The Top 10 Restaurant & Bar Patios in Austin

Our Local Expert Says:

Popular for its stunning sunset views over Lake Travis, this Tex Mex restaurant is definitely worth the drive for out-of-towners.

Description:

A simple sunset is the star of the show every night at The Oasis. Perched on a hillside covered with tiered decks, diners applaud spontaneously as the sun slips behind the hills. For years, the restaurant was criticized for its pricey, mediocre food and drinks. Now, you can have your view and a good meal too. The Fire Grilled Relleno is stuffed with spicy pork or chicken and covered with queso fresco, cilantro and Mexican cream. The Grilled Shrimp Diablo is a plate of huge shrimp stuffed with sliced jalapenos wrapped in bacon and basted in sweet chilies. For optimum sunset toasting, get the gold margarita, with a floater of Cazadores Blanco and a splash of orange juice. On Sunday nights, Latin jazz band The Brew plays at the adjoining Starlight Terrace bar. A retractable roof is opened during good weather to allow dancing under the stars.

Our Local Expert Says:

Whet your appetite and then head outside on occasional Sunday evenings at 8pm for Moonlight Cinema, an interactive and classy way to enjoy those forgotten favorites. Check their online event calendar for details.

Description:

With chef Benjamin Nathan at the helm, The Belmont seeks to transport you back in time to the Las Vegas and Palm Springs of the 1960s. Looking around, you might expect to see the Rat Pack as you sense the nostalgia of the elegant leather and soft lighting while being entertained with music of the era. The menu offers a wide range of American culinary options including cedar plank salmon and grilled asparagus as well as shrimp and grits. For the lighter appetite, try one of their unique salads like the arugula, pear and goat cheese salad or iceberg wedge salad. All in all, this place has achieved what it set out to become: The upscale classic American restaurant and bar.

Our Local Expert Says:

The sprawling wooden deck just off the cafe draws multi-tasking mothers who mingle and eat while keeping an eye on the children's playscape.

Description:

Whether it's a quick lunch or leisurely dinner on the deck, this cafe goes way beyond expectations for a grocery-store eatery. As Central Market is no ordinary grocery store, so Cafe on the Run is no pedestrian deli. Soups, salads and sandwiches are all executed with creative flair; for instance, the roast beef sandwich is dressed up with brie, and the turkey with havarti. Dinner entrees such as pecan-crusted trout could make you swear off cooking completely. Ingredients are fresh, and most of them are available at the adjacent grocery. And if you don't want to exercise your sweet tooth, stay away from the bakery case. The creme brulee and Italian Cream Cake will tempt you every time. A second location, minus the child's playground, can be found at 4477 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78745 (+1 512 899 4300.)

Description:

Cedar Street is made up of three distinct spaces. There are two indoor bars on either side of a large outdoor courtyard. The music and dancing happen in the courtyard while most of the mingling happens in the long, narrow side bars. The bands are usually fun, danceable cover bands, such as the Spazmatics and SkyRocket. The place can get packed on weekends, but it is so large that you can usually snag a seat if you stay alert. Restless souls can make a loop from one bar across the courtyard and back. The crowd tends to be in the 30- to 40-year-old age group. So it's a little calmer than the wild-and-crazy Sixth Street crowd, but there's still a fair amount of groove-thing shaking.

Description:

This three-story bar is home to one of Austin's best margaritas. Relax on the rooftop bar and watch the crowd meander up Sixth Street, or sit downstairs as the crowd bustles past the huge windows. Patrons enjoy live music at night and during the day, the full-service Southwestern restaurant provides a convenient segue from late lunch to happy hour, or dinner to dancing. There are two other area locations: 10001 Stonelake Blvd Austin, TX 78759 (+1 512 794 8778) and 13420 Galleria Circle Suite A128 Bee Cave, TX 78738 (+1 512 263 7636.)

Description:

Doc's Motorworks is a locally-owned restaurant in a converted auto mechanic shop with the most impressive patio in Austin's see-or-be-scene South Congress District. Parking can be difficult in this popular section of downtown, but once you're settled on Doc's temperature-controlled patio, you can relax with a batch of onion rings and a cold draft beer. The casual restaurant is part sports bar, part grill. The restaurant offers moderate prices, daily happy hour deals and weekly food and drink specials. Try the burger and fries with a discounted pint, or a tasty Tex-Mex platter with a giant margarita. Doc's is open late and always busy. Mid-afternoon is your best shot for speedy service. Try the second location at 5207 Brodie Ln Suite 100 Austin, TX 78745 (+1 512 892 5200.)

Our Local Expert Says:

Aside from serving a surprising array of cocktails, Union Park also offers light fare, including hummus and edamame, Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm to 10pm.

Description:

Union Park features a rooftop patio with a great view of the Austin skyline in the evening, the Boom Boom Room and a young, energetic crowd. At around 9p the vibe changes from friendly neighborhood watering hole to scenester-club scene though, so beware a late-night visit.

Our Local Expert Says:

In the summertime, the outdoor area hosts Unplugged at the Grove on Thursday evenings. This weekly concert series showcasing local musicians draws quite a crowd.

Description:

Sit at a patio table under the huge oaks and you will discover why this spot is called Shady Grove. One of the best patios ever created is reason enough to stop by, and the consistently tasty, crowd-pleasing food is a great bonus. Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A menu standard is the Hippie Sandwich, a concoction of sautéed vegetables, cheese and a sub-style roll. Add a chicken breast and you have got the Hippie Chick. Kids love the chicken fingers and the burgers are great, too. Plus, this place has personality - just check out the bathroom (housed in an old Airstream trailer).

Our Local Expert Says:

This haven of Southern comfort food offers an impressive brunch spread for $15.95 Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Description:

Moonshine Bar & Grill sits in the oldest building in Austin and the decor tastefully reflects that. The sweeping arches and exquisite mirrors on the brick and stone walls, not to mention the warm fireplace, all make for a cozy setting. The starters everyones raves about are the corn dog shrimp (skewered shrimp in cornmeal batter, served with honey and blueberry mustard). The choice entrées are the broiled rainbow trout and Texas flat iron steak. Don't miss out on the creamy macaroni and cheese topped with a bacon gratin. Behind the main restaurant is a refurbished carriage converted into a bar, making the his downtown restaurant an ideal setting, no matter the occasion.

Description:

The Spider House, located close to UT, is an unusual establishment open from breakfast until late night. Largely populated by students in search of coffee drinks, light food and solitude by day, this quiet spot gets decidedly more upbeat at night when beer and wine are the more common fare. Based in an old house complete with wooden floors and wrap-around porch, the interior is comfortable and serene with tables and chairs for lounging. Outside, there is a fabulous patio with strings of festive lights and mismatched funky furniture.