Charming Austin Neighborhoods: Tribeza’s Guide to Holly

The Holly Neighborhood is so hip, and we love it for it! Time Out once named Holly one of the “coolest neighborhoods in the world”, and we think that still holds true today. Holly has largely been a residential neighborhood since the early 1900’s, but we’ve seen a lot of change happen in recent years, and it continues to attract some of the best eats, drinks, and hangs in Austin. It was difficult to narrow down this list of things to do, places to see, and where to eat, because Holly is truly bursting with some of the best options in the city — both new and old.

Located in central east Austin and bordered by Lady Bird Lake on the south, East 7th Street on the north, Pleasant Valley to the east and Chicon to the west, Holly sits in the heart of the city. East Austin provides a different vibe. It’s laid-back, walkable, eclectic, aesthetically interesting, and a little “weird” — making it one of Austin’s best.

Things to Do

Lovebirds

“East Austin’s Cutest Little Hideout Lounge” lives up to its name. The aesthetic here is SO good, from the cozy interior to the lovely outdoor patio, it’s a great spot to stop in for a delicious cocktail. Date night, friends night, or flying solo — Lovebirds just feels right.

La Holly

La Holly just might be the perfect neighborhood bar. Located in a tiny, incredibly cute, structure that has housed Tejano bars for the past 60 years, La Holly keeps the original bar vibe alive while adding an updated aesthetic, mezcal, craft beers, and food trucks to the scene. We love the patio, the history, and the chill vibe of this longstanding Austin building.

Metz Neighborhood Park

Metz Neighborhood Park is one of our favorite parks in the city. It has a great pool and splash pad, making it a perfect hang in the summer months. It also has excellent athletic fields, a pond for fishing, a covered basketball court, and a recreation center that provides the community with tons of options, such as after-school activities, meeting rooms, and a dance studio. This park is definitely a local gem!

Lustre Pearl East

The original! If you’ve been around a while, you remember that this gorgeous 1895 bungalow was the first house on Rainey Street to become part of the bar scene transition. The “Revolution of Rainey” started here and we will forever love this beautiful home and the fun vibe that it’s offered since the beginning. At Lustre Pearl East you can enjoy ping pong, hula hoops, corn hole, yummy food, excellent drinks and more.

Places to See & Shop

Treasure City Thrift

Who doesn’t love “The Most Affordable Thrift Store in Austin”? This bright pink building houses an amazing selection of finds and is collectively organized – there are no bosses at Treasure City Thrift and they are supported entirely by donations from the community.

Lady Bird Lake

The newest section of the hike and bike trail along Lady Bird Lake is located in the Holly neighborhood and offers access to about nine acres of East Austin parkland along the lake. This newest section of the trail, filled with multiple spots to sit and take in the views, as well as plenty of undeveloped grasslands, finally realizes the 1970’s dream of completing a full waterside loop trail around the lake. Take your bike or go for a stroll — this less-exposed section of the lake is a sweet spot.

Where to Eat

Launderette

Launderette is one of our favorite spots in Austin! This restaurant serves some of the best food and drinks in town and does it all in a former 1960’s eastside laundromat turned bright, airy, and hip restaurant. The vibe is laid back yet a cut above the rest with unique dishes and one of the best happy hours in the city. (Monday-Friday: 5:00pm to 6:00pm, 1/2 Price Beers, Cocktails & Wines By the Glass, $5 Off Snacky Bits & Plancha Burgers)

Juan in A Million

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Juan in A Million. This place has been serving solid Mexican food to Austinites since 1980, when two school teachers took a chance on their dream and opened a restaurant in their east Austin neighborhood. The same family still owns it to this day, with son Juan Jr. and daughter Christina managing this Austin classic. They pride themselves on “simple, homemade food. No tricks and nothing fancy.” That may be the case but it is definitely some of the best eats in Austin!

Juniper

Juniper offers a cozy, romantic, sophisticated vibe with delicious Italian food and excellent drinks. You can also choose to sit at the nine-seat Chef’s Counter and enjoy the view of the open kitchen. We love this unique, fun twist to the standard dining option. Juniper is also within walking-distance to plenty, making it the perfect place to start your night.

See Also:

• Tribeza’s Guide to Travis Heights
• Tribeza’s Guide to Hyde Park