Austin waterfront restaurants
Austin offers no shortage of great places to eat. Major food journals and television networks frequently give Austin's food scene generous accolades for the eclectic, diverse, and exquisite cuisine available throughout the city.

It's also no secret that Austin’s coffee culture is top-in-class.

All the locals know that Austin's food scene believes in providing tasty dishes, good portions, and quirky dives. Dining in Austin is designed to be an experience.

Summer is just around the corner along with patio season. Many of these establishments have closed their dining rooms due to the current public health crisis, but are still offering pick up and delivery options. Let's think forward to when we can all enjoy public places like this again and help support some of our great local Austin businesses.

Among the great experiences available across the city, no visitor or resident should miss out on the phenomenal waterfront meals available on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis.

Most guests who visit the following restaurants rave about the patio views and the incredible sunsets from across the water. Treat yourself at one of these Austin waterfront restaurants:

East Austin Waterfront Restaurants

1) Tillery

With a Mediterranean-inspired menu and a large riverfront patio, Tillery is one of the newer spots on the waterfront in Austin.

Tillery boasts a beautiful mid-century interior with lots of rich wood elements and an updated ranch house feel. Take a seat on the deck under the pecan trees in this trendy East Austin neighborhood to enjoy the seasonally rotating Mediterranean fusion menu and happy hour cocktails.

2) Jacoby’s

Next door to Tillery, you can find Austin’s trendiest southern home cooking. Jacoby rethinks Southern comfort food by tapping into the best aspects of the farm-to-table movement.

Guests love the patio outside and give special mention to the weekend brunch menu. With a cute little mercantile store and upscale country ambiance, what more could you want for breakfast on the river?

Delicious chicken and waffles are a surprising delight from Austin's food scene

Downtown Waterfront Restaurants and Coffee Shops

3) Alta’s Café

Alta’s might be the best place in Austin for a casual first date or a work meeting.

Located just above Congress Ave Kayaks and along the Lady Bird Lake hike & bike trail, Alta’s is a quintessential craft coffee shop on the riverfront. Grab an Americano, try a taco, and enjoy the scenic view of Austin’s central waterway.

4) TRIO Restaurant

TRIO is an upscale restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel just off Congress Ave and Cesar Chavez. Brunch is pricey here, but it is also extensive, featuring a carving station, made-to-order omelets, traditional breakfast items, a seafood table, and a variety of small desserts. Add unlimited mimosas, coffee, and a view of Lady Bird Lake, and you’ve got a fine-dining brunch experience.

Mexican food is another staple one can expect in Austin's food scene

Lake Austin Blvd Waterfront Restaurants and Coffee Shops

5) Hula Hut

One of Austin’s unmistakable Tex-Mex exports, Chuy’s, has a Hawaiian-themed restaurant on the water just off Lake Austin Boulevard called Hula Hut. You can get Texas-sized portions of fish tacos or stuffed avocados with a view of jet skis zipping past on the water.

6) Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

Mozart’s has been an Austin staple for coffee, desserts, and lake views for years. Stop in for a latte and some Amy’s Ice Cream. We recommend venturing out to try one of their delicious pies or cakes. Every year, Mozart’s puts up a wonderful Christmas lights display which attracts people to the area throughout the holiday season.

The roastery has also started to offer its coffee online via amazon.

7) Abel’s on the Lake

Nestled between Hula Hut and Mozart’s, Abel’s is straightforward: American eats, beers on tap, large-screen TVs, and a large lakefront patio.

Go around sunset to enjoy the most scenic views of the lake and Tom Miller Dam. Abel’s is a great place to catch the Longhorn football team and enjoy a hamburger or chips and queso.

Colorado River Waterfront Restaurants

8) Ski Shores Café

Whether you arrive by boat or car, Ski Shores is a perfect place to bring your family, have a cold one, and enjoy all the lake has to offer.

Located close to Emma Long Park, Ski Shores has a huge playground for the kids, a room of arcade games, and a spectacular deck where you can dangle your feet into the water. Grab a casual picnic table and enjoy their pub fare including tacos, burgers, and margs. Vegetarian options are available.

Lake Travis Restaurants

9) The Oasis on Lake Travis

With a multi-level sandstone façade with tiered, expansive terraces overlooking Lake Travis, The Oasis is an institution we couldn’t leave off the list. The Oasis was established over 30 years ago, and its website boasts that it is “best known as The Sunset Capital of Texas.”

Visit the gift shop, sip a margarita, and try their signature nachos. With Tex-Mex and American food options, almost everyone will be happy to spend an evening overlooking Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country.

The Oasis restaurant that sits famously on Austin's waterfront is an established go-to place in Austin's food scene

 

10) Lucy’s Fried Chicken

One of Austin’s favorite guilty pleasures—Lucy’s Fried Chicken—has opened a large patio location on Lake Travis. Offering upscale southern cuisine, Lucy’s serves up some delicious fried chicken and mac ’n’ cheese under its signature red umbrellas. Come out and let your kids enjoy the jungle gym while you sip a can of craft brew.

Austin has become well-known and loved for some amazing eats and views. If you’re looking to move or relocate to the Austin area, a JB Goodwin Agent can help you find the home that you’ve been searching for. Reach out to us today and we’ll start the conversation about making your home-buying goals a reality

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This is some really good information about good restaurants that are by the water. I liked that you pointed out that you can get some really good fish tacos at one of these places. I love fish tacos, and I also love sitting by the water when eating them.

Posted by Ivy Baker on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 at 8:28pm

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