Austin Neighborhood Guide: East Austin

By Bri Hand | Jul 13, 2021

If you’re planning on moving to Austin, TX, you’re likely trying to figure out the best neighborhoods in Austin, and which one would be the right fit for you. East Austin, located just east of downtown and Interstate 35, is a great example of an up-and-coming neighborhood that’s popular among young professionals. This culturally diverse spot features worldly cuisine, easy access to downtown, beautiful parks, and a perfect blend of old and new communities.

Thinking about moving to East Austin? Here’s our guide to the area’s best restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, outdoor attractions, gyms, nightlife, and transportation.

Best restaurants in East Austin

You don’t have to head all the way downtown to dine at some fantastic Austin restaurants. Suerte on East 6th Street boasts a menu of traditional Mexican cooking techniques and local Texas ingredients. We recommend the Lentil Dip and the Suadero Tacos with confit brisket, black magic oil, avocado crudo, onion, and cilantro. Yum!

For a restaurant with classic Texas Tex-Mex and BBQ, stop by La Barbecue for all the brisket, pulled pork, turkey, and sausage you could ask for, either on a platter or atop a sandwich.

There are many dog-friendly restaurants in Austin, and this neighborhood is no exception! Check out Shangri-La, a cozy local dive bar with a patio that’s very popular among the city’s pups. This bar and restaurant also has a pool table and delicious frozen cocktails to help you cool down on a hot day! Revelry is another dog-friendly restaurant in the neighborhood, with delicious craft cocktails and a brunch that’s worth the wait!

Where to get groceries in East Austin

When it comes to getting your groceries in the East Side of the city, you can get everything you need at H-E-B and Whole Foods nearby. You can also check out The Bee Grocery, which sells gourmet groceries, and Royal Blue Grocery, a favorite in the area for its grab-and-go options and weekly lunch specials.

Where to get coffee in East Austin

This neighborhood is a coffee lover’s paradise. Get both your coffee and beer fix at Wright Bros. Brew and Brew, a cafe that serves all your favorite espresso drinks with delicious vanilla, chocolate, and even lavender flavor syrups. Not a coffee fan? Order one of the cafe’s many teas, or even a hot or iced ginger chai.

Another popular spot is Lazarus Brewing Co. on East 6th Street. This Austin cafe features specialty draught beer as well as espresso drinks, hot tea, and even breakfast tacos, tortas, and chilaquiles. Tacos, beer, and coffee? What else do you need?

Find yourself in caffeine heaven at Fleet Coffee Co., which serves espresso drinks, chai, hot chocolate, and hot and iced tea. Don’t leave without trying The Ritual, an Oreo-infused cortado with an Oreo cookie.

Last up is Revival Coffee, a hot East Side spot well known for its espresso drinks, including the Abuelita Latte with Mexican hot cocoa and espresso, and the Fruity Pebbles drink, with matcha, lavender, and oat milk.

Outdoor attractions in East Austin

If you’re looking for some one-on-one time with nature while living in Austin, you can walk, jog, or bike along the Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake. You can also get in a great outdoor workout on the nearby Tejano Walking Trail, which can be completed in about two and a half hours and includes an impressive number of historical sites.

Comal Pocket Park is another popular outdoor space, with sports fields, basketball courts, a playground, and picnic areas.

Where to work out in East Austin

If you’re looking for a gym in the East Side of the city, check out OrangeTheory, E + E Boutique Gym, Squatch Frontier Fitness, or Lift ATX. This neighborhood is also home to the Austin Bouldering Project, the world’s largest bouldering gym.

Bars and nightlife in East Austin

No matter what kind of night out you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. Whisler’s is a fantastic craft cocktail bar, serving up favorites like the Meteor Hammer and the Five-Dollar Milkshake in a rustic-chic space.

Step into your boots and swing your partner round and round at White Horse, which is one of many popular music venues in Austin. This bar has live music seven days a week and is known for its giant dance floor and honky-tonk vibes. There’s also a Bomb Tacos food truck right outside the restaurant if you work up an appetite two-stepping.

If you love wine, Apt 115 on East 7th Street is the place for you. This wine bar boasts an impressive menu of wines from around the world.

Things to do in East Austin

Austin is well known for its murals, and you can find many of them in this part of the city. Walk around the area and find famous Texas sights like the You’re My Butter Half mural, Til Death Do Us Part mural, and the Rhapsody mural. Your Instagram stories will thank you!

If you’re a plant lover, head over to East Austin Succulents on Tillery Street. This shop has everything you need to outfit your new apartment with succulents and cacti. Be sure to keep an eye out for Subby, the shop’s unofficial mascot dog!

You can also spend a wonderful afternoon at Sparky Pocket Park, an outdoor art gallery with sculptures built by Berthold Haas. Austinites of all ages will find something to admire in this unique park.

Transportation in East Austin

Public transportation is readily available in this Texas neighborhood, and there is quick access to I-35, providing an easy commute to other parts of the city. You can also use the 2 bus on CapMetro, the public transportation system in Austin, to get around. We also recommend having a car, or using Lyft or Uber if you want to get to other parts of Austin.

Land in a great apartment in East Austin

If you like the idea of moving to East Austin, Landing offers furnished apartments in Austin, Texas, with flexible lease terms, concierge services, seamless transfers, and all the amenities you need. Browse our available apartments in East Austin, or contact us to learn more about how Landing works.

Still looking for the right Austin community for you? Browse our other Austin neighborhood guides:

Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.