Welcome to South Central Austin
The art, music, and culture community of Austin, TX
While much of Texas is known for its relaxing environment and laid-back activities, South Central brings a whole new vibe to its residents. Most people are foodies, as the community is full of some of the most delectable eateries and dining. The neighborhood is well-known for being hip and trendy, and despite how up-and-coming it is, it also embraces the active and outdoor lifestyles that are important to many Texans.
You'll find a mixture of buildings in the residential area, from quaint cottages and bungalows to large modern new builds. Luxury condos yield incredible views, and charming historic homes fill the tree-lined streets. Steps from upscale retail and dining establishments, residents of South Central love calling their neighborhood home.
What to Love
- Hip, trendy, eclectic vibe
- Foodie destination
- Tourist friendly
- Active and outdoors
Local Lifestyle
The local lifestyle in South Central combines outdoor activities (i.e., hiking, biking, walking in parks, playing sports, going out on Lake Austin) and high-end shopping and dining. There are beautiful picturesque views of surrounding nature, from large and shadowy trees to vast waters sweeping between them. And at the same time, you’ll find some of the most delectable eateries and upscale boutiques and shops.
Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping
When it's time to get some drinks and eat, you'll want to check out the following four places: Grab an avocado margarita at
El Alma, enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and the best house-baked bread at
Easy Tiger Beer Garden and Bakery, visit
Loro for a combination of Asian smokehouse and Texas BBQ on a great patio, and enjoy the most popular noodle house and bar at
Ramen Tatsu-ya.
Whether you want a filling breakfast or light brunch,
Mattie’s is a likely spot, a converted historic home protected by gigantic oak trees. Guests rave about the seared Scottish salmon, and you might be surprised to encounter flamboyant avian friends who live on the property. Meanwhile,
Uchi makes some of the best sushi in Austin, plus Japanese specialties like bluefin otoro and hamachi.
Things to Do
Like some other surrounding communities, South Central is another great place for Kayaking and paddleboarding on Lake Austin. If you don't have your own boats and equipment, you'll find several great companies to rent from.
Butler Pitch & Putt is another popular spot in the area, as many of South Central's residents love golfing. The course has nine par-3 holes, putting greens for guests to take advantage of, and a food and beer garden. To cool off from the hot Texas heat, you'll find that most families and locals head over to
Barton Springs Pool, where the water is kept cool at 68 degrees all year round, and a lifeguard keeps an eye out for swimmers.
If you're looking for a park to visit,
Zilker Park is Austin's all-time favorite. It's also super well-known for putting on the ACL music festival. The metropolitan park also has a theater, sports facilities, and botanical gardens, and it is also where you'll find Barton Springs. When it comes to hiking and biking, however, the best place to go is the
Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail.
Schools
Residents in the South Central area benefit from accredited schools in the Austin Independent School District: