Austin

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Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordering the Hill Country region. Home to the University of Texas flagship campus, Austin is known for its eclectic live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock. Its many parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. Home to the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, Austin City Limits music festival, and the United States F1 Grand Prix race. Here is our guide to Austin, Texas.

STAY

FOUR SEASONS This rather corporate outpost of the Four Seasons has beautiful grounds and lake-view rooms. 98 San Jacinto Blvd; fourseasons.com/austin

AUSTIN PROPER HOTEL Situated in downtown Austin, the Kelly Wearstler-designed hotel offers a host of amenities to ensure an unforgettable stay. Boasting views of the Colorado River and within walking distance of the famous 6th Street, the hotel’s prime location is perfect for exploring the city on foot. The property features multiple restaurants and bars; we recommend the Crispy Shallot Hummus at the Mediterranean-inspired The Peacock. Additionally, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s fitness center, rooftop pool, and the indulgent full-service Verbena Spa using the natural beauty brand Monastery, which prides itself on using organic and wildcrafted ingredients chosen for their ability to deliver the best results. Poolside on the fifth floor is La Piscina, with coastal Mexican fare including house-made tortillas and crudo. 600 W 2nd St; properhotel.com/austin

COMMODORE PERRY ESTATE, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION
A property that resembles a countryside getaway in the middle of the city, which was exactly what it was designed to be for Edgar “Commodore” Perry and his wife Lutie when it was built back in 1928. Perry had spent much of his working life in Europe, and upon his retirement he was inspired to build an Italian Renaissance Revival mansion complete with manicured gardens where they could throw grand Jazz Age parties. Now, after a careful renovation, it’s an Auberge Resorts Collection hotel. Rooms are split between two buildings: the Mansion (Perry’s original home) features five sumptuous suites—one is adorned entirely in pink Pierre Frey fabric—and the hotel’s dining areas, while the newly built Inn has 42 rooms and seven suites with more minimalist decor by Ken Fulk. Enjoy the picturesque pool (where your frozen margarita will be hand-delivered). For lunch, get the fried oyster mushroom sandwich. At dinner, sit outside at Lutie’s and make sure to order sourdough bread—Executive Pastry Chef Susana Querejazu previously spent time at Quince and Saison in San Francisco. 4100 Red River St; aubergeresorts.com/commodoreperry

SOHO HOUSE AUSTIN Although Austin has been gaining popularity for years, the latest addition to the cult chain of private members’ clubs, situated in the Music Lane shopping mall just off South Congress Avenue, has all the essentials: an elaborate wood-carved bar, a rooftop pool, and live music from local and visiting artists courtesy of its new concept, Dante’s Hi-Fi. 1011 S Congress Ave Building 2, Suite 100; sohohouse.com

SOUTH CONGRESS HOTEL Fittingly located on South Congress, the street’s namesake hotel is as much a destination for locals as tourists, thanks to a comprehensive collection of restaurants, and some of the city’s best stores, all under one roof. Design-wise, the rooms and lobby have a warm-but-modern Texas vibe, comfortably decorated with felt headboards, midcentury furniture, and leather poufs. Make time for a drink at the rooftop pool and bar. 1603 S Congress Ave; southcongresshotel.com

THE LINE HOTEL The 1965 building housed a former jazz club, and thanks to art from local creatives on every wall, stunning views of the Town Lake, and arguably the prettiest pool in Austin—complete with its own fireplace. Well-located to walk wherever you want to go, whether the destination is downtown, South Congress, or Rainey Street. Many rooms feature wall-sized windows overlooking Town Lake—ideal for watching the sunrise—and otherwise pared-back decor in soothing blues and grays. 111 E Cesar Chavez St; thelinehotel.com/austin

MIRAVAL AUSTIN RESORT & SPA A soothing retreat from the bustle of downtown, the gorgeous Miraval Austin property is nestled in the surrounding Texas hills, outfitted with sweeping rock formations and lush walking paths. The resort promotes rest and rejuvenation via fitness and yoga sessions; pools, trails, and climbing gym courses; guided meditation classes; and a full menu of massage, facial, and body care offerings. Nutritious meals, including smoothies and snacks, are included in the cost of your stay. 13500 FM2769; miravalresorts.com/austin

HOTEL SAINT CECILIA In the hospitality world, hotelier Liz Lambert is known for her Midas touch. Case in point: She hand-picked every item—from the silky drapes to the giant chandeliers—in this fourteen-room Victorian mansion with visiting musicians and creatives in mind. There are five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios—all outfitted with turntables, monogrammed bed linens, and Le Labo products. The hotel bar has a gorgeous view of the grounds—go at sunset and order a margarita. 112 Academy Dr; bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-saint-cecilia

CARPENTER HOTEL Carpenter Hotel and its restaurant, Carpenters Hall, are full of design details that echo its nearest attraction: Zilker Park. This is the place to stay around Austin City Limits—you’ll be able to walk to the festival, and sleep soundly amid pecan trees at the end of the night. The downstairs lobby—once home to a carpenters’ union, hence the name—is adorned with vintage furniture from Austin’s Renner Project. The hotel’s tree-shaded pool is a tempting prospect, but to truly take advantage of your location, walk the 20 minutes to cool off at Barton Springs, Austin’s three-acre natural pool. 400 Josephine St; bunkhousehotels.com/carpenter-hotel

HOTEL MAGDALENA Hidden behind the shops of South Congress, Hotel Magdalena, which opened in October 2020, offers a perch in the middle of the action while still providing peaceful reprieve. Its 89 rooms open onto a central greenery-filled area with a sparkling swimming pool. Indoors, the decor nods to the location’s history with black-and-white photographs of Austin’s music scene— this land once hosted the Terrace Motor Hotel and Austin Opry House, which was owned by Willie Nelson from the late ’70s. 1101 Music Ln; bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-magdalena

HEYWOOD HOTEL This boutique hotel is set in a 1925 Craftsman bungalow. You can borrow bicycles for free to explore the area—bars, galleries, food trucks, and some excellent taquerias are all within striking distance. 1609 E Cesar Chavez St; heywoodhotel.com

HOTEL ELLA This historic mansion-turned-boutique hotel is all about Texas charm, from the grand wraparound porch, to the meticulously manicured grounds in the pool area, to the plush upholstery in the well-appointed rooms. The outdoor pool is lined with cabanas where you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour guest services. 1900 Rio Grande St; hotelella.com

HOTEL SAN JOSE Smack dab on South Congress Avenue and originally built in 1939 as an old motor lodge, the 40-room property was revamped by hotelier Liz Lambert in the late 90s. Here, her minimalist aesthetic translates to a cool gray stucco façade, terra cotta roofs, a bamboo-lined lap pool, and Eames arm-shell chairs. Slip on one of the custom striped kimono robes. 1316 S Congress Ave; bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-san-jose

HOTEL VAN ZANDT Part of the appeal of Hotel Van Zandt is its location in Rainey Street Historic District, and close proximity to the Austin-specific, easy-going, bungalow-turned-bars there. The Kimpton hotel has 300-plus guest rooms, decorated in the brand's signature smart style, and a handful of fabulous suites, which have views of downtown, Rainey Street, or Lady Bird Lake. Van Zandt's chic pool and deck also overlook Lady Bird. 605 Davis St, Austin; hotelvanzandt.com

KIMBER MODERN While it’s billed as a design-centric boutique hotel, Kimber’s seven mid-century modern guestrooms, minimalist courtyard, and common area, complete with kitchen, office, and fancy coffee station, strike us more as the trappings of a really well-appointed guesthouse. Its central location and not-too-big size not only makes it the ideal home base from which to explore the city, but a great option for hosting birthdays, family reunions, even weddings—reach out well ahead of time to book the entire space. 110 The Cir; kimbermodern.com

LONE STAR COURT This boutique hotel is a modernized revamp of a retro motor court motel—its live music, bonfire parties, and dipping pool reminiscent of a classic Texas swimming hole have made it a destination for the young and hip. 10901 Domain Dr; lonestarcourt.com

DRINK | DANCE

THE WHITE HORSE This east-side music venue is a tried-and-true honky tonk—meaning it’s a great, no-frills, super-social show-bar to go for a good time. Slip on a pair of cowboy boots, listen to ive music, and dance the two-step. 500 Comal St; thewhitehorseaustin.com

LENOIR In the backyard of an acclaimed fine-dining restaurant, under the glow of white lanterns and string lights, is one of Austin’s hidden gems, the wine garden at Lenoir. A notable wine list accompanied by adventurous shareables such as charred tomato toast and sweet potato hummus is offered in an intimate, romantic setting created by the garden’s main design feature—centuries-old live oak trees. 1807 South First; lenoirrestaurant.com

CLIVE BAR Located on the nightlife mecca that is Rainey Street, Clive Bar is casual yet scene-y, serving up local beer and cocktails on a sweeping outdoor patio and upper deck against the backdrop of live music. 609 Davis St; dunlapatx.com/clive-bar

GOLDIE’S If you’re looking for decadent craft cocktails in an opulent setting, stop by Goldie’s in the Austin Proper Hotel. 600 W 2nd St; properhotel.com/austin

ANTONE’S Inside, the show posters lining the walls from the likes of B.B. King and Ray Charles read like a Blues Hall of Fame. Hometown hero, musician Gary Clark Jr., who played some of his early gigs here, is a partner. 305 East 5th Street; antonesnightclub.com

BLUE OWL BREWING The house-brewed beer at Blue Owl is sour—in the best way—due to their signature all-natural fermentation process, fittingly called sour-mashing, which results in lower acidity content and a tart, hoppy taste. 2400 E Cesar Chavez St #300; blueowlbrewing.com

THE CONTINENTAL CLUB Since opening its doors back in 1955 the Continental Club has made a name for itself as one of the oldest continuously running clubs in Austin, hosting acts like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Sonic Youth through the years. Nowadays, this South Congress pioneer is known for bringing on up-and-coming local talent and hosting secret shows for bands like Arcade Fire. 1315 S Congress Ave; continentalclub.com

GARAGE COCTAIL BAR Tucked inside a parking garage at the corner of Sixth and Colorado, this bar usually takes a few extra minutes to find. The interior is surprisingly sleek, and the craft cocktails are artfully designed with small plates to match. Order a signature cocktail, starting with the Indian Paintbrush. 503 Colorado St; garagetx.com

LIVING ROOM This four-room bar is located inside the W Austin Hotel. It's a music-focused spot, that mixes trendy and cozy: Plush, red velvet couches face a brightly lit bar, while a fireplace, flanked by bookshelves and desk lamps, roars in another room. 200 Lavaca St; marriott.com/en-us/hotels/auswh-w-austin

LUCILLE The back patio at Lucille’s is outfitted in twinkling lights—which makes it totally magical. Also on the patio: They’ve converted a former garage into a second bar, where people perch at the open windows. 77 Rainey St; lucilleaustin.com

PÉCHÉ This pre-Prohibition-style, New Orleans-inspired craft cocktail bar is a great option for drinks and light dinner. Though it began as Austin’s first absinthe bar (the infamous green liqueur was legalized in the U.S. in 2007), their dinner menu, curated by executive chef John Lichtenberger, is worth a trip, too. The riffs on French standards like duck confit, bouillabaisse, and escargots are beloved, as are their only-in-Texas specialties, like Texas wild boar with polenta, braised short ribs with duck-fat mashed potatoes, and lamb bourguignon sourced from a nearby ranch. As for the cocktails, the go-tos (besides absinthe, of course) are gin, whiskey, vodka, and rum concoctions—some original, like the Fig Manhattan (rye, sweet vermouth, house cherry vanilla bitters, fig foam), some reinterpretations of tried-and-true favorites, like Sazerac (a New Orleans classic). 208 W 4th St; pecheaustin.com

THE SIDE BAR Located a block off of Austin's somewhat infamous "Dirty Sixth" (aka East Sixth Street), which is packed with rowdy nightlife, The Side Bar's crowd still skews young, but it's a decidedly more low-key, sit-down-and-chat destination. A favorite Austin dive bar, locals come to play pool, listen to the jukebox, and hang on the outdoor patio. 602 E 7th St

WHISLER’S Speakeasy vibes meet modern street-art at this cocktail bar, where the tall, vaulted ceilings, stone walls, and rustic-chic decor spill out onto the laid-back patio. Here they serve up a great list of signature cocktails (like their Oaxacan Prayer with mezcal, cocchi rosa, and Spanish citrus liqueur; Bossa Nova with gin, genepy, and coconut milk; and Chapado with barrel-aged cachaça, créme de cacao, and blackberry), as well as all the classics (rum and rye are featured heavily), and a respectable wine list. 1816 E 6th St; whislersatx.com

RADIO COFFEE & BEER In what seems to be the Austin way, this coffee shop also has a craft beer list for the after work crowd. The rustic interior boasts reclaimed wood floors and walls, while the outdoor space is marked by a roofless tent-pole barn. 4204 Menchaca Rd; radiocoffeeandbeer.com

MEDICI ROASTING This charming coffee shop has a few locations in Austin. The coffee is all French pressed, with the rich, earthy taste that comes with it. mediciroasting.com

EASY TIGER BAKE SHOP & BEER GARDEN Upstairs, there's a bakery with amazing Bavarian bread; downstairs, you'll find a beer garden with a mile-long beer list and rows of picnic tables; the outside, there's a patio with ping pong tables overlooking a quiet little creek. 501 E 7th St; easytigerusa.com

FIGURE EIGHT COFFEE PURVEYORS The La Marzocco Italian espresso machine draws a loyal crowd that also appreciates the lack of pretension at this small neighborhood spot. Texas roasts (like Tweed Coffee and Wild Gift) are highlighted, along with West Coast offerings (like Four Barrel in California and Coava Coffee in Oregon). 1111 Chicon St; figure8coffeepurveyors.com

HOUNDSTOOTH COFFEE It’s easy to fall for the décor in Houndstooth, which features a wooden herringbone bar, Scandinavian-style furniture, and clusters of Edison bulbs. houndstoothcoffee.com

JO’S COFFEE Tucked into the parking lot of the Hotel San Jose, Jo’s is a South Austin go-to for your morning coffee and breakfast tacos. Another thing they’ve become famous for: “I love you so much” graffitied on the side of the building—reportedly a love note from musician Amy Cook to her then-girlfriend and Hotel San Jose owner Liz Lambert. joscoffee.com

MOZART’S COFFEE ROASTERS & BAKERY The enormous outdoor patio at Mozart's is on a dock that extends out onto Lake Austin, marked by a few big, mature oak trees that give lots of shade. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd; mozartscoffee.com

YELLOW JACKET SOCIAL CLUB A no-fuss, no-frills kind of place with a wide variety of patrons. The food is actually not to be missed if you’re needing a snack and it’s the best place to get a beer and sit outside under trees and across from train tracks, and you can walk down to the White Horse for a good two-step afterwards.” 1704 East Fifth Street; yellowjacketsocialclub.com

JUICELAND   You can’t have a trip to Austin without visiting one of JuiceLand’s twelve locations throughout the city for the best smoothies and juices. It’s all made locally and they’ve been a staple in Austin for over ten years. juiceland.com

ROOSEVELT ROOM Order a refreshing Death Valley, with Topo Chico, absinthe, and lime juice. 307 W 5th St; therooseveltroomatx.com

RAINEY STREET Rainey Street’s strip of bars in idyllic and colorful Craftsman-style bungalows practically begs alfresco imbibing. Locals flock to the area for walk-up handcrafted cocktails, live music, and fresh, casual small plates with an only-in-Austin neighborhood vibe. Design standouts include L’Estelle, Icenhauer’s, NO VA, and stylish newcomer the Parlor Room.

6TH STREET 6th street is made up of Old West and East. East is colloquially referred to as the “Dirty Sixth” because it tends to be the rowdier side. West Sixth Street is known to be filled up with bars that are trendier and filled up by college students. Faintly reminiscent of New Orlean’s Bourbon and Frenchmen Street.

DINE

FRANKLIN’S BBQ This is the kind of legendary BBQ joint that can only exist in Texas. Run by Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue has been selling out daily since it opened in 2009 (at the time, in a trailer). The line, which starts forming around dawn—for lunch—is easily a few hours long. The slow-smoked brisket is so tender it is regularly described as "melt-in-your-mouth" good. Same goes for the pulled pork and ribs. 900 E 11th St; franklinbbq.com

LAMBERTS BBQ Everyone has different (and equally passionate) views on where to find the best barbecue in Austin, but no matter who you ask, Lambert's inevitably comes up. For starters, the convenient downtown location is really easy to find, and the enormous, two-story building frequently hosts live bands. For the barbecue, you'll line up cafeteria-style and select your meats from a wide, sizzling skillet. The brisket is the must-get item and save room for the cobbler. 401 W 2nd St; lambertsaustin.com

TERRY BLACK’S If you’re looking for some of best barbecue in Texas, locals will say this is it. Owned by twin brothers and fourth-generation pitmasters, Terry Black’s serves up brisket, giant beef ribs, mac and cheese, and, banana pudding. 1003 Barton Springs Rd; terryblacksbbq.com

ABA’S Hip spot serving seafood and Mediterranean classics such as kebabs, hummus and falafel, in an airy, tree-filled courtyard. 1011 S Congress Ave; abarestaurants.com/austin

UCHI James Beard award-winning Chef Tyson Cole serves small and inventive Japanese dishes using a mix of local ingredients according to what's in season, and fresh fish flown in from everywhere. Order the Hot Rock (they bring wagyu beef and a hot rock to your table and cook the meat in front of you), and the madai from the sushi menu. 801 S Lamar Blvd; uchi.uchirestaurants.com/location/austin

THE WAYBACK Serving classic farm-to-table meals in a charming boutique hotel. 9601 Bee Caves Rd; waybackaustin.com

JOANNE’S FINE FOODS Joann's Fine Foods is a lively neighborhood cafe and cantina located in the iconic Austin Motel, featuring Tex-Mex and diner classics. 1224 S Congress Ave; joannsaustin.com

LICK Couple Anthony and Chad met in New York in the early 2000s, bonding over the fact that they were both from small towns. As Chad waxed poetic about the ice cream he ate growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Anthony began imagining the types of flavors he could create with ingredients unique to his hometown in Texas. Today, their ice cream shop has stores in Texas with unique flavors like cilantro lime, dewberry corn cobbler, and sweet persimmon. 1100 S Lamar Blvd #1135; ilikelick.com

AH SING DEN The Mickie Spencer–designed space is beautiful, featuring nostalgic wooden shutters, round marble tables, and contrasting textures. The kitchen serves delicious dumplings. 1100 E 6th St; ahsingden.com

BARLEY SWINE Barley Swine works its magic with fresh from the farm Texan bounty served on Sunset Canyon pottery. 6555 Burnet Rd #400; barleyswine.com

CAFÉ NO SÉ Located in the South Congress Hotel, the space is big and bright, with wooden tables, wicker chairs, and outdoor seating. 1603 S Congress Ave; cafenoseaustin.com

CLARK’S OYSTER BAR Larry McGuire and Thomas Moorman (owners of the popular Perla’s) opened this intimate space, serving oysters, famous fries, ceviche, and wood-grilled shrimp toast with one of the best Bloody Marys in the city. 1200 W 6th St; clarksaustin.com

ELIZABETH STREET CAFÉ Austin's South First is a gem of a street and this is one of the top highlights. A Vietnamese café plus French bakery, Elizabeth Street Café combines the best of two worlds. The bakery makes two different kinds of baguettes daily (order the bánh mì to try), croissants, and a variety of pastries including macarons. Stumptown is the house coffee, and you can get traditional Vietnamese coffees with classic café du monde chicory. In addition to bánh mì, the restaurant also serves spring rolls, pho, and spicy curries. 1501 S 1st St; elizabethstreetcafe.com

EL PRIMO El Primo is a member of the old guard. Reliably good, affordable, and unchanging, the breakfast tortas and salsas served out the hatch of this teeny-tiny south Austin trailer are the stuff of local legend. Michoacán chef Humberto Reyes has been flipping tacos here for thirteen years. 2101 S 1st St; elprimoatx.com

EMMER & RYE Emmer & Rye is an unusual, heavy-on-heritage-grains concept we cannot get enough of. New American cuisine is served dim sum–style, which translates to best-of-the-farmers’-market small bites that come around on a cart as you work through your mains. Chef Kevin Fink cut his teeth at Copenhagen’s Noma, which is reason enough to come here, and the resolutely seasonal, farmers’ haul influence is apparent on every plate. Menu standouts include cacio e pepe and Carolina Gold rice pudding. SkyHouse, 51 Rainey St UNIT 110; emmerandrye.com

FONDA SAN MIGUEL Fonda San Miguel underwent a renovation in the last decade, but the bright decor here still speaks to its impressive 1970's roots. Of course, though, the mouthwatering Mexican food is the reason this restaurant is still open forty-plus years later. In fact, they make the same tortilla soup recipe from 1975; locals love everything from the classic enchiladas to the chile rellenos and Gulf shrimp dishes. 2330 W N Loop Blvd; fondasanmiguel.com

GRANNY’S TACOS For Armando Vazquez, tacos are a family affair— his two daughters run the outrageously popular Veracruz. The chilaquiles taco is a breakfast special with tender shredded chicken, cheese, spicy jalapeños, and a smattering of onions are liberally drizzled in Rios’s grandmother’s secret mole sauce. 1401 E 7th St; grannystacosatx.com

GÜERO’S This South Congress taqueria has been open since 1986. Order migas in the Oak Garden. 1412 S Congress Ave; gueros.com

HILLSIDE PHARMACY Situated on top of a hill overlooking downtown, this former 1950s pharmacy has been turned into a farm-to-table hotspot. Order the egg sandwich with fried green tomatoes and the jalapeño grapefruit margarita. 1209 East Eleventh Street; hillsidefarmacy.com

HOPFIELDS Husband-and-wife duo Bay and Lindsay Anthon opend this sophisticated neighborhood gastropub with a rotating tap list. Order the steak frites or Pascal burger with camembert, cornichon, whole grain mustard, and caramelized onions. 3110 Guadalupe St #400; hopfieldsaustin.com

IRENE’S Housed in a former auto body repair shop and named for the proprietor’s beloved grandmother. Order sea-salt popcorn and pimento cheese snacks, pulled chicken and avocado sandwiches, and farro and mushroom salad. 506 West Ave; irenesaustin.com

JOSEPHINE HOUSE Situated in a bungalow cottage with a blue exterior, and bright, white interior, Josephine House is designed to feel like a gorgeous home kitchen. The locally sourced menu features signature dishes like the Josephine Rice Bowl, meat mains like braised short ribs with grits. 1601 Waterston; josephineofaustin.com

JUNE’S ALL DAY June’s (which owner and renowned restaurateur Larry McGuire named after June Rodil, their master sommelier) is a lighthearted spin on French bistro cuisine. Order the bone marrow bolognese and steak-au-poivre. 1722 S Congress Ave; junesallday.com

LORO Imagine a mashup of hot Malay, Thai, and Chinese smoked meats paired with Texan BBQ. That’s Loro. Run by Austinite food-scene veterans Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue), standouts include the Thai green curry sausage and charred pork shoulder with garlic rice noodles. 2115 S Lamar Blvd; loroeats.com

LA CONDESA Helmed by Texas native, Chef Rick Lopez, serving small plates and Mexican entrees including seasonal salsas and guacamoles, tacos, elote, and their signature margarita with fresh pineapple and lime juice. 400 W 2nd St A; lacondesa.com

ODD DUCK Odd Duck started out in a trailer—a Fleetwood Mallard camper, specifically. Souther, farm-to-table specialties are served here. 1201 S Lamar Blvd; oddduckaustin.com

PERLA’S Go to Perla's on South Congress for seafood and top-notch oysters. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful, but if you want to people watch while you're in Austin, sit outside here. 1400 S Congress Ave; perlasaustin.com

MATT’S EL RANCHO You’ll find classic Tex-Mex fare and delicious cocktails at this low-key, no-frills eatery that’s been an Austin staple for 70-plus years. Order one of the combination plates, a Matt’s Knockout Martini (tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice in an ice-filled shaker), and the signature Bob Armstrong queso dip for the table. 2613 S Lamar Blvd; mattselrancho.com

PUEBLO VIEJO This truck was a local secret for a while, but places this good don’t stay secret for long. Pueblo Viejo’s breakfast taco is famous: a perfect egg, potato, spicy chorizo, and a generous amount of cheese. puebloviejoaustin.com

SUERTE The menu champions traditional tacos, tamales, and tostadas, all made with what is the foundational ingredient of Mexican cuisine: masa. A soft flour of finely ground, presoaked corn kernels is prepared daily, using local white, green, and red heirloom corn. Be sure to order the suadera taco—fork-tender brisket, avocado salsa, and Suerte’s black magic oil (smoky Morita chili, a little sesame, and other secret ingredients). 1800 E 6th St; suerteatx.com

VERACRUZ ALL NATURAL Born in Veracruz, Mexico, sisters Reyna and Maritza Vasquez grew up helping out in their family restaurant. Order the flautitas de papas (potatoes wrapped in a corn tortilla, deep fried, and served with beans and salsa), Al pastor tacos, fruity aguas frescas, queso, and migas. veracruzallnatural.com

WU CHOW Wu Chow serves up a mix of regional dishes with tiki décor touches, and a hip-hop soundtrack. Classic dishes are reinterpreted with local ingredients. IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168; wuchowaustin.com

AMY’S ICE CREAMS The setup is Coldstone-style, so you pick your flavor and choose from plenty of toppings or “crush’ns,” which the employees will mix in for you on-site. If you only go once, the famous Mexican vanilla is the thing to order. There are now twelve locations in Austin, but this outpost on Guadalupe was the original. amysicecreams.com

BOTECO The food trucks of Austin deserve their own guide. Boteco is just one highlight. The yucca fries here get a lot of well-deserved praise, along with the empanadas and feijoada (a hearty Brazilian stew). Boteco catered the birthday party of Austin local Camila Alves. 1720 Barton Springs Rd; botecoatx.com

BOULDIN CREEK CAFE The cafe serves appetizing all-vegetarian fare with vegan options and mostly organic, local ingredients. 1900 S 1st St; bouldincreekcafe.com

CHI’LANTRO BBQ Chi’lantro BBQ’s most famous dish is their kimchi fries—classic french fries topped with caramelized kimchi and melted cheese. chilantrobbq.com

DOLCE NEVE Francesca and Marco Silvestrini are Italian immigrants who were dismayed that they couldn’t find great gelato in the states. One hot summer in Columbus, Ohio, Francesca quit her doctoral program and bee-lined it for Bologna to attend the Carpigiani Gelato University. Francesca makes authentic, Italian-style gelato using the mantecazione vertical batch method, which contributes to its creamy texture. dolcenevegelato.com

FRESA’S CHICKEN AL CARBON Fresa's is all about chicken—tacos, bowls, salads, wings. 915 N Lamar Blvd; fresaschicken.com

HAY ELOTES This hole in the wall specializes in Mexican street food like elotes (corn with cheese and spices).

MICKLETHWAIT CRAFT MEATS Austin is arguably home to the finest food trailers in the world, and Micklethwait Craft Meats is among the very best. The menu has all the classics plus specials like Brisket Frito Pie and occasionally more rare cuts of meat. Everything is made on-site. 1309 Rosewood Ave; craftmeatsaustin.com

POOL BURGER Pool Burger combines beef and booze right by the historic Deep Eddy Pool. Peeler Farm's burgers and crispy crinkle fries are cooked up in a 1968 Airstream parked alongside the small tiki bar. 2315 Lake Austin Blvd; poolburger.com

TORCHY’S TACOS Try the breakfast burrito at Torchy’s, which started as a taco trailer in 2006 in the Bouldin Creek food truck mecca. torchystacos.com

LAUNDERETTE Taking over the space of a former laundromat, Chefs Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki bring “everyday fare” to the table using simple and fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean twist. Menu highlights include sticky Brussels sprouts and Aleppo prawns, as well as duck hash and fried oyster Florentine 2115 Holly Street; launderetteaustin.com

JULIET ITALIAN KITCHEN Italian classics like fritto misto and spaghetti carbonara mix withAustin-inspired fusion, like Texas peaches with gorgonzola and grilled corn off the cob. 1500 Barton Springs Rd; juliet-austin.com

TEXAS FRENCH BREAD The best market sandwiches. 2900 Rio Grande St; texasfrenchbread.com

RAMEN TATSU-Y Authentic ramen shops specializing in pork, chicken, and veggie broths. ramen-tatsuya.com

JUSTINE’S A brasserie set in a cozy bungalow. 4710 E 5th St; justines1937.com

JEFFREY’S An elevated steakhouse with upscale New American cuisine. 1204 W Lynn St; jeffreysofaustin.com

STUBB’S BAR-B-Q Stubb’s is famous for its barbecue, but maybe even more famous for the live music performances that happen (almost) nightly. Legends like Joan Jett, Willie Nelson, and The Killers are among the many that have entertained here. On Sunday mornings, there’s a live gospel music brunch with a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar. 801 Red River St; stubbsaustin.com

HOMESLICE PIZZA Home Slice Pizza is a neighborhood pizza joint serving authentic New York-style pizza. homeslicepizza.com

PECAN SQUARE CAFE Order a bottle of Texas pet-nat and the grilled eggplant pizza. 1200 W 6th St #B; pecansquarecafe.com

OTOKO Modern omakase tasting menus plus craft cocktails in an intimate space within a hotel. 1603 S Congress Ave; otokoaustin.com

ARLO GREY Modern, airy lakeside stop from a Top Chef offering French & Italian-inspired plates & cocktails. thelinehotel.com/austin

ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES

BARTON SPRINGS POOL The 900-foot-long outdoor swimming pool located in Zilker Park (where Austin City Limits is held each year) is filled with water from several underground springs. austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool

BARTON CREEK GREENBELT In addition to Lake Travis and Lake Austin, Barton Creek Greenbelt is a fun place to swim when the weather is warm in Austin. You can also come here to bike, hike (there are several miles' worth of trails), or just wander around. The Greenbelt is a several-mile, several-hundred-acre stretch that begins at Zilker Park. You can also paddle-board or rent kayaks to take out into the lake that crosses the middle of the city. In the center of the park itself is Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre pool that is fed from an underground spring. 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B; austinparks.org/park/barton-creek-greenbelt

CHAPEL DULCINEA This gorgeous, open-air, Spanish-style chapel is a great hiking destination. Perched on the precipice of an ancient walking trail in Texas hill country. the sweeping panoramic views from the chapel are stunning. 16221 Crystal Hills Dr; chapeldulcinea.org

ICOSA COLLECTIVE A collective of twenty Austin-based visual artists converted a recently vacated auto shop into a cooperative gallery in 2016. The edifice opens garage-door-style onto the open-air, 1,500-square-foot interior. But what really impresses here is the work on display, created largely by local contemporary artists, the proceeds of whose sales also help support the space. From astounding sculpture to vibrant, abstract paintings. 916 Springdale Rd Building 2 #102; icosacollective.com

LADY BIRD LAKE Lady Bird Lake is a refreshing nature break in the middle of all the city action. Central to this park on the Colorado River, flanked by the towering high-rises of Downtown Austin, is the reservoir—a local favorite for everything from rowing to paddleboarding to a leisurely picnic. austintexas.gov/page/lady-bird-lake

LAKE AUSTIN This is a nice getaway from the city; the Pennybacker Bridge is an iconic landmark, which locals will tell you is best viewed by boat. A day out on the water (boats can be rented from multiple outfits) is a quintessential Austin experience, and you’ll find plenty of company ranging from families waterskiing and tubing to party barges. https://www.austintexas.gov/page/lake-austin

MEXIC-ARTE MUSEUM This museum, an Austin establishment for over 30 years, celebrates Mexican and Mexican American fine art. Its offerings range from contemporary art to community engagement events, like its annual Día de los Muertos exhibitions. 419 Congress Ave; mexic-artemuseum.org

VIOLET CROWN This trendy movie theater downtown right by the Colorado River is a great date spot. Their artisanal cocktails and local craft beers are satisfyingly extensive, as is their wine list. 434 W 2nd St; austin.violetcrown.com

THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE Recently celebrating its centennial, Austin’s iconic Paramount Theatre gained national esteem for its notable lineup of live theater and musical performances. The time-tested, architecturally stunning 320-seat venue has played host to such legends as Harry Houdini and Katharine Hepburn. 713 Congress Avenue; austintheatre.org

MARTHA’S CONTEMPORARY A contemporary art gallery that specializes in emerging artists. 4115 Guadalupe St; marthascontemporary.com

CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN Set on 14 acres with a café, two floors of exhibition spave, and a stunning rooftop deck, along with some of the most creative private events in the city. thecontemporaryaustin.org

BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART Ellsworth Kelly’s freestanding, minimalist stone chapel that features rainbow stained-glass windows at the University of Texas. 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd; blantonmuseum.org

SHOP

ALLEN’S BOOTS Famous for the enormous red cowboy boot affixed to the front awning outside and every style of cowboy boot sytle instead. 1522 S Congress Ave; allensboots.com

END OF AN EAR   A record store with vinyl. 2209 South First Street; endofanear.com

BYGEORGE A luxury boutique with multiple locations. bygeorgeaustin.com

COVE BOUTIQUE Here, University of Texas alum Rebecca Yanoff assembles a roster of brands “Austin women like to wear,” including Rebecca Taylor, Mara Hoffman, Sundry, and Current/Elliot in a light-filled setting accented with palm leaves. 1318 S Congress Ave; coveclothing.com

FEATHERS Along with Tex-Mex and live music, there's a big vintage scene in Austin. Aficionados will want to comb all of South Congress and South First Street, but if you're looking for a really great edit, go to Feathers. 1700 B South Congress Ave; feathersboutiquevintage.com

KICKPLEAT For more than a decade, Kickpleat has championed up-and-coming labels like Jesse Kamm, Demylee, and Apiece Apart presented in a raw, light-filled space. 624 N Lamar Blvd; kickpleat.com

REVIVAL CYCLES The Revival brand is considered one of the top hand-built motorcycle brands in the country, and they host an annual Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin every spring. revivalcycles.com

SERVICE MENSWEAR Service Menswear is a long-time tenant on South Congress, occupying their bright, clean-cut space for over a decade. 1400 S Congress Ave a160; servicemenswear.com

STAG PROVISIONS The vibe here might be described as high-end with a twang. Keep an eye out for Ralph Lauren’s Double RL Line—a rarity even in Austin. 1423 S Congress Ave; stagprovisions.com

SUNROOM The owners are dedicated to young, independent designers. shopsunroom.com

UNCOMMON OBJECTS Religious paraphernalia, old scientific posters, cowboy boots, turquoise jewelry, Mexican striped blankets, horseshoes, and a good amount of taxidermy, give this antique curiosity shop a particularly Southwestern feel. 1602 Fort View Rd; uncommonobjects.com

ROOM SERVICE They stock a wide variety of kitschy furniture and random objects for the home plus a small selection of clothes at great prices. There’s no way you can go into this store and not leave with something.” 107 North Loop Boulevard East; roomservicevintage.com

SUPPLY SHOWROOM A curated space housed in a ’30s craftsman bungalow in central Austin that focuses on independent design from around the globe. 2204 Lake Austin Boulevard; supplyshowroom.com

THE RENNER PROJECT A veteran of Austin’s design scene, seeks to create a collaborative design lab with her multilevel industrial-chic antiques shop. Her covetable range of collectible furniture, art, and accessories mingles styles like French Art Deco with Italian midcentury, all arranged in a harmonious mélange of livable vignettes. 3018 North Lamar Boulevard; therennerproject.com

KATIE KIME This Austin-based designer’s eponymous lifestyle brand launched just two years ago as an e-commerce site and has since expanded to brick-and-mortar with the opening—less than a month ago—of Kime’s downtown shop. 3006 Longhorn Blvd #110, katiekime.com

SOUTH CONGRESS BOOKS Small, art shop selling used and vintage books plus posters and rare volumes. 3703 Kerbey Ln; southcongressbooks.com

KYLE FLEA MARKET A huge, open air flea market. 1119 S. Old Hwy 81; margierios2016.wixsite.com/kyle2

SPA

LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT Just thirty minutes from downtown, Lake Austin has daily fitness activities from water yoga in the stunning, barn-enclosed warm pool, paddle boarding, and hikes to river-based workouts. There are more than 100 services on the extensive mind- and body-nourishing spa menu—everything from standard Swedish to Chinese-medical cupping treatments—with specific options for mothers-to-be, couples, and groups. The facials are particularly incredible: herbal enzyme peels, fractionated laser treatments, and luminizing vitamin C therapies, plus specific options for mothers-to-be, couples, and groups. Post-treatment, you can lounge by the series of swimming pools in the large hillside garden. lakeaustin.com