Austin Dining Guide

Your visit to Austin would not be complete without enjoying some local restaurants. Many have outdoor dining and live music. We have included some dining recommendations here. Many more are reviewed in the XL Dining Guide.

Breakfast

Sweetish Hill Bakery. Wake up with a mocha muffin, filled with chunks of dark chocolate in a coffee-flavored dough. Opens at 6:30 a.m. daily, 1120 W. Sixth St., 472-7370.

Juan In A Million. A delicious way to have eggs scrambled with Mexican dried beef, called machacado, tomatoes, onions and jalapeños. Opens at 7 a.m. daily, 2300 E. Cesar Chavez St., 472-3872.

Kerbey Lane Cafe. Drop in for late night pancakes and traditional breakfast. 3704 Kerbey Lane, 451-1436.

Barbeque

Artz Rib House. Pair live music and outstanding babyback ribs. 2330 S. Lamar Blvd., 442-8283.

County Line on the Lake. Upscale barbecue overlooking Lake Austin. 5204 FM 2222, 346-3664.

Salt Lick. Rustic setting provides best overall barbecue experience in the area. RM 1826, Driftwood, (512) 858-4959.

Burgers

Hyde Park Bar & Grill. The half-pound sirloin burger is one of the tastiest in town, along with fabulous battered fries. 4206 Duval St., 458-3168.

Hut's Hamburgers. Big variety of specialty burgers, plus black pepper onion rings that must be the best in Texas. 807 W. Sixth St., 472-0693.

Central Market on North or South Lamar. Plump, moist burger on a sesame-seed bun. 4477 S. Lamar Blvd., 4001 N. Lamar.

Italian

Asti. Three-star trattoria in the Hyde Park neighborhood. 408-C E. 43rd St., 451-1218.

Bellagio. A four-star experience, with the best calamari in town. 6507 Jester Blvd., 346-8228.

Vespaio. The mussels are some of the best in town. Enjoy a walking tour of the street. 1610 S. Congress Ave., 441-6100.

Mexican

Fonda San Miguel. Longtime, upscale, four-star interior Mexican cuisine. 2330 W. North Loop, 459-4121.

Las Palomas. Authentic and delicious food served by the Corona family for two decades at their West Lake Hills spot. 3201 Bee Cave Road, 327-9889.

Güero's. Tex-Mex restaurant of choice for Bill Clinton when he visits Austin. Great atmosphere! 1412 S. Congress Ave., 447-7688.

Seafood

Gumbo's. Seafood and steaks, and, of course, gumbo. 710 Colorado St., 480-8053.

Eddie V's Edgewater Grill. A strong Gulf Coast influence, with items such as red snapper topped with lump crab. 301 E. Fifth St., 472-1860.

Steaks

Ruth's Chris Steak House. The best in town, aged prime beef from an 1,800-degree broiler in an art deco setting. 107 W. Sixth St., 477-7884.

Dan McKlusky's. Welcoming attitude and food that keeps pace with the ambience. 301 E. Sixth St., 473-8924.

Vegetarian

Mr. Natural. Mexican food in a cafeteria-style lunch and dinner format, plus a whole-wheat bakery and health-food store. 1901 E. Cesar Chavez St., 477-5228, 2414-A S. Lamar Blvd., 916-9223.

Mother's Cafe and Garden. An Austin institution with tasty fare and a plant-filled garden room. 4215 Duval St., 451-3994.

West Lynn Cafe. Fine-dining venue with food influences from around the world. 1110 West Lynn St., 482-0950.

Indian

Clay Pit. Upscale Indian fare that has drawn national attention, in an historical setting. 1601 Guadalupe St., 322- 5131.

Swad. Indian vegetarian cuisine behind the Payless Shoes near Rutland Drive. 9515 N. Lamar Blvd., No. 156, 997- 7923.

Taj Palace. Indian fare such as rogan josh, chunks of tender lamb swimming in a smooth curry gravy. 6700 Middle Fiskville Road, 452-9959.

Special Ocassion

Hudson's on the Bend. Nationally known for fabulous game and Southwestern flair. 3509 RM 620 N., 266-1369.

Jeffrey's. An Austin institution featuring regional flavors in a quiet setting. 1204 West Lynn St., 477-5584.

Aquarelle. Elegant French restaurant that's a perfect setting for a 3 1/2-hour meal. 606 Rio Grande St., 479-8117.