Take a left off of Burnet Road past 45th Street, and you’ll find yourself in a charming row of streets blanketed in trees and bordered in quiet, shady sidewalks.
The secluded hamlet you now find yourself in is Allandale, a mostly residential neighborhood in north-central Austin. Although it’s a quiet area of town, Allandale has quite a bit going on. Let’s take a closer look at the neighborhood so many people — maybe even you — love to call home.
Need to know
Home to Gullett Elementary School and Rosedale School, a school for students with severe special needs, Allandale is ranked Austin’s second-best neighborhood to raise a family in by Niche, an education analysis website. The neighborhood received an A+ score from the website, in part driven by top scores for public schools and nightlife.
Yes, you read that right — Allandale is a quiet neighborhood, but it also has access to some of Austin’s best bars, restaurants and coffee shops on Burnet Road.
About 10,000 people live in Allandale, and the area’s median income was $99,610 in 2019. The median age for residents is ~37, with a high concentration of residents in their 40s and 60s.
The early days
The area now known as Allandale was granted to Texas Revolution fighter George Washington Davis by Republic of Texas President Mirabeau Lamar in 1841, as thanks for his service in the Battle of San Jacinto. Davis sold most of the property, but the Davis Cemetery still remains, and is one of the oldest cemeteries in Austin.
For several decades, the area played host to a collection of small farms — that is, until W. Murray Graham stepped on the scene.
Graham, an Austin real estate mogul who also helped build out Enfield, Tarrytown, and Bryker Woods, plotted Allandale in the late 1940s, and it quickly became a boon for residential developers.
By the 1950s, the neighborhood became a pioneer for one of the most beloved inventions in Texas: air conditioning.
At the time, AC was still primarily used to cool businesses, but the National Association of Home Builders wanted to start bringing the product into homes. Allandale was chosen as a test neighborhood for the association’s research and promotion, earning it the moniker “Air Conditioned Village.”
Can’t miss
Running low on time? A trip to Allandale isn’t complete without picking up a couple of delicious bites on Burnet Road.
May we suggest scooping lunch from T-Loc’s Sonoran Style Hot Dogs or Hat Creek Burger Co.? If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to also factor in a stop at Upper Crust Bakery — you can thank us later.
If you have a bit more time to spare, try taking your treats to Beverly S. Sheffield Park for a picnic near the pond. If you have little ones, this is also a good spot to let them get their energy out at the park’s playgrounds and pool.
Shop
Between art, plants, and specialty food products, Allandale has access to several small businesses that stand out.
- Wander through a jungle of plants, pots, and gardening supplies at the peaceful Shoal Creek Nursery.
- Find unique, local gifts at Sunset Canyon Pottery or Atown.
- Make the old new again at antiques shop Out of the Past Collectibles, vintage store Avengers Vintage, or thrift shop DoubleTake ATX.
- Pick up specialty snacks + ingredients at Asahi Imports, an all-Japanese market.
Eat + drink
We already mentioned a few go-to spots for grub in Allandale, but there’s more where that came from.
- Fonda San Miguel’s renowned Mexican cooking has been making a name for itself in Allandale since 1975. An added bonus? The atmosphere is 10/10.
- Modern French cafe épicerie café & grocery is a known for pastries such as beignets, croissants, and pain au chocolate.
- Get your morning caffeine fix at Monkey Nest Coffee, an environmentally + socially conscious coffee shop that also serves up sandwiches and small bites.
- If you’re looking for a place to wet your whistle, try visiting local pub Billy’s On Burnet, honky tonk The Little Longhorn Saloon, the dog-friendly Yard Bar, or Christmas-themed bar Lala’s Little Nugget.
Where to live
Most homes in Allandale were built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The median home price in the neighborhood is somewhat competitive, with costs increasing by ~6% in the last year to an August average of $915,000.
If you’re sold + looking to buy a home in the area, here are some housing options currently on the market:
- 7409 Shoal Creek Blvd. | 3 BD, 2 BA | $806,000 | This two-story home near Shoal Creek comes with a patio and two-car garage.
- 3004 W. Terrace Dr. | 4 BD, 3 BA | $1.75 million | Recently remodeled, this home features a fireplace and new stainless steel appliances.
- 3010 Hunt Trl. | 4 BD, 3 BA | $1.99 million | This modern new build contains large windows, marbled showers, and a spacious backyard with a pool.
- 3305 Greenlawn Pkwy. | 3 BD, 2 BA | $895,000 | This home built in 1961 features a covered backyard patio.
