There’s no shortage of great restaurants in downtown Austin, thats for sure! But there is a premium on parking. So hopefully you were able to get a reservation at Pecan Grove RV Park or one of The 5 Best RV Parks in Austin Texas to Visit. Or if you are staying in the Barton Springs area, then all these restaurants are just a few minutes walking distance and what I consider the best places for great food in Barton Springs.
1. Juliet Italian Kitchen for Classic Italian $$
Address: 1500 Barton Springs Rd
Website: https://www.juliet-austin.com/bartonsprings/
Serving: Lunch, Dinner Happy Hour and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Dog Friendly
First up is Juliet Italian Kitchen, located literally right next door from Pecan Grove RV Park. This Italian restaurant is so convenient and delicious! We enjoy sitting on the large outdoor patio that is partially covered with an outdoor bar and is dog friendly. They also have indoor dining, an inside bar with very nice decor and small room for private parties.
Serving nostalgic and classic Italian-American cuisine. One of our favorite dishes is the CACIO E PEPE hand tossed pizza with added mushroom and pepperoni. Add a small salad and its the perfect amount for 2 with some leftovers for tomorrows lunch. And if pizza is not your thing, they have many other Italian dishes too!
2. Casa De Luz for an Amazing Plant Based Meal $$
Address: 1701 Toomey Rd
Website: https://www.casadeluz.org/
Serving: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Set Menu
Dog Friendly
I know I said veggies, even though Texas is all about meat. But believe it or not Austin offers many vegan and vegetarian options throughout the city. And if you enjoy a healthy plant based meal then Casa De Luz is a must visit! Only a few minutes away located in a community wellness center. As you walk through the entrance and into the courtyard you will feel like you have been transported out of the city and into a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing garden setting.
The restaurant serves cafeteria style. You walk in, pay, serve yourself water or tea, pick up your food and then go look for a table to eat at. When you walk up you will get a plate full of what is served for the day. The plate consists of a soup, salad, main plate, dark leafy greens and fermented & pickled food and the menu changes daily. I promise this: you will be pleasantly surprised by this meal and feel good during and after eating it.
3. Austin Eastciders For A Flight Of Ciders And A Bite $$
Address: 1530 Barton Springs Rd
Website: https://austineastciders.com/
Serving: Coffee, Pastries, Lunch, Dinner and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Dog Friendly
Also located next to Pecan Grove RV Park, this is a great spot for a casual bite and a nice cool cider especially when its hot outside. Serving a simple variety of small plates, salads, pizza and more! Indoor and outdoor seating available with a large outdoor dog friendly patio that has live music and trivia on certain nights.
One of my favorite things to enjoy here is a cider flight! Offering small batch ciders, seasonal releases and low sugar ciders that you can only get at Austin Eastciders. And they have cider to purchase to go, so you can enjoy them at the restaurant and later at home!
4. El Alma for Mexican and A Rooftop View of Downtown Austin $$
Address: 1025 Barton Springs Rd
Website: https://www.elalmacafe.com/
Serving: Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Not Dog Friendly
Although this restaurant is not pet friendly, it made the list because of its good food but mostly because of its awesome rooftop patio! To get to the rooftop patio you walk through the restaurant and up a unique staircase. The charming rooftop is mostly shaded with large umbrellas and offers a beautiful view of downtown Austin.
Serving casual, fun and authentic Mexican food. And a $6 Happy Hour Classic Margarita from 3pm to 6pm along with a variety of regular priced cocktails and margaritas. El Alma is a great spot for Mexican in the city with a great patio.
5. Terry Blacks For Some Darn Good BBQ $$
Address: 1003 Barton Springs Rd
Website: https://www.terryblacksbbq.com/
Serving: Lunch and Dinner
Dog Friendly
If you are ready for some Texas BBQ, than its time to head down to Terry Blacks! There is usually a line out the door, but don’t worry, it moves pretty fast and you can order a drink while you wait. I recommend the famous Terry Blacks Frozen Margarita.
The food is served counter style. After you wait in line, just head up to the counter and select your size and sides (there are vegan options for the non meat lover). Then order your desired meat that is freshly sliced and ordered by the weight. After you pay, just find a table you like indoor or outdoorand enjoy some of the best BBQ in town.
6. Odd Duck For Delicious Farm to Table Experience $$$
Address: 1201 S Lamar Blvd
Website: http://oddduckaustin.com
Serving: Dinner Only
For more of an upscale experience, you can walk up the hill on Lamar Street away from the city. This restaurant is the farthest from all the others but does have a small parking lot with complimentary valet, so If you don’t feel like walking, there is somewhere to park.
Odd Duck serves dishes made from locally sourced ingredients and producers. They have an interesting story, as they started in 2009 as a food truck and were a pioneer for the Austin food scene. It is a farm to table concept restaurant with innovative American style cuisine and craft cocktails. Look forward to being impressed by The Odd Duck.
7. Coat & Thai for Amazing Pad Thai $
Address: 1720 Barton Springs Rd
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Coatandthai/
Serving: Lunch and Dinner
Dog Friendly
Coat & Thai is part of The Picnic, an Austin food truck park located just down the street. They offer delicious authentic Thai cuisine at a very reasonable price and the Pad Thai is one of our favorite dishes. You can enjoy your food at the outdoor covered seating or take it with you to go. Either way, I think you will be very satis~thai~d.
8. Chuy’s for a fun and funky Tex-Mex meal
Address: 1728 Barton Springs Rd
Website: https://www.chuys.com/
Serving Lunch, Dinner and Happy Hour
Dog Friendly
Yes, Chuy’s is a chain restaurant, but this is where it all started! In 1982 they opened the first location in Barton Springs and the concept was created of a fun and funky Tex Mex restaurant. Thriving today the chain has over 50 locations. And they say if you have seen one Chuy’s, then you have only seen one Chuy’s. Keeping the decor fun the eclectic.
The menu is simple and good, offering happy hour Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available but you have to look around inside to check out the funky decor. Give Chuy’s a try for the local Tex Mex taste.
Go Enjoy Some Delicious Food in Barton Springs
Well, I hope these suggestions have helped with your restaurant decisions on places to find great food in Barton Springs. No matter which ones you choose, I believe your heart will be happy and your belly will be full!
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