Pack In Austin's Must Do Activities

Exploring Austin's rich and diverse Asian-owned businesses and heritage is impossible to do in just two days, but we can help you make the most of it! To help you navigate through our museums, entertainment venues, authentic eateries and artisan shops, here is a jam-packed itinerary full of Austin’s Asian-owned hot spots and favorites.

Elizabeth Street Cafe. Credit to Justin Cook.

Day One

Morning
Start your day off at Sa-Tén, a cozy cafe in East Austin, with Japanese milk bread toast and a specialty matcha. Or head over to Asahi Imports to browse the Japanese-style grocery to pick up snacks and sweets for the day. While you're there, don't forget to browse the home goods sections with origami, unique gifts and more.

Afternoon
Spend your afternoon exploring Austin’s west side. Start with lunch at Lin Asian Bar & Dim Sum. Grab an order (or two) or their famous soup dumplings or try familiar favorites like General Tso’s Chicken and fried rice. Then, venture down the street to view Lotus Gallery’s impressive collection of Asian artifacts, art and antiquities. Once you’ve walked off some of your lunch, grab a treat down the road from Frozen Rolls Creamery, a Thai-rolled ice cream shop with flavors like ube, coconut ash, black sesame and more. Ready to start your evening festivities early? Grab a drink and appetizers on the oak-tree-covered Bar Peached patio.

Night
Spend your evening enjoying busy East Sixth Street. Slurp on noodles from Ramen Tatsu-ya, a collaboration between local chefs/DJs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto, made to showcase what they feel is the ultimate Japanese soul food. After you’ve had your fill of tonkotsu (broth), hop around the bars on East Sixth Street for lively libations and killer live music. Stop in at Domo Alley-Gato Tatsu-Ya to try unique cocktails made with Asian spirits and sakes.

Credit to JType Photography.

Day Two

Morning
Brunch the day away at Elizabeth St. Cafe. Known for their bánh mìs, this Vietnamese-French fusion spot marries the best of Asian and French flavors and dishes. Try pastries from the boulangerie, like beignets with lychee & raspberry jam, or order specialties like the Breakfast Singapore Noodles with stir-fried pork, Fresno peppers and fried egg. While you’re on South First Street, grab a pic with the Greetings From Austin mural to commemorate the trip.

Afternoon 
Spend the day shopping around some of Austin’s Asian-owned retailers. Stop in at Paper + Craft Pantry for gifts and paper goods to give to friends and family, or grab a little something for yourself. Find the perfect manga to read in your downtime from Kinokuniya. Spend hours browsing the selection of herbs, teas and gifts at Hang Fung. Find beauty care to take back home or collectables like chess sets, puppets, figurines and more. Or head to West China Tea House for a traditional tea service or stop by for one of their many events.

For lunch, fill up on delectable bao buns at Bao’d Up. Try the Texas Trio, complete with teriyaki chicken, spicy brisket and juicy pork baos. Grab an egg cream bao to-go and enjoy it as you enjoy the beautiful scenery around Mueller Lake Park. If you’ve brought the kiddos along, stop at Toy Dojo for pop culture-themed toys and Japanese transformers and robots. While you're on the east side, stop by OMG Squee for an afternoon treat like the mochi macarons and their tasty ube-flavored ice cream in a soft fish-shaped waffle cone.

Night
Austin is known for being weird. Watch Austin's urban bat colony fly out from the Congress Avenue Bridge from late spring to early fall before you head to dinner. Splurge on an exceptional seasonal omakase experience from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole at Uchi. Or for something a bit more laid back, check out nearby Loro for Asian smokehouse-style dishes and the large selection of beer, wine and cocktails on the spacious patio. After dinner, head over to Fallout Theater for hilarious comedy acts and Y'all We Asian, Austin's very own all Asian improv troupe, performing on the first Friday of the month. 

Find more itineraries and start planning your next Austin visit today!