East Sixth Street is one of Austin's most rewarding neighborhoods to explore, and it's a very different experience from the stretch of Historic Sixth Street west of I-35. Out here, east of the highway, you'll find the Austin where locals like to hang: acclaimed restaurants drawing national food press, craft breweries with sprawling patios, honky-tonk bars with two-stepping, and live music pouring out of open doors on any given night of the week. Street parking is available on E. Sixth and the surrounding side streets, or just rideshare in and plan to bar-hop your way through the evening.
Courtesy of Buenos Aires Cafe.
East Sixth Street Restaurants
East Sixth Street is home to an abundance of trendy restaurants and delicious, late-night food trucks that represent the eclectic mix of cultures found in East Austin.
Buenos Aires Cafe
Don't miss Austin's only Argentine restaurant, owned and operated by a mother-daughter duo since 2005. Come for the handmade empanadas, hearty lomito sandwiches, and a curated South American wine list. While you're there, ask about the Milonga Room, a speakeasy bar tucked downstairs.
Canje
Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph brings Caribbean cooking to East Sixth with a menu that spans Jamaica to Puerto Rico — oxtail beef patties, fresh ceviche, charred jerk chicken, and cocktails that are as good as the food. One of Austin's most acclaimed and most-booked restaurants. Make a reservation before you go.
Cisco's
Cisco's is family-run East Austin institution, around since 1948, Cisco's serves up Tex-Mex breakfast and lunch favorites in a no-frills setting that locals have been returning to for generations. It's the right place to start your day with a plate of migas or a classic breakfast taco.
Il Brutto
This neighborhood Italian spot serves up scratch-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and a shaded patio wrapped around a heritage oak tree. Happy hour runs every day until 6pm, making it a great early stop before a bigger night on the town.
Suerte. Credit Andrew Reiner.
Ramen Tatsu-ya
Austin's most well-known ramen shop serves rich tonkotsu and lighter chicken broths alongside inventive toppings like brown butter corn and fried Brussels sprouts. After your bowl, head to the attached Domo Alley-Gato patio bar for frozen cold cap beers and late-night hang time.
Revelry Kitchen & Bar
A neighborhood staple since 2016, Revelry is a counter-service bar and kitchen with two dog-friendly patios, six TVs, craft cocktails, and a food menu that punches above typical bar food. Sunday brunch runs from 11am with a DJ, and happy hour specials run throughout the week. Note: Revelry is 21+ only, so plan accordingly if you're with a mixed-age group.
Suerte
One of the most celebrated restaurants on the East Side, Suerte builds its menu around masa-forward Mexican cooking — fresh tortillas, seasonal ingredients, and the kind of thoughtful technique that's earned it serious national attention. The patio overlooking East Sixth is a great perch for a long dinner. Book ahead.
Tamale House East
An East Austin Mexican staple that does tamales, migas, and breakfast tacos done right. The patio is a great place to linger over coffee, and on Thursdays the restaurant turns into a salsa dance party worth timing your visit around if you can.
Via 313
Nosh on Detroit-style pizza from Austin brothers Zane and Brandon Hunt. The pies are square and crispy-edged with a deep, pillowy crust and cheese caramelized all the way to the edges. Order The Cadillac, the house favorite, and take it to the large patio with a cold drink.
Zilker Brewing. Credit Arts+Labor.
Bars & Live Music
East Sixth is home to multiple dive bars and places to enjoy a beer with friends. Whether you're posting up on a patio or catching a concert by a local band, this street will have your evening full of good vibes.
The Grackle
This classic East Side dive has cold draft beer, darts, and a spacious dog-friendly patio — exactly the kind of low-key spot that makes East Sixth worth lingering on. Great for an early evening beer before the rest of the block gets busy.
Hotel Vegas
The anchor of East Sixth's live music scene, Hotel Vegas books local and touring acts seven nights a week across its indoor stage and outdoor stage shared with Volstead Lounge next door. If you only make one live music stop on the strip, make it this one.
Latchkey
Self-described as adult daycare, Latchkey delivers on the premise with ping pong, lawn games, cold beer, and a laid-back crowd that's there to have fun. A solid pick for a group that can't agree on what kind of bar they want. At night, Latchkey turns into the ultimate house party.
Lazarus
An all-day neighborhood brewpub that takes both its coffee and its beer seriously — breakfast tacos and lattes in the morning, award-winning pints and tortas by evening. The Prodigal Pils is a crowd favorite and a perfect East Sixth session beer.
Courtesy LoLo Wine.
LoLo Wine
A natural wine bar and bottle shop with hundreds of low-intervention bottles available to sip on-site or take home, alongside small bites and regular DJ and vintage shop pop-ups. A quieter, more grown-up option when you need a break from the louder bars on the block.
Shangri-La
Don't let the small interior fool you . The real draw at Shangri-La is the sprawling, dog-friendly backyard beer garden, which stays packed on warm evenings. Cheap drinks, easy vibes, and a crowd that skews local.
Violet Crown Social Club
A lounge-style bar that's a notch above the typical dive, with a relaxed atmosphere good for actual conversation. Order the frozen Orange Whip; it's the house signature and the reason regulars keep coming back.
Whisler's
Whisler's is often touted as one of East Sixth's best cocktail bars with a serious drinks program that can do both the intricate 14-ingredient build and the simple Tito's-and-Topo with equal care. The patio is prime people-watching real estate on a weekend night.
The White Horse
The White Horse is Austin's favorite local honky-tonk, just off the main strip, with live country music and two-stepping seven nights a week. The crowd is mixed, the beer is cheap, and Saturday nights get rowdy in the best possible way.
Zilker Brewing Co.
The East Sixth taproom of one of Austin's most popular local breweries pours classic American-style beers in a lively, patio-forward space. When hunger strikes, the on-site Spicy Boys food truck has you covered (pair it with their ccollab beer Icy Boys!).
Courtesy of BLK Vinyl.
Attractions & Shopping
When walking down East Sixth Street, be sure to keep an eye out for the multiple colorful murals and street art on most buildings and in between shops.
BLK Vinyl
Grab a pic with the monochromatic cat mural outside BLK Vinyl then browse the collection inside. Their curation of records is well-edited and worth a serious look if you're a music fan.
Link & Pin Gallery
Link & Pin is a progressive art gallery dedicated to promoting emerging artists, with a rotating selection of works across styles and media. Worth a quick stop in to see what's currently on the walls.
Small World Goods
Find ethically made goods from a number of countries and cultures at this curated shop. At Small World Goods you'll find a number of items like jewelry, apothecary, clothing and more.
RichesArt Gallery
Austin's only Black-owned art gallery, founded by artist Richard Samuel with over 100 works spanning watercolor, mixed media, printmaking, and more. The gallery is as much a community hub as a retail space with weekly programming like figure drawing classes, jazz nights, poetry slams, and comedy shows. Walk-in hours are Friday through Sunday; check the calendar before you go if you want to catch an event.
Scout Vintage
This easti side vintage shop has a well-curated mix of vintage clothing, accessories, furniture, decor, and locally handmade jewelry and art all under one roof. It's a broader selection than most boutique vintage shops, making it worth a browse even if you're not sure what you're looking for. Keep an eye out for their Second Sundays market out front, featuring rotating vendors and a DJ.
City Alchemist Witch Shop
This full-service occult shop carries candles, herbs, tarot decks, apothecary goods, metaphysical books, and curios for both curious newcomers and serious practitioners. The knowledgeable staff, including co-owner Alexis Arredondo, draw on a background in traditional brujería and curanderismo and can help you find what you need or book a reading.
