As downtown Austin marches West, the Clarksville neighborhood has managed to maintain its intimacy. Thanks to its historic roots, Clarksville has been protected from major growth, but the adjacent West End area with its anchor in the Central Design District at Lamar and Sixth means local Austin residents get the best of both worlds -- a taste of urban living in a quiet, established neighborhood.
In keeping with Clarksville's quiet atmosphere, the small commercial center on West Lynn Street has a village-like feel. At Nau's Drugstore, the soda fountain looks much as it has for decades and the milkshakes are still made the same way. One of the premier places to eat in Austin, Jeffrey's, is in the heart of Clarksville and its understated design and eclectic menu is quintessential Austin.
Many residents choose to shop at the neighborhood Fresh Plus store, although Whole Foods' landmark store is just a few blocks East at Lamar and Sixth. There are nearby dry cleaners and a garden center in the neighborhood. Come experience the bold flavors and colors of a unique taqueria call Zocalo Cafe or the upscale homemade comfort food at the Galaxy Cafe.
Other palate pleasing favorites include legendary Sweetish Hill Bakery, just a couple of blocks West of Lamar, favored for breakfast coffee and pastry, wonderful lunchtime sandwiches and special holiday pastries. Portabla on Sixth and Cipollina on West Lynn offer take-out food for dinner and picnics, and Wiggy's Liquors on Sixth is the Austin neighborhood favorite for wine and cigars. Longtime Austin favorites, Z-Tejas, Cafe Josie and Castle Hill Cafe are popular cafes in the neighborhood.
The daily witticism posted on the big sidewalk message board at the funky El Arroyo restaurant on Fifth Street is a neighborhood fixture, the addition of new shops and cafes along Fifth and Sixth are bringing a new sophistication to the area. A growing number of galleries are choosing to locate in the Clarksville neighborhood, also, and one of Austin's best Latin-American import stores, El Interior, is on West Lynn Street.
The hilly neighborhood makes for great evening walks and there are two small neighborhood parks -- Clarksville Park and West Austin Park -- and both have summer wading pools. For runners and cyclists, Shoal Creek hike and bike trail is a few blocks to the Northeast and, of course, Zilker Park is just a few blocks South.
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| El Interior - Clarksville Shop |
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| Whole Foods - Austin, Texas |
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| Z Tejas Patio |
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