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$ | West Austin |
On any given sunny day, Austinites flock to Mozart's spacious lakeside patio to enjoy great coffee and indulgent baked goods. The expansive, multitiered deck overlooking Lake Austin can get crowded with weekend patrons, and weekdays are equally popular times for locals to post up and work remotely. Live music on weekends is an added bonus, and their annual Christmas lights display is a seasonal sight to behold.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Lake Austin views
- Sprawling patio seating open until midnight
- Top winter destination thanks to signature hot cocoa and award-winning Christmas light display
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$$$$ | South Austin |
This food truck turned brick-and-mortar was an early trailblazer of the city’s farm-to-table movement, thanks to chef Bryce Gilmore’s inventive take on locally sourced, modern American cuisine. Gilmore and his team’s artistic approach to Southern seasonal fare comes in tapas-size portions, so servers recommend a few dishes per patron. All the better to sample their variety of rotating dishes, from charred eggplant baba ghanoush and fried whole quail with peaches and squash puree to buckwheat crumpets and beer-battered sweet potatoes.
1201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Rotating menu of highly inventive, bite-size creations
- Heavy emphasis on locally sourced ingredients
- Popular daily happy hour
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$ | South Austin |
This local drive-through and fast-food chain turned burger empire is an Austin favorite for a reason. What started as a humble mom-and-pop operation on the corner of South Lamar and Barton Springs Road has evolved into a sprawling web of locations all over Austin and beyond, but the original location is still the ideal spot to experience the simple pleasures of a fresh patty of hormone-free Black Angus beef (or black-bean veggie), hand-cut fries, and hand-spun shakes that make eating bad feel good.
404 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Impeccable service and attention to detail
- Cult local following
- Best bet for a post–Barton Springs refresh
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$$$$ | Sixth Street District |
A gem in the midst of Dirty Sixth, Parkside’s austere interior features exposed brick walls, a shotgun bar, and bare light bulbs suspended by black cables. Celebrated chef Shawn Cirkiel has created an equally simple menu, but delivers on taste with fresh oysters and ceviche-style offerings from the raw bar, in addition to a meat-centric array of bone marrow appetizers, savory grilled lamb, and shareable portions of steak and (perfectly crisped) fries. Floor-to-ceiling windows look onto 6th Street for ideal people-watching while lingering over desserts like homemade doughnuts, served warm and sugar-dusted in paper sacks. Dinner can be pricey, but the daily happy hour (5:30–7 pm) is one of the best bargains in the city.
301 E. 6th St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Extensive raw bar
- Lively downtown location that makes dinner reservations a must
- Happy hour specials
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations recommended
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$$ | North Austin |
This approachable pizza place and brew pub is a great addition to the burgeoning Burnet Road food scene. The parking lot can fill up fast on weekends, but an award-winning selection of beers makes it easy to wait for signature house-made pies, like the Armadillo, with artisan sausage and poblano peppers, or the Shroomin' Goat, with local goat cheese and roasted mushrooms.
4729 Burnet Rd., Austin, Texas, 78756, USA
Known For
- Long waits and crowds on weekends
- Staggering selection of draft beer
- Popular lunch special of a pizza roll, salad, and drink
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | North Austin/Hyde Park |
Hyde Park's iconic neighborhood bakery has been a local staple for over 40 years, serving scratch-made breakfast pastries, cupcakes, cookies, and various seasonal and custom creations. The friendly vibe of the bustling coffee shop attracts a loyal tribe of locals, usually seen hanging out on the outdoor patio tables throughout the day, as well as streams of UT students, families, and fans of the house-made chai.
411 E. 43rd St., Austin, Texas, 78751, USA
Known For
- Long-standing local favorite for coffee and sweets
- Adorable neighborhood setting on the corner of Duval Street
- Mouthwatering cinnamon rolls, carrot cake cupcakes, and theme sugar cookies that sell out quickly
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$$ | North Austin |
Austin’s ramen craze went into full swing a few years ago, and this happening spot was one of the city’s first (and favorite) establishments. Try the “Ol’ Skool,” a chicken-based shoyu ramen with a traditional array of toppings, like aijitama (marinated soft-boiled egg), and optional “flavor bombs” from creamed corn and butter to Thai chili and habanero pepper paste. All ramen varieties are massive, but a small-plate menu offers modest portions of Japanese comfort food, like the Katsu slider (a juicy deep-fried burger on a fluffy Hawaiian roll) and sweet-and-sour “yodas” (fried brussels sprouts with apricot vinegar and curry spice).
8557 Research Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78758, USA
Known For
- Menu's helpful “how to enjoy” instruction section for ramen rookies
- Friendly counter service
- Small plates of Japanese comfort food
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$$ | South Austin |
Based on a distinctive Australian-style Thai cuisine, Sway has provided Austin with an injection of modern Thai fusion in a chic, sexy setting. The South Austin hotspot, which opened in 2012, has received high acclaim from luminaries like Bon Appetit, who ranked it as one of the “50 Best New Restaurants in America” in 2013. The alluring menu offers tasty starters like prawn miange, followed by options including stir fry, curry, wok noodle, and grilled and fried rice preparations. We recommend the Jungle Curry, with wagyu beef, eggplant, and red chilis, or the lemongrass-perfumed tom kha gai soup. Reservations are required for the twice-nightly Moo Sway dinners, featuring off-menu specialties like whole roasted pork shoulder, all served family-style. To drink there's wine, sake, and beer, plus custom kombuchas and drinking vinegars (with flavors like tamarind and apple), mixed with Topo Chico and served over crushed ice. Seating is mainly communal and quickly fills up on weekends. Take-out orders are now accepted online, making the elevated cuisine more accessible.
1417 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
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$ | Downtown and the Capitol Area (Second Street and Warehouse District) |
Don't miss out on the state dish of Texas at this downtown icon. Just a stroll away from the Capitol, the Chili Parlor has been a favorite of legislators, lobbyists, and local hellraisers alike for a midday meal (or late-night beer) since 1976. Get a gut-sticking bowl of bean-less chili (marked X, XX, and XXX for spice), an ice-cold Lone Star beer, or a fully loaded Bloody Mary, and soak up some Old Austin history.
1409 Lavaca St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- Low-key reputation for celeb sightings
- Daily lunch crowd of state and Capitol employees
- One of the best living legends of old-school Austin dive bars
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$$ | South Austin |
Relaxed and locally sourced, this Bouldin Creek café is a staple for lovers of high-quality Thai food in a casual neighborhood setting. Part grab-and-go market and coffee bar, part café, and part cooking-class destination, Thai Fresh is a popular lunch and dinner spot, with a diverse range of curries, stir-fries, and noodle and fried-rice dishes. Homemade breakfast tacos are also available throughout the day. Locals drop by for their iced chai lattes and sparkling Thai basil lime aguas frescas, or stick around to indulge in one of their organic vegan ice creams and kombucha cocktails with sake, sparkling rosé, or white wine. A popular brunch service happens on weekends as well.
909 W. Mary St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Homemade breakfast tacos with a Thai twist
- Hidden-gem quality tucked in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood
- Terrific vegan offerings
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$$ | Lake Travis |
This scenic Austin institution, on a 450-foot cliff above Lake Travis, is famed for its sunsets and special-occasion atmosphere, popular with tourists, birthday revelers, and anniversary lovebirds. If you can, arrive early to get a table directly overlooking the lake, but most seats in the multitiered eatery have decent views. The menu includes unremarkable Tex-Mex fare like burgers, fajitas, and margaritas, but weekly and seasonal events, such as their Sunset Music Series, create an enjoyable ambience that justifies the 30-minute drive from downtown.
6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, Texas, 78732, USA
Known For
- Rather unremarkable Tex-Mex cuisine outshone by the views
- Surrounding Oasis Complex, including the Lakeview Winery, that's good for after-dinner browsing
- Ultimately romantic date spot
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$$ | |
When Texans argue about the relative merits of barbecue joints, the Salt Lick usually winds up at or near the top of the heap. Getting here entails a 30-minute drive southwest of Austin, but diners who make the trek are rewarded with finger-licking-good ribs, beef, chicken, turkey, and sausage slow-cooked over an open pit and accompanied by a tangy sauce (unusual for central Texas) and the usual sides. If you can manage it, top your meal off with blackberry cobbler or pecan pie. The area is dry, alcohol-wise, but the BYOB policy keeps crowds happy. It's cash-only, but there's an on-site ATM.
18300 F.M. 1826, Driftwood, Texas, 78619, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards
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$$$ | South Austin |
Respectful of traditional sushi and sashimi methods—but not limited by them—this standout sushi bar (and consistently ranked top restaurant in Austin) starts with super-fresh ingredients. After that, anything goes, including touches of the South or south-of-the-border: yellowtail with ponzu sauce and sliced chilies, tempura-style fried green tomatoes, or seared monkfish cheeks with Vietnamese caramel, Belgian endive, roasted red grapes, and cilantro. You can make a tapas-style meal from the cold and hot "tastings" menu. Sit at the sushi bar during the daily sake social hour (4–6:30 pm) and watch the enthusiastic cooks at work. An intimate but welcoming interior and attentive, knowledgeable service seals the deal.
801 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- One of the most sought-after happy hour seats in town
- High-octane interiors to match the food, both of which can be loud
- Raw bar that doesn't miss
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$ | East Austin |
Veracruz wears a taco tiara in the Austin food scene and for good reason. The migas lives up to the local lore, and this always-hopping original location has a convivial patio where its best to enjoy tasty quesadillas, barbacoa, vegetarian and fish tacos on homemade tortillas, and fresh aguas frescas alfresco.
2505 Webberville Rd., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- Original spot for chain with growing number of local locations
- Signature migas taco and diverse vegan options
- Homemade tortillas and chips
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon.–Thurs.
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$$ | Downtown |
Detroit lives in Austin at the capital city's delicious purveyor of deep-dish pies. Its original location, a tiny trailer at the back of an east-austin dive bar, is still slinging pizzas for late-night crowds, but they have recently expanded with another trailer and brick-and-mortar locations popping up all over town, including here on Rainey Street. Long wait times can be expected because of the depth of Via 313's goodness, so try to plan ahead of your cravings.
96 Rainey St., Austin, Texas, 78701, USA
Known For
- The city's heavyweight champion of Detroit-style deep dish
- Long wait times
- Simple favorites like the Detroiter (a pepperoni deep-dish topped with pepperoni casing)
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$ | East Austin |
What started as a streamlined coffee and craft beer purveyor with sparse hours has evolved into an all-day east Austin mainstay. The industrial garage vibe blends in well with its I–35-adjacent neighbors and attracts a hip clientele from morning to night, who flock here for cold brews and stacked breakfast sandwiches and then like to stick around for their local lineup of draft brews.
500 San Marcos St., Austin, Texas, 78702, USA
Known For
- In-house specialty sub shop with expanded lunch menu
- Popular hangout for locals working remotely
- Skyline views from the side patio
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$$$$ | South Austin |
This casual Bouldin Creek neighborhood bistro with a breezy back patio is a refreshing respite for a leisurely happy hour or a midday meal during a day of shopping around nearby South Congress. The French-inspired cuisine is light and straightforward, with a wonderful wine list and craft cocktail selection.
1417 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Strong reputation as a "from-scratch kitchen"
- Spacious outdoor patio that's popular with the brunch crowd
- Generous portions
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$$ | Clarksville |
The upscale breakfast fare and comfort food of this Clarksville favorite might carry an unconventional price tag for a diner, but the quality of dishes (from Belgian waffles to meat-loaf sandwiches) has earned a loyal fan base. The always bustling interior is an efficient mix of mid-century retro and contemporary efficiency, with booths and barstool seating at high tables. The menu rotates with the seasons, but staples include chicken and waffles, three types of breakfast hash, and a weekly chicken and dumpling special. There’s an expected list of coffee drinks, plus a full bar and specialty milk shakes, from chocolate cherry to coconut cream, to satisfy any craving.
600 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Savory sweet signatures like fried chicken and waffles
- Long wait times on weekends
- Specialty milk shakes
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$$ | West Austin |
Situated in a charming cottage just northwest of downtown, 40 North is a standard for classic Neapolitan pizza and light Italian fare. It's a lovely neighborhood setting with cozy patio seating and bright white interiors. The pies are the main draw, but the house burger and spicy chicken sandwich along with their other small plates are equally tasty.
900 W. 10th St., Austin, Texas, 78703, USA
Known For
- Signature pizzas like the Hot Honey and Dandelion
- Minimalist interior
- Original food truck still outside, along with more seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$ | South Congress District |
This sophisticated outpost of the Chicago-based Mediterranean restaurant opened to high acclaim in the Music Lane mixed-use development on South Congress Avenue. Specializing in Israeli, Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisine, the extensive menu would be overwhelming without the helpful direction of the servers, but you can't really go wrong with the variety of hummus, mouthwatering homemade pita bread, and delicious mains, like shawarma-spiced skirt steak and black-garlic shrimp scampi. Their cocktail program is top-notch (try the Mediterranean Mule), and desserts are worth saving room for.
1011 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas, 78704, USA
Known For
- Reputation as a celeb-sighting destination
- Excellent cocktails
- Multiple-level terrace and patio seating
