Austin/South

South Austin can refer to any part of Austin, Texas south of Lady Bird Lake and the downtown area, although many people use it to specifically refer to the south-central area directly south of downtown in the 78704 zip code. 78704 is bordered by Lady Bird Lake to the north, I-35 to the east, Ben White Blvd (Hwy 290/71) to the south, and Mopac (Loop 1) to the west. The area is a very popular neighborhood for young people and has historically been the center of Austin's counterculture, although it has been rapidly gentrifying in recent years. The area contains several attractions for visitors.

Get in

South Austin is easily accessible. From Downtown, head South either by foot, bike, or car and cross Lady Bird Lake over the Congress, 1st, or Lamar bridges.

You will need motorized transport from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Bus or taxi are available. If traveling by car from the airport, take Ben White Blvd (71) West, then turn right on Riverside Dr. Take Riverside to S. Congress.

See

• Riverside. The first street on the south side, parallel to the Colorado River (not to be mistaken with 1st Avenue that runs north-south on the south side) one block west of Congress. As you travel east past IH 35, you will get into Austin's version of Mexican night life. During the day you can eat in a wide variety of Mexican and Chinese restaurants, some very good and inexpensive, shop in a variety of Latino-oriented stores, visit the Mexican Flea Market one block north of the Riverside and Pleasant Valley intersection (weekends only), or visit the Riverside Austin Community Campus. At night from 11PM to 2AM East Riverside becomes the Latin party alternative to the famous 6th street in downtown. 

• The Cathedral of Junk, 4422 Lareina Dr, ☏ +1 512-299-7413. An art installation in Austin resident Vince Hannemann's back yard built over 20 years from scrap metal and other junk, now standing at three stories high. A very interesting sculpture and probably something you probably find in the guidebook. Austin. Free entry but donations are welcomed. Call ahead to check if he's open. 

• The Museum of Emphmerata. Is an occasionally opened museum in the front room of someone's house. As above, it's best to call ahead. 
• 1 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, ☏ +1 512 232-0100. Daily, 9AM-5PM. Adults $12, Youth (5-17) $6, Students and Seniors (65+) $10. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Austin bats (Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge). Yes, that's right, bats. Austin's Congress Avenue bridge is home to about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. This is the largest urban bat colony in the world and one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colonies in North America. The bats are generally active at dusk every evening between March and November. In years when there has been a drought, the bats leave early (when there is still light), and can be a quite impressive sight. In years when there has been plenty of rain, they leave so late it is difficult to see much. Best place to see them is near the Austin American Statesman's parking lot, or you can pay for boat tours to see them from underneath the bridge. Towards the end of bat season, when the colony's young are flying for the first time, pedestrian crowds can become rather dense. Try to arrive at least an hour before dark if you want to have a good, unobstructed view.  

Do

• First Thursday, South Congress Ave.. Every first Thursday of any month, lots of shops have deals and there is a festival atmosphere around South Congress. 

• 1 Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd (1/2 mi W of South Lamar), ☏ +1 512 974-6700. Austin's city park, near downtown, it is the home of Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, Zilker Hillside Theatre, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, and soccer fields which, in October, host the annual Austin City Limits (ACL) festival. The park is free, but parking is $3 during peak usage. 

• 2 Barton Springs Pool, 2101 Barton Springs Rd (Enter through the main area of Zilker Park, NW of Barton Creek), ☏ +1 512 476-9044. 5AM-10PM; Closed Th 9AM-7PM. Nothing beats the heat on a hot afternoon like a dip in Barton Springs Pool. This natural spring pool is fed from an underground aquifer, keeping the water between 68°F and 72°F (20°C-22°C) year-round. Is one of Austin's most unique (and a refreshing 68 degrees year-round!) attractions: a beautiful spring-fed pool over 3 times longer than a football field, nestled in the heart of the city at Zilker Park. $3 entrance fee for the whole day. If you are short of cash or have a dog, head downstream just on the other side of the fence and find more clear beautiful water. Entrance fee varies from free to $3.  
• Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, 2201 Barton Springs Rd. (In Zilker Park). Rent a kayak. Zilker Park Boat Rentals is along the Barton Springs Creek. Just paddle down to Lady Bird Lake and see great views of Downtown Austin. Turtles are common in the lake and creek. Paddle over to the southern part of the Congress Ave. Bridge and hear the squeaking noises of the bridges 1.5 million resident bats (don't hang out under the bridge-- bat guano is a problem). 
• 3 Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. formerly known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, the 1.1 mile trail creates a complete circuit around Lady Bird Lake. It is one of the oldest urban Texas hike and bike paths. The trail is the longest trail designed for non-motorized traffic maintained by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and watched after by a local non-profit named The Trail Foundation.  
• 4 The Veloway, 4900 La Crosse Ave. A 3.1 mile long, paved asphalt bicycling and rollerblading trail. 

Buy

• South Congress Avenue (SoCo). Main drag in South Austin that features upscale boutiques and condos alongside more traditionally "hippie" places. 
• 1 Barton Creek Square (Southwest of town).  
• 2 Barton Creek Farmers Market, 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, ☏ +1 512-443-0143. meets 9AM-1PM every Saturday. Austin's largest and most acclaimed farmers market in the Barton Creek Mall parking lot 
• 3 Flashback, 1805 South 1st St, ☏ +1 512-445-6906. Vintage clothing 
• 4 Blackmail, 1202 S. Congress, ☏ +1 512-804-5881. All black clothing and various accessories. 
• 5 Parts & Labor, 1704 S. Congress, ☏ +1 512-326-1648. Lots of unique items (clothes, earrings, purses, etc.) made by local artists. 
• 6 Lucy in Disguise, 1506 South Congress, ☏ +1 512-444-2002. Eclectic clothing and costumery for children and adults. 
• 7 End of an Ear, 4304 Clawson Rd, ☏ +1 512-462-6008. Experimental music, jazz, other "left of the dial" music. Regular in-store performances, usually on weekends. 

Eat

• Amy's Ice Creams. 

• 1301 S Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 440-7488. Sunday-Thursday 11:30AM-11PM, Friday-Saturday 11:30AM-12AM. 
• 3100 S Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 851-2697. Sunday-Thursday 11:30AM-10PM, Friday-Saturday 11:30AM-11PM. 
• 9600 S I-35, ☏ +1 512 282-2697. Sunday-Thursday 11:30AM-10PM, Friday-Saturday 11AM-11PM. 
• 2901 S Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 447-2697. Sunday-Thursday 11AM-11PM, Friday-Saturday 11AM-12AM. 
• 4477 S Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 891-0573. Sunday-Thursday 11:30AM-11PM, Friday-Saturday 11:30AM-12AM. 

• Artz Rib House, 2330 S Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 442-8283, info@artzribhouse.com. Monday-Saturday 11AM-10PM, Sunday 12PM-9PM. Excellent ribs, as the name implies. Often has live bluegrass music. Dinners $7-17. 
• Bakehouse Restaurant & Bar, 5404 Manchaca Rd, ☏ +1 512 443-5167. A South Austin tradition. They have one of the most inexpensive and hearty breakfasts around. Their fresh fruit and texas toast sitting next to your eggs make it worth waking up in the morning. 
• Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse, 1501 S 1st St. Great Coffeehouse with an all vegetarian menu. 
• Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Rd. Austin's only completely vegan restaurant. A meal includes a drink and it's all you can eat. They have several different types of specialty meals each week such as Guatemalan or Caribbean night. The atmosphere is fantastic as it's located right by Barton Creek surrounded by lush vegetation. 
• Casa Garcia's. Sunday-Thursday 7:30AM-9PM, Friday-Saturday 7:30AM-10PM. Tasty Mexican fare with friendly staff. $8-16. 

• 1000 S Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 851-8684. 
• 1901 W William Cannon Dr, ☏ +1 512 441-9504. 

• Catfish Parlour, 4705 E Ben White Blvd, ☏ +1 512 443-1698. Daily 11AM-10PM. All-you-can-eat catfish with hushpuppies on the side is a true Southern experience. $15-20. 
• 1 Curra's Grill, 614 E Oltorf St, ☏ +1 512-444-0012. Sunday-Thursday 7AM-10PM, Friday-Saturday 7AM-11PM. A much larger, more diverse menu than most tex-mex restaurants, and it's all fantastic. The avocado margaritas are extremely popular. Be forewarned, it's a small restaurant and it's almost always packed. An Austin original, this restaurant brings outstanding traditional interior Mexican food. Some of the best pork recipes around and you will not find better Mexican style seafood dishes anywhere in the city. 
• El Rey, 4109 S Capital of Texas Hwy, ☏ +1 512 443-1911. If you don't think Tex-Mex should resemble the Taco Bell menu, check out El Rey. Sonoran specialities. Good Mexican food right next to Texican Cafe (formerly the Trudy's South Star location) and they hardly ever have a wait. 
• Green Mesquite BBQ & More. The original location on Barton Springs is in a funky building with a good biergarten in back with entertainment. BBQ is decent and the sides are good. All-you-can-eat BBQ $14. 

• 1400 Barton Springs Rd, ☏ +1 512 479-0485. 
• 9900 S I-35, ☏ +1 512 282-7100. 

• Guero's Taco Bar, 1412 S Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 447-7688. Monday-Friday 11AM-11PM, Saturday Sunday 8AM-11PM. High-class, sit-down Tex-Mex in the middle of the South Congress maelstrom. Always busy, always Austin. Lots of musicians frequent the place when they're in town. Many famous Austinites, and wanna-be Austinites have visited, including President Clinton, (then-)Governor Bush, and the rest of the Bush clan. Live music. Great atmosphere (You saw it in Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse flick "Deathproof")! And some pretty tasty tacos too! Dinners $9-14. 

• Hai Ky. Consistent fresh, high quality Vietnamese food with great bowls of pho, delicious stir fries and noodle dishes, bubble tea and friendly service. At 1931 E. Oltorf about 3/4 mile east of I-35 in a strip shopping center on your right just past the Whataburger. Locals in the know and Asian students yearning for a genuine taste of home frequent this small restaurant. Great electronic music adds to the casual ambience. Best Vietnamese food in Austin. Very affordable and now serves imported beers. Great staff w/ mellow ambiance. Two thumbs up. 
• Kerbey Lane Cafe. 24 hours. 

• 2700 S Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 445-4451. 
• 4301 W William Cannon Dr, ☏ +1 512 899-1500. 

• Little Mexico Restaurant, 2304 S 1st St, ☏ +1 512 462-2188. This restaurant has some of the finest enchiladas of a Tex-Mex style. Nothing at all bad on the menu either. It's one of those places mostly only the locals go to so keep it quiet. Also a good place to spot hungover Austin luminary musicians easing that Sunday morning pain. Little green and red building on the West side of S 1st, just a bit north of Oltorf. Good margaritas, Negro Modelo and XX are available. Good homestyle interior Mexican dishes as well as Tex-Mex. If you want to be trendy go to Guero's, if you want to eat, check it out and you won't be disappointed. Live music on Thursday nights. 
• Magnolia Cafe, Two locations: 1920 South Congress and 2304 Lake Austin Blvd. Always open. Great place to get a short stack for breakfast. The dinner specials are pretty tasty and fairly inexpensive. 
• 2 Mandola's Italian Kitchen, 4301 West William Cannon Drive DR E-1 (Arbor Trail), ☏ +1 512-524-2222. Referred to by some as the best Italian food in Austin. Everything on the menu is affordable and delicious. Try the bruschetta alla checca, the trenette al pesto, or any pizza. They also have fabulous coffee, dessert, and gelato selections. From 3-6PM on weekdays they have a great happy hour. 
• Marco Polo, 2200 S I-35 (at Oltorf), ☏ +1 512 445-5563. Mediocre buffet during the week, but excellent dim sum on weekends. 
• 3 Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 South Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512-444-0261. Monday 7AM-3PM, Tuesday-Friday 7AM-9PM, Saturday 8AM-9PM, Sunday 9AM-2PM. Local Mexican food. Live music on a regular basis and great fajitas. Maria's features some of the best breakfast tacos in town. On weekend mornings there is usually a line from the counter out the door, so if you don't want to wait call in your order. They only take cash, so be prepared. Live musicians featured on Sunday mornings and weekday evenings out on the patio. 
• 4 Matt's El Rancho, 2613 S Lamar Blvd (1/2 blk N of Manchaca), ☏ +1 512 462-9333, matts1952@aol.com. 11AM-10PM, Friday-Saturday 11AM-11PM; Closed Tuesdays. The quintessential Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin, you won't find anything non-traditional or creative here. It has been around for over 50 years and for good reason. The first thing to order is the first thing on the menu: the "Bob Armstrong Dip." Watch out for the strong margaritas! Complete dinners $12-18. 
• 5 Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar, 1400 S Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512-291-7300. Excellent for lunch or dinner, but particularly wonderful for weekend brunch on their patio. Have a few cocktails and some oysters before ordering your entree. 
• 6 Pho Tai Son, 3601 W. William Cannon Dr. #250, ☏ +1 512 892 8777. Good fresh Vietnamese standbys, pho, bun, stirfry and bubble drinks. No beer but maybe you can bring your own? 
• 7 Pho Tai Son, 161 W. Slaughter Ln. #L850, ☏ +1 512 280 2060. Good fresh Vietnamese standbys, pho, bun, stirfry and bubble drinks. No beer but maybe you can bring your own? 
• 8 Polvo's Mexican Restaurant, 2004 S 1st St, ☏ +1 512-441-5446. All-around excellent tex-mex, very popular with the local crowd. Some of the best margaritas to be found anywhere, and a trip to Austin is not complete without their Rellenos al Nogal. 
• Romeo's. Italian food. One of the few restaurants that is casual and romantic. Has a great outdoor patio. 
• Sandy's Hamburgers, 603 Barton Springs Rd, at First and Barton Springs. Great burgers, milkshakes. Better than the Whataburger next door. Great people watching. Their soft-serve ice cream is worth the lines. 
• Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. Indoor & outdoor dining with a fun and eclectic atmosphere. Home-style foods such as frito pie & chili can be made vegan (even the Worcestershire is vegan). 
• South Congress Cafe, 1600 South Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 447-3905. Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM and 5-10PM, Saturday-Sunday 9AM-4PM & 5-10PM. In the heart of South Congress Avenue, this cafe serves up spectacular and inventive fare. The tomato soup with stilton cheese is tasty to start, and the blackened tuna tacos are downright phenomenal. Mains $10-25. 
• T&N Cafe, 6705 Hwy. 290 W.. Located in the same plaza as the Oak Hill Burger Tex near the Y. Excellent Vietnamese pho and bun dishes and few unusual items like curry. Popular for lunch with the nearby Freescale folks. Friendly family service. You can bring in your own beer. Highly recommended. 

• Threadgill's. 

• Torchy's Tacos. Monday-Thursday 7AM-10PM, Friday 7AM-11PM, Saturday 8AM-11PM, Sunday 8AM-10PM. 

• 1311 S 1st St, ☏ +1 512 366-0537. 
• 2809 S 1st St, ☏ +1 512 444-0300. 
• 3005 S Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 614-1832. 
• 4301 W William Cannon Dr, ☏ +1 512 514-0767. 

• 9 Trudy's South Star, 901 Little Texas Ln, ☏ +1 512 326-9899. Monday-Thursday 4PM-2AM (Bar: 2PM-2AM), Friday 11AM-2AM, Saturday 9AM-2AM, Sunday 9AM-2AM (Bar: 10AM-2AM) Happy Hour Monday-Friday until 7PM. Regarded by some as the favorite for Tex-Mex food in town, but this also means they are generally incredibly crowded and loud. Excellent margaritas with specials each night of the week. They're known more for their Mexican martinis than for their food. 
• 10 Uchi, 801 S Lamar Blvd (0.2 mi N of Barton Springs Blvd), ☏ +1 512 916-4808. 5PM-10PM, Friday-Saturday 5PM-11PM. High end authentic Japanese dining and sushi. Always slammed full of people. Creative seafood and Japanese cuisine, including sushi/sashimi. A good place to see and to be seen, dress is nighttime-casual to formal but, like almost anyplace in Austin, jeans are acceptable. Reservations are strongly recommended. Entrees $10-$30. 

• Vespiao. For a taste of Italy nowhere in Austin is better. Extensive wine list and beyond excellent food. 
• 11 Crêpe Crazy, 3103 S. Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 387-2442. 9AM–9PM Monday–Saturday; 9AM–9PM Sundays.. Sweet and savory crépes. You can order online for both take-out and dining at the restaurant, and several local delivery services will bring this to you. Some staff can use American Sign Language (ASL). $10. (updated Jul 2017)
• 12 Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 1400 South Congress, ☏ +1 512-243-7505. Absolutely amazing burgers, an excellent bar, and great milkshakes (be sure to try the Caramel & Sea Salt)! Be prepared for a wait. 

Drink

Coffee

• Jo's Coffee, 1300 S. Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 444-3800. Hip coffee spot right on South Congress, all outdoors. You can often find bands playing on the patio right off the street. 

Bars

Almost all of the restaurants listed above have a full bar available and are suitable for grabbing a few drinks without having to order food. If you're looking to hop from bar to bar, listen to loud recorded music, and don't care about food, heading into Downtown Austin might be a better option.

• Snack Bar, 1224 S Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 445-2626. 9AM-10:30PM Sun-Wed, 9AM-12AM Thu-Sat. Next to the iconic Austin Motel in SoCo. Organic & local as possible, yet affordable, global cuisine for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Tight wine list & local brews on tap, plus kick ass coffee & tea, with a fabulous patio for people watching. Dogs always welcome! 

Live Music

Austin is The Live Music Capital of the World, and South Austin has its fair share of live music venues. Many of the restaurants and coffee shops in South Austin have live music. Some venues of note include The Continental Club, Threadgills, and Gueros Taco Bar.

• The Continental Club, 1315 South Congress. This legendary South Austin venue was opened in 1957 and for nearly four decades has been serving up the best live music Austin has to offer. The venue is small so get there early if you want to get in. 

Sleep

• Motel 6 Austin South - Airport, 2707 Interregional Highway South, ☏ +1 512 444-5882. 

• Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs, ☏ +1 512 477-1234. A beautiful hotel on the south shore of Austin's Town Lake close to downtown. 

• Hilton Austin Airport, 9515 New Airport Dr, ☏ +1 512 385-6767. The Airport hotel. This cylinder-shaped hotel is on the grounds of Austin-Bergstrom International airport. 
• Hotel San Jose, 1316 S. Congress Ave., ☏ +1 512 852-2350. Boutique Hotel right in the heart of SoCo. A very trendy place, but more expensive than many other options in the area. It's also a popular spot to hang out for locals to have a drink or two in the evening around the beautifully landscaped pool. 

Budget

• 1 Austin Motel, 1220 S. Congress Ave., ☏ +1 512 441-1157, reservations@austinmotel.com. A motel right on South Congress which really captures the classic Austin experience. 
• 2 HI - Austin, 2200 South Lakeshore Blvd., ☏ + 1 512 444-2294. 
• 3 McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, ☏ +1 512 243-1643. The McKinney Falls State Park offers camping just outside the city. Reservations can be made online.  

Mid-range

• 4 Best Western Plus, 2200 IH-35 South, ☏ +1 512 444-0561. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 5 Courtyard Austin Airport, 7809 E. Ben White Blvd., ☏ +1 512 386-7464. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12 Noon. Airport hotel with breakfast buffet, free airport shuttle and free internet. 

Splurge

• 6 Hotel San Jose, 1316 South Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512 444-7322, info@sanjosehotel.com. 
• 7 Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs. 
• 8 Omni Austin Hotel Southpark, 4140 Governors Row (I-35 and Ben White), ☏ +1 512 448-2222. 

Connect

Free Wi-Fi is available at many of the local restaurants and coffee shops.