How to embrace the funky, eclectic charm of Austin, Texas, like a local

As a recent Torontonian-turned-Austinite, I’ve quickly learned that even when I’m seemingly in the middle of nowhere, a funky bar, restaurant or shop is tucked around the corner waiting to be discovered. This kind of jaw-dropping reveal is an experience I’ve had multiple times since moving to Austin — you just have to know where to look. Start here.

For a meal you’ll dream about later: KG BBQ

Virtually all Texas barbecue in Austin is good because the standard is so high, but one spot that’s changing the game is KG BBQ. After discovering Texas barbecue while visiting Austin from Cairo, pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh was inspired to move here, learn the art of barbecue, and launch his own food truck in 2022. The result is Egyptian-Texan fusion that uses Texas barbecue as a luscious canvas for Middle Eastern flavours. Think: pomegranate molasses glazed pork ribs sprinkled with za’atar, and Egyptian-style mac and cheese in creamy tomato-garlic sauce. Rest assured, you won’t find barbecue like this anywhere else.

For cocktails in the sun: Cosmic Saltillo

Outdoor beer gardens are an Austin signature, and this expansive, dog-friendly spot is a local favourite on sunny days — which happens to be 300 days of the year here. Located just a couple of blocks from bustling East 6th Street (where you could easily spend the day bar- and restaurant-hopping), this well-designed space features ample tables and seating, and even a garden with a pond and gurgling fountain. Standout drinks include the Cosmic Comet, a cold brew with Mexican vanilla, orange honey and oat milk, and the Tequila Mangonada, the on-tap frozen cocktail served with a tamarind chamoy rim.

For a slice of local life: Austin Central Library

A true gem, this six-story, 200,000-square-foot building in the heart of downtown is unlike any public library you’ve seen before. From the gift shop to the art installations, there are so many eclectic nooks and crannies to explore, but the true pièce de résistance is the lush rooftop garden, which is home to a live oak tree and other plants local to the area. The rooftop also offers plenty of shaded seating, alongside spectacular views over downtown and Lady Bird Lake, making it an ideal (and free!) spot to take in the city.

For a refreshing outdoor dip: Barton Springs Pool

When the scorching Texas heat descends on Austin in late spring, Barton Springs in Zilker Metropolitan Park is the place to be for locals and tourists alike. This is not your average public pool: It’s fed by natural underground springs, spans three acres and maintains a cool temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius year-round, making it a perfect place to escape the heat. With lots of shade and lawns for sunbathing, it’s a unique treasure.

For a special memento: Take Heart

Tucked away on East 11th Street, you’ll find this well-curated gift shop that stocks locally made, one-of-a-kind goods. Featuring everything from handmade ceramics to natural skin care, it’s the kind of store you wish you could live in, where picking just one thing to take home feels almost impossible. Skip the cheesy “Everything’s bigger in Texas” fridge magnet and opt for a Texas-made bud vase or candle instead, the kind of souvenir that doesn’t feel like a souvenir at all.