South Congress Cafe, on South Congress Avenue

Take a break from all the great shopping along Austin's South Congress Avenue with cocktails or a meal at the diverting South Congress Cafe, a mod, curvy space with big windows overlooking the street. A long list of wines by the glass as well as a nice range of martinis awaits diners. Brunch is a favorite meal here (try the distinctive carrot cake French toast with cream cheese-pecan syrup), but you'll find first-rate, innovative American chow for lunch and dinner, too.