For our out-of-town family and friends, we want you to enjoy and explore Austin just like we do! Here are some of our favorite spots to eat, drink, and explore in the Greater Austin area!
Activities
Outdoor
Austin’s famous natural swimming pool
Walk all or parts of the Ann and Roy Butler trail that loops around Lady Bird Lake!
Mayfield Park and Nature Reserve
There are peacocks that live on the preserve go say hi to them!
Visit Mount Bonnell, the highest point in Austin!
Frolic through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
Sightseeing/Attractions
Tour the Texas State Capital
Fun Daytrips!
Wimberley and Canyon Lake (one hour south of Austin)
The quintessential Texas Hill Country experience!
Home to The Blue Hole and Jacob’s Well!
Lots of great restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities!
Fredericksburg (one and a half hours west of Austin)
The Heart of Central Texas’ Wine Country
Famous for its German Heritage and wineries
San Antonio (one and a half hours south of Austin)
The Alamo! (it’s smaller than you think)
Riverwalk District
Lockhart (forty minutes south of Austin)
The BBQ capital of Texas!!!
Food and drink
This isn’t a complete list, but these are many of our favorite places in and around Austin!
Austin is known for its food truck scene, so we highly recommend exploring some of the many food truck parks around the city!
Anita and Max’s Favorite Restaurant
Odd Duck | Farm to Table American, with a uniquely Austin flair
Odd Duck is just great. Perfectly balanced cocktails, creative and flavorful dishes, with funky and cozy decor. If Austin were a restaurant, it would be Odd Duck. We have gone here for our anniversary for the last 3 years now, including the night before our engagement. We hope everyone is able to go here and experience one of our favorite places.
Bakeries/Sweet Treats
Rockman Bakery | Amazing Pastries (warning: this place is pricey)
Heaven’s Bistro Bakery | The best croissants
ROUND ROCK DONUTS
THIS IS MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE. HOT, FRESH, MELT IN YOUR MOUTH DONUTS
Epecerie | Bakery, Brunch, Lunch, Coffee!
Abby Jane Bakeshop | Our Favorite Bakery
Located in Dripping Springs
OMG Squee | Japanese Taikyaki Sundaes and Soft Serve
Amy’s Ice Cream | Austin’s Favorite Ice Cream!
Many Locations
Tiny Pies | Pies! They are Tiny and Delicious!
Sour Duck Market | The everything place
Coffee/Cafes
Flora Coffee
Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
Fleet Coffee
Sightseer Coffee Bar
Mercado Sin Nombre
Barrett’s Coffee
Terrible Love Coffee
BBQ - Expect lines, it is normal and worth it to wait an hour or more for certain places
LeRoy and Lewis - Michelin Star BBQ
Interstellar BBQ - Michelin Star BBQ
Franklin BBQ - Often called the best BBQ in the world
WARNING: Depending on the day, people will start lining up hours before they open. Expect very long wait times.
Terry Blacks - An Austin Institution
Mum Foods - When Texas BBQ and a Jewish Deli have a baby
Pastrami Style Brisket and Matzo Ball Soup!
Stiles Switch BBQ - Great BBQ, often little to no wait!
We love their sides and smoked chicken wings
Micklethwait Craft Meats - Austin’s Best BBQ Food truck
Restaurants
Veracruz All Natural | Breakfast Tacos
Joe’s Bakery | Classic Tex-Mex Breakfast
El Dorado Cafe | Classic Tex-Mex (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Cafe Java| Great Diner Breakfast
Multiple Locations
Phoebe’s Diner | Elevated Diner Grub
Multiple Locations
Launderette | Elevated Brunch
Mattie’s | Fantastic Brunch and Dinner. Amazing Location/Ambiance
Canje | High End Afro-Caribbean
Ramen Del Barrio | Mexican Ramen Fusion
Intero | Date Night Italian using local Texas ingredients
Spicy Boys | Asian Inspired Fried Chicken
Multiple Locations
Mian and Bao | Shanghainese-Meets-Sichuan cuisine
Suerte | High End Traditional Mexican
Dai Due | High End Texan, everything they serve is from Texas
Jewboy Burgers | Tex-Mex + Jewish cuisine + Burger = Yum
Este | High End Coastal Mexican Seafood
Sazan Ramen | Traditional Ramen
NG Cafe | Bahn Mi
Garbos | Lobster Rolls and Seafood
Whip My Soul | Incredible Soul Food
Usta Kababgy | Mediterranean
Moonshine Grill | Southern Comfort Food
Amazing whiskey selection (Hundreds of options!!)
Aba | Elevated Mediterranean
Murray’s Tavern | NY Style Tavern
Olamaie | Modern Southern. Best damn biscuits
Foreign and Domestic | Modern American
Salty Sow | Gastropub
Uchi and Uchiko | High End Sushi
Sushi Yume | Lowkey Amazing Sushi
Clark's Oyster Bar | Oysters and Seafood
Top Notch Hamburgers | Drive-In Burgers since 1971
Featured in Dazed and Confused