If you’re interested in moving to central Texas and want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Austin, then look no further than Buda, Texas. This historical town, located in Hayes County, is 15 miles south of downtown Austin. While native Texans probably know Buda for its Cabela’s Superstore, the Texas State Legislature recently voted Buda the “Outdoor Capital of Texas.” With its focus on small business, nature, and scenic city, see what all Buda has to offer with our complete guide!
Here’s your complete guide to living in Buda!
Restaurants:
While there are many different Mexican restaurants to choose from in Buda, only few are worth the stop. One of our favorites is Garcia on Main Street. This family-owned restaurant has a spacious wraparound porch, great chips and salsa, and plenty of vegetarian options. Another Main Street favorite is Casa Alde, which is only open for breakfast and lunch. Their straightforward menu features delicious fajitas, tamales, and fish tacos.
For that southern, Cajun feel, take a trip to Mudbugs on Main Street. You can get the classics like Shrimp and Grits, po’boys, and cobbler. The atmosphere and service are top notch, with a beautiful, long wooden bar in the cocktail area. For traditional Italian dishes, Amici is the spot. This food trailer serves super fresh, authentic Italian food and is family-owned and operated.
For a lighter lunch with sandwiches and smoothies, check our Frullati or Summer Moon for a pick me up.
Bars and Drinks:
Looking for a drink and a late night snack with a cool vibe? Nate’s serves coffee and sandwiches by day, crafted cocktails and food at night. The bar also features live music and a dog-friendly patio. On a nice night, we recommend venturing over to Willie’s Joint Bar and Grill. This classic icehouse offers smoked meats, ice cream, and burgers with a full bar and plenty of outdoor seating.
For beer lovers, Growler Express is a must. Choose from 24 different beers on tap, plus over fifty varieties of cans, bottles, and even wine. Either take your beer to go in one of their branded growlers or enjoy a pint at the bar while chatting with one their super knowledgeable bartenders. If wine is more your style, Water 2 Wine is a neighborhood wine bar serving small batch, house-made wines. Water 2 Wine even lets you become a winemaker with their custom wine making program where you choose the grapes and yeast to ferment.
Coffee Shops and Something Sweet:
You can be a literal kid in a candy store at Buda Soda Fountain. This adorable vintage soda shoppe offers pie, coffee, floats, and all the delicious baked goods you can think of. For a spot to get coffee and work, check out Tiny House Coffee Roasters. They pride their coffee shop on making a better world with better coffee through ethical partnerships.
Pro tip: don’t go into Sweet Cakes 4 U hungry! With their extensive selection of baked goods, you’ll want to buy them all. For a sweet, tropical escape, check out Bahama Buck’s on Main Street serving up shaved flavored ice and smoothies.
Shopping:
Buda takes pride in supporting their small businesses, so unique boutiques are not hard to come by. Some of our fave boutiques are Buda’s Red Door, Buda Mercantile Co., and The Lavish Leathers Store. If you’re an antiquer, we recommend making a stop by Old Town Buda Antique Mall. They offer stunning pieces, big and small.
A recently converted area of Buda, Buda Mill & Grain Co., features shops, restaurants, and more. It’s a great area to walk around, shop, grab a bite to eat, and support local!
Also check out the Downtown Buda Farmers’ Market every Sunday morning for organic produce, flowers, and more from local vendors.
Parks, Trails, and Green Spaces:
Sitting on 51 acres near downtown Buda is Historic Stagecoach Park. This park is great for dogs, playing, trail walking, and more. To see wildlife, we love Cullen Country Park. It’s beautiful, very shaded trail runs along a private subdivision, making for a peaceful stroll or run.
For those with kids, we love Garlic Creek Park. This 31-acre park offers a trail, playground, picnic tables, basketball court, and a splash pad. Lastly, Buda City Park is a seven-acre park tucked right in the middle of the town’s downtown area. There are plenty of activities for the family like basketball, rock climbing, and more. The park even hosts an annual wiener dog race each Spring.
Family-Friendly:
Pinballz Kingdom reigns supreme for entertainment, food, and drinks alike. This giant arcade and bar offers pinball (of course), games, laser tag, bumper cars, and more as well as indoor and outdoor bars with food.
For an outdoor activity, check out Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park. This giant, concrete skate park has everything your child needs to practice their skating moves.
Housing Market:
With tons of families and young professionals moving to Buda, the housing market is becoming increasingly more competitive. According to Redfin, the average price of a home was $298,000, up 26% from last year. 70% of residents own a home, while 30% rent. You’ll find newer builds and subdivisions in Buda, with almost 80% of homes being built in 2000 or later.
Because Buda is a smaller community, you can expect a slower pace of life compared to the hustle and bustle of Austin. This town is great for home owners as plots generally offer more land and less crowded housing areas.
Featured photo via @visitbudatx on Instagram.
