Overview
East Austin is a district of Austin, to the north of Lady Bird Lake and to the east of IH-35. This includes the area set aside as the "Negro district" in the infamous 1928 official city segregation plan, and "Mexicans" were informally encouraged to concentrate here. Nowadays, some areas of East Austin are strongly gentrifying.
2 sights · 11 things to do · 12 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about East
Texas State Cemetery
This is the state burying ground for Texas politicians, cultural figures and Republic of Texas heroes. Texas luminaries buried within its grounds include Stephen F. Austin, John Connally, Barbara Jordan, Darrell Royal an…
Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail
formerly known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, the 10.1-mile trail creates a complete circuit around Lady Bird Lake. It is one of the oldest urban Texas hike and bike paths. The trail is the longest trail designed …
Women & Their Work Gallery
A visual and performing art organization that serves as a catalyst for contemporary art created by women living and working in Texas and beyond. For over 30 years, W&TW has brought groundbreaking art to Austin, with …
Metz park
Has cheap classes for all ages, basketball, baseball, soccer fields, a swimming pool and a rec center. The rec center is air conditioned with fooseball, a pool table and clean restrooms. Outside the rec is a free water p…
East Austin Studio Tour
This wildly popular annual event has, as of 2009, expanded to the two weekends prior to Thanksgiving, with additional events throughout the week between. Artists working in East Austin open their studios to the public fo…
The Off Center
Rude Mechanicals (Rude Mechs) manages this space.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Oct. (climate data from nearby Austin)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- AUS Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- GRK Killeen Regional Airport / Robert Gray Army Airfield, Fort Cavazos — 55 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $5 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Texas State Cemetery, Women & Their Work Gallery, Metz park
- Lunch Angie's Mexican Restaurant
- Afternoon ALLGO, Salvage Vanguard
- Dinner Cisco's Restaurant and Bakery
- Evening The Volstead Lounge
Day 2
- Morning Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, The Blue Theater, The Off Center
- Lunch El Zunzal Restaurant
- Afternoon East Austin Studio Tour, Rude Mechs
- Dinner Casa Colombia
- Evening The Grackle
Day 3
- Morning The Vortex, Aztlan Dance Company
- Lunch Mi Madres
- Afternoon Physical Plant
- Dinner Vic & Al's
- Evening The White Horse
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are plenty of great places to eat in East Austin.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
See
See Texas State Cemetery
This is the state burying ground for Texas politicians, cultural figures and Republic of Texas heroes. Texas luminaries buried within its grounds include Stephen F. Austin, John Connally, Barbara Jordan, Darrell Royal and Ann Richards. The cemetery is open 365 days a year from 8AM to 5PM. Audio tours are available at the office at 909 Navasota Street or can be downloaded for free from the website. Admittance is free, but can be limited during a funeral.
See Women & Their Work Gallery
A visual and performing art organization that serves as a catalyst for contemporary art created by women living and working in Texas and beyond. For over 30 years, W&TW has brought groundbreaking art to Austin, with exhibitions, performances, literary readings and educational workshops.
Do
Do Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail
formerly known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, the 10.1-mile trail creates a complete circuit around Lady Bird Lake. It is one of the oldest urban Texas hike and bike paths. The trail is the longest trail designed for non-motorized traffic maintained by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and watched after by a local non-profit named the Trail Foundation.
The East side practically has a park and a swimming pool every five blocks.
Do Metz park
Has cheap classes for all ages, basketball, baseball, soccer fields, a swimming pool and a rec center. The rec center is air conditioned with fooseball, a pool table and clean restrooms. Outside the rec is a free water park for the young'uns. The hike and bike trails are in pristine condition since they don't get the wear and tear that the trails get on the west side of I-35.
Do East Austin Studio Tour
This wildly popular annual event has, as of 2009, expanded to the two weekends prior to Thanksgiving, with additional events throughout the week between. Artists working in East Austin open their studios to the public for sales of contemporary art and some crafts.
Theatres
Performance companies
Do Aztlan Dance Company
Do Rude Mechs
Do Physical Plant
Do Salvage Vanguard
Learn
Buy
Known to the locals as the Piñata District, east Austin has plenty of piñata stores.
Shop HOPE Farmers Market
Weekly community gathering space where local farmers, artisans, community groups, families, and urban consumers can find fresh foods, community programs, artistic creations, agricultural education and wellness workshops. Aims to introduce those in the Austin area to surrounding area farms, healthy lifestyle companies, education in the arts and local community volunteer programs.
Eat
There are plenty of great places to eat in East Austin.
Eat Angie's Mexican Restaurant
Good Tex-Mex with its own loyal customers. It is in an older house on a hill with a good view of downtown. They also have outdoor seating but the deck needs some updating.
Eat Casa Colombia
Authentic Colombian food; absolutely delicious. Try the yucca root (yuca) and the empanadas.
Eat Cisco's Restaurant and Bakery
President Lyndon B. Johnson's favorite breakfast spot is still going strong. This historic eastside spot offers outstanding migas, huevos rancheros and fajitas, and don't miss the fresh biscuits.
Eat El Zunzal Restaurant
Tamales in banana leaves make a meal with just one or two. Pupusas, mondongo, salpicon, yuca, various tacos, and aguas frescas round off the experience.
Eat Franklin Barbecue
Super popular (and rightfully so) place just east of I-35. It started as a trailer, but they now have a small restaurant. They open at 11AM and only serve food until they sell out. Be warned; folks start lining up incredibly early. If you arrive later than 10 or 10:30AM on a usual day, you may not get food. It's easily worth the wait if you have the time; their brisket is the best in Texas.
Eat Joe's Bakery & Mexican Food
Has good Tex-Mex and Mexican pastries. They are only open until 3PM and closed on Mondays. The staff is friendly and there is always at least a 10-minute wait on weekends but the tortillas are fresh and the food authentic Tex-Mex.
Eat Juan In A Million
Another Tex-Mex restaurant with a nice atmosphere and a shaded patio. The owner is always there to shake hands and meet the customers. The Don Juan breakfast plate is an Austin staple, especially if you are feeling the effects of last night's partying.
Eat Mr. Natural
This is a must try. Everything is organic and vegetarian and delicious. They also offer yoga classes and a vitamin store. Also they have all natural baked goods. Traditional Tex-Mex breakfasts (tofu migas) are done here with a vegetarian twist.
Eat Mi Madres
It's worth it for the deliciously cheap tacos. The staff is friendly and the small restaurant is filled with regulars. Nice patio; they also serve lunch. Amazing migas as well as chips and hot sauce.
Eat Sam's Bar-B-Cue
Open until 3AM and on the east side, which works well after leaving 6th St.
Eat Star Seeds Cafe
No-frills diner with a delicious Cuban sandwich.
Eat Vic & Al's
Delicious Louisiana cuisine and creative cocktails. Prices are fairly inexpensive (about $65-70 for a couple including 2 cocktails, 2 mains and 2 sides, not including tax and tip, as of January 2023). The restaurant is very popular, so you might have to wait for a table, but they have tables outside as well as inside.
Drink
Drink Bout Time II
Gay and lesbian.
Drink The Volstead Lounge
Good music, funky digs, patio area.
Drink The White Horse
Great rotation of everything honky-tonk. Check their website for a schedule of what's playing. Dancing and decent drink specials. Usually a good crowd.
Drink Brew and Brew
Locals' go-to for a local beer on-tap, coffee and rotating, curated cocktails. Great snacks, great people.
Sleep
Nearby
Pflugerville
City / town · 2 listings · 12 mi away
Bee Cave
City / town · 4 listings · 15 mi away
Round Rock
City / town · 10 listings · 15 mi away
Cedar Park
City / town · 3 listings · 17 mi away
Lakeway
City / town · 1 listings · 18 mi away
Driftwood
City / town · 4 listings · 23 mi away
Kyle
City / town · 3 listings · 23 mi away
Georgetown
City / town · 4 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
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