Travel Diaries – Austin, TX \m/

If you know me at all, you know my Texas pride runs veryyyy deep – I have a little TX tat on my left wrist I got before I moved up to the NE, and I could talk about all things Texas for hours 🙂 So you could only imagine my excitement when I found out that one of Ronak’s cousins wanted to keep her postponed-wedding-celebrations in ATX for NYE this year!

I went to the University of Texas at Austin, so ATX will forever hold a special place in my heart. Albeit, it’s changed a lot since I went to school (*ahem* not that long ago), but Austin is still one of my favorite cities – from the food, things to do, nice people, and general ambiance, you’re sure to fall in love with the city as well!

Fun fact – it’s also where Ronak and I met way back when! So it was only natural for us to name our pup after the city as well 🙂 We took Austin on his first flight to visit with us this time as well, and he loved it just as much!

Whether you’ve already visited, or are planning on a visit now, I want to share some of my TOP recommendations of food spots and things to do around the city for the next time you visit! This is by no means an all-inclusive list because I’m sure there’s a ton I’ve either missed or haven’t tried yet, but this should get you going 🙂

Arriving at Austin:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the closest airport and best one to fly into for the city, and only about a 15 minute drive to downtown!

Where to Stay:

We stayed with one of my best friends since she lives in Austin (so jeal!), but if I were to suggest areas of the city to stay in during your visit, they’d be the following (in order of ranking):

• Downtown
• Near Rainey Street
• South Congress
• East Austin
• Zilker
• The Domain (further out but great little area with shops, a theater, restaurants, and bars)

Downtown would be ideal, but I know some of the hotels and Airbnb’s can get pricey around there, so South Congress is a great, and generally more affordable, option! Located right across the bridge, SoCo is walking distance from downtown, and has a TON of cute shops, and great restaurants.

Austin Food Spots:

1. Trudy’s – an ABSOLUTE must have in ATX! Highly recommend their Mexican martini, the flaquities, and stuffed avocado with suiza sauce.
2. Hopdoddy Burger Bar – originated in Austin, and the burgers, the parmesan truffle fries, and allllllll of the shakes won’t disappoint (can also be made alcoholic now!)
3. Torchy’s Tacos – best queso you may ever have, and the fried avocado taco is my favorite!
4. Chuy’s – originated in TX and has not started expanding into other states, but still a favorite of mine! Order the *New* Mexican martini, and the boom boom sauce on everything!
5. Taco Deli – great for breakfast tacos (that can really be eaten at any time of day in TX haha)! Ask for the Pepas (Mexican mashed potatoes), egg & cheese taco with salsa dona, but only if you like spice!
6. Homeslice – amazingggg pizza! If you have eggplant lovers, try the eggplant pie with the pear gorgonzola salad and the garlic knots – one of our favorite combos in college….and still to this date!
7. Franklin’s BBQ – I don’t eat BBQ butttt heard this place sells out before noon and people start lining up at like 7:00am haha so I’d say it’s highly recommended!
8. La Barbeque – recommended by a friend as a much less busier alternative to Franklin’s BBQ, but still just as good!
9. Gourdough’s – a gourmet donut food truck and it’s SO good.
10. Hula Hut – great Hawaiian infused Mexican food! The views are great too – it’s on Lake Austin!
11. The Oasis on Lake Travis – decent food but views and drinks are what you go here for!
12. Kebabalicious – originally a food truck, although I think they have a brick & mortar now. Order the falafel kebab and kebabafries!
13. Jo’s Coffee – located on South Congress, this cute coffee spot is the home of the infamous ‘i love you so much.’ sign – an iconic photo spot in ATX!!
14. Bouldin Creek Cafe – this one was recommended by my cousins this time and unfortunately we weren’t able to squeeze it in, but it’s said to be great for vegans and vegetarians!
15. sway – I think I heard about this ‘modern Thai’ spot from like 4 different people on this trip – so it’s gotta be good! my best friend had even made us a reso here for NYE, but they cancelled on us a few days before due to COVID since they decided to be fully shut down that week. 🙁 so we weren’t able to try it this time, but definitely will try to next time!

Austin Bar Recommendations:

1. Rainey Street – if you’re like me and slowly crawling out of your 20s, then Rainey Street is probably the perfect place for you. It’s a row of houses turned into chill bars, with food trucks (perfect for the end of the night!), and it’s honestly the best vibe we could ever ask for. Container Bar is cute, unique, and also turns up the vibe a tad if you’re looking for that as well! Lucille is probably my favorite bar on Rainey!
2. Dirty sixth – if you’re a bit younger, this one won’t disappoint – just pick a spot somewhere between Brazos and Trinity and bar hop from there! Maggie Mae’s, Thirsty Nickel, Recess, and Friends bar are all great (if they’re still around lol)
3. 4^th Street/West 6^th – more upscale/classier bars – Kung Fu Saloon and The Dogwood are fun!
4. P6 at the Line Hotel – super cute for a day drinking spot – right at the end of Congress bridge on the downtown side!
5. Upstairs at Caroline’s – also a super cute and fun spot for day time with games and a rooftop vibe

Austin Late Night Food:

1. Kebabalicious – mentioned above! Good sober, but even better at the end of the night 🙂
2. Halcyon – super cute chill bar that has s’mores you can make at your table!
3. Kerbey Lane – late night diner and breakfast at 2:00am sometimes tastes so much better!

Austin Brunch Spots:

1. Trudy’s – has a great buffet brunch as well!
2. South Congress Café – so good! Always packed haha.
3. Launderette – haven’t been myself but have heard great things
4. Café No Sé – super cute place and right on SoCo
5. Trace at the W Austin – food is delish, and the pool area upstairs is super fun too
6. Revue – located in the Fairmont Austin, this one has an incredible all-you-can-eat-brunch for $35 with tons of options

Austin Must-Do’s:

Austin is very favorited by the outdoor and nature-lovers so most of the ‘must-do’s’ revolve around that haha but I still think there’s something for everyone in ATX!

1. Rent a boat on Lake Austin or Lake Travis (depending on where you’re staying) – try to plan your trip in warmer months! I’d say March – October-ish are generally pretty decent weather, but summer can get prettttyyy hot if you’re not used to the TX heat.
2. Walk around the University of Texas at Austin’s campus – my alma mater and I’ll forever love that campus 🙂
3. ‘Hike’ up Mount Bonnell – not much of a hike haha but great views from the top
4. Or go to the 360 Bridge!
5. Zilker Park – includes picnic areas, has bike and canoe rentals (you’ll always see a ton of canoes on Lake Austin and this is most likely where they’re coming from!), a disc golf course, a large playground for the kiddos, the Zilker Zephyr train, and Barton Springs Pool (an urban oasis where swimmers plunge into 68-degree, spring-fed waters). Fun fact – Zilker Park is also where the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is typically held!
6. Walk down South Congress – lots of little shops, small businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars to check out here

Our Eat, Drink & Be Merry Recommendations:

Eat: Trudy’s

Drink: Anywhere on Rainey St!

Be Merry: Zilker Park, and rent a canoe or a boat on Lake Austin if the weather is nice!

I hope you found this guide to Austin, TX helpful! If you’re looking for a specific bachelorette-party itinerary for ATX, check out my other ATX post here! I can’t wait to hopefully get back there soon – didn’t get through half the food spots I wanted to this time!

xo,

gopi

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