Austin, Texas

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*** DINING ***

• Chuy's - This famous Austin joint's known for its determinedly wacky decor -- hubcaps lining the ceiling, Elvis memorabilia galore -- and its sauce-smothered Tex-Mex food.  Chuy's is popular and doesn't take reservations; most people wait for a table by grabbing a seat in the bar area and ordering appetizers and "Mexican martinis" (like margaritas, but bigger and with olives). <frommers>
• Franklin BBQ - BBQ to die for. Lunch only, but arrive at breakfast as the line extends way way way outside the shack and around the corner. And they run out.
• Guero's Taco Bar - Channeling the Austin spirit at its best, this SoCo stop attracts masses of locals and visitors alike for no-nonsense Mexican grub and margaritas that'll take the enamel off your teeth served inside a grungy old feed store or out on a covered patio; it's especially popular when live bands are on the bill, so long lines and slow service are to be expected. <zagat>
• La Condesa - Modern Mexican cuisine in the second-street district.  Multi-level, high ceilings, cool and funky decor ... done nicely.
• Lambert's - Modern interpretations on Texas cuisine, as well as standard BBQ.  Cool venue and vibe, with a live music stage upstairs.  Nicer than most BBQ joints.
• The Oasis on Lake Travis - A trip to Austin is not complete without a (designated driver equipped) trek to The Oasis.  There's nothing crazy about the food but enjoy the views and outdoor seating on the tiered deck overlooking Lake Travis.
• Olivia -  A lovely space with good buzz, this modern South Lamar spot does fresh, seasonal, nice-night-out food with an innovative, eclectic menu that will change your mind about sweetbreads, lamb tongue and other oddities. Fairly pricey. <zagat>
• Perlas - Gulf-coast style seafood restaurant (yes, it's delicious!) with a rockin' outdoor patio that overlooks the heart of SoCo.  Yum. Fun.
• Second Bar & Kitchen - Gourmet bar food that will WOW you, and cocktails to match.  Nicer, modern atmosphere than your standard joint.
• South Congress Cafe - Big Texas taste with chic decor
• Stubb's - Super famous live music venue as known for its BBQ as its nightly shows.
• Takoba - Low-key Taqueria on Austin's East Side features a backyard sandbox, complete with beach chairs and fire pits for lounging. Great vibe. And happy hour.
• Uchi - Prepare to be ruined for all other sushi.  Reservations are hard to get. Despite its great success (including an Iron Chef spot, a Top Chef win, and all the attendant publicity), Uchi doesn’t rest on its laurels. Fish is flown in fresh from Tsukiji several times per week. <fearlesscritic>
• Uchiko - Warning: this is a rare half-your-paycheck dining experience, but we just can't keep Uchiko's Japanese farmhouse fare to ourselves. The service is tip-top, and the food is to die. Trust your server and have one of the best meals of your life, guaranteed. <eater>

*** COCKTAILS ***
Skip Sixth Street. Don't miss the Rainey Street Bar District!

• Clive Bar - The bar is lined with white leather and copper-studded bar stools and its clever menu of drinks features Midnight Moonshine and a series of house-made bitters with flavors like cherry-vanilla and tobacco-ginger. But the real gem is in the backyard. Bar Illegal, a tiny candle-lighted space, serves nothing but straight-up mezcal. <nyt>
• The Driskill - See hotels
• East Side Showroom - a steam-punk bistro with live music that favors accordions to steel guitars, you can kill time watching a Marx Brothers movie while you wait for a table. Be patient — the barman will take his time preparing drinks like a Japanese Cowboy <nyt>
• Freedmen's - A laid back lounge, beer garden, and smokehouse in an historic building with retro-inspired cocktails.  In the late 19th century, the building that now houses Freedmen's smokehouse and grill served as a gathering spot for Wheatsville, the African-American community made up of freed slaves.
• Lustre Pearl - This rickety abandoned house is the anchor of the HIIIIIIP Rainey St. bar district. Feel its old bones creak, striding along its hardwood floors in your flip-flops. Order a Yellow Belly and fried pickles. While away at the jukebox (but pick the right songs or the bartender will fast-forward.) "Rent" a hula hoop and take it outside. Slow down. You move too fast. <blackbook>
• Midnight Cowboy - The reservation-only (2 hours each) bar is in a former brothel, but the drinks from beverage director Bill Norris and bartender Brian Dressel are clean as can be.  <eater>
• Weather Up - This Austin outpost of a NYC cocktail bar chain raises the bar in a city already obsessed with delicately crafted, upscale beverages. <eater>

*** HOTELS ***

• The Driskill - Classic, beautiful Austin hotel with a classic, beautiful Austin bar.  Don't miss a nice pre-dinner cocktail here.
• Hotel San Jose - An alternative to mainstream lodging, this revamped 1930s motor court is now a cool boutique in a crazy-prime South Congress location, offering comfortable as hell, gorgeously modern rooms with minimal furnishings that make you feel like an artist waking up; the ultra hip bar has outdoor seating in a lush courtyard. <zagat>
• Hotel St. Cecilia - A small, private hotel, the Saint Cecilia (named after the patron saint of music) sits on a large property just off South Congress. Rooms are designed with clean lines and attractive spaces, and each has its own outdoor area. Ridiculously awesome SoCo location.