When I had to go to San Antonio for work this year, I knew this was an excellent opportunity to fit a foodie weekend in Austin, Texas. After all, it has been on my list for a while. I called a few cousins and we embarked on an exciting weekend of fun in one of the country’s best southern cities.
Where to Stay
W Austin: This hotel is seriously fabulous. From the décor to the dining options to the pool to the service, it will exceed your expectations. Rooms are spacious, with huge beds, sitting areas, and luxurious bathrooms. Be sure to grab drinks in the “Living Room” before or after dinner; it has a fantastic drink list and a DJ spinning tunes daily after 9pm. The location is also ideal: walking distance to restaurants and sites like Congress Bridge. Follow my advice and book a room if this you will be spending a in weekend in Austin anytime soon, it’s THE place to stay!
What to Do
The city is filled with fun activities. The hard part is deciding what to do when you just have a weekend in Austin. Here are my picks:
Barton Spring Pools: If you are visiting Austin in the spring or summer, you need to visit this spot. And by need to, I really mean it because you will want to cool off! The pools are fed from underground springs, so they are delightfully cool. There is plenty of grass for sunbathing, and then you can jump in as often as you like.
Congress Avenue Bridge/Lady Bird Lake: Every evening from March to October, over a million bats hide under the congress bridge, which crosses over Lady Bird Lake. Around sunset they all take off at the same time, which makes for a truly unique site! It is the largest urban bat colony in the world. There are also daytime and evening boat tours on the lake, which are a great way to see the city from a unique perspective.
Daytime pool party at the W Austin’s Wet Deck: Rent a cabana, order some cocktails and get ready for some serious relaxation. You can order snacks like chips and salsa or fresh fruit, sip drinks in the pool, people watch or just doze off on in a cabana. Music, sunshine, and friendly staff are in abundance: the makings for a perfect day.
Where to Eat and Drink
Let’s be realistic: the main reason to spend a weekend in Austin is to eat and drink!
El Naranjo: This is one of the best Mexican food meals I have had the pleasure of consuming. Located on Rainey Street, which is lined with bars and restaurant, this upscale but cozy venue not only offers fantastic, boozy margaritas, but delicious fare from appetizers to dessert. The guacamole is creamy and freshly made, the best way to kick off your meal. The veggie tacos include sautéed veggies doused in a smoky pasilla chili sauce, and mushroom empanadas are buttery, crispy and hearty.
For my entrée, I had grilled veggies smothered in mole sauce and it was divine. You can choose from mole negro, which is a bold, dark, savory, cocoa-infused mole, mole verde which is a green mole, or mole amarillo, a light and herbaceous mole. Desserts change with the seasons, but all of their selections are great – if you saved room. El Naranjo is open for lunch, brunch and dinner.
The Beer Plant: There’s nothing that will cure your hangover like brunch at the beer plant. This vegetarian gastropub has beer, as well as champagne cocktails, and hangover curing dishes like biscuits and gravy, “chicken” and waffles, and a hearty potato and tofu scramble hash, with avocado, mushrooms and tomatoes. For something lighter, get the bagel with carrot lox, avocado toast, or tofu egg sandwich. Really, you can’t go wrong!
East 6th Street: If you are looking for a rowdy crowd, head to East 6th Street. The street is lined with bars, some with rooftops, some with dancefloors, and even one with a giant jackalope statue. You can easily bar hop, and plenty offer great local beers and picnic bench style seating.
Trace: The W Austin’s signature restaurant has a gorgeous, modern décor, with indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a seat on their patio for brunch, order a mimosa and treat yourself to lemon poppyseed pancakes, grapefruit avocado toast, fresh fruit, or freshly fried donut holes.
Wu Chow: When you get sick of all the Mexican food and BBQ fare, take a break by visiting Wu Chow. This classy Chinese food restaurant has some delectable choices, including noodles and veggies swirled in a peanut and sesame sauce, dry fried green beans, sweet and sour eggplant, Texas okra tossed in a wok with ginger and chili peppers, and veggie fried rice.
A Weekend in Austin: The Verdict
A weekend in Austin is the perfect sun and food filled escape. Foodies will be able to stuff themselves and there are plenty of options for sightseeing or just some r&r!
