Retail Roundup: Barton Creek Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

If a shopping center can be called “intimate,” Barton Creek Village fits the bill. Providing a convenient variety of products and services, including dry cleaning, a dentist, local market, and nail salon, Barton Creek residents are just a short golf cart ride away from their daily needs.

For more shopping, residents have the good fortune of being close to two of Austin’s best shopping areas — Barton Creek Square Mall and the Hill Country Galleria.

Barton Creek Square, one of the largest malls in Texas, features 180 specialty retail shops and department stores such as Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Apple, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Chico’s, Foot Locker, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Gap, Lane Bryant, Lego, Nine West, Old Navy as well as Sears and many others. The mall also offers some great dining selections, including favorites such as California Pizza Kitchen, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Frullati Café & Bakery, Ruby Thai Kitchen, Sarku Japan, Steak N Shake, Villa Pizza, and more. And for date night or family fun, movie buffs also love to check out the latest blockbusters at the 14-screen AMC Barton Creek cinema.

Hill Country Galleria has over 80 stores including local grocers and a Whole Foods Market, and more than 20 restaurants. It also has a movie theater, specialty boutiques and a variety of well-known national retailers. A few of the Galleria’s most popular stores include Banana Republic, Chico’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillards, Eddie Bauer, Relax the Back, Soma Intimates, Victoria’s Secret, and White House Black Market. In addition, a small amphitheater regularly hosts local musicians for an ongoing, all-ages concert series the entire family can enjoy.  More than just retail space, the Galleria includes offices, apartments, condominiums, as well as 50 acres of green space.

An Enticing Selection of Cuisines

On the eastern outskirts of the neighborhood on Bee Caves Road, The Grove Wine Bar and Kitchen is a popular local hangout where both Barton Creek and nearby area residents often gather for an enticing selection of domestic and imported wines with a delectable bruschetta or gazpacho and fresh pasta, or any one of the Grove’s many delicious dinner salads. Just a few short minutes north on Highway 360 is Trento, a relaxed, yet fine dining experience featuring Italian cuisine, an outdoor patio and live music.

Headed south down Highway 71 in Oak Hill, folks in Barton Creek flock to hometown favorite and Southern-inspired Jack Allen’s Kitchen, serving fresh, locally sourced dishes. With a spacious outdoor bar and dining patio, the parking lot at Jack Allen’s is always busy on weekends, and caters to a bustling crowd of all ages. For more dining and shopping, residents can head out to The Village at Westlake, which offers grocery shopping, Thai food and an impressive assortment of various other sundries.