Austin

This spot makes for a great family zone: just put down a blanket outside and watch your kid accidentally step in guacamole. The coffee and pastries are great, and one of the best parts about Radio Coffee is the Veracruz taco truck out back. That’s the real deal!

Having a pocket of nature in the middle of the city is a huge bonus. Seeing some trees and sweating it out in natural surrounds can easily be part of your weekly routine. You can drop in, go for a quick hike, and step away from your screen for a bit.

One of my favorite places in Austin that I don’t go to enough. Everything is really dialled in from the plants to the architecture to the whole aesthetics of the place. The staff is really friendly and it’s a great place to just chill with a few drinks, even if you're not staying there.

This is one of Counter Café's newest locations. And roomier than the original. Every time I go the service is always exceptionally pleasant and I’ve had great conversations with the people who work here. The food is always good. My recommendation: the breakfast burrito or why not go big time with the burger?!

Public School is a shared studio space, a collective where everyone runs their own business as a creative: from photographers and graphic designers to illustrators. It started off as kind of a necessity: a place where people could develop their careers. By being a part of a larger group, we could generate more attention while sharing resources and critical feedback. It’s become a group of close-knit friendships, because we all choose to be here, and be a part of something.

Two of the things I like about Blue Dahlia: it’s both tasty and healthy. The atmosphere from the front porch, to the restaurant, to the back porch are related but they each feel unique in themselves. The back is a little more secluded, the inside has a European feel, and from the front you’ll see more people and traffic cruising by. I typically go with the hummus tartine because you can easily make food faces with the sprout hair. :-)

I was first driven here by my interest in Devo and Mark Mothersbaugh. As Austin's main center for contemporary art, the museum aspires to be a catalyst for reflection and inspiration in the city. Their executive director, Louis Grachos, has a pretty unique vision that has given rise to several interesting urban and outdoor exhibitions. Well worth checking out!

I can’t say favorite every time, but, End of an Ear is one of the most incredible record stores around. This place is a classic with a solid selection of music and equipment. The exterior offers some great visual moments with some strange vegetation and brightly colored pipes. It feels very old-Austin to me, and sort of off the beaten path.

Love this menswear shop! Don Weir is an exceptional curator, not only with the store as far as merchandising goes but also with the furniture and displays. One of the other things that draws me in every time is the people they work with on their graphics as well. All of their promotions, sales and Tumblr feed are done really well.

East Side King has multiple trucks and locations, including a brick-and-mortar site on South Lamar with a larger menu (including takeout!). Paul Qui and his crew are doing a lot of amazing projects on Austin's food scene. And the fact that this food truck is also a good watering hole, if you will, makes it a plus.

Keeping everything in the same neighborhood makes it nice. You can make a night out of it without having to go all over town. I really like the aesthetics and lounge-y vibe of this space. Most importantly, there’s a big outdoor area, live music and a good selection of drinks. There was some great gypsy jazz playing when I was here last. Inside, you can sit, drink and experience the music, or go outside for a conversation. You get the best of both worlds here.