Group Dining In Austin
Dining in Austin with large groups can be tricky. We’ve compiled our favorites by part of town and type of meal that we find are best for larger groups.
Other Resources: Happy Hour Guide, Large Party Restaurants for 30+ people, and our list of Favorite Restaurants When Visiting
Dinner
Downtown
Ranch 616 – This is South Texas-style Ice House that we love! Texana oddities adorn this buzzy hangout serving Southwestern eats and featuring occasional live music. The large outdoor patio is complete with sarapes and fire pits for warmth and the sounds of vibrant West 6th just a block away.
ATX Cocina – Modern Mexican fare, including seafood and mezcal and tequila cocktails anchor this upscale eatery. A large outdoor patio and spacious interior make this a perfect spot for larger groups.
Geraldines – Offering a bat’s-eye-view of Lady Bird Lake and the downtown skyline, Geraldine’s is named after the famed guinea fowl that once roamed Rainey Street. Respect for Austin’s history and culture seeps into every part of the restaurant, from the local ingredients featured in the chef’s contemporary menu to the nightly concert lineup—because there is no Austin without live music. Take shelter from the Texas sun at the adjacent rooftop lounge, complete with private cabanas and outdoor seating.
Arlo Grey – This is the debut lakeside restaurant by Top Chef 10 winner Kristen Kish. Kish’s culinary style melds precise training and technique rooted in French and Italian traditions with nostalgia for dishes from her Midwestern upbringing, her world travels, and her exploration of the bountiful ingredients of Central Texas. Arlo Grey serves breakfast, weekend brunch, dinner, and cocktails with epic views of the lake.
Peacock – The Peacock Mediterranean Grill is Austin Proper’s ground floor restaurant and lobby bar, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as in-room dining. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine with food that is colorful, loosely plated, healthy and wholesome, and geared toward sharing. The sprawling bar provides a full dining experience and offers a condensed food menu throughout the lobby and outdoor lounge. Overlooking views of Shoal Creek can be taken in from the Peacock’s patio space and the private dining room balcony.
East Side
Kemuri Tatsu-ya – This is an izakaya in East Austin, from the team behind Ramen Tatsu-
Justine’s – Steaks and snails plus wine and cocktails in a little bungalow with a light-strung patio—what more could you want in life? Call ahead early and snag the large outdoor dining table under a gondola.
Old Thousand – This neighborhood Chinese restaurant offers an eclectic and inventive mix of flavors, ingredients, and styles with modern interpretations of classic American-Chinese recipes. It’s another family style spot perfect for sharing with friends.
Contigo – The restaurant modeled after the family’s Texas ranch has a newly enclosed patio where you can get all the perks of the beer garden, no matter the temperature.
The ’04 (South Austin):
Sway – This award-winning modern Thai restaurant serves brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Named one of Bon Appetit’s “50 best new restaurants in America” in 2013, Sway was also most recently voted the “2019 best brunch in Austin” and “best happy hour in Austin” by readers of Austin Monthly as well as “2019 best Thai food” by the Austin American-Statesman. This spot has 9-person square tables that are ideal for a larger group wanting to share family style dishes.
Brunch
Downtown
Irene’s – This place is awesome for bachelorette parties and they have a specific package that includes an exclusive table reservation during their weekend brunch, a Jell-O shot tower upon arrival, mini Irene’s whoopie pies for dessert, free popcorn all day, and a group photo in front of the infamous Irene’s sign. Typically, they do not take brunch reservations, they only do this for Bachelorette parties, so it is definitely something to take advantage of.
Banger’s – With more than 200 beers on tap, over 20 homemade sausages, an off-leash dog park, and a live music stage in the heart of Downtown Austin, this is the place you want to be. Their Sunday Brunch features Manmosas in a large glass boots complete with one FULL bottle of champagne and live New Orleans-style jazz.
Wu Chow – Wu Chow brings authentic, farm-fresh, modern Chinese food to the heart of Downtown Austin, offering dishes representative of all eight styles of Chinese cuisine, as well as dim sum service on Sundays which is great for sharing.
The 04′ (South Austin):
Mattie’s – Enjoy brunch and special-occasion dining in a 19th-century home with antique-chic lounge, bar, patio areas, and gorgeous sprawling property that offers a has a few gorgeous peacock friends who walk around and make for fabulous photos.
Eberly – This spot has contemporary American cuisine, a relaxing study, a rooftop patio, and the legendary Cedar Tavern bar. Forged from an old print shop on South Lamar, Eberly is a thoughtful collection of dining, drinking, and thinking spaces.
Perla’s – Located on South Congress, Perla’s offers fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts paired with coastal cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Lunch
Downtown
La Condesa – The menu reflects influences of Mexico City and Austin, two cities deeply rooted in their history while also experiencing rapid growth and evolution. Enjoy contemporary Mexican dishes, a vast tequila selection, and happy-hour deals in a sophisticated setting.
East Side
Hillside Farmacy – This antique-chic eatery in a historic building has thoughtfully sourced eclectic fare, plus groceries. The Hillside Farmacy building in 1950s housed The Hillside Drugstore beautifully restored using original pharmacy cabinetry, it’s now an eatery and sidewalk cafe.
The ’04 (South Austin):
ABGB – This warehouse-like beer garden has microbrews with pub bites like pizza and sandwiches. The food menu, just like the beer menu, focuses on craft and quality. Over half the menu is constantly changing based on what’s fresh, what’s in season, and what the chef Tim Stevens, AKA Jesus, wants to do. And if you’re a fan of deviled eggs, make sure you try his version—it’s his Mawmaw’s recipe.
Cafe No Se – This is a very bright spot in the South Congress Hotel for seasonal menus in a chic, rustic-modern space. Café No Sé is available for large parties, partial and full restaurant buyouts, and also features a sunny, dog-friendly patio along South Congress Avenue. Be sure to save room for dessert from executive pastry chef, Lindsay Flagg.
Fresas South 1st – Wood-grilled Mexican fare, cocktails, and more await you in a colorful space with a patio and takeaway window. The large shaded patio filled with hundred year old oak trees, and the fact that is backs up to quaint Bouldin Creek, make it the perfect spot for a large group.
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