The Domain is a residential area in North Austin that is home to offices, retailers, residential, entertainment, and more all within 700,000 square feet. Residents that live in this area have everything they need and rarely need to leave their bubble. You can live, work, play, and shop all within a few miles. The neighborhood is fast-paced, urban, and trendy.
This neighborhood profile is brought to us by Smart City, which is a totally free, hyper-personalized apartment locating service. You tell them what you want in an apartment, and they’ll give you a custom list of places that tick your boxes. Once you land on that perfect spot, they’ll help you navigate the leasing process and connect you with utility, internet, renter’s insurance, and other services once you move in. Scroll down to find out how Smart City can help you find a new place to live.
And now, here’s your complete guide to living at the Domain!
Restaurants
There are a ton of restaurants at the Domain, so it’s tough to find the best one. As long as you find yourself in the Rock Rose area (the Domain’s eat and drink section), you’ll be good to go. If you’re in the mood for an eclectic menu, check out Second Bar + Kitchen or Urban. Everything from steaks, to pizza, to well thought out cocktails.
Pasta lovers are in luck at the Domain. Choose from giant pasta dishes, freshly baked bread, and pizza. Our favorite Italian restaurants in the neighborhood are North Italia, Taverna, and Mia Italian Tapas & Bar.
If you’re looking for a healthier option or a light lunch, we recommend Flower Child or MAD Greens. Both restaurants make eating healthy easy with their delicious salads.
The Domain is also home to many fantastic Asian restaurants. If you’re craving noodles, head to Xian Noodles or JINYA Ramen Bar. For all things heat and spice, we love Sway and Thai Kun.
Bars and Drinks:
Beer lovers rejoice because you will not be without a cold pint of beer at the Domain. The Brass Tap, Jack & Ginger’s, and Yard House are all high-end sports bar style restaurants with plenty of draft beer and great appetizers.
If you’re having a night out with friends and wanting to have a drink and dance, we recommend 77° Rooftop Patio Bar. This three-story rooftop bar not only has creative cocktails but tapas and a hookah lounge.
To play yard or arcade games while you have a drink, check out Culinary Dropout and Kung Fu Saloon. Both spots have fantastic drinks, plenty of fun games, and great food.
Coffee Shops and Something Sweet:
For your morning caffeine, head to Houndstooth Coffee or Craftwork Coffee Co. Both coffee shops are cozy, making it a great spot to work from while you sip on robust coffee drinks.
Copper Restaurant & Dessert Lounge is truly a unique experience. This chic bistro not only features cakes, ice cream, all things sweet, they also have a full drink list with themed nights like trivia. Sprinkles Austin is another fun experience. Sprinkles is a cupcake ATM in the middle of the Domain serving up delicious, soft cupcakes. You’ve probably seen those outrageous and fantastic milkshakes on Instagram and The Yard Milkshake Bar of Austin has ’em!
Shopping:
If you’re a shopper, then the Domain Northside is your place to be. The retail area of the neighborhood is almost 18 acres of high-end boutiques, tech stores, jewlery, sporting goods, and more. All stores are in an open-air style, so the shopping experience feels very trendy, unlike that of shopping in a mall. Some major stores include Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, and the Apple Store. As well as smaller stores like Scout & Molly’s, Luxe Apothetique, and STAG Provisions for Men. In addition to the shopping and restaurants, there are spas, movie theaters, Topgolf, and more!
Parks and Green Spaces:
There is one park area in the Domain neighborhood, Domain Central Park. There’s plenty of green space, a dog park, sand volleyball courts, and a trail around the park to jog or walk on.
In the heart of the Domain is the Lawn, a spacious Astro-turf area next to Culinary Dropout perfect for all ages.
Family-Friendly:
The Domain shopping area is super kid-friendly! Not only are there tons of kids stores, but there are interactive playscapes around the shopping area for kids to play in, on, and through!
Punch Bowl Social is a restaurant, bar, and gaming extravaganza. You can play life-sized board games, sing karaoke, bowl, and even play mini golf. The establishment allows 21 and younger in until 10 p.m.
If your family is hungry, we recommend Hat Creek Burger Co. The casual burger restaurant features a full-sized playground on site that are close to the dining tables so you can easily watch your little ones play while you enjoy your food.
Housing Market:
Interested in renting an apartment in the Domain? You’ll be in one of the most walkable areas of town! Most Domain apartments are within walking distance to essentials like grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants; and also to nightlife and shopping! Basically everything we listed above! One truly does not need to leave the neighborhood to do almost anything. Because of this areas’ desirability, the Domain area is one of the most expensive neighborhoods to rent an apartment in, with the exception of Downtown Austin.
The apartment complexes directly inside of the Domain are all built within the last 10 years or so. Even the decade-old complexes have been renovated, so all apartments within the heart of the Domain will have updated appliances, minimal carpet, W/D in-unit, and relatively modern aesthetics. On the lowest end, expect to pay $1600 or more for a studio or 1 bedroom at one of the “older” apartment complexes.
For those who want something newer and shiny, there are a lot of apartment complexes built within the last 3 years that have some of the most stunning and unique finishes around town. Renting one of these studios or 1 bedroom units will start at $1800. For those with roommates, there is not a 2 bedroom apartment in the Domain for under $2k.
If your budget is lower, there are still options within a 5-10 minute drive from the Domain. While still more expensive than living in the suburbs, there are 1 bedroom apartments as low as $1400 at complexes built in the 90s with early-2010s renovations. Like all older apartment complexes around the city, these may have black or white appliances, W/D hookups, popcorn ceilings, and carpet throughout.
All in all, renting an apartment near the Domain will be a little more expensive than most other areas of town. It’s important for a renter to consider the apartments both within and directly outside of the Domain to really identify all of the potential options. Have a taste for the finer things? The Domain has plenty of luxury apartments, too. Connect with Smart City today to get started on your apartment search!
