Summer in Austin is best spent basking in the sun while indulging in the city’s renowned bar and restaurant scene. Post up on a patio with a frozen beverage in hand or sample bites at a food truck. Here are our favorite summer staples from raw bars to patios, and don’t forget the sweet treats!
Cold Drinks
Back to Top of ListHave you even done Austin if you haven’t lingered over a frosé at Hotel San José? The hip hotel mixes its famous, pretty pink frozen rosé with homemade lemonade. Kick back with one in the lush courtyard, where the people-watching is just as delicious as your cocktail.
Austin celebrity Aaron Franklin, owner of Franklin BBQ, opened a new, casual joint that serves up sandwiches, gumbo, cocktails and most importantly, freezes. At Uptown Sports Club, you can indulge in orange cream, chocolate & chicory or cherry jubilee freezes made with real ice cream. If you’re seeking out an extra fun night, make it boozy.
Sit back on the patio at Kitty Cohen’s, featuring umbrellas and a patio pool, while sipping on an array of frozen drinks like frosé and dreamsicle, or get them swirled.
Armadillo Den is a staple for locals and visitors alike. Spread out across their three-acre property and sip on one of their many draft beers, specialty cocktails or rotating mocktails. While here, you’ll likely hear live music on their stage and find a bite at one of their onsite food trucks.
Casual Bites
Back to Top of ListSatiate your hotdog craving at T Loc’s. This isn't your typical hot dog, and they sure are delicious. This food truck serves a Sonoran dog— all-beef franks wrapped in bacon with a plethora of toppings, all inside soft buns flown in weekly from Sonora, for that authentic flavor.
Tumble 22 Chicken Joint offers a tasty Austin version of hot chicken. Order your fried chicken in a spice level ranging from Wimpy (mild) to Cluckin’ Hot (cayenne adds a kick to the secret blend of spices). Pair your chicken with deviled eggs or collard greens and cool things down with an Adult Lemonade mixed with Deep Eddy vodka.
Spend a day swimming in Deep Eddy Pool then satisfy your hunger nearby at Pool Burger. Dive into burgers, dogs and fries topped off with classic tropical cocktails. Looking for a non-alcoholic option? Don’t miss their pineapple lemonade.
The infamous Rainey Street burger stand, NADC Burger, has opened its flagship on East Sixth Street and there’s no wonder why this place is always packed. This restaurant concept is the collaboration of a professional skateboarder and Michelin-starred chef, serving only two menu items, the double-patty, Texas Wagyu NADC burger and fries.
Austin original Lucy’s Fried Chicken serves up the bird in a variety of ways. Order a four-piece mixed basket (that comes with pickles and jalapeño peppers), boneless chicken tenders, a chicken sandwich or fried chicken spaghetti topped with cheddar cheese. Don’t miss a slice of homemade pie, like the Elvis (a layer of chocolate topped with peanut butter cheesecake and bananas).
Food Trucks
Back to Top of ListVeracruz All Natural, parked at the popular Radio Coffee & Beer, was founded by sisters Reyna and Maritza, who honed their cooking skills working in their mother’s restaurant in Veracruz, Mexico. Veracruz is famous for its migas breakfast tacos stuffed with eggs, tortilla chips, avocado, pico de gallo and Monterey jack cheese.
Try a variety of eats at food truck park The Picnic, where you’ll find plenty of well-spaced outdoor seating, handmade empanadas served up by YAPA Artisan Empanadas, authentic Italian gelato and creative combinations like pineapple jalapeno sorbet from Cannone Gelato, authentic Thai cuisine at Coat & Thai and so much more.
With five locations, there’s no reason to skip Spicy Boys. Specializing in "fried chicken and fried chicken accessories," what’s not to love? Make sure to add their spicy pickles. If you’re not craving chicken, order their vegetarian fried tempeh sandwich or cauliflower nugs.
Come hungry to LeRoy and Lewis where new-school barbecue meets old-school service. Their menu rotates daily featuring alternative cuts of meat and creative sides using seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and ranches. Find the truck inside the fence at Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden. Looking to dine in? Check out their new brick-and-mortar location in South Austin.
Frozen Treats
Back to Top of ListBeat the summer heat with made-from-scratch sweets and treats from Asian-owned and adorable, OMG SQUEE. This local favorite is Austin’s first gluten-free dessert shop serving up delicious, and aesthetic, Asian favorites like mochi donuts, taiyaki sundaes and milk teas.
Vegans and folks with dietary restrictions will love Luv Fats Ice Cream in North Austin. This Black-owned spot is serving up delicious and healthy flavors with ingredients like coconut milk, avocados and raw cane sugar.
For innovative and unusual flavors like goat cheese, thyme and honey, and Texas sheet cake, you have to check out Lick Honest Ice Creams. In addition to their everyday options, the shop rotates special seasonal menus with unique flavors.
If you're into soft serve, then you'll love Zed's New Zealand-style ice cream swirled with real fruit, topped with drizzles and treats of your choice. This cute ice cream stand offers dairy-free too!
Open since 1996, the family-run Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs offers more than 70 homemade syrup flavors drizzled over ice and served in a cup. You’ll find traditional New Orleans-style chocolate and cream syrups, including customer favorites like orchid cream vanilla and Boston cream pie.
Patio Dining
Back to Top of ListExperience an Austin staple with enough beer and house-made sausage to make your head spin at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden on Rainey Street. Grab your friends (and furry friends), take a seat at one of many communal tables and choose from over 200 beer selections on tap. Banger’s also has a legendary brunch on weekends with live music and Texas-sized "manmosas" featuring a full bottle of bubbly and splash of OJ in a giant beer stein.
From the folks that opened local favorite De Nada Cantina, Lil' Easy is a laid-back Louisiana-inspired dive bar on Austin's east side. Not only will you find killer frozen cocktails here, the kitchen is serving up creole classics like red beans and rice, a variety of po'boys and fresh seafood.
At fun-loving Fresa's the outdoor picnic tables are perfect for small groups and the menu consists of eight takes on the classic margarita, flavorful bowls and family-style entrees like the Yucatan spice chicken cooked on a wood grill.
For stunning Lake Travis sunsets, head to The Oasis. This scenic lakeside restaurant features a massive multi-storied deck where you can dine on shrimp fajitas and toast the evening with a signature Oasis Sunset (a blend of rums, lemonade, orange juice and grenadine). Don’t be surprised when fellow diners applaud the dramatically setting sun.
Before taking in the breathtaking views of Mount Bonnell at sunset or strolling among peacocks at Mayfield Park, sip on refreshing wine at Flo's Wine Bar. While you're there, don't miss out on the mouthwatering monster pies, fresh salads, and creamy soft-serve ice cream available at onsite AllDay Pizza.
Two restaurants share one enormous patio with pink picnic tables under shady oak trees on West Sixth Street. Check out Better Half any time of day with coffee, cocktails, bites and more. Hold Out Brewery is right next door with plenty of cold beers, ciders and frozens. Grab a burger when you feel hungry. Don’t miss either of these spot’s excellent happy hour options.
Raw Bars
Back to Top of ListNestled on the banks of Shoal Creek, the popular Shoal Creek Saloon offers a crawfish boil "all day, every day" from 11 AM to 10 PM. During crawfish season, enjoy crawfish by the pound on their patio and add on corn, potatoes and Andouille sausage links.
Quality Seafood Market has been a staple in Austin’s seafood scene since 1938. Offering fresh market specials like 35-cent "peel n eat" shrimp and lobster Saturdays, you won't want to miss this iconic and affordable seafood joint.
Throw back some freshly shucked oysters on the beachy wooden deck at Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar. A must for any seafood fan, this upscale South Congress seafood spot offers an amazing selection of oysters on the half-shell, appetizers like ahi tuna tartare and main courses that include crispy Texas Gulf Snapper.
Garbo’s serves up New England cuisine with an Austin drawl. Try the fresh lobster roll, prepared Maine-style (chilled with homemade mayo, celery and a blend of special seasonings) or Connecticut-style (warm, brushed with lemon-tarragon butter and sprinkled with scallions). Side it with homemade New England clam chowder and a Maine Root soda and you’re good to go.
Looking for more things to do in Austin this summer? Check out these top summer activities for inspiration.