Central Austin

Husband-and-wife duo Bay and Lindsay Anthon melded their love of craft beer (him) and French background (her) into Hopfields, a sophisticated neighborhood gastropub, which opened in Austin in the fall of 2011. The rotating tap list is a big draw (but there's also a wine list), and regulars love the steak frites as well as the Pascal burger served with camembert, cornichon, whole grain mustard, and caramelized onions.

This historic mansion-turned-boutique hotel is all about Texas charm, from the grand wraparound porch, to the meticulously manicured grounds in the pool area, to the plush upholstery in the well-appointed rooms. The best part: it’s all newly renovated and totally up to modern luxury standards. The outdoor pool is lined with cabanas where you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour guest services (the fitness center is also open round-the-clock), making it the perfect place to rest and recuperate while on a business trip. Their on-site bistro, Goodall’s Kitchen, covers brunch, dinner, and dessert. The juicy burger, Tavern Steak with roasted bone marrow, or simply a few snacks to share, mean Goodall’s is worth a visit even if you're not checking in.

Established in 1984, Amy’s is a bit of a hometown hero in Austin; everybody came here as a kid. The setup is Coldstone-style, so you pick your flavor and choose from plenty of toppings or “crush’ns,” which the employees will mix in for you on-site. If you only go once, the famous Mexican vanilla is the thing to order. There are now twelve locations in Austin, but this outpost on Guadalupe was the original.

This adorable shop, owned by couple Alison and Michael Vaclav, has a few locations in Austin (including an outpost in Central Austin, Downtown, and Zilker). The coffee is all French pressed, with the rich, earthy taste that comes with it. The vibe here is decidedly unpretentious, making it a comfortable place to unwind and dig into some work. As a bonus, all but one of their locations is open until 10pm.