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OUR FAVES
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Mint House – 1007 S Congress Ave
Location, location, location! This spot is “spot on” for overnighting in downtown Austin! Tucked into a refurbished apartment one block off of the center of South Congress (SoCo), The Mint House offers an ideal option, surprisingly quiet being so near the action.
Classy, cozy and overlooking a beautiful, shaded pool, this luxury apartment (for 1+ night stays) is in a prime location in the entertainment district. More spacious and comfortable than a hotel, this overnight option has a comfortable living area and up to a three bedroom apartment which sleeps eight people (1 & 2 bedrooms available). We loved that parking in the attached garage is included; you have access to a washer/dryer if needed, and the full kitchen sure comes in handy!
As an added amenity, The Mint House will take your grocery order beforehand and have your apartment stocked with all your F&B needs. If you’re just looking for a close place to stay with the option to chill by the pool, the Mint House is the place. Who doesn’t love (and need) a great mint!?
Facebook: @StayMintHouse
Twitter: @theminthouse
Instagram: @staymint
PLAY
Parker Jazz Club – 117 W 4th Street, Ste 107B
For an intimate musical experience that lives up to the reputation of Austin being the “Live Music Capital” of the world, head down to Parker Jazz Club, just off of famous Fourth, in the Warehouse District of downtown Austin. Just below Capital Grille, you’ll find this sleek and smooth jazz club trumpeting out the sounds of blues, jazz, and even a little reggae mixed in. Check out their calendar to see who’s drumming up a crowd on any given night.
Instagram: @parkerjazzclub
Facebook: @parkerjazzclub
NOSH
Convenient right on 2nd- it’s new and healthy! Rise and shine on Saturdays and Sundays at Local Foods with their new, fresh and seasonal weekend brunch service. Start your morning with something sweet like their Brioche French Toast made with thick cut Slow Dough brioche, peach compote, Good Flow honey ricotta, brown butter anglaise, and candied pumpkin seeds or opt for something savory like their House Smoked Salmon Sandwich made with smoked and cured salmon, scallion-caper cream cheese, house pickles, tomato, pickled red onion, sprouts, and pumpernickel bread. They also have brunch cocktails and mimosas available by the glass or carafe with orange, peach, or watermelon juice. Local Foods’ brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. View their full brunch menu here.
If you’re looking to order later in the day, we highly recommend their Crispy Chicken stuffed sandwich, the Taco Salad (it’s a twist; not your typical taco salad), and don’t rush out without grabbing a sweet muffin of the day as dessert! Overall, a trifecta: healthy, tasty and in the heart of the ATX.
Facebook: @LocalFoodsTexas
Instagram: @localfoodstexas
Bulevar Mexican Kitchen – 9400 Arboretum Blvd
It’s a little off the beaten path so you’re not vying with the downtown crowd for a reservation, table or parking! Opening late Aug/early Sept of 2022, this Spanish seafood fusion restaurant took over the prime location that used to be Z’Tejas near the Arboretum.
Latin America flavors come out of this 100% gluten-free kitchen. Bulevar Mexican Kitchen combines traditional Latin American flavors to create steak, seafood and chicken dishes that are paired with heirloom vegetables and cooked over live coals and shared among the table. The atmosphere of the bulevar is just as stunning as their food, with a lively vibe.
Their brief menu highlights apps such as the empanada (just one on a plate) and their fresh guacamole, and heartier entrees like the grilled shrimp or sea bass, each served with fresh street taco size corn tortillas.
Instagram: @bulevar_atx.
MORE OPTIONS
Austin Marriott Downtown –304 East Cesar Chavez St
Austin Marriott Downtown, located right in the thick of the City, features 31-stories with 613 guest rooms and 25 luxurious suites. This hotel’s reimagined, spacious, and elevated guest rooms start on level seven to capture all of Austin’s views, including the city skyline, Lady Bird Lake, the University of Texas campus, and in the distance, Texas Hill Country. Walking distance away from major tourist attractions, bars, and restaurants, this hotel is made for tourists and locals alike to have a chance to stay in the Live Music Capital of the World during the highly anticipated ACL weekends. As an added bonus, they have fantastic dining inside their hotel as well, including the next 3 below…
Facebook: @AustinMarriottDowntown
Instagram: @marriottatx
Corinne –304 East Cesar Chavez St
Featuring one of the largest outdoor patios on West Cesar Chavez Street, Corinne is an honest and fresh neighborhood dining and cocktail spot serving classic, authentic regional classics and American comfort food. From the featured Rotisserie Chicken to the Truffled Bucatini or the Crab Croquettes, lunch and dinner are complete with variety only available at Corinne. And don’t miss brunch, where guests can indulge in decadent Pecan Praline French Toast, warm House-made Biscuits to Sweet Corn Cake Eggs Benedict! Curate the perfect Austin experience by adding Corrine to your ACL weekend to-dos.
Facebook: @CorinneATX
Instagram: @corinneatx
Zanzibar – 304 E Cesar Chavez St Unit 700
Zanzibar is a lush tropical rooftop terrace and pool oasis with stunning views of downtown. It quickly became a popular spot among Austin locals and travelers alike, known as a socially distant outdoor rooftop where guests can escape the mundane, perfect for ACL weekend plans. It features its own street-level elevator access on San Jacinto Boulevard to transport you seven stories up and a world away. Zanzibar’s menu features modern tiki cocktails and island-inspired small plates. Specialty drinks are influenced by exotic spices grown right in Zanzibar, including cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and clove. Zanzibar is known as ‘spice island’ and was once the largest exporter of spices in the world, so the drink and food menus reflect Zanzibar’s unique sense of place and flavors.
Facebook: @ZanzibarAustin
Instagram: @zanzibaratx
The Lobbyist – 304 East Cesar Chavez St
Austin Marriott Downtown’s two-story bar and lounge, The Lobbyist, is a stylish meeting spot or a place to pause and reset during the ACL hustle and bustle while enjoying classic cocktails and fresh bites.
Facebook: @AustinMarriottDowntown
Instagram: @marriottatx
Trudy’s Tex-Mex – 1600 S Congress Ave
Whether you’re from out of town or a local to Austin, Trudy’s Tex Mex is a classic Austin staple, perfect for grabbing some authentic, made-from-scratch Tex-Mex food. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; their menu features signature drinks, loaded queso, tortilla soup, Brisket Tinga, chorizo-stuffed chicken, fudge brownies and much more. If you find yourself wanting to explore Austin outside of the city over ACL weekend, Trudy’s North and South star are the places to grab a tasty bite!
Twitter: @trudystexmex
Facebook: @trudystexmex
Instagram: @trudystexmex
Hotel Granduca Austin – 320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills
If you’re looking for a place to stay outside the hustle and bustle of ACL weekend, consider the newly renovated Hotel Granduca! The scenic hotel is located in the upscale West Lake Hills area, just a short 15-minute drive from the heart of downtown, offering guests the best of Austin’s natural abundance without sacrificing convenience. The 190,000-square ft. retreat sits on 38 acres of lush greenery and offers impeccable service with an authentic blend of Italian-inspired design and the relaxed, easy-going atmosphere that Austin is known for. Not to mention, their restaurant inside is phenomenal.
Facebook: @HotelGranducaAustin
Instagram: @hotelgranducaaustin
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Cover photo courtesy Bulevar Mexican Kitchen
Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She began her travel writing career in 2002 with Austin Woman Magazine and now writes their “The Texas Traveler” section. She can be seen as a contributor on TV shows across Texas, offering travel tips.
