East Downtown - Austin, TX Area Guide

In the mid-19th century, Joseph W. Robertson purchased some land in the Republic of Texas from the French Legation. Robertson became seriously ill a short time after the Civil War, and his son began selling plots of the land to freed slaves. The area began to grow, especially around 11th and 12th Streets, where schools and businesses were built. Other freedmen communities developed, and in 1928, the city put forth a plan that legally segregated Austin. Today, the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center teach visitors about the neighborhood's rich history. Other institutions, such as DiverseArts Culture Works, host annual events and festivals, including the Juneteenth Blues Fest during the summer.

From the 1940s to around 1990, Central Austin experienced a population boom, resulting in growth of about 40 percent. The neighborhood continues to grow, and new businesses are moving in. Today, partly due to the neighborhood's proximity to the university, the area is home to a variety of high-tech industries.

Texans take their barbecue seriously, and East Central Austin houses one of the most famous barbecue joints in the city: Franklin Barbecue. The line outside of Franklin begins to form between 6 or 7 a.m. most mornings, despite the fact that the restaurant doesn't open until 11 a.m. With lawn chairs and coolers, Franklin patrons pass the time hoping to get in before the barbecue runs out. If you have a morning to spare and a strong hankering for some world-class barbecue, give Franklin a try. While Franklin Barbecue casts a long shadow in the Central East Austin dining scene, other notable spots in the neighborhood certainly exist. For a date night, delicious weekend brunch, or amazing happy hour, check out the affordable French fare at Blue Dahlia on 11th Street. Blue Dahlia's happy hour, which runs Monday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., features $5 glasses of wine, $3.50 draft beers, and an assortment of delicious small plates that range from $4 to $10.

For a quick bite, a local favorite remains Quickie Pickie, the hybrid coffee shop-bar-grocery at 11th and Navasota. Quickie Pickie serves fresh, inexpensive tacos, sandwiches, and snacks alongside 20-plus beer taps and organic grocery selections. Stop in for a mijas breakfast taco and a cup of strongly brewed Counter Culture coffee to see what this spot is all about.

While East Central Austin does not have a bar and club district to rival Sixth Street, residents and visitors can enjoy live music many nights of the week at several local establishments, including the Mexican bar and restaurant Mijo's and at local dive bar Long Branch Inn. Long-running jazz venue Victory Grill and Kenny Dorham's Backyard also hosts live music and events several nights a month.

Residents of East Central Austin have various transportation options available to them. For those who must drive in order to commute to work, Interstate 35 remains easily accessible along the western end of the neighborhood. Ample street parking and public parking lots in the area make driving to the neighborhood a breeze.

Bike lanes prevail, and the residential streets in the area see little traffic, making biking and walking a pleasure. Because of its central location, residents can easily reach downtown on foot, and entertainment and business districts further afield can be reached by bike. Visitors to the area can rent a bike from Austin B-cycle, which has several stations in the neighborhood, including one right across from Franklin Barbecue.

While no MetroRail stops in the Central East Austin neighborhood, Capital Metro services the area with bus routes 2, 6, 21, 22, and 320. The number 2 and number 6 buses access downtown in just a few stops, while the 6, 21, 22, and 320 give riders an option for heading to northern parts of the city or south to Town Lake.

While taxis cannot routinely be found idling in the area, residents can easily call a local cab company, use Uber, or contact Lyft for a pick-up or drop-off in East Central Austin.

Residents and visitors to East Central Austin can easily walk to several "pocket parks" and a few larger public spaces in the area, all free to use and open to the public during daytime hours. Lott Park, for instance, north of 11th Street on Curve Lane, welcomes children and local-dog walkers to its small green space, playground equipment, and half-basketball court.

Chestnut Park has a picnic area with BBQ pits, a playground, and a splash pad. It also features a Bennu Coffee, a 24-hour coffee shop popular with the neighborhood's college students. And while not a park, be sure to visit the Oakwood Cemetery after moving to your East Central Austin apartment. Several prominent Texans are buried here, including several of Austin's founding families and the sole survivor of the Alamo. Just east of the neighborhood, the Boggy Creek Greenbelt provides 89 acres of green space that include walking trails, picnic areas, and open fields.

Picnic planners with active children can head to Kealing Park, near the grounds of the George Washington Carver Museum, for a picnic shelter, picnic tables, basketball courts, and tennis courts. And for larger public events, be sure to keep an eye on the French Legation Museum's calendar, where you often find the museum's sprawling grounds used for public concerts, parties, and outdoor cinema events.

In the past, Austin was known as an inexpensive city to live in; however, the cost of living continues to rise because of the rapid expansion in the city's population. Housing costs, especially, have gone up.

Central East Austin remains mostly on par with other parts of the city in regards to cost of living, although rents may sometimes be higher in this neighborhood because its central location and the new, upscale housing structures that have been built. Expect to pay upwards of $1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Central East Austin.

Gas prices in East Central Austin sit slightly lower than the national average. A pint of beer at a local pub sets you back $5.

Shoppers looking for something different can head to the boutiques on 11th and 12th Streets. On 11th Street, check out Take Heart, a small, carefully curated boutique featuring local and global gifts, art, accessories, and home decor, and the welcoming boutique right next door, Mana Culture.

For an enticing mix of specialty health foods, tinctures, and natural skin-care items, head further east to Tiny Taiga at 11th and Lydia. Shoppers at Tiny Taiga often become regulars after seeing this unique collection; watch out especially for a nice selection of raw chocolates.

Art and fashion lovers should venture north to 12th Street to hit the Owl Gallery and the Romani Gallery; for some Austin couture, check out the designs of the Argentinian sisters Paola Moore and Marina Silver at Rare Trends.

Mueller H.E.B. and Whole Foods Market are nearby in downtown Austin. For quick trips from your East Central Austin apartment, visit the local CVS or Quickie Pickie. The Sustainable Food Center's Farmer's Market is held downtown every Saturday.