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Photos: Russian House/Spencer Selvidge; Banger's/Spencer Selvidge; Stiles Switch/Andrea Grimes; Gourmand's/Raymond Thompson

Austin's Best Wintertime Restaurants, Mapped

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The temperatures may mercifully be back in the 70's this week, but nights are still chilly, and the Arctic cold will surely return before Austin's sacred time of renewal, SXSW. Eater asked readers for the best bets for winter and holiday dining, and they shared their picks for comfort food, soup spots, and fireplaces. This guide is best paired with a night out of hot boozy drinks.

Favorite winter restaurant missing? Hit the comments or the tipline.


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Szechuan House

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[Photo: Sisyphus/UrbanSpoon]

Ramen Tatsu-ya

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Ramen is a cold-weather food, and Tatsu-Ya sweetens the deal for waiting in line with heaters and complimentary tea.

Bartlett's

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[Photo: Thomas G./Yelp]

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

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Yes, Austin's incredible barbecue scene boasts a number of spots worth braving the elements for. But Stiles Switch features extremely fine barbecue inside, and at the moment they're running a 12 Days of smoked meats to get into the wintery holiday season.

Contigo Austin

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Contigo's seating is mostly outdoors, but they've installed a tent this year, complete with fire pit. Plus they offer blankets and a full hot toddy menu. Basically, all the toastiness.

Haymaker

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This Manor Road newcomer is already a certified hit. Their midwestern-inspired grub is a perfect fit for cold weather, and they boast an impressive beer selection. While they do have outdoor seating, their indoor space is huge, and features thirteen screens for weekend spectating.

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

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This under-the-radar neighborhood pub features an inviting space, a great beer selection, and lots of 'fat' sandwiches and soups. Like, broccoli beer cheese in a bread bowl soups.

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

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Sausage and beer were first paired together in Germany, and Germany is hella cold. Bangers keeps things interesting with wild and playful seasonal sausages - they're running a series of holiday specials right now to keep things festive.

Russian House

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Did you know it's very cold in Russia? It's very cold in Russia. Which means they have a cuisine developed to warm you to the bone. Enjoy their cozy dining room and sip enough vodka to make the walk back to the car, or the bike ride home, painless.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

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[Photo: Sara M./Yelp]

Paggi House

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Paggi House is known for their patio, but they also have a fireplace inside for cozy winter dining.

Elizabeth St. Café

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If you must wait outside one perpetually-packed Austin restaurant that does not accept reservations, make it Elizabeth Street. Their outdoor heaters actually legitimately keep you warm, and the pho takes care of the rest.

Papalote Taco House

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[Photo: Tara M./Yelp]

Jack Allen's Kitchen

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A restaurant that has a menu section entitled "chicken fried anything" is an instant winter classic. The large inviting space means there's rarely a wait. They also have a branch in Round Rock.

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Szechuan House

[Photo: Sisyphus/UrbanSpoon]

Ramen Tatsu-ya

Ramen is a cold-weather food, and Tatsu-Ya sweetens the deal for waiting in line with heaters and complimentary tea.

Bartlett's

[Photo: Thomas G./Yelp]

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

Yes, Austin's incredible barbecue scene boasts a number of spots worth braving the elements for. But Stiles Switch features extremely fine barbecue inside, and at the moment they're running a 12 Days of smoked meats to get into the wintery holiday season.

Contigo Austin

Contigo's seating is mostly outdoors, but they've installed a tent this year, complete with fire pit. Plus they offer blankets and a full hot toddy menu. Basically, all the toastiness.

Haymaker

This Manor Road newcomer is already a certified hit. Their midwestern-inspired grub is a perfect fit for cold weather, and they boast an impressive beer selection. While they do have outdoor seating, their indoor space is huge, and features thirteen screens for weekend spectating.

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

This under-the-radar neighborhood pub features an inviting space, a great beer selection, and lots of 'fat' sandwiches and soups. Like, broccoli beer cheese in a bread bowl soups.

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

Sausage and beer were first paired together in Germany, and Germany is hella cold. Bangers keeps things interesting with wild and playful seasonal sausages - they're running a series of holiday specials right now to keep things festive.

Russian House

Did you know it's very cold in Russia? It's very cold in Russia. Which means they have a cuisine developed to warm you to the bone. Enjoy their cozy dining room and sip enough vodka to make the walk back to the car, or the bike ride home, painless.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

[Photo: Sara M./Yelp]

Paggi House

Paggi House is known for their patio, but they also have a fireplace inside for cozy winter dining.

Elizabeth St. Café

If you must wait outside one perpetually-packed Austin restaurant that does not accept reservations, make it Elizabeth Street. Their outdoor heaters actually legitimately keep you warm, and the pho takes care of the rest.

Papalote Taco House

[Photo: Tara M./Yelp]

Jack Allen's Kitchen

A restaurant that has a menu section entitled "chicken fried anything" is an instant winter classic. The large inviting space means there's rarely a wait. They also have a branch in Round Rock.

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