The Domain is Austin’s most upscale shopping destination. An outdoor mall, the Domain feels more like an impossibly good-looking and thoughtfully designed village lined with your favorite retailers and a diverse variety of great restaurants.
Utterly charming, the Domain’s layout encourages shoppers to stroll its avenues. The effect (which is very persuasive) is accomplished in part with attractive storefronts, wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and many convenient pedestrian crossings. Even window-shopping or people watching are more extravagantly satisfying among the Domain’s handsome shops and beautiful environment.
Almost everywhere you look are inviting, comfortable places to sit and visit or to think about what you want to do next. You’ll find scores of benches set amid the cheerful landscaping and occasional water features. A number of stores have prime office space or desirable condominiums on the second and third floors, and many of the restaurants have sidewalk seating. There’s even a playground for the kids, and an interactive spiral water feature for them to splash in on hot Texas summer days.
Over a Million Square Feet of Retail and Limitless Shopping Possibilities
The 1,300,000-square-foot center features more than 100 fine retailers and restaurants, about half of which are exclusive to the Domain in the region. Major department stores include such high-end retailers as the area’s only Neiman Marcus, as well as Macy’s, and Dillard’s.
A few of the boutiques and specialty shops include Burberry, Apple, Luxe Apothetique, Madewell, Sur La Table, White House Black Market, and Arhaus. Some of the more traditional and popular retailers include American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Express, Aeropostale, and others. The wide range of shops and services is staggering — from a Tesla Motors showroom to Spa Reveil, Dick’s Sporting Goods to Cole Haan, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Domain.
Fresh, Organic Produce and an Incredible Selection of Healthy Foods
The Domain recently added their latest upscale retailer, Whole Foods Market. Not only does Whole Foods offer the highest quality organic meats, produce, cheeses, wines, and groceries, it also invites customers to make the store a regular destination whether grocery shopping, grabbing a coffee on the way to work, or hanging out and having a good time at the store’s many live music and other special events.
The strategy is working. More and more, folks in the area just drop by and get together with friends to enjoy a pint of craft beer from one of the store’s two bars while sampling menu items unique to this location — like Texas-inspired Ramen, chargrilled oysters, and bratwurst topped with your favorite ingredients.
Grab a Coffee or Sit, Relax and Sip Tea — The Choice is Yours
Naturally, the Domain has a Starbucks, and the Starbucks does excellent business supplying shoppers with the carefully crafted coffee drinks that legions of loyal followers have come to depend on.
Interestingly, at the Domain there’s a shop selling tea right next-door to Starbucks. The Steeping Room teahouse may appear to be trying to peel away coffee customers from Starbucks, but that really isn’t the case. While Starbucks serves a very valuable, desirable service with their fast and delicious coffees to keep you on the go, The Steeping Room offers you a chance to unwind and consider your next destination.
The atmosphere in the Steeping Room is quiet and relaxing. Many patrons are seated, and instead of grabbing their favorite drink, they check out the daily specials and may ask advice of the incredibly knowledgeable staff. The Steeping Room also has menus — they have a breakfast menu, one for lunch and dinner, and another for their incredibly popular Sunday brunch. Almost all the items on the menu, even those that traditionally contain meat (a BLT for instance) can be made either vegetarian or vegan. Loyal customers rave about the scones and how well they can be matched with a perfectly steeped pot of tea.
Pinot Grigios with Delicate Ahi Tartar, and the Joy of Crispy but Tender Crust Pizza
The Domain has a number of popular restaurants such as Flemings Steak House, Maggiano’s, Kona Grill, and the Daily Grill, to name a few. At the foodie favorite Cru Wine Bar, diners pair pinot noirs and pinot grigios with delicate ahi tartar or a selection of delicious artisanal cheese. Blackfinn Ameripub is an American restaurant and bar — and a popular gathering spot for happy hour. Their cocktail menu is lengthy, and they’re famous for offering a broad variety of beer with an emphasis on quality smaller craft brands.
NoRTH Italia presents a fresh and contemporary takes on traditional Italian cooking. Taking pride in making all of its pasta and other ingredients from scratch every day, NoRTH creates exotic pasta dishes like strozzapreti with Bloomsdale spinach or supple ribbons of tagliatelle for Bolognese. The pizzas — and especially the crispy but tender crusts — are also very popular.
Kick Back Like a Movie Star in the iPic Theater’s Reclining Leather Seats
The Domain’s luxury experience doesn’t end with the fine restaurants and exclusive, fabulous shopping. Even the movies at the Domain are upscale. The 9-screen iPic theater is decked out with posh leather seats, some of which recline and are accompanied by side tables. The “concession stand” is actually a small restaurant that sells freshly prepared food such as wings and Angus beef sliders, as well as expertly prepared cocktails.