Drinks

Mañana Coffee
Not your average hotel coffee shop! Mañana has fabulous pastries (might we suggest the kouign-amman or the everything kolache) and our favorite coffee in town. Plus, it’s conveniently located in the bottom of the South Congress Hotel.

Donn’s Depot
One of the original honky tonk joints in town, built into the old train depot (and a train car!). Come two-step with live music! One of Rachel and Weston’s first date spots. 

Deep Eddy Cabaret
Right down the road from Donn’s, this is a true local’s watering hole. No frills, just cold, cheap Lone Star pitchers. (Not to be confused with the vodka distillery.)

Lazarus Brewing Co.
Great brewery with tasty snacks and some hilariously “punny” beers. Located on the East Side. When we have been out of town for awhile or are looking for a casual afternoon in the sun, we always head to Lazarus for some excellent brews. 

ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewery)
Beer + Live Music. Delicious pizza. Happening place. Do it. 

Watershed
Tucked away off the courtyard in the South Congress Hotel, this swanky Japanese cocktail bar (located in the same spot as sister restaurant Otoko) is our favorite spot in town for elevated cocktails. When you enter, let the hostess know you’re stopping in for a drink.

Eats

Polvo’s Mexican Restaurant
(South First Location - The Original)
Our favorite Tex-Mex in town! About a 4-minute drive or a 10-minute walk from South Congress Hotel. Victoria lager with a large bowl of queso and the Enchiladas de la Casa may be Rachel’s ideal meal.

Joann’s Fine Foods
An excellent kitchen, open late! Just a couple of blocks down from the South Congress Hotel, at the historic Austin Motel. The green pea guacamole  + house-made chips are a standard order for us. Can’t lose on any of the specialty dishes — Weston chows down on the Rice Bowl with Chicken and Rachel swears by the Green Chicken Enchiladas. (Are you sensing a theme?)

Bouldin Creek Cafe
(Vegetarian)
Awesome spot and delicious food, whether you’re vegetarian or not! We frequent this spot for a healthy bite. Rachel loves the Bouldin House Omelet and the Massaman Curry. Weston always picks the El Tipico (with a side of black refried beans), morning or night! Did we mention that breakfast is available all day?

Ramen Tatsuya
The line is worth the wait! Sometimes, a piping hot bowl of ramen just sounds great. Weston goes traditional with the Original Tonkostu while Rachel kicks it up with the Tonkostu Sho-yu + Chili Bomb. Share the gyoza and add a corn bomb to your ramen for the full effect!

Mattie’s at Green Pastures
What can we say? Mattie’s offers some of Austin’s finest Southern food. Set in an old Farm House nestled in a canopy of Live Oaks, we love to head here to celebrate or have a nice night out. Rachel hosted Weston’s surprise 30th birthday dinner here, which Weston’s family loved. Keep an eye out for the peacocks!

Fun

Run or Walk the Town Lake Trail
After all these years in Austin, this remains one of our favorite things to do. Start at Auditorium Shores and head west to the Mopac Bridge for a four-mile loop, or start at the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge and head west to the Mopac Bridge for a three-mile loop. Or, if you head east from Congress Avenue, the boardwalk is especially cool to check out.

Lazy Afternoon at Zilker Park
Some of the best days in Austin are spent lounging in the sunshine in Zilker Park. Grab a picnic lunch and head out to the expansive green space south of Barton Springs Road. (Drive west until you’ve passed Azie Morton Drive and crossed over Barton Creek.) You can also check out the Zilker Botanical Gardens while there, or rent a paddle board or kayak and spend some time on the water.

Visit the Texas State Capitol
Free to tour, it is the largest state capitol! The grounds are great to walk around or to picnic. Once upon a time, Weston had to run with the Governor around here early in the morning after a long night out. 

C-Boy’s Heart and Soul
Live blues music, right down the street from South Congress Hotel. Sometimes Stevie Ray Vaughn’s brother, Jimmy, stops in.