12 of the Best Austin Restaurants With a View
Austin has no shortage of restaurants and bars with impressive views. From rooftops overlooking the downtown skyline to quiet lakeside patios, there’s plenty of scenery to take in over a meal. These 12 spots have menus to match, giving you just as much reason to come for the food as for the view.
Nido
1211 W. Riverside Drive
The Loren Hotel’s signature rooftop restaurant needed a strong menu to match its sweeping views of Austin’s downtown skyline and Lady Bird Lake. Four years after Nido’s debut, Chef Brad McDonald continues to deliver on the food front. Grilled oysters receive an elevated twist from honeynut beurre blanc. Marshmallow meringue and peach compote accompany a classic French toast dish at brunch. While the stunning lakeside views remain a constant at Nido, the menu rotates seasonally, offering guests a chance to experience the restaurant in a whole new culinary light.
Quince Lakehouse
3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Suite 201
Margs taste better lakeside. Quince Lakehouse took the plunge with its blue-tinged, coastal aesthetic — and that’s why it works. Situated on the bank of Lake Austin (Mozart’s is a neighbor), Quince delivers with an extensive menu that truly has a little something for everyone. There are sushi rolls, burgers, fajitas, steak au poivre, pastas, handhelds and plenty of frozen cocktails to wash it all down.
Lutie’s
4100 Red River St.
Under the direction of newly appointed Executive Chef Jakub Czyszczon (Garrison), Michelin-recognized Lutie’s stays true to its roots with a sophisticated new menu that still retains several guest favorites, like the classic estate bread and kouign amann ice cream. Newcomers on the menu include a refreshing sunchoke pasta, beef tartare with pain perdu, crispy eggs dressed with caviar and a standout Texas striploin with Swiss chard and peppercorn sauce. The intimate, gardenlike space that put Lutie’s on the map remains unchanged.
Hestia
607 W. Third St., Suite 105
Inspired by the Greek goddess of the hearth, Hestia earned one of Austin’s first Michelin stars in 2024. Part of the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group helmed by chefs Kevin Fink and Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Hestia’s interior dining space is illuminated by the glow from the 20-foot, custom-made hearth. The outdoor, pet-friendly patio area, with peaceful views of Shoal Creek, is simply named the Garden. Hestia’s views match the theme of the menu — deceptively simple yet remarkably complex. Simple ingredients like beets and onions gain a new level of complexity from their time in the hearth, while entrees like halibut and Berkshire pork chop earn a second layer of sophistication with accoutrements like trout roe and smoked tomato. The 30-day dry-aged Texas rib-eye is worth the splurge.
Watr
96 Red River St.
The 16th-floor perch in the 1 Hotel Austin offers sublime sunset views with a side of light Japanese-inspired dishes. A relative newcomer to Austin’s extensive rooftop scene, Watr stays true to its name by simply going with the flow of its place amid downtown Austin’s skyline. Nosh on nigiri, hand rolls and scallops for a light meal. Hungry? The miso seremoni cod is a must.
Steiner Ranch Steakhouse
5424 Steiner Ranch Blvd.
For a classic white-tablecloth steakhouse experience with scenic views of Lake Travis, look no further than Steiner Ranch Steakhouse. There’s nothing outdated about the menu, with a classic Texan rib-eye with all the fixings, smaller cuts, seafood plates, oysters, seafood towers and more. The accompanying wine cellar provides a robust assortment of whites and reds that pair perfectly with the meat-forward menu.
Zanzibar
304 E. Cesar Chavez St.
The hotspot for a boozy mai tai and tropical ambience, Zanzibar is a tiki lover’s dream tucked away in downtown Austin. Plates are light — think grilled pineapple salsa, salmon crispy rice and Korean barbecue Wagyu skewers — but for hungry guests, there’s a large pu pu platter with jerk wings, shrimp skewers, duck egg rolls, guacamole and chips. It’s part tropical getaway, part love letter to Austin’s creative rooftop bar scene.
P6 at the Line
111 E. Cesar Chavez St.
With a refined pink-and-green color scheme and a chic Mediterranean-forward menu, P6 at the Line offers views of the Congress Avenue Bridge, making it the perfect spot for bat watching and light bites amid the glow of an Austin sunset. It’s the go-to destination for wine, charcuterie boards in a variety of sizes, Caesar salads and plenty of Instagram-worthy cocktails.
Mozart’s
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Mozart’s remains an Austin staple for its Lake Austin views, famous Christmas light displays and wide selection of award-winning desserts, alongside a hearty breakfast menu and savory lunch options. Seeking artistic inspiration and a caffeine buzz? This is a must-visit.
Ciclo
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Dining out on the patio is a must at Ciclo, a steakhouse in the Four Seasons Austin with a Latin edge. Surrounded by rose-covered trellises, Ciclo’s patio is situated right by Lady Bird Lake. Hailed as an underrated gem by locals, Ciclo is nigh-on unforgettable after a first visit, what with an outstanding tableside flambeed Texas Wagyu tomahawk, lighter bites, brunch buffets on Sundays and a fresh pastry selection for breakfast.
Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile
3235 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Prime for duck spotting and dishes sourced straight from Jacoby Ranch, Jacoby’s Restaurant sits quietly by the Colorado River with a straightforward, no-frills menu. One of the more affordable options with lovely riverside views, Jacoby’s feels like home with barbecue meatloaf, chicken-fried chicken, tater tots, stuffed yeast rolls and a whole lot of TLC.
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs Road
Perfect for a visit after a cold dip in Barton Springs Pool, El Alma’s original location has a large array of classic Tex-Mex favorites, from breakfast tacos to enchiladas. Chef Alma adds her own twist to popular plates, marinating her chuleta de puerco (bone-in pork chop) in Coca-Cola and serving up lamb barbacoa tacos with habanero-pickled carrots. Grab a marg and take in the view of downtown Austin and Barton Springs Road from the second-floor rooftop deck.