The neighborhoods with the most character are often historic and central. For this reason, it was probably inevitable that the Historic Rainey Street neighborhood in the heart of downtown would become a very cool district of restaurant and bars.
First came Lustre Pearl and Clive. Then, the G’ Raj Mahal Cafe. Now, three more houses are entering the process to become restaurants or bars. Since the entire district is registered as a National Historic District, all such requests must pass through Austin’s Landmark Commission.
The Rainey Street District is located between the convention center and the lake just West of I-35. With the Shore, Milago, and Legacy on Town Lake all in the district, hundreds of residents provide a foundation to bring the neighborhood to life.
Here are some of the destinations currently anchoring the emerging Rainey Street district:
Clive
Lustre Pearl
G’ Raj Mahal Cafe
Mexican American Cultural Center
