5 Best Restaurants in Central Austin and the University of Texas, Austin

A tried-and-true destination for authentic Indian cuisine, Clay Pit has developed a devoted following in Austin since opening in 1998. Wash down some of their signature curried mussels with garlic and red wine sauce with one of their sweet lassi drinks. The historic (and haunted) Bertram Building (a favorite on downtown ghost tours) is romantic and stately and just a few blocks from the Capitol, so lunch crowds attract everyone from state and university workers to downtown tourists.

This greasy spoon burger joint on the north edge of the UT campus has been satisfying the guilty pleasures of college students (and everyone else in town) since 1926. The original dirt floors and open-flame grills no longer exist, but the burgers and sides are still classically unpretentious with plenty of flavor (and grease). Sit at the counter to watch the short-order chefs at work, flipping hundreds of burgers (including signatures like the O.T. Special), patty melts, and chicken-fried steak sandwiches every day. The outdoor patio tables fill up fast during UT home games and other major sporting events, when games are broadcast on large HD TVs and the draft beers always taste best in their gigantic icy schooners.

This fine-dining destination tucked away on the UT campus is a convenient bonus for guests staying at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center. The simple but elegant interiors are a classic backdrop for gourmet, locally sourced fare at anytime of day. Buffet and à la carte items are available for breakfast and lunch, and the three-course, prix-fixe dinner ($45) is an artfully presented, well-proportioned sampling of any starter, main entree, and dessert on the menu. Full dinner offerings fluctuate, with evergreen signatures like Rosewood Ranch steak and Niman Ranch pork shanks and seasonal standouts, like creamy carrot risotto and crispy pork belly with peach butter and fennel.

Located within the historic Hotel Ella—formerly known as the Goodall Wooten mansion—this stately restaurant is a wonderful added luxury for overnight guests and nonguests alike. The old-world charms of the bright, tastefully decorated dining room are ideal for an indulgent cocktail or special occasion meal. But reviews can be inconsistent regarding service, and many patrons desire an expansion of the limited menu. Breakfast and lunch are served on weekdays, with brunch and special high tea services available on weekends. Snag a table on the wraparound porch if the weather is nice, and valet to avoid the stress of finding parking in west campus.

This campus-adjacent hangout, walking distance from DKR Stadium, has been the preeminent destination to meet with friends and fellow sports lovers, knock back brews, and eat burgers on game days since 1971. The patio can be packed to the gills on weekends or just dotted with casual groups of friends on slow weeknights, but the kitchen is always serving its pub-grub menu of sandwiches, burgers, and wings—and the flat-screen–covered walls are always flickering.