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A plate of vegetables and fruits.
A dish from Odd Duck.
Odd Duck

Where to Eat and Drink on South Lamar

Exquisite barbecue, perfect tacos, wine, snacks, and some of Texas’s best ramen along one of Austin’s busiest boulevards

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A dish from Odd Duck.
| Odd Duck

South Lamar is one of Austin’s busiest stretches in the Zilker and South Austin areas, from numerous restaurants and bars to the Alamo Drafthouse to proximity to Zilker Park. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of options, but Eater is here to help locals and tourists alike.

Following is Eater’s guide to the best restaurants, food trucks, and bars along South Lamar Boulevard. This includes breakfast and coffee from Patika, stellar tacos from Papalote, top-notch barbecue from Brown’s Bar-B-Que, restaurants from award-winning chefs like Iliana de la Vega (El Naranjo) and Bryce Gilmore (Odd Duck), classic Tex-Mex queso from Matt’s El Rancho, fantastic wine spots, and more.

For the purposes of this map, it focuses only on businesses located along South Lamar between West Riverside Drive all the way down to Menchaca Road. Check out Eater Austin’s other neighborhood dining guides too, including those near Zilker Park.

This map was originally written by Sommer Brugal.

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House Wine

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Technically not on South Lamar, the wine bar is just less than a block away, serving up glasses, bottles, cheese, charcuterie, and snacks in an easy space. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

P. Terry's Burger Stand

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This is the original location of the famed Austin-born Texas burger chain, with burgers (duh) and milkshakes available through its drive-thru and walk-up windows.

The Japanese restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole focuses on fresh, sustainable, and responsibly fished ingredients for its sushi and hot and cold dishes. For discounted prices on select food and drink options, get there early for the happy hour, aka the sake social, from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A dark tray of three pieces of nigiri.
Sushi from Uchi.
Logan Crable/Uchi

TLC Austin

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For unfussy seafood and margaritas, the Lamar Union restaurant is the place to be. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Tiny Pies

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Using family traditions and local, seasonal ingredients, Tiny Pies bakes its hand-held pies from scratch daily. Seasonal flavors include pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate peppermint cream. The shop also bakes savory pies, too. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Gibson Street Bar

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With an amply sized patio, the South Lamar bar is perfect for small and large parties alike. The casual bar serves well-made, classic cocktails, and numerous television screens make it a favorite for those looking to watch sports. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The newcomer truck focuses on Vietnamese-Southern American fare such as turmeric fried catfish in bao, spicy deviled eggs, and curried fried chicken thighs with salsa verde on rice. Place pickup orders online or in person; host site Gibson Bar features on-site seating.

Odd Duck

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Enjoy nice Texan-American cuisine in a welcoming environment from notable Austin chef Bryce Gilmore and his team, complete with an open kitchen layout and outdoor patio. Inspired by local, fresh foods and drinks, the dinner menu boasts innovative dishes with seasonal specialties. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Ramen Tatsu-Ya

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Some of the state’s best ramen can be found over at Ramen Tatsu-ya. Choose from ramen made with pork bone broth, chicken shoyu broth, or the almond-milk-and-mushroom combination for a vegan option. Small bites and sides are also available. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Also, see if you can snag a reservation or a rare walk-in seat at the neighboring sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya.

Kiin Di

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Find fantastic Thai fare at the food truck parked outside Corner Bar, especially the roti with a curried dipping sauce and stir-fried ramen noodles. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Brown's Bar-B-Que

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Another Corner Bar spot, the barbecue truck is known and loved for its ribs, brisket, chicken, and pulled pork. Don’t forget the sides. The homemade potato salad and coleslaw are worth the attention. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

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For a wine experience with pairable food, the revamped neighborhood restaurant Aviary is your best bet. Explore the lengthy, adventurous wine list (the aptly titled Frank Zappa section dedicated to the “odd/funky/challenging/fun” wines is worth the wander), paired with thoughtful cuisine. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Along with great coffees and baked goods, Patika offers breakfast and lunch daily, all made to order from the food truck out back. Start the day with an avocado toast or breakfast sandwich, or stop in mid-day for the grilled cheese. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Matt's El Rancho

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Dip into Austin history at classic Tex-Mex restaurant Matt’s El Rancho, where the margaritas are plentiful and the iconic Bob Armstrong dip is the ideal queso. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

El Naranjo

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The chef and co-owner of the Oaxacan restaurant, Iliana de la Vega, won a James Beard Award this year for a very good reason: her food is outstanding, from the perfect mole negro de Oaxaca with duck breast to the weekly ceviche. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Papalote Taco House

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Solid tacos can be found over at Papalote Taco House, where breakfast and lunch-time ingredients ranch from al pastor to lengua to cactus. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

House Wine

Technically not on South Lamar, the wine bar is just less than a block away, serving up glasses, bottles, cheese, charcuterie, and snacks in an easy space. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

P. Terry's Burger Stand

This is the original location of the famed Austin-born Texas burger chain, with burgers (duh) and milkshakes available through its drive-thru and walk-up windows.

Uchi

The Japanese restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole focuses on fresh, sustainable, and responsibly fished ingredients for its sushi and hot and cold dishes. For discounted prices on select food and drink options, get there early for the happy hour, aka the sake social, from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A dark tray of three pieces of nigiri.
Sushi from Uchi.
Logan Crable/Uchi

TLC Austin

For unfussy seafood and margaritas, the Lamar Union restaurant is the place to be. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Tiny Pies

Using family traditions and local, seasonal ingredients, Tiny Pies bakes its hand-held pies from scratch daily. Seasonal flavors include pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate peppermint cream. The shop also bakes savory pies, too. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Gibson Street Bar

With an amply sized patio, the South Lamar bar is perfect for small and large parties alike. The casual bar serves well-made, classic cocktails, and numerous television screens make it a favorite for those looking to watch sports. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Bisous

The newcomer truck focuses on Vietnamese-Southern American fare such as turmeric fried catfish in bao, spicy deviled eggs, and curried fried chicken thighs with salsa verde on rice. Place pickup orders online or in person; host site Gibson Bar features on-site seating.

Odd Duck

Enjoy nice Texan-American cuisine in a welcoming environment from notable Austin chef Bryce Gilmore and his team, complete with an open kitchen layout and outdoor patio. Inspired by local, fresh foods and drinks, the dinner menu boasts innovative dishes with seasonal specialties. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Ramen Tatsu-Ya

Some of the state’s best ramen can be found over at Ramen Tatsu-ya. Choose from ramen made with pork bone broth, chicken shoyu broth, or the almond-milk-and-mushroom combination for a vegan option. Small bites and sides are also available. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Also, see if you can snag a reservation or a rare walk-in seat at the neighboring sibling cocktail bar Tiki Tatsu-ya.

Kiin Di

Find fantastic Thai fare at the food truck parked outside Corner Bar, especially the roti with a curried dipping sauce and stir-fried ramen noodles. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Brown's Bar-B-Que

Another Corner Bar spot, the barbecue truck is known and loved for its ribs, brisket, chicken, and pulled pork. Don’t forget the sides. The homemade potato salad and coleslaw are worth the attention. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Aviary Wine & Kitchen

For a wine experience with pairable food, the revamped neighborhood restaurant Aviary is your best bet. Explore the lengthy, adventurous wine list (the aptly titled Frank Zappa section dedicated to the “odd/funky/challenging/fun” wines is worth the wander), paired with thoughtful cuisine. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Patika

Along with great coffees and baked goods, Patika offers breakfast and lunch daily, all made to order from the food truck out back. Start the day with an avocado toast or breakfast sandwich, or stop in mid-day for the grilled cheese. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Matt's El Rancho

Dip into Austin history at classic Tex-Mex restaurant Matt’s El Rancho, where the margaritas are plentiful and the iconic Bob Armstrong dip is the ideal queso. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

El Naranjo

The chef and co-owner of the Oaxacan restaurant, Iliana de la Vega, won a James Beard Award this year for a very good reason: her food is outstanding, from the perfect mole negro de Oaxaca with duck breast to the weekly ceviche. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Related Maps

Papalote Taco House

Solid tacos can be found over at Papalote Taco House, where breakfast and lunch-time ingredients ranch from al pastor to lengua to cactus. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Related Maps