Where To Eat In Austin With A Big Group

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One of the most frequent questions I get over on instagram is: “I’m visiting austin soon with for a bachelorette/bachelor/birthday party; where can I eat in Austin with a big group?” 

Well friends…I’ve rounded up 16 of my very favorite restaurants for group dining in Austin! These are places that are spacious, have long tables, and offer lots of options so everyone can leave happy.

But before we get started, here’s a quick note about dining with a big group in Austin: remember that almost any restaurant can accommodate a large group (I’m talking about 8-12 people) if you make a reservation early enough. I’ve been eating out on a date night small-ish restaurants and dined next to big groups who were eating dinner before hitting the town. A few of my favorites that aren’t necesarily group-dining restaurants, but could probably push tables together and make accommodations. So if one of the Top 20 Restaurants in Austin or the 24 Best Brunch Spots looks good to you, call the restaurant to see if you can make a reservation for your large group!

Ok, now on to the group restaurants!

1. Grizzelda’s

photo

Grizzelda’s is a modern Tex-Mex restaurant in East Austin with that’s a great place to eat in Austin with a big group! It’s especially fun for a bachelorette party because it’s just so cute and pink! Not to be missed: the famous queso (on my list of best queso in Austin) and one of their many margarita variations.

WEBSITE | 105 Tillery St

2. TLC

TLC at this restaurants stands for anything you want it mean.. It’s a casual, family-friendly, indoor-outdoor space that serves regional Texas food, seafood boils, beer, and cocktails on tap. I love going with a big group of girlfriends during their happy hour on Monday — 3pm – 11pm and Tue-Fri — 3 to 7pm for unbelievable deals on drinks, oysters, and snacks.

WEBSITE | 1100 S Lamar Blvd. Suite 1150

3. Martin’s Kumbak Place

This is an old-school Austin burger joint that’s been near UT campus since 1926. They still make hand-cut french fries and onion rings every day, and what used to be an outdoor patio has been built in and air conditioned (PRAISES!) and is the perfect place for a big group of friends who need some really tasty burgers. This is a great place to tailgate before a UT football game.

WEBSITE | 2808 Guadalupe St

4. Pinthouse Pizza

There are a few locations of this Austin brewpub, so it’s a great option for group dining in north Austin, south hAustin, or Round Rock. Head to Pinthouse Pizza for some delicious pizza and Austin craft beer.  All of their locations have long rows of indoor picnic tables; I’ve been there with a group of 20, and it was no problem. No reservations required, just show up with your group and find a table. Their pies chewy and delicious, and the beer program is KILLIN’ IT right now. They’ve recently won several awards for their hoppy beers at the World Beer Cup!

WEBSITE | multiple locations

Also see: the ONLY Austin queso guide you need

5. Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon

I could eat here every day because it’s ridiculously tasty! Fresa’s is a south Austin restaurant with a small indoor space and a large outdoor patio, and it’s great for group dining in Austin. They have wood-grilled chicken, tacos, prickly pear margaritas, and more. The queso and roasted sweet potato sides are so good that I sometimes fill up on them before I even get to the main meal! The entire outdoor patio is adjacent to the creek and shaded with giant live oak trees. It’s one of the best places to hang out in south Austin.

WEBSITE | 1703 South First

6. Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden

If a giant beer garden with craft drinks, pretzels, beer cheese, sausages, and corned beef sandwiches is your thing, you’re gonna love Easy Tiger. Their south location is a phenomenal 2-story hangout spot with a patio that’s perfect for watching the sunset over the Hill Country. (Note – all of their locations are good for group dining in Austin!)

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

7. Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden

Photo: Banger’s

Here’s another beer garden for ya! This is a popular restaurant on Rainey Street, and it’s a great option for group doing. They make their own sausage and it’s phenomenal, but be sure to also try the poutine. It’s my favorite thing on the menu. Since this one is on Rainey Street, it’s the perfect place to grab a casual dinner with friends before a night out at the bars. Banger’s has one of the most impressive beer lists in town (104 taps) and 30 different varieties of handmade sausage.

WEBSITE | 81 Rainey St

8. Contigo

Photo: Contigo

Farm-to-table Texas ranch food in a sprawling all-weather patio makes Contigo one of my favorite places to dine with a group for brunch. There’s just no happier way to start a weekend than their creamy Buttermilk Biscuits & Gravy. Contigo is all about quality food and warm hospitality, which both pair perfectly with a big group of friends. It’s also a great group dinner spot!

WEBSITE | 2027 Anchor Ln

9. Loro

This South Austin Japanese smokehouse is the brain child of Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue) and Tyson Cole (Uchi). It’s a beautiful building designed by famous Austin architect Michael Hsu with plenty of seating in the indoor air-conditioned space, or outdoors on the lovely patio with hanging lanterns and swings. They have really good cocktails (the sake slushy is always a hit!) bbq/Japanese fusion fare (char siew pork belly), and lots of fun bar snacks (candied kettle corn with brisket burnt ends and togarashi.) There’s something on the menu for everyone, and it’s a lively, fun, super Austin-y spot.

WEBSITE | 2115 S Lamar Blvd

10. Jacoby’s

Jacoby’s is a ranch-to-table restaurant in east Austin with delicious burgers, steak, and other Texas fare. You can find all of your favorite southern foods, like pimento cheese, chicken fried steak, and the best cheeseburger of your life.

The indoor space is for standard sized groups, but the big patio in the back overlooks the Colorado Rive and has several large tables for group dining. Also, it’s called supper, not dinner….

WEBSITE | 3235 E Cesar Chavez.

11. Salt Lick BBQ

This Texas Hill Country BBQ pit is a classic destination just outside of Austin, and it also happens to be one of the best places to eat in Austin with a large group because of its sprawling indoor/outdoor space and long tables. While I don’t consider this to be one of the very best bbq destinations in Austin, it’s a really fun place to hang out with friends, and it’s an iconic spot to check off your bucket list.

WEBSITE | 18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826

12. Matt’s El Rancho

The classic Austin Tex-Mex restaurant, which dates back to 1952, seats 500 people yet there’s almost always a wait…. how do they do it?? Matt’s El Rancho just happens to be Austin’s favorite Tex Mex restaurant! The tortillas are all homemade throughout the day, and the margaritas are strong and dangerous (in the best way). They don’t do large group on the weekends, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a place to eat in Austin with a big group on a weeknight.

WEBSITE | 2613 S Lamar Blvd

Also see: The Best Tex Mex Restaurans in Austin

13. Tumble22

Nashville hot chicken, dirty fries, fried chicken sandwiches, and the most delicious homemade buttermilk pie… You’ll want to show up very hungry! Tumble 22 is the ultimate indulgence when I want to kick it back with a cold beer and a good time.

WEBSITE | multiple locations

14. Eastside Tavern

Brisket and cheddar tater tots, housemade sausage, loaded fries, smoked chicken wings….ya hungry yet? Eastside Tavern is what I call a “fancy BBQ place” because they have a smoker out back, but they also have craft cocktails and a beautiful restaurant.

The rooftop patio overlooking Cesar Chavez is a fun place to hang out late into the night, catching up with friends, chowing down on BBQ,  and clinking glasses.

WEBSITE |1510 E Cesar Chavez

15. Sway Thai

This is modern Thai dining at its best, and the tables at Sway were designed to create community. They’re large, square, and seat about 12 people. If you’re dining with 2, you’ll probably be seated at the corner of a table and be sharing the table with strangers (aka new friends!), but if you’re visiting with a group, you just happened to pick one of the best restaurants for upscale communal dining.

WEBSITE |3437 Bee Cave Rd

16. Sour Duck Market

You can get Odd Duck’s carefully sourced, thoughtfully prepared farm-to-table fare at a quicker pace at Sour Duck Market. Walk into the front building, which houses the kitchen, and order your food. Then take a seat in the giant beer garden which adjoins the front kitchen to the bar in the back. There’s a great list of craft beer, cocktails, and wine that you can enjoy with all your friends on one of their long wooden tables.

WEBSITE | 1814 E MLK

This guide is part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s 2021 City Guide. Check out more of the best eats in Austin, curated by Austin food bloggers, on the full list of guides.