Your ATX Guide for Shopping, Dining and FUN

When Lauryn and Michael moved to Austin what they noticed most was all the nature. They love to go for walks around their neighborhood or plan hikes with friends and finish with bone broth or a smoothie at SunLife.

They love living in Austin and have found some spots they love like Commodore Perry and Suerte, but Lauryn wanted to bring you a full on guide to Austin that includes shopping, bars, restaurants and places to visit. Today we have all the recommendations from Ellen, Lauryn’s personal assistant.

Ellen is from Austin so obviously knows what’s up when it comes to fun dive bars, the best food and unique fashion finds. Let’s get right into all her top recommendations when you come to visit Austin, Texas.

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Experience the outdoors:

+ Lady Bird Lake Trail

An amazing way to see the Austin skyline, and the best place for a hot girl walk.

+ Pease Park

Very lowkey, a beautiful park for a walk with your dog.

+ Mayfield Park

Wander through this serene park and watch live peacocks roam.

+ Barton Springs

Summers are brutal here in Texas, and if you don’t have a pool the best way to cool down is by jumping into Barton Springs.

Shopping:

+ Hearth and Soul

Perfect place to buy ANY gift. Tons of great home decor, kitchenware, glassware, candles, jewelry, clothes, anything you might need.

+ Moss

Luxury Consignment with everything from Prada to The Row. $$$, but well curated and I’ve scored some amazing, timeless pieces there.

+ Estilo

I basically call this store Austin’s “Intermix.” Trend driven, high quality, and located conveniently in Tarrytown to appeal to the not yet produced Real Housewives of Austin.

+ Uncommon Objects

My favorite store in Austin, PERIOD. The most incredible antique store filled with vintage pottery, glassware, chandeliers, furniture – the works! I can spend hours combing through this beautifully curated collection. Even if antiquing isn’t your thing, looking around this cozy little gem is such a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Bars:

+ Donn’s Depot

Classic Austin dive, great live music. The demographic is anywhere from 21 to 81. You never know what you’re going to get in there. Very fun, great for two stepping and cheap beer.

+ Rosie’s/Howards

Two for one, pick your vibe! Rosie’s is a super cute wine bar with a great selection. Perfect for date nights, girls night out, or just a sensible mid-week glass of wine and a snack. Rosie’s is connected to Howard’s, which is a cute cocktail bar where they have espresso martinis on tap.

+ Dive Bar

Not *really* a dive bar. Chic craft cocktails. Great place for an after dinner drink.

+ Beez Kneez

My boyfriend and I went on our first date here. It kind of feels like you’re having dinner in someone’s living room. Always bumpin’ good tunes, good vibes, and good drinks.

{Suerte by @hangryhobson}

+ C-Boys for Chicken Shit Bingo

YUP. It’s exactly what it sounds like. On Sunday afternoons pop over to C-Boys for a game of Chicken Shit Bingo. Every hour bar patrons draw a bingo number for $5. After drawing is closed, a chicken is thrown onto a giant bingo board and prodded with a pool stick. Whichever number the chicken shits on, that lucky barfly wins all the money. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends and to participate in some lighthearted gambling.

+ Cedar Tavern @ Eberly

This bar is so cool and has a very interesting history. The iconic Cedar bar with Tiffany’s stained glass was originally in the historic Cedar Tavern in NYC. When the Cedar Tavern closed, the bar was sold at auction and moved down to Austin, where it now lives in the back of Eberly. Every time I have drinks at the Cedar, I feel like I’ve stepped back in time.

+ Lala’s Little Nugget

Christmas all year round! Lala’s is a really fun Christmas themed bar, complete with festive cocktails, decorations and a countdown to Christmas behind the bar.

Restaurants:

+ Justine’s

French Brasserie on the East Side. Vinyl is spun behind the bar, and every menu item is delectable. A PERFECT date night spot. I love the cheese plate, the bolognese and the pork chop.

+ Matt’s El Rancho

CLASSIC and iconic TexMex. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the Bob Armstrong Queso Dip and a “Knockout” (Mexican Martini) are absolute musts.

+ Fonda San Miguel

Elevated Mexican that’s not totally TexMex. Beautiful and elegant space. My go-to’s are the massive margarita pitchers and the Duck Enchiladas.

+ J Carver’s

Bougie bougie steakhouse. Martinis and steaks are fabulous, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t have dreams about the Corn Brulee.

+ Ranch 616

Kitschy, fun, with a great patio and live music. Southern inspired fare like Divorced Quail, and Frog Legs. 

+ Clark’s Oyster Bar

One of my favorite places for a weekend brunch. Extensive wine list, oysters, delicious crudo. Consistently good, and also great for dinner.

{Commodore Perry by @hangryhobson}

+ Lin

The best soup dumplings in town. No notes.

+ Vespaio

My personal favorite for Italian in Austin. I love to sit at the bar. The beef carpaccio is a must, and the lasagne is INSANE. So so good.

+ Ola Maie

Upscale Southern food in an old house. Very chic yet homey vibes, with dishes like green chile cheddar grits, pork chops, and blue corn hushpuppies. 

+ Austin Land & Cattle (ALC)

A NO FRILLS steakhouse. Much like Vespaio, I love to sit at the bar. Classic steak and potatoes kind of place. The service is always incredible, and while J Carver’s is “sexier”, ALC is my favorite place in town for a martini, escargot, and a good steak.

+ Wink

A hidden GEM. There’s a restaurant and a wine bar, and you guessed it… I love to sit in the wine bar. Affordable bottles, knowledgeable staff, and great food. You can go full on tasting menu, or order small plates a la carte. I love the smoked salmon pizza, and the foie gras burger.

+ Sushi Bar ATX

A reservation is somewhat difficult to score, but Sushi Bar ATX is one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve ever had. Located in a speakeasy on the East Side, the 17 course Omakase is unbelievable and feels like a private dinner party with only 10 seats at the sushi bar. Incredible.

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Be sure to save this post if you’re planning a trip to Austin this year. You’ll need more than a few days in Austin to hit all those hot spots. Some other places Lauryn loves are The Road for acupuncture and facials, Kaita for Flossing, Drybar, and Sharp Pilates.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ Check out these must-have items when traveling with a baby.

++ Italy for the summer? Your Lake Como guide is right here.

AUSTIN FEELS: