Congress Avenue; 512-707-7396; hillcountryweavers.com; crocheting, knitting & weaving products & supplies.
●Maya Star – 1508 South Congress Avenue; 512-912-1475; mayastar.com; furniture, gifts & jewelry.
●Parts & Labour – 1117 South Congress Avenue; 512-326-1648; partsandlabourstore.myshopify.com; all local made, some from vintage fabric.
●Road House Relics – 1720 South 1^st Street; 512-442-6366; roadhouserelics.com; gallery featuring colorful, Americana-inspired neon art pieces by artist Todd Sanders.
●Spartan – 215 South Lamar, Suite D; 512-579-0303; spartan-shop.com; filled with classic objects d’art & collections for home.
●Uncommon Objects – 1512 South Congress Avenue; 512-442-4000; uncommonobjects.com; sprawling emporium with flea market aesthetic; quirky souvenirs like duck decoys or antique beaver top hats.

Clarksville
●By George – 524 North Lamar Boulevard, #103; 512-472-5951; bygeorgeaustin.com; upscale men’s & women’s accessories & clothes.
●Waterloo Records – 600A North Lamar Boulevard; 512-474-2500; waterloorecords.com; extensive vinyl collection.
●Whole Foods – 525 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-476-1206; wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar; flagship.

Downtown (does not include East 6^th Street)
●Kick Pleat – 918 West 12^th Street; 512-445-4500; kickpleat.com; style mecca with independent lines.
●Mercury Design Studio – 225 West 2^nd Street; 512-236-0100; facebook.com/Mercury-Design-Studio-290230824514/info/?tab=overview; accessories & “artifacts.”
●Toy Joy – 403 West 2^nd Street; 512-320-0090; toyjoy.com; super fun store for weird stuff, like manga Gandhi biography, etc.

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●Mongers Market + Kitchen – 2401 East Cesar Chavez Boulevard; 512-215-8972; mongersaustin.com; Gulf fish & shellfish.
●Sertodo Copper – 3615 Oak Springs Drive; 512-923-4885; sertodo.com; international cooperative metal studio that produces copper goods of all types.

North Austin (from Koenig to Parmer Lanes & on to Tollway 45, includes Allandale)
●Chocolaterie Tessa – 7425 Burnet Road; 512-200-2837; chocolaterietessa.com; handmade specialty chocolates, truffles, caramels & candies made on-site.
●Petrified Design – 6601 Shirley Avenue; 512-755-3555 or 806-790-1622; petrifieddesign.com; handmade furniture; modern & wooden; home accessories.
●Resin Rose – 113 Industrial Boulevard, Building A-3; ​512-808-6704; resinrose.com; markets itself as provider of sustainable furniture.
●Tiny Pies – 5035 Burnet Road; 512-916-0184; tinypies.com; individual handheld savory & sweet pies, plus other inventive pie variations.
●Tufted Door – 113 Industrial Boulevard, Building A-3; ​512-808-6704; thetufteddoor.com; handmade, modern furniture.

Rosedale (from West 45^th Street to North Loop, includes Brykerwoods)
●èpicerie cafe & grocery – 2307 Hancock Drive; 512-371-6840; epicerieaustin.com; American-French gourmet groceries; limited selection.

UT Area
●Antone’s Record Shop – 2928 Guadalupe Street, #101; 512-322-0660; antonesrecordshop.com; vinyl with emphasis on roots music & jazz.
●Blanton Museum of Art (Gift Shop) – 200 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard (at Congress); 512-475-6406; blantonmuseum.org/visit/museum_shop; great gift shop.



SIGHTS & SITES
Barton Springs, SoCo & South Lamar (down past Highway 290)
●Austin Nature & Science Center – 2389 Stratford Drive; 512-974-3888; austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center; mostly outdoor center; live coyote & red hawk; replicas of dinosaurs & their tracks.
●Barton Springs Pool – 2201 Barton Springs Road; 512-867-3080; austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool; world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool.
●Blunn Creek Nature Preserve – 1200 St. Edward’s Drive (Travis Heights); 512-974-6700; austintexas.gov/department/nature-preserves-0, blunncreekpartnership.ning.com & austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/.../ec_blunn_trail_map.pdf (map); extinct volcano near St. Edward’s campus; homeless people often wandering through so do not go alone.
●Campbell’s Hole – at Spyglass Road off Mopac (1 mile upstream from Barton Springs, take Spyglass Road access point & turn left onto trail once you get to creek); 512-974-9331; bartoncreekhome.com/barton-creek-greenbelt-swimming-holes; pebble beach & cliffs.
●Long Center for Performing Arts – 701 West Riverside Drive; 512-474-5664; thelongcenter.org; among most acoustically perfect stages in Texas.
●Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts – 1700 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-476-2276; naturalepicurean.com; variety of cooking classes, including Ayurveda, macrobiotic & vegan.
●Peter Pan Miniature Golf – 1207 Barton Springs Road; 512-472-1033; peterpanminigolf.com; since 1946; delightful & goofy; BYOB.
●Stitch Lab – 1000 South 1^st Street; 512-440-0712; stitchlab.biz; class participants can sew anything from pillows to clothing to reusable grocery bags.
●Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden – 2220 Barton Springs Road; 512-477-8672; zilkergarden.org/gardens/oriental.html; built as gift to city where 2 sons attended University of Texas.

Cedar Creek
●Capitol of Texas Zoo – 376 Jenkins Road; 512-303-6675; capitaloftexaszoo.org; feels like safari; donated & rescued animals; peacocks, wallabies, Australian civets, lemurs, camels, zebras & Himalayan black bears; petting zoo.

Cedar Park
●Austin Steam Train Association – 401 East Whitestone Boulevard, C-100 (Cedar Park); 512-477-8468; austinsteamtrain.org; 2-3 hour rides between Austin & Littig, with meals.
●Brushy Creek Lake Park – 3300 Brushy Creek Road; 512-401-5500; cedarparktexas.gov/?page=577; 90-acre jewel of park; kayak rentals for $10 hour; lakeside trails.
●Texas Museum of Science & Technology – 1220 Toro Grande Drive (Cedar Park); 512-961-5333; txmost.org; planetarium.

Clarksville
●HOPE Outdoor Gallery – 1101 Baylor Street; hopecampaign.org/hopeprojects/hope-outdoor-gallery; beginning as condo development, these walls soon became largest graffiti park in America; with ever-changing artwork & stunning displays of self-expression.
●Panic Room – 1205 Rio Grande Street; 512-920-2845; texaspanicroom.com/austin; live escape room perfect for building teamwork; make your escape by finding clues & solving puzzles.

Downtown (does not include East 6^th Street)
●Ann & Roy Butler Hike-&-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake Trail) – Town Lake access with parking at Congress Avenue or South Lamar Boulevard); 512-733-3989 (Trail Foundation); austintexas.gov/department/ann-and-roy-butler-hike-and-bike-trail; lovely, shaded walk along Colorado River’s edge.
●Contemporary Austin – 700 Congress Avenue; 512-453-5312; thecontemporaryaustin.org; sleek exhibition space; gravity-defying staircase worth visit in & of itself.
●Moody Theater (Austin City Limits) – 310 West Willie Nelson Boulevard; 512-225-7999 or 877-471-4225; acl-live.com/venue; live music venue notable for, among other things, series tapings.
●Texas State Capitol – 1100 Congress Avenue; 512-463-0063; tspb.state.tx.us; red granite monument; to see it is life-changing event; tspb.state.tx.us; painting by Tom Lea, “Ranger Escort West of Pecos” (1965).

East Austin (north to Manor Road)
●Austin Book Arts Center – 2832 East Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, #114; 512-417-5845; atxbookarts.org; take workshops in letterpress, bookbinding, papermaking & typography, as well as book history & design.
●Craft Store – 4704A East Cesar Chavez Street; 512-900-9957; craft-austin.com; touted as Austin’s creative hub for DIY crafting, events & workshops; beyond painting & pottery; most classes average $45 & include all instruction & supplies; learn to make homemade soap, professional floral display, etc.
●Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory – 2210 South FM 973; 512-972-1960; hornsbybend.org or austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Water/DilloDirt/hornsbybendbro.pdf; 3.5 miles of hiking, Austin Water Utility on Colorado River; more than 350 bird species.
●Oakwood Cemetery (Texas State Cemetery) – 1601 Navasota Street; 512-453-2320; austinlibrary.com/oakwood/index.cfm; originally called City Cemetery, oldest city-owned cemetery; dates from mid-1850s; 1^st burials were Comanche attack victims; renamed Oakwood in 1907 per city ordinance; over 40 acres, including annex across Comal Street to east; includes sections historically dedicated to black, Jewish & Latino populations; paupers historically buried in unmarked graves on south side; became Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1972 & added to National Register of Historic Places in 1985; annex added on October 30, 2003; notable burials include John Barclay Armstrong (1850-1913, Texas Ranger, U.S. Marshall & rancher who captured notorious killer John Wesley Hardin), Richard Bache, Jr. (1784-1848, assisted in drafting Texas Constitution of 1845 & grandson of Benjamin Franklin); Susanna Dickinson (1814-1883, Alamo survivor), John Henry Faulk (1913-90, radio personality), Ima Hogg (1882-1975, philanthropist), James S. Hogg (1851-1906, Governor), Elisha M. Pease (1812-83, Governor); also, Tom Lea cenotaph.

Hyde Park
●Elisabet Ney Museum – 304 East 44^th Street; 512-458-2255; austintexas.gov/Elisabetney; sculptures.

North Austin (from Koenig to Parmer Lanes & on to Tollway 45, includes Allandale)
●Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms – 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive; 512-837-1215; pioneerfarms.org; open on Fridays-Sundays; working farm.
●Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park – 12138 North Lamar Boulevard; 512-974-6700; austinparks.org/parks/Walnut%20Creek%20Metropolitan%20Park; 300 acres of greenbelt barely visible from street; 15 miles hiking trails, swimming pool, off-leash dog park.

Sixth Street
●Esther’s Follies – 525 East 6^th Street; 512-320-0553; esthersfollies.com; modern-day vaudeville theatre named after actress Esther Williams; acts incorporate dancing, juggling, magic, singing & sketches on current events.

South Austin (south of Highway 290)
●Casa Neverland Design Fine Art Studio – 305 West Milton Street; 512-442-7613; austinot.com/casa-neverlandia or facebook.com/CasaNeverlandia/about; call for reservation & paid tour; colorful, undulating wonderland outfitted with solar panels, rainwater collection, fire poles, elevated footbridge, talk tubes, nooks & hideaways; as much nod to Dr. Seuss & Peter Pan as it is to Buckminster Fuller & Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí; transformed from its humble origins, 3-story limestone & brick Austrian chalet captures some of flair of architectural styles of Goa, India & Oaxaca, Mexico, by way of Las Vegas (circa 1963); added Rumford-style fireplace & sunken lounge to main living area.
●Cathedral of Junk – 4422 Lareina Drive; 512-299-7413; facebook.com/Cathedral.of.Junk; stunning art house made entirely out of pieces of scrap metal & found objects.
●Goat Cave Karst Nature Preserve – 3900 Deer Lane (south of William Cannon); 512-974-9461; austinparks.org/parks/goat-cave-preserve; sinkhole & caves (28 foot vertical drop).
●Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – 4801 La Crosse Avenue; 512-232-0100; wildflower.org; lovely gardens; year-round destination.
●Sculpture Falls – Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail; alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/sculpture-falls-hike-at-barton-creek; mile upstream from MoPac Bridge; enter Barton Creek Greenbelt at Gaines Creek trailhead (just south of MoPac’s intersection with Loop 360) or at Trail’s End (1710 Camp Craft Road); swimming hole & water-sculpted rocks.
●Southeast Metropolitan Park – 4511 Highway 71 East (Del Valle); 512-854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/southeast-metro; 3-mile hiking trail with stunning city view at mile marker 38.

360 (includes RM 2222 & Ranch Road 620)
●Bat Conservation International – 500 North Capitol of Texas Highway, #1; 512-327-9721 or 512-416-5700, ext. 3636 (bat updates); batcon.org; will direct as to likelihood of bat sightings under Congress Avenue bridge, among other things.
●Bright Leaf State Natural Area – Creek Lodge Drive at Creek Mountain Road (take RM 2222 to Mt. Bonnell Drive to Creek Lodge Drive to Creek Mountain Road); 512-459-7269; brightleaf.org; 200 acres; golden-cheeked warblers, great horned owls & jack rabbits; 4 miles of hiking trails.
●Emma Long Metropolitan Park on Lake Austin – 1706 City Park Road; 512-346-1831; austintexas.gov/department/emma-long-metropolitan-park; sandy beach with roped off swim area.
●Wild Basin Preserve – 805 North Capital of Texas Highway; 512-327-7622; wildbasin.org; 227 acres of wood west of town.

Tarrytown (includes Deep Eddy Heights, Mt. Bonnell & Lake Austin Boulevard)
●Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria – 3809 West 35^th Street (Tarrytown); 512-458-8191; thecontemporaryaustin.org; beautiful grounds alone worth visit.
●Deep Eddy Pool – 401 Deep Eddy Avenue (Deep Eddy Heights); 512-974-6700; austintexas.gov/department/deep-eddy-pool; summer movie season shows Saturday night family movies.

UT Area
●Blanton Museum of Art – 200 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard (at Congress); 512-471-7324; blantonmuseum.org; Latin-American collection noteworthy.
●Dolph Briscoe Center for American History – 2300 Red River Street; 512-495-4515; cah.utexas.edu; Texana & photography.
●Flatbed Press & Gallery – 2832 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard; 512-477-9328; flatbedpress.com; University of Texas “Creative Research Laboratory” where alumni, faculty & students display work.
●Lyndon Baines Johnson Library & Museum – 2313 Red River Street; 512-721-0020; lbjlibrary.org.
●Harry Ransom Center – 300 West 21^st Street; 512-471-8944; hrc.utexas.edu; Gutenberg Bible in main gallery; large collection of Tom Lea art & manuscripts, & Tom Lea Room.
●Texas Memorial Museum – 2400 Trinity Street; 512-471-1604; tmm.utexas.edu; dinosaurs galore; also, cultural & natural artifacts from throughout Texas history.
●Union Underground Bowling Alley – 2247 Guadalupe Street (in Union Building); 512-475-6670; universityunions.utexas.edu/texas-union/scene/bowling-billiards-games-and-more; Thursday-Sunday nights have Glow-N-Dark bowling, when black lights turn pins purple, lasers flash & music cranks up.
●University of Texas Campus – 1 University Station; 512-471-1000 (Visitor Center); utexas.edu/about-ut/campus-tours or jimnicar.com/tag/paul; designed by Paul Cret, shows extensive Art Deco influences; worth arranging special tour.
●UT Tower – 1 University Station (West 24^th Street); 512-475-6633, 512-471-3434 or 877-475-6633 (tickets); tower.utexas.edu or universityunions.utexas.edu/texas-union/scene/tower-tours (self-guided tour information); view from 30 stories up still spectacular; reservations can be made in person at Texas Union Hospitality Center (24^th & Guadalupe Street).