Rusty’s Austin Guidebook
Coffee
Fun coffee shops with Wi-Fi and light bites
Revival Coffee
1405 E 7th StFigure 8 Coffee Purveyors
1111 Chicon StGrab a Veracruz migas taco then head to Flat Track for a cup of joe inside this local bike shop (don't miss the back patio)
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Flat Track Coffee
1619 E Cesar Chavez StGrab a Veracruz migas taco then head to Flat Track for a cup of joe inside this local bike shop (don't miss the back patio)
"All your legal vices under one roof"
This place is more than just a coffee shop, and has great downtown people watching
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Halcyon
218 W 4th St"All your legal vices under one roof"
This place is more than just a coffee shop, and has great downtown people watching
Cuvee Coffee Bar
2000 E 6th StFull espresso bar + brewery
Local tip: look to see if they're serving from the back cash register
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Lazarus Brewing Co.
1902 E 6th StFull espresso bar + brewery
Local tip: look to see if they're serving from the back cash register
The food and ambiance are hard to beat at a coffee lounge in town
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Cenote
1010 E Cesar Chavez StThe food and ambiance are hard to beat at a coffee lounge in town
Grab a Veracruz taco outside and enjoy the beer/coffee selection inside.
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Radio Coffee & Beer
4204 Menchaca RdGrab a Veracruz taco outside and enjoy the beer/coffee selection inside.
Celebrity sightings, daily DJs spinning vinyl, and great coffee make this a local gem.
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Try Hard Coffee Roasters
1115 E 11th StCelebrity sightings, daily DJs spinning vinyl, and great coffee make this a local gem.
Probably the most expensive coffee on this list, but their miso/brown sugar iced lattes are worth it
Desnudo Coffee
Probably the most expensive coffee on this list, but their miso/brown sugar iced lattes are worth it
Tacos
Everyone has an opinion of their favorite taco / queso in Austin.
Chuy's isn't the best food, although their margaritas and complimentary nacho bar happy hour are hard to beat. This kitschy Tex-Mex dive has spawned a successful restaurant chain, and can be worth the trip if you're at Zilker Park or Barton Springs.
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Chuy's
1728 Barton Springs RdChuy's isn't the best food, although their margaritas and complimentary nacho bar happy hour are hard to beat. This kitschy Tex-Mex dive has spawned a successful restaurant chain, and can be worth the trip if you're at Zilker Park or Barton Springs.
Mine and Rachel Ray's favorite migas tacos in town (think: eggs+cheese+chips+salsa), although their meat, fish, and veggies are great too. I usually opt for homemade corn tortillas.
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Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadMine and Rachel Ray's favorite migas tacos in town (think: eggs+cheese+chips+salsa), although their meat, fish, and veggies are great too. I usually opt for homemade corn tortillas.
Not as close to home, but another opportunity to eat Veracruz tacos.
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Veracruz All Natural Food Truck
2505 Webberville RoadNot as close to home, but another opportunity to eat Veracruz tacos.
There are several Torchy's in town. They’re not the most authentic tacos, but they do a lot of things right.
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Torchy's Tacos
2809 S 1st StThere are several Torchy's in town. They’re not the most authentic tacos, but they do a lot of things right.
If it comes down to "Tacodeli or Torchy's" - choose Tacodeli every time.
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Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdIf it comes down to "Tacodeli or Torchy's" - choose Tacodeli every time.
Tacodeli
4200 N Lamar BlvdThis place offers convenient tacos downtown.
This place is on my list so you DON'T GO HERE.
It's located downtown, but not worth your time.
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Taco Shack
4002 N Lamar BlvdThis place is on my list so you DON'T GO HERE.
It's located downtown, but not worth your time.
Higher-end casual shared plates and great cocktails.
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Fried and True Food Truck
1308 E 6th StHigher-end casual shared plates and great cocktails.
The actual best right here. I consider this "fusion food" because it's also some of the best BBQ in town. Note: not close to home.
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Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdThe actual best right here. I consider this "fusion food" because it's also some of the best BBQ in town. Note: not close to home.
Juan in a Million
2300 E Cesar Chavez StNothing fancy about this local favorite.
Excellent elevated interior Mexican food, and the most expensive taco on this list.
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La Condesa
400 W 2nd StExcellent elevated interior Mexican food, and the most expensive taco on this list.
Bars
East Austin is full of character and exciting nightlife. Don't see the type of experience you're looking for? Just ask.
Lots of great live music/DJs at this dive with a shared back patio
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Dozen Street
Lots of great live music/DJs at this dive with a shared back patio
A favorite cocktail bar. The Thai Kun food truck out back is good, and don't miss the upstairs mezcal bar if it's open!
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Whisler's
1816 E 6th StA favorite cocktail bar. The Thai Kun food truck out back is good, and don't miss the upstairs mezcal bar if it's open!
Some of the most talented bartenders in the city.
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The Roosevelt Room
307 W 5th StSome of the most talented bartenders in the city.
This place never disappoints. Check out the rooftop year round.
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HandleBar
121 E 5th StThis place never disappoints. Check out the rooftop year round.
Slip on your cowboy boots and get ready for this two-stepping local institution
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The White Horse
500 Comal StSlip on your cowboy boots and get ready for this two-stepping local institution
They keep kombucha on tap at this rad queer bar, and there's an awesome vegan food truck out back.
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Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River StThey keep kombucha on tap at this rad queer bar, and there's an awesome vegan food truck out back.
Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville RdThe closest bar to my house.
You can do better
HOTEL VEGAS
1502 E 6th StGreat music, large shared patio
Another intimate garage bar with great cocktails and an entrance that's easy to miss.
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Small Victory
108 E 7th StAnother intimate garage bar with great cocktails and an entrance that's easy to miss.
Get a reservation online to this awesome speakeasy
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Midnight Cowboy Modeling
313 E 6th StGet a reservation online to this awesome speakeasy
The drinks are good, but come here for the food at Surf 'n' Turf (massive and delicious nachos, po' boys, tacos, and salads).
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Lavaca Street Bar
405 Lavaca StThe drinks are good, but come here for the food at Surf 'n' Turf (massive and delicious nachos, po' boys, tacos, and salads).
Antone's
305 E 5th StAlways a good show
Elephant Room
315 Congress AveAlways a great show
Seven Grand
405 E 7th StAwesome selection of whisky
Blue Owl Brewing
2400 E Cesar Chavez StDo you like sour beers? It's all they have
The Driskill is the longest operating hotel in Texas. Beyond the history and ghost stories is a cute old bar in the back.
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The Driskill
217 Congress AveThe Driskill is the longest operating hotel in Texas. Beyond the history and ghost stories is a cute old bar in the back.
There's almost always something going on at this hip east side hostel and beautiful bar.
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The Cafe at Native Hostels
807 E 4th StThere's almost always something going on at this hip east side hostel and beautiful bar.
Hear me out: the Brussels sprouts and beet fries at the East Side King food truck make this bar hard to beat.
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High Noon
2000 E Cesar Chavez StHear me out: the Brussels sprouts and beet fries at the East Side King food truck make this bar hard to beat.
BBQ
BBQ in Austin is usually a slow-roasted slab of dry rubbed brisket that doesn't need much sauce.
The most famous BBQ in town. It's damn good, but probably not worth the wait if you're only here fore a few days.
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Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StThe most famous BBQ in town. It's damn good, but probably not worth the wait if you're only here fore a few days.
Arguably as good as Franklin's, but with a much shorter line.
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La Barbecue
2401 E Cesar Chavez StArguably as good as Franklin's, but with a much shorter line.
Great BBQ downtown. Much more authentic than nearby Lambert's
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Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que Austin
217 Congress AveGreat BBQ downtown. Much more authentic than nearby Lambert's
I call this place "bougie BBQ." The meat isn't the best, but the ambiance is great, and the side dishes are fire.
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Lamberts
401 W 2nd StI call this place "bougie BBQ." The meat isn't the best, but the ambiance is great, and the side dishes are fire.
Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood AveClassic BBQ
Also on my "best Taco list," this place is so good.
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Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
308 Menchaca RdAlso on my "best Taco list," this place is so good.
Gus’s Fried Chicken
117 San Jacinto BlvdSome of the best fried chicken in town.
Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
2713 E 2nd StBBQ / Japanese fusion
Points of Interest
Austin is a riot all year long. This list encompasses some local favorites.
America's largest urbanized bat colony comes out most warm nights, and the Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the best spots to watch the action.
To get an idea of timing, check out this site: https://austinbatrefuge.org/congress-ave-bridge/
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Jambatan Congress Avenue
Congress AvenueAmerica's largest urbanized bat colony comes out most warm nights, and the Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the best spots to watch the action.
To get an idea of timing, check out this site: https://austinbatrefuge.org/congress-ave-bridge/
Some locals consider this place a religion.
Free at the beginning and end of every day (and closed most of the day Thursdays). Check hours / availability here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/barton-springs-pool-schedule
FYI: except water there's absolutely no food or drink allowed
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Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrSome locals consider this place a religion.
Free at the beginning and end of every day (and closed most of the day Thursdays). Check hours / availability here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/barton-springs-pool-schedule
FYI: except water there's absolutely no food or drink allowed
Based in Austin, the Alamo Drafthouse is an awesome movie experience.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
320 E 6th StBased in Austin, the Alamo Drafthouse is an awesome movie experience.
Whole Foods is from Austin, and this store is worth writing home about.
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Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdWhole Foods is from Austin, and this store is worth writing home about.
Costing $125 million, the library is one of the coolest buildings in town.
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Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StCosting $125 million, the library is one of the coolest buildings in town.
Mount Bonnell
A short hike to a great view
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveState capitol
What hasn't turned into condos is still cute bungalows that have turned into a hip bar district
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Rainey Street Historic District
What hasn't turned into condos is still cute bungalows that have turned into a hip bar district
Greetings from Austin Mural
1720 S 1st StPhoto op
Lumiere Tintype Photography
4710 E 5th StStarting ~$80, these tintype photos aren't cheap, but they're unique.
The largest indoor climbing gym in America has great fitness classes and an awesome sauna.
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Austin Bouldering Project
979 Springdale RdThe largest indoor climbing gym in America has great fitness classes and an awesome sauna.
Grocery
H-E-B
5808 Burnet RdH-E-B is our closest grocery store
Target
2300 W Ben White BlvdConvenient location
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar BlvdVery convenient location