Looking for a good place to sit outside and enjoy a margarita? Maybe some queso? All while social distancing, of course. You’re in luck: Austin is a patio town, and these are the best of the best. (If you don’t see your favorite restaurant open yet, you can always use My Hit List to stay notified about when it plans to reopen.)
Suffice to say, reservations are encouraged these days — so make one, bring a mask, and generally be extra mindful of good manners. And otherwise, here’s our Resy guide to Austin outdoor dining; please enjoy the twinkle lights.
Downtown
Dreaming of Austin’s best (burnt!) cheesecake alongside a titular frozen kalimotxo (red wine and Coca-Cola)? You are in luck: Kalimotxo opened their patio. Other treats await, including a to-die-for jamon sandwich, their first burger, and a prix fixe four-course dinner, including tapas, choice of entree, and, yup, that cheesecake. Reservations are a good idea, but walk-ins are welcome.
Travis Heights
Sitting under the live oaks and drinking prickly-pear margaritas is pretty much the ideal Austin happy hour, and Fresa’s has all that and queso. And make sure you save room for their fun ice cream flavors, like Rice Krispie treat and orange creamsicle.
Clarksville
A porch counts as a patio so long as it’s a porch like this one, with red lanterns hanging from the ceiling and all of Austin zooming by on West Sixth Street. Enjoy the view with some of Austin’s best dim sum — don’t skip the jumbo seafood soup dumpling. Reservations are a smart call, although some walk-ins are available.
East Austin
Speaking of porches, Launderette has a stunner out front, lined with some of the best brunch (and lunch, and dinner) seats in town. The same menu you know and love and haven’t seen in months is back — come get your plancha burger with a side of pastry chef Laura Sawicki’s desserts. The dining room is open too, although with no bar seating.
Downtown
Fresh off launching their delivery meal kit service Assembly.Kitchen, the Comedor folks are back to their old ways: killer Mexican food, served in the middle of some fantastic architecture. This of course extends to their Mexico City-inspired patio, which opens its huge glass doors to the dining room when the weather’s nice. And when it’s Austin summer … well, that’s what the margaritas are for. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Bouldin Creek
The El Alma patio is a neat little perch hovering above a favorite Bouldin neighborhood Mexican spot — the perfect place for a much-needed (and long-awaited) happy hour. Trade the Velveeta for proper queso fundido for once, alongside sangria or mango margaritas. Keep in mind they’re operating on limited hours right now.
Zilker
Juliet’s spacious patio is what Aperol spritzes were invented for: leisurely aperitivo, with snacks including a housemade mozzarella. And if you end up staying for dinner, who can really blame you? Juliet offers pizza to share, handmade pasta, and meal kits if you feel like taking dinner home with you.
Govalle
Like your patios groovy? The midcentury stylings — and AstroTurf — of Sawyer & Co. are about as groovy as it gets. The New Orleans-style diner has you covered for crawfish etouffee, boudin balls, shrimp po boys, and, of course, Hurricanes.
East 6th
This East Austin Mexican restaurant has transformed part of its parking lot into a dining room, and their menu into the slightly more casual (but still delicious!) Suerte Taqueria. Tacos are obviously the game here, as you may have guessed, along with daily specials like cocteles, quesadillas, and a rainbow of salsas. The outdoor dining space includes Suerte’s parking lot.
Westlake
Of course County Line has a great patio; can you even eat barbecue indoors? Complete with live oaks and Hill Country views, this is about as classic Texas as it gets. Stay on theme by ordering Shiner and smoked meats.
Red River District
One last classic Austin patio for you, laced with twisty live oak branches. All your Tex-Mex favorites are on offer, but bonus points for ordering their daily Red River Cultural District Special, with $1 per order going towards the live music venues of the neighborhood.
