5 Best Restaurants in West Austin and Zilker Park, Austin

Local critics consistently rank this West Sixth Street hot spot as one of the area's best restaurants, and the sprawling patio is almost always packed. It's a lovely downtown-adjacent atmosphere to enjoy upscale, indulgent takes on juicy burgers and pastrami (as a sandwich or a queso topping), and with great coffee and cocktails served all day to boot. There are even more burgers at the Quonset hut next door, where Hold Out Brewing slings food and beer all day. Both eateries have a hot weekend brunch ticket and host live music, outdoor vintage markets, and other special events periodically.

The upscale breakfast fare and comfort food eatery might carry an unconventional price tag for a diner, but the quality of dishes (from Belgian waffles to meatloaf sandwiches) has earned a loyal fan base. The always bustling interior is a welcoming mix of mid-century retro and contemporary efficiency, with booths and barstool seating at high tables. The menu rotates with the seasons, but staples include chicken and waffles, three types of breakfast hash, and a weekly chicken and dumpling special. There’s an expected list of coffee drinks, plus a full bar and specialty milkshakes, from chocolate cherry to coconut cream, to satisfy any craving.

The adorable little sister of Jeffrey’s, located just across the street in a beautifully restored navy bungalow, offers a slightly more approachable, but still very sophisticated, daytime option for modern American cuisine and cocktail service. Locals love to sit at the patio or front-lawn tables, and reservations are recommended for the popular Monday Steak Frites Night, when a three-course meal (featuring a choice of steak, from rib eye to tartare) costs around $50. There's no lunch, but brunch is served daily (9 am to 3 pm), and an afternoon snacks menu pairs perfectly with the daily happy hour menu.

This local institution serves a full complement of the simple breakfast/brunch foods that Austinites tend to crave at all hours. The typical selection of sandwiches, omelets, salads, and desserts is supplemented by seven enchilada options and signatures like the Love Migas (eggs scrambled with crisp tortilla chips and fresh salsa, spiked with garlic-serrano butter and served with black beans). Breakfast, including stellar Frisbee-sized pancakes—buttermilk, whole wheat, cornmeal, or luscious gingerbread—is available 24/7. Service is always friendly and the worn booths and tables host a diverse gamut of loyal patrons, from hungover UT students to old-Austin early birds.

Tucked in a small strip mall off Lamar Boulevard, this sleek, petite restaurant is as dedicated to excellence in service and artful dishes as it is to fresh, quality ingredients from local purveyors. Put your trust in the classical trained chefs' five- and seven-course tasting menus (vegetarian options available), which change daily. Each course brings a surprising mix of flavors, from grilled antelope with sweet potatoes to seared dayboat scallops in a lemongrass-red-curry broth. The adjacent wine bar is a more casual way to experience the full menu or just small bites from the bar menu with selections from the formidable wine list.