Restaurant · South Congress. Mediterranean restaurant with a really cool patio — relaxed but polished. Very popular so we suggest going early to put your name in and strolling around South Congress in the meantime.
Restaurant · Downtown. Modern Mexican restaurant with a warm, upscale feel. Good for dinner and drinks with a group.
Restaurant · Barton Springs. Classic Texas barbecue joint — casual and lively, order at the counter. No reservations or name list; there's usually a line at lunch, but it moves quickly.
Coffee · Downtown. Colombian specialty coffee trailer outside the Fareground food hall on Congress Ave. Order at the counter — mornings can have a short line. Open mornings to early afternoon.
Restaurant · East Austin. Casual Mexican cantina with a big patio — tacos and margaritas. Mostly walk-in; it can get busy in the evenings, so put your name in and hang out on the patio if there's a wait.
Rooftop restaurant · Downtown. Open-air rooftop at the LINE Hotel with panoramic lake views — a prime sunset spot. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
Rooftop restaurant · Downtown. Bright, upscale rooftop at the new 1 Hotel Austin, overlooking the lake near Rainey Street. Reservations are a good idea; evenings turn into a DJ lounge.
Rooftop bar · Downtown. Tropical tiki rooftop on top of the Austin Marriott Downtown, with skyline views. Relaxed by day, livelier at night. Reservations are recommended around sunset.
Café · South Congress. Bright Australian-style café right next to Aba, good for coffee and a slow brunch. No reservations — on weekends, put your name in and walk around South Congress if there is a wait.
Coffee & beer garden · South Austin. Sprawling, laid-back garden with picnic tables, food trucks, a koi pond, and chickens. Walk in and order at the counter.
Restaurant · East Austin. Vibrant, laid-back taqueria with mostly outdoor picnic-table seating and a community garden. Walk-in and counter service — no reservations for regular visits.
Rooftop restaurant · Riverside. Upscale rooftop at The Loren Hotel with panoramic lake and skyline views — a special-occasion feel. Reservations for the dining room; the terrace lounge is walk-in.
Restaurant · South Lamar. Casual, communal smokehouse and beer garden with a big shaded patio. No reservations — order at the bar and grab a seat.
Restaurant and bar · Downtown. Japanese small-plates spot from the team behind Uchi — lively but relaxed, good for drinks and a lighter dinner. Reservations are a good idea.
Restaurant · Downtown. Wood-fired Italian restaurant with a moody, upscale dining room. Dinner only, and reservations are hard to get, so book early if you'd like to go.
Restaurant · The Domain. Mediterranean restaurant from the same team as Aba, with a bright, airy dining room. Good for lunch or dinner if you're staying or shopping in North Austin. Reservations are a good idea.
Restaurant · The Domain. Texas-style steakhouse with a rooftop patio — rustic and lively, good for groups. Reservations are a good idea.
Coffee · South Congress. Iconic outdoor coffee stand with a covered patio, home of the "i love you so much" mural. Walk-up counter only — a line often forms, including for photos at the mural.
Restaurant · South Congress. Casual, lively New York-style pizza joint, open late. No reservations — put your name in; waits can be long at peak times, and the slice window next door is faster.
Restaurant · South Congress. Lively retro Tex-Mex diner inside the Austin Motel, with mid-century booths and a shady patio. It's heavily booked — reservations are a good idea.
Restaurant · South Congress. Casual but polished sushi spot with a pretty enclosed garden patio. Reservations are a good idea — book through their website.
Burger bar · South Congress. Loud, lively craft-burger bar. No reservations — order at the counter; the line can snake out the door at peak times.
Restaurant · South 1st. Casual, colorful Mexican spot with a big tree-shaded patio and full bar. Reservations are available; there's also a to-go window.
Restaurant · South Lamar. Small, intimate ramen shop with a quick, casual feel. No reservations — a line often forms outside, so go early.
Restaurant · West 6th. Chinese restaurant and dim sum spot with a sleek, modern dining room. Good for a group dinner or weekend dim sum. Reservations are a good idea.
Restaurant · West 6th. Intimate dim sum spot with red lanterns, an open kitchen, and a patio. The room is small, so reservations are strongly encouraged.
Bakery café · West 6th. Cozy European-style bakery and deli in Clarksville with patio seating. Counter service — just walk in.
Coffee · Downtown. Stylish coffee bar in the LINE Hotel lobby, with big windows and lake views. Counter order; the line moves quickly.
Food truck · East Austin. Family-run taco truck with picnic-table seating. Order at the window; lines are common at peak times.
Food truck · East Austin. No-frills taco truck with outdoor picnic tables. Casual, inexpensive, and open late. Just order at the window — there's no waitlist.