Best Lunch Restaurants in South Austin

Price

££
£££
££££

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Austin

Areas

ArboretumAustinBee Caves / Lakeway / Lake TravisBouldin CreekCentral AustinDowntown

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

118 restaurants available nearby

1. Stella San Jac

4.3

Awesome(1585)

££££Price: Expensive

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Downtown

Booked 21 times today

Stella San Jac, located in the heart of downtown Austin, offers a distinctive dining experience that combines modern Southern cuisine with a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Our carefully crafted menu features locally-sourced ingredients and creative dishes that highlight the best of Austin’s culinary scene, from savory starters to mouthwatering main courses. Whether you're planning a special celebration, a business lunch, or simply looking for a memorable meal, we welcome you to join us. While reservations are recommended for the best experience, walk-ins are always welcome — just stop by and let our team take care of the rest.

2. Aba - Austin

4.8

Exceptional(1241)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • East Austin

Booked 134 times today

Aba, meaning father in Hebrew, is a Mediterranean restaurant with a California influence. The menu features Chef CJ Jacobson’s modern approach to Mediterranean cooking and the beverage program showcases spirits and rare wines from lesser known Mediterranean regions.

3. Elizabeth St Cafe

4.8

Exceptional(810)

££££Price: Moderate

• Asian • Bouldin Creek

Booked 73 times today

Elizabeth Street Café is a neighborhood Vietnamese cafe and French bakery in South Austin opened in December 2011. The little restaurant boasts sunny dining rooms and a shady garden patio and serves fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as takeout.Elizabeth Street Café is known for: great croissants and Stumptown coffee, bánh mì served on house baked baguettes, fresh spring rolls, Kronenberg on tap, steaming bowls of pho, spicy curries, house cocktails, a fun kids menu, and flavorful macarons.Learn more about McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mmlhospitality.com

A photo of Neighborhood Sushi restaurant

4. Neighborhood Sushi

4.8

Exceptional(1109)

££££Price: Expensive

• Sushi • South Austin

Booked 109 times today

Located on Austin’s vibrant South Congress Avenue, Neighborhood Sushi serves high quality sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes in a casual and beautiful setting. Happy hour and-a-half will offer food and beverage specials weekdays 3pm - 5pm throughout the entire restaurant. Our front door is on the neighborhood facing side, in the Annie Street parking lot. Look for a black-stained door with a white and wood light-box sign. Our host will be waiting inside to welcome you! ADA accessible entry through the Sake Garden on the Congress sidewalk.

A photo of Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar restaurant

5. Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar

4.9

Exceptional(3764)

££££Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 90 times today

Perla's offers fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts with an emphasis on sourcing from the gulf and locations around the world. The bar makes delicious coastal cocktails and the wine list is stocked with fun sparkling, rosé & white wines.Perla's has Austin’s prettiest oak-shaded patio and a comfortable airy dining room featuring a huge saltwater fishtank, poured concrete oyster bar and open kitchen. Learn more about McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mmlhospitality.com.

6. Josephine House

4.8

Exceptional(1360)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Central Austin

Booked 84 times today

The sister restaurant to Austin fine dining institution Jeffrey’s, offering breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner & Monday night steak frites. The Clarksville cottage features a small marble bar for coffee or cocktails, intimate tables in the dining room, shady nooks on our patio and a grassy front lawn for lounging. Serving an eclectic daily menu featuring the best locally sourced products. Learn more about McGuire Moorman Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mcguiremoorman.com.

7. June's All Day

4.8

Exceptional(1070)

££££Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • South Austin

Booked 76 times today

June’s All Day is a little bit of Paris in Austin—a neighborhood cafe and bar offering late breakfast, brunch, and an all day menu late into the evenings, along bustling South Congress Avenue.The bistro-style food menu (think Croque Madame, Steak Tartare & Frites, Grilled Chicken Paillard, & Steak au Poivre) is complemented by a frequently changing wine & bar program including unique bottles and classic cocktails The restaurant has a wraparound patio (open year round) and is ideal for people watching and hanging with your friends.

8. Sammie's Italian

4.8

Exceptional(1501)

££££Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 61 times today

Sammie’s is a little taste of old Italy in downtown Austin. It celebrates the great ‘red sauce’ institution—inspired by old school, legendary Italian-American restaurants. The menu offers classic dishes in a casual but sophisticated, retro-designed space that is both lively and comfortable, capturing the essence of a night out at your favorite neighborhood joint. The space consists of a central dining room overlooking Shoal Creek and 6th Street, polished wood bar, Mildred’s Room (a private dining/wine room), and wraparound patio dining area. Please note that patio seating is weather contingent. The menu offers riffs on standards including Housemade Mozzarella Sticks, Clams Casino, and Caesar Salad a la Tommy; timeless pastas like Spaghetti with Meatballs, and Linguine Vongole; and Sammie’s Classics: big portions of iconic plates like Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Marsala, and Baked Manicotti.

9. Nido

4.7

Exceptional(1247)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Bouldin Creek

Booked 72 times today

Luxury takes root in the heart of Austin at Nido, bringing the charm of the area together with the culinary techniques of coastal Europe, all perched above Lady Bird Lake and the energetic cityscape. Nido is located on the rooftop of The Loren at Lady Bird Lake - recently named by Conde Nast Traveller and Travel & Leisure Magazine as "one of the hottest hotel openings in the world." Nido nods to the surrounding and native Hill Country, giving diners a one-of-a-kind respite to experience worldly-travel through food. Nido’s selection of carefully crafted, seasonal menus are internationally-inspired with a focus on classical technique.Reservations are available for inside the dining room and the dining tables in the bar. Lounge seating is available on a walk in basis in the bar and on the terrace for drinks and snacks.For more information, please visit https://www.thelorenhotels.com/cuisine/restaurant and follow @Nidoatx on Instagram.

A photo of Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin restaurant

10. Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin

4.6

Exceptional(9662)

££££Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 102 times today

Austin is known for its hip, urban core and delicious food, and Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille® is the perfect combination of the three, with an upscale flair. Located downtown in the historic Norwood Tower, it’s within walking distance of the Capital Complex and other downtown landmarks. So come enjoy one of our award-winning dishes on the patio or sip a handcrafted cocktail in Bar 79®!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
AmyVIP
Indiana •33 reviews
5.0
Dined today
My husband and I dined here to celebrate his birthday which was acknowledged by all. Chip, our waiter, provided excellent service. The crab wedge salad was superb. We enjoyed the burger and tile fish too! The butterscotch pot de crème is the best dessert in Austin. We will be back!
More info
Perla's Seafood and Oyster BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.9
E
Elisa
West Palm Beach •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The atmosphere, service and food were all top notch. You cannot miss out on the short rib hummus 🤤
More info
Aba - AustinPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• East Austin
•
4.8
S
Susanne
Austin •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great service, restaurant is open with nice seating and breakfast was excellent.
More info
Stella San JacPrice: Expensive• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service• Downtown
•
4.3
E
Evelyn
1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We dined here on Valentine’s Day so it was packed inside the restaurant, but we sat outside and had a nice and quiet meal. The food here is always outstanding and it is such a beautiful restaurant. It also has great value for the prices, we got so much food and didn’t feel like we were overpaying. Absolutely recommend Elizabeth St. for any occasion!
More info
Elizabeth St CafePrice: Moderate• Asian• Bouldin Creek
•
4.8
B
BethVIP
Chicago / Illinois •161 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We’ve been here several times and the food and service are always good. The edamame is particularly unique, specials menu has nice variety for all parties (pork belly delicious), nigiri is high quality, tender and buttery. Wine selection nice.
More info
Neighborhood SushiPrice: Expensive• Sushi• South Austin
•
4.8

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