Austin - Insider Guide 2026
Downtown: Second Street
2025-09-20 14:21:46
Stop, shop and stroll in this funloving, pedestrian-friendly district. Step into chic boutiques by day and lounge on leafy patios with a cocktail in hand by night.
DINING
Mexican flavors are right at home here. Share short ribs with mole coloradito and fresh hamachi crudo in ATX Cocina’s bright, open dining room. Mexico City-style La Condesa is modern and fresh, with must-try queso flameado and more than 100 agave spirits. Perched poolside at the Austin Proper Hotel, La Piscina specializes in fresh Gulf seafood and sizzling shareable fajitas. Dress your street tacos or enchiladas just right at Polvos with their self-serve salsa bar.
Once a general store, Lamberts is now a high-end BBQ destination serving slow-smoked meats and exceptional cocktails. Relax at Jo’s Coffee with an Iced Turbo and breakfast taco or grab food to-go from the window. Come to upscale Bill’s Oyster for the fresh raw bar but stay for the decadent brisket and short rib burger.
Earthy and chic The Well offers fresh, sustainable seafood and smoothies free from gluten, soy and dairy. At elegant Ember Kitchen, buttery scallops and wagyu are cooked over a special charcoal grill-oven hybrid. Basement Subterra Agave Bar features Latin spirits like mezcal, sotol and, of course, tequila. Try delicate sushi and yakitori bites like chicken thigh and kinoko mushrooms at Uchibā, a midcentury-inspired izakaya.
SHOPPING
Walk the tree-lined streets of the 2ND Street District to find boutiques ranging from laidback to luxe. Shop for Tito’s Handmade Vodka merch and souvenirs at Love, Tito’s, where proceeds support nonprofit causes. Quirky Austin Rocks! is packed with music-themed apparel and locally made jewelry. Kids go crazy for Toy Joy, with science kits, stuffies, model kits and collectibles.
Corner store Royal Blue Grocery has snacks and sweets perfect for a picnic on Lady Bird Lake. Find the hottest styles in footwear at Sneaker Politics, with trainers and tees from all the top brands. Browse designer jewelry like stackable rings and necklaces at Eliza Page, designed by local and global artisans.
From rocker Jack White to comedian Taylor Tomlinson, major talent takes to the stage at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. The 90-minute ACL Live Venue Tour goes behind the curtain with insider stories and music memorabilia. Want to attend a taping of the long-running Austin City Limits television show? Tickets are distributed by random drawing, so enter the lottery and cross your fingers!
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