restaurant and bar recommendations for Bay Area foodie visting Austin

10/06/2006 Carrie "Carrie C." C. says:

I love the Salt Lick.  But Lockhart is supposed to have the best barbeque in the state.  Will you have a car?  That's the big question.  If you don't have a car your choices will be limited.

10/07/2006 Belle M. says:

no car.  I think our hotel will be on 5th St.  Is there anything nearby?

10/08/2006 Michael S. says:

This post was removed by a Yelp admin.

10/09/2006 Meridith H. says:

Ironworks is good BBQ that is walkable downtown but Salt Lick is the best (but 30 minutes outside of town).  There is not a lot of BBQ downtown.   Austin is very cab friendly if you want to be in the downtown/campus area.  I loved Moonshine, which is downtown, but it has mixed reviews on Yelp.  It is trendy, which tends to turn a lot of Yelpers off.  Castle Hill cafe, East Side Cafe and Cafe Josie are all classic, delicious and middle of the row pricewise.  If you want to be part of the scene, Malaga has good tapas and Vespaio has incredible italian (although a bit pricey and be prepared to wait...no reservations).  For Tex-Mex, Trudy's and Hula Hut are my favorite Austinish spots.  Hula Hut is on the lake and the atmosphere is great!

For bars, I think that Cedar Street, Speakeasy and Molotov are all great Austin bars.  They are in the warehouse district.  You should probably take a walk down 6th for the experience but it is a lot of youngsters.  The Aquarium is full of meatheads, but always packed and Logan's is one of the few cool places.  

Have fun!

10/10/2006 Brian "I don't think you can give YOURSELF a nickname" B. says:

i'm a bay area guy who thinks that austin is about the greatest place on earth. when in austin, i never ever miss the continental club. it's a great bar and an easy cab ride. but i'm sure the locals can give you better info.

10/10/2006 Belle M. says:

Thanks everyone.  I'm excited to check these places out.  Although I probably won't have time to go to all of them b/c I'm actually there to attend a conference.  I heard alot of great things about Austin, many Bay Area folks say it has a SF vibe, is that true?

10/10/2006 Clarisa R. says:

I think it does!

10/16/2006 Kim J. says:

If you are downtown w/no car, definitely try IronWorks for BBQ.  It's so good.  For authentic tex mex-Las Manitas is downtown on Congress and 2nd street.  And cheap, really cheap.  A lil more expensive go SoCo (south congress) to Guerros.  Some cool shops to check out there too.  
I don't know how old you are.  You need to walk down and see 6th street.  This is a younger spot, college age.  Library and Aquarium, Blind pig pub, and chuggin monkey. Logan's is cool too.  They do this thing w/music and video that you should see.  You want a really cheap eclectic (kinda dark) bar but has the best burgers, Casino el Camino on 6th.  
later 20s and 30s, go to 4th street area.
Laid back atmosphere.  I like Lavaca St. Bar, Lil Woodrows, Fado, Opal Divines downtown.  Acutally a bunch of new bars opened up.  I've only tried out Union Park, but in the same area, a lil more fancy (but it's Austin and you go anywhere, anyway you want) Star bar,Union Park, Belmont, Molotov, and Key bar.  The weather is getting nicer so outside seating a plus.
I think you should definitely cab up to Hula Hut, prolly like 7 min from downtown.  It's on our slowly depleting lake (well actually that lake is regulated and is fine) and has a decent sunset, great drinks (if you're adventurous get a fish bowl and share otherwise ask for a marg blended w/all 3 flavors--i know sounds crazy, but it's good)   and good texmex fusion menu.  I love most things on this menu.  You should definitely ask for creamy jalepeno ranch for your chips.  This is good on just about anything.  
Sports Bar-Ringers or Fox and Hound.

Place to be seen bars-Six (owned by Lance Armstrong), Foundation, Hi Lo, Betty, Lucky Lounge
Hipster Whiskey Bar and Red Fez
Dancing-Cedar street(live music), Speak easy(might be salsa on the wekends) Vicci, Cuba Libre (great mojitos).
Live bands Antones, everywhere you turn actually (check out the austin chronicle for music listings)
Whew...just wanted to give you some options.

10/16/2006 Belle M. says:

Thanks for all the great tips.  I will be heading to Austin this weekend and I am quite excited to try all the great recommendations, hopefully if time permits.