DineSpin

Best Outdoor Dining in Austin

Find the best outdoor dining restaurants in Austin, TX. Scored on what actually matters.

By DineSpin Team·Updated February 2026·10 spots

Finding the perfect outdoor dining spot in Austin can feel overwhelming—there are hundreds of options, and not all of them deliver. We’ve done the legwork, considering everything from vibe to value.

Whether you’re a local looking for something new or visiting for the first time, these are the outdoor dining spots that consistently impress.

Recommended:

Best Outdoor Dining in Austin

1.

Perla's

92/100

Perla's is a highly-regarded seafood restaurant in Austin known for its excellent food, particularly its fresh oysters and well-prepared dishes. The restaurant boasts a charming ambiance, especially its outdoor patio, and generally provides attentive service, making it a popular choice for various occasions.

Pro tip: Amazing experience with delicious food, great service, and a lovely ambiance.

🍽️Food95

The seafood is well-regarded for its freshness and outstanding preparation, with many dishes receiving high marks. Standouts include oysters, ceviche, and various fish preparations.

Best seafood i’ve ever had

👋Service90

Service is frequently described as kind, attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, contributing positively to the overall dining experience.

Kind and attentive service

Vibe95

The restaurant offers a highly appealing ambiance, particularly the outdoor patio, which is frequently highlighted for its charm and suitability for various occasions.

Love the ambiance and the outdoor seating

💰Value75

While some diners find the prices high, the quality and portion sizes are often seen as justifying the cost.

Expensive, but value ok

📍 1400 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
4.5$$$AustinSeafood
Ideal for
Seafood enthusiastsDate nights and celebrationsOutdoor dining
2.

Yellow Jacket Social Club

88/100

Yellow Jacket Social Club is a beloved Austin dive bar known for its excellent laid-back vibe, extensive shaded outdoor seating, and surprisingly good food. While service can be inconsistent, with some patrons reporting rudeness, the overall atmosphere and quality make it a reliable local favorite.

Pro tip: The best damn bar in Austin. It’s my home. My first love.

🍽️Food85

The food is well-regarded as surprisingly good for a bar, with standout dishes like the charcuterie plate, Frito pie, pork belly, and shrimp and grits. Sandwiches, particularly the Cuban, also receive frequent positive mentions.

Food is great here

👋Service65

Service is a mixed bag, with many positive comments about friendly and stellar service, but a notable pattern of rude and condescending bartenders, particularly a specific female bartender with black hair. Some diners mention slow service or being ignored.

The female bartender with black hair was a bit rude

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently described as a quintessential Austin dive bar with a laid-back, chill, and eclectic vibe, featuring a large, shaded outdoor seating area that is a major draw.

Quintessential East ATX vibe

💰Value85

The restaurant is generally considered to offer good value, with reasonable prices for drinks and surprisingly good food quality and portion sizes for a bar setting.

Good prices and tasty food

📍 1704 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78702, United States
4.5$$AustinAmerican
Ideal for
Casual hangouts with friendsEnjoying outdoor seatingDog owners
3.

CM Smokehouse

88/100

CM Smokehouse offers excellent BBQ with a creative twist, particularly noted for its brisket crunchwrap and burgers, within a vibrant and fun atmosphere. While food quality and service are well-regarded, some diners find the pricing to be on the higher side.

Pro tip: Outstanding food and fun atmosphere, though prices are on the higher side.

🍽️Food92

The food is frequently described as first-rate, with particular recognition for the brisket crunchwrap, burgers, and ribs. Unique flavor combinations and high-quality ingredients are noted.

Top-notch

👋Service85

Service is generally fast and friendly, with many diners noting the staff's attentiveness and helpfulness, though some found it less welcoming.

Great service

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as fun, lively, and family-friendly, with ample space and activities like pickleball courts and a bar.

Fun atmosphere

💰Value65

While the food quality is well-regarded, many diners find the prices to be high, with some questioning the value proposition for certain items.

Insanely priced

📍 2027 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
4.5$$$AustinBBQ
Ideal for
Casual dining with friends and familyThose seeking creative BBQ optionsDiners who enjoy lively outdoor environments
4.

The Long Goodbye

88/100

The Long Goodbye is a popular Austin neighborhood bar known for its excellent craft cocktails and inviting atmosphere, particularly its outdoor seating. While many patrons celebrate the friendly and attentive staff, a recurring concern is inconsistent and sometimes rude service from a subset of employees.

Pro tip: Great vibe, yummy cocktails, intimate vibe, and solid customer service.

🍽️Food85

Cocktails are well-regarded for their quality, taste, and presentation, with specific mentions of frozen margaritas and mezcal margaritas.

Great Cocktails friendly service

👋Service70

Service is a mixed bag, with many patrons highlighting outstanding and friendly bartenders, while a notable number report rude or unwelcoming experiences.

Rude attitude at your neighborhood spot

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently described as a positive attribute, with patrons enjoying the cozy, relaxed, and upscale indoor bar and outdoor seating areas.

The atmosphere is superb

💰Value75

While many find the happy hour deals and cocktails to be good value, some note that drink prices can be high, especially for non-happy hour offerings.

$15 each. They opened recently

📍 2808 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722, United States
4.5$$AustinCocktail Bar
Ideal for
Cocktail enthusiasts seeking well-crafted drinksGroups looking for a relaxed atmosphere with outdoor spaceHosting private events and parties
5.

Mi Ranchito Restaurant

88/100

Mi Ranchito is a popular Austin restaurant celebrated for its authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine, particularly its tamales and aguas frescas, set within a charming and inviting atmosphere. While many celebrate the food and ambiance, concerns arise regarding pricing, portion sizes, and inconsistent service experiences.

Pro tip: Authentic and delicious Mexican food with a beautiful atmosphere, though some find it overpriced.

🍽️Food90

The food is frequently described as authentic, fresh, and flavorful, with many dishes, particularly tamales and aguas frescas, receiving high celebrate. Some diners found certain dishes to be average or lacking in flavor.

Super fresh, and full of flavor

👋Service75

Service is a mixed bag, with many celebrating the staff as friendly and helpful, while others report rude encounters and a general lack of attentiveness, particularly due to the counter-service model.

Amazing service and ambience!

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as beautiful, charming, cozy, and well-decorated, with ample and inviting outdoor seating.

The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and very charming.

💰Value65

While many find the food to be worth the price, a notable number of signs suggest that the restaurant is overpriced, with small portions and high costs for certain items.

This place is a such a rip off.

📍 817 Farm to Market 1626, Austin, TX 78748, United States
4.5$$AustinMexican
Ideal for
Casual dining with friendsEnjoying authentic Mexican flavorsOutdoor dining experiences
6.

Vinaigrette

88/100

Vinaigrette is a highly-regarded Austin restaurant celebrated for its fresh, creative, and flavorful salads and healthy options, set in a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere, particularly its outdoor patio. While food quality and ambiance are well-regarded, some diners find the pricing high for the portion sizes, and service can occasionally be slow or inconsistent.

Pro tip: Fresh, delicious, and creative meals with a gorgeous patio under a splendid old tree.

🍽️Food90

The food is well-regarded for its freshness, creativity, and delicious flavors, with many diners highlighting unique salad combinations and well-prepared proteins. The quality of ingredients is a recurring theme.

Fresh, delicious, and creative meals

👋Service75

Service is generally described as friendly and attentive, with specific recognition for certain staff members. However, a few instances of slow, cold, or unwelcoming service have been noted.

Wonderful service …

Vibe95

The atmosphere is overwhelmingly celebrated, particularly the beautiful outdoor patio shaded by a large oak tree, creating a relaxing and inviting ambiance.

Gorgeous patio under a splendid old tree

💰Value65

Diners frequently find the salads to be on the pricier side, with some feeling that the portion sizes do not always justify the cost, especially when adding proteins. The inclusion of various fees and automatic gratuities also impacts perceived value for some.

A bit overpriced for what it is.

📍 2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704, United States
4.5$$$AustinAmerican
Ideal for
Healthy eaters seeking creative saladsDiners looking for a beautiful outdoor dining experienceCasual lunches and relaxed dinners
7.

Llama Queen

88/100

Llama Queen is a highly-regarded Peruvian restaurant in Austin known for its vibrant atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious, authentic cuisine. While generally known for quality, some diners find it to be on the pricier side with occasional inconsistencies in flavor or portion size.

Pro tip: Amazing food, great service, and a beautiful atmosphere with live music.

🍽️Food85

The food is generally known for its authentic Peruvian flavors, fresh ingredients, and delicious execution, with many dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and yucca fries receiving specific commendation. However, a few diners found certain dishes lacking in flavor or overcooked.

Amazing food and super tasty

👋Service90

Service is consistently highlighted as friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, with staff often going above and beyond to enhance the dining experience. Specific servers are frequently mentioned for their outstanding recommendations and warmth.

Staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and spot-on

Vibe95

The atmosphere is a major draw, frequently described as beautiful, lively, and comfortable, with a well-appointed patio, live music, and a festive ambiance that enhances the dining experience.

The vibes are immaculate here

💰Value65

While many find the food and experience worth the price, a notable number of signs suggest that the restaurant is on the pricier side, with some feeling portions are small for the cost.

Overpriced food

📍 4620 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702, United States
4.5$$$AustinPeruvian
Ideal for
Date nights — romantic patio and live musicGroups celebrating special occasions — festive atmosphereDiners seeking authentic Peruvian flavors — well-executed dishes
8.

San Ginés Austin

78/100

San Ginés Austin is a popular spot known for its authentic Spanish churros and vibrant atmosphere, often compared to its Madrid namesake. While the ambiance and churros are well-regarded, diners often encounter issues with service, wait times, and value for money.

Pro tip: Churros are the best, but service and wait times can be disappointing.

🍽️Food80

Churros are well-regarded as authentic and delicious, often compared favorably to the original Madrid location. Other Spanish-inspired dishes like croquetas and patatas bravas also receive positive mentions, though some tapas and sandwiches have been described as bland or lacking flavor.

The churros are the best

👋Service65

Service is a mixed bag, with many positive comments about friendly and attentive staff, but also recurring complaints about disorganization, long waits for drinks, and incorrect orders.

Service really bad

Vibe95

The atmosphere, decor, and outdoor patio consistently receive high celebrate, described as beautiful, classy, casual, and transporting diners to Europe.

Beautiful outdoor space

💰Value60

While the quality of churros is well-regarded, several signs suggest that prices are high, especially for churros and the accompanying chocolate, leading to concerns about value for money.

Kinda pricey for churros

📍 2072 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
4.1$$AustinSpanish
Ideal for
Dessert lovers seeking authentic churrosDiners looking for a lively, European-inspired ambianceCasual meetups on the patio
9.

Double Trouble

78/100

Double Trouble is a popular Austin spot known for its excellent atmosphere, creative food, and diverse drink menu, particularly its vegan options. While many celebrate its vibrant patio and friendly vibe, some diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality, service, and value.

Pro tip: The atmosphere is outstanding, the food is delicious, and the drinks are great.

🍽️Food75

The food receives frequent recognition for its flavor and creativity, particularly the vegan options and tacos. However, some diners note inconsistency and a decline in quality or portion size compared to previous offerings.

Vegan chilaquiles is outstanding

👋Service65

Service is generally described as friendly and efficient, with specific staff members receiving commendations. However, there are recurring complaints about rudeness from certain staff members and occasional issues with order accuracy.

Waitstaff was friendly

Vibe95

The restaurant is well-regarded for its first-rate atmosphere, described as a unique, cozy, and lively spot with a great patio, making it a popular choice for various occasions.

Top-notch to boot

💰Value60

While many find the food and drinks to be reasonably priced, some diners feel the portions have decreased while prices have increased, leading to a perception of declining value.

On the expensive side

📍 103 N Loop Blvd E, Austin, TX 78751, United States
4.4$$AustinAmerican
Ideal for
Casual hangouts with friendsWorking remotelyEnjoying outdoor seating
10.

Tamale House East

78/100

Tamale House East is celebrated for its vibrant "old Austin" atmosphere and beautiful decor, offering a delightful dining experience. While the tamales and other Tex-Mex dishes are well-regarded, some diners find the portions small for the price and the service inconsistent, particularly with the QR code ordering system.

Pro tip: Gorgeous outdoor and indoor seating, amazing tamales, and a vibe that feels like old Austin.

🍽️Food80

The food is generally well-regarded, with many celebrating the tamales, migas, and mole. Some find the masa-heavy tamales disappointing, and a few diners mention dryness or a lack of filling.

The Al pastor tacos were amazing

👋Service65

Service is a mixed bag, with some diners experiencing attentive and friendly staff, while others report feeling neglected, especially with the QR code ordering system. Water and utensil refills are sometimes self-service.

We were barely tended to

Vibe95

The atmosphere is well-regarded as a major highlight, with a beautiful, lush, and eclectic decor, often described as a "favorite" or "old Austin" experience.

Gorgeous outdoor and indoor seating

💰Value60

While many find the prices reasonable, a notable number of signs suggest that portions can be small for the cost, and some items like chips and salsa are considered overpriced.

Very small for the price

📍 1707 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States
4.3$$AustinMexican
Ideal for
Diners seeking a unique Austin atmosphereCasual meals and drinksGroups looking for a vibrant patio

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