South Congress Avenue: 20 Things To Do

June’s is a small, trendy Parisian cafe; with its size, it is best for a date or smaller groups, and if you can’t get a reservation, you may be able to snag a spot at the bar if you come early!

An all-time favorite dish of theirs is the Croque Madame; it is a pretty big plate, so it’s the perfect pick for brunch and will hold you over until dinner.

Two Hands is one of the best places to get all the Austin and South Congress vibes, their patio is tucked away into a beautiful area right next to many amazing stores.

They also have a walk up coffee window to grab a drink while you wait or just pass by if you don’t want to sit down.

The restaurant is on the smaller side, so it is best for smaller groups or dates.

Café No Sé is located in the South Congress Hotel and is a bit bigger than the previous two restaurants and can accommodate larger groups.

They have a beautiful indoor area and patio with plenty of seating while still keeping the calm vibes of a coffee shop setting.

The food is a mix of traditional Southern and Tex-Mex, making it the perfect representation of Austin.

Jo’s is an Austin favorite, while you can find their beloved shops all around the city and even at the airport, the South Congress spot is their original location and has so much charm.

It is home to the iconic “I love you so much” mural as well, making it the perfect spot for your coffee and a cute photo!

If you’re wanting to try something new and sweet, check out their special coffee on tap, the “Turbo”.

Mañana is known for its specialty menu with so many fun coffees and teas to choose from.

Their shop is super cozy and cute but has minimal seating for how busy it can get, so if you’re looking for a place to stop by and get your drink to go, this is the perfect spot.

The Austin Motel is home to the famous sign you have probably seen all over Instagram and Pinterest, but that is not where the photo opportunities end.

The whole hotel and pool area has a cute retro vibe that is perfect for pictures and it is located in a great central location with so many great shops and restaurants around.

This store has many knick knacks, toys and stationery; it is the perfect place to get a gift or something small to remember your trip to Austin.

This vintage store has a selection of women’s clothing ranging from special occasion dresses to everyday wear, they also have shoes and accessories.

This store has more boots than you have ever seen before, ranging in colors, styles, and sizes. If you’re looking for a new pair of boots, a hat, or western accessories.

While Tecovas stores are beginning to pop up in other places, this is their flagship location.

You can shop for boots while you sip complimentary drinks, or if you already have a pair of Tecovas boots, you can get them stretched, shined, and branded.

Sezane is a Parisian fashion brand that is known for its knits and timeless pieces with a sophisticated French flare.

They opened their pop-up on South Congress last Spring and have just recently announced they will be staying for another year!

This store is a high-end perfumery where you are sure to find your perfect scent.

They have many different products to sample and choose from, and if you’re still not sure, you can purchase small sample bottles to take home with you and try out.

If you are looking to take a custom cowboy hat home from Austin, look no further than Maufrais.

They have a custom hat bar with designers to help you create the hat of your dreams.

Güeros’s is the perfect casual sit-down restaurant to stop in; they have plenty of seating, a self-serve salsa station, and popular hand-shaken margaritas. They also have live music in their Oak Garden!

While they have many tables inside and outside, they do not take reservations. Usually, a smaller group can get in quickly, but if you have a larger group, there may be a longer wait.

Home Slice is an Austin local favorite. They have great pizza by the slice if you want something quick and simple, but if you want something bigger, their meatball and Italian subs are amazing!

With the restaurant’s popularity, they are almost always busy, but they have added a secondary storefront next door for extra space, and they have outdoor seating.

Aba is one of the trendiest places in South Congress. Between their great food, drinks, and amazing ambiance, this is one you can’t miss.

They have covered outdoor seating under some shops, indoor seating, and a beautiful patio.

This place is always packed so making a reservation is definitely a necessity and so worth it!

Neighborhood Sushi is known to be one of the best places for sushi in Austin. The restaurant faces the main street but has an entrance in the back from the parking area instead.

This, along with its dark and classy ambiance, gives it a speakeasy vibe. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the rest of the South Congress area.

This is the perfect spot for a date night or for smaller groups.

Vespaio is an intimate Italian restaurant with homemade pasta and an extensive wine list.

Due to the fact that everything is made from scratch, guests can expect to spend a longer time here than usual, which makes it the perfect setting for a romantic evening.

This is a great place to check out for many reasons: the music and service are always good, and it attracts a crowd of locals and visitors alike.

There is a $20 cover charge that must be in cash, so keep that in mind if you plan on stopping by here, but it is completely worth it for the quintessential Austin live music experience that you get at The Continental Club.

White Tiger is a dive bar with an outdoor patio and live music, making it the perfect place to stop in for a drink and enjoy the vibes.

They have many specialty shots and craft beers to choose from, they also have a photobooth so you can get your own souvenir of your time on South Congress.