Restaurants in Austin.

This spacious Italian favorite has several dining rooms and a menu that includes pesto pasta, lobster tail and scallops, osso buco, and more. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

The Belgian Restaurant
3520 Bee Cave Rd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/328-0580
$30 to $40
Austin
Belgian

Executive chef Christian Echterbille presides over Austin's only outpost of Belgian cuisine, which adapts quite well to the local culinary landscape. Lightly fried gulf oysters are served with a balanced combination of tangy, ripe tomatoes and rich hollandaise. In addition to the standard veal, seafood, and poultry entrées, the menu is likely to include an inventive wild game option such as venison served with mushroom cream. The ambience is a combination of old-world rustic and traditional romantic, with low lights and well-choreographed service contributing to the intimate effect. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch Sat.

Ben's Longbranch Barbecue
900 E. 11th St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/477-2516
Under $30
Austin
Barbecue

Just east of Downtown on 11th Street is a monument to African-American cowboy culture and the seductive power of smoke. Ben's single dining room, decorated with cowboy murals, operates cafeteria-style, with all meats cut to order by the pound, sandwich, or plate. Popular dishes include brisket, tangy chopped beef, and spicy hot links, but their smoked pork roast is a real standout - flavorful, moist, and spoon-cutting tender. It's near the Capitol complex, so the weekday lunch crowd consists of beeper-toting legislators and other government types. Eat lunch a little late and you'll have a lot more elbow room. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Mon.

Bitter End
311 Colorado St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/478-2337
$20 to $30
Austin
Italian

This upscale bistro-cum-brewpub has architectural flourishes and a semi-exposed kitchen - and a well-stocked bar for more spirited drinkers. The menu complements brewmaster Tim Schwartz's range of excellent house beers, including Austin Pale Ale and Scottish "Wee Heavy" Ale. The kitchen's wood-fired ovens turn out exceptional roasted dishes and pizzas - especially the pie topped with Gorgonzola, caramelized onion, and bacon. The adjacent taproom, The B Side, only serves drinks and has a moodier, darker, multi-level lounge atmosphere. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Café at the Four Seasons
98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/478-4500
Over $30
Austin
Continental

One of Austin's most sophisticated hotels houses one of the city's most elegant restaurants. Chef Elmar Prambs takes great care in both preparation and presentation of dishes like alder-smoked venison loin with sage sauce on cilantro polenta. You'll also find a number of well-considered vegetarian entrées, such as spinach lasagna with flourishes of lobster mushrooms and shallot cream sauce. The muted terra-cotta hues of the lobby extend to the airy ground-level dining area, which features a villa-style terrace with a commanding view of Town Lake, making this the best downtown spot for a peaceful late-morning brunch. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Casino El Camino
517 E. 6th St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/469-9330
Under $20
Austin
Fast Food

The bright kitchen window at the rear of the barroom dispenses not only the best burgers in town - each one a huge, juicy monster garnished with all manner of fresh toppings - but also great hot dogs, big baskets of hand-cut fries, and sandwiches. Such attention to detail and value is a rarity on generally overpriced 6th Street, so expect about a 20-minute wait once you order. But the end product is worth every second, especially when you can pass the time nursing a drink and enjoying closed-captioned Hong Kong action flicks on the bar's twin TV screens. It's open until 1:30 nightly. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, MC, V. No lunch.

Castle Hill Café
1101 W. 5th St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/476-0728
$30 to $40
Austin
Eclectic

This wildly successful restaurant gets consistently high marks as the epitome of Austin dining, which is to say informal and wildly eclectic. Chef David Dailey's ever-changing menu combines culinary styles with abandon, and despite the ambition of dishes like beef tenderloin in Madeira-mushroom sauce with Gorgonzola-potato pancake and green apple chutney, missteps are rare. The well-tended wine list (backed by a knowledgeable wait staff) is also affordable. It's a great spot for extended weekday lunches - be sure to allow ample time for lingering over coffee and indulgent desserts. The atmosphere is relaxed, despite the high ambient noise level common on busy weekend nights. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

Chez Nous
510 Neches St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/473-2413
$20 to $30
Austin
French

Austin's first French bistro manages to maintain its quiet and cozy atmosphere despite its location mere feet from raucous 6th Street. All the simple dishes from the French songbook make appearances on the reasonably priced menu, and the fixed-price option is a bargain. Start with the house-made pâté du jour or escargot, then treat yourself to carefully prepared duck. The casual bistro atmosphere encourages long meals and romantic glances, so pace yourself accordingly. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch weekends.

County Line on the Hill
6500 W. Bee Cave Rd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/327-1742
Under $20
Austin
Barbecue

There are a few too many amenities here to qualify it as a classic Central Texas barbecue joint. Chairs instead of bargain-basement picnic setups, little loaves of multigrained bread on the tables, and functional air-conditioning make things downright civilized. This chain serves slow-smoked regional specialties - ribs (huge beef and tender pork) are the specialty here - to west-siders looking for a sit-down experience. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Driskill Grill & Bar
604 Brazos St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/391-7162
$20 to $40
Austin
Eclectic

Dominated by shiny, dark paneling and etched glass, this could-be cattle baron's club inside the Driskill Hotel recalls the palatial restaurants of the 19th century - until you look at the menu. David Bull, alumnus of Dallas' Mansion on Turtle Creek, takes tasteful liberties with the meat-and-potatoes format by integrating world cuisine influences into a consistently inventive American menu. Rib-eye steak and char-grilled rack of lamb sit beside a soy-glazed salmon with shrimp mousse, tempura broccoli, and colorfully assertive carrot-wasabi emulsion. In true capitalist style, all steaks can be accompanied by lobster Thermidor on request. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Fonda San Miguel
2330 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/459-4121
$20 to $40
Austin
Mexican

This villa-style North Loop spot combines sophisticated ambience with a seasonal menu of Mexican classics. Start with quesadillas layered with chile poblano or cuitlacoche (earthy corn fungus), or go light with ceviche Veracruz. Continue with a multi-layered dish like the ancho relleno San Miguel, a roasted pepper stuffed with chicken, capers, raisins, and olives, then topped with cilantro cream. The pollo en molé con moras tops a grilled chicken breast with a berry-enhanced chile, chocolate, and nut sauce. Sunday brunch defines the upscale Austin weekend breakfast. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Green Pastures
811 W. Live Oak St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/444-4747
$30 to $40
Austin
Continental

Continental cuisine with Southern flavoring is served in this restaruant set in a late 1800s mansion. Try the Duck Texana, a stuffed duck breast wrapped in bacon then grilled. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Güero's
1412 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/447-7688
Under $20
Austin
Tex-Mex

Serving up reliable Tex-Mex dishes to locals and visiting celebrities alike, this former feed store is perennially packed inside and out. Expect a significant wait on weekends, during South by Southwest in March, and when conventions sweep through town. Tin-topped Carta Blanca tables and peeling walls make for a laid-back, ramshackle atmosphere. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Gumbo's
710 Colorado St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/480-8053
Over $20
Austin
Cajun/Creole

Billing itself as a Louisiana-style café, Gumbo's occupies a spiffy split-level space in the Art Deco Brown Building. The busy kitchen, which opens to the main dining area, prepares everything from fried seafood po' boys to more complex contemporary Cajun and Creole entrées. Try the catfish yoli (blackened fillets topped with crawfish tails in a tarragon cream sauce) or beef tenderloin with crabmeat and béarnaise sauce. The comfortable room balances a high-ceiling main floor with more intimate nooks and booths. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Hudson's on the Bend
3509 Ranch Rd. (Hwy. 620 N), Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/266-1369
Over $40
Austin
Contemporary

In the Hill Country about 20 minutes west of Austin proper, Hudson's has garnered a formidable reputation with an inventive menu of wild game specialties. In addition to high-quality meats everyone knows and loves, the menu lists water buffalo enchiladas, smoked alligator ribs, and tenderloin of wild boar. An exceptional wine list matches the extensive range of the kitchen. The unassuming stone building opens up to a large patio, which is a popular dining spot during the more temperate months. Despite their decidedly upscale fare, Hudson's attracts its share of dressed-down Lake Travis regulars. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Hyde Park Bar and Grill
4206 Duval St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/458-3168
Under $30
Austin
American/Casual

With its simple, eclectic menu and sizeable portions, it's no wonder that this spot has a line out the door most days. The renovated house maintains a comfortable atmosphere for both the shorts-and-T shirt crowd and the buttoned-down business lunchers. The menu offers variations on simple fare, running from generous salads and sandwiches to steaks and grilled seafood. The platter-sized chicken fried steak and battered fries are house favorites. Weekend brunch is busiest - look for the hungry crowd milling around the towering "fork in the road" sculpture outside. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Iron Works Barbecue
100 Red River St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/478-4855
Under $30
Austin
Barbecue

From its creekside perch beside the Austin Convention Center, this spot caters to a varied clientele of name-tagged conference attendees, construction workers, and thoroughly starched office workers. Dependable house specialties include tender, pepper-crusted smoked pork loin and Flintstones-size beef ribs. Though the converted sheet metal building isn't air-conditioned, the dining areas (open-air rooms and porches lined with picnic tables) enjoy the highest ceiling fan-to-table ratio in the state. It's a great place to escape for Texas barbecue - by the plate or by the pound - without ever leaving Downtown. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Jean Luc's French Bistro
705 Colorado St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/494-0033
$20 to $40
Austin
Continental

A perfect balance between simple and sophisticated, the French country staples served here are prepared using fresh local ingredients and a little dash of Texas. Case in point: diver scallops with crawfish and mousseline sauce in a delicate puff pastry shell. More rustic preparations, including roast chicken with caramelized pan juices, appear on the reasonably priced lunch buffet. Afternoon or evening, you can choose from a fine selection of lesser-known French wines. The crème brûlée, silky smooth and fragrant with vanilla, is a strong contender for the best classic dessert in town. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch weekends.

Jeffrey's
1204 W. Lynn St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/477-5584
Over $40
Austin
Continental

Executive chef David Garrido holds court at this Clarksville fine-dining institution, where the "new Texan" menu changes daily. Expect complex dishes that combine Latin and Southwestern flavors - light chilis, cilantro, corn, and yucca root - with standbys from more Continental traditions. Start with crostini topped with slices of foie gras, mango, white beans, and 100-year-old balsamic vinegar, and move on to a main dish of venison with black truffle cream and fiddlehead ferns. Cozy alcoves, a romantic atmopshere, and consistently attentive service make this an atypically refined experience in traditionally informal Austin. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Las Manitas Avenue Café
211 Congress St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/472-9357
Under $20
Austin
Tex-Mex

From the outside, you could mistake this for a 1930s-style lunch counter throwback - and a crowded one at that, thanks to its up-to-date Mexican menu. Business types enjoy lunch specials, such as heavenly ancho- and mushroom-stuffed chile relleno or heady molé enchiladas. Weekend mornings bring out a distinctly less organized crowd of weary musicians and club hoppers looking for late-morning migas (eggs scrambled with crisp tortilla chips and fresh salsa) or huevos con (vegetarian) chorizo. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No dinner.

Louie's 106
106 E. 6th St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/476-1997
$20 to $30
Austin
Mediterranean

Crisp white tablecloths and polished surroundings make the dressy best of this split-level spot. The Mediterranean-influenced menu features traditional Spanish tapas such as prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe chunks, grilled sardines on bruschetta, and gazpacho Andaluz topped with lumps of rich crabmeat. The entrée list shows a wider cultural influence, in dishes like seafood risotto and char-grilled jumbo shrimp in a crisp cocoon of pancetta. The stylish bar is an attractive place to indulge in the Iberian tradition of the late afternoon tapas break. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Magnolia Cafe
2304 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/478-8645
Under $30
Austin
American/Casual

This restaurant serves a full complement of the simple foods that locals tend to crave at all hours. The typical selection of sandwiches, omelets, salads, and desserts is supplemented by seven enchilada options and hearty hash-brown dishes enhanced with cheese, bacon, and other ingredients. Migas (eggs scrambled with crisp tortilla chips and fresh salsa) can be spiked with the house garlic butter for a savory treat. Located in south Austin, Magnolia has utilitarian outdoor seating for patio-dining diehards. Reservations not accepted. AE, DC, MC, V.

Mama Mia's
8015 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/451-0177
Under $20
Austin
Italian

This restaurant offers casual dining movie nights, romantic candlelight meals with live piano music, and a cigar room. The fresh seafood, veal, chicken, steak, and gourmet pizza are standbys, but the calorie-conscious will appreciate the "lean and light" menu selections. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Matt's Famous El Rancho
2613 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/462-9333
Under $20
Austin
Tex-Mex

Opened by owner Matt Martinez in 1952, this south Austin landmark claimed to serve "the best Mexican food in the world" at a time when Tex-Mex was Austin's only south-of-the-border dining option. Combination dinners are many and varied, featuring all the usual standbys: enchiladas, tamales, crispy tacos, and more. Diehards swear by the chile relleno and old-fashioned tacos, quintessential Tex-Mex classics. The expansive dining room can get noisy at peak hours. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Tues.

Oasis-Lake Travis
6550 Comanche Tr., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/266-2442
Under $20
Austin
Tex-Mex

Scenic views make this place especially popular for sunset dinners. Request a table that overlooks Lake Travis (there's an enormous, partially covered patio) and enjoy shrimp, fajitas, and margaritas. AE, D, MC, V.

Old San Francisco Steak House
8709 I-35 N, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/835-9200
$20 to $40
Austin
Steak

Red velvet accents, an 1890s-costumed waitstaff, and an antique bar lend an old-fashioned feel to this restaurant known for prime rib and lobster. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Pappadeaux
6319 I-35N, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/452-9363
$30 to $40
Austin
Cajun/Creole

The local outpost of this Houston-based chain does a steady trade in high-dollar versions of Cajun classics. The menu leans heavily toward the fried end of the seafood spectrum, and adds a selection of grilled dishes - including chicken and steak - and a few étouffée and Creole dishes. A huge central dining room is a cross between faux-weathered bayou fishing camp and New Orleans neighborhood lunch joint. AE, MC, V.

Quality Seafood
5621 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/454-5827
Under $20
Austin
Seafood

From its huge butterfly shrimp to its inventive soup specials, this place scores with a straightforward menu of fresh-off-the-boat fare. Though the presentation runs more toward oilcloth and Styrofoam than linen and china (it's strictly BYOB), the prices are refreshingly low. Fresh fish is prepared in the simple ways that fit the venue - fried, grilled, and blackened. Crispy hushpuppies complement the perfectly fried catfish, served in po'boy or plate form, and blackboard special soups, especially the sherry-enhanced turtle soup, rate a special trip. MC, V. Closed Sun.

Ruby's BBQ
512 W. 29th St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/477-1651
Under $30
Austin
Barbecue

Behind a faded Dr Pepper sign that boldly misreads "Fajita Flats," this nuevo 'cue joint has a deep list of menu options not found at old-school pits. The beef is trumpeted as all natural and hormone-free, which isn't nearly as important as the fact that it's tender, tasty, and perfectly juicy. The list of side dishes will please customers of the vegetarian persuasion, too. There are two kinds of beans (black and BBQ), a couple of slaw options, potato salad, home fries, collard greens, and (heaven help us all) garden salads on the menu, not to mention chalkboard specials and a few Cajun dishes. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards.

Ruta Maya Coffeehouse
218 W. Fourth St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/472-9638
Under $20
Austin
American/Casual

True to its Warehouse District location, this open-air shop produces roasted coffees for local restaurants, homegrown grocery stores, and on-site customers. The workaday bean roaster sits in one corner of the expansive room, with weathered tables and an elevated stage occupying the rest. On any given night, the concrete loading dock and handful of sidewalk tables overflow with crowds of musicians, writers, and too-young-for-the-bar-scene hangers-on. Simple pastries and a good selection of bottled beers fill out the menu. D, DC, MC, V.

Ruth's Chris Steak House
107 W. 6th St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/477-7884
Over $40
Austin
Steak

The local branch of the New Orleans-based chain dishes up Ruth's classic treatment of the American steak, grilled to order and served in a puddle of sizzling butter. You'll be served rare USDA Prime cuts of filet mignon, porterhouse, and T-bone, with chicken and lobster items for the non-hoofer. Side orders - garlic-mashed potatoes, broccoli au gratin, creamed spinach - are served á la carte. The Art Deco Scarbrough Building lends a credible retro feel to the clubby aesthetic of the room, which fills with Downtown types most nights. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/474-1958
Under $20
Austin
Eclectic

Established in 1866, this beer garden and dining room is a local favorite. In addition to standard American fare, the menu includes Tex-Mex barbecue and some German dishes like bratwurst. Sides include German potato salad, red cabbage sauerkraut, creamed corn, and green beans. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/474-9991
Under $30
Austin
American/Casual

On any clear Austin day, expect the stone patio here to be packed with folks fighting the heat with schooner-sized frozen margaritas. Visitors to Barton Springs pool frequent this state park-theme establishment for its funky aesthetic, high profile music events, and huge servings of simple fare. Burgers and hot dogs are big movers here, as are the vegetarian-friendly "hippie sandwiches" (roasted eggplant and grilled vegetables) and impossibly large salads. On summer evenings, the patio becomes an ersatz drive-in showing vintage movies on an outdoor theater screen. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Shoreline Grill
98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/477-3300
$30 to $40
Austin
Seafood

Just steps from the Four Seasons hotel, this restaurant takes full advantage of its lakeside location with one of Austin's most sought-after and intimate terraces. Chef Dan Haverty presents nightly seafood variations that may include grilled tuna with corn noodles and cranberry serrano sauce or salmon glazed with cinnamon and served over red chile polenta. Even if you're seated inside, floor-to-ceiling windows give the dining rooms an airy feel and a commanding view of Town Lake. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Southside Market
1212 U.S. 290E, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/285-3407
Under $20
Austin
Barbecue

This former butcher shop serves traditional barbecue fare like brisket, pork or mutton ribs, steaks, and whole chickens, but the house special is hot sausage. Service is cafeteria style. Reservations not accepted. D, MC, V.

Sullivan's Steakhouse
300 Colorado St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/495-6504
Over $30
Austin
Steak

Dark paneling and a clubhouse atmosphere dominate this perpetually packed Warehouse District chop shop. Running in the 12-24-ounce range, the substantial cuts of Angus beef have prices to match, and sides are served (and charged) separately. The crowd leans toward expense-account types who consider it the perfect place for client dinners and deal closers. The busy neighborhood makes the valet parking a near necessity on high-traffic weeknights. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch. Closed Sun.

Threadgill's
6416 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/451-5440
Under $20
Austin
American, Southern

Originally a gas station and then a beer joint, this local institution played host to a young Janis Joplin and other musical luminaries. It's filled with memorabilia from its glory days and serves up a wide-ranging menu of solid home-style favorites, including more than 20 vegetable side dishes (with free second helpings). The meat-heavy entrée list includes grilled, fried, and long-roasted selections, including thick chicken fried pork chops, charbroiled chicken breast, or your choice of steaks. Check the chalkboard for daily specials. Live music reigns every Wednesday during "Sittin', Singin', and Supper" sessions. ; MC, V.

Trattoria Grande
9721 Arboretum Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/343-2626
$20 to $30
Austin
Italian

Northern Italian specialties - namely fish preparations and pasta - are served in a small candlelit dining area with pretty views of the verdant Texas hill country. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

U.R. Cooks
9012 Research Blvd., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/453-8350
$20 to $30
Austin
Steak

You can grill steaks and seafood at this cook-your-own meal restaurant. There's a salad bar with side dishes and a kids' menu, too. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekdays.

West Lynn Cafe
1110 W. Lynn St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/482-0950
Under $30
Austin
Vegetarian

Vegetarian cuisine goes upscale in this Clarksville eatery, where the inventive kitchen draws on international influences. The meat-free menu tempts with dishes that range from a hearty vegetable lasagna - rich with earthy crimini mushrooms and crunchy roasted pecans - to tender Greek spinach salads. A great wine list with reasonable prices adds to the upscale mood. Any health benefits derived from your organic feast can be blissfully erased by a sizeable hunk of the Italian cream cake with velvety cream cheese frosting. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Z'Tejas Grill
1110 W. Sixth St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/478-5355
$20 to $30
Austin
Southwestern

Mixing cuisines in casual fusion style, this spot places the emphasis on Southwestern and Cajun-esque flavors. Try the porcupine shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and covered in tortilla strips, or the smoked chicken salad with black beans and goat cheese. The restuarant's open atmosphere makes it feel like you are dining in a tree-house with a full bar and kitchen. Happy hours get busy, so arrive early to beat the rush. A newer Z'Tejas Grill (9400 Arboretum Blvd., PHONE: 512/342-1614) in the Arboretum area is just as pleasant, with a somewhat more upscale atmosphere. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Zoot
509 Hearn St., Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512/477-6535
Over $40
Austin
Eclectic

One of Central Austin's house-to-restaurant conversions, Zoot bills itself as an upscale "American bistro" and delivers with subdued but consistent style. Chef Martin Frannea freely mixes Asian influences with native Texas ingredients in dishes like duck leg confit on cold buckwheat noodle salad and roasted quail served with a savory rosemary bread pudding. Understated decor, impeccable service, and one of Austin's best-stocked wine cellars contribute to Zoot's stellar reputation. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.