'''South Austin''' can refer to any part of Austin, Texas south of Lady Bird Lake and the downtown area, although many people use it to specifically refer to the south-central area directly south of downtown in the 78704 zip code. 78704 is bordered by Lady Bird Lake to the north, I-35 to the east, Ben White Blvd (Hwy 290/71) to the south, and Mopac (Loop 1) to the west. The area is a very popular neighborhood for young people and has historically been the center of Austin's counterculture, although it has been rapidly gentrifying in recent years. The area contains several attractions for visitors.

Get in

See

  • Zilker Park. Austin's major park, located in the shadow of downtown off Barton Springs Rd. Contains Barton Springs Pool.
  • '''The Continental Club''', 1315 South Congress, [http://www.continentalclub.com/Austin.html]. This legendary South Austin venue was opened in 1957 and for nearly four decades has been serving up the best live music Austin has to offer. The venue is small so get there early if you want to get in.
  • '''Riverside''' is the first street on the south side, parallel to the Colorado River (not to be mistaken with 1st Avenue that runs north-south on the south side) one block west of Congress. As you travel east past IH 35, you will get into Austin's version of Mexican night life. During the day you can eat in a wide variety of Mexican and Chinese restaurants, some very good and inexpensive, shop in a variety of Latino-oriented stores, visit the Mexican Flea Market one block north of the Riverside and Pleasant Valley intersection (weekends only), or visit the Riverside Austin Community Campus. At night from 11 PM to 2 AM East Riverside becomes the Latin party alternative to the famous 6th street in downtown.
  • Do

    First Thursday Every first thursday of any month, lots of shops have deals and there is a festival atmosphere around south congress.

    Buy

  • South Congress Avenue. Main drag in South Austin that features upscale boutiques and condos alongside more traditionally "hippie" places.

    Eat

  • South Congress Cafe. 600 South Congress Ave. 1 (512) 447-3905. ttp://www.southcongresscafe.com. -F 10AM-4PM and 5-10PM, Sa-Su 9AM-4pm & 5-10PM . ains $10-25. In the heart of South Congress Avenue, this cafe serves up spectacular and inventive fare. The tomato soup with stilton cheese is tasty to start, and the blackened tuna tacos are downright phenomenal.
  • Artz Rib House. 330 S Lamar Blvd. 1 512-442-8283. nfo@artzribhouse.com. -Sa 11AM-10PM, Su Noon-9PM. inners $7-17. ttp://www.artzribhouse.com. Excellent ribs, as the name implies. Often has live bluegrass music.

  • Maria's Taco Xpress. 529 S Lamar Blvd. 1 512-444-0261. 7AM-3PM, Tu-F 7AM-9PM, Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 9AM-2PM. ttp://www.tacoxpress.com/. Maria's features some of the best breakfast tacos in town. On weekend mornings there is usually a line from the counter out the door, so if you don't want to wait call in your order. They only take cash, so be prepared. Live musicians featured on Sunday mornings and weekday evenings out on the patio.

  • '''Romeo's'''. Italian food. One of the few restaurants that is casual and romantic. Has a great outdoor patio.
  • Matt's El Rancho. 613 S Lamar Blvd. 1 512-462-9333. atts1952@aol.com. W T Su 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. inners $12-18. ttp://www.mattselrancho.com. The quintessential Tex-Mex place in Austin. It's been around for over 50 years and for good reason. Watch out for the strong margaritas!

  • '''Casa de Luz'''. 1701 Toomey Rd. Austin's only completely vegan restaurant. [http://www.casadeluz.org/]
  • Green Mesquite BBQ & More. 400 Barton Springs Rd. 1 512-479-0485. reenmesquite@austin.rr.com. ll-you-can-eat BBQ $14. ttp://www.greenmesquite.net. The original location on Barton Springs is in a funky building with a good biergarten in back with entertainment. BBQ is decent and the sides are good.

  • El Gallo. 910 S Congress Ave (across the street from St. Edwards University). elody@elgallorestaurant.com. u-Th 8AM-10PM, F-Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 8AM-9PM. inners $11-15. ttp://www.elgallorestaurant.com. Norteno-influenced Tex-Mex. They still have cabrito as well as all the normal fare. Yummy and relatively inexpensive.

  • Little Mexico Restaurant. 304 S 1st St. 1 512-462-2188. This restaurant has some of the finest enchiladas of a Tex-Mex style. Nothing at all bad on the menu either. It's one of those places mostly only the locals go to so keep it quiet. Also a good place to spot hungover Austin luminary musicians easing that Sunday morning pain. Little green and red building on the West side of S 1st, just a bit north of Oltorf. Good margaritas, Negro Modelo and XX are available. Good homestyle interior Mexican dishes as well as Tex-Mex. If you want to be trendy go to Guero's, if you want to eat, check it out and you won't be disappointed. Live music on Thursday nights.

  • Guero's Taco Bar. -F 11AM-11PM, Sa-Su 8AM-11PM. inners $9-14. ttp://www.guerostacobar.com. High-class, sit-down Tex-Mex in the middle of the South Congress maelstrom. Always busy, always Austin. Lots of musicians frequent the place when they're in town. Many famous Austinites, and wanna-be Austinites have visited, including President Clinton, (then-)Governor Bush, and the rest of the Bush clan. Has live music.

  • Magnolia Cafe. wo locations: 1920 South Congress and 2304 Lake Austin Blvd. lways open. ttp://www.cafemagnolia.com/. Great place to get a short stack for breakfast. The dinner specials are pretty tasty and fairly inexpensive.

  • Marco Polo. 200 S I-35 (at Oltorf). 1 512-445-5563. Mediocre buffet during the week, but excellent dim sum on weekends.

  • '''Vespiao'''. For a taste of Italy nowhere in Austin is better. Extensive wine list and beyond excellent food.
  • Bakehouse Restaurant & Bar. 404 Manchaca Rd,. 12-443-5167. ttp://www.austinbakehouse.com/. A South Austin tradition. They have one of the most inexpensive and hearty breakfasts around. Their fresh fruit and texas toast sitting next to your eggs make it worth waking up in the morning.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Austin Motel. ttp://www.austinmotel.com. The one, the only, located in colorful, wonderful South Austin.

  • Austin HI Hostel. 200 South Lakeshore Boulevard. 12-444-2294. ttp://www.hiaustin.org. Austin's only hostel.

  • Motel 6 Austin South - Airport. 707 Interregional Highway South. 512)444-5882. ttp://www.motel6.com.

  • Hyatt Regency Austin. 08 Barton Springs. 512) 477-1234. ttp://austin.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml. A beautiful hotel on the south shore of Austin's Town Lake close to downtown.

  • Hilton Austin Airport. 515 New Airport Dr. 512) 385-6767. The Airport hotel. This cylinder-shaped hotel is on the grounds of Austin-Bergstrom International airport.

    Contact