Austin’s downtown area has a vibrant shopping scene. Residents can enjoy the Whole Foods flagship store, a spectacular 80,000-square-foot, two-story market that provides fresh and organic groceries. HEB and Central Market are also nearby for everyday shopping needs.
Just around the corner from downtown is busy South Congress Avenue. One of Austin’s most renowned shopping districts, the street is lined with cozy locally owned storefronts, restaurants and music venues. While many of the boutiques and shops are relative new comers, a large number of the stores have been in the area for decades, including Allen Boots, Austin’s premier western wear store, to the quirky Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, an eclectic vintage clothing and costume store.
The burgeoning shopping district on Second Street, just a few minutes away, has a large number of high-end services and stores. Bonobos, Estilo, Fransesca’s, Langford Market, and Urban Outfitters are just a few of the stores offering high quality fashion. Mercury Studio, Design Within Reach, and BoConcepts are a few of the stores that sell sleek, chic furnishings and home goods. The district also includes popular restaurants, spas, hair salons, and more.
Local Foodie Favorites
South Congress also boasts a number of popular restaurants. Locals especially rave about Home Slice Pizza, an award-winning pizzeria that is famous for its mouth-watering New York-style pizza. A staple for visiting celebrities such as Dave Chappell, Home Slice Pizza is open late into the night, serving large slices of hand-tossed Neapolitan pizza with a thin, crispy crust.
Vespaio Ristorante, also on South Congress, serves carefully crafted Italian food created from locally sourced ingredients. The chefs do all their own butchering, and use the whole animal. Stocks, charcuterie, fresh pasta, breads, desserts and cheese are all made in house. The building has an interesting history. It was a small grocery at the end of the 19th century, then a western wear store among other things. Today, the antique brickwork and tile on the front of the restaurant evokes days gone by while at the same time creating a warm, rustic atmosphere that complements the food. Vespaio has opened a bistro-style café next door to the restaurant, called Vespaio Enoteca, offering a more casual atmosphere and more light plates in addition to hearty items, for lunch and dinner and Sunday Brunch.
Restaurants within easy walking distance – not to mention those just a short drive away – of 555 are so numerous it can make choosing one a real challenge. But diners who choose Chez Nous are never disappointed. Chez Nous is an Austin stalwart offering delicious French bistro-style food in a warm, elegant but relaxed atmosphere. The food is all the kinds of delicious fare you might expect to find in an authentic French Bistro in Paris. Popular, and delicious, appetizers include escargot, baked goat cheese on toast. Entrees include a mouth-watering duck confit, veal sweetbreads, tender steaks, and a variety of fish dishes. Profiteroles and crème caramel top the list of several tempting desserts.
Dinner, a Movie and Legendary Live Music
Sixth Street, Austin’s nightlife hotspot, is rich with history and is an entertainment district brimming with clubs, bars and restaurants – with many doubling as live music venues. Plenty of Austin landmarks can be found here, including the Alamo Drafthouse, the celebrated theater with its own extensive food and beer menu. The most creative and imaginative theater anywhere, the Drafthouse is famous for its live interactive events, karaoke nights, and special movie nights such as Terror Tuesdays, a delight for horror fans. And for the young at heart, the Alamo periodically puts on a weekend morning show of classic and forgotten cartoons and all the sugary cereal you can eat.
The nearby Warehouse District is a growing club and restaurant scene adjacent to the 2nd Street shopping district. Speakeasy, Lucky Dog, Six, and the Courtyard at Cedar Street each offer their own twist on Austin-flavored nightlife.
For outdoor entertainment, Auditorium Shores on Lady Bird Lake, along with nearby Zilker Park, host some of the biggest live music events in Austin, including events connected to SxSW, Fun Fun Fun Fest, and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.