The Austin Shortlist

Researched lists of the best businesses in town, category by category. Each one starts from our own census of Austin businesses, gets narrowed by hand, and ships with the cut list showing what did not make it and why. Nobody pays to be on these.

The best thrift stores in Austin.The 15 best thrift and vintage stores in Austin, sorted honestly: charity thrift, resale, and curated vintage, with what proceeds fund and the hours traps.15 picks
The best spas in Austin.The 12 best spas in Austin, from full-service day spas to the head-spa wave, with real menu prices and an honest list of what did not make it.12 picks
The best tattoo shops in Austin.The 15 best tattoo shops in Austin, from the walk-in institutions to the irezumi specialists, with real minimums where shops publish them.15 picks
The best gyms in Austin.The 14 best gyms in Austin, all independently owned: the cheapest real memberships, the serious barbell rooms, and the climbing answer.14 picks
The best dentists in Austin.The 14 best dentists in Austin, ownership-verified: a practice serving since 1945, family-owned institutions, and the offices that publish real prices.14 picks
The best massage in Austin.The 15 best massage studios in Austin, researched and priced: the 2002 deep-tissue institution, licensed specialists, and where 60 minutes costs $68 to $175.15 picks
The best pest control in Austin.The 13 best pest control companies in Austin, ownership-checked: the 1949 family institution, the 1959 license lineage, and who actually publishes prices.13 picks
The best vets in Austin.The 14 best vets in Austin, every one independently owned and verified: the 1970 institution, a 1971 clinic, and the cats-only hospital.14 picks
The best HVAC companies in Austin.The 14 best HVAC companies in Austin, license-checked in the state registry: the 1976 firm its owners bought in 2008 and still run, and who owns the big brands.14 picks
The best moving companies in Austin.The 12 best moving companies in Austin, every state registration verified: the 185-truck fleet nobody ranks, who owns the big names, and how to check a mover.12 picks
The best house cleaning services in Austin.The 13 best house cleaning services in Austin, with who actually employs your cleaner, who publishes real prices, and the 1987 institution no ranking surfaces.13 picks
The best hair salons in Austin.The 15 best hair salons in Austin, all independent and Austin-run, from the 1986 Aveda bungalow to the texture specialists, with award claims actually checked.15 picks
The best furniture stores in Austin.The 12 best furniture stores in Austin, all independent and Austin-run: the one true Austin factory, the flagship the industry shops, and the vintage rooms.12 picks
The best roofers in Austin.The 13 best roofers in Austin, all independent and Austin-run, verified by certification and warranty terms in a state with no roofing license.13 picks
The best plumbers in Austin.The 11 best plumbers in Austin, every one independent, Austin-anchored, and holding a master license we checked against the state registry.11 picks
The best bookstores in Austin.The 11 best bookstores in Austin, all independently owned and open to browse: the 1970 anchor, the feminist institution, and the city’s specialist shops.11 picks
The best barbershops in Austin.The 12 best barbershops in Austin, all independently owned: the 1933 South Congress classic, the East 12th institution, and the straight-razor rooms.12 picks