Austin, Texas Restaurants

In Austin, the next meal never looked so good. Endless variety and great local specialties such as barbecue, chicken fried steak, cheesey chili dishes, grilled chicken and grilled steak sandwich, New Texas dishes and Mexican favorites make these great restaurants truly unforgettable.

In Texas’ big, hip capital city of Austin, the next meal never looked so good. Endless variety and great local specialties such as barbecue, chicken fried steak, cheesey chili dishes, grilled chicken and grilled steak sandwiches, New Texas dishes and Mexican favorites make these great restaurants truly unforgettable.

Austin Java Company
* 1206 Parkway
(Downtown) 78703 – (512/476-1829)
* 1608 Barton Springs Rd.
(South) 78704 – (512/482-9450)
* 301 W.2nd St., Suite 100
(Downtown) 78701 – (512/482-9445)
Austin Java is a trendy, family-friendly cafe and restaurant. In addition to gourmet coffees, this place offers a variety of healthy foods for kids and adults alike. The kids’ menu offers several types of pasta, along with PB&J on whole wheat, grilled cheese, and ham and cheese sandwiches. All kids items are under $4. Beer and wine are available. Moreover, you will sometimes find live music performances in the evenings
Rates: $

Iron Works BBQ
100 Red River Street
(Downtown) 78701
(512/478-4855)
This popular downtown restaurant specializes in barbecue. You will find all the classic barbecue dishes – sliced or chopped beef, ribs, and smoked pork loin. In addition, Iron Works serves family style takeout. Prices are moderate
Rates: $$

Salt Lick BBQ
* 18001 FM 1826
(Southwest) 78619 – (512/858-4959)
Salt Lick Three-Sixty
* 3801 N.Capital of Texas Hwy.
(West) 78746 – (512/328-4957)
If you are looking for a special restaurant experience and would relish a nice drive in the country, the Salt Lick or the Salt Lick Three-Sixty are for you. Situated in the country in a grove of huge trees, the original Salt Lick offers a bargain special menu, “Family Style,” priced at under $5 for kids under 12 and free for kids under 4. The long picnic tables groan with heaping helpings of beef, sausage, and pork ribs, served with potato salad, cole slaw, beans, bread, pickles and onions. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available, but bring your own alcoholic beverages because Hays County is dry.
Rates: $$

Baby Acapulco
1628 Barton Springs
(South) 78704
(512/474-8774)
Baby Acapulco is a great choice for a variety of Tex Mex specialties. You can choose cheese quesadillas, enchiladas, beef tacos, chicken nuggets, carne guisada, tamale Dinner, Fajita Taco Plate or Pizza. All meals include a free kids drink! ($3.99 for kids over 12). Adults can savor fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, nachos, chicken flauta salad, and will appreciate the famous Baby A’s soup composed of shredded chicken, sliced avocado, cheese and corn tortilla strips and served with rice. Prices are reasonable.
Rates: $

Old Pecan Street Cafe
310 E. Sixth St.
(Downtown) 78701
(512/478-3308)
If you like pecans, and even if you don’t, the charming Old Pecan Street Café is for you. This restaurant, in the heart of Austin, offers many varieties of meals with pecans incorporated into many of the dishes. The lunch includes Old Pecan Street chicken, chicken marsala, hot chicken sandwiches and, the popular Pecan Street club. For dessert, don’t miss – pecan pie plus cheesecake and crêpes pecan. Prices are moderate.
Rates: $$

Amy’s Ice Creams
* 600 N. Lamar, Suite 1012 – B
(Downtown) 78703 – (512/480-0673)
* 13010 S. Congress Ave
(South) 78704 – (512/440-7488)
* 3100 S. Congress Ave. Ste 3A
(South) 78704 – (512/851-2697)
* 3500 Guadalupe St
(Central) 78705 – (512/458-6895)
* 10000 Research, Suite 140
(Northwest) 78759 – (512/345-1006)
Amy’s Ice Cream is easily Austin’s favorite sweet treat. They offer dozens of flavors kids love, like cocoa pudding and s’mores. Even more delicious is their selection of the “crush-in’s” they fold into their ice creams.
Rates: $

Hut’s Hamburgers
807 W. Sixth St.
(Downtown) 78703
(512/472-0693)
Hut’s Hamburgers is an old-fashioned diner serving some of Austin’s favorite burgers. It offers 2-for-1 specials many nights during the week, making it easy on the wallet. Their thick milkshakes and french fries are kid favorites.
Rates: $

The Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Rd.
(South) 78704
(512/474-9991)
Shady Grove is a cozy Austin restaurant that features burgers and soups and Texas favorites like Frito chili pie and chicken fried steak. This restaurant is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Keeping with Austin’s love for music, every Thursday they host “Unplugged at the Grove,” a live music event on the patio.
Rates: $

Chuy’s Restaurants
* 1728 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704 – (512/474-4452)
* 10520 N. Lamar
Austin, TX 78753 – (512/836-3218)
* 11680 N Reseach Blvd Duval
Austin, TX 78753 – (512/342-0011)
Chuy’s is a local favorite, and this Tex-Mex restaurant will easily please everyone in the family. It’s known for always having a fun atmosphere and lively decorations. Even better, their kid’s menu boasts more selections than most Tex-Mex places. In addition to enchiladas and hamburgers, they also offer mini tacos, burritos and kid-sized quesadillas that feed two for under $10.

EZ’s Brick Oven
3918 N. Lamar
Austin, TX 78756
(210/828-1111)
EZ’s Brick Oven is a diner-style restaurant serving pizzas, pastas, burgers and more. Parents will love the healthy side-dishes, which include steamed veggies, rice or salad, and kids eat free on Wednesdays.
Rates: $$

Central Market
* 4001 N. Lamar 40th
(Central) 78756 – (512/206-1000)
* 4477 S. Lamar
Austin, TX 78745 – (512/899-4300)
Central Market is Whole Foods-style, super gourmet supermarket with a café to boot. It offers patio seating for customers to enjoy their dine-in items. The live, outdoor music and relaxed atmosphere make this a good bet for a casual night out with the family.
Rates: $$