Retail Roundup: South Congress Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Folks who live in South Congress enjoy the luxury of making their home just blocks away from many of Austin’s most distinctive shops and restaurants, like Ace Expert Alterations and Cleaners, Body Vida workout studio, Dirty Dog grooming shop, Maximum FX hair salon, Jo’s Coffee, and Vespaio Ristorante are all nearby.

Even grocery shopping is easy. Farm to Market Grocery is located just a few blocks from the neighborhood, and major grocer HEB is about a mile south.

Dozens of Austin’s most unique shops are also within an easy walk of the South Congress neighborhood. Residents spend hours sorting through the joyful collection of “antiques, oddities and curious goods” found at Uncommon Objects, and folks from all over Austin flock to Allen’s Boots for genuine Texas and western apparel. A popular store for homeowners looking to redecorate, Antigua showcases authentic and colorful Latin American art and décor.

For a more extensive shopping spree, South Congress residents who need the variety and quantity of stores offered by a regional shopping mall head to Barton Creek Square, just 10 minutes away. The mall houses more than 180 shops and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Sears, The Apple Store, Banana Republic, and The Art of Shaving. Hungry shoppers can feast at California Pizza Kitchen, Panda Express or Charley’s Grilled Subs, and several other restaurants. And for family fun or date night, movie buffs love to check out the latest blockbusters at the 14-screen AMC Barton Creek cinema.

Diverse Cuisine Right around the Corner

Residents parched from shopping or simply taking a break to savor the moment find delicious refreshment at neighborhood hangout Jo’s Coffee. Here, they’re sure to run into their South Congress neighbors and participate in one of the area’s most entertaining endeavors — people watching.

When it’s time to dine, nearby restaurant choices are also plentiful. Home Slice Pizza serves New York-style pizza by the slice or by the pie. For something a bit more exotic, patrons of the Lucky Robot order delicious Japanese-inspired meals via tabletop iPads. And when the mood for Tex-Mex strikes, Guero’s delights local foodies with its time-tested comfort food served in a turn-of-the-century feed and seed store.

For special occasions at a very special restaurant, locals make plans to dine at Vespaio Ristorante. Intimate, authentic and divine, this South Congress gem offers Italian cuisine classics such as linguini con vongole as well as their signature oak fire grilled beef hanger steak with veal reduction.

There are many good reasons to live in South Congress, including all the benefits of such diverse shopping and sumptuous cuisines, right around the corner.