At a number of Austin's best restaurants, the bar seating is where it's at. From classic diner-style seats to high-end sushi bars, here's some of Austin's best bets as recommended by readers in the forums. See a beloved counter seat missing? Drop it in the comments or the original forum post.
Read MoreBar Lovers Unite: Eleven Restaurants With Great Counter Seating in Austin
Where sitting at the counter is not just a good move, but the best move.
Salt & Time
Salt & Time's counter is large, well-lit, and overlooks their lovely bar. A great place to grab a bite with a book, or to watch the butcher shop at work.
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Odd Duck
Odd Duck's dining room is dominated by a massive bar wrapped around their open kitchen, making it one of the buzziest counter seats in town.
Justine's Brasserie
The bar at Justine's is first come first serve, a great way to potentially snag a seat when the restaurant's packed on a busy night.
Hut's Hamburgers
Eating a hamburger at the counter in a classic restaurant space just feels right.
La Condesa
La Condesa serves their whole menu at the bar. It's a great excuse to order a couple of their stellar tacos and a couple more of their stellar margaritas.
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Foreign & Domestic
Foreign & Domestic boasts another great counter overlooking an open kitchen. One reader says, "Foreign & Domestic has a great bar facing the kitchen, less than 5 feet from your fingertips. You have to get there early though, it’s packed tight 30 min after opening!"
Sway Thai
Diners either love or hate Sway's communal dining tables. A great option for the haters is grabbing a kitchen-side bar seat, or one of many by the window.
Hopfields
Several readers agree that Hopfields has some of the best counter-side dining in Austin. One reader calls the bar their "Cheers" and adds, "I love sitting at the bar & talking with the staff. "
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Barley Swine
Listen: Bryce Gilmore knows how to counter. The bar seats at Barley Swine are another perpetual favorite. One (fancy!) reader even suggests it as "a smooth first date call."
Uchi
Want to get serious about the sushi side of Uchi? The bar seats are calling, especially during their sake social hour.
Counter Cafe
It's called Counter Cafe for a reason, right? Both locations are a great place for a casual kitchen-side meal.