Dine at LGBTQ-Owned Restaurants in Austin
While in Austin, you must pay homage to the diverse and expansive food culture. From breakfast tacos and brisket to New American and vegan cuisine, Austin has tons of incredible dining spots perfect for hanging out with friends, sipping (and snapping) mimosas and pretending you’re going to do something productive that day.
Arlo Grey. Courtesy of Sydell Group.
RESTAURANTS
ARLO GREY
Enjoy the stunning Town Lake views at gay-owned Arlo Grey as you savor the dishes of Top Chef winner Kristin Kish. Located in the LINE Austin hotel, Arlo Grey uses Central Texas ingredients to create dishes like the homemade bucatini tossed with pesto and Texas pecans, or the grilled Texas Wagyu bavette served with pickled local vegetables.
BEARDED BAKING COMPANY
Stop by gay-owned Bearded Baking Company for out of this world treats. Grab one of their signature cookies, like the Fairly Gay packed with sprinkles and chocolate chips or taste something savory like their Grizzly, a scratch-made cathead biscuit stuffed with fluffy eggs, crispy bacon and cheese.
EL RAVAL
Filipino Chef Laila Bazahm has been around the block, working in kitchens in Spain and Singapore, before moving to Texas to open El Raval in 2023. An ode to her culinary career, El Raval is rooted in Spanish cuisine with Asian influences throughout the menu.
FUKUMOTO
Japanese izakaya Fukumoto serves a lengthy menu of familiar and specialty sashimi, nigiri and sushi rolls but their specialty is yakitori—skewers of meat grilled over charcoal—aka Japanese comfort food. Order sake by the cup or bottle along with grilled king salmon and other comforting goodies like fried karaage chicken.
La Barbecue. Credit Jessica Serna, My Curly Adventures.
LA BARBECUE
Owners LeAnn Mueller and wife Alison Clem source grass-fed hormone-free beef from a local ranch and cook it 14-16 hours, so it melts in your mouth. It's possible you'll have to wait in line , but trust us, it's totally worth it.
JACOBY’S / GRIZZELDA’S
Adam Jacoby and husband Kris Swift started their food empire with Jacoby’s, a ranch-to-table dining experience that serves up one of the tastiest burgers in town. They then followed it up with the vibrant Tex-Mex restaurant Grizzelda’s.
KORIENTE
Grab a quick bite before a night out from this family-owned eatery that serves fresh and healthy pan-Asian food cooked to order.
Lick Honest Ice Creams. Credit Annie Ray.
LICK HONEST ICE CREAMS
Sourcing milk and cream from grass-fed Texas cows, this LGBTQ-owned shop on Burnet Road serves up seasonal and sustainable artisan ice cream in unique flavors like goat cheese, thyme and honey. Not headed up north? Visit their other locations in Mueller on the east side and Lamar Union Plaza in South Austin.
MARY’S CAFÉ
LGBTQ-owned, they serve locally roasted organic coffee and espresso, fresh paninis, hearty salads and delicious Liege waffles. Plus the owner donates regularly to local nonprofits like Q Austin, which is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ youth.
Courtesy of Cheer Up Charlies.
BARS & COFFEE HOUSES
BARBARELLA / SWAN DIVE
Serving Austin's Cultural District w/ live music, dance parties, burlesque & more! Barbarella and Swan Dive are connected, so you can keep the party going all night. Visit them both on the corner of Seventh Street and Red River.
CHEER UP CHARLIES
Cheer Up Charlies is a lesbian-owned bar open to all. DJs, local up-and-coming bands, theme nights, goofy contests and a giant pink parachute suspended over the back patio are all part of the weirdness and charm at this local hot spot. Grab a bite at on-site Arlo's, a vegan comfort food truck with everything from burgers and tacos to frito pie.
GENUINE JOE COFFEE HOUSE
As an Austin neighborhood coffeehouse, Genuine Joe's is the best place to grab an espresso beverage in a comfortable atmosphere where you're encouraged to be yourself. Whether you’re a cowboy, hippie, techie or you defy all labels, there’s a place for you at Joe's.
THE IRON BEAR
The Iron Bear is a place to relax, have a cold beer and have fun with new and old friends. And, if you want to get your grove on to our slamming DJ's that's just fine too!
JO’S COFFEE
This LGBTQ-owned coffee shop is home to the “i love you so much” mural and is an excellent place to grab a coffee and do some people watching.