Austin - Insider Guide 2026
West Austin & Beyond
2025-09-22 06:56:11
Breathe deep in West Austin and the iconic Texas Hill Country. Letting go comes naturally here, thanks to sparkling lakes, rolling countryside and big blue skies.
DINING
It’s island time at Hula Hut, with Polynesian and Tex-Mex flavors served up on a Lake Austin deck. Next door, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters offers house-roasted coffee and pastries, plus daily live music and lake views. Heaping platters of brisket delight at The County Line on the Lake, overlooking a quiet creek. The backyard burgers and catfish baskets at Ski Shores Cafe evoke endless lakeside summers.
Hearty fajitas at The Oasis come with stunning Lake Travis sunsets from its multistory decks. Nearby, try an award-winning craft beer and an Angus beef burger at Oasis Texas Brewing Company.
Texas ease meets the Italian countryside at Laurel Restaurant, with fragrant pesto and house pasta. Enjoy simply prepared seafood with stunning Hill Country views at Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar. At Fresa’s, wood-grilled chicken and chimichurri skirt steak come with all the fixings.
At Sway, modern Thai curries and zingy noodles are served at communal tables. The sunny farm-to-table cafe at The Wayback features fresh heirloom veggies and local beef. Burger shack Pool Burger grills wagyu patties and mixes tropical tiki drinks near Deep Eddy Pool. The seafood at Shore Raw Bar & Grill is inspired by Louisiana, Mexico and the Texas Gulf Coast.
Dine well at shopping center Lantana Place. Upscale Mexico City import La Popular is tacotastic, from carnitas to quesabirria. At contemporary Tancho, sample chef-curated omakase sushi menus. Feast on bao and soup dumplings under hanging lanterns at Ling Wu Asian Restaurant.
Head to Littlefield’s Tacos + Coffee for a little bit of everything served under a vine-covered pergola, like all-day tacos at Veracruz All Natural, made with fresh veggies and house-made corn tortillas. The shaved ice at SnoRideATX is topped with sweet syrup and sparkling “fairy dust.” And Bésame features rotating ice cream flavors like lemon curd and ginger.
ENTERTAINMENT
Visit with the goats at 165- acre Jester King Brewery. Then, relax with award-winning farmhouse ales and live music. Deep Eddy Cabaret has been a neighborhood joint since 1951, with an old-school juke box and a pool table. Discover your new favorite varietal at Flo’s Wine Bar & Bottle Shop. Pop your bottle on the patio with a Stracciatella pie from on-site Allday Pizza.
OUTDOORS
Cruise along winding, tree-lined Lake Austin on a pontoon or jet ski. Larger Lake Travis is a popular destination for boating and fishing, as well as exploring its tiny islands.
Deep Eddy Pool is Texas’ oldest man-made swimming pool, fed by natural cool springs. Go hiking or birding at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve to spot endangered golden-cheeked warblers. Climb the 100+ stone steps up Mount Bonnell for sunset views over Lake Austin and Pennybacker Bridge.
Pups can run wild at cypresslined Red Bud Isle, a 13-acre off-leash dog park. Fly through the sky at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, with five high-speed lines over land and lake. Wander The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria’s 14-acre garden and sculpture park that surrounds an Italianate villa.
Pamper yourself! Lounge by the rooftop pool after treatments at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Add equine therapy to spa services at Miraval Austin. Or bliss out with a massage and champagne at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa. Personalized treatments at Lake Austin Spa Resort detox and tone. Spa Viata at Hotel Viata Austin offers Sicilian skincare and mineral baths.
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