I used to go out to the Domain quite a bit, but I seem to go out less since it gets crazy crowded! I made a guide simply to avoid crowds but still get the most out of the Domain! I used to live above the stores at the Domain, so I’ve been able to get a bit of first hand experience.
First, as a disclaimer, with all the new and exciting places added to the Domain, I’m basing this off my experiences in 2018! The Domain was a whole different place a couple of years ago, so I wanted to base this off of what I’ve experienced lately rather than back in the day!
I’ll start off with my favorite place for brunch, dinner, and just to grab a drink: Culinary Dropout. This classic restaurant placed its first Texas location right here in Austin! They have an amazing variety of cocktails, and all the ones I’ve tried have been absolutely delicious! My favorite drink is Room Service which has gin, prosecco, and a sweet hint of strawberry. As for food, you really can’t go wrong either. I would definitely recommend my favorite, the Turkey Pastrami Sandwich, but I’ve also had amazing dishes such as the Smoked Salmon Salad, Fish and Chips, Soft Pretzels and Provolone Fondue, Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast, and the BBQ Pork Belly Nachos (did I just list half the menu?).
I also recently discovered they offer weekend brunch here too! I must say, it’s one of the best I’ve experienced in Austin. I’ve only been here once for brunch, but I tried the South Texas Sunrise which has beer, vodka, and a tropical fruit mix, along with the Kentucky Hot Brown. Honestly, everything is absolutely delicious here and you can’t go wrong!
My next recommendation, and another one of my favorite spots, is St. Genevieve. This bar is super upscale and gorgeous on the inside, but trust me, the prices don’t reflect that like you think it would! It features a circular bar area and lush seating throughout the entire bar with dim blue lighting. I used to walk by all the time and think wow, I’ll have to go there on a special occasion. And it turns out, it’s a lot more chill than you think. They have a large selection of cocktails and it’s a great place to just sit and chat. I’ve also heard the food is really good too, but I don’t have any first hand experience with it!
Another great restaurant pick is Second Bar and Kitchen! This is their second location in Austin, with their first on 2nd and Cesar Chavez downtown. This location is a bit unique since it’s connected to the Archer Hotel and features beautiful high ceilings, stone touches, and dim lighting. What I like most about Second Bar and Kitchen is that they have plenty of healthy options, with a good variety. I love ordering their Raw Kale and Carrot Salad or the Pizza Bianco. I may have also had a mini-photo shoot the last time I was there…
Last but not least, in terms of restaurants, I had to add another one of my favorites: North. They offer some amazing food with a variety of scratch Italian cooking. This restaurant has been at the Domain for some time, but it could never be erased off of my goto list. Ironically enough, they’re also owned by the same people who own Culinary Dropout, #FunFacts! My favorite item to get off the menu, besides the tomato pesto and bread they give to you when you sit down, is the Chicken Pesto. It’s absolutely amazing and I crave it quite a bit. Also, if you’re in the downtown area, they just opened a larger restaurant off of 2nd street that’s just as fabulous!
In terms of nightlife, Rock Rose has really expanded with a ton of bars and huge crowds of people trying to get in. I never would have thought this area would be so popular, but the word has gotten out! I’ve enjoyed the bars here and there, but my absolute favorite is 77 Degrees. I haven’t been in awhile, but I used to go all the time! In all honesty, the time I have been there this year, I’ve just popped in for a drink and left. They do have really good hookahs and a cocktail menu, but the service has slacked a little throughout the year, mainly because of the crowd. It’s still a really hip and fun place to go to, especially when they have a good DJ!
Last but not least, I have to rave about one of my favorite places to go to, SoulCycle. I gained a passion for SoulCycle when my workplace gave me a free month of classes, and they really paid off! It’s fun and you see results! I did a total of 12 classes within the month and I trimmed down all over and even all the cellulite on the back of my legs was nonexistent. They also offer a variety of classes with different music styles, so I mostly did the rap classes (with my favorite thus far being Kendrick Lamar vs. Cardi B), but they also have plenty of pop, EDM, and other genres! I’ve never been to their sister downtown location, but I can guarantee the instructors at the Domain location will show you a good time!
And this is my conclusion to my favorite spots at the Domain! Of course, I also love going shopping at stores I didn’t mention such as Nordstrom (my guilty pleasure), Free People, Sephora, Brandy Melville, CB2, Madewell, J Crew, etc., but I think everyone already knows the just of those!
I hope this guide was helpful and ensures a good time at the Domain!
xx,
Rachelle
