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A restaurant patio with a group of women and trees in the distance.
The patio at Bulevar.
Consumable Content

16 Austin Restaurants With Great Views

Eating and drinking with a side of beautiful scenery

by Darcie Duttweiler and Nadia Chaudhury Updated
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The patio at Bulevar.
| Consumable Content
by Darcie Duttweiler and Nadia Chaudhury Updated

Great food and drinks are a-plenty in Austin, but where should diners go if they want equally as stunning vistas? Eater is here to help with the best restaurants and bars with great views.

This ranges from spots facing the morphing downtown skyline to bodies of water to grassy overlooks. There is the popular waterfront coffee shop Mozart’s, the chintzy ambiance of Hula Hut, the tranquility of Jacoby's, downtown hotel views, the Colorado River and bats from Arlo Grey, and others.

Stay outdoors with Austin’s other alfresco restaurant and bar options with Eater’s guides to patios (essential and shaded), and then there are the city’s best rooftop restaurants and bars for a different perspective.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Oasis Texas Brewing Company

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Locals know to go to this brewery-restaurant out on far northwest Austin for food and beers and a spot-on view of Lake Travis. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6550 Comanche Trail, Suite 301 Austin, Texas
(512) 284-9407
(512) 284-9407

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Bulevar

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The Arboretum Mexican restaurant offers really pretty views of forest expanses while also serving a whole gluten-free menu. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

9400 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
(512) 377-9877
(512) 377-9877

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Ski Shores

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The longtime lakeside classic joint may have been revamped and reopened by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, but the updated Ski Shores still offers the same lively views of boats and jet skis whizzing by from the open and breezy patio. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
(512) 346-5915
(512) 346-5915
Lakeside lawn with umbrellas.
Ski Shores.
Ski Shores Cafe

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Lutie’s Garden Restaurant

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The Hancock New American restaurant within the Commodore Perry Estate includes a patio overlooking the hotel/private members club’s gardens. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4100 Red River St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 675-2517
(512) 675-2517

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County Line on the Hill

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Located in a historic building, this West Hills Lake location of the Austin-born barbecue restaurant chain presents an incredible 20-mile view of the Texas Hill Country on its covered twinkle-lit stone patio. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-1742
(512) 327-1742

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Mozart's Coffee

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Buckle in for the day at the West Austin coffee shop’s expansive patio, which is right on top of the lake, perfect for leisurely drinks and snacks. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
(512) 477-2900

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Hula Hut

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The kitschy Lake Austin restaurant — under new ownership as of 2024 — serves Tex-Mex with a side of tiki, with cocktails and snacks right on the lake. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-4852
(512) 476-4852

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Sway

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Austin’s only remaining location of the upscale Thai restaurant features great views of the area as well as the city’s downtown. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
(512) 326-1999
(512) 326-1999

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Codependent Cocktails + Coffee

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Located at the bottom of the Independent Condo Tower in downtown Austin, this coffee-by-day/drinks-by-night hotspot overlooks Shoal Creek as it snakes its way through the city, giving the space a treehouse-like effect. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 334-6652
(512) 334-6652

Also featured in:

Nido

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In Zilker, the Loren at the Lady Bird hotel’s restaurant patio has a beautiful view of the Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin from across the river. There are indoot and outdoor dine-in services.

Rooftop, 1211 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 580-1183
(512) 580-1183

Also featured in:

Arlo Grey

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In downtown Austin, the Line Austin Hotel’s restaurant — run by Top Chef winner and host Kristen Kish — takes advantage of those stellar views with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Colorado River and the Congress Avenue Bridge (making it a prime bat-watching spot). There are indoor dine-in services.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-2991
(512) 478-2991

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Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Another stellar Colorado River overlook can be found on the patio of the downtown Austin hotel’s Live Oak bar and restaurant Ciclo. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500

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El Alma

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This Barton Springs Mexican joint boasts a charming, shaded terrace with views of the downtown Austin skyline. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

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Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

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Opt for drinks and bar snacks on the grassy outdoors area of the Texan restaurant in Govalle for a peaceful, quiet view of the Colorado River. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5808
(512) 366-5808

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Dainty Dillo

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Formerly Tillery, the new Govalle bar from the Armadillo Den team still features a beautiful sightline that includes the lush sloping landscapes and the Colorado River. The patio is perfect for lingering drinks. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

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Mattie's

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Remodeled from a historic South Austin farmhouse, this Southern fine dining restaurant in Bouldin Creek not only offers views of shaded oaks and grassy knolls but also beautiful free-roaming peacocks, including a fetching all-white fowl. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-1888
(512) 444-1888

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Oasis Texas Brewing Company

6550 Comanche Trail, Suite 301 Austin, Texas

Locals know to go to this brewery-restaurant out on far northwest Austin for food and beers and a spot-on view of Lake Travis. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6550 Comanche Trail, Suite 301 Austin, Texas
(512) 284-9407
(512) 284-9407

Bulevar

9400 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759

The Arboretum Mexican restaurant offers really pretty views of forest expanses while also serving a whole gluten-free menu. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

9400 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
(512) 377-9877
(512) 377-9877

Ski Shores

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730

The longtime lakeside classic joint may have been revamped and reopened by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, but the updated Ski Shores still offers the same lively views of boats and jet skis whizzing by from the open and breezy patio. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
(512) 346-5915
(512) 346-5915
Lakeside lawn with umbrellas.
Ski Shores.
Ski Shores Cafe

Lutie’s Garden Restaurant

4100 Red River St, Austin, TX 78751

The Hancock New American restaurant within the Commodore Perry Estate includes a patio overlooking the hotel/private members club’s gardens. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4100 Red River St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 675-2517
(512) 675-2517

County Line on the Hill

6500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746

Located in a historic building, this West Hills Lake location of the Austin-born barbecue restaurant chain presents an incredible 20-mile view of the Texas Hill Country on its covered twinkle-lit stone patio. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-1742
(512) 327-1742

Mozart's Coffee

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Buckle in for the day at the West Austin coffee shop’s expansive patio, which is right on top of the lake, perfect for leisurely drinks and snacks. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
(512) 477-2900

Hula Hut

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

The kitschy Lake Austin restaurant — under new ownership as of 2024 — serves Tex-Mex with a side of tiki, with cocktails and snacks right on the lake. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-4852
(512) 476-4852

Sway

3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746

Austin’s only remaining location of the upscale Thai restaurant features great views of the area as well as the city’s downtown. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
(512) 326-1999
(512) 326-1999

Codependent Cocktails + Coffee

301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701

Located at the bottom of the Independent Condo Tower in downtown Austin, this coffee-by-day/drinks-by-night hotspot overlooks Shoal Creek as it snakes its way through the city, giving the space a treehouse-like effect. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 334-6652
(512) 334-6652

Nido

Rooftop, 1211 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

In Zilker, the Loren at the Lady Bird hotel’s restaurant patio has a beautiful view of the Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin from across the river. There are indoot and outdoor dine-in services.

Rooftop, 1211 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 580-1183
(512) 580-1183

Arlo Grey

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

In downtown Austin, the Line Austin Hotel’s restaurant — run by Top Chef winner and host Kristen Kish — takes advantage of those stellar views with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Colorado River and the Congress Avenue Bridge (making it a prime bat-watching spot). There are indoor dine-in services.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-2991
(512) 478-2991

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Another stellar Colorado River overlook can be found on the patio of the downtown Austin hotel’s Live Oak bar and restaurant Ciclo. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500

El Alma

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

This Barton Springs Mexican joint boasts a charming, shaded terrace with views of the downtown Austin skyline. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Opt for drinks and bar snacks on the grassy outdoors area of the Texan restaurant in Govalle for a peaceful, quiet view of the Colorado River. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5808
(512) 366-5808

Dainty Dillo

3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Formerly Tillery, the new Govalle bar from the Armadillo Den team still features a beautiful sightline that includes the lush sloping landscapes and the Colorado River. The patio is perfect for lingering drinks. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78702

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Mattie's

811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704

Remodeled from a historic South Austin farmhouse, this Southern fine dining restaurant in Bouldin Creek not only offers views of shaded oaks and grassy knolls but also beautiful free-roaming peacocks, including a fetching all-white fowl. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-1888
(512) 444-1888

Related Maps