Best Restaurants In West Austin
Sure, downtown Austin and east Austin are probably where you’ll find the biggest clusters of award-winning Austin restaurants. But the sprawling area of west Austin (from Westlake to Lakeway to Bee Caves, and even closer to the city like Tarrytown and Rollingwood) has lots of residents. So where are all the west Austin restaurants?? Actually, there are some REALLY good places to eat in west Austin…you just have to know where to look. That’s where this guide comes in. Say hello to the best restaurants in west Austin.
Similar to our guide to the best coffee in west Austin, this roundup of great places to eat and drink will be anything on the west side of Mopac.
The Best Restaurants In West Austin
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheWacoThings.com!
1. Ling Wu Asian Restaurant
This stunning Asian restaurant on Southwest Parkway is the sister restaurant to Lin Asian Bar and Qi, which means it’s coming from a phenomenal Austin female chef who has quite the restaurant family now! Ling Wu’s sophisticated menu includes sake, craft cocktails, some of the best soup dumplings in Austin, and Chinese classics like sesame chicken, salt and pepper shrimp, and a delicious Peking Duck with foie gras past. Also not to be missed: their dim sum brunch!
WEBSITE | 7415 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, TX 78735
2. Sway Thai
Sway is a seasoned veteran in the Austin restaurant scene. From the New Waterloo restaurant group (La Condesa, Maie Day, Otoko), Sway offers modern Thai cuisine in a gorgeous West Lake Hills two-story building overlooking downtown Austin. Perfect for a romantic date night, a family meal, or a cocktail on the rooftop deck (those views!), Sway is one of the very best restaurants in west Austin.
They received Bon Appetit's 50 Best New Restaurants award when they opened back in 2013, and they've continued to pick up awards in the last decade. Try the Jungle Curry with Texas wagyu brisket, and the popular Son-In-Law, a braised pork shoulder with crispy egg and spicy nahm prik pla. Their happy hour is pretty good, too!
WEBSITE | 3437 Bee Caves Rd, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
3. Patrizi’s
Patrizi’s Italian kitchen started as a food truck in east Austin (it’s still there and thriving!) and has now expanded to this Cuernavaca location. You can enjoy all of their famous dishes like handmade pasta with their family red sauce recipe, delicious meatballs, that yummy garlic bread with big, soft hunks of garlic bulbs on top, and fresh, zingy salads. The difference here versus the east Austin food truck is that this west Austin restaurant is a brick-and-mortar with lots of indoor dining space. It also includes a breakfast menu, as well as a full bar. This is an absolutely lovely place to get a negroni or an “amaretto slammer” and enjoy a big family meal.
WEBSITE | 1705 Cuernavaca Dr N, Austin, TX 78733
4. Fresa's Chicken (360 Location)
Fresas grilled chicken now has a location on Capital of Texas Highway, and it's a stunner! There are views for days, which you can enjoy while you eat your delicious wood-grilled chicken, soft corn tortillas, caramelized sweet potatoes, and prickly pear margaritas.
WEBSITE | 3600 N Capital of, HWY Suite A-110, Austin, TX 78746
5. Jack Allen’s Kitchen (360 Location)
Jack Allen’s Kitchen is basically a family name in Austin. This farm-to-table kitchen which was started by chef Chef Gilmore serves Texas classics like chicken fried steak, gulf oysters, decadent burgers, homemade pimento cheese, and craft beer and cocktails. It’s a sophisticated take on Texas food, and the restaurant is great for everything from date night to family meals with the kids.
WEBSITE | 3600 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building D, Austin, TX 78746
6. Texas Honey Ham Co.
Texas Honey Ham will officially ruin every other breakfast taco you eat...these are the best! They also have an amazing line-up of lunch salads and sandwiches. Yes, they cater, but it's totally worth just stopping by for a solo lunch when you need something delicious and local in West Austin.
WEBSITE | 3736 Bee Caves Rd #6, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
7. Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen
Similar to Jack Allen’s, Grove Wine Bar now has multiple locations around Austin and is a favorite for delicious food and drinks and good times. The Westlake location has a beautiful indoor bar (great if you’re dining on a cold or rainy day), but the prettiest place to eat at The Grove is on the stunning outdoor deck. It’s shaded by multiple Live Oak trees that are decorated with bistro lights.
WEBSITE | 6317 Bee Caves Rd #380, Austin, TX 78746
8. Chinatown
There are a few Chinatown locations in Austin, but the restaurant in Westlake is the original. It’s a great spot for a lunch date or a takeout dinner. It’s also a fantastic spot for a dinner reservation. Their wine selection of 200+ bottles was recognized by Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, and they have a well-rounded menu with delicious Shanghai soup dumplings, sushi, Chinese classics, and Asian fusion dishes.
WEBSITE | 2712 Bee Caves Rd #124, Austin, TX 78746
9. Saffron
If you’re looking for exceptional Indian cuisine in west Austin, Saffron has two locations: Far West Blvd and Bee Cave Rd. They make all of their traditional Indian cuisines from scratch, including the naan, the sauces, and the desserts. (Their south Indian Madras Chicken is insanely delicious!) They also have an entire menu dedicated to Nepalese food. If you haven’t explored the food of Nepal, place an online order of Chilly Chicken and shrimp chow mein. {Photo: Saffron/Facebook}
WEBSITE | 3201 Bee Caves Rd #148, Austin, TX 78746
10. 5280 Burger & Taphouse
For a good, classic burger bar with fries, queso, and lots of beer, head to 5280 Burger and Taphouse. It’s a classic pub feel, with a bar area, a larger dining area in the back, and an outdoor patio. Their burger menu is the star of the show; try one of the creative burgers, like the Fat Boy, smothered in their own queso recipe, onion straws, and applewood smoked bacon. Happy Hour includes $5 queso fries and discounted drinks.
WEBSITE | 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX 78731
11. Biderman’s Deli
Biderman’s Jewish deli is so much more than a bagel store! Yes, they serve Rosen’s Bagels, and it's a great place to get a breakfast sandwich or a simple toasted everything bagel with shmear. But they also have a big menu of pastrami sandwiches, deviled eggs, soups and salads, and yummy black and white cookies. It’s a great place to grab food to go or stop in for a while and meet a friend for lunch.
WEBSITE | 3742 Far W Blvd #101, Austin, TX 78731
12. Hula Hut
Lake-front views meets Tex-Mex food at this fun, quirky restaurant at Oyster Landing. The food has some Polynesian influences and to be honest, it's all pretty "meh," but the waterfront dining, cocktails, and fun vibes make up for it. Let's face it: there aren't a lot of places to dine right next to the water in ATX!
WEBSITE | 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
13. Soup Peddler
From their cold-pressed juices and fresh smoothies to their heart soups and pressed panini sandwiches, Soup Peddler is a healthy west Austin restaurant that everyone needs to have in their food rotations. The food here just makes you feel good!
WEBSITE | 3720 Far W Blvd #105, Austin, TX 78731
14. Wholy Bagel
Wholy Bagel makes their own NY-style bagels daily. They’re famous for their selection of 14 cream cheeses (plus rotating specials), including everything from sweet chocolate chip and strawberry to savory jalapeno or garlic & herb. Of course, their meat and egg breakfast sandwiches can’t be missed, either.
WEBSITE | 3637 Far W Blvd, Austin, TX 78731
15. Interstellar BBQ
MICHELIN One-Star winner and listed near the top of Texas Monthly’s 50 Best BBQ Joints, Interstellar BBQ is a destination in northwest Austin. There might be a line when you get there, but don’t let that deter you. Just wait it out, and then dig into the melt-in-your-mouth brisket, jalapeno popper sausage, mac & smoked gouda.
WEBSITE | 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N Ste. 105, Austin, TX 78750
16. Littlefields Tacos + Coffee
This little food truck park is definitely worth a stop if you need an amazing cup of coffee and a taco (Veracruz All-Natural.) You can get your beverage and meal to-go, or enjoy it in at one of the picnic tables while the kids play in the turf-covered hill nearby.
WEBSITE | 2401 Winsted Ln, Austin, TX 78703,
17. Buenos Aires Cafe (HCG Location)
If you’re spending the day shopping at the beautiful Hill Country Galleria, be sure to take time for a leisurely lunch, dinner, or happy hour at Buenos Aires Cafe! This family-owned Argentinian restaurant serves the most amazing empanadas, incredible meat-forward Argentinian entrees, craft cocktails, and a good selection of wine.
WEBSITE | 13500 Galleria Circle U-120, Bee Cave, TX 78738
18. Schmidt Family BBQ
Also located near the Hill Country Galleria, this is a casual spot for a plate of Texas bbq with the family. Schmidt Family BBQ, from the Lockhart Shmidt Family fame, is an iconic restaurant rooted in more than a century of meat-smoking history. This newer, bigger location in Bee Cave allows folks to more easily access this award-winning Texas barbecue on a regular basis. Totally worth a stop if you’re looking for some great restaurants in west Austin. {Photo: Schmidt Family BBQ/Facebook}
WEBSITE | 12532 FM2244, Bee Cave, TX 78738
19. County Line
County Line BBQ has some pretty good smoked meats, sure, but what they're especially famous for is the incredible view of the Texas Hill Country. This is a where you need to dine in West Austin if you're looking for restaurants with amazing views.
WEBSITE | 12532 FM2244, Bee Cave, TX 78738
20. Tacodeli
Yep, there’s a Tacodeli on Bee Cave Rd! You can now get these tacos in West Austin and know that you’re getting some of the best breakfast tacos in Austin. Get your Jess Special or Otto or Chicken Fundido with aaaalll of the Doña salsa, and you can even order it ahead through their app and earn rewards, like $5 gift cards and other freebies.
WEBSITE | 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy e590, Austin, TX 78746
21. Santa Catarina
Located way out in Lakeway, Santa Catarina’s interior Mexican cuisine is just good enough to win it a place on this roundup of best west Austin restaurants. Skip the wine and beer and go straight to their top-shelf margarita, made with Don Julio Blanco, Bauchant, lime, and agave nectar. The fresh guacamole and ceviche are sure to kick off a good night, and then venture into the wide range of Mexican classics, like grilled chicken breast in mole, jumbo grilled shrimp in a chipotle cream sauce, and line-caught black drum filet. {Photo: Santa Catarina/Facebook}
WEBSITE | 1310 Ranch Rd 620 S, Lakeway, TX 78734
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