When it comes to traveling to a new city, I tend to go ALL IN with lists, reservations, itineraries. You name it, and I’ve probably researched it, ad nauseam. Knowing this about me, a number of people have inquired after my signature over-the-top restaurant-and-bar guide for my own city of Austin, TX. To everyone’s surprise (and my shame), I did not have this at the ready. So, I decided I needed to rectify this situation ASAP. And Et Voilà! Here’s my official must-visit guide to “Austin dining, drinks, and views,” ready for your consumption.

My credentials for this Austin dining assessment: I do a crazy amount of research on topics of interest to me (drinking and eating are WAY up there), I’ve spent 3/4 of my nearly 40 years in and around Austin, and I’ve spent ALL of those years being a bougie-on-a-budget baddie. Basically, I make it my personal mission to always find the best of what’s within my means, and I’m willing to put in the work to make that happen!

• Best Austin restaurants by design and atmosphere
• Best upscale Austin restaurants
• Best casual Austin restaurants
• Best Austin cafes
• Best Austin restaurants on the water
• Best Austin bakeries and casual breakfast spots
• Best Austin patios
• Best Austin bars
• Best Austin coffee shops
• Best Austin food trucks
• Best Austin pizza
• Best Austin burgers
• Best Austin barbecue
• Best Austin breweries & beer gardens
• Best Austin wine bars

Because I’m always assessing the look and feel of a restaurant just as much as the food (this is a design blog after all), this post will also include my personal favorite Austin restaurants “by design;” meaning I will share Austin dining and drink establishments that have a particularly special ambience, whether that be a ton of architectural character, an artistic flair, insane views, a old-smokey speakeasy sex-appeal, or any other must-experience vibe.

Austin dining: Best inside ambience

Eberly – The design of Eberly is meticulously crafted down to the last penny tile. In fact, their signature historic 1886 cedar tavern bar was transported piece-by-piece from Greenwich village, where it was originally frequented by the likes of Jackson Pollock, Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Allen Ginsberg to name a few.

Honey Moon Spirit Lounge – If the Moulin Rouge and OG Austin neighborhoods had a love child, I imagine it would embody the sexy, artistic, cozy-boudoir feel that is Honey Moon Spirit Lounge. If you time it right, you can even catch a seasonal burlesque brunch. Va-va-voom!

Lutie’s Garden Restaurant – While technically at the Commodore Perry Estate, a restored mansion on Red River, Lutie’s can easily make you feel like you’re swept to an other-worldy escape — a majestic Alice-in-Wonderland-esque outside garden, brought inside.

The Quill Room – Nestled in the Austin Proper Hotel, the Quill Room will sweep you away with its old-world opulence, like that of a French salon, mixed with a modern and highly curated elegance.

Austin dining: Best outside atmosphere

Yamas Greek Restaurant – My vote for best “swept away on a Greek vacation” vibe.

Nido – My vote for best high-rise view of the city. Located on the rooftop of The Loren hotel, overlooking downtown Austin.

Lenoir – My vote for best cozy, romantic, and old-world feel (would you look at those lights!).

Mattie’s at Green Pastures – My vote because you get to dine with peacocks… need I say more.

Oasis Brewing Co – My vote for best view of the water… and ridiculous mansions to gawk at while you sip.

Austin Dining: Best Overall

Justine’s Brasserie – My vote for best overall atmosphere, inside or outside. There’s something extra special about Justine’s. You notice it the second you walk up to their glowing sign of promise and are dropped right into the excitement of a swanky circus tent for outside dining or a bohemian chic interior, complete with mood lighting and an old-school record player that pumps out classic jazz and the best of Motown throughout the evening. Justine’s playful French fare is on another level, and is the closest I’ve come feeling like I was in France here in the city. Perfect for a date night or a swanky happy hour with a gal pal.

Poeta – My vote for best bite. Poeta is nestled within The Frances Modern Inn on historic 11th street, offering oh-so-delicious all-day Italian fare. It has a traditional Italian countryside vibe with a modern touch. An absolute must-try dish while you’re there is the trottole paste — just trust me!

Patrizi’s Cuernavaca – My vote for most passionate about food — and trust me, IT SHOWS. Patrizi’s makes EVERYTHING from scratch, and I mean everything: bread, pasta, cheese, cocktail mixers, you name it! Upon entering, you immediately take in the scratch-made-dough prep area and an overall old-world-Europe marketplace vibe. For seating, you have your choice of a cute rustic-meets-industrial interior or a sprawling, tucked-away outside patio that provides plenty of natural shade. Even though the food absolutely speaks for itself, it doesn’t have to because their top-notch crew goes above and beyond to make sure you get paired with a plate you’ll absolutely love. And the cocktails… oh. my. god. You’ll want to try everything.

When it comes to home design, I’m a big believer that outside influences can come from a broad rage of places, so long as it follows what you love. For me, I clearly love escaping to a charming establishment, preferably with cheese plate nearby and a cocktail in hand, and being sucked into the overall experience. So, that “cafe-culture” vibe was really important to incorporate into my own abode when I was planning my home design. And, I guess I was on to something because I’m reading that “cafe-core” is the latest design craze. What can I say, I guess I’m a trendsetter like that (swooshes hair over shoulder, just to awkwardly place it right back).

A few things to note: I am not sponsored in any way. This list is a combo of research and experience. Though I hope to one day check every Austin restaurant, bar, and patio off the list, I have not yet made it to all of these places (sad face). And while I think I have pretty good taste (pats self on back), this list will also be influenced to some extent by my personal preferences. If you think my taste buds’ opinions are wack, well, I guess you’ll just have to take it up with my dentist…

Austin Dining: Upscale Restaurants

Looking for a great date-night, anniversary, or other special-occasion restaurant? You’re sure to enjoy a top-notch experience at any of these fine dining restaurants. Note: I’d highly recommend making a reservation for anything in this section.

• Acre 41 – Contemporary steakhouse, downtown Austin
• Gracia Mediterranean – Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and wine bar, Rosedale neighborhood (central Austin)
• Dai Due – “New school” cuisine that supports local culinary traditions, East Austin (Manor Rd)
• Clay Pit – Contemporary Indian restaurant, downtown Austin (near campus)
• Foreign & Domestic – Farm-to-table restaurant, central Austin (Northloop area)
• Loco D’Oro – Italian-inspired neighborhood restaurant, Central Austin (Mueller district)
• ABA Austin – Mediterranean food with California influence, beautiful patio and overall aesthetic, located on South Congress
• Loro – Asian smokehouse and bar, located on South Lamar
• Uchiko – Child of James Beard award-winning chef Tyson Cole’s Uchi, located on North Lamar
• Emmer & Rye – daily-rotating menu with a focus on seasonal and local cuisine, located on Rainey St in downtown Austin
• Ember Kitchen – Bold latin flavors over live embers, located in downtown Austin
• Fixe Southern House – Elevated classic southern comfort dishes with must-try biscuits (trust me), located in downtown Austin
• Mattie’s Austin – A South-Central-Austin jewel with elevated classic southern comfort dishes in a historic old mansion complete with roaming peacocks!
• The Diner Bar – Seasonal Southern seafood dishes layered with local Texan inspiration, complete with a mid-century modern vibe in downtown Austin.
• Kemuri Tatsuya – Japanese plates with a focus on smoke, located in East Austin
• Arlo Grey – Playful yet refined cuisine by Top Chef winner, Kristen Kish, located lakeside in the LINE hotel.
• Salty Sow – American Gastropub that serves contemporary farmhouse fare, located in East Austin.
• Jeffrey’s Austin – Jeffrey’s is a neighborhood fine dining restaurant featuring dry-aged prime beef and French American classics, located in Central Austin.
• Justine’s Brasserie – Traditional French fare, a rich bohemian atmosphere, located in East Austin.
• Olive & June – Italian cuisine with an emphasis on handmade pasta made in-house, daily, located in Central Austin.
• 1886 Cafe & Bakery – A quaint Victorian-style café serves up traditional Texas comfort foods that combine time-honored original recipes with contemporary preparation, located in downtown Austin at the Driskill Hotel.
• Roaring Fork – Emphasis on wood-fired American cuisine, with Northwest and Downtown Austin locations.
• Swift’s Attic – Creative, curated, and whimsical dishes with an ever-changing menu of global flavor profiles and influences, located in downtown Austin.
• La Condesa – James Beard-nominated modern Mexican restaurant with dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, located in downtown Austin.
• Nido – Modern American menu that takes seasonal cues from local purveyors, located on the rooftop of The Loren hotel, overlooking downtown Austin.
• Josephine House – The sister restaurant to Austin fine dining institution Jeffrey’s, the cute Clarksville cottage restaurant serves an eclectic, locally-sourced daily menu.
• Poeta – Poeta is nestled within The Frances Modern Inn on historic 11th street, offering oh-so-delicious all-day Italian fare.
• Yama’s Greek Restaurant – A fusion of traditional and modern Greek cuisine and an intimate ambience, located in North Austin.
• Bulevar Mexican Kitchen – Modern Latin American food with a great patio view, Northwest Austin (Arboretum).
• Juliet Italian Kitchen – Authentic Italian food housemade with fresh ingredients, available at three locations (Barton Springs, Arboretum, and Georgetown).
• Siena Ristorante Toscana – Authentic Tuscan and Italian cuisine, located in Northwest Austin.
• The Grove – A diverse menu with a large selection of wines and indoor-outdoor seating at their four locations (Westlake, Lakeway, downtown Austin, and Cedar Park).
• Parkside – Known for small plates and bold American cuisine, located in downtown Austin.
• Geraldine’s – Known for Texas-style, contemporary cuisine and live music performances, especially their weekend jazz brunch. Located in downtown Austin in the Hotel Van Zandt.
• Péché – Old-world French fare made with fresh ingredients and featuring pre-Prohibition style cocktails, located in downtown Austin.
• Capital Grille – Dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and an acclaimed wine menu, located in the Warehouse district of downtown Austin.
• Hestia – A menu that revolves around a custom 20-ft hearth that highlights the role of fire in food, located in downtown Austin.
• ATX Cocina – Traditional Mexican dishes combined with modern approaches and techniques, located in downtown Austin.
• The Peacock Mediterranean Grille – Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, located in the Austin Proper Hotel in downtown Austin, which overlooks views of Shoal Creek.
• Steiner Ranch Steakhouse – Fine-dining steakhouse with panoramic views of Lake Travis, located in Northwest Austin.
• Lenoir – A seasonally-driven menu focused on the robust flavors of Central Texas and a stunning interior/patio, located in South-Central Austin.
• Jacoby’s – Elevated Southern comfort foods with an indoor mercantile and decor to match and a sprawling outside patio that overlooks the Colorado River, located in East Austin.
• Eberly – Contemporary American cuisine with an industrial “study” area and a historic Cedar Tavern bar of Greenwich Village in New York City, located in Central Austin.
• Plank Seafood & Provisions – fresh, sustainably-sourced seafood and oysters, craft cocktails and extensive wine list, located at the Domain in North Austin.
• Truluck’s – Fresh seafood fine-dining experience, located in the warehouse district of downtown Austin.
• Honey Moon Spirit Lounge – Eclectic French-bistro fare located in a cute bohemian-inspired bungalow in Central Austin.
• Hotel Saint Cecilia Lounge – French-inspired menu with a quiet patio, reserved for hotel guests, located in South-Central Austin.
• The Quill Room – French-inspired menu and an old-world “salon” vibe, located in Downtown Austin at the Austin Proper Hotel.
• Lutie’s Garden Restaurant – Located on the 10-acre Commodore Perry Estate in central Austin with a garden feel both inside and out, Lutie’s offers a menu based on seasonal vegetables and herbs grown on the estate and meat and seafood from local ranchers and farmers markets. 
• The Carillon – A Texas-inspired seasonal menu made with local ingredients, located in the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on campus at the University of Texas.
• Goodall’s – American eatery with dishes featuring farm-to-table produce & meats, located in the Hotel Ella, near the University of Texas.
• Eden East – Farm-to-table restaurant that sources local and exotic ingredients to compliment the season, located in Driftwood, TX.
• Moonshine Grill – Innovative take on classic American food with a mercantile feel, located in Downtown Austin and Avery Ranch.
• Vic & Al’s – Locally sourced and scratch-made elevated cajun food, located in East Austin.
• Verbena – An open air-courtyard and kitchen with a wood-burning hearth serves up a menu that pays homage to Chef Paola Gama’s contemporary Mexican roots, while being highly influenced with essences of French techniques.
• La Volpe Restaurant – An intimate Italian-inspired menu with seasonal and local ingredients, located in downtown Austin.
• Olamaie Austin – Modern interpretation of the flavors of the South, combining creativity and technical expertise, located in downtown Austin.
• Barley Swine – Located in North Austin. “We have fun cooking with bold flavors through multiple courses, all the things that we as chefs enjoy eating. Our seasonal tasting menu is inspired by the ingredients from our local farmers and we’re just trying not to mess them up.’“ -Chef Bryce Gilmore
• Uchiba Restaurant – Uchi’s izakaya‑inspired cocktail bar and restaurant delivering a vast selection of Japanese whiskies, yakitori grill items and Uchi classics, located in downtown Austin.
• Juniper Austin – An East Austin Italian restaurant that focuses on contemporary fare inspired by the culinary effortlessness of Northern Italy’s cuisine and the rich flavors of Texas.
• RedFarm – Modern, seasonal Chinese food, including dim sum, in a cozy downtown Austin setting.
• Elementary Restaurant – Casual elevated dining with a playful spirit, located in Central Austin on South Lamar.
• Maie Day – “Maie Day is a daily festival of food + community. It is all the things we love about steakhouses and always a party,” located in South-Central Austin.
• Wink – New American multiple course dining from small wink plates to larger entree portions, located in North-Central Austin.
• Qi Austin Modern Asian – Modern farm-driven restaurant, offering traditional Asian food, located in downtown Austin.
• Garrison Grill – Elevated, farm-to-fork new American cuisine highlighting the Central Texas region, located in downtown Austin.
• Fonda San Miguel – Colorful and evolving cuisine that shares the fundamentals of authentic flavors of Mexico, located in North Austin.
• Vespaio Ristorante – Neighborhood Italian, from-scratch eatery on South Congress in South-Central Austin.
• Comedor – Modern Mexican restaurant in downtown Austin, with a focus on architecture.
• Lonesome Dove – “Urban Western cuisine” with Austin-inspired dishes that showcase bold flavors, wild game, and signature wood-fired cooking techniques, located in downtown Austin.
• Bob’s Steak & Chophouse – Specializes in big, flavorful steaks that are hand-selected from the top two percent of USDA prime beef, with locations in Baron Creek and downtown Austin.
• Suerte – Traditional Mexican cooking techniques with local Texas ingredients, driven by a passion for masa, located in downtown Austin.
• Sammie’s Italian – Inspired by legendary Italian-American restaurants, showcasing “red sauce,” located in downtown Austin.
• Lambert’s BBQ – Slow-smoked barbecue and modern Texas cooking in the restored historic Schneider Brothers Building in downtown Austin.
• Gina’s on Congress – “Paris meets Rome at Gina’s on Congress with fresh takes on classic bistro cuisine,” located in downtown Austin.
• Group Therapy – Dynamic flavors served up in a chic dining setting at the Hotel Zaza in downtown Austin.
• Anthem Texasian Pub – A pub that honors American comfort food with Asian and Latin flavors, located in downtown Austin on Rainey St.
• APT 115 – Inspired by what’s available locally and pairs well with their wine list, rooted in old-world cooking techniques, with an ambience that plays vinyl records in East Austin.
• Estelle’s Social Lounge – An upscale and trendy social lounge offering specialty cocktails, shareable bites, and a boutique-scale flower shop, located in downtown Austin.
• Este Austin – Celebrates fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking, located in East Austin.
• Odd Duck – Locally sourced food shaped by the culture of Austin and a craftsmen’s approach to cooking, located in South-Central Austin on South Lamar.
• J Carver’s – Elevated and classic fine-dining experience, featuring a raw and oyster bar, open wood-fire grill, and premium steaks, prime fish and shellfish, located in downtown Austin.
• Salt & Time – “A full-service butcher shop, salumeria, and restaurant featuring fresh cut meats from sustainable Texas ranches. We offer a wide selection of house made sausages, salumi and charcuterie, as well as fine artisan foods and beverages,” located in East Austin.

Austin Dining: Casual Restaurants

For a still-nice-but-less-formal Austin dining experience, there are a plethora of in-between restaurant options. Most don’t necessarily require a reservation, but it may not be a terrible idea to secure one if it’s an option.

• Ovenbird
• Carpenters Hall
• Playground ATX
• The Cavalier
• Epicerie
• Summer House
• Colleen’s Kitchen
• Caroline
• Chez Zee
• Irene’s
• Birdie’s
• Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
• Vivo Mexican Restaurant
• Gourdough’s
• Ranch 616
• Frog & the Bull
• Fareground Austin
• Tiny Boxwoods Austin
• Corner Restaurant
• District Kitchen
• Eldorado Cafe
• Oasthouse
• Foxhole Culinary Tavern
• Launderette
• Joann’s Fine Foods
• Revelry on the Boulevard
• TLC Austin
• Flores Mexican Restaurant (620)
• Kinda Tropical
• Bar Peached
• Hank’s Austin
• Grizzelda’s Mexican Restaurant
• High Hat Public House
• Verdad True Modern Mexican
• Artipasta
• Pasta Bar
• Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
• City Post Chophouse
• Bar Toti
• Hyde Park Grill
• Whole Foods Market
• Tamale House

Austin Dining: Cafes

• Littlefield Patio & Cafe – (UT campus)
• Pecan Square Cafe
• 34th St Cafe
• Bureau de Poste – (Tiny Grocer)
• Spread & Co
• Elizabeth Street Cafe
• 1417 French Bistro
• Oakmont Food Co
• Santorini Cafe
• Hopfields Austin
• Paperboy Austin
• Hillside Farmacy
• The Perch
• Sour Duck Market
• June’s All Day
• Sawyer & Co
• Foodheads
• Salt & Time Butcher shop
• Bouldin Creek Cafe
• Waltons Fancy & Staple
• Toasty Badger
• Phoebe’s Diner
• Blue Dahlia Bistro
• Galaxy Cafe
• Evangeline Cafe
• Counter Cafe
• Dish Society
• Little Deli
• Vinaigrette Austin
• Proud Mary Cafe
• Mour Cocina Cafe & Wine Shop

Austin Dining with a View: On the Water 

• Hula Hut
• Quince Lakehouse
• Ski Shores Cafe
• Beachside Billy’s @ Volente Beach
• Shoal Creek Saloon
• The Oasis Brewing Co
• Sundancer Grill (Lakeway)
  Lucy’s Fried Chicken on the Lake
• Shack 512

Austin Dining: Bakeries & Casual Breakfast

• Rosen’s Bagels
• Abby Jane Bakeshop
• Julie Myrtille Bakery
• Paris Baguette
• Quack’s Bakery
• Uppercrust Bakery
• Nervous Charlie’s Bagels
• Bird Bird Biscuit
• Swedish Hill
• Counter Cafe
• The Omelettry
• Texas French Bread
• 24 Diner
• Brooklyn Breakfast Shop
• Sweet Paris Creperie
• Biderman’s Deli
• Snooze AM Cafe
• El Tacorrido
• Taco Flats
• Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches

Austin Dining & Drinks with a View: Must-visit Patios

• Cenote Coffee and Eats
• The Little Darlin
• Upstairs at Caroline (ALOFT hotel downtown) –
• Bouldin Acres
• Patrizi’s Italian
• Kitty Cohen’s
• Yama’s Greek Restaurant
• Inn Cahoots
• Sign Bar
• Armadillo Den
• El Alma Cafe (rooftop deck)
• Vinaigrette Austin
• The Cat’s Pajama’s (eclectic rooftop bar)
• The Knotty Deck & Bar
• Whip In
• Clark’s Oyster Bar
• Perla’s Seafood
• Yellow Jacket Social Club
• Lenoir
• Honey Moon Spirit Lounge
• Irene’s
• Knomad Bar & Lounge
• Speakeasy Austin
• Shangri-La
• Easy Tiger
• Hi Sign Brewing
• Draught House Pub
• Olive & June
• Tweedy’s
• Birdie’s
• Sour Duck Market
• Bureau de Poste (Tiny Grocer)
• Bar Peached
• Better Half Coffee & Bar
• Kalimotxo
• Lolo Natural Wine Bar
• Kinda Tropical
• Tamale House
• Kemuri Tatsuya
• Holiday Cocktail Bar
• Justine’s Brasserie
• Jacoby’s
• The Meteor Wine Bar & Cafe
• Buzzmill
• Meanwhile Brewing Co
• Drinks Backyard
• Austin Beer Garden (ABGB)
• Mama Dearest
• Lovebirds ATX
• Daydreamer Cocktail Bar
• Stay Put Brewery
• Lulu’s
• Drifter’s Social ATX (daytime coffee/night-time cocktails)
• Central Market Cafe on North Lamar

Austin Drinks: Bars 

• Here Nor There
• Kalimotxo
• Space Cowboy
• Trona
• Electric Shuffle
• Flo’s Wine Bar & Bottle Shop
• Garage Cocktail Bar
• Holiday Cocktail Bar
• Dumont’s Down Low
• The Roosevelt Room
• Devil May Care
• In Plain Sight
• Bar Mischief
• Kinfolk
• Midnight Cowboy
• Milonga Room
• Tipsy Alchemist
• Benny’s Room
• Eden Cocktail Room
• Lustre Pearl
• Henhouse Basement
• Little Drinks Lounge
• Redheaded Stepchild
• Schoolhouse Pub
• Small Victory Bar
• Speakeasy Austin.
• Nickel City
• Lala’s Little Nugget
• Equipment Room Bar
• Murray’s Tavern
• Simonas ATX @ Colton House Hotel
• Zanzibar @The Marriott
• Shangri-La
• Howards Bar
• Prohibition ATX
• Whisler’s
• Drinkwell
• The Butterfly Bar at the Vortex
• Tiki Tatsuya
• The Cat’s Pajamas
• Ah Sing Den Cocktail Bar
• Redd’s Piano Bar (Round Rock)
• Project Disco
• Edge Rooftop Bar
• Limestone Rooftop Bar
• Pool Bar at East Austin Hotel
• Tigress Pub
• Mama Dearest
• Wiggle Room Bar
• Lovebirds ATX
• Marlow Bar
• Daydreamer Cocktail Bar
• Bosses Office (speakeasy)
• Higher Ground Cocktail Bar
• Lulu’s
• Busy Signal

Austin Drinks: Coffee Shops

• Cosmic Coffee Saltillo
• Spokesman Coffee
• Medici Roasting
• Mozart’s Coffee
• Once Over Coffee Bar
• Bennu Coffee Highland
• Coffee Shark Espresso and Pints
• West Pecan Coffee and Beer (Pflugerville)
• Brew & Brew
• Idlewild Coffee
• Cauldron Coffee
• Better Half Coffee & Bar
• Brentwood Social House
• Cherrywood Coffeehouse
• Radio Coffe
• Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
• Bottega
• Flightpath Coffeehouse
• Barrett’s Coffee
• Civil Goat Coffee
• Trianon Coffee (Bee Caves)
• Try Hard Coffee Roasters
• First Light Books & Coffee Shop

Austin Dining: Food Trucks 

• Con Todo Tacos
• Briscuits
• Pedroso’s Pizza
• Patrizi’s Italian
• Bombay Street Food
• Burro Cheese Kitchen
• R&B’s steak and fries
• Churro Co
• Valentina’s
• Leroy & Lewis BBQ
• Huckleberry
• Biggies yard bird
• CJ’s Tacos
• Songbird Austin
• Black Bear Burgers
• The Biscuit Hut

Austin Dining: Pizza 

• Favorite Pizza
• All Day Pizza
• Feral Pizza (sourdough pizza)
• Delucca Pizza
• Dovetail Pizza.
• Pieous
• Toss Pizzeria & Pub
• La Volta Pizza Club
• Bufalina Pizza
• Pinthouse Pizza
• Pedroso’s Pizza
• Delano Pizza
• East Side Pies
• Home Slice

Austin Dining: Burgers 

• JewBoy Burgers
• Pool Burger
• Lou’s Barton Springs
• Gimme Burger
• Buddy’s Burger
• Holdout Brewing Co
• Dirty Martin’s
• Billy’s on Burnet
• NADC Burger
• Bar Toti
• Sour Duck Market
• Holdout Brewing Co
• Big Ugly Burgers
• Hopfields Austin
• Casino El Camino
• Biggies Yard Bird
• Black Bear Burgers
• Cenote

Austin Dining: Barbecue

• Interstellar BBQ
• Lambert’s BBQ
• KG BBQ
• The Switch BBQ
• La Barbecue
• Mum Foods ATX

Austin Drinks: Breweries & Beer Gardens

• Holdout Brewing Co
• Oasis Brewing Co
• Lazarus Brewing Co
• Central Machineworks
• Brewtorium Brewery & Snacks
• Easy Tiger
• Banger’s Sausage & Beer Garden
• Mort Subite
• Workhouse Bar
• Roughhouse Brewing
• Hi Sign Brewing
• Draught House Pub
• Meanwhile Brewing Co
• Austin Beer Garden (ABGB)
• Stay Put Brewery

Austin Drinks: Wine Bars 

• Wanderlust Wine Bar/Wine Cave
• Lolo Natural Wine Bar
• The Austin Winery
• The Meteor Wine Bar & Cafe
• Koko’s Bavarian Beer Garden
• Aviary Wine & Kitchen
• Cork & Screw
• Parker Jazz Club
• Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar
• APT 115
• Cape Bottle Room

Congratulations! You’ve navigated my intricate curation of the best food, drinks, and views in the Austin dining scene, with an additional focus on what I consider to be some of the best designed restaurants around town. Hopefully I’ve made the case for factoring in design when contemplating your next outing — some of the best inspiration can come from these laid-back, boozy times!

Bon-inspiring-appétit, mes amis!