Retail Roundup: West Cypress Hills Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

West Cypress Hills is just over 10 minutes away from one of Austin’s newest shopping destinations — the Hill Country Galleria. The Hill Country Galleria boasts more than 80 department and specialty stores, boutiques, and salons, many of which are locally owned and operated.

For everyday grocery shopping, an upscale HEB is nearby. Additionally, locals are just minutes away from a wide variety of Lake Travis restaurants, where they can enjoy a memorable dining experience overlooking beautiful views of the lake.

Diverse Shopping, a Tasty Dinner and a Blockbuster Movie at the Galleria

At the Galleria, shoppers can pick up the latest runway fashions at Fab’rik and take a relaxing break at Austin’s favorite spa, Milk + Honey. Men can check out Jos. A. Bank for casual apparel, as well as high-end tailored business attire. The Galleria is also home to 12 full service restaurants and a number of counter service, casual eateries that please diners of almost any culinary preference. And locals appreciate seeing the latest Hollywood fare in the center’s Cinemark multiplex.

The Galleria also includes a Whole Foods Market. A popular Austin favorite for fresh produce, artisanal breads, cheeses, meats, and convenient, healthy ready-made meals, Whole Foods is the perfect place to select a picnic dinner to savor while listening to live music under the stars at the community center’s outdoor amphitheater, located adjacent to the Galleria.

Serving Comfort Food and Live Music Seven Nights a Week

Located just about five minutes from West Cypress Hills in the scenic Texas Hill Country, Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse offers fun bar snacks, salads, wraps, delicious burgers, and sandwiches. Also a popular live music venue, Poodie’s showcases quality singer/songwriters and honky tonk artists live, seven nights a week. Over the years, the Hilltop has hosted music legends Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Freddy Powers, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, Toby Keith, Billy Bob Thornton, and Gary P. Nunn among other talented singers and players. There’s also a small dance floor, pool tables, and a bar. Locals encourage getting there in time to enjoy a beautiful Hill Country sunset from their two-level deck. And where else is someone going to say they went to eat a Poodie Melt?

But if you have to have a truly memorable chicken-fried steak, Angel’s Road House is just about 2 minutes away. Angel’s is an old time Texas road house — open air with a small indoor area — still thriving out in the Hill Country. With its rustic, old timey atmosphere and music most Friday and Saturday nights, there are lots of reasons to love Angel’s. (Especially the chicken-fried steak.)

Pecan Smoked Quail and Marinated Buffalo

For a special dining adventure, Hudson’s on the Bend has been delighting diners with its sumptuous Texas-centric wild game fare for more than 20 years. Locals, as well as visiting connoisseurs, enjoy unique recipes made with axis venison, pecan-smoked quail, or marinated buffalo, all of which are seasoned with herbs and served with fresh vegetables grown in the restaurant’s on-site garden. Couples can dine al fresco, as well as enjoy a romantic pre- or post-dinner stroll through the garden, which is often full of Hill Country wildflowers.