Where to Order Fancy Takeout for Special Occasions in Austin

With Austin’s social distancing and mask requirements in place through November, many residents are trying to figure out how to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and Saturday nights. Although dining rooms can open for 50 percent capacity for dine-in services, many of Austin’s high-end restaurants also offer the chance to have fine dining at home.

Many restaurants have condensed their menus so that they can streamline orders with a smaller staff, and/or are now open fewer days. For example, sushi from the minimalist Kyoten Sushiko, is available without the commitment of a $150 omakase. And ordering that special occasion steak and martini from the classic Clarksville restaurant Jeffrey’s also remains an option.

As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurant themselves.

A number of Austin restaurants have resumed dine-in service. That level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the City of Austin website. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Here’s a list of Austin’s special occasion restaurants that are still serving to-go meals:

Barley Swine: James Beard semifinalist Bryce Gilmore’s Allandale restaurant has rotating takeout packages available Friday through Sunday. Expect family-style dishes like a rack of lamb ribs, Texas toast, and a vegetarian option like confit smoked portobello mushroom. Add on to-go cocktails, beer, wine, or chocolate chip cookies. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, too. (6555 Burnet Road, Brentwood)

Comedor: The gorgeous Mexican restaurant from chefs Gabe Erales and Philip Speer has a couple of to-go options. First, there are meal (and cocktail) kits to make dishes like pollo en adobo and those bone marrow tacos at home. Then, there’s a delivery menu available through Uber Eats with tortas, tacos, and tostadas. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, too. (501 Colorado Street, Downtown)

Emmer & Rye: The Rainey Street restaurant from James Beard semifinalist Kevin Fink and lauded pastry chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph is focusing on Italian dishes to-go. That means a cook-at-home kit for their famous cacio e pepe and dishes like pork shoulder and polenta to-go Tuesday through Saturday. Also available are takeout cocktails, wine, and beer. The restaurant has reopened its patio for dine-in service, too. (51 Rainey Street, Downtown)

Jeffrey’s: McGuire Moorman’s Clarksville restaurant has a to-go menu of truffled deviled eggs, steaks, sides, and martini kits for pickup daily. Caviar is also available for market price. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, too. (1204 West Lynn Street, Clarksville)

Intero: The whole-animal Italian restaurant offers online ordering and curbside pickup Wednesday through Saturday. Get comforting lasagna, family meals like a Sunday roast, and house-made chocolates. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service, too. (2612 East Cesar Chavez Street, Holly)

Kyoten Sushiko: The spartan high-end omakase restaurant is offering to-go orders Wednesday through Sunday with individual rolls, poke bowls, and sake and wine available to go, as well as an omakase box with dessert on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $90 per person. (4600 Mueller Boulevard, Mueller)

Lenoir: The South First gem offers curbside pickup Thursday through Sunday for entrees like whole red snapper, pork paté, and grilled quail. Its stellar wine list is also available to go. The restaurant reopened its wine garden for dine-in service, too. (1807 South First Street, Bouldin Creek)

Uchi & Uchiko: James Beard Award-winner Tyson Cole’s sushi restaurant is still serving a variety of sushi, sashimi, and small tastings (including a vegetarian menu) for pickup. Beer, sake, and wine are also available to go. Both restaurants have reopened for dine-in services, too. (801 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker; 4200 North Lamar Boulevard, Rosedale)

Wink: A fine-dining staple since 2001, Wink offers curbside food and wine to-go with online ordering Monday through Saturday. Choose from items like truffled mac and cheese, duck breast, and farm vegetables in coconut-cashew curry. The restaurant has reopened its patio for dine-in service, too. (1014 North Lamar Boulevard, Clarksville)