If you ask any Austinite what makes up a great weekend, it usually includes a combination of spending time with family and friends, listening to live music, enjoying great food, drinks and moving water. If you can combine everything in one place, a great weekend turns into the perfect weekend. With Austin’s temperate weather and plentiful sunshine, dining al fresco is part of life. Even though waterfront dining is almost a rite of passage for any Austinite, there aren’t as many waterfront restaurants as you would think. If you’re looking for an Austin waterfront restaurant, here are the one’s locals visit.
Austin Waterfront Restaurants Map
Below you’ll find a map of all the Austin waterfront restaurants local’s frequent. This way, you can see which restaurant is most convenient for you.
The Oasis at Lake Travis
Location: 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, Texas 78732
Since it’s opening in 1979, The Oasis has been the most popular waterfront restaurant in Austin by far. If you only have time for one waterfront restaurant in Austin, this is the one to visit. Not specifically for the food, but for the amazing views of Lake Travis from the restaurant’s tiered, back patio. There are plenty of tables on their multi-level decks, which are lined with the restaurant’s signature multi-colored umbrellas. Although the view has taken a hit over the last few years because of low lake levels caused by the drought, it is still fantastic. My recommendation is to go right before dusk, because the sunsets from the deck are simply breathtaking. The Oasis has live music almost nightly, an extensive drink menu, and a diverse menu offering steak, seafood, Tex Mex and their famous Hatch Green Chile Burger.
Ski Shores Cafe
Location: 2905 Pearce Road, Austin, Texas 78730
Another Austin institution is Ski Shores Cafe located in Greenshores on Lake Austin. In the late 1940s, the area around Ski Shores Cafe had 20 small rental waterfront cabins. Although the cabins had kitchenettes, vacationers desired a place to go out to eat and hang out with their family and friends. In 1954 Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe opened to the public and people immediately fell in love with this small, family-owned restaurant, a love that is as strong as ever today.
Ski Shores Cafe is one of my favorite waterfront restaurants in Austin. It’s down home feel is almost like spending a weekend at your family’s cabin. If you’re looking for a restaurant that sits on the water, Ski Shores is the closest you can get. The back deck, where most of the tables are, floats two feet above the Lake and depending on how choppy the water is, you might leave with wet shoes. Ski Shores has live music, drinks, comfort food and, of course, the Lake Austin vibe that you really can’t get anywhere else.
Oyster’s Landing Restaurants
Location: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin Texas 78703
On the banks of Lake Austin in Tarrytown, you’ll find a few waterfront restaurants at Oyster’s Landing Marina. Hula Hut, Abel’s on the Lake and Mozart’s Coffee seem to always be busy and if you’ve been there, you’ll know why. You can access these Austin waterfront restaurants by boat, by seaplane (which we saw the other day) or by car. All three restaurants offer something completely different and have their own unique atmosphere.
The Hula Hut
Location: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin Texas 78703
The Hula Hut has more of a party vibe, especially on game days, with three large bars serving specialty drinks like their Mango Margarita. The majority of seating is located on the restaurant’s waterfront deck, which is decorated in a Polynesian theme with tiki torches, bamboo walls and grass huts. Since it’s opening in 1993, The Hula Hut was dubbed as a “tropical Texas paradise” serving Tiki-Mex Cuisine.
Abel’s on the Lake
Location: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin Texas 78703
Abel’s on the Lake is a little more subdued than The Hula Hut and offers a more family friendly atmosphere. They have an extensive menu and, in my honest opinion, serve the best food of any restaurant on Lake Austin. The best part about Abel’s is their weekend brunch, where you can enjoy the view of Lake Austin on their 2-level deck before it gets too hot.
Mozart’s Coffee Roaster’s and Bakery
Location: 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard, Austin Texas 78703
Mozart’s Coffee is busy morning, noon and night as it has the best view of any coffee shop in Austin. The cool, shaded, waterfront patio is the go to spot if you need to get away from the office to work or to just chill out and read a book. If it’s cold or raining, you can sit inside or on their covered downstairs deck if you still want a view of the water. In the evening you can sit on the lighted patio, have a slice of mocha cake and enjoy live music.
The Grill at Rough Hollow
Location: 103 Yacht Clube Cove, Lakeway, Texas 78734
If you want to go a little more upscale, try The Grill at Rough Hollow on Lake Travis, which offers an array of dishes from sandwiches to steak to seafood. The dress code is casual and welcomes boaters via their nearby dock. You can sit in the main dining room or enjoy the views from their spacious patio. They also have a well priced wine menu and nightly entertainment. Don’t forget to check out Happy Hour Tuesday-Friday from 3-7 with half priced appetizers and discounted drinks. On Sundays The Grill offers Brunch from 11-3. Their brunch, dubbed the “Best Hangover Cure in Lakeway”, offers specialty Bloody Marys and their house favorite Chilaquiles.
County Line on The Lake
Location: 5204 FM2222, Austin, Texas 78731
When you talk about food in Texas, you can’t forget about Texas Barbeque. County Line is another location where Austinites take their out of town guests who want to combine waterfront dining with BBQ. The converted cabin is set on Bull Creek and features a large redwood deck overlooking the water, as well as several picnic tables creekside. County Line offers great barbeque platters, cocktails and of course, live music. Don’t pass on their Famous Housemade Bread and a side of BBQ sauce for dippin’.
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