Sugar Mama's Bakeshop does one thing, and they do it well: dessert. You'll find no breads or sandwiches here, just decadent treats designed to satisfy even the most persistent sweet tooth. From cupcakes to cookies, there's something for everyone—but regulars do have a few recommendations.

The Southern Belle cupcake features a red velvet foundation, but it's almost entirely obscured by sweet, soft cream cheese frosting. A single small red heart crowns the creation. The Marilyn Monroe cupcake, on the other hand, showcases vanilla cake with Madagascar bourbon vanilla buttercream on top and a dusting of pink sprinkles plus a heart-embellished arrow. The sweet-salty Odd Couple cupcake is almost as popular. Its Valrhona chocolate cake comes with a swirled blend of house-made salted caramel and vanilla cream cheese frosting, then a chocolate-covered pretzel as the final flourish.

Sugar Mama's Bakeshop
1905 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-3727
www.sugarmamasbakeshop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sugar-mamas-bakeshop-austin-3

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Key Foster

When you're looking for a spot to hunker down for the day with your laptop and an exceptional cup of coffee, Austin Java should really be at the top of your list. The coffeehouse near Lamar Union offers its customers free Wi-Fi, carefully crafted java drinks, and New American bites to boot.

Leave your laptop at home and bring your dog along if you intend to eat out on the patio—he's more than welcome there. Breakfast is served all day, so you can always dig into some chicken and waffles, a stack of buttermilk pancakes, or eggs Benedict with lump crabmeat. But when you come for lunch or dinner, pair your piping-hot cup of coffee with popular dishes like the maple-glazed stuffed pork, the juicy burger, or the chicken-fried steak. You can also slurp up some of the popular African peanut soup.

Austin Java
1608 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 482-9450
www.austinjava.com
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-java-austin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Markus Spiske / raumrot.com

It's not just that Sanctuary Yoga lets students practice in a comfortable space—complete with knotted, towering trees outside and sun-dappled hardwood floors inside. And it isn't just the fact that Sanctuary Yoga lets pupils walk in for $15 (and snag deeper discounts when they buy multiple-class passes). The real appeal of Sanctuary Yoga lies in the fact that it's a nonprofit business, and whatever you spend on class goes directly to the Amala Foundation. The organization touts unity, compassion, and leadership as a way of achieving peace.

That makes Amala Foundation the perfect affiliate for a yoga studio, given that the practice of yoga itself is about internal and external peace. So grab your mat and attend one of the many classes held almost every day in this breathtaking space. From fast-moving vinyasa classes for all levels to slower-paced yoga and meditation, there's something for everyone at Sanctuary Yoga in Austin.

Sanctuary Yoga
1006 S. 8th Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-8884
sanctuaryyogaaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sanctuary-yoga-studio-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Noelle Gillies