I like to eat, so hopefully these recommendations are spot on. I'll eat out every meal. Staying at the JW Marriott which has a ton of restaurants but I'd rather go out and sample local food. I like live music which I heard is big here. My wife may join me later in the week, but for now I'm rolling solo so I have time to see whatever. Thanks for the advices.
Austin has a lot of live music downtown. Cedar Street Courtyard on Wednesday is good. Speakeasy is good as well. You can't really walk by a bar on 6th st without hearing a band.
Food recommendations downtown:
Gueros Taco Bar on South Congress. It's a popular hangout for some of the local celebrities and the food is decent. A place people hit when visiting Austin
Perlas Seafood on South Congress. Nice open air seating to people watch and good food
El Alma on Barton Springs, good food and drinks. Upstairs in open air
Huts is the place for burgers and another Austin icon
The food trailers on South 1st. I think Torchys has a trailer there as well.
The Launderette is a foodie favorite on Holly St
VIA 313 is a popular pizza trailer. It's deep deep dish and always voted in the top 3
Fonda San Miguel is a central Mexico type restaurant, a break from the Tex-Mex and highly rated. It's a short uber ride from down town
The Oasis is located out at the lake up north, interesting place on the side of the cliff overlooking Lake Travis. People go for the sunset. Food is okay, but nothing to write home about, its all about the view there.