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A fried bird on top of mashed potatoes on a food plate.
Chicken-fried quail from Diner Bar Austin.
Jasmin Porter

Where to Eat and Drink in Downtown Austin

Find decadent dining, tacos, coffee, cocktails, and more all in the heart of the city

by Nadia Chaudhury Updated
View as Map
Chicken-fried quail from Diner Bar Austin.
| Jasmin Porter
by Nadia Chaudhury Updated

The epicenter of Austin is its downtown area. It’s where the stately Capitol building resides, marking the city’s political hub (it is the capital of Texas, after all), where office buildings, high-rise buildings, and hotels continue to open, where tourists flock and locals frequent their go-to spots, where office workers congregate during daytime hours, where locals let loose in the evenings, where tourists hang around to see the Congress Avenue bats swarm around for food (wait for hot weather).

Downtown Austin contains multitudes within itself: the entertainment districts of Sixth and West Sixth, the residential areas of the West End and North Side, the concert venue-filled Red River, and the lovely trails along the Colorado River. The neighborhood even connects to other nearby locales: (South Congress, East Side, Clarksville).

Eater presents this guide to the essential restaurants and bars of downtown Austin. This means drinks and snacks at Small Victory, soup dumplings from Wu Chow, casual pan-Asian dishes from Koriente, and tacos from Veracruz All Natural and Asador.

Looking for more downtown eats? Here are Eater’s picks for the best restaurants and bars along Rainey Street and the best downtown lunches.

In the search of other vital Austin drinks and eats? Turn your attention to the Eater 38, restaurant heatmap, and essential bars.

For the purposes of this guide, the map covers the area bordered by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, I-35, and North Lamar Boulevard, and excludes Rainey Street (which is covered elsewhere). Check out Eater Austin’s other neighborhood dining guides too.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Olamaie

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Yes, the biscuits are great, and there are other modern Southern dishes to check out, like gumbo, Gulf shrimp and red rice, butter beans, and more, alongside beautiful desserts and a strong cocktail list, all for dinner. The restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2796
(512) 474-2796

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Saturn

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The newcomer bar closer to the Texas Capitol offers a nice little getaway from downtown proper. Find fun cocktails and good hot dogs. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

906 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

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Dirty Bill's

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The absolute best West Sixth bar is this tiny spot. There are indoor areas.

511 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701

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Walton's Fancy & Staple

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Solid sandwiches and breakfast dishes can be found at the downtown deli. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3380
(512) 542-3380

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Cheer Up Charlies

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The LGBTQ vegan bar with plenty of outdoor space often hosts concerts and dance parties while offering up fun juice-based cocktails in a festive atmosphere. There are indoor and outdoor spaces.

900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 431-2133 LGBTQ
(512) 431-2133 LGBTQ

Small Victory

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Tucked away above a parking garage entrance is Small Victory, one of the city’s best cocktail bars around. Owner and bar veteran Josh Loving and lead bartender Laura Maddox are passionate about their crafts and it shows with their classic drinks. Plus there are snacks. The bar is open for indoor service.

108 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
(737) 701-0500
(737) 701-0500
A bar with a bar top on the left and blue seating on the right.
Small Victory.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

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Wu Chow

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Soup dumplings and other modern Chinese dishes can be found over at Wu Chow for lunch, dinner, and Sunday dim sum. To-go orders can be placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-2469
(512) 476-2469

The Roosevelt Room

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Satisfy the search for west downtown cocktails with this other stellar downtown bar, with a robust drink list and a surprisingly filling food menu (the grilled cheese is good). To-go and delivery orders can be placed online; the bar is open for indoor services.

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094
A cloudy yellow cocktail in a daiquiri glass against a very black room.
The Poet’s Muse cocktail at the Roosevelt Room.
The Roosevelt Room

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Asador at Las Perlas

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Bars and food trucks are a tried-and-true Austin combination. The best downtown iteration of this can be found near Red River with mezcal bar Las Perlas and taco truck Asador. Taco to-go orders can be placed online. The bar is open for indoor and outdoor services.

405 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

Also featured in:

Koriente

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Easy pan-Asian fare can be found at the restaurant near the Red River district. There are call-ahead takeout orders and third-party deliveries (Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash). The patio is open for dine-in service.

621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 275-0853
(512) 275-0853

Also featured in:

Hestia

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The higher-end downtown restaurant from the team behind Emmer & Rye focuses on live-fire dishes, alongside expertly crafted desserts. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

607 W 3rd St #105, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 333-0737
(512) 333-0737

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Diner Bar

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The downtown spot from famed chef Mashama Bailey with chef de cuisine Kristine Kittrell is a hotel restaurant done right, from the bar full of raw oysters and vodka drinks to the comfortable dining room full of thoughtfully crafted dishes for the mornings through evenings, ranging from the Low Country breakfast to burgers to peach salads to foie and grits. There are indoor dine-in services.

500 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(737) 257-3047
(737) 257-3047

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Casino El Camino

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Head to the downtown dive bar and restaurant for messy good burgers and easy cheapish drinks. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-9330
(512) 469-9330

Also featured in:

Houndstooth Coffee

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Coffee fans should head straight to this downtown cafe for a perfect cup of joe. To-go orders can be placed online or in person. The cafe is open for indoor and outdoor services.

401 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 531-9417
(512) 531-9417

Also featured in:

Mort Subite

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The downtown beer bar is all about Belgian brews, with all sorts of drafts, bottles, and cans. The bar is open for indoor and outdoor services.

308 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 861-5044
(512) 861-5044

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La Condesa

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The downtown Mexican restaurant offers up a very reliable and nice menu, full of masa-y dishes like sopes, tacos, and tostadas. The chicken mole is quite good as well. The space is fun and there’s a really good happy hour deal, which means all the margaritas. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

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

Also featured in:

Fareground

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The downtown food hall features with some of the city’s best chefs and restaurants, like a JewBoy Burgers and sandwiches outpost, French chicken and baguette sandwich shop Austin Rotisserie, and Wu Chow’s dumplings and noodle stall, all making for an easygoing mix-and-match meal. Plus there are two bars with cocktails and wine. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person. The hall offers indoor and outdoor dining areas.

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 465-2107
(512) 465-2107

Also featured in:

Veracruz All Natural

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Yes, the city’s best taco restaurant can luckily be found in downtown Austin. Veracruz’s Congress Avenue location within the Line Hotel features its amazing menu of tacos (yes, get the migas), quesadillas, and weekend brunch. To-go orders can be placed online or in person. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 665-2713
(512) 665-2713

Also featured in:

Arlo Grey

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Top Chef winner Kristen Kish’s first solo restaurant landed in Austin with elegant dishes stemming from her already-storied past. Its indoor dining room is also a prime location for bat-watching. There are indoor and outdoor services.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-2991
(512) 478-2991

Also featured in:

Forthright

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For easy, simple, quality breakfasts, lunches, and brunches, turn to this daytime American restaurant. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

35 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 387-3370
(512) 387-3370

Also featured in:

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Olamaie

1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701

Yes, the biscuits are great, and there are other modern Southern dishes to check out, like gumbo, Gulf shrimp and red rice, butter beans, and more, alongside beautiful desserts and a strong cocktail list, all for dinner. The restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2796
(512) 474-2796

Saturn

906 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

The newcomer bar closer to the Texas Capitol offers a nice little getaway from downtown proper. Find fun cocktails and good hot dogs. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

906 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Dirty Bill's

511 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701

The absolute best West Sixth bar is this tiny spot. There are indoor areas.

511 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701

Walton's Fancy & Staple

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Solid sandwiches and breakfast dishes can be found at the downtown deli. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3380
(512) 542-3380

Cheer Up Charlies

900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

The LGBTQ vegan bar with plenty of outdoor space often hosts concerts and dance parties while offering up fun juice-based cocktails in a festive atmosphere. There are indoor and outdoor spaces.

900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 431-2133 LGBTQ
(512) 431-2133 LGBTQ

Small Victory

108 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

Tucked away above a parking garage entrance is Small Victory, one of the city’s best cocktail bars around. Owner and bar veteran Josh Loving and lead bartender Laura Maddox are passionate about their crafts and it shows with their classic drinks. Plus there are snacks. The bar is open for indoor service.

108 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
(737) 701-0500
(737) 701-0500
A bar with a bar top on the left and blue seating on the right.
Small Victory.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

Wu Chow

IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168, Austin, TX 78701

Soup dumplings and other modern Chinese dishes can be found over at Wu Chow for lunch, dinner, and Sunday dim sum. To-go orders can be placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services.

IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-2469
(512) 476-2469

The Roosevelt Room

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

Satisfy the search for west downtown cocktails with this other stellar downtown bar, with a robust drink list and a surprisingly filling food menu (the grilled cheese is good). To-go and delivery orders can be placed online; the bar is open for indoor services.

307 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-4094
(512) 494-4094
A cloudy yellow cocktail in a daiquiri glass against a very black room.
The Poet’s Muse cocktail at the Roosevelt Room.
The Roosevelt Room

Asador at Las Perlas

405 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

Bars and food trucks are a tried-and-true Austin combination. The best downtown iteration of this can be found near Red River with mezcal bar Las Perlas and taco truck Asador. Taco to-go orders can be placed online. The bar is open for indoor and outdoor services.

405 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

Koriente

621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

Easy pan-Asian fare can be found at the restaurant near the Red River district. There are call-ahead takeout orders and third-party deliveries (Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash). The patio is open for dine-in service.

621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 275-0853
(512) 275-0853

Hestia

607 W 3rd St #105, Austin, TX 78701

The higher-end downtown restaurant from the team behind Emmer & Rye focuses on live-fire dishes, alongside expertly crafted desserts. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

607 W 3rd St #105, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 333-0737
(512) 333-0737

Diner Bar

500 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown spot from famed chef Mashama Bailey with chef de cuisine Kristine Kittrell is a hotel restaurant done right, from the bar full of raw oysters and vodka drinks to the comfortable dining room full of thoughtfully crafted dishes for the mornings through evenings, ranging from the Low Country breakfast to burgers to peach salads to foie and grits. There are indoor dine-in services.

500 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(737) 257-3047
(737) 257-3047

Casino El Camino

517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Head to the downtown dive bar and restaurant for messy good burgers and easy cheapish drinks. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-9330
(512) 469-9330

Houndstooth Coffee

401 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Coffee fans should head straight to this downtown cafe for a perfect cup of joe. To-go orders can be placed online or in person. The cafe is open for indoor and outdoor services.

401 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 531-9417
(512) 531-9417

Mort Subite

308 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown beer bar is all about Belgian brews, with all sorts of drafts, bottles, and cans. The bar is open for indoor and outdoor services.

308 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 861-5044
(512) 861-5044

Related Maps

La Condesa

400 W 2nd St A, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown Mexican restaurant offers up a very reliable and nice menu, full of masa-y dishes like sopes, tacos, and tostadas. The chicken mole is quite good as well. The space is fun and there’s a really good happy hour deal, which means all the margaritas. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

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

Fareground

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown food hall features with some of the city’s best chefs and restaurants, like a JewBoy Burgers and sandwiches outpost, French chicken and baguette sandwich shop Austin Rotisserie, and Wu Chow’s dumplings and noodle stall, all making for an easygoing mix-and-match meal. Plus there are two bars with cocktails and wine. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person. The hall offers indoor and outdoor dining areas.

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 465-2107
(512) 465-2107

Veracruz All Natural

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Yes, the city’s best taco restaurant can luckily be found in downtown Austin. Veracruz’s Congress Avenue location within the Line Hotel features its amazing menu of tacos (yes, get the migas), quesadillas, and weekend brunch. To-go orders can be placed online or in person. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 665-2713
(512) 665-2713

Arlo Grey

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Top Chef winner Kristen Kish’s first solo restaurant landed in Austin with elegant dishes stemming from her already-storied past. Its indoor dining room is also a prime location for bat-watching. There are indoor and outdoor services.

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-2991
(512) 478-2991

Forthright

35 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

For easy, simple, quality breakfasts, lunches, and brunches, turn to this daytime American restaurant. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

35 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 387-3370
(512) 387-3370

Related Maps