East Austin is one my favorite neighborhoods in Austin with all the best restaurants, cool bars, hipster coffee shops, and local boutiques. Located right across the highway from downtown Austin, East Austin has changed dramatically in the past couple of years with the influx of new businesses.
SEE ALSO: AUSTIN CITY GUIDE
Here’s the insider’s scoop on where to stay, eat, and do in East Austin.
Table of Contents
WHERE TO STAY IN EAST AUSTIN
THE GUILD
With an amazing apartment set-up just off 6th, The Guild brings you that Airbnb feel with a local touch. The Guild has several stylishly appointed flats throughout Austin in different neighborhoods with full kitchens and washer/dryer for short or long stays. They have a virtual front desk and concierge that can answer questions via text during your stay.
The 6th Street location is at the Corazon Apartments, which made it super convenient to walk down for gelato at Gemelli’s and then down the street for happy hour at Takoba, ice cream at Prohibition Creamery, drinks at Ah Sing Ding, Whisler’s, and Weather Up.
WHERE TO GET BREAKFAST IN EAST AUSTIN
CENOTE
This East Austin coffee shop not only serves up liquid caffeine but also delicious eats in a cute space.
1010 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, cenoteaustin.com
WRIGHT BROS. BREW & BREW
This local coffee shop in East Austin serves coffee and local craft brews on tap – great place to get work done or just hang out with a pal.
500 San Marcos St #105, Austin, TX 78702, thebrewandbrew.com
VINTAGE HEART COFFEE
Does coffee count as breakfast? Because it does for me. Three hours later, I’ve had 3 iced vanilla lattes at Vintage Heart Coffee.
1405 E 7th St, vintageheart.coffee
PAPERBOY
Start your day with sandwiches, sweet and savory open-faced toasts, and hearty breakfast bowls using only local farms and purveyors at Paperboy. This cute trailer is located on the East 11th corridor next to Hillside Farmacy.
1203 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, paperboyaustin.com
SEE ALSO: Paperboy Serves Up The Best Breakfast In Austin
HILLSIDE FARMACY
We love to keep it local and Hillside keeps it real. The fried egg sandwich is the way to go.
1209 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, hillsidefarmacy.com
SEE ALSO: Date Night At Hillside Farmacy
WHERE TO GET LUNCH IN EAST AUSTIN
EL CHILITO
My favorite everyday meal in Austin? The beef puffy tacos at El Chilito.
1623 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, elchilito.com
FRANKLIN BARBECUE
You have to do Franklin Barbecue at least once in your life, even if it means waking up at 7am to get in line for 3 hours. Rumor is if you go on a Tuesday at 1pm, you might be able to squeeze in.
900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, franklinbarbecue.com
LA BARBECUE
La Barbecue use to be a hidden secret but now everyone knows that this is the best barbecue in Austin. Lines can be 30 minutes to one hour but it’s so worth it, especially since it’s BYOB. Order the gigantic beef ribs and brisket.
1906 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, labarbecue.com
DEE DEE
Dee Dee is authentic Northern Thai food served out of a tiny trailer that’s located in the same complex as La Barbecue. Be warned, it’s spicy. But so good.
1906 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, deedeeatx.com
VERACRUZ
All-natural tacos that are considered the best in the city. Enough said.
1704 E Cesar Chavez St, veracruztacos.com
BEST DINNER SPOTS IN EAST AUSTIN
JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE
Steak fries with the house red wine is one of my favorite meals in Austin. The food is always consistent at Justine’s and the vibe is a great representation of East Austin. It’s open late night too!
4710 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78702, justines1937.com
SEE ALSO: Where To Eat For A Late Night In Austin
OLD THOUSAND
If modern Asian is your vibe, Old Thousand is the spot. It’s obvious we love patios so ask for a table outside. The mapo eggplant is #kokoapproved!
1000 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, oldthousandatx.com
KEMURI
Kemuri is a really cool Japanese Izakaya in East Austin that serves authentic Japanese small bites and fun cocktails like the cat and puffer fish. I’ve easily spent 3 hours at Kemuri snacking on bites and sipping on my third cat cocktail.
2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702, kemuri-tatsuya.com
BEST BRUNCH SPOTS IN EAST AUSTIN
CONTIGO
Ranch-to-table cuisine in an al fresco dining experience that’s special to Austin. The beef tongue hash is my go-to when I come to Contigo.
2027 Anchor Ln, Austin, TX 78723, contigotexas.com/restaurant/
BLUE DAHLIA
For a European style brunch, head to Blue Dahlia for light bites, tartines and rustic French entrees made with local and organic ingredients.
1115 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, bluedahliabistro.com
BEST SPOTS FOR DESSERT IN EAST AUSTIN
GEMELLI’S
We all scream at some point so why not scream for the ice cream at an east side favorite. With unique seasonal flavors like Earl Grey (our favorite), you’d be missing out if you didn’t stop by.
1009 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, gelateriagemelli.com
PROHIBITION CREAMERY
Three words: boozy ice cream.
1407 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, prohibitioncreamery.com
SEE ALSO: Boozy Ice Cream At Austin’s First Alcoholic Ice Cream Shop
SPUN ICE CREAM
Can you tell I really love ice cream? Spun makes their ice cream with liquid nitrogen right before your eyes!
1912 E 7th St, spunicecream.com
BLENDER & BOWLS
For a healthier dessert, Blender & Bowls has all-natural smoothies and Instagram-worthy acai bowls.
206 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701, blendersandbowls.com
SUGAR MAMA’S
For cupcakes and cakes, Sugar Mama’s is the local favorite. They also make mini cupcakes if you place an order in advance. Sugar Mama’s also has vegan options!
2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722, sugarmamasbakeshop.com
BEST HAPPY HOURS IN EAST AUSTIN
GRIZZELDAS
I’ve been to Grizzeldas more times than any other restaurant in Austin this year. The food is just so good and perfect for sharing, and the frozen margarita is addicting. Happy hour is Wednesday through Saturday from 5 – 7pm & all night Sunday.
105 Tillery St. Austin, TX 78702, grizzeldas.com
JACOBY’S
Happy hour at Jacoby’s is all day on Tuesdays from 5 – 9 pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 5 – 7 pm. $2 off wines by the glass, $2 off all draft beers, $2 off all snacks and $7 mules.
3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, jacobysaustin.com
TAKOBA
Happy hour is Monday – Friday from 3 – 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 3 – 4pm with $1 off all tragos and draft beer, 1/2 price appetizers and $6 ceviche. The queso fundido with my jam.
1411 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, takobarestaurant.com
LICHA’S CANTINA
Escape to Mexico City at Licha’s Cantina with their $5 happy hour – margaritas, palomas, quesadillas, verduras, and more.
306 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, lichascantina.com
BEST BARS FOR DRINKS IN EAST AUSTIN
AH SING DEN
There’s a chicken that runs around on the patio so opt for inside if you’re not a farm animal person. This is a great spot to start out your night with appetizers and a few drinky, drinks before heading out.
1100 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, ahsingden.com
WHISLER’S
Calling all mezcal lovers, get your fix at the upstairs bar at Whistler’s. Brace yourself, it’s strong.
1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, whislersatx.com
WEATHER UP
My idea of a perfect weekend? Spending the day hanging out at the Weather Up bar with craft cocktails.
1808 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, weatherupnyc.com
KITTY COHEN’S
Escape to East Austin’s Palm Spring-inspired patio bar with a 1970s aesthetic. There’s a pool too!
2211 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702, kittycohens.com
THINGS TO DO IN EAST AUSTIN
EAST AUSTIN SUCCULENTS
When I’m needing some zen in my life, I go to East Austin Succulents. There are rows and rows of cactus, succulents, and all the plants imagined.
801 Tillery St, Austin, TX 78702, eastaustinsucculents.com
SEE ALSO: Where To Buy Succulents In Austin
RAVEN & LILY
East Austin has a sprinkling of various clothing and home goods boutiques. Raven + Lily is a chic boutique that carries fair grade jewelry, cothing, accestories, and gifts handmade with naturally dyed fabrics and locally sourced, eco-friendly materials.
2406 Manor Rd C, Austin, TX 78722, ravenandlily.com
HOPE Farmers Market
Shop for local goods and produce at the Hop Farmers Market every Sunday from 11am – 3pm.
412 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702, hopefarmersmarket.org
