Some say that patio season in Austin only happens before before the 100-degree weather hits. But I’m here to argue that we have year-round patio season in Austin, Texas. Hot summer weather? Find those shady Austin patios with misting fans and enjoy an ice-cold cocktail. Cooler months? We’re lucky that it rarely gets frigid here, so you can enjoy these patio restaurants any month of the year with a cozy sweater and a heat lamp. Here are some of my very favorite patios in Austin for food, drinks, and good times!
1. Lenoir (upscale/wine)
When someone asks me for the best patios in Austin, my mind instantly jumps to Lenoir. The entire backyard of this intimate, upscale restaurant has been transformed into a shady oasis. Live oak trees, twinkly lights, a big grassy lawn, and plenty of tables for food and wine.Â
Lenoir
1807 S First St, Austin TX 78704
512-215-9778
2. Fresa’s (casual)
Fresa’s is one of the most happiest patios in Austin for lunch dates, happy hour with the girls, or a fun family dinner. It’s a big creekside patio shaded by hundred-year-old trees. Enjoy prickly pear margaritas, grilled chicken tacos, queso, and their famous ice cream and churros.
Fresa’s
1713 S First St, Austin TX 78704
512-992-2946
Also see: 22 craft breweries in Austin
3. Oakmont Food Co. (all-day/casual)
Oakmont Food Co. is a fun patio restaurant in central Austin with fresh food, craft cocktails, and casual vibes. Their patio menu is exceptional, with all sorts of dips and spreads, salads and sandwiches, and a long craft cocktail list.Â
Oakmont Food Co.
1106 W 38th St, Austin TX 78705
512-433-6011
4. Juliet Italian (Italian)
This is not only one of the best Austin patios for relaxed Italian dining, it’s also a phenomenal happy hour spot. When your craving for fresh mozzarella and spaghetti bolognese and a negroni kicks in, make a reservation at Juliet.Â
Juliet Italian Kitchen
1500 BARTON SPRINGS Rd, Austin TX 78704
512-479-1800
5. ABGB (pizza/beer)
Pizza, award-winning German lagers, and one of the best pizza gardens in Austin. ABGB is one of the best breweries in Austin, and they have a really big outdoor dining space. Order a large Calabrese pizza and wash it down with the Hell Yes helles.Â
Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
1305 W Oltorf, Austin TX 78704
512-298-2242
Also see: the best pizza restaurants in Austin
6. Gabriela’s Downtown (Mexican)
If you’re looking for a Mexican food patio in Austin, head to popular Gabriela’s Downtown for authentic Mexican food. Dine on a patio with a view of downtown Austin while you fill up on shrimp aguachiles, pastor tacos on homemade corn tortillas, and some of the best margaritas and micheladas in town.
Gabriela’s Downtown
900 E 7th St, Austin TX 78702
512-840-1569
7. Food Trucks at Cosmic Coffee and Beer (Casual)
This is the perfect outdoor space to spread out and soak up the beautiful Austin weather! Cosmic Coffee and Beer is an indoor coffee shop with an accompanying outdoor food truck yard. There are lots of picnic tables, a waterscape, fire pits for cool evenings, and plenty of good food to try: Leroy and Lewis (barbecue), Tommy Want Wingy (wings), and Pueblo Viejo (tacos.)Â
Cosmic Coffee and Beer
121 Pickle Rd Suite 111, Austin TX 78704
512-481-0694
8. Justine’s (upscale/date night)
If you want a beautiful date night spot for a special occasion and you want one of the prettiest patios in Austin, go to Justine’s. It’s a French food restaurant tucked away in east Austin (really tucked away – the entire restaurant is hidden behind a large wall of greenery.) Go enjoy some champagne, ratatouille, and moules frites on the charming patio under twinkly lights.
Justine’s
4710 E 5th St, Austin TX 78702
512-385-2900
9. Bar Peached (happy hour/girls night out)
Bar Peached is the newer sister restaurant to Peached Tortilla (it’s one of the iconic food-truck-turned-restaurants in Austin.) Bar Peached is a sprawling outdoor patio shaded by a historic heritage tree. Enjoy cocktails and snacky plates for happy hour, or go for tacos and Asian comfort food for a lovely outdoor date night.Â
Bar Peached
1315 W 6th St, Austin TX 78703
512-992-0666
10. Perla’s (upscale/seafood)
{photo via EditSeven} Perla’s dreamy patio on South Congress is the place to enjoy seafood in Austin. The food is exceptional and it’s served in a upscale-yet-casual way: blue and white striped umbrellas, twinkly lights swinging in the breeze, and lots of shade from the big trees and umbrellas. Fresh fish and oysters are flown in daily from both coasts…this is the ultimate seafood experience in Austin.
Perlas
1400 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704
512-291-73300
11. Lou’s Bodega (Casual)
Let’s be honest: this is a pretty bougie bodega. The quality of food is exceptional: stop in for Intelligentsia coffee and breakfast tacos, wine and rotisserie chicken, or burgers and beer. Be sure to grab some of that custard with salted caramel or mocha sauce, too.Â
Lou’s Bodega
1900 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin TX 78702
512-660-5171
12. Jacoby’s Restaurants and Mercantile (southern food)
Jacoby’s ranch-to-table dining (burgers, chicken fried steak, and all your homestyle southern favorites) has an incredible outdoor patio overlooking the Colorado River. But it’s not the part of the river (Lady Bird Lake) you’re used to seeing near downtown – this portion is in Far East Austin, so it’s a little more rural feeling. The patio is a stunning place for group dinners or date night.Â
Jacoby’s
3235 Cesar Chavez St, Austin TX 78702
512-366-5808
13. Anthem (Rainey Street)
Anthem is a big, fun restaurant on Rainey Street is creative cocktails, crave-able food, and a bright and beautiful patio. Chips and guac, ceviche, popcorn chicken, shrimp & fries, and noodle salad are a few of the favorites at Anthem.
Anthem
91 Rainey St Suite 120 Austin TX 78701
512-731-1411
14. Hold Out Brewing (Brewery + food)
Yep, it’s a craft brewery in Austin, but Hold Out also has an incredible food menu with burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The patio is completely covered (good for rainy days) and if you’re not into beer, they also offer wine and cider.Â
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Hold Out Brewing
1208 W 4th St, Austin TX 78703
512-305-3540
15. Summer House
For one of the most beautiful patio restaurants in Austin, check out Summer House on Music Lane. It’s tucked away just off South Congress, but it has a secluded vibe and feels like you’re miles away from the noise. They offer standard American fare, wine and beer and cocktails, and have an all-day menu. It’s in a popular part of town, so be sure to take advantage of their free parking validation!Â
Summer House on Music Lane
101 Music Ln, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-5341
16. Josephine House
This darling cottage is one of my favorite weekday breakfast spots in town, and they also have a phenomenal happy hour. The oak-shaded patio is intimate (meaning there’s not a lot of space – make a reservation ahead!) but it’s a gorgeous space if you can snag a reservation. Enjoy a glass of wine, a charcuterie board, and all sorts of scrumptious house specials like salads, steak frites, and roasted dewberry chicken.Â
Josephine House
1601 Waterston, Austin TX 78703
512-477-5584
17. Loro Asian Smokehouse
Franklin BBQ + Uchi teamed up to created this stunning Asian Smokehouse in south Austin. The exterior is designed for a relaxed patio dining: hanging lanterns, large picnic tables, big shady trees, beer, wine, and cocktails. Make sure to try the smoked beef brisket with Thai herbs, and the sake slushee.
Loro Asian Smokehouse
2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78704
512-916-4858
18. Il Brutto
This beautiful patio! If you’re craving Italian food and want an absolutley gorgeous dining eperience, go to Il Brutto in East Austin. It’s a big corner patio that overlooks E 6th St. Fill up on homemade pasta, hand-tossed pizza, and one of my favorite Italian cocktail program sin town
Il Brutto
1601 E 6th St, Austin TX 78702
512-580-8779
19. Tumble 22
This is a good place for the family – who doesn’t love fried chicken? T22 has a Nashville-style hot fried chicken concept. Not into spicy food? Order it “wimpy.” Want osmething extra? Try your chicken seasoned to the highest “fire in the hole” heat level! The patio is full of big picnic tables.
Tumble 22
7211 Burnet Rd, Austin TX 78757
512-520-1990
20. El Alma
Here’s one final option for the best patio restaurants in Austin: El Alma Mexican food. They have a rooftop patio with a view of downtown Austin, some of my favorite queso and margs in Austin, and an incredible menu with your Mexican food favorites: an incredible Chile relleno, shrimp pastor tacos, and gulf shrimp sautéed in garlic ancho butter.
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin TX 78704
512-609-8923
Looking for more great places to eat in Austin? Here are the 20 Best Austin Restaurants, and 11 Gorgeous Wine Bars.Â
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