| When you come to Austin, bring your appetite. They like
their salsa spicy, their barbecue smoky, and their chili hot enough to
call in several fire engines! The "River City" is blessed with
a multitude of culinary choices; its close proximity to Mexico affords a
tasty amalgamation of cultures locally known as Tex-Mex; Central Texas'
German influence contributes to its love for wurst, and they've got the
worlds best barbecue. Nothing washes down that brisket better than a
cold Shiner Bock or a frozen margarita in any of an endless variety of
fruity flavors. Most Austin dining establishments are casual - locals
like to be comfortable when they eat. Naturally, some of the finer
restaurants have a loosely enforced dress code, but at most places,
t-shirts and jeans will do just fine. Austin is also a clean-air city,
meaning most of its restaurants are either completely smoke-free or have
a separate smoking section, usually outside.
Barton Springs Road has become known as Austins "Restaurant Row," boasting many of Austins best eats within walking distance of each other. Located right on the edge of Zilker Park, Barton Springs Road offers everything from pizza to barbecue. Stop in for some of Chuys world-famous Comida Deluxe (you can't miss this place - just look for the Velvet Elvis amidst hundreds of classic car hubcaps), dine under the oaks at Shady Grove or take your date to Romeos for Italian dining with a creative twist. After dinner, head over to Flipnotics for a late-night cup of coffee or a variety of healthy drinks at the Juice Joint. Clarksville is peppered with a mix of bistros, coffeehouses, bakeries and upscale restaurants. This historic neighborhood feels warm and welcoming, a quaint retreat in the heart of the city. For dining with a Southwestern flair, grab a table at Z'Tejas or head over to Castle Hill Café for an exciting gourmet entrée from their ever-changing menu. Frank and Angies Pizzeria cranks out inventive New York-style pies at Austin-style prices, and Huts still has the most interesting and varied hamburger menu in town. The Austin Land & Cattle Company is a meat-lovers paradise; for smaller budgets, the Hoffbrau and G/M Steakhouses are nearby. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweetish Hill Bakery, Rather Sweet or Amys Ice Creams - a big favorite with the locals. South Austin is the place to go for Tex-Mex; between South First Street and South Congress Avenue, you'll find more margaritas than you can shake a swizzle stick at. South First is home to one enticing Mexican restaurant after another - from Jovitas to Polvos to El Mercado, this is where you'll find any enchilada or taco under the sun. And speaking of sun, El Sol Y La Luna on South Congress serves up some of the best traditional interior Mexican food you'll ever taste. Just down the street, Gueros draws an eclectic and diverse crowd - everyone from singer Lucinda Williams to President Clinton has raved about their achiote-marinated chicken breast tacos. If you're not in the mood for Mexican, there are many other delectable options nearby - Shaggys has killer Caribbean cuisine and live music, Vespaio offers fine Italian dining, while Magnolia Café and Kerbey Lane cater to vegeterians and the late-night health-conscious set. For dining with a lakeside view, cruise Lake Austin Boulevard for a meal at Mozarts, a taste of the tropics at the Hula Hut or steaks at Jakes. There are a wealth of dining options all over the Highland Lakes district; everything from the eclectic and innovative (Hudsons on the Bend), the upscale (The Travis Room) to the funky (The Hideaway) and the functional (Mr. Brisket). Its possible to dine right on the water (Shades, Sam Hill) or relax high on a cliff with scenic views (Iguana, the Oasis). Head for the hills when you're looking for barbecue - between the Salt Lick and high-end barbecue chain the County Line, you'll get a spectacular view while savoring smoky ribs and sausage. The Fourth Street district features hearty dining with a Spaghetti Warehouse and one of the citys finest steakhouses, Sullivans. Mezzaluna offers an upscale Italian menu, and the Bitter End leaves few unsatisfied after wading in this brewpub oasis or sampling some of chef Emmett Foxs sublime culinary creations. Have dinner, brews and a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema or don your retro duds and go dancing all night at Polly Esthers. Jazz is in the air at Cedar Street, Ringside at Sullivans and a multitude of other clubs. Be sure to stop in for a cup of joe at Ruta Maya Coffeehouse'the hub, heart and soul of the warehouse district. Downtown is thriving once again with restaurants and bars, from
Congress' China on the Avenue and Hickory Street to the old Lundberg
Bakery across from the State Capitol. At the end of Congress is the
always hopping 1920s Club, and just down the street lies casual, classy
Manuels for fine Mexican By now, you've probably heard about Sixth Street. This historic district hosts an array of nightclubs and has helped Austin earn its reputation as the "Live Music Capital of the World." Its the place to party, and, on weekend nights, becomes an all-out street fiesta with live music blaring out of every door and window. The street is frequently the site of special events like SXSW (South by Southwest), The Pecan Street Festival, a Halloween parade, The Victorian Christmas and Austins annual New Years Eve Bash. If theres one fast-food chain that personifies Austin, its Thundercloud Subs. On the surface, its laid-back, relaxed and casual, about as far away from uptight and pretentious as you can get. Beneath that relaxed exterior, though, theres energy and drive, traits that have helped build a sandwich empire. Currently there are over 25 Thundercloud sub shops in the Austin area and nearly a dozen across the state. Its the best darn sandwich in town. No tour of Austin restaurants would be complete without mentioning Threadgills. Founded by a bluegrass singer in an old tin building out on North Lamar, Threadgills has become world-famous ever since Janis Joplin entertained here in her early years. But what really keeps the folks coming back after all these years is that wonderful down-home Southern cooking. The chicken fried steak alone is legendary. Check out the original Threadgills or the newest location at Barton Springs and Riverside Drive (in the site of the old Armadillo World Headquarters). Both feature live music and an impressive collection of Texas music memorabilia. |
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