First things first: The Moody Center is the largest indoor concert venue in town. The Moody Amphitheater is an outdoor venue just down the road from the Moody Center. And the Moody theater is downtown on 2nd street and where the film the Austin City Limits tapings. Double check you are going to the right venue before you Uber or scooter in vain.
I love sharing this list when our favorite shows come to town. Especially for those who are visiting.
Everyone has their opinions on these things but here’s some things I suggest to my friends when they visit.
South Congress is basically the front face of Austin. All the fun shops and an enjoyable afternoon walking around. Get some coffee at Jo’s and you’ll find the famous I Love You So Much mural. Or get a slice of pizza and a Mexican coke from Home Slice. Triple Z threads has some awesome custom Pearl snap shirts (I recommend the Lazer Cat.) I’m a regular at Howler Bros, love their stuff.
Rainey street by day and Red River by night are my recommendations for bars. I don’t mess with sixth street (dirty six) really.
Las Perlas on E 7th is one of my favorite bars. It’s a mezcal bar, then you walk outside it’s a rum bar with really great tacos, then walk inside again to the right and it’s a whiskey bar. It’s also near Stubbs BBQ. Not too lively of a place, so you can bring your friends and not feel overwhelmed.
Also as for bars, east Austin (east of 35 4th -7th street) is where to go unless you’re into the more social scene. It’s more the Austin vibe I think people are hunting. I recommend whislers personally.
Vera Cruz tacos are the best bang for my buck here. I highly recommend the al pastor. But that’s just me.
Vegetarian/Vegan? I recommend finding the Arlos food truck at Cheer Up Charlie’s or Plow Burger. But my favorite and an Austin staple is Bouldin Creek Cafe. Great breakfast too. (Blueberry corn bread get it.)
Breweries: zilker brewing and Lazarus are downtown. Last I checked Lazarus still has a spicy boys food truck and an EXCELLENT hot chicken sandwhich. We also have Nashville style at Tumble 22. And I hurt my insides there a few times a month.
Down south there’s the St. Elmo’s Brewing company and that is surrounded by other cool options like Still Austin Whiskey distillery. A Sake bar.
If you’re here on a Thursday they have Bluegrass at St. Elmo’s. (And have it on Mondays at Radio Coffee and Beer).
Pizza: I mentioned Home Slice but there’s also Via 313 which will rock your world.
Pinthouse Pizza is excellent and also home to a great selection of original beers. Everyone in Austin will tell you the electric jellyfish is one of the best beers in the city.
Ciderys: Austin East ciders. There’s also Bishops Cidercade where you can play old arcade games.
As for BBQ, oh we’ve all got opinions, you probably don’t have time for Franklins and honestly, you’ll be okay, we’ve got a lot of great BBQ. There’s also some great food trucks with bbq. Cosmic Coffee is a great coffee shop and bar (and I mean great) they’ve got Leroy and Lewis bbq there. So so so good. I’m a regular at Blacks but it’s not “the vibe” most people seek out. Tourists tend to find Terry Blacks and you can’t go wrong there other than the lines and cost. A bit up the road is Stiles Switch BBQ, it’s very good and also where they filmed some Dazed and Confused scenes. It’s also not far from Top Notch Burgers where McConnaghey uttered his famous catchphrase in the film. Salt Lick BBQ is a short drive south, and people love it, and it’s a great spot, but I’ve always found them to be hot or cold. But when they are on they are ON. If you have the time for it and a vehicle, Lockhart is only 45 minutes out of Austin and the BBQ capital of the world. I’m partial to Smittys, still think it’s the best I’ve had, but Kreuz tends to win over for many folks. These two however are my personal favorites in the area and who everyone is trying to copy. But if you go to Smittys I tend to get everything but the Brisket (which is what Texas is best at.) but if you get Brisket, wherever I go, I’m always asking for the burnt ends.
If you’re chasing the scenic hill country ten minutes from town, County Line on the lake is out by the penny backer bridge. There’s an overlook at the bridge you can hike up and that’s a great photo opp. This experience is usually a priority and what I end up taking friends to do when they visit.
Tex-Mex, I recommend Polvos on 1st street. There’s also the more famous Matt’s El Rancho.
Bakeries Swedish Hill has one of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had. There’s also Easy Tiger (also a great bar), and quacks not far up the road from the venue.
Breakfast: Kerbey Lane, Bird Bird Biscuit, Bouldin Creek, Magnolia Cafe, Biscuits + Groovy, (honestly Whataburger 😂)
If you’d like coffee and some baked goods with a view, go to Mozart’s.
Happy Hour: I really love Salty Sow and it’s near Moody Center if you’re here for a show.
Check out Waterloo Records and Bookpeople. Bring a six pack and play a round of Peter Pan mini-golf. Take a frigid dip at Barton Springs. Bats on Congress bridge fly out round sunset. You’ll see tons of people lining the bridge.
I usually have three rules for visiting Austin. BBQ, Tex Mex and Live Music.
The Continental Club, C-Boys, and Saxon Pub have music nightly. Dale Watson on Mondays is some experience.
If you have a bit more time go down south to Gruene Hall, have a honky tonk night. Eat at the Gristmill.
Visit the cute town of Wimberly and the vineyards in and distilleries in Driftwood.
Oh yeah! Nearish the Moody Ampitheater and Moody Center is Crown and Anchor pub and Scholz Beer Garten.
If you have more specific questions, ask away!
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