Kyle's Austin Local Guide: The Best Food, Activities & Nightlife Near Double Down ATX

Your host Kyle has lived in and around Austin for years and has hosted countless friends and family here. These are his actual recommendations — the places he takes people when they visit.

When guests ask me what to do in Austin, I never send them to a generic "Top 10" list. I send them this guide.

Austin is one of the best cities in the country — incredible food, world-class live music, beautiful outdoor spaces, and a vibe that's genuinely unlike anywhere else. But it's a big city, and knowing where to go makes all the difference.

Double Down ATX is in Riverside — one of Austin's most central and connected neighborhoods. Rainey Street is 5 minutes away. Downtown is 8. Lady Bird Lake is right down the road. You're in the middle of everything.

These are the places I go, the ones I trust, and the ones I know will make your trip.

Where to Eat

Tacos (It's Austin — Start Here)

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: El Tacorrido — Right off Riverside Dr, five minutes from the house. Some of the best breakfast tacos in Austin at a great price. Grab some on your way out in the morning and eat at the house before heading into the day. This is the move. Torchy's Tacos — Multiple locations and on Uber Eats. Austin-born (started as a single food truck) and now beloved worldwide. Best queso in Austin according to the Austin Chronicle 2026. Order the Trailer Park taco. Tacodeli — Many locations around town. The Jess Special (avocado, egg, bacon) is legendary. One of the easiest, most reliable picks for the whole group. Taqueria De Diez — Tijuana-style street tacos. Simple, authentic, and absolutely delicious if you want something a little different.

Texas BBQ

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: Terry Black's Barbecue — 1003 Barton Springs Rd. My top pick for groups — the line moves fast and there's plenty of seating. Outstanding brisket and the full Texas BBQ experience without a brutal wait.

If you want some of the best BBQ in the world and don't mind a line, these are worth it:

Franklin Barbecue — The legendary pilgrimage. Obama was the only person ever allowed to skip the line. Get there by 9 AM. Absolutely worth it if you're up for the experience. LeRoy and Lewis — 5621 Emerald Forest. Austin Chronicle 2026 Best BBQ and Michelin Star. Creative, non-traditional BBQ — the bacon rib is one of the best bites in Austin. La Barbecue — 1906 E Cesar Chavez. Michelin Star, Franklin alum. Shorter wait than Franklin with stunning brisket. Interstellar BBQ — Worth the drive north. Michelin Star and consistently ranked among the best in Texas.

Pizza

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: Home Slice Pizza — Multiple locations and on DoorDash. Best option for a big group pizza night. Order in and do not skip the Italian sub — Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Pizza AND Best Sandwich. Salvation Pizza Kitchen and Bar — Right on Rainey Street. A perfect group dinner before hitting the Rainey Street bars — great pizza, great vibe, easy night planned. You walk out the door and you're already there.

Sit-Down Dinners (Make a Reservation)

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: Uchiba — Second Street District. Chef Tyson Cole's Japanese izakaya. Inventive cocktails, incredible small plates, and a lively atmosphere that's unlike anything else in Austin. Book ahead. Emmer & Rye — 51 Rainey St. James Beard nominated farm-to-table on Rainey Street. One of the most acclaimed restaurants in Austin right now. Book in advance for groups — and you're already on Rainey, so keep the night going after dinner. Perla's — 1400 S Congress. Excellent seafood on South Congress, gorgeous raw bar, great patio. Reserve ahead for groups. Jeffrey's — 1204 W Lynn St. Austin's premier steakhouse in Clarksville. Classic and outstanding — has a private room that works beautifully for larger groups. Sammie's — West 6th St. A great Italian spot right on West 6th. Perfect for groups before a night out on the street.

Breakfast & Brunch

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: Mattie's — 811 W Live Oak St. Stunning brunch on the grounds of a historic estate in South Austin. Beautiful outdoor patio, incredible food, and a vibe unlike anywhere else in the city. Make a reservation — this one is special. Paperboy — 1203 E 11th St (East Side location). Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Brunch. The cheddar hash brown is cult-level good. Manageable wait compared to most Austin brunch spots. Josephine House — 1601 Waterston Ave. Upscale brunch with a beautiful Clarksville patio. Captures the essence of Austin perfectly. Make a reservation. Breakfast Tacos — The most Austin brunch move of all. Grab tacos from El Tacorrido (5 minutes from the house), Tacodeli, or Torchy's. Quick, affordable, and genuinely one of the best meals of the trip. Kerbey Lane Cafe — Multiple locations. Open 24/7. Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Late-Night Dining. Pancakes at 2 AM? Yes.

Other Local Favorites

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: Loro — 2115 S Lamar. Asian smokehouse from chef Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin BBQ). A dream team. Great for groups, especially lunch. Smoked meats with Asian flavors — uniquely Austin and genuinely one of the best meals in the city. Pool Burger — A tiki bar with great burgers and tropical cocktails, right next to Deep Eddy Cabaret (one of the best dive bars in Austin). Grab a Pool Burger then walk next door for a round. P. Terry's Burger Stand — Multiple locations. Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Burger. Classic Austin fast food that won't break the bank. De Nada Cantina — South 1st St location is closest. Austin Chronicle 2026 Best Margarita. Incredible tacos AND the best margarita in Austin. Do not miss this one. Mozart's Coffee — 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. A classic Austin institution on the water. Incredible views of Lake Austin, great coffee, completely relaxed vibe. One of the best spots in the city to just sit and enjoy the morning. Cosmic Saltillo — 1700 E 4th St. Lively outdoor venue on the East Side with great food, craft cocktails, and live music. Dog-friendly and always a good time — and it's close to the house.

Things To Do

Kyle's Top 6 for Groups

1. Boating on Lake Austin — Rent a pontoon — tell them you want pickup at Walsh Landing or the Hula Hut dock. Check AustinRentalBoats.com and WaveInWater.com. Dock up at Ski Shores for food and drinks — one of the coolest spots in Austin. 2. Austin Breweries — Austin has a fantastic craft brewery scene. My favorites for groups: Meanwhile Brewing (great outdoor play area and awesome food trucks) and Lazarus Brewing and Central Machine Works on the East Side — both very close to the house.

3. Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake — Live Love Paddle Austin on Riverside (1610 E Riverside Dr) is the closest rental spot to Double Down — right down the road. They often have a live DJ out on the water on weekends. BYOB.

4. Butler Park Pitch & Putt — My favorite golf course in the world. Nine-hole par 3 right in the city. Rent a wedge and putter at the course, no tee times needed, first-come first-play. Very laid-back. Buy drinks at the course.

5. Mini Golf — Two great options: Peter Pan Mini Golf (an Austin landmark — cheap, BYOB, always a blast) or Holey Moley on the East Side (indoor mini golf with a full bar and arcade — a perfect one-stop evening).

6. River Tubing — Perfect for a hot day. AustinTubingTrips.com is the best option for groups needing transportation. All vehicles have AC. Highly recommend.

More Austin Favorites

Barton Springs Pool — Austin's most beloved swimming hole. Spring-fed, 70 degrees year-round. $5-9 entry. Don't miss it. Barton Creek Greenbelt — Hiking and natural swimming holes. Best spots: Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls off Hwy 360. Congress Avenue Bridge Bats — 1.5 million bats fly out at sunset. Free, and genuinely one of the most memorable things you'll do in Austin. Zilker Park — Great for hanging out, frisbee, catching an outdoor concert. Home of Austin City Limits festival. South Congress Avenue — The heart of Austin's eclectic energy. Great shops, great restaurants, pure Austin character. Mount Bonnell — Short easy hike with stunning Hill Country and skyline views. UT Austin Campus — Beautiful campus worth walking. Catch a Longhorns game if one's scheduled. Lake Travis — 45 minute drive. Boating, water sports, zip lining. The Oasis restaurant has the best sunset views in Austin.

Bars & Nightlife

⭐ Kyle's Top Pick: West 6th Street — My #1 recommendation for big groups going out in Austin. Favorites: Marfa Lights (great country bar), Buford's (massive two-story bar with DJs, games, and sports), Bull & Bowl (mechanical bull, bowling, karaoke, great food — a full night in one spot), and Rustic Tap (tons of TVs, live music, great vibe). You can easily spend the whole night here. Rainey Street — Converted bungalows turned into some of the best bars in Austin — and it's five minutes from the house. Favorites: Banger's Sausage House (massive beer garden, 100+ taps, live music nightly) and Victory Lap Rainey (great indoor/outdoor sports bar). Walkable, fun, and very Austin.

East 6th Street — The coolest, most eclectic strip in Austin. More local and creative than Dirty 6th. Highlights: Whisler's (award-winning cocktail bar with a hidden mezcal bar upstairs), Chalmers (outdoor sports bar with a laid-back vibe), Cosmic Saltillo (outdoor venue perfect for an early-evening cocktail), and White Horse (honky tonk with free line dancing lessons — an absolute Austin must-do). Red River Cultural District — Austin's live music heartbeat. Mohawk has the best outdoor stage in the city. Barbarella is a retro dance bar that gets going after 11 PM. Sixth Street (Dirty 6th) — The classic Austin party strip. Best experienced late night. Favorites: Pete's Piano Bar (dueling pianos — the crowd sings along all night) and Blind Pig (great outdoor rooftop).

Book Double Down ATX and Use This Guide

Double Down ATX puts you in the center of everything on this list. Rainey Street is 5 minutes away, Lady Bird Lake is right down the road, and the East Side breweries and bars are practically next door. Come home to the cowboy pool, fire pit, and backyard that makes every night feel like a proper sendoff.

Check availability and book direct at BigFunStays →

Booking direct means no platform fees, and you're working with me personally from the first message. Happy to answer any questions about the city before you arrive.

— Kyle, your host

Have a question about the city or want a specific recommendation for your group? Reach out before your trip — that's what I'm here for.