Neighborhood Guide: Downtown

by Joshua Hinsdale - Citysearch Contributor - 289 Reviews - 77 Lists

Updated: December 16, 2008

Downtown office workers all have their contested favorites, but our downtown restaurant list includes tasty options for a casual lunch or romantic dinner spot all within walking distance of the Capitol.

On this page:Lunching Locales, Date Spots.

Lunching Locales

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Driskill 1886 Cafe & Bakery
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    604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    A classic hotel's restaurant offers a fresh take on classic cafe fare, while world-class desserts complete the experience.

  2. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cantina Laredo
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    201 W Third St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Authentic Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere.

  3. 3 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended The Old Pecan Street Cafe
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    310 East Sixth Street , Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Despite its location on Austin's bustling Sixth Street, an Old World feeling prevails at the Old Pecan Street Cafe.

  4. 4 3.5 Star Rating: Average Thai Passion
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    620 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Delicate stir-fries and bold curry dishes are gracefully presented in this downtown restaurant filled with art and sunlight.

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Gumbo's
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    710 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Serving rich, classic gumbos, seafood and steaks in the swanky, historic Brown Building.

  6. 6 3.5 Star Rating: Average Thistle Cafe on 6th
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    300 W Sixth St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    It's very sleek, very elegant, very '60s, yet very cutting edge.

  7. 7 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average El Chilito
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    918 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Downtown location of the popular low-key taco shack that's big on breakfast tacos and to-go orders.

  8. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Hickory Street Bar & Grill
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    800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Expansive, efficient downtown buffet brings in office workers for fast-paced lunches.

  9. 9 3 Star Rating: Average 15th Street Cafe
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    303 W 15th St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Housed in one of Austin's best business hotels, visitors and natives alike enjoy the hearty American fare.

  10. 10 3.5 Star Rating: Average Texas Chili Parlor
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    1409 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    A temple to one of Texas' sacred dishes, served in its unadorned glory.

  11. 11 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Mike's Pub
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    108 E Seventh St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Good, greasy burgers cooked in a parking garage.

  12. 12 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Scholz Garten
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    1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Historic German pub that withstood prohibition and many rowdy college students.

Date Spots

  1. 13 4 Star Rating: Recommended Ruth's Chris Steak House - Austin
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    107 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Sophisticated American chain serves up corn-fed USDA prime cuts and New Orleans-style appetizers and sides.

  2. 14 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Chez Nous
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    510 Neches Street, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Intimate, indulgent Paris bistro serving top-notch traditional French dishes.

  3. 15 4 Star Rating: Recommended McCormick & Schmick's Seafood - Austin
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    401 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Clubby corporate restaurant draws seafood lovers with fresh daily catches and posh atmosphere.

  4. 16 3.5 Star Rating: Average Magala Tapas & Bar
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    440 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Wine and tapas are the stars at this understated and upscale Second Street District eatery.

  5. 17 4 Star Rating: Recommended Restaurant Jezebel
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    914 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Modern American cuisine--game, seafood, other prime grade meats and salads--is prepared with panache in this intimate downtown restaurant.

  6. 18 3.5 Star Rating: Average Louie's
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    106 E Sixth St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    This downtown hot spot boasts a marriage of Mediterranean casual and continental refinement.

  7. 19 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Finn & Porter
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    500 E Fourth St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Hotel restaurant's creative, consistent seafood and steak dishes stand out among neighborhood competitors.

  8. 20 4 Star Rating: Recommended Roaring Fork Austin Llc
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    701 Congress Ave (InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel), Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Arizona import serves American classics with a western flair in the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel.

  9. 21 4 Star Rating: Recommended Starlite
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    407 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    A cool, sassy favorite in Austin's warehouse district.

  10. 22 3.5 Star Rating: Average Lambert's Downtown Barbeque
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    401 W Second St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Lou Lambert's continual gifts to the Austin food scene includes homegrown fancy barbecue in the bustling Second Street District. Live music on the weekends.

  11. 23 4 Star Rating: Recommended Eddie V's Edgewater Grille
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    301 E Fifth St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Beguiling seafood dishes in an upscale, clubby setting.

  12. 24 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Saba Blue Water Cafe
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    208D W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Warehouse happy hour favorite is decidedly urban with Pacific Rim, Caribbean and Mexican coastal cuisine.

  13. 25 4 Star Rating: Recommended Driskill 1886 Cafe & Bakery
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    604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Creative New American fine-dining in a hotel that's a bastion of Old Texas.

  14. 26 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Truluck's Seafood Steak and Crabhouse
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    400 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701 (map)

    Seafood and steak dominate this swanky Warehouse District eatery.

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