Better Half Bar Is Still The Best Lunch In Downtown Austin
It’s not new, and it’s not a trendy, but Better Half Bar in downtown Austin is still the best place to get lunch in downtown Austin.
Better Half Bar is an all-day coffee shop, restaurant, and bar. They have a robust coffee program that opens early in the morning, an all-day menu featuring breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner options, and a cocktail bar in the evening.
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!
Better Half opened in 2018 and immediately won Eater’s Restaurant Of The Year award. And then in 2020, in the height of the Pandemic, Better Half opened an adjacent brewery called Hold Out Brewing, which shares a patio and a parking lot with Better Half but has its own menu. Hold Out Brewing instantly won awards, like Austin Chronicle’s Best New Brewery and several gold medals at the Texas Craft Brewers Cup.
But more than any accolades or made-up awards from media companies, the proof is in the absolute insane deliciousness of the food they serve + the constant crowds who show up for weekday coffee, afternoon lunch, or post-work cocktails.
And no, it’s not a new or trendy restaurant. It’s just one of the best.
Here’s Why I’m Obsessed With Better Half’s Lunch Menu
Lunch is the forgotten meal, because it’s the most boring. Brunch is boozy and fun, dinner is sexy, but lunch is meh. But Hold Out somehow makes lunch very, very exciting.
They walk the line between healthy-feel-good-food and I’m-in-Austin-and-I-want-something-delicious. They have hearty salads packed with protein and delicious dressings, but they also have a kickass burger.
And here’s the kicker: Better Half makes their own pastries and bread. While that might not seem very significant, once you taste the Beans & Greens (braised kale & Rancho Gordo giant corona beans, parmesan broth, spicy Italian sausage, smoky tomato butter, toasted sourdough, fried egg, lemon) and you’re like, “why is this toasted sourdough SO inane?” You’ll understand. It’s because they made it in-house.
The Better Half Chicken Burger is another example where an amazing bakery program makes all the difference. The buns on these burgers are so good.
Better Half Is The Perfect Work-Through Lunch Spot
As a busy entrepreneur and parent, my working hours are severely limited. So I often utilize lunch hour for some extra work, and Better Half is one of my highest recommendations for best places to work while you eat.
They have lots of indoor seating. Note that laptops aren’t allowed at the tables, but you can have a laptop at the bar or the hightops. But even better than the indoor seating is the amazing outdoor patio. I’m obsessed! It has free wifi, lots of tables, and the most gorgeous Live Oak tree canopies.
Better Half Bar
WEBSITE | 406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
Need other great lunch places in Austin? Check out this guide to downtown Austin lunch spots, or visit this epic post with 50 great lunch restaurants all over Austin.
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