City Editor Morgan's favorite places in Austin

A vibrant collage showcasing iconic Austin, Texas experiences. At the center, a smiling woman in a floral dress and cowboy hat holds a pint of beer from "Oasis Texas Brewing Co." Surrounding her are images of local food and landmarks: a cheeseburger with crinkle fries, a bowl of ravioli, two colorful drinks on a mosaic table, the historic Paramount Theatre, and The Contemporary Austin’s “Jones Center” with multicolored windows. The background features the Austin skyline and blue sky, blending into playful patterns like leopard print and red with white stars. — Cheers to one year at ATXtoday.

Hi y’all, City Editor Morgan here. I’m celebrating my one-year anniversary at ATXtoday, and my favorite part about the job is exploring the Capital City.

In honor of spending 365 days in your inbox, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite places in Austin. Let’s dive in.

Breakfast + coffee: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

People sitting at picnic tables on the dock outside Mozart's Coffee Roasters, with Lake Austin in the background. — Sip some coffee to the tune of waves lapping against the docks.

You’ll notice a common theme in my favorite local spots — I’m all about the atmosphere. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is my top pick for its serene setting on Lake Austin, jam-packed events calendar, and cases full of homemade pastries.

Lunch: Pool Burger

A cheeseburger wrapped in branded paper sits in a tray with crispy crinkle-cut fries and sides of ranch and ketchup on a weathered blue picnic table. Nearby, a tropical frozen drink with a pink orchid garnish and a tiki-themed cup suggest a fun, island-inspired outdoor dining experience. — Don’t you want to reach through the screen and take a bite?

My ideal day in Austin? Spend the morning swimming at Deep Eddy Pool or paddling around Lady Bird Lake, then recharge with a cocktail + bite to eat at Pool Burger. Here’s my order: the Pool Burger (add avocado), crinkle-cut fries with a side of aioli, and a Mai Tai or Frozen Hurricane.

Dinner: Numero28

table of food includes ravioli in a red sauce, a caeser salad and an aperol spritz — *Pro tip:* Sit on the patio under the twinkling lights at Numero28.

If you’ve been here all year, you know my love for Numero28 runs deep. The Italian eatery in the 2nd Street District is my go-to restaurant for a casual meal, happy hour with friends, weekend brunch, and everything in between. I never visit without ordering the spinach and ricotta ravioli, but I also love the Arancini Tradizionale, prosciutto pizza, and Alla Cesare salad.

Brewery: Oasis Texas Brewing Co.

A hand holds a pint of beer that reads "Oasis Texas Brewing Co" on the glass. In the background, sweeping views of Lake Travis are visible on an overcast day. — It doesn’t get much better than this.

You guessed it — my favorite brewery comes with a spectacular view. Located 450 ft above Lake Travis, this pet-friendly taproom has it all: an expansive patio, live music, delicious food, and a game room with craft cocktails.

Wine bar: House Wine

A hand holds a glass of dark rose wine in front of an artful display of empty colorful bottles. — House Wine has been serving Austinites since 2008.

Aside from its extensive wine list and scrumptious cheese boards, House Wine is my preferred wine bar for its unbeatable specials. Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. daily and all day on Wednesdays, a bottle and a board costs $49 on Tuesdays, and glasses of wine are half-price on Sundays.

Venue: The Paramount Theatre

The exterior of the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas; the marquee hangs on the entrance of the historic brick building, along with a vertical dark green sign that says "Paramount". A few cars line the street in front of the venue. — The Summer Classic Film Series returns to the iconic venue this summer — popcorn and all.

As I celebrate my one-year anniversary at ATXtoday, The Paramount Theatre just commemorated its 110th year of entertaining Austinites. Some of my fondest memories in Austin are thanks to this historic venue — make your own at an upcoming show.

Park: Bull Creek District Park

Crystal clear water with rock overhang, and hills in the background at Bull Creek Park. — Visitors to Bull Creek Park often swim, fish, or hike alongside the stream that cuts through the center of the park.

We’ll need more rain before Bull Creek District Park is back to its best self, but the park will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s my favorite place to bring out-of-towners, complemented by a trip to the nearby restaurant County Line on the Lake and a quick hike up to the Pennybacker Bridge overlook.

Museum: Blanton Museum of Art

What looks like an arcing rainbow spikes over the Blanton's main lobby. — No, it’s not a trick of the light — the art piece “Plexus No. 44" is just inside the Blanton’s doors.

Summer temperatures are here, and if you’re like me, it’s time to escape the heat with indoor activities. Luckily, Austin is home to one of the largest university art museums in the US: the Blanton Museum of Art. Be sure to see “Austin” by Ellsworth Kelly, and visit on Tuesdays for free admission.

Place to work: Austin Central Library

A rooftop patio with colorful woven ottomans, wooden tables, and metal chairs, overlooking a cityscape of modern glass skyscrapers. — The Austin Public Library has more than a dozen branches around the city.

Your ATXtoday newsletter has been written from the Austin Central Library more times than I can count. Inside is a treasure trove of stunning architecture and art, while the rooftop deck offers panoramic views of Downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake. Pro tip: Check out the lesser-known perks of our library.

Shop: Pavement

A colorful awning painted with red, blue, green, and yellow waves, covered in white stars, stretches over the sidewalk outside Pavement, a trendy vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas. The word "PAVEMENT" is spelled out in large marquee-style letters with lights. A bright blue sky with a few small clouds adds to the vibrant, summery feel of the scene. — Pavement has two Austin locations: one on South Lamar Boulevard and another on Guadalupe Street.

When I get a compliment on my outfit, my response is most likely, “Thanks, it’s from Pavement.” From wedding guest dresses to closet staples, a significant portion of my wardrobe comes from the buy/sell/trade shop. Psst — its sister store, Leopard Lounge, is also a top destination for vintage finds.

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10 of City Editor Morgan’s favorite places in Austin

City Editor Morgan is celebrating one year at ATXtoday by sharing her favorite local spots, from restaurants and bars to event venues and green spaces.