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Austin's Great Summer Restaurants, According to Readers

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In Austin, temperatures regularly break 100 degrees from June through September, which means the word "summer" lacks the sweet ring it possesses in, say, Seattle. Sure, there's Barton Springs, sno cones, margaritas -- but make no mistake, summer in Austin requires a survival plan.

One of the best ways to celebrate, rather than dread, the summer is to enjoy the best of Austin's covered patios, frozen drinks, and light, fresh dining. Eater asked readers for their top picks for summer dining; check out the best of the bunch below.

See a favorite hot weather dining destination missing? Hit the comments or the tipline to get it added.

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Contigo Austin

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Delicious, cold cocktails. Great bar snacks. A magnificent burger. And lots of outdoor space, much of it covered. Contigo is made for Austin summer.

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar

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Oysters and a champagne cocktail on Perla's patio is one of the best ways to beat the heat in Austin.

Porter Ale House

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Porter's outdoor covered patio space will make for some great evening drinking and dining as the temperatures climb.

Hillside Farmacy

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Hillside's well-sourced salads, not to mention their cold-brewed Stumpton and Coolhaus ice cream, make it a great summer lunch destination.

Noble Sandwich Company

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Desperate to dine al fresco, but can't deal with the full-on heat? Go eat breakfast outside at the new Noble Sandwiches, which has a covered patio out back.

El Tacorrido

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One tipster with a serious obsession with summer dining passes on this El Tacorrido intel: get the "El Equinox and ice-cream sandwich and then you can sit on the bench outside of the walk-up window."

La Condesa

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They may be know for their tacos, but La Condesa is also makes some of the best light, summery dishes in Austin, like their creative salads. Plus, margaritas.

Salty Sow

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Several readers put in a vote for Salty Sow, whose large patio offers a more laid-back dining option.

Curra's Grill

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Curra's large covered patio and straight-up delicious avocado margaritas make for a great summer Tex Mex meal.

Casa Colombia

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This recently reopened Colombian restaurant on East 7th serves a gigantic bowl of ceviche with green plantains, not to mention lots of great Colombian classics and huge frozen "mimosas"

This tiny South First restaurant focuses on "hot weather" food, so what better time to check it out than during hot weather? Their large wine garden is shaded by an oak tree, too.

Tam Deli and Cafe

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Banh mi and bun bowls of cold vermicelli noodles are both great hot weather eats. Tam deli delivers on both.

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Contigo Austin

Delicious, cold cocktails. Great bar snacks. A magnificent burger. And lots of outdoor space, much of it covered. Contigo is made for Austin summer.

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar

Oysters and a champagne cocktail on Perla's patio is one of the best ways to beat the heat in Austin.

Porter Ale House

Porter's outdoor covered patio space will make for some great evening drinking and dining as the temperatures climb.

Hillside Farmacy

Hillside's well-sourced salads, not to mention their cold-brewed Stumpton and Coolhaus ice cream, make it a great summer lunch destination.

Noble Sandwich Company

Desperate to dine al fresco, but can't deal with the full-on heat? Go eat breakfast outside at the new Noble Sandwiches, which has a covered patio out back.

El Tacorrido

One tipster with a serious obsession with summer dining passes on this El Tacorrido intel: get the "El Equinox and ice-cream sandwich and then you can sit on the bench outside of the walk-up window."

La Condesa

They may be know for their tacos, but La Condesa is also makes some of the best light, summery dishes in Austin, like their creative salads. Plus, margaritas.

Salty Sow

Several readers put in a vote for Salty Sow, whose large patio offers a more laid-back dining option.

Curra's Grill

Curra's large covered patio and straight-up delicious avocado margaritas make for a great summer Tex Mex meal.

Casa Colombia

This recently reopened Colombian restaurant on East 7th serves a gigantic bowl of ceviche with green plantains, not to mention lots of great Colombian classics and huge frozen "mimosas"

Lenoir

This tiny South First restaurant focuses on "hot weather" food, so what better time to check it out than during hot weather? Their large wine garden is shaded by an oak tree, too.

Tam Deli and Cafe

Banh mi and bun bowls of cold vermicelli noodles are both great hot weather eats. Tam deli delivers on both.

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