The West Campus neighborhood is located to the west of the University of Texas at Austin’s main campus north of downtown. It’s a bustling area filled with student housing, historic homes, restaurants, bars, bookshops, and music venues. Here are just a few of our choices for the Best of West Campus.
Bordered to the east by The Drag and to the west by North Lamar, this densely populated little community is more than just dive bars. You can find almost any kind of cuisine here, from Thai to pizza to Japanese to Brazilian BBQ and more.
Madam Mam’s
Serving tasty traditional Thai dishes in West Campus since 2000, Madam Mam’s is practically a rite-of-passage for UT students. Their new location is around the corner from the original. It’s bright and clean, and the portions are large — big enough for leftovers the next day. The Pad See Ew is a common favorite!
Where: 510 W. 26th St.
Phone: (512) 305-3955
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29th Street Ballroom
The 29th Street Ballroom pays tribute to what came before while bringing fresh energy. Whether you are there for live bands, a night out with friends, or just to hang, the crowd feels welcoming. Lights shine bright and the music never stops. It turns an ordinary evening into something memorable.
Where: 2906 Fruth Street
Web: 29th Street Ballroom
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Tweedy’s Bar & Patio
Tweedy’s is an all-day neighborhood spot serving specialty coffee, craft cocktails, beer on tap, and a spacious, dog-friendly patio.
Where: 2908 Fruth Street
Phone: (512) 297-2125
Web: Tweedy’s Bar & Patio
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Crown & Anchor Pub
Crown & Anchor has been a West Campus institution for over 30 years. Stop by to sip a pint, play some pool, watch the game, and enjoy life in our fair city. 32 taps and 100 bottled beers spoil you for choice. They also have cider and wine, if hops and malt aren’t your thing.
Bonus — it’s super affordable. They have pint and pitcher specials daily. And where else in this town can you get a pub-style burger and fries for $6.50??
Where: 2911 San Jacinto Blvd
Phone: (512) 322-9168
Web: Crown & Anchor Pub
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Dirty Martin’s Place
Since 1926, Dirty Martin’s (aka Martin’s Kum-Bak) has been serving excellent burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes in the same location on the Drag. It’s still family-owned, and it’s one of the oldest restaurants in Austin (and definitely the oldest on The Drag!).
So what’s changed in the past ~100 years? To start with, the eponymous dirt floor has been replaced with concrete. And they brought in liquor, so you can get a beer or add a shot to that milkshake.
Plus, they now host plenty of events. From NBA, NFL, and college football watch parties to live music to Classic Car Nights, there’s enough to do here that you’ll want to kum-bak.
Where: 2808 Guadalupe
Phone: (512) 477-3173
Web: Dirty Martin’s Place
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Cactus Cafe
Serving the UT and Austin communities since the late ‘70s, the Cactus Cafe is a mainstay. In fact, when a shutdown was announced in 2010, tens of thousands of people protested. Saved by grassroots efforts and the intervention of KUT, the Cactus is now better than ever.
Live music and open mic nights are the main entertainment at this all-ages venue. Plus, KUT hosts Views & Brews twice a month. Have a drink and listen to talks on topics from jazz to artificial intelligence to cowboy poetry. It’s all part of the vibe here on The Drag in Austin.
Where: 2247 Guadalupe St
Phone: (512) 475-6515
Web: Cactus Cafe
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Halal Bros.
Opened by a pair of Brooklyn-born brothers back in 2012, Halal Bros.’ mission is to bring halal food to the Austin culinary world. (“Halal” refers to food that is permissible under Islam, which prohibits certain animals and cuts of meat.)
You’ll find tender marinated beef, lamb, and chicken served as kebabs, shawarma, and gyros. Plus, plenty of falafel and hummus for your vegetarian friends!
Where: 2712 Guadalupe Street
Phone: (512) 284-8105
Web: Halal Brothers
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Cain & Abel’s
Cain & Abel’s has been a part of Austin and UT’s West Campus since 1991. The original location was located at the corner of 24th Street and Rio Grande & closed in April 2023. The new home of Cain & Abel’s is located just two blocks west to 907 W 24th St. Cain and Abel’s serves American food with a Texas Drawl!
Their huge patio is a great place to watch the game or enjoy their Southwestern-style pub food. Try their crawfish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, green chile burgers, or chicken fried steak.
Where: 907 West 24th Street
Phone: (512) 476-3201
Web: Cain & Abel’s
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Hole in The Wall
The Hole in the Wall has been home both pro and amateur musicians on The Drag since 1974. (This author’s high school pop-punk band even graced their stage in 2002.) They’ve had to fight to survive in the rapidly changing Austin climate. But this Austin icon is still kicking and playing live music most nights.
Where: 2538 Guadalupe St
Phone: (719) 266-2837
Web: Cain & Abel’s
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Kerbey Lane Cafe
Since opening in 1980, Kerbey Lane has expanded to 8 locations and become an Austin icon. Their location on The Drag is the domain of all-day study sessions and late night unwinding. While they serve sandwiches, burgers, and tacos, the highlight is 24-hour breakfast.
How about the Eggs Francisco? It’s an English muffin topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, and avocado, then smothered in delicious queso.
Where: 2606 Guadalupe St
Phone: (512) 477-5717