Austin gift guide 2025: Local picks for every music, art and food lover
- Pantalones Organic Extra Añejo Tequila ($99.99)
- The Contemporary Austin watercolor set ($24.99)
- Uchi "Omakase at Home" holiday box ($120, box only; or $150, with champagne)
- 'Austin's Music Scene' book ($40)
- 'The Soul of Fonda San Miguel' cookbook ($65)
- Texas Capitol Ornament Collection (from $20, single to $248 for the collection bundle)
- "Antone's 50th Allstars: 50 Years of The Blues" box set ($200)
- Custom gold vinyl from Waterloo Records (prices vary)
- Armadillo World Headquarters Swag (prices vary)
- Get sauced
- LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue's Mustard BBQ Sauce ($10, 16 oz.)
- Nixta Taqueria's Salsa Macha ($10, 8 oz.)
- Spread & Co. Hot Pepper Vinegar ($10, 5 oz.)
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It's the most wonderful time of the year to support local businesses. We've rounded up a list of Austin gifts that will remind your loved ones how great it is to live in the "Live Music Capital of the World," while impressing them with your immaculate taste.
Pantalones Organic Extra Añejo Tequila ($99.99)
Pantalones Organic Extra Añejo Tequila is available for a limited time for $99.99. (Provided by Pantalones Organic Tequila.)
For the friend who insists their bar cart is "curated," this limited-edition extra añejo brings Texas style without the chaps. It's a bottle that basically winks at you from across the room. The liquor is aged in bourbon barrels and dressed in a cheeky belt-buckle label. Notes of agave, toasted oak, dark chocolate and just a hint of Lone Star warmth are prominent in the new añejo. Great for the agave snob, the design-obsessed, or anyone who would appreciate a tequila from Matthew McConaughey. -Ana Gutierrez
The Contemporary Austin watercolor set ($24.99)
The Contemporary Austin offers a watercolor set for $24.99. (Provided by The Contemporary Austin)
For your artsy friend who says they're "getting back into painting" but mostly paints for the vibes. This museum-quality watercolor set packs 18 vibrant pans into a sleek, eco-friendly bamboo case - very "I take my creativity and sustainability seriously, thanks." It's fast-drying, travel-friendly and the perfect size for a stocking stuffer. (Paintbrush not included, so maybe snag one of those, too.) -A.G.
Jones Center: 700 Congress Ave. 512-453-5312.
Laguna Gloria: 3809 W. 35th St. 512-458-8191.
Uchi "Omakase at Home" holiday box ($120, box only; or $150, with champagne)
The Uchi "Omakase at Home" holiday box goes for $120. (Provided by Uchi Restaurants)
If you're shopping for someone who believes good sushi is a love language, Uchi's limited-time omakase package might be your new favorite gift. The set includes an arranged sushi box, signature bites like chicken karaage and brussels sprouts, and-wait for it-a pint of Uchi's cult-favorite ice cream (choose between Fried Milk or S'mores). Add a half-bottle of Laurent Perrier if you're feeling fancy (or apologizing for something). Ideal for the foodie, the homebody, or the person who wants a Michelin-level night without changing out of sweatpants. -A.G.
Uchi: 801 S. Lamar Blvd. 512-916-4808
Uchiba: 601 W. Second St. 512-916-4808.
Uchiko: 4200 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-916-4808.
'Austin's Music Scene' book ($40)
A handy field guide, "Austin's Music Scene," is available at the website for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. (Thunderhouse Media Group)
Talk about a perfect match between a charity and a creative fundraising project: The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is behind a handy field guide subtitled: "Your Guide to the City's Most Iconic Artists and Venues." The print is large, the pictures gorgeous, and the stories about musicians, clubs, festivals and other scenic elements well-told. With so much key data collected in one place, one wishes for an index, the bookish version of a search engine. For further updates, please continue to follow our music team on statesman.com. After all, this newspaper has been covering Austin music for a very long time. - Michael Barnes
'The Soul of Fonda San Miguel' cookbook ($65)
"The Soul of Fonda San Miguel: Fifty Years of Food and Art" is an exquisite cookbook and record of Austin's classic interior Mexican restaurant. (University of Texas Press)
Oh my! This is the cookbook you've been waiting for, subtitled "Fifty Years of Food and Art." Written by Fonda San Miguel founder and owner Tom Gilliland - with stunning primary photography by Paul Bardagjy, Kenny Braun and Tracey Maurer - this exquisite book covers the dishes, history, art, chefs, workers and social scene that swarms around the classic Austin restaurant devoted to interior Mexican cuisine. All this aside, the recipes are clearly written and, though they take time, are not too hard for the confident home cook. We'll run a more complete story on the cooking adventures soon. - M.B.
Texas Capitol Ornament Collection (from $20, single to $248 for the collection bundle)
This set of 10 miniature Texas Capitol tree ornaments goes for $75. (Texas Capitol Gift Shop)
A tradition for more than three decades, this jewel-like collection of tree ornaments is meant for the true Texans among your friends and family. Subjects include Santa flying over the Alamo, the decorated Capitol grounds, the Texas flag, an elfin armadillo, and, of course, native wildflowers. While the collection bundles can be pricey, a set of 10 miniature Capitol ornaments is a new bestseller at $75.
"Antone's 50th Allstars: 50 Years of The Blues" box set ($200)
"Antone's 50th Allstars: 50 Years of The Blues" ($200) includes three full-length albums, a hardcover photo book featuring never-before-seen images and a history of the club penned by Joe Nick Patoski. (Antone's Nightclub)
If you consider yourself an Austinite, you should know the importance of Antone's Nightclub. The "Home of the Blues" pioneered by Clifford Antone commemorated its 50th anniversary with a five-album special edition vinyl box set: "Antone's 50th Allstars: 50 Years of The Blues." It holds three full-lengths ("The Last Real Texas Blues Album," "Tell Me One More Time" and "We Went Live in ‘75"), a hardcover photo book featuring never-before-seen images and a history of the club penned by Joe Nick Patoski. If you're a longtime fan, place this hardcover next to the original Antone's photobook that was released for the club's 10th anniversary in 1985. - Mars SalazarBig Henry's Vinyl & Gifts: 305 E 5th St., (512) 814-0361.
Custom gold vinyl from Waterloo Records (prices vary)
The particle deposition and vaporization machine used to print gold records at the new Waterloo Records location on North Lamar Boulevard, Aug. 27, 2025. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
On Aug. 30, Waterloo Records moved to its new location at 1105 N. Lamar Blvd. In addition to a coffee shop, audio mixing studio and in-house lacquer-cutting display, the new location is now home to a "gold record room" with a machine that can transform any vinyl of your choice into a 24-karat gold or platinum-plated record. The machine was transported into the store from Gold Rush Vinyl's pressing plant, the business that Waterloo Records' new co-owner Caren Kelleher founded in 2018. If someone on your list has a favorite album of all time, this is a perfect opportunity to gift them a commemorative edition that can shine bright on their wall all year long. - M.S.
Armadillo World Headquarters Swag (prices vary)
"Armadillo World" is a lifestyle brand repackaging the classic Austin music venue Armadillo World Headquarters. (Armadillo World)
On Oct. 3, iconic 1970s Austin music venue Armadillo World Headquarters reemerged after 44 years as "Armadillo World," a lifestyle brand repackaging classic rock n' roll culture for a new generation of consumers. Earlier this year, they rolled out a collection of custom-designed hats, T-shirts, long sleeves, crop tops, hoodies and bandanas. All proceeds from AWHQ merchandise directly benefit Austin artists and music venues through a collaboration with local nonprofit ALL ATX. Are we approaching the twilight years when old Austin culture is coming full circle, reimagined for a new generation of townies? Either way, Armadillo Forever. - M.S.
Get sauced
Want to kick up a dish, give it some dimension, or reinvigorate a leftover? Sauces and salsas are easy hacks. And Austin restaurants have plenty of great ones for sale. Here are a few of my favorites. You'll need to stop by these restaurants to buy these gifts. Get a meal while you're there. Two birds with one stone. - Matthew Odam
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue's Mustard BBQ Sauce ($10, 16 oz.)
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue's tangy sauce goes great on any smoked meat. (PROVIDED BY LEROY AND LEWIS BARBECUE)
This tangy mustard-based sauce that's sweetened with molasses and punchy with the umami of anchovies is the perfect condiment for brushing on chicken. But, as I've discovered at one of the state's top barbecue restaurants, it's also great draped on smoked carrots, spread on a cheeseburger or used as a dipping sauce for pulled pork. 5621 Emerald Forest Drive. leroyandlewisbbq.com. - M.O.
Nixta Taqueria's Salsa Macha ($10, 8 oz.)
Eggs, steak, toast, beet tostadas ... I defy you to find a dish not made better by Nixta Taqueria's salsa macha. (PROVIDED BY NIXTA TAQUERIA)
If you've had the stellar beet tartare tostada at Austin's top taqueria, you're familiar with this condiment. The jar says "nutty" and "savory," and the jar don't lie. Salsa macha is an incredibly versatile sauce. You can take this oily spread made of Texas pecans, sesame seeds and dried chilies and put it on toast with cream cheese, dab it on steak, dump it on eggs, drizzle it on ice cream, roll it in a taco or color a beet tostada with it. The possibilities are endless. When you start running low, just add a little oil to keep the party going. 2512 E. 12th St. nixtataqueria.com. - M.O.
Spread & Co. Hot Pepper Vinegar ($10, 5 oz.)
The hot pepper vinegar from Spread & Co. will take your sandwich game to the next level. (PROVIDED BY SPREAD & CO.)
I was crushing a mortadella sandwich (one of the city's best) at this darling little shop in East Austin when chef/co-owner Austin Ewald dropped a bottle of this gem on my table. It gave the sandwich the exact tangy, spicy, vibrant edge I want with an Italian cold-cut sandwich. Ewald grows the peppers (on one visit the concoction had habanero, chiltepin and Thai pepper) and mixes them with garlic and distilled vinegar. Soak your crusty bread with it when making a sandwich or pour a little pool on your plate and swipe at it bite by glorious bite. Would also work well to kick up pasta, a roast, or take your popcorn to the next level. 2406 Manor Road. spreadnadco.com. - M.O.
