Many neighbors in the Dawson neighborhood are drawn in part to the diverse and plentiful shopping options located conveniently nearby. The neighborhood is just minutes from the burgeoning restaurant scene on South Lamar, the funky shops and cafes on South First Street, as well as the famous South Congress shopping district.
For starters, groceries are readily available, with a well-stocked HEB right in Dawson, and a farmers’ market every Saturday morning in the parking lot of El Gallo, one of the many excellent restaurants in the area. This casual venue, highly recommended by locals, serves Tex-Mex food at reasonable prices, as well as an American breakfast menu.
Funky Boutiques and Tasty Cuisine in SoCo
Nearby South Congress is where shoppers find everything from handcrafted cowboy boots to Latin American art and vintage records. The people-watching without equal. South Congress, lovingly known as “SoCo,” is Austin to the core. This district includes a variety of locally owned, eclectic boutiques, gift shops, salons, restaurants, music, and art galleries.
Boutiques like Creatures and Parts & Labour feature funky and just plain chic clothing, shoes, and accessories. Popular and worthy stalwarts that have been doing business on South Congress (since before anyone had thought to call it SoCo) like Lucy in Disguise costume shop and Allen’s Boots western wear still draw many old and new customers alike.
Restaurants in this area range from the informal Magnolia Café, Homeslice Pizza, and Jo’s Coffee Shop to upscale dining at places such as Vespaio. Vespaio serves superb Italian food in an elegant dining room. South Congress is also the home to the historic — and still rockin’ — Continental Club. The venerable Continental Club hasn’t lost a step in all these years, and still hosts live music most every night of the week featuring the best local musicians and an impressive slate of touring acts.
Exquisite Fine Dining and Authentic Tex-Mex Comfort Food
In addition to the exquisite fine dining on South Lamar, such as world-famous Uchi and Barley Swine,or local foodie favorites Perla’s and Vespaio, there are scores of other great places to eat in and around the Dawson neighborhood.
For more simple, authentic Mexican fare, El Borrego del Oro is a favorite among locals bringing them back again and again with standout dishes like caldo de birria (goat soup), a cabrito plate, lamb dishes, as well as beloved standards such as chicken flautas, tacos al pastor, and a delicious carne guisada.
Gourmet Toasted Croissant Sandwiches and Mary Louise’s Butter Brownies
For something quite different, Summermoon Coffee House embodies the casual and comfortable feel of South Austin, with cozy pale yellow walls and coffee the owners hand-roast over a mesquite wood fireplace. The menu includes toasted croissant sandwiches, soy chorizo and brie empanadas, and a slew of tempting desserts like Mary Louise’s Butter Brownies.
Near the north end of South First Street there is a food trailerpark including the incredibly popular Torchy’s Tacos, Holy Cacao serving “cakeballs” and desserts, and delicious and socially-responsible vegetarian Conscious Cravings. In addition to the food trailers here, there is a fire pit for chilly mornings and evenings and plenty of seating beneath lovely old oaks. There are a number of other food trailers and trailer courts on South First working to launch “the next big things” that are worth checking out, too.
Dance to Live Music or Just Relax and Enjoy a Movie
Because Dawson is so close to downtown, residents have a staggering number and range of entertainment options. Hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, dance clubs, live music venues, and more are only a few minutes away. Ten minutes from home at the south edge of downtown, the Violet Crown Cinema shows the latest independent and art films in a uniquely posh atmosphere, while the nearby Westgate multiplex screens the latest mainstream Hollywood fare.
While the variety of downtown is close, Dawson neighbors have the colorful and uniquely Austin shopping and restaurant options of SoCo and South First right at their doorsteps.