Dovetail Tattoo East
About this parlor
Dovetail Tattoo East is one of the Austin, TX's near-perfect options for fine line, traditional, and black & grey. Reviewers consistently describe a near-perfect experience, with a healthy stack of write-ups landing it at 4.8 stars. Pricing reads budget-friendly for the area.
Dovetail Tattoo East in Austin has a welcoming vibe with local and visiting artists. Customers praise the detailed, polished, and custom full-color work, with specific mention of animal realism. The shop features taxidermy and art, contributing to its cool, artsy atmosphere.
Good to know before you book
- Fine-line and micro work here demands a clear reference — bring high-res images and expect a short consult before the needle.
- Traditional pieces tend to be quoted by piece, not hourly. Ask for flash sheets if you want a same-week appointment.
- Realism and portrait work depends heavily on reference quality — clean, well-lit source photos make the biggest difference.
- Walk-in availability isn't always posted online — a quick phone call is the fastest way to know if they can fit you in today.
- Calendars tend to book several weeks out — reach out as early as possible if you have a target date.
What people love
Specialties
Photos
Reviews
I got my tattoo a couple of months ago, and I couldn't be happier. Wendi was my artist and I will be happy to get all of my following tattoos from her and recommend her to others. She was responsive and clear with all expectations. And she has decades of experience, which shows. I keep getting compliments on my tattoo and how detailed and polished it is. I had done some research on animal realism tattoos in Austin, and she came up. If you're looking for something like that and you're in the area, dovetail is a safe bet.
I just got my second piece from Catherine, and I cannot recommend her enough. Catherine always makes sure to do a thorough consultation, and is great about making sure the design and placement are perfect before getting started. She is amazing with custom pieces and really does a great job on full color work. I was completely comfortable during the entire tattoo, as the shop is super chill and Catherine is incredibly easy to get along with. Dovetail East is definitely the coolest shop I have ever been to- there is taxidermy and incredible art everywhere. The other artists I interacted with in the shop were also really cool, and everyone there has a unique style that they are very skilled at. I am attaching images of my two tattoos from Catherine which I absolutely love.
Cool place, love the vibes. Our artist was visiting from out of town, but all of the local artists that came through were super friendly and excited to see the pieces that were being worked on. They were very friendly and engaging.
Location
1703 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
