Austin Neighborhood Guide: Barton Hills

By Bri Hand | Jul 13, 2021

If you’re planning on moving to Austin, you’re likely trying to figure out the best neighborhoods in Austin, and which one would be the right fit for you. Barton Hills is a great South Austin neighborhood to consider if you want to be close to the action with all the perks of a more laid-back suburban life. Surrounded by major highways and just a few miles away from Downtown Austin, Barton Hills gives you access to this city’s bustling nightlife—and a quiet neighborhood to come home to.

Thinking about moving to Barton Hills? Here’s our guide to the best restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, outdoor attractions, gyms, nightlife, and transportation in the neighborhood.

Where to go out to eat in Barton Hills

Aviary Wine & Kitchen is a must-try spot, with an impressive wine collection and a creative, ever-changing menu to match. It’s a fantastic Austin restaurant for any occasion, whether you’re trying to impress a date, have a night out with friends, or have family in town.

Austin may be hundreds of miles from the ocean, but you can get a taste of the sea right at Salt Traders Coastal Kitchen. Start your night with a Tito’s Cherry Limeade on tap, then be sure to try the New Orleans BBQ shrimp and the Flat Top Fish Tacos (with some Bacon Mac With Crab on the side!).

Austin is well known for its tacos, so be sure to hit up Tacodeli, a popular Texas chain serving up any kind of taco you can imagine. We recommend trying El Pollosito, with grilled chicken, soy-lime-infused picosito, avocado, and queso fresco. Yum!

Also in the area is Gourdough’s Public House, which is a donut lover’s dream come true and a local favorite for adventurous eaters. Featuring both donut sandwiches and burgers on the menu, this restaurant’s combination of savory and sweet will blow your mind.

Where to get groceries in Barton Hills

There is both a Trader Joe’s and a Target nearby to snag some groceries, but you can also venture over to Sprouts Farmers Market, Thom’s Market, or the Wheatsville Co-Op.

Where to get coffee in Barton Hills

You’ll have macchiatos and cold brews galore in this Austin neighborhood, with several Starbucks locations nearby. However, if you want to venture out for something more local, check out Hot L Coffee, located inside the Carpenter Hotel. This spot serves up all your favorite espresso drinks, along with breakfast tacos and sweet or savory Kolache.

You can also get your caffeine fix at Irie Bean Coffee & Wine Bar, which offers espresso drinks, tea, and even breakfast tacos!

Outdoor attractions in Barton Hills

With its lush greenery, tall trees, and proximity to Barton Creek, this neighborhood is the perfect place if you like to revel in nature. Head over to Zilker Park for hiking and biking trails and the beautiful Zilker Botanical Garden.

If you have kids, they’ll love the Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train, which offers some locomotive fun and beautiful views of the park.

This Austin park is also home to Barton Springs Pool, a natural swimming pool that is a very popular place to take a dip on hot Austin days.

Local gyms in Barton Hills

Work up a sweat at OrangeTheory Fitness, Austin Simply Fit, or SOLA Fitness. If you love to rock climb, Barton Hills is also home to the 492-foot New Wall.

Also note that many Barton Hills apartments will offer an onsite gym or fitness center as one of their many amenities, which means you can work out without forking over a gym membership. If you’re looking for apartments for rent in Barton Hills, check over the property listing and floor plans to double-check whether this is an included amenity.

Nightlife in Barton Hills

Lavaca St Bar is a great place to catch a football game and serves up excellent bar food and specialty cocktails that are to die for. Be sure to try Steph’s Mule, with Dripping Springs vodka, blackberry liqueur, fresh jalapeno, lime, and ginger beer, or pick up a Game Day bucket of beers.

Head across the pond (or just south over the Colorado River) to Baker St. Pub & Grill, a casual joint that boasts amazing pub food, including their award-winning fish n’ chips. For drinks, we recommend the Mexican Candy Margarita or the Apple Jack Lemonade.

If your dog is your favorite drinking buddy, you’ll love Black Sheep Lodge and its outdoor, dog-friendly beer garden. The bar offers various drink specials throughout the week, and a robust beer menu with plenty of options to choose from. You can also play shuffleboard or darts! There are many dog-friendly restaurants in Austin to choose from, so whether you stick around home or venture to another Austin neighborhood, you won’t have to leave your pup behind.

Transportation in Barton Hills

CapMetro operates within this part of Austin, and you can navigate in and out of the neighborhood on the 30 bus. Many Austinites also have cars, or you can get a Lyft or Uber if you’re looking to travel downtown or to other Austin neighborhoods, like Hyde Park, North Austin, or South Austin.

Browse Barton Hills apartments

If you like the idea of moving to the Barton Hills neighborhood, Landing offers furnished apartments in Austin with flexible lease terms, concierge services, seamless transfers, and all the amenities you need. Browse our available apartments in Barton Hills, or contact us to learn more about how a Landing lifestyle works.

Still looking for the right Austin neighborhood for you? Browse our other Austin neighborhood guides:

Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.