Austin TX recommendations

2 years ago

We will be in Austin for about 4 days next month. Staying at the Fairmont. I have been once, DH has never been. Any restaurant recommendations for casual, non-foodie people? Other recommendations? Last time I went was with girlfriends and we must have had a lot of margaritas because I can barely remember what we did. We did rent bikes and rode along a bike trail which was fun but I’m not sure if it will be warm enough in Feb for that?

We will be driving from New Orleans, with a stop in Lafayette, LA, for some extra Cajun and Zydeco music.

We are seeing Los Lonely Boys at Antone’s and that is the only thing we have scheduled so far.

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rmsaustin

2 years ago

I just wrote a really long response and somehow lost it. Some places near the Fairmont

Austin Land and Cattle -- bar/happy hour

Quattro Gati -- Italian/pizza (Congress at 9th - walkable)

Veracruz, Taco Deli, Torchy's Tacos -- breakfast tacos

Moonshine/Kinfolk -- bar/restaurant one block from Fairmont

Rainey Street -- Lots of bars and a food-trailer area (not my thing, but...)

Magnolia Cafe or Counter Cafe -- great breakfast

Juan in a Million - tex mex

Il Brutto

Tamale House

Pick up a copy of The Chronicle for listings of music all around town. For country-ish near the Fairmont, try The White Horse.

There are several comedy venues on or near 6th street, including Austin institution Esther's Follies -- a sketch comedy show that runs Thursday- Saturday. The Hideout on Congress does improv (sometimes great, sometime not).

For off-beat theater -- Hyde Park Theater

You can rent city e-bikes for, I think, $11/day. There are stations all around the downtown area as well as South Congress (more shopping and eating - Homeslice pizza, Guero's, Aba to name a few). If the weather permits, I'd rent a bike and do a murals tour of Austin (just google up Austin's best murals) -- there are some incredible murals all over downtown and south of the river -- a great way to see the city and see some great artwork!

Hope you enjoy your trip!

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Comments (9)

mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
Apologies if this food is too good ? lol

https://launderetteaustin.com/
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mtnrdredux_gw
2 years ago
day trip to hill country?
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Sueb20
Original Author
2 years ago
Wow, thank you, great info!
Bestyears
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Very casual, favorite lunch spot: Swedish Hill Bakery

Juliet on Barton Springs Road -excellent Italian with focus on freshly prepared

HomeSlice for pizza by the slice

Excellent Chinese food: Wu Chow

Favorite overall restaurant in Austin: Abu -but I would go for a late lunch or early dinner, otherwise it's just too crowded.

Tiny's Boxwood is a favorite lunch spot here in Houston when I go out with girlfriends. They now have an Austin location too.

Amy's Ice Cream is a favorite locally grown place

Lick Ice Cream is excellent and has unique flavors

You didn't ask, but one of my favorite neighborhoods to drive through in Austin is Bryker Woods. Travis Heights is another fun one. If you go to Bryker Woods, look for Anderson Coffee, just outside the neighborhood. They sell excellent coffee and darling coffee accessories. They abut a nice little lunch spot too, but I can't think of the name of it.

You may well have a warm day in February -if so, you can rent kayaks on LadyBird Lake which is unique because you kayak with the skyline in view.

If you are so inclined, the Austin Library is a gem -filled with some nice art, and just a fantastic spot, including an attached cafe.
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Sueb20
Original Author
2 years ago
More great info, thank you Bestyears!
Funkyart
2 years ago
No suggestions but it sounds like a great trip!
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Lars
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
If you are in Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Bar & Grill is good. I used to live across the street from it, but it is a local favorite anyway. I like their chicken-fried steak and battered French fries.

I like to go to El Arroyo for inexpensive Tex-Mex food because I like the outdoor seating area and the ambience.

For authentic central Mexican food, Fonda San Miguel is my favorite. I also have their cookbook.

If you do not get enough Cajun food in Louisiana (and this is one of my favorite cuisines), you can go to Pappadeaux, which is a chain, but it is exceptionally good, and I always go there whenever I visit relatives in Austin. It has two locations, and the other one is on Research Blvd, which is a bit more remote.

I love Lafayette, LA for food, as well as Lake Charles and New Orleans. Austin cannot compare with New Orleans for food IMO, but it's better than when I lived there.

As a child, we used to go to Mt Bonnell Park, but here is a photo of me taken there in 1987

I used to dye my hair black in the 80s. This is when I was getting my design degree at UT.

Lake Travis is nice to visit - that's where I would go swimming in the summers that I lived in Austin, which included 1973 plus 1985-88. The Oasis Restaurant there has the best views, but I've never eaten there, and so I cannot say how the food is. It should not be crowded in February.
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Sueb20
Original Author
2 years ago
Oh good, someone who’s been to Lafayette! People just look at me with a blank stare when I say I’m going there.

The Oasis looks like a great place at least for a drink.

Thanks, Lars! PS you look like a model in that shot!