The video above walks through the East Cesar Chavez Austin neighborhood on the east side, covering the food, bars, and general feel of one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Located east of I-35 and sitting just above Lady Bird Lake in the 78702 zip code, East Cesar Chavez has a mix of old bungalow homes, taquerias, food trailer parks, coffee shops, and bars all within walking distance. It's the kind of area where you can knock out lunch, a haircut, a tattoo, and a few drinks without ever getting in your car.
What Makes East Cesar Chavez Different from the Rest of East Austin
East Cesar Chavez has this specific blend of urban and suburban energy that's hard to pin down. You'll see fancy renovated homes a block away from places that are barely holding together. The mixed-use development over the past 20 years brought in restaurants and shops, but the neighborhood still has a lot of its original character. Food truck parks are scattered throughout, which is a signature of East Austin in general, and you can walk along the main strip and find a pretty solid variety of things to eat and drink without much effort.
What Are the Best Bars, Restaurants, and Music Spots on East Cesar Chavez?
If you're heading to the area, here are some of the spots worth checking out:
- Eastside Tavern — A barbecue hangout with a casual bar atmosphere, good for grabbing smoked meat and a beer
- One in a Million — Mexican food spot along East Cesar Chavez Street
- Cenote — A popular coffee shop with a big outdoor space and leafy plants growing up along the walls and patio structures
- Long Play Lounge — A notable music spot on the strip worth stopping into for live sets and a good drink
- La Barbecue — One of the best barbecue spots in Austin, and that's not even a controversial thing to say. Usually there's a massive line, but if you time it right you might get lucky. The brisket is worth the gamble.
- Industry — Located a few blocks north near East 6th Street, this is a spacious venue with a crowd that brings dogs, grabs beers, and settles in. David Bridwell played a gig here and the energy from the crowd was solid for a couple hours of live music.
Walking from East Cesar Chavez to East 6th Street
One of the nice things about this area is how close it sits to East 6th Street. The walk from East Cesar Chavez up to places like Industry is only a few blocks, so you can easily make an afternoon and evening out of it — eat your way through the neighborhood, then head north for live music. The proximity to Lady Bird Lake also means you can work in a walk along the water before or after. It's a full day if you want it to be, or just a quick stop for brisket and a beer.