Austin: Insider's Tips

Bengie Beshear, owner of The Iron Bear
On the Asian Dining Experience: "One of my favorite places to eat is the HOA HOA restaurant on the corner of William Cannon and Manchaca in a seedy looking shopping strip. They have the best Asian food in Austin! Their Pho is to die for! The owner, Lin, is always there and willing to chit chat with her customers and knows most of the regulars by name. I seldom go to any other Asian restaurant."

Jeremy Becherer, owner of Halcyon Cafe
On Culture and People Watching: "My favorite part of Austin to visit is the Warehouse District. it offers a very diverse cultural experience with coffee shops, bars and restaurants a plenty. It also has the best people watching in the city."

It’s also one of the most diverse areas in town, offering everything from pubs to a hot dog lounge. But if you’re even bored with that district, or stuck with a need for another suggestion, never hesitate to just ask someone you pass on the street. According to Becherer, Austin’s just that kind of friendly city. “You can meet a complete stranger down here and in a few minutes have a new best friend,” he says. “It's happened to me on multiple occasions.”