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Austin's Great Summer Restaurants, According to Readers

by Meghan McCarron
4 comments / new
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by Meghan McCarron
4 comments / new
Photo: Lenoir/Facebook

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.

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

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.

1400 S. Congress Suite B100, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-7300
(512) 291-7300

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.

3715 S 1st St Ste A, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
(512) 291-6299

Also featured in:

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.

1209 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 628-0168
(512) 628-0168

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.

4805 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 382-6248
(512) 382-6248

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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."

2316 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-1939
(512) 912-1939

Also featured in:

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.

400 W. 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0300
(512) 499-0300

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.

1917 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 391-2337
(512) 391-2337

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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.

614 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
(512) 444-0012

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"

1614 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 495-9425
(512) 495-9425

Lenoir

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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.

1807 S. 1st St., Austin, TX 78704

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.

8222 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 834-6458
(512) 834-6458

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Contigo Austin

2027 Anchor Ln., Austin, TX 78723

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

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

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar

1400 S. Congress Suite B100, Austin, TX 78704

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

1400 S. Congress Suite B100, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-7300
(512) 291-7300

Porter Ale House

3715 S 1st St Ste A, Austin, TX 78704

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

3715 S 1st St Ste A, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
(512) 291-6299

Hillside Farmacy

1209 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

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

1209 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 628-0168
(512) 628-0168

Noble Sandwich Company

4805 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

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.

4805 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 382-6248
(512) 382-6248

El Tacorrido

2316 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

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."

2316 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-1939
(512) 912-1939

La Condesa

400 W. 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701

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.

400 W. 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0300
(512) 499-0300

Salty Sow

1917 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

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

1917 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 391-2337
(512) 391-2337

Curra's Grill

614 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704

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

614 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
(512) 444-0012

Casa Colombia

1614 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

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"

1614 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 495-9425
(512) 495-9425

Lenoir

1807 S. 1st St., Austin, TX 78704

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.

1807 S. 1st St., Austin, TX 78704

Tam Deli and Cafe

8222 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

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

8222 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 834-6458
(512) 834-6458

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