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Patagonia Austin

About our store.

We opened in 2008, in the heart of downtown Austin, just steps from the Convention Center, the Congress Ave. Bridge (famous for its dusk bat watching), and a short walk from the state capitol. We share our historic building with Texas chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Check us out for a great assortment of quality Patagonia clothing and gear for climbing, trail running, mountain biking, travel and the day to day. We regularly host store events and support local environmental work, including efforts to stop the Trans Pecos pipeline project in southwest Texas.

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12 Best Places for Shopping in Austin

By Stirling Kelso

While Austin has consistently ranked among the fastest growing cities in the U.S. for the last five years, residents are still in awe when one of our hometown brands—Outdoor Voices, Kendra Scott—takes off on the national stage. These industry leaders, as well as cutting-edge fashion shops, artist showrooms, and vintage galleries, make up the best of the ATX shopping scene, one that's fueled by creative minds and hard-working entrepreneurs. Make a pilgrimage to your favorite flagship—thanks to Austin's low-key celeb vibe, you might just meet the brand founder—elevate your closet with a fashion statement, and leave with a suitcase-worthy souvenir. Read on for our picks for Austin's best shops.

Fortress of Inca Arrow

Fortress of Inca sells shoes that are collaboratively designed by Austin-based owner Evan Streusand and his team, and designers and shoemakers in Peru. Streusand works with family-owned factories and workshops, all of which he knows intimately. Fortress of Inca shoes are sold in select stores and boutiques across the states (in San Francisco , Brooklyn, Portland , Seattle , and other markets), but at the flagship, you get to see and try on the entire collection—and you might meet Streusand himself.

Sunroom Arrow

When owner Lucy Jolis opened Sunroom several years ago, she was taking a gamble of sorts: She was betting that women in Austin cared about high fashion and statement jewelry, sometimes from little-known designers, and that they were willing to invest in it. She brought in brands from Australia, India, Los Angeles and New York , most of which touched on a carefree, sunshine-ready look, all inspired by a beach town but apt for a city. Her small shop, located in the retail corridor of the South Congress Hotel, is like a “a little glass box,” she says.

Alexa James Baby Arrow

In a world where so much kid’s stuff is mass-produced and available online, Alexa James is worth your time for its high-quality, one-of-a-kind items. If you have a little one in your life, this is the best place in town to find a present—or a whole new tot-size wardrobe, for that matter. Clothes, gifts, and toys are beautifully displayed, and a kids’ corner offers a bookshelf and top-of-the-line supplies to play house—a Milton & Goose-brand kitchen, a German Hape grill, and Oeuf table and chairs. While you won’t find smock dresses or massive bows, you will find animal wall hangings that were hand crocheted in Spain, or eco-friendly wooden toys. There are also local brands such as W is for Weird, from a writer and an illustrator who both live in Austin, or rompers by the Austin-based Classic Childhood.

South of Everywhere Arrow

South of Everywhere feels more like a showroom than a shop, with select men's clothes hanging from the racks. The name of the game here is cutting-edge street style—all designer, and all pricey. Instead of button-downs and khakis, you'll find solid T-shirts, gym shorts, edgy sweatshirts, and zip-up pullovers. Daniel Patrick fleece gym shorts cost $250; an Ami oversized crewneck sweater, $510. Don't leave without talking about music with the owners. Come to browse the brands—Ami, Matthew Miller, And Wander—that blur the line between fashion and art. Additionally, South of Everywhere does pop-up events around town; most recently, at the Line Hotel.

Meredith Carey

Abbie Kozolchyk

Jessica Puckett

Rachel Chang

Outdoor Voices Arrow

Even if you’re familiar with Outdoor Voices—and celebrity entrepreneur Tyler (Ty) Haney—there’s a thrill in visiting the flagship, which sits on a quiet corner in Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood. The shop is housed in a bungalow craftsman style–home with an original stained glass door, and each warm, inviting room is filled with the brand's signature activewear. The shop hosts plenty of events and activities, and it always has Topo Chico on hand—should you get thirsty as you browse.

ByGeorge Arrow

ByGeorge first opened almost 40 years ago and changed hands in 2015. Today its South Congress location is a visually striking corner shop with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooks the bustling pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare. Thanks to its design-savvy, boundary-pushing co-owner, the store stocks a wide range of contemporary brands like étoile Isabel Marant, PSWL Proenza Schouler, and Adidas by Stella McCartney, and many others, as well as popular vintage band T-shirts. Of all of the clothing stores in Austin, ByGeorge has the most devout following. Austinites flock here every season to dress themselves for the coming months. Many regulars shop behind the scenes and have relationships with the store that date back years. That said, the South Congress location attracts all kinds, from travelers to festival-goers to roadtrippers.

Kendra Scott Arrow

In late 2018, Kendra Scott, a billion-dollar jewelry brand that got its start in Austin, opened this beautiful new flagship on South Congress Avenue. The building dates back to the 1800s, and although it was completely overhauled, elements like the original beams were painstakingly preserved. Scott worked with the design firm Sixthriver to great airy, open, glamorous interiors, which also include works by her favorite female artists, a table that was a part of her original design studio, and wallpaper that incorporates original sketches. Unlike many stern jewelry stores—all silence and glass cases—the experience here is cheerful and interactive; you’re encouraged to touch, feel, coordinate, and get involved in the design process. We love Sips & Sweets Café, stocked with local pastries and tea.

Stag is a (mostly) men's shop with clothes, accessories (hats, bags, shaving kits), and some furnishings that befit its customer: adventurous at heart, but probably works downtown. The store has masculine, warm interiors, where conversation-worthy books mingle with cashmere sweaters and plaid button downs on wood shelves that could easily be workbenches. Exposed beams and metal lighting adds an industrial touch. Here you'll find clothing from brands like Levi's Vintage, Portuguese Flannel, Faherty, Life After Denim, and limited-edition RRL pieces. You’ll also find wool fedoras; leather bracelets; statement rings, watches and glasses; and even pins and beaded necklaces.

Garment Modern + Vintage Arrow

Garment isn’t so much a shop as a gallery dedicated to fashion throughout the decades. Racks, which are far from jammed—every item gets breathing room—is almost like an education in sartorial history, with clothes from the 1930s, the 1970s, and the aughts. Owner Masha Poloskova and her husband custom designed the whole shop; from the racks to the wood accent wall, everything you see is handmade. Keep your eye out for designer vintage like YSL, Gucci, and Chanel, along with handmade jewelry from indie designers, including local duo Anvil+Aura and L.A. designer Hannah Keefe. In some cases, buying vintage will save you money—that's the case here. Take some of the silk blouses or cashmere sweaters; here they're about $100, but retail they would have been much more expensive.

Keith Kreeger Studios Arrow

Keith Kreeger is somewhat of an unofficial mayor of Austin; you’ll often see him—not to mention his dinnerware and serving plates—at restaurants and cultural events. At his dazzling shop and showroom, statement-level serving pieces, dinnerware, trays, and other ceramics are displayed on wood-and-steel tables and bookcases; you’ll also see the pendant lights that feature prominently at Uchi restaurant in Dallas. Kreeger, who works in the studio next door, is always happy to give visitors a tour of his working space—the experience really brings his work to life.

Take Heart Arrow

In a city that’s growing and changing, this might as well be called the little gift shop that could. Thanks to its select, varied collection of gifts and one-of-a kind finds, Take Heart continues to thrive even as similar stores close or move to e-commerce. In fact, after seven-and-a-half years, Take Heart has moved to a new location—in a striking building by local architecture firm Furman + Keil—with even more space than its previous home. Look for unique gifts, from ceramic bud vases and nature-inspired paperweights to glass teapots and handmade children's toys like natural wood blocks and hand-knitted stuffed animals.

Allens Boots Arrow

This Austin landmark, which has occupied the same stucco-and-stone building on South Congress since the 1970s, is required retail for anyone looking to buy a pair of cowboy boots. The 8,000-square-foot store has the largest selection in the country—more than 10,000 pairs­. Look out for vintage-style Liberty Blacks, which also don’t shy away from fringe; Old Gringos, known for detailed embroidery; or Luccheses, a Texas-made staple since 1883. Allen’s also works with brands to design custom shoes, many made from crocodile, ostrich, and python. One you’ve picked out your footwear, turn your attention to pearl snap shirts and cowboy hats—including Stetson’s Open Road, famously worn by LBJ—as well as custom belt buckles and leather jackets. And if you leave with a bolo, we know you drank the ranch water.

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The Best Places to Shop in Austin

A trip through austin’s shops and boutiques will send you home laden down with great vinyl, used and new books, and top-notch vintage western wear, but you may be surprised by local designers, too, showing off their stuff, from fashion to housewares..

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Austin Travel Guide

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Austin is the Texas state capital and the Live Music Capital of the World, with more than 250live music venues in this sprawling central Texas city. More than 2,300 recording artists call Austin home. Among them? Willie Nelson, who moved from Nashville to Austin in 1972 and never looked back.

Austin is a college town, home to the University of Texas, and it's as big as you would expect the capital of Texas to be. The city limits cover 232 square miles encompassing more than 300 parks, including the nearly 360-acre Zilker Park. Austin is America's11th largest city and one of its fastest-growing.

They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and the state Capitol building—14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. —is no exception. Neither is the bat colony that roosts under Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge from April through October. It's the largest urban bat population in North America, home to between 750,000 and 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats.

Between the great outdoors, local art, music festivals, quirky neighborhoods, and a seemingly endless list of restaurants and bars, there's plenty to do in Austin whatever your fancy and whatever your budget. This guide is designed to help you make the most of your time in Austin, an evolving city that's successfully upholding its mantra to "Keep Austin Weird."

Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is observed seasonally.

Best Time to Go

March and October are particularly good times to catch live music in Austin. In March, the city hosts SXSW , a music and multimedia festival, and the Urban Music Festival, a celebration of R&B, jazz, funk and reggae. Austin City Limits , a two-weekend festival that brings more 130 acts to eight stages, happens each October. The Austin Rodeo, with nightly concerts, is held in March.

To wander down an iconic Austin street and get a feel for its bohemian roots, visit in May when the Pecan Street Festival takes over 6th Street. If you're looking to skip out on snow and ice, Austin can make for a temperate winter escape, but beware if you head to town in July or August. Texas summers can sizzle.

Related : 15 Best Places to Travel in March

Things to Know

In Austin, tacos are a breakfast item, and suits and ties are few and far in between. Flip-flops are acceptable footwear for many occasions, and there's never really a need for stilettos.

Austin is among the most walkable cities in Texas, but you'll want to take Uber or Lyft or rent a car to make the most of your time. Austin is big, and it's going to take you longer than you think to get where you're going.

Austin is an Instagrammer's paradise. The city has public art you've probably seen on your social feeds, including an I Love You So Much wall on South Congress, a Greetings from Austin postcard mural on South 1st Street and an atx sculpture at 5th and Lamar.

Lady Bird Lake isn't actually a lake. It's a river-like reservoir on the Colorado River created by the city in 1960 as a cooling pond for a new power plant.

How to Get Around

Cap Metro is Austin's public transit system serving a population of more than one million in its 535-square mile service area. More than 1,600 bus stops and 82 routes include MetroRail, MetroRapid, and High-Frequency Route Network. Weekend service may be limited.

Taxis: yellowcabaustin.com/

Lyft, Uber, and an emerging light rail system (Cap Metro) have made it easier to get around. Austin is walkable and bikeable, but a rental car is a great convenience there.

Best Hotels

The carpenter hotel.

Address: 400 Josephine Street, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 682-5300 Book Now

This quirky hotel, among Travel & Leisure's favorite new properties, is partially housed in a low-slung brick building that used to be a meeting place for union woodworkers. The hotel's owner has kept its original wood-paneled floors, teller window reception area and cork boards intact, creating a modest welcome to this minimalist space.

JW Marriott

Address: 110 E 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 474-4777 Book Now

This luxury hotel in downtown Austin is an easy walk from 6th Street, Austin City Limits, the Capitol, and the Austin Convention Center. The hotel has ample event space, and it's popular with conference goers and football fans in town for University of Texas Longhorns games.

Doubletree Suites

Address: 303 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 478-7000 Book Now

The Doubletree Suites, an all-suite hotel a stone's throw from the Texas Capitol building, is well suited for long stays and families. Each suite has a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Some are two-bedroom, two-bathroom, and many have views of the Texas Hill Country or the Capital.

Hyatt Regency

Address: 208 Barton Springs, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 477-1234 Book Now

The Hyatt Regency in downtown Austin is a short walk from the bars on 6th Street, the Austin Convention Center, and the bats that live under Congress Avenue Bridge. Some rooms in this pet-friendly contemporary hotel have river views and patios.

Hampton Inn

Address: 200 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 472-1500 Book Now

Austin is home to several Hampton Inns that offer comfortable affordable accommodations, but the chain's downtown outpost is the most convenient for visiting the city's sights. The downtown Hampton Inn is just a short walk from the bars on 6th street, Austin's seasonal bat colony, the Texas State Capitol, and one of Austin's best eateries—Stubb's BBQ.

Fairmont Austin

Address: 101 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 600-2000 Book Now

The Fairmont Austin is a 37-story luxury hotel with more than 1,000 guest rooms, many with views of Lady Bird Lake. The hotel, located in Austin's central business district, is conveniently connected to the Austin Convention Center.

Address: 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 542-3600 Book Now

This four-star hotel in downtown Austin includes both a Tequila bar and a record room, perfectly suited for the Live Music Capital of the World. The W Austin's Record Room houses a collection of more than 8,000 records, making it the perfect place to begin a night of hopping between local live music shows.

East Austin Hotel

Address: 1108 East Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (737) 205-8888 Book Now

This unique entrant to the Austin hotel scene has rooms for under $100 a night on iconic Sixth Street if you're willing to share a private bathroom with your neighbors. More expensive rooms with private bathrooms also are available at this trendy boutique hotel that's brimming with East Austin pride.

Omni Barton Creek Resort

Address: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735 Phone: (512) 329-4000 Book Now

This luxe Austin resort offers six restaurants, a spa with an adults only pool, four golf courses, four swimming pools, and golf clubhouse. The 4,000-acre property is located west of downtown and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Driskill

Address: 604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 439-1234 Book Now

The Driskill is the oldest operating hotel in Austin, named for Jesse Driskill, a cattle baron who aimed to build the finest hotel south of St. Louis. The hotel has long been popular American presidents. It's where Lyndon B. Johnson watched returns of the 1964 presidential election and where Bill Clinton stayed during his 1999 visit to Austin.

Best Restaurants

Launderette.

Address: 2115 Holly Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: 512-382-1599 Website

Launderette is a neighborhood cafe with a North African-inspired Mediterranean menu that includes dishes like fried shrimp, beet hummus, and steak. Launderette's burger has been called the best in Austin. Launderette's desserts, which include Hibiscus Poached Pears and Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches, are especially popular.

Franklin BBQ

Address: 900 E 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 653-1187 Website

Franklin BBQ started in a humble trailer but has since grown into an empire where President Barack Obama, Anthony Bourdain, and Jimmy Kimmel have dined. James Beard Award winning Pitmaster Aaron Franklin wrote "Franklin Barbecue, A Meat Smoking Manifesto" and launched a PBS barbecue show.

Home Slice Pizza

Address: 1415 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-444-PIES Website

If you're looking for a slice in Austin, Home Slice Pizza is where to find it. This New York style neighborhood pizza joint is one of the few places in Austin that serves pizza by the slice.

South Congress Cafe

Address: 1600 S Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: 512-447-3905 Website

This retro hotspot, known for boozy brunches, carrot cake French toast, and jalapeño venison meatloaf, was a pharmacy back in the 1940s. Today, it's the place for a Texas-size shaded patio, happy hour, and the perfect spot for lounging on breezy days.

Address: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: 512-476-4852 Website

Hula Hut, a lakeside TexMex restaurant with a Polynesian twist, is a tiki bar that fancies itself a surfer's paradise. One of its most popular menu items is the Kawaikini Stuffed Avocado, a Hass avocado filled with roasted chicken, green chilis and more, then fried and served with hatch green chile and queso blanco.

Address: 1917 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722 Phone: (512) 391-2337 Website

Salty Sow is all about swine, wine, and beer. Its menu focuses on meaty dishes like triple fried duck fat fries, bacon and gruyere roasted bone marrow, candied pork belly, and slow-cooked beef shoulder. It's a very Austin restaurant with its focus on mindfully sourced local ingredients and creative hand-crafted cocktails.

Address: 2027 Anchor Lane, Austin, TX 78723 Phone: (512) 614 - 2260 Website

For an authentic Texas ranch-style dining experience without leaving the city, head to Contigo. Designed to feel like a country ranch, the restaurant serves menu items like crispy green beans, rabbit & dumplings, Texas quail, and a bone-in ribeye that serves three to four.

Torchy's Tacos

Multiple Locations Website

Torchy's Tacos started as an Austin food truck, and it's now best known for creative tacos. Among them is the Trailer Park—a combo of chicken fried steak, bacon, green chile queso, cotija cheese, and pico de gallo in a fresh flour tortilla. The Brushfire includes Jamaican jerk chicken, grilled jalapenos, mango sour cream, and cilantro with diablo sauce. They serve breakfast tacos all day.

Kemuri Tatsu-ya

Address: 2713 E. Second Street, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 803-2224 Website

This Austin restaurant's menu is a mashup of Texas barbecue and traditional Japanese izakaya. Think BBQ tsukemen, sticky rice tamales, and edamame smoked over cherry wood. The restaurant's founders are self-described Japanese Texans who brought Austin its first Ramen joint in 2012.

Ramen Tatsu-ya

Address: 8557 Research Blvd #126, Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 893-5561 Website

Ramen is their specialty, and they offer a variety along with sides, extra noodles, toppings, small bites, and even instructions on the best way to enjoy their ramen.

Things to Do

Texas state capitol.

Address: 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 463-4630 Website

One of the nation's most distinguished state capitols, the building is surrounded by 22 acres of statues and monuments. Several historic sections of the capitol can be seen on a free guided tour covering Texas history and the building itself.

LBJ Presidential Library

Address: 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705 Phone: (512) 721-0200 Website

This presidential library chronicles the life of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. Johnson was born and died in central Texas, not far from the University of Texas where this library is housed. Visitors to the LBJ library can listen in on LBJ's calls from the White House, step inside a replica of the Oval Office, and experience interactive exhibits.

Austin Bats

Address: 305 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Website

Head to the Congress Avenue Bridge around sunset to see North America's largest bat colony. A renovation in 1980 turned the bridge into the ideal bat cave, attracting a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats typically emerge between 7:30 pm and 9:45 pm, and visitors start lining up just before sunset, facing east for the best views.

Barton Springs Pool

Address: 2101 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78746 Phone: (512) 974-6300 Website

Barton Springs Pool is the crown jewel of Austin's sprawling 358-acre Zilker Park. The man-made pool measures three acres, drawing its water from underground springs with an average temperature around 68 degrees. The pool is open year round and hosts a polar plunge each January.

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Address: 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78702 Phone: (512) 936-8746 Website

This Austin museum chronicles Texas history and the people who made the state what it is today. It houses an original NASA Mission Control console from the 1960s, cattle branding and oil field tools, and an AT-6 "Texan," the World War II-era training airplane flown by the trailblazing Women Airforce Service Pilots.

Harry Ransom Center

Address: 300 West 21st Street, Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-8944 Website

The Harry Ransom Center is a humanities research library and museum with 41 million items, including one of five copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the U.S. The museum also houses the Niépce Heliograph, considered the earliest surviving photograph made with camera obscura, the archive of playwright Arthur Miller, and childhood writing from authors including Charlotte Brontë and David Foster Wallace.

Blanton Museum of Art

Address: 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-5482 Website

The Blanton Museum of Art is the largest university-owned art collection in the U.S. The museum's key piece is Austin , a highly Instagrammable temple of light created by American artist Ellsworth Kelly. The 2,715-square-foot stone building features 33 mouth blown colored glass windows set in three different patterns, a totem made of salvaged wood, and 14 black-and-white stone panels representing the Stations of the Cross.

Play Golf at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Address: 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin, TX 78735 Phone: (512) 329-4000 Website

Austin's warm weather and 300 days of sunshine a year make it an ideal golf destination, and the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa's four championship golf courses are the perfect place to play.

The Paramount Theater

Address: 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 472-5470 Website

The Paramount Theater is everything you'd imagine an opulent downtown theater to be. Opened as a vaudeville house in 1915, the theater now hosts live performances and movies. Houdini, Katharine Hepburn, Amy Schumer, and Sheryl Crow are among the performers who have graced the Paramount's stage.

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Address: 310 W. Willie Nelson Boulevard, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 225-7999 Website

The Moody Theater is home to Austin City Limits Live, the longest running music series in American television history. The Moody Theater hosts about 100 concerts each year and offers tours every weekday.

Antone's Nightclub

Address: 305 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 814-0361 Website

Antone's Nightclub, open since 1975, is an iconic blues venue in Austin. The club has hosted B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, James Brown, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Best Shopping

Soco - south congress avenue.

Address: South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 441-2444 Website

This strip just south of Lady Bird Lake is where Austin's hipsters, politicos, and students come to peruse antique shops and vintage stores. It's also home to Allen's Boots , which stocks thousands of pairs of boots as well as snap shirts, belts, buckles, and anything else you might need for your first rodeo.

2nd Street District

Address: 2nd Street to 4th Street, between Colorado and Guadalupe streets, Austin, TX 78701 Website

This is Austin's original downtown pedestrian shopping district and includes the first ever brick and mortar ModCloth. The 2nd Street District is home to independent retailers and chains including Urban Outfitters and Loft.

Address: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace , Austin, TX 78758 Phone: (512) 795-4230 Website

The Domain has 700,000-square feet of luxury shops, mainstream stores, and restaurants, including Austin's first Neiman-Marcus, a Tiffany and Co., and a Louis Vuitton store.

South First Street

Address: South Austin, Austin, TX 78704 Website

If you're looking for retailers you won't find elsewhere, head to South First Street between Barton Springs Road and Oltorf Street. You'll find designer and vintage clothing, neon art and a whole lot of other things you likely won't see anywhere else.

Address: 603 N. Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 472-5050 Website

BookPeople is a behemoth of an independent bookstore. It's the largest independent bookstore in Texas and hosts regular signings and readings. BookPeople opened in 1970 and has hosted Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Waterloo Records

Address: 600 N Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: (512) 474-2500 Website

Waterloo Records has been part of Austin's music scene since 1982. It's an independent music and video store known for its vast selection of vinyl records, its knowledgeable staff, and its support of Texas music. Waterloo Records hosts live music, and past performers include Willie Nelson, Nirvana, Spoon, Cheap Trick, and Norah Jones.

Neighborhoods to Know

SoCo : South Congress , known as SoCo, is a collection of small shops, restaurants, music venues, and art galleries just south of Lady Bird Lake. It's a great spot to find food trucks, shop for quirky souvenirs, and take in postcard views of the Texas State Capitol.

Rainey Street: This once sleepy residential neighborhood has become a hub of Austin nightlife. Many of the old bungalows on this historic street have been converted into bars, restaurants, and live music venues. With its expansive porches and comfortable yards, it's a top spot for Sunday fundays.

Red River Cultural District : Austin may be the Live Music Capital of the World, but the Red River Cultural District is the live music capital of Austin. Once the domain of metal and punk fans, this area has evolved to become an ideal place for a live music crawl through genres.

Sixth Street Historic District: Sixth Street Historic District is perhaps Austin's best known neighborhood. It's home to the historic Driskill Hotel and a seemingly endless array of bars, clubs, and restaurants. The street occasionally closes to traffic for tailgating and other events.

Texas summers can be hot and humid, but winters are mild, and snow or ice are rare. Severe weather most commonly occurs in the spring when there can be heavy rain, flash flooding, and occasional tornadoes.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month.

January 42 - 62 February 45 - 65 March 51 - 72 April 59 - 80 May 67 - 87 June 72 - 92 July 74 - 96 August 75 - 97 September 69 - 91 October 61 - 82 November 51 - 71 December 42 - 63

Apps to Download

Park ATX: Pay for street parking in Austin iOs | Android

Cap Metro: Trip planning, online ticketing, real-time arrivals iOs |Android

Bird : Electric scooters iOs | Android

Lime : Electric scooters iOs | Android

The Best Places to Shop in Austin

Where to Find Old Treasures, New Fashions and Everything in Between

Whether you’re looking for vintage-store treasures or Gucci handbags, Austin’s shopping scene delivers retail therapy in many forms. During the blistering heat of Austin summers, many shoppers still flock to air-conditioned malls, but many of the newer developments are mixed-use with both residential and retail sections, lending them more of a neighborhood vibe. For those in search of the weird old Austin of yesteryear, there are still a few shops on South Congress Avenue and in pockets throughout the city that defy easy categorization. 

South Congress Avenue

 Kylie McLaughlin / Getty Images

Home to Austin institutions such as The Continental Club and the Monkey See Monkey Do novelty store, South Congress is a fun place to while away an afternoon or evening. If you’d like to reward (or appease) your kids, stop in at the Big Top Candy Shop , which sells candies you might remember from childhood as well as treats from around the world. Parts & Labour is another long-term resident of the avenue, offering locally made clothing and gifts. If you’re in the market for cowboy boots, Allens Boots has a massive selection of both designer and reasonably priced boots. Around Halloween, Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds is always packed with shoppers looking to assemble the perfect costume. 

Second Street District

  RoschetzkyIstockPhoto  / Getty Images

Austin's city center holds more than commercial high-rises and government offices — urban lofts, sidewalk eateries and local boutiques abound, particularly in the Second Street District. The three-block area provides an alternative shopping experience to the standard indoor mall. Trendy clothing, home decor and one-of-a-kind jewelry stores are interspersed among health food cafes, coffee shops, wine bars such as Cru , and gourmet restaurants like Three Forks . Many of the shops and some of the restaurants are locally owned and operated. City officials and local businesspeople invested heavily in Second Street as a way of encouraging people to live, play and work downtown. Austin's City Hall complex adds a funky element to the Second Street District (the rust-colored building has an armadillo tail that protrudes over the street). The Austin City Hall also has a large parking garage with reasonable rates.

Mueller Retail Center

 Robert Macias

A part of the growing Mueller development in northeast Austin, the shopping center includes old favorites such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lane Bryant, Marshall’s, Old Navy and Chipotle. There are also a few specialty stores, such as The Children’s Place, rue21 (teen and young adult fashions) and Mosaic Market (gourmet groceries). On Wednesdays and Sundays, there’s also a lively farmers market at Lake Park in the center of the neighborhood. 

Anchored by Neiman Marcus, the Domain is one of the most unabashedly high-end shopping centers in Austin. In addition to Ralph Lauren and Macy’s, there are also several mid-priced stores, including Banana Republic and Dillard’s. Designed as a shopping destination, the center boasts three on-site hotels: Aloft Austin, Westin Austin at The Domain, and Lone Star Court. Even the restaurants are upscale, including Fleming’s Steakhouse, McCormick & Schmick’s, and Cru Food and Wine Bar. The newest addition to the Domain, the Rock Rose district , brings many old favorites from central Austin to the northern borderlands. The transplants include Lavaca Street Bar, The Dogwood, Salvation Pizza, East Side King, Kung Fu Saloon and 24 Diner. 

If the rest of Austin just seems too corporate for your tastes, this strip of vintage stores and record shops along North Loop Boulevard will seem like a breath of fresh air. Room Service Vintage is tidy and well organized, unlike many vintage stores. The shop carefully selects a few items to feature, and the offerings change frequently. You’ll find everything from boots to glassware to furniture — all in excellent condition. Blue Velvet is another must-visit boutique for serious vintage clothing shoppers. Breakaway Records sells vinyl records, tapes and the vintage equipment required to play them. 

The Arboretum

Z'Tejas

Featuring many stores you can park directly in front of, the Arboretum is a well-designed shopping center with tree-lined parking lots. The center is home to well-known stores such as Pottery Barn, Gap and Chico’s. Z Gallerie is one of the most popular home furnishing stores in central Texas, featuring furniture, art, lighting, dinnerware and rugs by top designers and manufacturers. Also, there’s a small park near Amy’s Ice Creams where kids can climb on life-size cows. Other places to eat include Five Guys, Z'Tejas, The Cheesecake Factory and Brio Tuscan Grille. 

Lakeline Mall

Located just northwest of Austin in Cedar Park, Lakeline Mall is the go-to shopping destination for those living in Austin’s northern suburbs. With more than 150 stores, the mall has a wide range of upscale and budget-friendly shopping experiences. The major department stores are Macy’s, Dillard’s and Sears. Gadget lovers appreciate the Brookstone store and GameStop, while kids love the Disney Store and Gymboree. Sweet treats can be gobbled up at Great American Cookies and Paradise Smoothies and Yogurt. 

Barton Creek Square Mall

Simon Malls

Perched atop a large hill in southwest Austin, Barton Creek Square is anchored by Nordstrom. The youngsters flock to the Apple Store, Lego Store, Pottery Barn Kids and the 14-screen IMAX theater. It’s the best place to shop in air-conditioned comfort during Austin’s brutal summer heat. Grab a bite to eat at California Pizza Kitchen, Pinkberry or Marble Slab Creamery. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Barton Creek hosts one of the largest farmers markets in town in its sprawling parking lot. 

Southpark Meadows

Located in deep south Austin, Southpark Meadows is one of Austin’s newest shopping centers. Boasting abundant parking and well-manicured landscaping, the center has more than 90 stores. An outdoor stage hosts live music daily against a backdrop of beautiful old oak trees. Benefit shows for organizations such as the Special Olympics are also held at the outdoor stage. A play area complete with slides and swings is also nestled among the trees. The biggest stores are the Super Target, WalMart Supercenter and JCPenney. Restaurants include the Texas Roadhouse, Chipotle, Serrano’s and Green Mesquite Barbecue. 

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The 1960s and 70s were a time for questioning and confronting the assumptions, ethics, politics and direction of the preceding generation, a time of growing ecological awareness, and of people looking for alternative ways of making a living. Jack and Linda began discussing with their friends the possibility of starting a store based on the philosophy and concepts of the recently published Whole Earth Catalog .   The Whole Earth Catalog was a revolutionary publication that flourished in the 1960s into the early 1980s. Steve Jobs described it as “Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along.” The Catalog encouraged “individuals to conduct their own education, find their own inspiration, shape their own environment and share the adventure with whoever is interested.” Composed of hundreds of pages filled with short descriptions of books and tools, it presented an encyclopedic view of the world and how it worked from the microscopic to the galactic.   For an item to be included in the Catalog, it had to meet four criteria: useful as a tool, relevant to independent education, high quality and/or low cost and easily available by mail. But what the Catalog’s readers really wanted was a store where they could browse the books and handle the tools they’d been reading about. Jack and Linda, with the help of their friends, family and four early part time partners made that dream a reality by opening a store, Whole Earth Provision Co., based on the ideals and products found in the Whole Earth Catalog.   Within a matter of months, Jack and Linda returned to Austin, found a space in Bluebonnet Plaza on 24th Street near the University of Texas campus, brought in supplies and merchandise and opened the first Whole Earth store. The original inventory included flour mills, oil lamps, massage oils, camp soap (bottled and supplied by Jack’s brother Joe) and lots of how-to books – titles selected from the Whole Earth Catalog . The store was an overnight success, selling out of merchandise in the first two weeks, necessitating the closing of the store to reorder and restock.   The Nomadics section of the Whole Earth Catalog encouraged readers to get out and explore the world and offered advice on gear for hiking, camping, mountaineering and backpacking, as well as wilderness survival skills.  Whole Earth quickly added outdoor gear to the mix of merchandise. The store became an early source for new, specially designed backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots, rugged clothing and other gear being created by new, small independent companies like The North Face and Patagonia to meet the demand for high tech outdoor adventure clothing and equipment. Whole Earth continues to be a leader in supplying gear, clothing and shoes for outdoor adventure and travel, outfitting generations of Texans for travel into remote corners of the world.   Whole Earth Provision Co. strives to offer clothing, footwear and gear of all kinds that complement and enhance your life at home, work, and school, on the trail, and traveling near and far. Our almost 50 years in business shows in our stores and online. You’ll find our merchandise is carefully chosen with quality, practicality and innovation in mind, based on our many years of experience using and selling iconic and classic brands, as well as introducing new brands and items worthy of your attention.   Whole Earth is a family owned business based in Texas with six stores in four cities: Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Our stores are filled with exciting and eclectic merchandise displayed in a fun, laid back environment with our knowledgeable and friendly sales staff at hand ready to offer information or advice should you need it. A Whole Earth store is much more than just a shopping destination, it’s a fun experience.  Over the years Whole Earth has supported Texas State Parks, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Texas, Hill Country Conservancy, Friends of Enchanted Rock, Big Bend Conservancy and many other non-profits large and small working to preserve and restore the environment. You may know us from Texas State Park Month, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Earth Day celebrations, Chaco Gives Back, and climbing competitions like the Granite Gripper. Other events we’ve sponsored were one-time responses to natural disasters like fund drives for the Houston Food Bank in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the Oxfam Nepal Recovery Fund Drive after the devastating earthquakes of 2015.   Our earlier product mix has expanded to the point where we are sometimes hard- pressed to define what Whole Earth is to the public. The best camping and backpacking equipment store? A store with an unusual mix of technical and casual clothing and footwear? A great gift, toy store? A store with a sense of humor? Today’s Whole Earth Provision Co. has come a long way since its early Austin/ Whole Earth Catalog beginnings, but some things remain the same. We’re still on the lookout for the best clothing, shoes and gear for our customers.   + Read More

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Austin’s New Restaurant & Bar Openings

I f you tried to keep track of every new restaurant and bar in Austin, your head might spin. So just read this list instead. These are the openings that seem like they have the most potential. Although, keep in mind, we make no promises about the places we haven't visited yet. Go forth and be a pioneer—or just keep up with our Hit List to see which new restaurants we checked out and loved.

Busty's Bar & Jukebox

Taking over the old Cenote space in Windsor Park (don’t worry, the original location on Cesar Chavez is still alive and well), Busty’s is a ‘70s-themed neighborhood bar from some of the people behind The White Horse and Frazier’s . The menu features old-school drinks like a blue hawaiian on draft and a frozen cherry cola limeade, plus smashburgers, taquitos, fried onion petals, and more.

Casa Bianca

Casa Bianca says its food is “weirdo Italian,” which means they're serving stuff like clams casino with calabrian chili jam and beef tartare with bone marrow vinaigrette. The bar and restaurant on East Cesar Chavez took over the former East Side ATX space that closed back in December. They’re currently only open for dinner, but plan to expand hours in the coming months and open an accompanying rooftop bar in a few weeks.

Atlas Sandwich Company

Parked in a quiet food truck lot on East Cesar Chavez, Atlas Sandwich Company serves mostly Mediterranean sandwiches and stuffed pitas. The signature filling here is slow-cooked and shredded lamb, but there’s also grilled eggplant, classic Italian deli meats, and more.

The Marylander

The Marylander is bringing a little New England to East Austin, in the same food truck lot as Desnudo Coffee . The menu here is almost entirely crab-based, which means crab benedict, crab cakes, and crab cake sandwiches. And if you’re showing up to a Maryland-inspired food truck and not in the mood for crab—first, why are you here?—there’s also Old Bay chicken wings and a Baltimore-style pit beef sandwich. 

Love & Cookies

Love & Cookies first opened in Lakeway back in 2021 and recently expanded to a shop on South Lamar Boulevard. The menu features about a dozen classic and seasonal cookie flavors, plus brownies, cinnamon rolls, and cookie cakes. The previous location was more of a takeaway spot, but the new one has indoor and outdoor seating, plus a coffee bar and ice cream.

Tacos El Gallito

Tacos El Gallito is a late-night taco truck selling tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and burritos (including a Cali burrito). The tortillas are homemade, and the al pastor gets cooked on a trompo. To try them, head to the parking lot of that car wash near Barton Springs and South Lamar. Tacos El Gallito is open on weekdays until 2:30am, and until 4:30am on weekends.

Before closing for renovations back in 2022, Parkside used to be home to one of our favorite Downtown Happy Hours . They just reopened in the same space at San Jacinto and 6th Street. You can expect mostly the same menu, including the ever-popular half-priced oysters and bubbles on Wednesdays.

Muzzy’s Bagel

Muzzy’s first opened late last year before temporarily closing. Now they're back in the same space on East 12th with a new bagel recipe featuring naturally leavened sourdough. In addition to the classic range of bagels, there are also bagel sandwiches layered with lox, Italian sausage, sliced mortadella, and more.

Redbud Ice House

From the team behind Olamaie (one of the best restaurants in Austin ), Redbud Ice House is a casual burger joint in the former Contigo space. In addition to wagyu beef burgers, expect to find fried pork chop sandwiches, beer served in icy schooners, and fried green beans—a nod to an old Contigo classic.

We visited Redbud Ice House and added it to the Hit List .

New Fortune Restaurant

For years, New Fortune was the go-to dim sum spot in Austin before closing during the pandemic. Now, they’ve finally reopened near the Lakeline Mall at the border of Austin and Cedar Park. It’s the only spot in town that offers dim sum on rolling carts (but only on the weekends). 

L’Oca d’Oro is home to some of our favorite Italian food in town, and now the team behind that Mueller cafe has launched a more casual, all-day pizza joint in East Austin. In addition to pizzas that start around $20 for a 13-inch pie, the menu offers a few apps, salads, and a daily changing burger. There’s also beer, wine, and some fun cocktails, like cherry Coke Manhattans and frozen blood orange Negronis. 

David Doughie’s Bagelry

After developing a cult-like following for hand-rolled New York-style bagels at Austin farmers markets, David Doughies recently opened a food trailer at Lustre Pearl South. You can get the bagels topped with house-made schmear, fresh-smoked lox, pastrami, and caviar. 

Mexta Restaurant

Located in the heart of Downtown at 6th and Congress, Mexta is a massive new Mexican restaurant with a menu that pulls inspiration from a lot of different regions and dishes across Mexico, plus a little bit from Austin. Expect to find dishes like tetelas and aguachiles, as well as goat cheese fondue and tomahawk ribeyes with mole. 

Donkey Mo’s Korean Fried Chicken

Right across the street from Komé on Airport Boulevard, Donkey Mo’s is a small counter-service restaurant specializing in Korean fried chicken. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Donkey Mo’s was previously at H-Mart in Cedar Park before closing a couple years ago. 

We visited Donkey Mo's and added it to the Hit List .

Holey Moley Golf Club

Taking over the old Native Hostel in East Austin, Holey Moley is a large indoor mini golf course. In addition to the nine-hole course, there’s also a stage for live music, a private karaoke room, and a golf-themed food and drink menu, with drinks like mulligan mojitos and putt-putt palomas. 

An Nyeong K Tofu & BBQ

An Nyeong is a new Korean restaurant specializing in Korean BBQ and tofu soups. There are also a handful of rice dishes on the menu, plus a house special raw marinated crab dish. It’s located at the bottom of a fairly nondescript office building in Brentwood, right next to a Rolex shop if you need to do some casual shopping after.

Leroy And Lewis Barbecue

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because the LeRoy And Lewis food truck at Cosmic Coffee has been one of our favorite spots to get barbecue in Austin for a few years already. Now, they’ve expanded to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, complete with a larger menu, a full bar, and ample seating. The truck is closed temporarily while they launch the restaurant but will open again in a few weeks. 

We visited LeRoy And Lewis and added it to the Hit List .

The Guest House

Taking over the old Le Politique space Downtown, The Guest House offers mostly steaks, seafood, and cocktails in a Vegas-y space—there’s a DJ and neon lights, but also lots of plants and chandeliers. Some of the drinks come with a show (think dry ice and smoke-filled cloches), and the steak au poivre comes at “market price,” which is code for “this is probably going to hurt a little.”

We visited Guest House and added it to our Fun Dinners guide.

One of the OG names in Nashville-style hot chicken , Hattie B’s has recently expanded to South Austin, offering a large menu of grilled and fried chicken. The chicken comes in tender, sandwich, or bone-in form, gets fried nice and crispy, then slathered in hot chili ranging from “mild” to “shut the cluck up” levels of heat. Hattie B’s currently operates in eight cities across America, including a few locations around Tennessee. 

We know what you’ve been thinking: “Austin really needs another fancy omakase spot” to add to the half dozen that have opened in the past few months alone. And do we have a treat for you. Endo is an omakase-only sushi spot that took over the old Daiboku Ramen that was only open for less than a year. A meal here consists of about 20 courses and clocks in at $180 per person, before tax and tip, making it one of the pricier omakase options in town ( Otoko has Endo beat by about $100). 

Wee’s Cozy Kitchen

When Wee’s Cozy Kitchen first opened up in the back of a West Campus gas station, it quickly became one of our favorite spots in town for Malaysian food, and even made our list of the best new restaurants of 2023. A few months ago, Wee’s closed up, but now, it’s at the back of a Royal Blue grocery store Downtown, with the same menu of nasi lemak, laksa, beef rendang, and other Malaysian classics. 

Dainty Dillo

From the team behind Armadillo Den in South Austin, Dainty Dillo is a smaller version of the bar on East Cesar Chavez. There’s a small indoor area, but this is mostly an outdoor drinking situation, with a large patio overlooking the river. Much like at Armadillo Den, there’s a small menu of draft cocktails—including a few mocktails—plus a full bar and a kitchen run by Biggie’s Yardbird, where you can get smashburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and cheesesteaks. 

Retail Therapy

Retail Therapy is a new cocktail bar next to Small Victory in downtown Austin. It’s “inspired by vintage luxury fashion,” which means you can probably expect to see lots of Louis Vuitton and Chanel posters and retro armchairs. The menu features a mix of classic cocktails and house creations, and there’s a small food menu made up of mostly Japanese-inspired bites. 

Drifter Social

Fans of pickleball and cocktails have a new spot to call home. Drifter Social is a new bar, coffee shop, pickleball court, and live music patio in South Austin on Menchaca Road, near Armadillo Den and Moontower Saloon . It’s a family-friendly spot by day, if you’ve got little ones and want to give them a head start in becoming pickleball champs one day.

Sushi Roku has a few locations across Southern California and Las Vegas, and most recently added downtown Austin to that list. The menu features mostly new-school nigiri and izakaya items, including lots of dishes with wagyu, truffles, and other premium ingredients. And there’s a dimly lit dining room with lots of dark wood accents that feels like the type of place where you should show up dressed entirely in black. That fancy Downtown dining room comes at a price—try to hide your shocked face after seeing $12 Kirin Lights and $8 Shiners. 

Taqueria 10 de 10

Taqueria 10 de 10 has been quietly open for a few months with very limited hours over the course of a slow soft opening. Now it’s officially open, offering Tijuana-style tacos almost every day (and until 2am on the weekend). All of the tortillas are handmade and cooked to order, and there’s a trompo that gets fired up daily. It’s located in the back alley of Rey Rey, a cocktail bar near the convention center. 

Jive Turkey

After running a series of pop-ups and private events over the past six months, Jive Turkey has a semi-permanent residence at Victory Lap , a sports bar near UT Austin . The menu is small, featuring a burger, a cornbread bowl with turkey and mashed potatoes, and a signature deep-fried turkey taco, plus peach Jell-O for dessert. 

Tikka Shack Indian Grub

Tikka Shack is a mini-chain of Indian restaurants that just opened its first Austin location on West Anderson Lane next to Hopdoddy Burger Bar. The menu is very customizable—choose from about half a dozen curry styles, then decide what kind of meat you want, how spicy you want it, and if you want it in a bowl, wrap, or over a salad. They also have biryani, wings, and naan-based pizza and tacos if you want something a little different. 

Sijie Special Noodle

Sijie Special Noodle is a mini-chain from Northern California with a large menu of dumplings, skewers, and other Chinese street food. It’s located in a strip mall in Northwest Austin, with a large dining room that gets very busy during typical dining hours. Show up early or prepare to wait a while, and use that time to watch robot waiters deliver trays of food while you strategize how you’re going to narrow down the 200+ items on the menu into a manageable order. 

We visited Sijie Special Noodle and added it to the Hit List .

Dang Hot 89

Dang Hot 89 is a Nashville-style hot chicken trailer located in a big dirt lot in Northwest Austin. It’s also home to some ridiculously hot fried chicken, available in bone-in, tender, and sandwich form at spice levels that range from mild to “dang hot.” Whatever form you choose, just know that this will be some of the juiciest (and spiciest) chicken you can get your hands on in Austin. 

We visited Dang Hot 89 and added it to the Hit List .

Golden Eye Chocolates

You might recognize the Golden Eye name if you’re a chocolate enthusiast—they’ve been offering custom orders and doing pop-ups in the Austin area for a while. And now there’s a retail store on West Anderson Lane. This is one of the few places in town to get premium, handmade chocolates that look like they could have been set pieces from Wonka , minus the magical side effects. 

Los Galanes Birrias & Tacos

Located on South 1st Street in Bouldin Creek, Los Galanes is a food truck specializing in tacos and other Mexican street food. Birria is the main focus—with taco, burrito, and sandwich varieties—but you’ll also find nachos, elotes, churros, and more.

The Statesman

Not to be confused with The Austin American-Statesman—the local paper with headquarters just a few blocks away—The Statesman is a fancy cocktail bar and restaurant on West 6th Street. On the menu, expect to find classic American dishes with the occasional Texas twist (think pimento mac and cheese and Parker House rolls with garlic chili butter). Tables also come equipped with a “champagne button” for bubbles on demand. 

Adding to Austin’s growing scene of speakeasy-style sushi omakases , Tare is hidden away in an office building a little north of The Domain. The people running Tare previously operated an omakase in the back of Texas Sake, but this latest venture looks a little bit different, this time blending Japanese, Mexican, and South Texas flavors into a 15-course experience. 

We visited Tare and added it to the Hit List .

Toasty Badger

Modeled off of “the classic American diner,” Toasty Badger is an all-day restaurant on South Congress with a ‘70s aesthetic. Expect to find classics like griddle cakes, monte cristos, and French- or American-style omelets, plus a small menu of cocktails that are especially suited to brunch. 

Suzi’s Chinese

Suzi’s Chinese has been a name in Austin since 1990, occupying different spaces and slightly different concepts around town until 2018, when Suzi finally decided to retire. Now she’s out of retirement, this time taking over the space that was previously Old Thousand on Burnet Road. The menu features a combination of old hits and new dishes, in a smaller, more intimate space than before. 

K Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

K Pot in South Austin offers hot pot and Korean BBQ, both in AYCE formats. Instead of choosing between the two, you can get both for a few extra dollars—then you should plan to order as many plates as your table space (and stomach) will allow. This is a chain from NYC, meaning they’ve had a little bit of time to figure things out, and there’s a second location planned in North Austin soon. 

We visited K Pot and added it to our Fun Dinners guide.

Yeni’s Fusion

Yeni’s Fusion at The Aristocrat is one of our favorite spots in the area—it serves up a  unique mix of Indonesian and Texas flavors. Now there’s a second location, this time at a small food trailer park on Oltorf in South Austin. The truck is open for lunch and dinner five days a week. 

Last Call Tacos

Parked behind The Back Lot a few blocks north of UT, Last Call Tacos specializes in South Texas-style tacos. The menu is pretty small, consisting mostly of a few tacos, quesadillas, and nachos, but there’s also the option to add queso to anything and “make it ‘Nasty’”—a tribute to the beloved dive bar that occupied the space for over 30 years. 

Parked in the same lot as another new trailer that we like a lot ( Feral Pizza ), Mamasita’s offers Colombian and Honduran food out of a bright pink trailer. Expect to find a handful of Colombian and Honduran classics, including hot dogs topped with fried potatoes, cheese, and corn.