The video above walks through one of the more interesting stretches in Austin — the East 11th Street District, a historically Black neighborhood just east of the Capitol building and close to the Rosewood area. If you're looking for Austin TX things to do that go beyond the usual Sixth Street recommendations, this strip is worth your time. It runs west from roughly where I-35 crosses 11th Street and covers several blocks packed with food trucks, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, galleries, museums, and even some short-term stays. The area has seen a lot of change since the early 2010s, driven partly by the national attention that Franklin Barbecue brought to this part of East Austin. David Bridwell stopped through here on his way to a gig at Spirit of Texas Distillery up in Pflugerville, and the neighborhood left an impression.
What Is There to See and Do on East 11th Street in Austin?
This is a genuinely walkable stretch with a good mix of food, history, and culture. The buildings along the strip reflect an effort to preserve the character of the neighborhood even as growth continues to reshape it. On the food side, you've got Franklin Barbecue right at the edge of the district — yes, the lines are as long as people say — plus a converted pharmacy turned restaurant, a breakfast spot, and various food trucks scattered along the way. Beyond eating, there's a Texas Music Museum focused on East Austin African-American musicians and early Texas music pioneers. There are also galleries, a community garden, and small shops that make the area feel like an actual neighborhood rather than a tourist corridor.
What Are the Best Live Music Spots on East 11th Street?
A few places along the strip host live music, and they each have their own thing going on:
- Victory Grill (now Victory East) — A historically significant venue that was part of the chitlin' circuit, the network of safe stops for African-American musicians traveling during segregation. Today it serves breakfast and hosts the Blue Monday blues jam, which originally ran out of the neighboring Kenny Dorham's Backyard.
- Kenny Dorham's Backyard — An outdoor community space right next to Victory Grill with a stage for live music, a food court, a community garden, and an outdoor gallery. It's named after the jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham, who grew up in the area.
- Quicky Picky — A self-described funky all-day cafe and grocery store that serves beer on tap and hosts live music right in the middle of the shop. It's informal and a little unexpected, which is part of the appeal.
History and Culture Along the Strip
What sets East 11th apart from other Austin neighborhoods is the depth of its history. The Victory Grill alone connects this block to a national story — the chitlin' circuit helped propel blues and jazz across the country during an era when Black musicians had very few safe places to perform and stay. That history is still present here, and the Texas Music Museum adds another layer by highlighting the specific contributions of East Austin musicians. It's the kind of area where you can grab a coffee, eat well, catch some music, and walk away knowing a little more about the city than you did before.