Domain Guide

About

The Domain, Domain Crossing, Domain Northside, and Rock Rose are large multi-use developments consisting of retail, restaurants, nightlife, and residential rentals, all clustered together in a continuous stretch of real estate. With such a high density of apartments in this collection of properties, they’ve become a de facto neighborhood within the North Burnet area of North Austin known simply as The Domain. One of the biggest draws for residents of these sprawling live-work-play communities is that nearly everything a person could ever need can be found within the area, including dozens of eateries, retail stores, and service providers. And despite the hundreds of acres that make up these lifestyle hubs, they’re easily walkable—and most definitely bikeable. Several corporations and big tech companies have major offices or headquarters within The Domain, too, giving an added no-commute perk to these businesses’ employees who live in apartments in The Domain.

The area has expanded considerably since the first phase of the development was completed in March 2007. As of the writing of this guide, The Domain’s current footprint falls within the boundaries of Mopac Expressway (Texas State Highway Loop 1) in the west and in the north as it curves to the northeast. Burnet Road forms the eastern border, and West Braker Lane the southern edge. Greenspaces, lawns, dog parks, and great lawns dot The Domain’s hundreds of acres, adding a bit of nature that gives this area the feel of a small town, albeit a very modern one.

Getting Around

As mentioned previously, getting around The Domain can be achieved on foot in many instances. Still, like all other parts of Austin, those wanting to travel beyond their own neighborhoods benefit tremendously from the convenience of a car, truck, motorcycle, or other powered vehicle. For public transportation, Capital Metro buses can be boarded at the centrally located Domain Station, as well as a handful of stops throughout The Domain. Residents can also take buses to connect to MetroRail routes, though the light rail options are quite limited at this time for a city of Austin’s size. Plans are underway to increase light rail service throughout the region over the next several years, which is welcome news for many.

Cycling is popular within The Domain and throughout the city, and many parts of North Austin are easy to navigate on a bike. Therefore, many people own bikes as a secondary mode of transportation. Otherwise, they can easily be rented via bikeshare services, as well as bike shops in the area. Busy streets and several freeways just beyond The Domain make cycling a more viable non-recreational transportation option for shorter distances, however. In addition to more widely known car rideshare services, Austin has a collection of alternatives, including one service featuring an EV vehicle fleet. And for owners of their own electric vehicles, The Domain has multiple charging stations available at key points throughout the neighborhood.

When you’re ready to escape the city for a work trip or much-needed vacation, you’ll find plenty of convenient routes at the well-laid-out Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. An average of 350 nonstop flights to more than 70 destinations, both domestic and international, take off each day. A luxury bus service with first-class seating and beverage/food service called Vonlane has a Downtown Austin pickup/drop-off point that moves locals and visitors between Austin and San Antonio, Houston, or Dallas.

Food & Drink

Within steps of pretty much any Domain apartment, you’ll be greeted by several dining options within sight, with plenty more accessible in minutes. Many locations offer convenient delivery to apartments in The Domain, too. Cravings can be satisfied by a vast array of cuisine types, with favorite restaurants in the Domain, including Blue Sushi Sake Grill or Sushi Zushi for raw seafood and Japanese favorites; Beirut for Lebanese; Culinary Dropout for classic British-style pub fare; Gloria’s Latin Cuisine for Salvadorian and Tex-Mex; North Italia and Maggiano’s for Italian; Plank Seafood Provisions for raw oysters and other coastal fare; Jinya Ramen Bar for hearty noodles soups; Velvet Taco for creative tortilla-based handhelds; Culver’s for fast-food burgers; and Thai-Kun for spicy Thai classics. Meanwhile, food trucks in the Domain are also aplenty, with permanent offerings from Greens’ n Grill for healthy Mexican dishes and Aurora Venezuelan Food, as well as visiting food trucks that pop-up regularly. Satisfy your sweet tooth at The Yard Milkshake Bar, Cranky Granny’s Sweet Rolls, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, or Beard Papa’s for cream puffs.

Bars in The Domain are popular destinations for visitors from all over, as well as Austin residents from other neighborhoods. But they’re convenient and extremely popular with Domain locals because it’s easy to grab a drink or two and walk home safely. Boozy options include Detour Domain (with live music), Cru Food & Wine, The Park at the Domain, Second Bar + Kitchen Domain, The Dogwood Rock Rose, Lavaca Street Bar, The Draft Shack, Yard House, and Punch Bowl Social. Breweries include Hopsquad Brewing and Circle Brewing Company. And morning (or anytime-of-day) coffee can be procured from Medici Roasting, Summer Moon Coffee, or Coffee & Crisp, as well as national java-serving chains.

Shopping

Many people travel several miles to shop at The Domain, so neighborhood residents have the enviable advantage of proximity to an abundance of necessities and desires, primarily apparel and home goods at big-name department stores including Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Nordstrom. Nearly every imaginable chain store can be found here, too, as well as outposts of Austin-based YETI, Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath, Birds Barbershop, Free People, and Limbo Jewelry.

As for grocery shopping in The Domain, the area is served by a 55,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market as well as a few convenience stores with more limited offerings.

Things to Do

Unlike most Austin neighborhoods, outdoor activities are rather limited within The Domain proper, but Domain Central Park serves the residents with a nice-sized greenspace and dog park, while the Northern Walnut Creek Trail can be accessed within a few minutes on the west side of Mopac Expressway. The Museum of Ice Cream is an unusual-yet-popular mainstay in The Domain, as well as Cap City Comedy Club, K1 Speed – Indoor Go Karts, and IPIC Theaters for first-run movies.

Colleges & Universities

The Domain neighborhood doesn’t have any of its own colleges and universities, but it’s convenient to many popular area campuses and still a popular place for students, faculty, and staff at major universities who want to live some place with lots of walkable restaurant and retail options. Only a couple of blocks south is the J. J. Pickle Research Campus, The University of Texas at Austin, a popular satellite campus from the main U.T. hub in Central Austin. Austin Community College Northridge is also really close to The Domain. For those with their own transportation, however, the main University of Texas campus can be reached in about 15 minutes.