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A restaurant patio overlooking water.
The patio at Mozart’s.
Mozart’s/Facebook

17 Austin Restaurants With Great Views

Eating and drinking with a side of beautiful scenery

by Darcie Duttweiler and Nadia Chaudhury Updated
2 comments / new
View as Map
The patio at Mozart’s.
| Mozart’s/Facebook
by Darcie Duttweiler and Nadia Chaudhury Updated
2 comments / new

Great food and drinks are a-plenty in Austin, but where should diners go if they want equally as stunning vistas? Eater is here to help with with the best restaurant and bars with great views.

This ranges from spots facing the morphing downtown skyline to bodies of water to grassy overlooks. There is the popular waterfront coffee shop Mozart’s, the chintzy ambiance of Hula Hut, the tranquility of Jacoby's, Dirty Sixth safe haven Parkside, Colorado River and bats from Arlo Grey, and others.

Stay outdoors with Austin’s other alfresco restaurant and bar options with Eater’s guides to patios (essential and shaded), and then there are the city’s best rooftop restaurants and bars for a different perspective.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Oasis Texas Brewing Company

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Austinites know to go to this brewery-restaurant for food and beers and a spot-on view of Lake Travis.

6550 Comanche Trail, Suite 301 Austin, Texas
(512) 284-9407
(512) 284-9407

Also featured in:

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

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Way out in Steiner Ranch, this swanky steakhouse offers classic cuts and standard American fare, such as rib-eyes, lobster, and prime rib, but the three-story building also gives diners a spectacular view of the surrounding hills. Dine on the terrace to soak in a colorful sunset as it dips behind the lake. 

5424 Steiner Ranch Blvd, Austin, TX 78732
(512) 381-0800
(512) 381-0800

Ski Shores

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The longtime lakeside classic joint may have been revamped and recently reopened by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, but the updated Ski Shores still offers the same festive views of boats and jet skis whizzing by from the open and breezy patio. 

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
(512) 346-5915
(512) 346-5915
Lakeside lawn with umbrellas
Ski Shores.
Ski Shores Cafe

County Line on the Hill

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Located in a historic speakeasy, this location of the Austin-born barbecue restaurant chain presents an incredible 20-mile view of the Texas Hill Country on its twinkle-lit, covered stone patio. 

6500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-1742
(512) 327-1742

Also featured in:

Mozart's Coffee

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Buckle in for the day at the coffee shop’s expansive patio, which is right on top of the lake, perfect for leisurely drinks and snacks.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
(512) 477-2900
A cup of coffee on a ledge overlooking water.
Mozart’s Coffee.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters/Facebook

Also featured in:

Hula Hut

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The kitschy Hula Hut serves Tex-Mex with a side of tiki, with tropical cocktails and snacks right on the lake.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-4852
(512) 476-4852
A restaurant patio looking onto a body of water with a grass awning.
Hula Hut.
Hula Hut/Facebook

Also featured in:

Sway

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The Westlake location of upscale Thai restaurant Sway features great views of the area as well as downtown Austin.

3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
(512) 326-1999
(512) 326-1999
The view of downtown Austin with buildings out of focus from Sway in Westlake
The view from Sway in Westlake.
Sway/Facebook

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Codependent Cocktails + Coffee

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Located at the bottom of the Independent Condo Tower in downtown Austin, this coffee-by-day/drinks-by-night hotspot overlooks Shoal Creek as it snakes its way through the city, giving the space a treehouse-like effect.

301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701

Parkside

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Parkside’s rooftop patio affords diners the chance to see downtown Austin and the Sixth street masses without having to mingle with the crowds.

301 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-9898
(512) 474-9898
People dining at a table on a restaurant rooftop.
Parkside.
Parkside/Facebook

Also featured in:

Cookbook Cafe

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The Austin Central Library’s restaurant boasts of a patio with downtown, overlooking Shoal Creek. Pro-tip: grab a bite from the ground-floor restaurant and head up to the rooftop patio for higher views.

Austin Central Library, Austin, TX 78701
A restaurant patio with a bridge in the background.
The patio at Cookbook Cafe.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Arlo Grey

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The Line Austin Hotel’s restaurant Arlo Grey takes advantage of those stellar views with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Colorado River and the Congress Avenue Bridge (making it a prime bat-watching spot).

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-2991
(512) 478-2991
A restaurant dining room overlooking nature.
The view at Arlo Grey.
Arlo Grey/Facebook

Also featured in:

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Another stellar Colorado River overlook can be found on the patio of the Four Seasons Hotel’s Live Oak bar.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500
The patio overlooking trees at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin
Four Seasons Hotel in Austin.
Four Seasons Hotel/Facebook

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Alta's Cafe

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The practically hidden waterfront coffee shop is an oasis within downtown Austin, with wine, charcuterie, cheese, sandwiches, and salads, while watching the rowing club downstairs glide across the river.

74 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
(806) 786-0115
(806) 786-0115
The view of the lake from Alta’s patio.
The view of the lake from Alta’s patio.
Alta’s/Facebook

El Alma

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This Barton Springs interior Mexican joint boasts a charming, shaded terrace with views of the downtown Austin skyline. 

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Also featured in:

Tillery Kitchen and Bar

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The picturesque East Cesar Chavez restaurant’s sightline includes the lush sloping landscapes and the Colorado River. The patio is perfect for lingering glasses of wine.

3201 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-0580
(512) 524-0580

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Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

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Opt for drinks and bar snacks on Jacoby’s grassy outdoors area for a peaceful, quiet view of the Colorado River.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5808
(512) 366-5808

Also featured in:

Mattie's

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Remodeled from a historic South Austin farmhouse, this Southern fine dining restaurant not only offers views of shaded oaks and grassy knolls but also beautiful free-roaming peacocks, including a fetching all-white fowl.

811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-1888
(512) 444-1888

Also featured in:

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Oasis Texas Brewing Company

6550 Comanche Trail, Suite 301 Austin, Texas

Austinites know to go to this brewery-restaurant for food and beers and a spot-on view of Lake Travis.

6550 Comanche Trail, Suite 301 Austin, Texas
(512) 284-9407
(512) 284-9407

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

5424 Steiner Ranch Blvd, Austin, TX 78732

Way out in Steiner Ranch, this swanky steakhouse offers classic cuts and standard American fare, such as rib-eyes, lobster, and prime rib, but the three-story building also gives diners a spectacular view of the surrounding hills. Dine on the terrace to soak in a colorful sunset as it dips behind the lake. 

5424 Steiner Ranch Blvd, Austin, TX 78732
(512) 381-0800
(512) 381-0800

Ski Shores

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730

The longtime lakeside classic joint may have been revamped and recently reopened by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, but the updated Ski Shores still offers the same festive views of boats and jet skis whizzing by from the open and breezy patio. 

2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
(512) 346-5915
(512) 346-5915
Lakeside lawn with umbrellas
Ski Shores.
Ski Shores Cafe

County Line on the Hill

6500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746

Located in a historic speakeasy, this location of the Austin-born barbecue restaurant chain presents an incredible 20-mile view of the Texas Hill Country on its twinkle-lit, covered stone patio. 

6500 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-1742
(512) 327-1742

Mozart's Coffee

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Buckle in for the day at the coffee shop’s expansive patio, which is right on top of the lake, perfect for leisurely drinks and snacks.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
(512) 477-2900
A cup of coffee on a ledge overlooking water.
Mozart’s Coffee.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters/Facebook

Hula Hut

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

The kitschy Hula Hut serves Tex-Mex with a side of tiki, with tropical cocktails and snacks right on the lake.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-4852
(512) 476-4852
A restaurant patio looking onto a body of water with a grass awning.
Hula Hut.
Hula Hut/Facebook

Sway

3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746

The Westlake location of upscale Thai restaurant Sway features great views of the area as well as downtown Austin.

3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
(512) 326-1999
(512) 326-1999
The view of downtown Austin with buildings out of focus from Sway in Westlake
The view from Sway in Westlake.
Sway/Facebook

Codependent Cocktails + Coffee

301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701

Located at the bottom of the Independent Condo Tower in downtown Austin, this coffee-by-day/drinks-by-night hotspot overlooks Shoal Creek as it snakes its way through the city, giving the space a treehouse-like effect.

301 West Ave STE 110, Austin, TX 78701

Parkside

301 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Parkside’s rooftop patio affords diners the chance to see downtown Austin and the Sixth street masses without having to mingle with the crowds.

301 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-9898
(512) 474-9898
People dining at a table on a restaurant rooftop.
Parkside.
Parkside/Facebook

Cookbook Cafe

Austin Central Library, Austin, TX 78701

The Austin Central Library’s restaurant boasts of a patio with downtown, overlooking Shoal Creek. Pro-tip: grab a bite from the ground-floor restaurant and head up to the rooftop patio for higher views.

Austin Central Library, Austin, TX 78701
A restaurant patio with a bridge in the background.
The patio at Cookbook Cafe.
Courtney Pierce/Eater Austin

Arlo Grey

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

The Line Austin Hotel’s restaurant Arlo Grey takes advantage of those stellar views with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Colorado River and the Congress Avenue Bridge (making it a prime bat-watching spot).

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-2991
(512) 478-2991
A restaurant dining room overlooking nature.
The view at Arlo Grey.
Arlo Grey/Facebook

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Another stellar Colorado River overlook can be found on the patio of the Four Seasons Hotel’s Live Oak bar.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-4500
(512) 478-4500
The patio overlooking trees at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin
Four Seasons Hotel in Austin.
Four Seasons Hotel/Facebook

Alta's Cafe

74 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701

The practically hidden waterfront coffee shop is an oasis within downtown Austin, with wine, charcuterie, cheese, sandwiches, and salads, while watching the rowing club downstairs glide across the river.

74 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
(806) 786-0115
(806) 786-0115
The view of the lake from Alta’s patio.
The view of the lake from Alta’s patio.
Alta’s/Facebook

El Alma

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

This Barton Springs interior Mexican joint boasts a charming, shaded terrace with views of the downtown Austin skyline. 

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Tillery Kitchen and Bar

3201 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

The picturesque East Cesar Chavez restaurant’s sightline includes the lush sloping landscapes and the Colorado River. The patio is perfect for lingering glasses of wine.

3201 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-0580
(512) 524-0580

Related Maps

Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Opt for drinks and bar snacks on Jacoby’s grassy outdoors area for a peaceful, quiet view of the Colorado River.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5808
(512) 366-5808

Mattie's

811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704

Remodeled from a historic South Austin farmhouse, this Southern fine dining restaurant not only offers views of shaded oaks and grassy knolls but also beautiful free-roaming peacocks, including a fetching all-white fowl.

811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-1888
(512) 444-1888

Related Maps