Once home to Austin’s airport, Mueller has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant and walkable neighborhoods. Just a short drive from downtown, this thoughtfully designed district blends green space, public art, and family-friendly attractions with a growing lineup of restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Whether you're in town with kids, catching a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, or just looking to explore a local gem off the beaten path, Mueller offers plenty to see and do for visitors of all kinds.

Where to Eat & Drink

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Aviator Pizza: House made sauce, fresh dough made daily, and over 50 Texan beers on tap, Aviator Pizza is a mile above. Their menu features build your own options and a specialty menu with pies like Ground Control (pepperoni, sage sausage, red onions, green peppers, fresh portobello mushrooms, pit smoked ham, ground beef, and black olives.) or Spinach and Artichoke with Feta. Gluten free and vegan substitutes are available.

Bao’d Up: Perfect little sandwiches will make your day brighter. Super fresh bao, noodle bowls, dumplings, and bubble tea are on offer here. Definitely check out their weekday lunch specials to save a buck.

B.D. Riley: B.D. Riley’s is the quintessential Irish bar—a place to find friends and a good pint. They also have a large patio, fantastic food, stiff drinks, craft beer, sports, and the kind of wooden bar that begs you to stay awhile.

Chi’lantro: Chi’lantro was the original Korean-Mexican mashup in Austin. From a trailer to a local chain, they keep expanding and innovating. Our lunch money goes to a spicy basket of Korean fried chicken wings.

Colleen’s Kitchen: Warm and welcoming, this place exudes sweet southern charm from the decor to the menu. For lunch, try a famed fried green tomato BLT and for dinner share some fried chicken and a boozy punchbowl.

Chuy's: One of Austin's most iconic Tex-Mex restaurant has recently opened a new location on Aldrich Street. Start your meal with crispy chips and queso, share a plate of flavorful beef fajitas and wash it all down with a Chuy's Signature 'Rita.

Lady Quackenbush’s Cakery: Eat here because the name is awesome and their cakes are literal works of art. Plus the cupcakes are tasty, their cookies are worth fighting over, and it’s a nice spot to have tea and a treat.

Lick Honest Ice Creams: Lick is always whipping up something special. Their high-quality, inventive ice cream comes in all kinds of icy fresh takes but the constant are dark chocolate with sea salt and the honey lavender.

menu items from LOca dOro in Austin TexasCourtesy of L'Oca d'Oro.

L’Oca d’Oro: Winner of multiple Austin awards, L'Oca d'Ooro is Italian-inspired and uses local and sustainably grown produce and meats. They also pay a fair wage to their employees, so the bill might be a bit higher but it’s worth it.

Rebel Cheese: Vegans can delight in all the cheese their heart desires because Rebel Cheese is totally vegan. Build a cheese board or eat a cheesy panini in-house with no dairy-built guilt.

Torchy’s Tacos: From tiny trailer to local chain, Torchy’s is the heavy-hitter when it comes to queso and creative tacos. Various presidents have enjoyed the Democrat or Republican tacos...and probably a margarita. 

Veracruz Fonda and Bar: This family- and Latina-owned restaurant is the latest venture for the Veracruz sisters and is inspired by their mother's restaurant in Mexico. Stop by in the morning to try drinks and small bites from the coffee bar, or in the evening to enjoy signature drinks and food from their unique dinner menu.

Xian Sushi and Noodle: Watch noodles get hand-pulled while you wait for  your meal at Xian. This spot features a little something for everyone with a wide range of Pan-Asian dishes and fresh sushi. The dan-dan noodle is also a crowd favorite.

Shopping in Mueller

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Buddy Bear: An all encompassing kids boutique, Buddy bear has everything from baby clothes to backpacks and toys. Come shop Texas-themed clothes and books like “B is for Bevo” and “Goodnight Austin”

Chasing Indigo: Shop southwestern inspired jewelry with high quality metals and semi precious stones or design a bespoke piece at their permanent jewelry and charm bar.

Ino Scarf Boutique: This boutique has a curated selection of fine, silk scarves. All handmade, each of these scarves are a work of art with unique design and delicate hand stitching.

Lilla and Beth: This novelty boutique is like a ray of sunshine. Colorful flowy tops, woven bags, clever sayings on glass candles, and their overall adorable selection means you’ll have the perfect gift and the cutest home.

Toy Dojo: Not a typical toy store, this spot is specifically geared towards collectors with high-quality toys you can often only find online. Definitely fun to browse even if you’re not buying.

Whichcraft Tap Room & Bottle Shop: Part restaurant, part retail, part bar, stop in for some craft beer samples from 30 rotating taps, talk with an expert, and grab a growler and a sandwich to go.
 

Family Friendly Activities

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Alamo Drafthouse: The latest iteration of Austin’s famous Alamo Drafthouse—watching a movie here feels like a vacation from the real world in its plush reclining seats, tableside service, and fabulous drinks.

Barrel O’ Fun: Located inside the Alamo Drafthouse, this carnival-themed bar is home to a ton of different events. It’s open for regular business too but take a glance at their events list to see whether they’re doing a Crafternoon Delight or a kids-only karaoke-off.

Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in: This kitschy, funky urban drive-in is exactly what Austin is all about. Load up your car, rent a speaker, and watch a movie outdoors while munching on pickles and popcorn. (Temporarily closed, check website for details)

Two children in aprons pressing their hands on a glass pane with water falling down.Thinkery. Credit Michael Gail Photography.

Thinkery: True to its name, the Thinkery is all about hands-on understanding and experimentation for kids and adults alike. Make sure to check their calendar for the daytime and nighttime events. Currently offering limited entry with advance tickets.

Outdoor Spaces & Parks

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Mary Elizabeth Branch Park: One of Mueller’s newer additions, Branch Park features a playground, an open lawn for events or casual play and shaded seating areas. It's located near the Mueller Aldrich Street retail, making it an easy stop during a day of shopping or dining. There’s even a small dog run, making it friendly for four-legged visitors too.

Mueller Lake Park: At the heart of the neighborhood, Mueller Lake Park offers 30 acres of green space perfect for walking, relaxing, or enjoying a picnic. Visitors can stroll along scenic trails that wrap around the lake, spot native birds, or take in public art installations. The park is also home to the Browning Hangar—an open-air community space that often hosts concerts, markets, and seasonal events.

Mueller Southeast Greenway Skatepark & Pump Track: Grab your board, bike or skates and head to this brand new addition to the Mueller area. This spacious park features a skatepark and two concrete pump tracks, perfect for both experienced and beginner riders.

Paggi Square: Located near Mueller’s town center, Paggi Square is a quiet urban pocket park perfect for relaxing with a coffee or taking a break between shops and restaurants. With shaded seating, native landscaping, and modern art features, it’s a small but charming space to unwind.

Southwest Greenway: This lush, 1.5-mile trail winds through restored native prairie and wildflower meadows along Mueller’s western edge. Ideal for walking, jogging, or biking, the Southwest Greenway features interpretive signage about the area’s ecology, a butterfly garden, and a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle. Keep an eye out for sculptures and community art along the way.

Events & Seasonal Happenings

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Live Music, Wellness and Holiday Events: Mueller often hosts free, family-friendly events including concerts, fitness classes, movie nights and pop-ups. Keep an eye out for seasonal happenings like holiday light shows, Earth Day festivals, or spring plant sales—many events are open to the public and great for all ages.

Image of two women browsing the flower selection at the Mueller Farmers Market.Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Courtesy of Texas Farmers Market.

Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller: Every Sunday, the Texas Farmers' Market transforms the Browning Hangar into a lively open-air market filled with local produce, artisan goods, fresh flowers, and live music. It’s a favorite among locals and a fun way for visitors to experience Austin’s food scene and community vibe. Don’t forget to bring a reusable bag!

Places to Stay

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Origin Hotel: Origin is located on the edge of Mueller Lake Park, right in the middle of the action, and within walking distance of everything in the Mueller neighborhood. The modern and spacious rooms are great for travelers of any type, and their all-day cafe, Blue Lacy, will fill you up with Southern favorites. 

Looking for other places to stay near Mueller? Check out more hotel options here.