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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

by Meghan McCarron
2 comments / new
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by Meghan McCarron
2 comments / new
Photos: Russian House/Spencer Selvidge; Banger's/Spencer Selvidge; Stiles Switch/Andrea Grimes; Gourmand's/Raymond Thompson

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]

11005 Burnet Rd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 832-8989
(512) 832-8989

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.

8557 Research Blvd, #126, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 834-8810
(512) 834-8810

Also featured in:

Bartlett's

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[Photo: Thomas G./Yelp]

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-7333
(512) 451-7333

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.

6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 380-9199
(512) 380-9199

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.

2027 Anchor Ln., Austin, TX 78723
(512) 614-2260
(512) 614-2260

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.

2310 E. Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 243-6702
(512) 243-6702

Also featured in:

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.

2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 610-2031
(512) 610-2031

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.

81 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 386-1656
(512) 386-1656

Also featured in:

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.

307 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 248-5442
(512) 248-5442

Also featured in:

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

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[Photo: Sara M./Yelp]

303 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599
(512) 236-9599

Also featured in:

Paggi House

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

200 Lee Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-3700
(512) 473-3700

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.

1501 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-2881
(512) 291-2881

Papalote Taco House

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[Photo: Tara M./Yelp]

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2474
(512) 804-2474

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.

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735
(512) 852-8558
(512) 852-8558

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Szechuan House

11005 Burnet Rd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758

[Photo: Sisyphus/UrbanSpoon]

11005 Burnet Rd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 832-8989
(512) 832-8989

Ramen Tatsu-ya

8557 Research Blvd, #126, Austin, TX 78758

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

8557 Research Blvd, #126, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 834-8810
(512) 834-8810

Bartlett's

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757

[Photo: Thomas G./Yelp]

2408 W. Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-7333
(512) 451-7333

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757, Austin, TX 78757

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.

6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 380-9199
(512) 380-9199

Contigo Austin

2027 Anchor Ln., Austin, TX 78723

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.

2027 Anchor Ln., Austin, TX 78723
(512) 614-2260
(512) 614-2260

Haymaker

2310 E. Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

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.

2310 E. Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 243-6702
(512) 243-6702

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702

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.

2316 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 610-2031
(512) 610-2031

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

81 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

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.

81 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 386-1656
(512) 386-1656

Russian House

307 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

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.

307 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 248-5442
(512) 248-5442

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

303 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

[Photo: Sara M./Yelp]

303 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599
(512) 236-9599

Paggi House

200 Lee Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78704

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

200 Lee Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-3700
(512) 473-3700

Elizabeth St. Café

1501 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

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.

1501 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-2881
(512) 291-2881

Papalote Taco House

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

[Photo: Tara M./Yelp]

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2474
(512) 804-2474

Jack Allen's Kitchen

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735

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.

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735
(512) 852-8558
(512) 852-8558

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