The 12 best restaurants to dine outdoors in Austin

One of Austin’s most crowd-friendly patios is a beer garden and bake shop combo founded by James Beard nominee David Norman. The sprawling South Lamar spot draws crowds for its covered terrace, indoor-outdoor space downstairs, and a tree-shaded dog park. The various backdrops are all ideal for getting together over a giant pretzel with salted whipped butter, one of 30 tap beer choices, and a postcard-perfect sunset view.

Texan fare with Latin accents from renowned chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval shines at this Four Seasons Austin beauty. Ciclo (and its sibling bar, Live Oak) boast some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in town, with striking views of Lady Bird Lake and the famed Congress Avenue Bridge bats. Get the restaurant’s flambéed Texas Wagyu tomahawk or filet mignon with chimichurri and Bordelaise sauce, which taste extra good on an outdoor table flanked by oak trees.

With a front-row view of Lake Austin, it makes sense that Quince Lakehouse shines the spotlight on excellent seafood like oysters, sushi, ceviche, and a killer panko-crusted sea bass with ginger-lemongrass bomba rice. A seat on the outdoor deck is the most direct way to take in the sunset and bobbing boats, but even dining inside lets you stare at the water, thanks to scenic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Top-notch New American food is one of the main attractions at this acclaimed downtown spot where dishes lean on locally grown ingredients and regional food traditions. Its shaded, wood-paneled patio is an extension of its warehouse-chic interiors and also the setting for a miniature garden. Stretch out your leisurely outdoor meal with dessert by Tavel Bristol-Joseph, a 2023 James Beard Awards semi-finalist and one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2020.

Bar Peached serves pan-Asian favorites like banh mi tacos and mapo bolognese on a casual, dog-friendly patio shaded by a heritage tree and surrounded by fans. Stay even cooler with a refreshing cocktail, such as the Paloma on draft and creative made-to-order drinks like the Beetlejuice, which combines tequila, beet, lime, and cilantro.

Hestia recently expanded into the space formerly occupied by Kalimotxo (both are standout spots by the Emmer & Rye team). The menu is centered around a live-fire custom hearth that gives a smoky flavor to sumptuous small plates like charred broccoli with bone marrow and embered turnip with boquerones. Dine in the garden outside with soothing views of Shoal Creek and a peek right up one of Austin’s more interesting skyscrapers.

Score some of Texas’s finest meats at Steiner Ranch in Northwest Austin, complete with steakhouse favorites like ribeye and a perfectly broiled scallops au gratin. The patio here, which sometimes becomes the backdrop for live music performances, also offers a stunning Lake Travis view to pair with a delicious glass of red from the restaurant’s prolific wine collection.

Lake views from the open-air patio make Roaring Fork a year-round outdoor star. So does an exquisite wood-fired menu featuring rotisserie chicken with chorizo-cornbread stuffing and grilled steak—a nod to Southwestern cowboy cooking. There’s no wrong way to enjoy an evening under the live oak trees here, especially if you end with warm pecan pie topped with butter pecan ice cream for dessert.

The modern Mexican menu at this James Beard Award-nominated restaurant is one reason to head to La Condesa—but so is the prime people-watching from its West Second patio, a plant-lined stretch that’s considered one of the buzziest spaces downtown. Snack on sikil pak (pumpkin seed dip) or short-rib quesadillas for a sampling of what’s made this a culinary hotspot since 2009.

A meal on Justine’s expansive patio, surrounded by jasmine flowers, is straight-up magical. During the cooler months, part of it turns into a tented area that gets an annual revamp; this year’s design was inspired by a mid-century nightclub in New York City and featured zebra-print booths and red velvet accents. Even though the setting often changes, Justine’s elegant French menu remains the same—because you won’t ever tire of the on-point steak frites or crème brûlée.

Oysters are best slurped outdoors, and Perla’s serves them up in a sophisticated, blue-and-white-umbrella lined setting under the sprawling Texas sky, oak trees, and South Congress’s twinkling lights. Fish and oysters are flown in daily from both coasts, which means the lobster roll, seared fresh fish, or anything from the raw bar is a must-order.

With a charming 30-seat stone patio, Pecan Square Cafe is a homey spot, just steps away from the nightclubs and breweries of West Sixth Street. Hardscaping divides the outdoor dining area into three distinct spaces, and all are pet-friendly. While the menu changes all the time, you can always expect housemade pizza with inventive toppings like chile crisp or green garlic and pasta dressed with local veggies.