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  2. Bust out the SPF—it’s outdoor dining season
  3. The 12 best restaurants to dine outdoors in Austin
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The 12 best restaurants to dine outdoors in Austin

A photo of Red logo
by Alexandra Richmond, Claudia Alarcón
Updated 29 May 2024

Austinites love the outdoors—residents flock to Zilker Park, the Lady Bird Lake trail, or Barton Springs the minute the sun is out. So it’s only fitting that the city is known for some phenomenal outdoor restaurants.

A modern live-fire grill house tucked among Austin’s newest skyscrapers has spectacular Shoal Creek views. At an Asian fusion gem, a 100-year-old oak tree anchors the pretty outdoor dining area. An inviting Parisian spot serves bistro classics on a light-strung patio surrounded by jasmine flowers.

There are plenty of warm and welcoming alfresco restaurants in Austin. Read on for a guide to the city’s 12 best outdoor dining setups to book now.

A photo of Ciclo restaurant
4.8
4.8 (775)
$30 and under
Steakhouse
Downtown
About the restaurant

Texan fare with Latin accents from renowned chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval shines at this Four Seasons Austin beauty. Ciclo (and its sibling bar, Live Oak) boast some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in town, with striking views of Lady Bird Lake and the famed Congress Avenue Bridge bats. Get the restaurant’s flambéed Texas Wagyu tomahawk or filet mignon with chimichurri and Bordelaise sauce, which taste extra good on an outdoor table flanked by oak trees.


Top review
Kenvip
Dined 2 days ago
Food, ambience and service at Ciclo last night were outstanding. Nick was an excellent waiter.
A photo of Quince Lakehouse restaurant
4.4
4.4 (790)
$30 and under
International
Austin
About the restaurant

With a front-row view of Lake Austin, it makes sense that Quince Lakehouse shines the spotlight on excellent seafood like oysters, sushi, ceviche, and a killer panko-crusted sea bass with ginger-lemongrass bomba rice. A seat on the outdoor deck is the most direct way to take in the sunset and bobbing boats, but even dining inside lets you stare at the water, thanks to scenic floor-to-ceiling windows.


Top review
Jessica
Dined 7 days ago
Thank you for seating us early and giving us a table on the outside patio, perfect for our toddler and still warm enough with heaters! Great experience. Thank you!
A photo of Emmer & Rye restaurant
4.7
4.7 (3452)
$50 and over
American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Top-notch New American food is one of the main attractions at this acclaimed downtown spot where dishes lean on locally grown ingredients and regional food traditions. Its shaded, wood-paneled patio is an extension of its warehouse-chic interiors and also the setting for a miniature garden. Stretch out your leisurely outdoor meal with dessert by Tavel Bristol-Joseph, a 2023 James Beard Awards semi-finalist and one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2020.


Top review
Sirivip
Dined 5 days ago
Food was excellent, consistent as usual. Love the pastas and use of lots of seasonal veggies. Cocktails were also great, and we got some complimentary bubbles as we were celebrating. The only mark on the evening was it took us 15 minutes to get seated because they were trying to move as many outdoors reservations indoors, but that was understandable and great they did that for the other customers.
A photo of Bar Peached restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1502)
$30 and under
Asian
Downtown
About the restaurant

Bar Peached serves pan-Asian favorites like banh mi tacos and mapo bolognese on a casual, dog-friendly patio shaded by a heritage tree and surrounded by fans. Stay even cooler with a refreshing cocktail, such as the Paloma on draft and creative made-to-order drinks like the Beetlejuice, which combines tequila, beet, lime, and cilantro.


Top review
Shannon
Dined on 4 Dec 2024
Delicious and wonderful service as always! Thanks!
A photo of Hestia restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1890)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Hestia recently expanded into the space formerly occupied by Kalimotxo (both are standout spots by the Emmer & Rye team). The menu is centered around a live-fire custom hearth that gives a smoky flavor to sumptuous small plates like charred broccoli with bone marrow and embered turnip with boquerones. Dine in the garden outside with soothing views of Shoal Creek and a peek right up one of Austin’s more interesting skyscrapers.


Top review
Karleevip
Dined 4 days ago
We were thrilled with the incredible food and even more impressed by the service per usual. I was happy to take my family there and celebrate Christmas early with you all last night! Alexis and his team or fabulous!
A photo of Steiner Ranch Steakhouse restaurant
4.7
4.7 (6049)
$50 and over
Steak
Northwest
About the restaurant

Score some of Texas’s finest meats at Steiner Ranch in Northwest Austin, complete with steakhouse favorites like ribeye and a perfectly broiled scallops au gratin. The patio here, which sometimes becomes the backdrop for live music performances, also offers a stunning Lake Travis view to pair with a delicious glass of red from the restaurant’s prolific wine collection.


Top review
Victoriavip
Dined 2 days ago
Wonderful and generous service! It was perfect for holiday and end of year celebration with my mentor. Thanks!
A photo of Roaring Fork - North Austin, Stonelake restaurant
4.7
4.7 (5075)
$31 to $50
American
Arboretum
About the restaurant

Lake views from the open-air patio make Roaring Fork a year-round outdoor star. So does an exquisite wood-fired menu featuring rotisserie chicken with chorizo-cornbread stuffing and grilled steak—a nod to Southwestern cowboy cooking. There’s no wrong way to enjoy an evening under the live oak trees here, especially if you end with warm pecan pie topped with butter pecan ice cream for dessert.


Top review
Christine
Dined 2 days ago
Another amazing meal. Thank you again for making our dinner special!
A photo of La Condesa restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2239)
$30 and under
Mexican
Downtown
About the restaurant

The modern Mexican menu at this James Beard Award-nominated restaurant is one reason to head to La Condesa—but so is the prime people-watching from its West Second patio, a plant-lined stretch that’s considered one of the buzziest spaces downtown. Snack on sikil pak (pumpkin seed dip) or short-rib quesadillas for a sampling of what’s made this a culinary hotspot since 2009.


Top review
Sarahvip
Dined 3 days ago
Superb food and service with great ambience in a great location.
A photo of Justine's Brasserie restaurant
4.7
4.7 (816)
$31 to $50
French
East Austin
About the restaurant

A meal on Justine’s expansive patio, surrounded by jasmine flowers, is straight-up magical. During the cooler months, part of it turns into a tented area that gets an annual revamp; this year’s design was inspired by a mid-century nightclub in New York City and featured zebra-print booths and red velvet accents. Even though the setting often changes, Justine’s elegant French menu remains the same—because you won’t ever tire of the on-point steak frites or crème brûlée.


Top review
Drew
Dined on 17 Nov 2024
What an incredible experience, the food was amazing the ambiance was incredible and the service was top notch. I made a mistake with my reservation of 8 and they were able to accommodate what I thought was the proper time. Such a delightful experience. Can’t wait to come back. ✌️✌️
A photo of Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3722)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Downtown
About the restaurant

Oysters are best slurped outdoors, and Perla’s serves them up in a sophisticated, blue-and-white-umbrella lined setting under the sprawling Texas sky, oak trees, and South Congress’s twinkling lights. Fish and oysters are flown in daily from both coasts, which means the lobster roll, seared fresh fish, or anything from the raw bar is a must-order.


Top review
Jenvip
Dined 5 days ago
Such a great dinner experience. Had the BBQ shrimp and the sauce they came in was amazing. The crispy red snapper is a favorite of mine and you cant go wrong with the lobster roll. Also tried the brussels which were also in a delicious dressing. If you’re not grabbing a cocktail try the raspberry mint lemonade.
A photo of Pecan Square Cafe restaurant
4.9
4.9 (528)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

With a charming 30-seat stone patio, Pecan Square Cafe is a homey spot, just steps away from the nightclubs and breweries of West Sixth Street. Hardscaping divides the outdoor dining area into three distinct spaces, and all are pet-friendly. While the menu changes all the time, you can always expect housemade pizza with inventive toppings like chile crisp or green garlic and pasta dressed with local veggies.


Top review
Beckyvip
Dined 1 day ago
Dinner at Pecan Square Cafe last night was excellent! Our table had the pappardelle, the shrimp main course, and the pork chop and everything was tasty. Good service and lovely restaurant - we'll be back!
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