Neighborhood Guide
A Curated Guide to East Austin, Texas
September 16, 2024
Our trusted travel partners at Essentialist have created a detailed guide to Texas’s East Austin neighborhood, showcasing what makes the neighborhood unique, its must-see attractions, and the top spots for dining and drinks.
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About the neighborhood
The city’s most famous motto, Keep Austin Weird, is largely due to the eclectic charm of its East Austin neighborhood. Once a predominantly African American and Latino community, East Austin has seen modern revitalization while maintaining its rich cultural heritage. The area is known for its colorful murals, independent art galleries, and thriving music scene, reflecting Austin’s creative spirit. Visitors will find historic homes and locally owned shops next to trendy restaurants and bars offering everything from Texas barbeque to innovative farm-to-table cuisine.
The authentic community fosters a laid-back, cool vibe enticing hipsters, classic Texan folk, and the stylish set to enjoy its outdoor patios, food trucks, trendy hospitality havens, and live music. Its proximity to downtown makes it a convenient yet more relaxed alternative to the city’s bustling core while still offering plenty to do and see. Exploring the quintessential neighborhood will undoubtedly give an authentic taste of what gives the capital city its beloved weird moniker.
Where to eat
Suerte
This cool contemporary outpost celebrates the flavors and cooking techniques of Mexico. Farm-to-table ingredients shine in masa-based dishes like the signature Suadero Tacos with housemade black magic chili oil, succulent carnitas, and a decadent ChocoTaco dessert. Suerte’s next-door cocktail bar, daydreamer, and sister seafood restaurant and bar, Este and Bar Toti, bring more culinary innovation to the neighborhood.
La Barbecue
The locally sourced meat and low-and-slow method of cooking their legendary barbeque put La Barbeque in the upper echelons of Texas cuisine. The menu’s housemade sausages and specialty sandwiches add a unique flair to the smoked classics. Standing in the fast-moving line shouldn’t intimidate, especially with one of their ice-cold cocktails and local brews.
Paperboy
Named one of the best brunch restaurants in the country, the gourmet breakfast menu in its modern, fresh space is a showstopper. Known for artisanal coffees, housemade pastries, and an extensive menu of morning classics with a culinary twist, enjoying a meal on their outdoor patio and lively rooftop is a solid start to any day.
Justine’s
This moody neighborhood staple is a classic French brasserie mixed with cool funk. The dimly lit bungalow and charming patio welcome the groovy Austin for steak frites, escargot, and homemade baguettes set until midnight, with guests enjoying the lively scene until the wee hours.
Uptown Sports Club
Barbeque legend Aaron Franklin brought back this 1950s neighborhood watering hole to modern glory. Keeping with its history, Uptown Sports Club beckons early risers with a coffee and breakfast menu. It continues to serve its Lousiana meets Texas cuisine, including Po’boys, raw oysters, and fried chicken, until late at night.
Juan in a Million
Visiting a Tex-Mex diner is a must in East Austin. Since its opening in the eighties, the family-owned establishment has continued to serve mouthwatering classics like Huevos Rancheros, Menudo, and its famously enormous Don Juan taco, all with fluffy homemade tortillas.
Birdie’s
Topping practically every culinary award list, Birdie’s is a forward-thinking restaurant with innovation and local ingredients at its core. The casual counter service, mixed with its fine dining menu of pasta, meats, and vegetable-forward small plates, makes it a cool high-low concept with a lively dinner party vibe.
Juniper
Regularly ranked among the top 10 restaurants in the city by the Austin American-Statesman, Juniper masterfully blends hyper-seasonal, locally sourced Texas ingredients with old-world Italian techniques. The result is a menu that feels both comforting and innovative, a balance of rustic tradition and modern flair that defines the dining experience here.
