The allure of Tarrytown lies in its sophisticated charm, great eats, and small-town feel.
While most of the boroughs in Austin have their roots firmly planted in counterculture and hippiedom, Tarrytown has a more traditional, affluent background. Sometimes referred to as "Old Austin Money," Tarrytown is filled with luxurious houses, high-end shops, and neighborhoods covered by shady trees. Think of Tarrytown as Austin's East Egg, a gorgeous borough that feels lifted from the pages of a Fitzgerald novel.
However, don't let the opulence of Tarrytown fool you into dismissing the neighborhood as just another gated community for the rich. Nope, Tarrytown contains a vast array of unique and diverse restaurants, parks, coffee shops, and places to hang out that feel as welcoming and cool as any spot in Austin.
1101 W Lynn St.
While technically located just outside of Tarrytown, Austin favorite Cafe Medici is a quaint and cozy coffee shop that serves gourmet espressos and bold coffee. Situated inside an old house, Cafe Medici is welcoming and homely straight from the get-go. The Orion blend, Cafe Medici's invigorating and delicious espresso, tastes "sweet and fruity with a chocolate finish," a bold coffee that's never too sweet or too strong. And, of course, their daily house blend is wonderful as well, a balanced and classic blend. Cafe Medici operates under a caring and conscious business model, providing exemplary customer service, recycling, and only using products from vendors with good hearts. At Cafe Medici, there's always something to enjoy.
Photo Credit: Mozart's Facebook
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Let's cut to the chase: Mozart's is pretty much the king of coffee shops. Situated along the waters of Lake Austin, Mozart's is easily one of the most scenic and tranquil spots around town to get a piping hot cup of joe. Of course, the coffee house offers some of the best coffee in town like the famous Espresso D' Oro and Lake Austin Blends. The baristas are skilled, friendly, and eager to help you get your caffeine fix. There's nothing quite like waking up in the morning alongside Lake Austin with a warm cup of Mozart's coffee and a good ol' book. Oh, and their Christmas display is one of the best in Austin—be sure to stop in when it gets cold too.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Founded in 1993, Hula Hut has become an essential establishment in Austin's diverse and eclectic restaurant scene. Situated on the water alongside Mozart's, Hula Hut is quite literally a tropical paradise. The restaurant is decorated with tiki torches, bamboo walls, grass-thatched bars and thousands of colored lights that feel straight out of an episode of Gilligan's Island. The menu, of course, upholds the restaurant's island vibes, offering delicious Tex-Mex with a Polynesian twist. Mango Margaritas and Pu Pu Platters abound, Hula Hut is a total getaway, a tropical vacation that'll have you belting out Beach Boys tunes late into the night.
8100 N Mopac Expy
Fabi & Rosi is a chic eatery that "serves classic European dishes with a modern twist." Using organic ingredients from local suppliers and all-natural recipes, Fabi & Rosi offers healthy dishes that always burst with flavor and zest like the P.e.i. Mussels and the Hasenpfeffer & Bretzelknödel, a delicious entree of rabbit stew, dumplings, and vegetables. The building itself is a refurbished Craftsman bungalow from the turn of the century, mixing vintage and modern to create an aesthetic that feels timeless. Fabi & Rosi is a cozy and elegant spot to get a fancier dinner. Oh, and dogs are always welcome on the patio!
Photo Credit: Abel's on the Lake Facebook
3825 Lake Austin Blvd. Suite 201
Nestled in a scenic cove on Lake Austin, Abel's on the Lake is the perfect spot for a relaxing date or fun night out with your friends. With over 63 beers on tap, potent cocktails, and delicious food, Abel's on the Lake is pretty much a go-to for anyone who likes getting their drink on next to a serene body of water. (So pretty much everybody, right?) While the menu offers a plethora of good eats, they're known for their oysters and beer-battered fish and chips, two dishes that can be somewhat difficult to find in landlocked Austin. A little sophisticated and totally idyllic, Abel's on the Lake is a great place to hang out, relax, drink some good beer, and eat some fresh seafood.
2727 Exposition Blvd
One of Tarrytown's hidden gems, Food Food is a quaint sandwich shop that serves house-made soups, entrees, desserts, and salads in small batches to assure freshness. It's a snug and cozy spot filled with local art and other relics of Tarrytown—a perfect place to take a break from work and grab a quick bite. With great lunch and dinner specials like the Chipotle Chicken and the Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli, Food Food tops the list of restaurants in Tarrytown. When the weather gets a bit cooler, we recommend sitting on their relaxing patio for a nice and breezy lunch break.
3110 Windsor Rd
Self-described as "the first vegan gastropub," The Beer Plant is a newer establishment that serves craft beer, wine, cocktails, and 100% plant-based food. The menu features an eclectic mix of healthy dishes with a focus on fermentation like the Beer Plant Curry and the Banh Fire, a delicious blend of smoked tofu, carrot & daikon threads pickled with serrano peppers, sriracha mayo, sliced avocado, peanuts, aromatics on a french hoagie. In addition to the good eats, The Beer Plant also offers 40 taps, a curated wine menu, and a cocktail list that features classics and modern innovations. Sophisticated but unpretentious, The Beer Plant is a great place to be merry and celebrate vegan food.
2608 W 7th St
Maudie's is just absolutely classic Austin, y'all. The established Tex-Mex joint's roots go way back to 1954 when it was a mere 810 square foot cafe that served homestyle dishes like biscuits and gravy and chicken and dumplings. Throughout the years, Maudie's slowly transitioned into the venerated Tex-Mex restaurant it is today, serving hand-prepared classics like nachos, quesadillas, and enchiladas with a particular Austin zest. A trip to Maudie's is something like a survey of our great city itself: you'll see hippies, politicians, frat kids, punks, and more. Maudie's is truly a place where all are welcome to relish in the splendor that is Tex-Mex.
2307 Lake Austin Blvd
At this point, we think you probably already know and love JuiceLand. And as you know, this local chain serves healthy and delicious juices, smoothies, and salads. With a diverse menu that offers juices, cleanses, and smoothies like the Morning Sunshine, a delectable blend of fresh pineapple, orange juice, banana, mango, goji berry, and local bee pollen, JuiceLand is inarguably one of the best places to get a quick and healthy breakfast. This particular location is only a few blocks from Deep Eddy Pool, so next time you head out for a swim, grab a smoothie at JuiceLand.
2401 Lake Austin Blvd
Located on Lake Austin down the street from Magnolia Cafe, 68 Degrees is one of the best Italian restaurants in Austin. Like many Italian joints, 68 Degrees is refined and elegant but this restaurant never falls victim to pretension. Instead, 68 degrees serves in-house, classic dishes like Fettuccine with Portabella and Crimini Mushrooms, Spaghetti Bolognese, and Grilled Trout using local ingredients and family recipes. It's a warm and intimate venue that would be a perfect spot for both date and family nights.
Photo Credit: Let's Do It Vows
3411 Glenview Ave
Surrounded by oak trees and other gorgeous foliage, Italian eatery Olive & June is something of an urban paradise. The restaurant itself is downright spectacular, filled with ornate floral arrangements, pure wood tables, and sweeping views—a perfect location for an engagement dinner or family reunion. And of course, Olive & June's menu complements the restaurant's elegant aesthetic, offering entrees like Bucatini Amatriciana, New York Strip, and Ricotta Ravioli, a delectable combination of roasted eggplant, squash, coriander, celery, and pecorino. Oh, and Olive & June also has the largest selection of Italian wine, Amari, and Grappa in Austin.
2106 Tower Dr.
Tucked away deep within Tarrytown, this park is quaint, clean, and filled with plenty of fun things to do for the whole family. Covered by tons of trees, Tarrytown Park is shady and cozy, a little nook of tranquility inside a bustling city. The park has pretty much a little bit of everything including a ball field, playscapes, a ping-pong table and plenty of space to explore. Whether you're looking to take the load with a quick stroll through the park or to take the kids out for a nice weekend picnic, Tarrytown Park is the perfect location for you and your family.
2901 Enfield Road
Arguably the city's most popular and prestigious golf course, Lions Municipal has been a go-to course for golfers and country clubbers. Constructed by the Lions Club in 1928, Lions Municipal has hosted a wide array of professional golfers, including Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Tom Kite, and Ben Crenshaw. While the course may be considered small by the modern golf world, it still remains a formidable test. Filled with "narrow, tree-lined fairways," sand pits, and small greens, Lions Municipal—"Old Muni" as longtime golfers call it—presents a challenge to both newcomers and pros. You'll need a few mulligans, for sure.
Photo Credit: The Contemporary
3809 W. 35th St.
Back in 2013, the Edward and Betty Marcus Foundation awarded The Contemporary Austin w $9 million grant to help the longtime Austin community art museum create a Sculpture Park at the historic Laguna Gloria building.Today, Laguna Gloria houses an outstanding art and sculpture museum that consistently ranks among the best in the country. It has hosted venerated artists such as Terry Allen, Ryan Gardner, Carol Bove, and more. And if you're one who never really "gets" art, don't worry; Laguna Gloria is such a beautiful and breathtaking venue that just being near its walls is a transcendent experience.
2727 Exposition Blvd
Okay, perhaps this spot isn't a place you'd really want to hang out at but Tarrytown Pharmacy is a seminal character inside Austin's eclectic book of local folklore. Famously established one day before Pearl Harbor in 1941, Tarrytown Pharmacy has stuck with Austin through its many phases. It persisted through the wrath of Jeanne Crusemann Daniels, an animal rights zealot who infamously drove tons of stores out of Tarrytown back in the 1990s after a PETA-inspired crackdown. And rumor has it that Dallas Cowboy linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson bought BOTH winning lottery tickets at the pharmacy. (Yes, he won the lottery twice.) Filled with innumerable local legends, Tarrytown Pharmacy is truly a figure of old Austin.
3505 W 35th St.
Beautiful Mayfield Park and Preserve has origins dating all the way back to 1909 when a Mrs. Allison Mayfield purchased the 23 acres of land to create a summer getaway retreat. Fast forward to 1971 when Mayfield passed away, leaving the acreage to the city of Austin to be used as a park. Today, the park offers scenic trails, sweeping views, cozy lookouts, ornate gardens, and wait for it, PEACOCKS. That's right: Mayfield Park and Preserve is your number one spot to watch the colorful birds. Mayfield Park and Preserve is one of Austin's most rewarding and enjoyable parks.
Photo Credit: Living New Deal
401 Deep Eddy Dr.
Ahh good ol' Deep Eddy Pool. A classic Austin swimming hole, Deep Eddy is one of the most popular and frequented pools in our city. It's also the oldest swimming pool in Austin and features a bathhouse built during the Depression by Franklin Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration. The pool offers lap swimming, general leisure swimming, and movies during the summer. This summer, the pool will screen children's favorites like Finding Dory and Moana. Deep Eddy is a great place to either escape the stresses of modern life by yourself or cool down with the whole family.
3006 Bowman Ave
This list wouldn't be complete without a country club, and Tarry House is pretty much Austin's go-to spot to get your prep on. While Tarry House is a private club, we recommend befriending someone with a membership (or buying one) to get access to the Old Money amenities. Probably Austin's closest thing to Dallas' Hyde Park, Tarry House features premium tennis courts, manicured lawns, and an elegant dining room. While Austin isn't known for its pinky-up disposition, the preppy lifestyle certainly has its perks. Trust us: one evening at Tarry House will have you trading in your cut-off jorts and Burzum tees for Lacoste polos and boat shoes.
2600 Pecos St
Another one of Tarrytown's excellent parks, Reed Park is a public space filled with playscapes, ball fields, a pool, a creek, and plenty of nature trails. Located near Casis Elementary School and filled with tons of family-friendly amenities, it's a perfect spot to take your kids after the school bell rings. Like Deep Eddy Pool, Reed Park screens children's favorites during the summer like Alladin, Mighty Ducks, and Wayne's World. Reed Park is a classic gem of old Austin and its persistent popularity and idyllic foliage is a testament to its greatness.
2200 W. 35th St.
Situated at the very tip-top of the Tarrytown neighborhood, Stinson's is a cafe-cum-cocktail bar, serving gourmet cups of joe, delicious food, and potent cocktails to hungry and thirsty customers. Sophisticated and elegant, Stinson's serves strong classic cocktails like Old Fashions and Manhattans. It's comfortable drinking environment complemented by its laid-back but refined aesthetic. And the best thing about Stinson's is you can grab a bite after getting your drink on. Head to Tarrytown for a nightcap at Stinson's.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
2315 Lake Austin Blvd
Since 1951, Deep Eddy Cabaret has been getting Austinites drunk for some time now. Located on Lake Austin Blvd sequestered from all of Austin's bar districts, Deep Eddy Cabaret provides a hole-in-the-wall getaway from all the other hustle-and-bustle of the city. Unfussy and divey, this bar is a perfect spot to pound some cold ones with the boys. With a pretty modest beer selection and few cocktails, Deep Eddy is a classic tavern where you can get a good ol' ice cold beer without any pretentious attachments. Really, Deep Eddy Cabaret is one of Austin's coolest bars.
