Austin-Desi-Dallas-Guide

Desi Guide to Austin

Austin is the capital city in the state of Texas. It is the fourth largest city in the state and has a population of 790,390. The south Asian population of the city is approximately 1.64% of the total population.

If you are looking for a warm place to spend your vacation Austin is the place for you. The city enjoys a humid tropical type of climate. With cool mild winter and warm summers and occasional rainfall it is a perfect vacation spot all year round.

Desi attractions in Austin

With a healthy South Asian population in Austin there are a number of popular desi joints you can stop for a bite. There are over 30 listed restaurants in the city hence dining and catering to your culinary needs will no longer be of any bother.

• One of the many desi attractions in Austin is the Zilkers Park. If you enjoy being surrounded by nature and greenery this is a place for you.
• The Zilker Park and botanical gardens are a delight to visit when you are vacationing in Austin. The botanical garden located within the Zilker Park is 31 acres of lush green flora at its best. Situated at the south bank of the Colorado River the botanical gardens helps you get one with nature for no charge what so ever.
• Along with offering the peace and tranquil with nature it is also a fun spot for picnicking along with friends and family. Other activities like river boat rides, canoe rentals, miniature train rides and open air musical shows and plays makes it an exciting place to spend a fun filled day.
• If you enjoy swimming, what better way to spending a hot Texan day in water? The Barton Spring Pool is another attraction in the Zilkers Park. It is a man-made pool where you and your family can enjoy a fun splash in the water. Being temperature regulated the pool is maintained at a pleasant temperature the whole year round. With such a wide range of activity the Zilkers Park sure ensures an entire days fun for the family.
• When in Austin don’t miss the fun ways to tour the city. Austin offers many fun escapes one of which is the Steam Train ride. You can escape back in time to the great West on the Hill Country flyer. This vintage passenger train offers its travellers a unique experience where you can travel either on a 1920’s couch car or a 1950’s Pullman lounge car depending on your spending capacity. Special excursions also include storybook specials for children and mystery diners for adults.
• Another fun tour is the Austin duck adventures. Travel to all the landmarks of Austin city via this 45 passenger amphibious bus. This unique vehicle takes you around the city roads and lakes and provides an amusing time to all its passengers.

Transport Modes in Austin

Commuting in Austin is relatively easier owing to its public transportation ranging from well-connected bus services, metro and its pedi cabs. So these routes ensure safe and cheap means of travelling throughout the city.

Some other links:

Austin Guide

• Bow and Arrow: A great little clothing store for men and women that shares a joining space with Spartan.
• Stag:. A well edited menswear clothing store that is perfectly designed and merchandised.
• Feathers: A fun selection of vintage clothing and accessories. You are sure to find something.
• Spartan: a well-edited mix of gift/paper/travel/housewares. Spartan also offers registry services.
• Finch: as one Yelp-er put it, “If you like the aesthetic of Dwell magazine and Design*Sponge, you’ll fall in love with Finch.”
• Aviary: incredible home decor and accessories (vintage and modern).
• Uncommon Objects: it might be a major crime not to have this first on the list. Uncommon Objects is an Austin institution carrying antiques, furniture, clothing, accessories and more. The common answer to questions about this store is “Just Go”.
• Room Service Vintage: some of austin’s finest vintage furniture.
• Gardens Austin: Mouth watering home, garden and lanscape architecture goods. Great stuff, expensive though.
• Wildflower: a great bed, bath and home store with organic everything from around the world.
• Big Red Sun: stunning (stunning) collection of furniture and home accessories. Great outdoor and garden goods, too.
• Mercury Design Studio: A major must-visit with a mind-blowing collection of vintage accessories and furniture, as well as contemporary gifts. They offer design services as well. Really, a must-visit for anyone heading to Austin.
• Eliza page: Great jewelry and accessories with a lot of local artists.
• Tops: a great resource for old metal desks, lockers, file cabinets and chairs from offices and schools.
• By George: One of the prettiest stores I have been in for clothing. Beautiful things.
• Eco Wise: sustainable home /body store. Organic matresses, dishwashers…
• Underwear: great undergarments
• Cush Cush: Great upholstery fabric (lot’s of vintage blots too!). By appt only.
• Fanny’s: Upholstery Fabric that is locally owned and has a good selection.
• Service: for the boys. Good simple clothes.
• La Luz: a great store with vintage home goods. Really good furniture.
• The Paper Place: great gift store. Stationery as well.
• IF+D: all things contemporary furniture and home decor. Great selection of lighting and artwork.
• Toy Joy: for the little ones and adults. Awesome toys and gadgets. Locally owned and an Austin Favorite.
• Progress- It’s a coffee place but they always have great art on the wall for sale.
• Hill Country Weavers: textiles, thread, craft supplies and much, much more.
• Kickpleat: Alyson’s favorite clothing store.
• Ten Thousand Villages: wide range of personal and home accessories with a “world” flair.
• Azzia: modern/contemporary furniture.
• Four Hands Home: traditional, solid furniture if you’re in the market for something a little less contemporary.
• Nest Modern: modern furniture and home accessories.
• MOSS- a designer consignment store opened by the owners of the popular Feathers boutique.
• Dog and Pony- a new boutique with vintage finds as well as new things. Close to UT campus.

Museums:

• AMOA: Austin Museum of Art always has great shows.
• Blanton Museum of Art: The Blanton is the largest College Art Museum in the Nation. Beautiful space and a great collection.
• Women and Their Work: A space dedicate to showing women’s work. Group and solo shows.
• Art House- it recently reopened ( much anticipated)  and it is a really beautifully designed space by the LTL design team.

Where to Eat:

• The Good Knight: A fun bar/restaurant.
• Enoteca: Yummy Italian Food. Great Brunch on the weekends.
• Thai Fresh: Great Thai plus cooking classes available.
• Food Heads: Delicious sandwiches, salads and soups.
• Eastside Showroom: Food, drinks and music.
• Justines: Perfect French food in a great old house. I love it, but it is very popular so be prepared.
• Enchiladas y Mas: I’m told by several people who eat meat that they have the the best Beef Fajitas ever.
• Wink: A nice restaurant that has an ever changing menu. They also have a separate bar adjacent to the restaurant.
• Amy’s Ice cream : A local favorite for creamy yummy ice cream.
• The Steeping Room: Great healthy food in the Domain ( outside Mall). The best coconut tea!
• Whip In: Live music a couple times a week and delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches on naan.
• Taco Deli: Fresh tacos. Really yummy green salsa.
• Torchy’s Tacos: Good Taco’s with fun names.
• Hey Cupcake: Big yummy cupcakes.
• Counter Culture: Vegan and raw foods served from a trailer. Love it.
• Uchi: Great Sushi
• Casa De Luz: Alyson’s favorite. A Macrobiotic well being center. Pizza and mexican night are the best and Sunday Brunch.
• Polvo’s: great Mexican
• Vespaio: Italian food
• 34th street cafe: wonderful sandwiches and soups!
• Eastside Cafe: great fresh menu with many organic items and fresh herbs from their home garden
• Davine Foods: All veggie place that is so healthy and delicious.
• Lamberts: A great alternative to traditional bar-b-cue. Great side dishes.
• Starlite Cafe: great brunch and yummy hashbrowns
• south congress cafe: yummy brunch.
• Koriente: Great Asian Food
• Quacks Bakery: Best vegan treat I have had in a long time: Chocolate covered brownie.
• Cocina de consuelo: Best breakfast tacos
• House Pizzeria: They have a roasted potato pizza that is to die for.
• El Chile: Good food, fun space and I love the salsa.
• Red House Pizza: A fun bar with great pizza.
• Fino- they have a fun outside patio and good food.
• Mohawk bar- fun space, music  and lot’s of local things happening there.
• Spartan Pizza- Yummy- with great toppings. In a trailer
• Perlas- a seafood and oyster bar. When the weather is nice the patio is hard to beat.
• Homeslice pizza- Can you tell I like pizza? THey have a great thing going here.
• Hopdoddy- incredible hamburgers. really. A great veggie burger and locally sourced meat.
• Haddingtons- great cocktails and food.
• Mulberry- a wine bar with really tasty tapas and food.
• Tacos and Tequila- a hearty weekend brunch.