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Austin City Guide: Where To Eat, Stay & Do in East Austin

May 27, 2017

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Austin City Guide - Where To Eat, Stay, & Do In East Austin

East Austin is one my favorite neighborhoods in Austin with all the best restaurants, cool bars, hipster coffee shops, and local boutiques. Located right across the highway from downtown Austin, East Austin has changed dramatically in the past couple of years with the influx of new businesses.

SEE ALSO: AUSTIN CITY GUIDE

Here’s the insider’s scoop on where to stay, eat, and do in East Austin.

 


WHERE TO STAY IN EAST AUSTIN

The Guild

THE GUILD

With an amazing apartment set-up just off 6th, The Guild brings you that Airbnb feel with a local touch. The Guild has several stylishly appointed flats throughout Austin in different neighborhoods with full kitchens and washer/dryer for short or long stays. They have a virtual front desk and concierge that can answer questions via text during your stay.

The 6th Street location is at the Corazon Apartments, which made it super convenient to walk down for gelato at Gemelli’s and then down the street for happy hour at Takoba, ice cream at Prohibition Creamery, drinks at Ah Sing Ding, Whisler’s, and Weather Up.

 


WHERE TO GET BREAKFAST IN EAST AUSTIN

 

Cenote

CENOTE

This East Austin coffee shop not only serves up liquid caffeine but also delicious eats in a cute space.

1010 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, cenoteaustin.com

 

WRIGHT BROS. BREW & BREW

This local coffee shop in East Austin serves coffee and local craft brews on tap – great place to get work done or just hang out with a pal.

500 San Marcos St #105, Austin, TX 78702, thebrewandbrew.com

 

VINTAGE HEART COFFEE

Does coffee count as breakfast? Because it does for me. Three hours later, I’ve had 3 iced vanilla lattes at Vintage Heart Coffee.

1405 E 7th St, vintageheart.coffee

 

Paperboy Austin

PAPERBOY

Start your day with sandwiches, sweet and savory open-faced toasts, and hearty breakfast bowls using only local farms and purveyors at Paperboy. This cute trailer is located on the East 11th corridor next to Hillside Farmacy.

1203 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, paperboyaustin.com

SEE ALSO: Paperboy Serves Up The Best Breakfast In Austin

 

Hillside Farmacy

HILLSIDE FARMACY

We love to keep it local and Hillside keeps it real. The fried egg sandwich is the way to go.

1209 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, hillsidefarmacy.com

SEE ALSO: Date Night At Hillside Farmacy

 


WHERE TO GET LUNCH IN EAST AUSTIN

El Chilito

EL CHILITO

My favorite everyday meal in Austin? The beef puffy tacos at El Chilito.

1623 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, elchilito.com

 

Franklin Barbecue

FRANKLIN BARBECUE

You have to do Franklin Barbecue at least once in your life, even if it means waking up at 7am to get in line for 3 hours. Rumor is if you go on a Tuesday at 1pm, you might be able to squeeze in.

900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, franklinbarbecue.com

 

LA BARBECUE

La Barbecue use to be a hidden secret but now everyone knows that this is the best barbecue in Austin. Lines can be 30 minutes to one hour but it’s so worth it, especially since it’s BYOB. Order the gigantic beef ribs and brisket.

1906 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, labarbecue.com

 

DeeDee Austin

DEE DEE

Dee Dee is authentic Northern Thai food served out of a tiny trailer that’s located in the same complex as La Barbecue. Be warned, it’s spicy. But so good.

1906 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, deedeeatx.com

 

VERACRUZ

All-natural tacos that are considered the best in the city. Enough said.

1704 E Cesar Chavez St, veracruztacos.com


BEST DINNER SPOTS IN EAST AUSTIN

Justine's Brasserie

JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE

Steak fries with the house red wine is one of my favorite meals in Austin. The food is always consistent at Justine’s and the vibe is a great representation of East Austin. It’s open late night too!

4710 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78702, justines1937.com

SEE ALSO: Where To Eat For A Late Night In Austin

 

OLD THOUSAND

If modern Asian is your vibe, Old Thousand is the spot. It’s obvious we love patios so ask for a table outside. The mapo eggplant is #kokoapproved!

1000 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, oldthousandatx.com

 

Kemuri

KEMURI

Kemuri is a really cool Japanese Izakaya in East Austin that serves authentic Japanese small bites and fun cocktails like the cat and puffer fish. I’ve easily spent 3 hours at Kemuri snacking on bites and sipping on my third cat cocktail.

2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702, kemuri-tatsuya.com


BEST BRUNCH SPOTS IN EAST AUSTIN

Contigo

CONTIGO

Ranch-to-table cuisine in an al fresco dining experience that’s special to Austin. The beef tongue hash is my go-to when I come to Contigo.

2027 Anchor Ln, Austin, TX 78723, contigotexas.com/restaurant/

 

BLUE DAHLIA

For a European style brunch, head to Blue Dahlia for light bites, tartines and rustic French entrees made with local and organic ingredients.

1115 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, bluedahliabistro.com


BEST SPOTS FOR DESSERT IN EAST AUSTIN

Gelateria Gemelli

GEMELLI’S

We all scream at some point so why not scream for the ice cream at an east side favorite. With unique seasonal flavors like Earl Grey (our favorite), you’d be missing out if you didn’t stop by.

1009 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, gelateriagemelli.com

 

Prohibition Creamery

PROHIBITION CREAMERY

Three words: boozy ice cream.

1407 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, prohibitioncreamery.com

SEE ALSO: Boozy Ice Cream At Austin’s First Alcoholic Ice Cream Shop

 

SPUN ICE CREAM

Can you tell I really love ice cream? Spun makes their ice cream with liquid nitrogen right before your eyes!

1912 E 7th St, spunicecream.com

 

BLENDER & BOWLS

For a healthier dessert, Blender & Bowls has all-natural smoothies and Instagram-worthy acai bowls.

206 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701, blendersandbowls.com

 

SUGAR MAMA’S

For cupcakes and cakes, Sugar Mama’s is the local favorite. They also make mini cupcakes if you place an order in advance. Sugar Mama’s also has vegan options!

2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722, sugarmamasbakeshop.com


BEST HAPPY HOURS IN EAST AUSTIN

 

Grizzelda's Brunch

GRIZZELDAS

I’ve been to Grizzeldas more times than any other restaurant in Austin this year. The food is just so good and perfect for sharing, and the frozen margarita is addicting. Happy hour is Wednesday through Saturday from 5 – 7pm & all night Sunday.

105 Tillery St. Austin, TX 78702, grizzeldas.com

 

JACOBY’S

Happy hour at Jacoby’s is all day on Tuesdays from 5 – 9 pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 5 – 7 pm. $2 off wines by the glass, $2 off all draft beers, $2 off all snacks and $7 mules.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, jacobysaustin.com

 

TAKOBA

Happy hour is Monday – Friday from 3 – 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 3 – 4pm with $1 off all tragos and draft beer, 1/2 price appetizers and $6 ceviche. The queso fundido with my jam.

1411 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, takobarestaurant.com

 

LICHA’S CANTINA

Escape to Mexico City at Licha’s Cantina with their $5 happy hour – margaritas, palomas, quesadillas, verduras, and more.

306 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, lichascantina.com


BEST BARS FOR DRINKS IN EAST AUSTIN

Ah Sing Den

AH SING DEN

There’s a chicken that runs around on the patio so opt for inside if you’re not a farm animal person. This is a great spot to start out your night with appetizers and a few drinky, drinks before heading out.

1100 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, ahsingden.com

 

WHISLER’S

Calling all mezcal lovers, get your fix at the upstairs bar at Whistler’s. Brace yourself, it’s strong.

1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, whislersatx.com

 

WEATHER UP

My idea of a perfect weekend? Spending the day hanging out at the Weather Up bar with craft cocktails.

1808 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, weatherupnyc.com

 

KITTY COHEN’S

Escape to East Austin’s Palm Spring-inspired patio bar with a 1970s aesthetic. There’s a pool too!

2211 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702, kittycohens.com


THINGS TO DO IN EAST AUSTIN

East Austin Succulents

EAST AUSTIN SUCCULENTS

When I’m needing some zen in my life, I go to East Austin Succulents. There are rows and rows of cactus, succulents, and all the plants imagined.

801 Tillery St, Austin, TX 78702, eastaustinsucculents.com

SEE ALSO: Where To Buy Succulents In Austin

 

RAVEN & LILY

East Austin has a sprinkling of various clothing and home goods boutiques. Raven + Lily is a chic boutique that carries fair grade jewelry, cothing, accestories, and gifts handmade with naturally dyed fabrics and locally sourced, eco-friendly materials.

2406 Manor Rd C, Austin, TX 78722, ravenandlily.com

 

HOPE Farmers Market

Shop for local goods and produce at the Hop Farmers Market every Sunday from 11am – 3pm.

412 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702, hopefarmersmarket.org

WRITTEN BY:

Jane Ko is the Austin blogger behind A Taste of Koko, Austin's top food and travel blog featuring the hottest restaurants and weekend getaways. Jane has been a speaker at South by Southwest (SXSW), Texas Conference for Women, BlogHer, and more on entrepreneurship and social media. She lives in Austin Texas with her dog and cat.

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