The Founder’s Guide to Austin
We’ve pulled together a ton of hot spots and insider tips on navigating Austin as a founder. Read on for local resources for entrepreneurs.
Keertana Anandraj is a part-time freelance writer and full-time sustainability analyst. Before Justworks, she began her freelance career writing for The Financial Diet and Career Contessa. She currently resides in New York City.
Austin has gained popularity in recent years as a hub for startups and entrepreneurs. With its vibrant tech scene and supportive business community, many entrepreneurs are flocking to Austin — and for good reason!
Whether you’re moving to Austin or just visiting, working in a new city is no easy feat — which is where we come in. We’ve made it easier than ever for you to find and enjoy the hidden gems and local resources that are great for new founders hustling in Austin.
A quick note: Things move quickly in Austin. With the city growing and changing rapidly every day, keep in mind that some of these resources might disappear or become irrelevant. When possible, check with the business or location to verify these resources are still available.
Free (or Worth-the-cost) WiFi
Everyone hits up the coffee shops for accessing reliable WiFi. And while they’re still great options, sometimes you need something different. Austin’s swiftly growing nature and its friendly community mean that even your grocery store or a nearby hotel can be a great source of WiFi.
Parks. Want to feel the sunshine while you work? Many public parks in Austin have free Wifi, like Zilker Park and Mueller Lake Park. And while this list covers the whole state, it’s a good spot to verify any Austin park you’re thinking of working from.
Museums. If you’re feeling artsy or need a change of pace, check out museums like the Blanton Museum of Art or the Bullock Texas State History Museum, both of which offer free WiFi.
Libraries. If you’re a bookworm, you’ll be happy to know that all Austin Public Library branches offer free WiFi. The Austin Central Library even has a beautiful rooftop patio for a workspace with views.
Breweries. If you’re a founder who can work and sip at the same time, Austin’s got you covered with spots like Central Machine Works, The Brew & Brew, and Radio Coffee & Beer (which technically isn’t a brewery, but still serves the good stuff).
Coffee shops. There’s no way around it — Austin is a coffee-loving city. Luckily, many offer free WiFi for customers. Check out places like Summer Moon Coffee, Houndstooth Coffee, Sa-Tén, Better Half Coffee, and Merit Coffee for some of the best coffee shops in town. If you need late-night or 24/7 caffeine and WiFi, Epoch’s North Loop location has you covered. Bonus spots: Cosmic Coffee and Codependent Cocktails + Coffee welcome canines of all kinds, so you can work in the company of all the cute puppers.
Unexpected venues. Do you thrive in a more chaotic environment? Then perhaps Topgolf is for you. Royal Blue Grocery is less chaotic, but may invite more snacking with their shelves full of goodies. Whole Foods can also be your saving grace, if you’re not feeling the more traditional spots.
Co-working Spaces for Every Mood
Whether you’re catching up on emails, or you need a spot to sit and brain dump, co-working spaces can be a solid solution. Cafes and other public spaces might suffice, but co-working spaces can better help you focus. And if you dig connecting with other founders or players in the space, you’re likely to have opportunities to chat.
In the tech startup space? Consider coworking spaces like Capital Factory, which is located in the heart of downtown Austin, Tech Space, which has two locations in Austin, and Vuka in South Austin.
Are you more the creative type? Check out coworking spaces like The Refinery, which comes with amenities like a darkroom and photography studio, or Createscape, which caters to creatives in fields like graphic design, web development, and marketing.
Hoping to meet other remote employees? Check out Fibercove, where people work in all types of industries. There’s also Bond Collective in East Austin, which is home to many social entrepreneurs.
Seeking sweet amenities? Impact Hub offers yoga classes, a bevy of luscious plants, and space to bring your pup with you. You can also check out Industrious, which has four locations across the Austin area and boasts private rooms, wellness space and a fitness center, mail service, craft coffee, and more.
Set the Scene for a Phenomenal Meeting
All the growth and expansion we keep talking about means there’s no shortage of restaurants in Austin. That said, finding the perfect spot for a working meeting isn’t as easy as a simple Google search. Here, we lay out some curated options.!
Wining and dining a potential customer? Consider Jeffrey’s, Mattie’s, Justine’s, or Sammie’s for delicious food and a winning atmosphere. Dip Dip Tatsuya and Lenoir are also great bets.
Meeting with an angel investor? Try Uchi, a James Beard award-winning restaurant, or Suerte, another award-winning restaurant that serves up delicious Mexican food. Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum Restaurant will also truly impress. If Italian is more your speed, check out Il Brutto. You can also visit Pecan Square Cafe for a casual but sophisticated meal.
Catching up with other founders? Check out Salty Sow or ATX Cocina for solid bites (at great happy hour pricing, too).
Celebrating with your team? Consider Swedish Hills, a cute bakery for an afternoon lunch. Matt's El Rancho is a staple when it comes to Mexican food. Sour Duck offers amazing outdoor spaces on the east side for those warmer nights. Easy Tiger is another great option in East Austin — don’t miss out on their happy hour!
Looking for something private? Secure your very own space at Uchico, which features meeting-friendly amenities. The Eastwood Room at Bar Peached, Wu-Chow, Olamaie, and Malverde at La Condesa (or their Flour House) are also solid spots to check out. You can also try Garbo’s for a more casual, New England-style experience.
Happy Hour Spots You’ll Leave Happy
A working dinner can be great, but if that’s not the vibe, there’s no shortage of excellent happy hour spots in Austin to connect with others. Check out these recommendations vetted by locals.
Looking for that old-school feel? Visit Deep Eddy Cabaret, Scoot Inn, and the oldest bar in Austin, Scholz Garten.
Need something chic? Consider Jeffrey's for 25% off on Mondays, Uchi & Uchiko for some of the city’s best sushi on the cheap, and Bufalina Due for half-off bougie pizza and wine.
Craving some bites with your beer? Check out Nickel City for no-nonsense eats with your drinks, and Gibson Street Bar’s Vietnamese food truck. Quality Seafood’s got budget-friendly Modelos and peel-and-eat shrimp, and The Peached Tortilla’s patio for cheap tacos, shishito peppers, and kimchi arancini balls with your bevs.
Ready to take a dive? Pop into Shoal Creek Saloon, Little Longhorn Saloon (featuring Chicken Shit Bingo on Sundays), Texas Chili Parlor, or Donn’s Depot (a converted train station).
Want an Austin experience? Head over to Lala’s Little Nugget for Christmas in July, Mama Dearest for Austin’s take on Southern camp, and Higher Ground for a truly “religious” experience.
Pickleball Spots to Get Social
Austin’s home to Major League Pickleball (really — it’s a thing!). Whether you’re a pro pickleballer or a newbie, check out this list of hot spots to get your game on (and maybe connect with some other founders in the process).
Need a spot that’s strictly for pickleball? If you’re not into the countless other leisure activities that many spots offer, try Dreamland, Bouldin Acres, or Shalom Austin for pickleball all day, every day.
Don’t want to reserve a court? Lake Travis Biergarten has two courts that are first-come, first serve, The Pitch has only one court, but plenty of frozen bevs to keep you busy while you wait your turn. And if you’re looking for something free, Austin’s Parks & Rec Department lists a number of courts that are open to the public (but don’t forget to bring your own paddle).
Want some refreshments while you play? The Fieldhouse at the Crossover has outdoor and indoor bars, plus food trucks to feed you. Horseshoe Bay Resort has courts for all netted sports, plus six food and bev options. For winos,5 Soul Wine Co has plenty of bottles to sip while you thwack your paddles.
Looking for an indoor court? While a bit outside of Austin proper, the Sunfield Station, Dittmar Recreation Center, and Hill Country Indoor Sports & Fitness have weather-friendly indoor courts to play on.
Places to Cry
We don’t need anything new to cry about. But if the ups and downs of being a founder are getting to you, check out these quality Austin spots for letting it all out (without getting weird stares or friendly types trying to interrupt your moment).
Bridges. The 360 Lookout (a.k.a. The Pennybacker Bridge) is a climb, but offers beautiful views of the Austin, as well as the lake and bridge. Near the south side of Congress Bridge (which is famous for bat watching), there’s a memorial bench on the water that’s pretty secluded. South of the Mopac Bridge over Barton Springs Park, you’ll find a rocky walkway that leads up to a quiet little reflection spot (and great views).
Lady Bird Lake. You can easily sit at the lake’s edge and let it out, but how much better would it be to do so on a paddleboard in the middle of the lake? Austin locals swear by this as a prime way to cry your heart out.
Gardens and preservation areas. While many of the spots in this list feature greenery, there are plenty of options if you want to immerse yourself in some lush and leafy landscapes. Check out the tea house and koi pond at Zilker Botanical Garden, or Blunn Creek Preseve’s wild greenery and semi-hidden limestone seat near the shallow creek.
Quarry Lake. This one isn’t your typical lake — if you head to Lifetime Fitness off Braker and head around to the back, there’s a green gate on the far left (it might be locked at times). The path leads to this quarry, which features benches and other good spots to hunker down and sob your face off.
Cemeteries. For those who don’t mind the macabre, cemeteries are one of the best places to cry — your tears aren’t out of place, and no one will bother you. Locals rely on the Texas State Cemetery (where many influential Texans were laid to rest), Oakwood Cemetery (tons of trees to sob beneath), Oak Grove Cemetery (very old and typically empty), and Oak Hill Cemetery (lots of nooks and crannies to seclude yourself).
The Alamo Drafthouse roof parking lot. Yes, Austin is weird, but trust them when they tell you this rooftop parking lot is the place to go. Word is you’ll get to enjoy a stellar sunset, too, if your timing is right.
Parks. While obvious, Austin offers many gorgeous parks that are just perfect for crying. Notable options include Zilker Park (Austin’s version of NYC’s Central Park), Mueller Lake Park (namely the steps at dusk), Southeast Metropolitan Park (check out the trails behind the softball fields), and Barton Creek Greenbelt (with multiple entry points and a creek).
Are you still with us? If so, we hope some of these suggestions work out for you — we’ll be coming out with even more, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, check out our other resources for founders via the Resource Center, the MWBE Resources page, and the For Founders, By Founders experience. And if you want help running your business with more confidence, get started today!
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