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The County Line on Lake Austin (Photo by Jana Birchum)
No matter what time of year Austin is, alfresco dining is always a popular activity, especially at the city’s many restaurants with views. Here are some of our favorite spots to admire the downtown skyline, the rolling waters of the Colorado River, and other scenic city views.
The soul
Thanks to a few fans and a few cool drinks, the roof of El Alma is worthwhile even on the hottest summer days. Downtown views looming over the rooftop create the perfect cityscape, while El Alma’s location, safely across the lake next to South Austin’s Butler District Park, is a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. El Alma has a happy hour menu every day from 3 to 6 and brunch on the weekend. If your appetite isn’t completely satisfied, they offer a variety of tacos and enchiladas that will make your mouth water when you see them on the table next to you.
1025 Barton Springs Rd., Elalmacafe.com
Zanzibar
If you’re feeling boujee and your bags could use some brightening up, Zanzibar Terrace is the place. Yes, $ 15 is hard to take for a cocktail. But what if that cocktail has a flower in it, a piece of pineapple on the side, and you enjoy it by the fire with a view of the Austin skyline? Zanzibar is hard to beat for a bachelorette party or a big birthday party, is Instagram-worthy and covered in beautiful greenery. At some point you are guaranteed to look over the city and cling to the cliché: “This is life”.
304 E. Cesar Chavez # 700, zanzibaratx.com
Spread and Co. at the Laguna Gloria
The menu at Contemporary – mostly salads and sandwiches with freshly baked bread – is limited compared to Spread and Co.’s main Jefferson Square location. But the compromise is that you stroll through the magnificent sculpture gardens of this art museum, take in the views of the Italian-style villa that sits on the property, and find a perfect spot among the trees to enjoy a snack. If you feel like it, try the signature Charcuterie Board from Spread and Co. or try the “Charcuterie Cone,” which rolls all the delicious snacks with cheese and meat, olives and nuts into a handy paper cone.
3809 W. 35th St., Spreadandco.com
Ski Shores Café
Ski Shores is the place to sit back and relax with family and friends almost forever … or at least since 1954. The cafe, which sits on the water of Lake Austin and almost hidden by trees, doesn’t try to do too much. The food here is straightforward and satisfying: wings, onion rings and fried pickles to start, burger and fried fish as the main course, and ice cold beer to wash off. The food is a perfect complement to the nearby Emma Long Metropolitan Park, where you can spend the day on the beach. If you’re more of the morning-on-the-water type, the weekend brunch offer includes Bloody Marys and breakfast tacos, also known as Austin’s favorite way to start the day.
2905 Pearce Rd., Skishoresaustin.com
Circle line
No restaurant list in Austin is complete without at least one BBQ area. To meet this requirement: County Line. This restaurant has a few locations in Texas, but the Lake Austin location is possibly the quietest. Picnic tables line the water so you can watch turtles and fish in the afternoon. Don’t hesitate to check out the live turtle camera on their website before you go. Otherwise, come for the beef brisket, pork, beef, and chicken griddle, all served with a side of coleslaw, beans, and potato salad.
6500 W. Bee Cave Rd., Countyline.com
Tiled kitchen and bar
Located on the Colorado River in East Austin, Tillery Kitchen and Bar offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city even if you are still well within the city limits. Tillery describes itself as a “meeting point” and lives up to its title: The open-deck area outside consists mainly of a mixture of tables for two and larger picnic benches, perfect for long conversations with friends. The venue is connected with fairy lights on the trees and an indoor bar with large windows if you need a more temperate climate. They have a small, rotating menu with options at the table and smaller plates to nibble on, including seasonal salads and fried vegetables; Happy hour discounts keep the more expensive cocktails within reach.
3201 E. Cesar Chavez, tilleryatx.com
Jacobys
Jacobys (Photo by John Anderson)
For a more classic southern dining experience along the Colorado, this is exactly what you want. Jacoby’s raises his own cattle on a quaint central Texas ranch that supplies his Austin restaurant. Although the eatery is known for steak and other southern specialties, including fried chicken steak, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, and Texas caviar, it also offers a surprising amount of vegetarian options like cauliflower steak and jackfruit. Jacoby’s has plenty of comfortable indoor seating, but the deck has the best views, outfitted with fans for the summer, heaters for the winter, and large umbrellas to camp under while waiting for your meal. Sit with family together, watch the sun go down over the water, and be grateful that you are in Austin, Texas.
3235 E. Cesar Chavez, jacobysaustin.com
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