Austin’s South Lamar neighborhood, which runs along South Lamar Boulevard from Oltorf Street to Ben White Boulevard, is home to iconic restaurants, fun shopping, and more. Here’s where you should go when visiting the area:
A piece of Austin history, Matt’s El Rancho has been serving up yummy Tex-Mex since 1952 and its current location on South Lamar Boulevard opened in 1986. Stop in for the iconic Bob Armstrong queso and a Matt’s Knockout Martini. Prepare yourself for a wait — the restaurant is often packed to the brim!
Visiting the neighborhood without snagging some tacos from Veracruz All Natural would be sacrilegious. There’s a reason why the taco shop is constantly lauded as one of the greatest in the city — they’re really delicious. The shop is off Menchaca Road outside Radio Coffee & Beer (which you should also visit). Grab me a migas taco, please!
Looking for arts and crafts supplies? USE2 Neighborhood Reuse Center is full of secondhand fabric, puzzles, games, costumes, books, and so, so much more.
The 04 Center is located inside a former United Methodist church and one of the coolest night spots in Austin. You can see a live music show nearly every day of the week! The venue also has church services on Sunday mornings and hosts AA meetings during the week.
The Broken Spoke is the place to go for a night of two-stepping or to impress your out-of-town visitors. The dance hall, which has been open since 1964, has a great live music scene, too!
If you’re just passing through the area and need a quick lunch, drive through Dan’s Hamburgers. The prices are cheap ($4.15 for a small cheeseburger) and you’ll be supporting another historic Austin restaurant.
I’m somehow always craving Bird Bird Biscuit. The restaurant puts your favorite breakfast combos on a biscuit and it’s the breakfast you need after a night out. We highly recommend getting the dill mayo or the bacon-infused chipotle mayo on your sandwich!
😋 Loro
Loro is the brainchild of chefs Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, so you know it’s going to be good. It’s perfect for a first date, a 100th date, a birthday party, a work happy hour, and whatever other events you have going on. You can order everything from ramen to a plate of smoked beef brisket.
