4 Best Restaurants in Greater Austin, Austin

This scenic Austin institution, perched on a 450-foot cliff above Lake Travis, is famed for its sunsets and special-occasion atmosphere, attracting tourists, birthday revelers, and anniversary lovebirds. If possible, arrive early to choose a table directly overlooking the lake, though most seats in the multitiered eatery offer panoramic views. The menu includes typical Tex-Mex fare like burgers, fajitas, and margaritas. Weekly and seasonal events, like their Sunset Music Series, create an enjoyable ambience that justifies the 30-minute drive from downtown.

The original location of this local barbecue chain is situated in a well-appointed historic speakeasy that offers sweeping, "20-mile views" of the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Sunsets are spectacular, and live music is featured on weekends, so the atmosphere can make up for an otherwise standard representation of Central Texas barbecue. You'll find classic combo and à la carte options, including huge slabs of beef ribs, and generous sides of coleslaw, potato salad, and beans.

Sandwich lovers once had to trek out to 620 and Anderson Mill Road to experience the blissful creations of chefs John Bates and Brandon Martinez. But the modest sandwich shop (formerly known as Noble Pig) recently expanded their renowned finger-lickin’ empire with a Burnet Road location that draws big crowds, especially during peak lunch hours, when the line can stretch out the door. Choose from a menu of flavor-packed sammies such as duck pastrami with Russian dressing and the Noble Pig, with ham, pulled pork, and bacon. Homemade sides, like the spicy jalapeno slaw, pack a punch. Breakfast hours have also been added, with knockouts like biscuits and gravy and a braised oxtail with potato and leek waffles.

Many local barbecue snobs turn up their noses at Rudy's because it's a chain (albeit Texas-based) with hokey interiors, but plenty of Austinites count this as their "go-to" choice for a laid-back barbecue lunch. And this location near the Domain provides an ideal pit stop for hungry travelers to refuel after a day of shopping. Three kinds of brisket—regular, extra moist, and extra lean—are cooked with dry spices over oak wood (not mesquite). Sides are uniformly good, especially the creamed corn, which has a cult following. Take-out is brisk (and popular with large groups), but many diners chow down at the vinyl-covered picnic tables.