South Congress Avenue

One-of-a-kind shops, dive bars, and incognito celebrities
Noteworthy for: The mix of funky clothing boutiques, food trailers, and fine dining establishments attracts all manner of Austinites and sets the scene for excellent people-watching.

Back in the 1980s, this was the seedy part of town, largely populated by hookers instead of hipsters. These days, movie stars visiting Austin for a shoot often stay at the Hotel San Jose, catch a band at the Continental Club, and get their Tex-Mex fix at Guero's.
The area is known for its varied dining options, including a parking lot near Monroe and South Congress where more than a dozen food trailers sell everything from cupcakes to chicken in a cone. Italian food fans flock to the upscale Vespaio, while seafood lovers rave about Perla's.

If you look closely, you can still see evidence of the avenue's rich past, such as the fading letters on the Guero's building that reads 'Feed Store' and the lighted sign near the Continental Club that advertises 'Guns'. The historic Travis Heights neighborhood, with beautifully restored turn-of-the-century houses, borders South Congress to the east.