austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Austin

Kelsey Bradshaw

Finding coffee on your next trip downtown should be a breeze — the area is full of great options. Here are some of our favorites:

Desnudo has a truck downtown just outside Fareground Austin. Pop in for the brown sugar miso latte, and thank us later!

The coffee shop attached to Austin’s famous “I love you so much” mural has a location in downtown’s Second Street District, and it’s perfect for a midday pick-me-up. Walk around the cute area and grab an iced turbo latte, which has chocolate 

Black Fox Coffee is a brand-new coffee shop inside ATX Tower on West Sixth Street. The vanilla date latte is divine. Make sure you pair it with a Swedish Hill pastry — the coffee shop has an entire array!

Located right next to the Dead Rabbit on East Sixth Street, Grá Mór is great for a quick stop-in or a few hours of chatting and working. The selection is really fun, too. The blueberry crumble latte is just right if your sweet tooth is raging.

One of Austin’s best coffee shops, Fleet Coffee, has a downtown location! It’s diagonal to Paramount Theatre and offers a butterfly latte made with lavender syrup.

Là Vì Coffee is a Vietnamese coffee truck near the Austin Convention Center construction site. Check the shop’s Instagram for updated hours and get your coffee with a whipped banana cream top!

A Black Fox Coffee vanilla date latte and chocolate croissant. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)

Temperatures are starting to rise and if you’re not ready for our somewhat mild weather to leave just yet, bowling is the perfect solution.

Enjoy in the air conditioning at these bowling alleys around town:

Located at 2701 W. William Cannon Dr., Westgate Lanes is for the South Austin folks. The alley is open daily and 

 during the week. Prices go up a little on the weekend to $39 an hour for a lane after 5 p.m. Fridays through the weekend.

Highland Lanes is open daily in North Austin at 8909 Burnet Road. Prices start at $27 per lane per hour during the week before 5 p.m. Lane rates increase to $39 

starting 5 p.m. Friday until closing hours on Sunday

I love this one. The Union Underground bowling alley is located on the bottom level of the University of Texas at Austin’s Union building at 2308 Whitis Ave. The alley is open to the public and has great prices. Non-students can play games for $24 to $27 during the week. Make sure you check the 

? Pins Mechanical Co., 4323 S. Congress Ave., has 20 lanes for duckpin bowling, which uses shorter pins and palm-sized balls. Games are $8 per person Mondays through Thursdays and $9 Fridays through Sundays.

Where To Go Bowling in Austin

Find the best of everything that Austin has to offer. 

Austin’s Best

Austin's Best

May is Bike Month in Austin and one of the city’s premiere events is on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:

Fueling stations will be set up all over the city 

. Stations will run from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and include free drinks and snacks like coffee, tacos, and waffles. People participating in Bike to Work Day will be able to get free bike tune-ups as well.

Dozens of stations will be available. You can find the one closest to you using 

Bike to Work Day culminates in a celebration outside City Hall downtown. Information and swag will be given out starting at 7 a.m. Breakfast tacos and beverages will be provided and speakers start at 9 a.m.

A group photo will be taken around 9:20 a.m.

CapMetro Is Offering Free Electric Bike Passes

Don’t have a bike? No problem! Capital Metro is offering free day passes all day Friday for its 

 program. Use the code B2WD26 in the agency’s One Day Pass option.

Four group rides will be led by Ghisallo Cycling Initiative on Friday. The rides are free to join and end at City Hall before 9 a.m. Rides take off from East Austin, South Austin, North/Central Austin, and Windsor Park.

Bike to Work Day ends with a happy hour and concert at Central Machine Works from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cyclists get food and drink specials. A concert featuring 

Austin’s Bike To Work Day Explained

Explainers

What Austinites have been wondering. We break down why things in Austin are they way they are and how they work.

Austin, Explained

In just a couple of weeks, a new section of 

, complete with three bridges, a boardwalk, and hundreds of added trees, will open to the public.

The Confluence is the second phase of Waterloo Greenway. The first phase was the opening of Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater in August 2021. Construction on the second phase started in May 2023 and will open on June 6 with a public celebration.

“Waterloo Greenway has always been about gathering the community, and with The Confluence, we are continuing to bring that vision to life as a welcoming and inclusive gathering place for all,” said Colette Pierce Burnette, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy CEO, in a news release.

The Confluence section of Waterloo Greenway spans 13 acres along Waller Creek between Fourth Street and Lady Bird Lake. It’s 

, was funded through city and private donations, officials say.

Roughly 1,600 new trees, 200,000 native plants, and 10 acres of seed mixes were added to the trail, and a biofiltration pond was built.

Lots of structures and walking paths were added, including:

Three lattice bridges over Waller Creek for east-west connection

A half-mile of new trail connecting the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, Rainey Street, and the hike-and-bike trail

ADA-accessible trail connections to the Mexican American Cultural Center and the hike-and-bike trail

A bridge connection to Waller Creek at Fourth Street

A grand opening celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. on June 6 at The Confluence.

, and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, park tours, scavenger hunts, face painting, live music, art, and more.

What To Know About Waterloo Greenway’s Confluence Project

Get to know the natural side of Austin: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Austin Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

 that regulates how city departments can use surveillance technology.

The Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology Act was created following backlash to a proposal that would have added cameras to several Austin parks. Austinites said adding cameras to parks violates civil liberties and raises concerns over privacy, data collection, and oversight.

Here’s what you need to know about the TRUST Act:

The ordinance calls for city departments to take stock of the surveillance technology they may already have in place. Departments will have to 

 any current technology that doesn’t comply with the ordinance.

Departments Need Approval Before Using Surveillance Tech

City employees must get approval from Austin City Council before a department is allowed to use technology like aerial drones with cameras, automatic license plate readers, and other camera systems.

Before a department can get approval, they must write and publish a report about why they need surveillance technology at least four weeks before they plan to use it, 

. The report must also detail how the department plans to protect the privacy of Austinites.

A department can set up contracts with technology vendors once approved.

“I think (the act) will also increase public trust in the city; that we’re doing this all above board, that there’s no secret deals where we’re allowing third-party companies to acquire and sell our residents’ data. I think it improves trust and confidence in the city government,” 

Council Member Mike Siegel told Community Impact.

The TRUST Act includes limits on what tools city departments can use. Tools using facial recognition are not allowed. Limits on how collected data can be used are 

Austin City Council members recently approved limits on surveillance technology.

What To Know About Austin’s TRUST Act

What's being decided in Austin City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Austin City Council. 

Austin Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Austin Shakespeare is premiering “Much Ado About Nothing” at Zilker Hillside Theater this week and I have all the details for you:

Showings of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” 

 May 7-24. The shows are free to attend and start at 8 p.m. Austin Shakespeare, a local nonprofit theater company, has been putting on plays every year at the outdoor venue for its “Free Shakespeare in Zilker Park” program 

The best part of Shakespeare in the Park, minus the performance, is the ability to pack a picnic. Bring a blanket to spread out on the theater’s actual hill and pack just about anything — I’ve brought sandwiches, cheeseburgers, chips, cookies, and more. 

No alcohol or glass containers are allowed

. Some snacks and drinks will be available to purchase.

‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Follows Two Romances

“Much Ado About Nothing” is a comedy that was likely written 

. The story follows two couples — Beatrice and Benedick and Hero and Claudio — as they fall in love in Italy. Beatrice and Benedick have an enemies-to-lovers relationship arc while Hero and Claudio 

“There's something captivating about watching Beatrice and Benedick spar under an Austin spring night with that whole mid-century Italian world shimmering around them. It's Shakespeare at his most approachable, and Zilker is the perfect place to share it,” said Ann Ciccolella, Austin Shakespeare's artistic director, in a news statement.

Attendees can park for free under the MoPac Boulevard bridge at Stratford Drive and Lou Neff Road. Paid parking is available at the Polo Field near the theater for $20 with a debit or credit card.

ADA parking is free with ADA placards or plates and located behind the theater in the Barton Springs Pool parking lot.

What To Know About ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at Austin’s Zilker Hillside Theater

Happy, happy May! Live music, good food, fun festivals, and an election are all on the docket this month. Let’s get to it:

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month With Good Food

Austin Asian Community Health Initiative’s 

 is back. Once you buy the passport, you can bring it to a number of Asian restaurants across the city to unlock deals 

 and proceeds go to connecting Asian Austinites with health care and other basic needs. Participating 

 Bar Peached, Komé Sushi Kitchen, Lau Lau, and Oseyo.

Set Your Alarm for the 2026 Austin City Limits Music Festival Lineup Announcement

The lineup for this year’s ACL Fest will be 

. Tickets for the festival, which returns to Zilker Park Oct. 2-4 and 9-11, go on sale the same day.

You Can Still Get Tickets to Austin Psych Fest

 runs May 8-10 at The Far Out Lounge & Stage in South Austin. The lineup includes The Flaming Lips, The Black Angels, and Thee Sacred Souls. 

 runs May 9-10 at Hill Country Galleria. The biannual event, which used to be held on Sixth Street downtown, is free to attend and includes live music, shopping, activities for kids, food, and more.

Temperatures are rising and you have a couple fun ways to find solace in air conditioning this month.

Cine Las Americas International Film Festival

 is May 13-17. Features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos rooted in Latine/x, Indigenous, Latin American, and Ibero-American communities will be shown at theaters throughout the city. 

 $13 for individual screenings and $60 for badges.

Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series

 starts May 22 with a screening of “Casablanca.” Movies will be shown at the theater throughout the summer and tickets are $15.

We’ve Got a Primary Runoff Election This Month

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are 

facing off May 26 in the state’s runoff election

. The pair are competing for the Republican nomination for Cornyn’s Senate seat. Whoever wins will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.

Other runoff races include the Democratic nomination for Texas Lieutenant Governor, both party nominations for Texas Attorney General, and some local races.

 to find out what else will be on your ballot this month.

Your Guide to May 2026 in Austin

Elissa Castles

Looking for places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? We've got the guide for you.

Cinco de Mayo is not to be mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, but rather a day celebrating 

 in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. The holiday gained broader popularity in the U.S. during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s, when it was embraced as a way to celebrate Mexican-American identity and culture.

 is hosting a not-to-miss celebration that is free and family friendly. Head over to Republic Square on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and enjoy a variety of food vendors, an artisan market, interactive booths, and so much more.

Mariachi Classico brings traditional mariachi music to 

 in Southpark Meadows on Saturday. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and also features a set from DJ Kenny Duet, face painting, a complimentary photo booth, drinks, and more.

 is giving away free tacos with a featured drink purchase on May 5 for their Cinco de Mayo Extravaganza. The party starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. with performances by The Latin Dukes, El Tule, and tons of DJs.

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Güero's Taco Bar

What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with 

 that's been serving Austin for 40 years?! Güero's Taco Bar is throwing a birthday bash on May 5 with proceeds benefiting the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Enjoy music, tacos, and margaritas from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklórico de Texas is performing at 

 on May 5 to present Mexican heritage through rhythm, colorful costumes, and dynamic movements. The free event runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature mariachi music, tequila tastings, and bites from EastVillage Market.

The Best Cinco de Mayo 2026 Events in Austin

Big news, festival people! We’ve got a new one to attend. Manor May Day Festival is on Saturday and I’ve got all the deets.

Manor May Day Festival, which is free to attend, kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. along Manor Road in East Austin on Saturday. Think of the festival as a big block party. You’ll be able to walk around, shop, listen, eat, and hang out with your neighbors.

two dozen local businesses will be featured

 on the day, including spots like Bar Toti, Hoover’s Cooking, and Patrizi’s.

Live music, aerial performance, face painting, line dancing, and more are all 

More Events Are Happening at the Same Time

I hope you’ve got a good pair of walking shoes, because there’s lots to do and see. The following events are happening in the area at the same time as the festival:

The Festival Is Based on an European Celebration

. Celebrations often include maypoles, floral garlands, wildflowers, and more. The holiday likely originated in Greece and Rome.

What To Know About Austin’s New Manor May Day Festival

Where To Get Coffee in Downtown Austin

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Austin.

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Austin. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Austin Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Going out to eat in Austin can be daunting. Everything seems to be more expensive than ever and you likely have to pay for parking on top of your meal.

 to find out where Austinites can find a decent meal for $20 or less.

Montoya absolutely delivered and we’ve got all his recommendations for you:

For a first date, you may not want to spend your whole paycheck. You just met this person!

“I like going for something that's a little bit more approachable on a first date,” Montoya explained.

He recommends bringing your potential love connection to 

 on East Sixth Street. The bar’s "ArModelo" drink, which is a Modelo with lime juice and Tabasco, is $3.75, Montoya said. After you grab a beer, which Montoya says is perfect for kissing because it leaves the lips a little numb, take your date to 

Austinites always have someone visiting. Impress your friends and family with the happy hour at 

. The restaurant’s happy hour runs 3-5:30 p.m. every day and includes $10 burgers, $12 tuna tartare, and half-off wine bottles.

Montoya recommends getting the happy hour martinis, which are $10, for a complete meal.

“You get a really nice burger and a really nice drink for $20 total per person,” Montoya said.

Perhaps you’ve clicked on this story while you’re in town for work. If that’s the case, and your boss is only giving you $20 to eat, Montoya recommends trying 

 that runs Tuesdays through Saturdays 5-6:30 p.m. You can get a burger and fries for $12 and pair it with a half-off cocktail, glass of wine, or beer.

“I went and got the double cheeseburger with fries and three beers for $20,” Montoya said.

An Expert Dishes on Where To Find $20 Meals in Austin

Gather round, Garfields. I come bearing lasagna news.

, a New Jersey-style Italian restaurant, opened in Hyde Park 

 in the small building formerly occupied by Wok 'N Express.

I finally made my way to the counter-service spot last week and it was everything a girl who misses her hometown Italian spot could hope for. The portions are huge, the prices are not terrible, and the decor is so homey and fun. Oh, and they have the biggest piece of lasagna I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

The end piece lasagna is $24 and is what dreams are made of if you also prefer a crispy corner piece of any casserole or brownie pan. It’s crunchy in the right places, made with bolognese, and the layers are so soft they can barely stay in one place. And, the dish is served in a pool of arrabbiata tomato sauce that is a true highlight. It’ll give you something to write home about, that’s for sure. I highly recommend sharing this with a friend so you have room for other delights.

Take the calamari curly fries ($15). Thin pieces of fried calamari are mixed in with a mountain of curly fries that has horseradish mayo slathered on top. Eat a fry and a piece of calamari at the same time for best results.

Adding corn in unexpected places is one of the best things a restaurant can do. Ricotta dumplings ($18) are served in a bowl with just enough alfredo and corn sauce. The dumplings are small in size but dense enough for a real bite. Consider this a light dish before your lasagna arrives.

Umarell made me want to return as soon as possible by doing one thing: delivering food to tables. Every time a new dish passed by in the hands of a waiter, I turned into a 

. My eyes got wide and I’d ask my fellow diners what they ordered. Based on this alone, I’ll be ordering the gigantic chicken parm sandwich, chicken francese pasta, and the tiramisu next time I visit.

Hyde Park Now Home to a Huge Piece of Lasagna You Need To Try

Ruvani de Silva

Something very special is coming to Central Texas this weekend. Zwanze Day, a biennial, global celebration of the traditional Belgian gueuze and lambic beer styles put on by Belgium's Cantillon Brewing, is taking over Johnson City.

Zwanze Day, which is on Saturday, is at once a little nod to the importance of Belgian gueuze and lambic beers, and also a bit of fun. “Zwanze” is the local Brussels term for sarcastic humor. Cantillon is releasing a special experimental beer that playfully riffs on their classic styles, limiting its availability to a small selection of hand-picked locations worldwide where the beers will be tapped at the same time (2 p.m. for us) for maximum dramatic effect.

 is one of the participating locations for the 17th annual Zwanze Day. The event runs noon to midnight and 

. The day will include a vinyl DJ, themed cocktails, food pop-ups, and other treats.

Nestled into a beautifully restored 19th century building just off Johnson City square, Nice N Easy is the brainchild of couples Garret Crowell and Adrienne Ballou and Matt and Margot Piper, who met through previous roles at Jester King Brewery. The bar opened in 2021 after two years of renovations.

The team took great care in creating a drinking space with a “desert-adjacent” aesthetic, highlighting original details like handmade terra cotta architectural brick from D’Hanis Brick & Tile Company in San Antonio and thin brick from Texas-based Elgin Butler. Bullet holes from the building’s rough-and-ready history remain visible.

Nice N Easy’s emphasis on slow, relaxed quality has built up a steady following of locals, visitors, and savvy Austinites happy to make the trip out of town for their expertly curated drinks list, including Matt Piper’s bewitching bespoke cocktails and beers and wines from Crowell’s Yokefellow Beer and Ballou’s Lightsome Wines. As a true barperson’s bar exuding unfussed quality, Nice N Easy is a natural fit for Zwanze Day, one of the most famous and highly curated events in international beer.

As the last lambic brewery in Brussels and dating back to 1900, Cantillon take their role as lambic-gueuze ambassadors seriously with their own museum and guided tours and tastings to preserve the historic culture of Belgian spontaneously fermented and blended beers.

At Nice N Easy, the news that they were chosen as the only Texas venue included in the project is still sinking in.

“It honestly seemed a bit like a pipe dream until Cantillon officially announced 

Food & Drink

Where To Get Coffee in Downtown Austin

Kelsey Bradshaw

Desnudo

Jo’s Coffee

Black Fox Coffee

Grá Mór

Fleet Coffee

Là Vì Coffee

Share article

Food & Drink

An Expert Dishes on Where To Find $20 Meals in Austin

Hyde Park Now Home to a Huge Piece of Lasagna You Need To Try

Where To Celebrate Zwanze Day Just an Hour Outside of Austin

The Best Burger Deals in Austin

Your Guide to Passover 2026 in Austin

Where To Eat on Easter 2026 in Austin

The Best Steak Deals in Austin

Where To Eat Before a Show at the Moody Center

The latest in Austin

Where To Go Bowling in Austin

Austin’s Bike To Work Day Explained

What To Know About Waterloo Greenway’s Confluence Project

What To Know About Austin’s TRUST Act

What To Know About ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at Austin’s Zilker Hillside Theater

Your Guide to May 2026 in Austin

The Best Cinco de Mayo 2026 Events in Austin

What To Know About Austin’s New Manor May Day Festival