There’s something electric in the air in Austin, Texas—part Southern charm, part renegade spirit, and entirely addictive. Whether you’re here for the live music, the smoky brisket, or the river-fed cool of Lady Bird Lake, Austin is a city that welcomes wanderers with open arms and a devil-may-care grin. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve rounded up the top hotels, restaurants, bars, music venues, and can’t-miss sights that show off the capital city’s one-of-a-kind vibe.
Let’s start with where to rest your (cowboy-hatted) head. If you’re going all out, Commodore Perry Estate is pure magic. This Relais & Châteaux property feels like stepping into a Gatsby-era retreat with a Texas twist. It features impeccably restored mansion rooms, a private pool, gardens, and a restaurant helmed by lauded chef Bradley Nicholson.
For something equally upscale but with a modern edge, Fairmont Austin towers downtown with sleek rooms, five in-house restaurants and bars, and an expansive rooftop pool deck that’s basically a resort in the sky. Want boutique charm? Hotel Magdalena on South Congress offers treehouse-inspired architecture, hammocks galore, and a laid-back pool scene that captures Austin’s signature cool. Midrange travelers should try Hotel San José, also on SoCo, where minimalist chic meets cactus-dotted courtyards and you’re always within earshot of live music. Budget-conscious but still looking for style? East Austin Hotel delivers colorful design, a lively rooftop bar, and a prime location near buzzy coffee shops and food trucks, all without draining your wallet.
Now, onto what really matters—food. Start high with Uchi, Tyson Cole’s trailblazing sushi spot that blends traditional Japanese flavors with Texas daring. It’s pricey, yes, but worth every buttery slice of madai. For something cozy and upscale, try Olamaie, where modern Southern cooking takes center stage—think biscuits that inspire cult followings and fresh takes on black-eyed peas and fish. Craving tacos? Nixta Taqueria on East 12th flips the script on taquería fare with heritage corn tortillas, duck carnitas, and inventive vegetarian options. For laid-back fun and bold flavor, Loro—an Asian smokehouse by the teams behind Franklin Barbecue and Uchi—delivers smoked meats with zingy sauces in a casual picnic-table setting. Cheap and cheerful? Via 313 slings Detroit-style pizza so good it’ll ruin you for the regular stuff. And don’t leave without a pit stop at Franklin Barbecue. Yes, the lines are real. So is the brisket that melts like beefy butter.
After dark, Austin doesn’t sleep—it just swaps guitars for cocktails. The Roosevelt Room in the Warehouse District is a temple to cocktail history, where every drink tells a story and the bartenders could teach master classes. For something wild and wonderfully unpretentious, head to White Horse, a honky-tonk where two-stepping is mandatory and whiskey flows like tap water. Garage Bar, hidden in a literal parking garage, serves sophisticated drinks in a space that’s part noir film, part speakeasy. If you’re on the East Side, Nickel City offers retro dive-bar energy and one of the best boilermaker selections in the country. And no list is complete without Whisler’s—a stylish bar with a mezcaleria upstairs and a rotating food truck out front, perfect for slow sips and people-watching.
Here’s a list of great food trucks in Austin:
Cuantos Tacos – East Austin gem serving Mexico City-style street tacos with handmade corn tortillas and slow-cooked meats.
KG BBQ – Egyptian-Texan fusion with brisket, lamb chops, and ribs seasoned with North African spices.
Jim’s Smokehouse – Old-school Texas BBQ done right—perfectly smoked brisket, pulled pork, and standout mac & cheese.
T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs – Bacon-wrapped hot dogs in a bolillo bun, topped with beans, grilled onions, and jalapeño sauce.
Feral Pizza – Crispy sourdough crusts with wild topping combinations; creative and craveable.
Parish Barbecue – Smoked meats with Cajun flair—think boudin, crawfish stuffing, and brisket with spice.
Yeni’s Fusion – Indonesian flavors meet Texas heat—beef rendang, dumplings, and spicy coconut soup.
Bodhi Viet Veggie Cuisine – All-vegan Vietnamese food made with heart: banh mi, noodle bowls, and fresh spring rolls.
Of course, no night out in Austin is complete without catching live music. Mohawk on Red River is a gritty-cool indoor/outdoor venue known for indie rock and surprise acts. Antone’s is the city’s legendary home of the blues—Stevie Ray Vaughan got his start here, and the spirit of Texas blues still wails from its stage. For something more intimate and eclectic, Cactus Cafe on the UT campus offers acoustic sets that range from folk to jazz, often with candlelit vibes. The Continental Club on South Congress is a can’t-miss for rockabilly, country, and soul—both the club and its upstairs gallery host live shows that feel like stepping into a bygone era. And if you want high-energy, high-volume fun, Stubb’s BBQ serves up both smoked meats and major touring acts in its iconic backyard amphitheater.
But don’t spend your whole visit sipping and snacking—there’s a city to explore. Start with Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming hole beloved by locals, then stroll Zilker Park for skyline views and festival energy. Head to South Congress Avenue for the city’s best boutique shopping, murals, and street musicians. History buffs should wander the Texas State Capitol—it’s grander than the U.S. Capitol and free to tour. For a little weird with your wow, visit the Cathedral of Junk, an ever-evolving backyard sculpture of recycled chaos. And when the sun dips, join the crowds under the Congress Avenue Bridge to witness the famous bat emergence—a nightly swarm of Mexican free-tailed bats that turns the sky into a moving cloud.
Austin is a city of contrasts: refined yet rebellious, polished but never pretentious. Whether you’re bedding down in luxury, chasing tacos from a trailer, clapping along to a fiddle solo, or sipping mezcal in a hidden bar, the Texas capital plays by its own rules—and it always wins.
