Bars & Restaurants: Willie’s Joint – Full bar, outdoor seating, live music. Nate’s Buda Mill & Grain Co. – Craft beer, cocktails, laid-back atmosphere. Meridian – Serves coffee and baked goods by day, and transforms into a lively spot for cocktails and live music by night. Taste on Main – Fine dining with a farm-to-table approach. Ma’Coco – Mexican street food with vibrant flavors. Dos Olivos Market – Wine bar with tapas-style dishes. Buda Biscuit Co. – Southern-style biscuits and breakfast. Summer Moon – Local favorite coffee shop with signature wood-fired coffee. Shops & Unique Spots: Old Main Street – Explore local shops and antique stores in downtown Buda. Buda Mill & Grain Co. – Historic area with boutiques, artisan shops, and local vendors.
Our favorite thing about Austin is the unique and incredible food scene. Here is a list of our top choices that are close to downtown Austin: - Our Absolute Favorites: Aba*, Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum* and Odd Duck* - BBQ Joints: Terry Blacks & La Barbeque - Tacos: Veracruz Tacos, Taco Joint, & Torchy's Tacos - Mexican Food: ATX Cocina*, Chuy’s, La Condesa*, Lichas, Chapulin Cantina* - Brunch: Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden*, Irene's, June's All Day - We also highly recommend checking out one of the many food trucks in ATX, many of these will be close to nightlife (listed below) *For restaurants marked with an asterisk (*), we recommend making a reservation in advance.*
Austin is known for its vibrant live music scene. If you're looking to catch some live music here are some places to check out. - Low Commitment Venues — Rustic Tap, Friends Bar, Austin Garden & Studio, WTF Icehouse, and many other bars on Rainey St. and Sixth St. - Jazz & Blues Venues — The Continental Club*, C-Boys Heart and Soul*, Elephant Room*, Saxon Pub*, - Honkey Tonk Venues— Broken Spoke* & White Horse* - Ticketed Venues — Stubbs, Historic Scoot Inn, ACL Live, Mohawk, Antone’s Nightclub, Moody Amphitheater, & Moody Center (for these venues we recommend checking ahead of time to see if there are any shows that line up with your trip to ATX!!) *Venues marked with an asterisk (*) may have a cover charge of $5-$10 in the evening.*
- Barton Springs Pool — A must-visit spot in Austin! Dive into this natural pool, which stays refreshingly cool at 68-70 degrees year-round. - Zilker Park — A 350-acre park that’s home to the annual Austin City Limits music festival. A great place to relax and enjoy Austin’s vibrant culture. - Butler Park — A nice green space offering stunning views of the downtown skyline. We recommend catching a sunset from here. - Lady Bird Lake — Perfect for walking or biking along the trails. On warm days, try paddleboarding or kayaking for a fun water adventure. - Mount Bonnell — A few miles outside of downtown Austin. A short climb rewards you with views of downtown Austin and Lake Austin.
If you're looking to explore some of Austin’s most popular spots for nightlife, dining, or simply soaking in the vibe, check out these areas: - East 6th Street: An eclectic mix of bars and live music venues with a trendy, hip vibe. - South Congress District: Trendy bars, unique shops, and great food with a laid-back atmosphere. - Rainey Street: A lively area lined with bars and food trucks, perfect for a relaxed evening. - West 6th Street: A favorite among young professionals, offering casual bars and vibrant nightlife. - "Dirty" 6th Street: Known for its wild and rowdy nightlife—proceed with caution at night if you prefer a quieter scene.