We are so excited to have you all in Austin! Here is a list of some of our favorite spots around town. Please keep in mind that you will be here during a very busy season, we recommend making reservations for restaurants well in advance.
This is definitely the place to grab lunch while you're strolling South Congress! The burger here is our favorite in Austin.
When Meredith's mom and sister visit, this is always their first stop! You can sometimes get in for an early lunch without a reservation. Ask to sit on the patio and order a bottle of rosé, it's the Jones girl way!
This is where we met in 2019! Our first apartment together was also right above this restaurant. Get a table on the patio and order the Cacio e Pepe.
If you're staying at the Origin Hotel or in the Mueller area, this is a great place to grab a bite and a beer. Plenty of TV's to catch a game too! Waverly recommends stopping by Lick afterwards for an ice cream treat!
If you're looking for true Tex-Mex, this is your place! Matt's El Rancho is an Austin staple. Heads up, this place gets busy! We recommend stopping in for lunch or an early dinner (they do not take reservations). Order a Bob Armstrong Dip and a Mexican Martini!
If you're looking for Tiki drinks and a delicious burger, you're in the right spot! Take a swim at Deep Eddy Pool next door and stop in here after.
Ready to camp out for some Texas barbecue? This is probably the most popular spot in Austin and for good reason, it's delicious! But it's important to know that people start lining up for Franklin's around 6 or 7 am and stay in line until they open at 11. You can BYOB if you plan to wait in line. Some games usually help the time pass quickly too!
Looking for Texas barbecue but don't have time to wait all morning for Franklin's? This is your next best option! Greg thinks it's the best brisket in town. Don't let the long line deter you, it moves pretty fast and there is a bar available for people waiting in line. Parking isn't great here, we recommend taking an Uber or Lyft.
Whisler's is a unique cocktail bar with a mezcal bar upstairs. The food truck, Golden Tiger, is also great. If you're planning on spending your evening on the east side, this is a good place to get started!
Don't be confused by the name! This brewery is not in the Zilker park neighborhood. Zilker beer is great and the food truck, Spicy Boys, is a Greg favorite as well!
We love Lazarus coffee and breakfast tacos if you find yourself here in the morning. Or stop in for a beer, Meredith's favorite is the 40 Days and 40 Nights, Greg prefers the Lightning Wolf. Highly recommend Lazarus if you are meeting up with a large group.
If you're looking for a dive bar and a place to watch football, this is the spot! The food here is one of Greg's favorites in downtown Austin, he recommends the ribeye quesadilla. Gopher fans, keep in mind, this is a Wisconsin bar!
Get your cowboy boots out and learn how to two-step! If you want some true old Austin vibes, stop in here for a drink and live music. Heads up, there is usually a cover to get in on the weekend so you will need cash.
While Rainey Street certainly isn't what it used to be, this bar still holds a special place in our hearts! This is the first place Meredith met Greg's family.
This one is for all of our bourbon lovers. It's a great place to stop in if you're doing a bar crawl down E. 6th street. This is one of our favorite late-night date spots with Stephen and Jenny!
Stop in for a coffee, cocktails or tacos! This is a great spot to meet up with a group during the day. If you find yourself here, we highly recommend the frozen boozy coffee!
If you're trying to get a large group together, this is the perfect place. There is plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. The pizza is delicious and there is often live music. If you find yourself here on Saturday or Sunday there is usually a pop up of local artists!
If you're wanting to get outside and explore, the Greenbelt is a great place to do it. The hikes range from easy to moderate. If the weather is warm, bring a bathing suit and take a dip in one of the swimming holes! Our favorite hike is The Hill of Life.
The famous Austin bats! Over one million bats live under the South Congress Bridge in the heart of downtown Austin. Every night 30-60 minutes prior to sunset the bats fly out from under the bridge. Hundreds of people gather to watch it every night! You will be in Austin right after peak season, but there will still be plenty flying each night!
Greg's family rented a donut boat from Capital Cruises a couple of years ago and had a great time! You can pack a cooler and spend the day out on the water.
If you're looking to get a run in or a walk with some nice scenery, this is the perfect trail! You can access the trail from many areas around downtown.
We've been warning you all about Zilker park and here it is on our list! If you're feeling adventurous and want to experience Austin City Limits Music Festival, it can be found at Zilker Park while you're in town! Since we are getting married on Friday, it could be fun to get a single day ticket to the festival on Saturday or Sunday. Keep an eye out for the line up (it usually comes out in May) to see if anyone you are interested in is playing! Please note that you will not be able to access the park if you are not attending the music festival.
If you're staying at the Origin or in the Mueller area, this is a great place to take a morning run or walk, there is a trail that goes around the whole neighborhood. Keep your eye out for some familiar faces in this area!