2 Best Restaurants in West Austin and Zilker Park, Austin

The chichi vibe of this legendary Clarksville steak house starts curbside with pink seersucker-clad valets, and extends to the lavish interiors and menu, with decadent accoutrements like martini carts and Ossetra caviar service whirring around the dining room. Find a seat at the bar during happy hour (all night Monday), when bar food is discounted. The crispy fried Gulf oysters are still a hot ticket—and a mainstay of Jeffrey’s past—and the truffled deviled eggs are divine. Expertly prepared steaks and racks are the main specialty here though, paired with an elaborate cocktail and wine program that all contribute to this elite dining experience.

Sammie's specializes in classic Italian cuisine in a lively setting once home to the historic Hut's Hamburgers that shuttered in 2019. The cozy digs (restored to preserve the original art deco design) get loud during peak hours, but this homage to the great "red sauce institutions" of New York City is still a wonderful option for a modernized "Taste of Old Italy" date night. Lunch service is only offered on Fridays.