Local’s Guide: Mastering South 1st Street in Austin, Texas
South 1st Street in Austin, Texas is full of Austin Charm. Between Monroe St. and Oltorf Street, you will find a hub of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and more! Here is your guide to master the street and hit up the best of the best spots.
Restaurants
Let’s start with a list of must-try restaurants on South 1st stretch of road. While yes, a lot of the restaurants offer Mexican food, there are plenty of options on this road for everyone:
Lenoir - Lenoir is named for the grape with hardy rootstock growing all over the Texas Hill Country, an homage to the beauty of this part of the state. Romantic, vintage-chic outpost featuring creative cuisine with Mediterranean & Indian accents.
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 4:30pm-6:30pm
Soup Peddler - Soups, Fresh Juices, Superfood Smoothies, Fresh Salads for Dine-In or Delivery. Austin's Award-Winning Smoothies.
el Primo - Arguably one of the best Mexican Food Trucks around town! Delicious tacos and Mexican plates. Perfect for an easy and affordable meal (tacos are only $2.50!).
Bouldin Creek Cafe - Eco-friendly, bohemian cafe offering hearty meatless meals, coffees & a rotating monthly art show. Highly recommended for vegans and vegetarians. And very tasty for those who are not as well.
Fresa’s - Chicken al carbon, wood grilled meals, tacos, quesoo, churros for desert. A delightfully yummy spot. Plus, it is very aesthetic with soft, beautiful blues and pinks.
Happy hour: Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm + a 15% discount to teachers and faculty daily.
Restaurants Continued
1417 French Bistro - Warm and friendly neighborhood restaurant that embraces the culture of dining at a true French bistro. Plates are very unique and a mix of interesting flavors.
Dovetail Pizza - A family-friendly, neighborhood restaurant that maintains a level of sophistication and emphasizes great hospitality. The menu features interesting pizzas, unique entree salads, pastas and small plates, as well as a full bar featuring exceptional quality offerings.
Polvos - Mexican restuarnt offering authentic dishes and unique flavors. The salsa bar is a lot of fun and their frozen margaritas are a delicious deal!
Happy Hour: Tuesday-Friday, 2PM-6PM.
El Tacorrido - A chain authentic Mexican Taqueria in Austin, Texas. Using the best ingredients and providing a great atmosphere.
Picnik - One of Austin's favorite healthy food restaurant. Gluten-free food, functional coffee drinks, and elevated cocktails. Focused on truly natural grass-fed and pastured ingredients. Their butter coffee is something worth trying!
Elizabeth Street Cafe - Charming outpost offering French breakfast bites & creative Vietnamese plates for lunch & dinner. Another aesthetic gem that the locals love.
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri, 3pm-5pm
Dessert
Sweet Mama’s Bakeshop - Well-known bakery offering cupcakes, cookies, bars & mini-pies in a vintage space with a few seats. One of Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin Winners for 2023.
Churro Co - A delightful little spot. They make Churros from-scratch out of a dandy little trailer. Has limited hours so be sure to check online before going.
La Patisserie - Austin's only from-scratch French patisserie and coffee shop.
Dolce Neve Gelato - A local favorite gelato shop that has their staple, seasonal, and rotating flavors. They also have a variety of other desserts and make their gelato from scratch working with raw natural ingredients.
Gourdough’s - I can promise you have never had a donut like this before. From sweet to savory, these massive treats will satisfy your belly and your sweet tooth.
Bananarchy - Frozen bananas dipped in flavored sauces and sprinkled with cookies, crackers, sprinkles…essentially whatever you want! This dessert food truck is one of my personal favorites because it gives you just the right amount of sweetness without over doing it.
Coffee Shops
Once Over - Modern haven for locally roasted coffee & specialty drinks with a back deck overlooking a creek. Inside gives me the feeling that it is Halloween year round and it is a great place to get some work done.
Foxtrot - While technically a market, it does have a coffee shop inside that has the best Nitro Latte on tap I have ever had. They also have an extensive membership program where you can get discounts and monthly free coffee. Sign up here for $10 towards your first order: $10 Foxtrot Bonus
Maribu - While technically a home and decor shop on South 1st, the cafe inside is worth noting! Grab a coffee and pursue this absolutely breathtaking shop.
Shopping
Austin Natural Soap - Exactly what it sounds like…soap! Bar soap, liquid soap, soaps of all types and scents. A fun little store to explore.
Roadhouse Relics - One of the more well known spots on South 1st. A studio and gallery where neon artist Todd Sanders crafts his vintage-style designs using durable modern materials and specialized weathering techniques.
Art For The People Gallery - Laid-back, independent gallery providing a wide range of original works from over 120 local artists.
Bloomers and Frocks - Vintage women's store specializing in clothing from 1910 through the 1980s & classic dresses.
Texas Custom Boots - Compact shop provides a variety of retro, vintage & custom-made boots, plus accessories & repairs.
American June - Women's contemporary clothing boutique in Austin offering fashion forward styles and accessories at affordable prices.
Turntable Records - Record store with a retro vibe stocking vinyls & CDs in wide-ranging genres, from Tejano to Top 40.
Murals and Art
Of course, while you are on South 1st, you need to take a picture by the iconic “Greetings From Austin” mural located by the Roadhouse Relics at 1720 S. First St. to document your adventure.