Sloping gently down to a view of the Texas Capitol, it's a grand avenue littered with restaurants, shopping, bars, and events. Not to mention a constant supply of live music. Austin just wouldn't be Austin without South Congress, and it's the vein that leads straight to the heart of Texas.
The Continental Club was so nice they did it twice. As the name would imply, The Continental Gallery is the lounge-y, casual sister bar and music venue of the Continental Club. The Gallery, however, offers a much more intimate experience. It's like seeing live music in your very own living room.
510 S Congress Ave
The very definition of an Austin standby. Ego's is one of, if not the best karaoke bar in town. Considering its location the drink prices are unreasonably reasonable, and with a friendly staff and dive-y atmosphere it's the perfect place to engage your inner-rock star.
2008 S Congress Ave
The fact that C-Boys is owned by the same great people that operate the Continental is just one of this neighborhood bar's attractive qualities. Aside from that, cheap drinks, good music, and most curiously, a Japanese-American bar upstairs. If you've never been, you really ought to.
1412 S Congress Ave
Guero's Oak Garden should be a familiar sight if you've ever walked down South Congress. Featuring a huge, illuminated oak tree surrounded by an outdoor bar and stage, it's kind of hard to miss. Live music in an outdoor setting is always a welcome thing, and it's available here in abundance. Sit down for a drink and let whoever happens to be playing delight your ears.
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1920 S Congress Ave
Deliciousness up until 10 PM? Anytime can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner at this hot spot! There’s another reason Magnolia Cafe is always busy, and it ain’t just the pancakes. Magnolia’s “Mag Mud” is a delightfully layered treat composed of black beans, queso, avocado and pico de gallo; it's basically nachos with an emphasis on the queso and not on the chips.
1011 S Congress Ave
Two Hands, an Australian spot and one of the newer restaurants on SOCO, has locations all around the country specializing in fresh, nutritious meals, breakfast through dinner. They also have have delicious cocktails, as well as a coffee window open daily at 7AM. On their brunch menu you can expect to dishes with locally sourced ingredients like seasonal scrambles, smashed avo toast, chia bowls, and more.
photo via Instagram
1300 S Congress Ave
Grab your obligatory "I Love You So Much" photo, a cup of delicious Jo’s coffee, and a little breakfast sandwich on the go. You can also enjoy the dog-friendly patio while sipping on a cold beer, and there's live music on the patio just about every Sunday.
1603 S Congress Ave
Located within the South Congress Hotel, Café No Sé is an ideal place to have your first cup of french-pressed coffee and meal of the day. The cafe offers nourishing day starters like homemade pastries, avocado toast, and fresh bagels.
These are just a few of our favorites, make sure to also check out some of our others: Mañana, June's All Day, Teal House Coffee & Bakery, The Meteor, Maie Day, and Joann's Fine Foods.
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1522 S Congress Ave
Get your country on right here. If you’re going to live in Austin, you have to understand that means you also live in Texas and you MUST have a pair of cowboy boots. Get on down to Allen’s for the best boots in the city and beyond. They’ll set you up real nice.
1423 S Congress Ave
Pretty much any time you're looking for a gift for one of the men in your life, you can count on finding something they'll love at STAG. Founded and based in Austin, STAG is a general store specializing in contemporary clothing with classic roots. They were even names one of the top men's stores in America by GQ and Esquire magazines!
1603 S Congress Ave
Sunroom’s self-proclaimed focus is to bring established designers and brands into the Austin marketplace, and at this tiny shop you’ll find a highly curated collection of women’s jewelry, clothing and accessories, along with a small selection of menswear, home goods and miscellaneous items.
Do some more shopping at: Cove Boutique, ByGeorge South Congress, Reformation, Goorin Bros Hat Shop, FREEBIRD, Kendra Scott, Everlane, Alo, or Warby Parker.
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1400 S Congress Ave
This may be the only seafood joint that’s offering salsa verde as a sauce for their fresh catches, which is awesome. Perla's outdoor patio is a great spot to relax, and the menu offers fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts, coupled with delicious coastal cocktails.
1716 S Congress Ave
For some of the best lunch deals on sushi in town, head to Neighborhood Sushi. Their fish is always insanely fresh and tasty, so take that full lunch break and get one of their lunch combos. You can choose from a number of options like Chefs Sushi Combo or a Hand Roll Lunch, all served with iced tea and your choice of soup or salad.
photo via Home Slice Facebook
1415 S Congress Ave
Oh, Home Slice, how we love you. Home Slice has been serving NY style pizza to the Austin community for probably 100 years (rough estimate). We’ve taken a few of our New Yorker friends here and they’ve all given it the NY seal of pie approval. But don’t take our word for it, go taste test it for yourself!
1101 Music Ln
Whether you're staying at Hotel Magdalena or just looking for a new lunch spot to try in the area, you have to take your lunch break at Summer House. With dishes ranging from grilled prawns to steak frites, you'll be feeling upscale for a much cheaper price.
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1603 S Congress Ave
Opened in 2015, the South Congress Hotel took no time at all to solidify its importance in the area as a place for food, drinks, and for those traveling, exceptionally comfortable digs. In addition to the aforementioned Café No Sé, the hotel's main interior restaurant Maie Day boasts a menu containing everything from oysters on the half shell to steaks. If you're really looking to turn the evening's meal into a memorable experience, visit South Congress Hotel's hidden gem: Otoko. This unique, limited-space Japanese restaurant seats just 12 people and presents patrons with the rare opportunity to try a multi-course omakase menu from Head Chef Yoshi Okai.
1303 S Congress Ave
No area is complete without a great sushi joint! Lucky Robot is exactly that place and then some. Keep it simple with a karaage chicken taco or expand your taste bud horizons and order the seaweed salad with octopus. Really, the options are endless. Just don't forget a pitcher of the dangerously-good sake punch.
photo via facebook
1610 S Congress Ave
Open since 1998, Vespaio is one of the classic SOCO spots we're glad to see hasn't changed. They are known for preparing everything from scratch, including delicious homemade pastas. Another great dinner spot is their sister restaurant located right next door, Chapulin Cantina.
1011 S Congress Ave
One of Chicago's favorite Mediterranean spots from the historic Fulton Market District, Aba, has a spot on on South Congress. With influences from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece, the cuisine is unlike anything else you'll find in the area.
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1301 S Congress Ave
Amy’s has been an Austin institution since the beginning of time. There is simply nowhere else to go when your sweet-tooth is craving ice cream. If you solve their daily movie quote trivia question, you can get free treats with your ice cream. Good luck!
1706 S Congress Ave
Big Top is the classic candy shop that most kids today didn’t even know ever existed. You can satisfy any sweet tooth, grab a drink from the soda fountain, or enjoy a tasty milkshake. Pick your poison and pucker up for a sugary good time!
