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Visitors often think they will only find a plethora of Tex-Mex and barbecue restaurants in Austin. While these abound, you will also find a good selection of Japanese, Middle Eastern, Thai, Italian and vegetarian restaurants. Of course, this is only a sample of the diversity of food this town has to offer.
Austinites love to be comfortable and breathe fresh air; only some of the finer dining establishments enforce a dress code. This is a clean-air city, so most restaurants are completely smoke-free; if there happens to be a smoking section, it is usually outside. When inside the city limits, you will not be asked “smoking or non-smoking?” but if you venture to the outskirts of town, most restaurants do have designated smoking sections.
Clarksville
Not too far from downtown is the Clarksville District, filled with upscale restaurants, vegetarian establishments, bistros, bakeries and more. Castle Hill Café offers a rotating menu of worldly gourmet dishes. Jeffrey's is popular among the upscale dinning crowd for its culinary panache. Visit Sweetish Hill Bakery for a variety of sandwiches, homemade soups, salads and pastries. Or, for an old-fashioned drugstore experience, stop by Nau's Enfield Drug for a hamburger and a malt shake. With a booming take-out business, Pok-e-Jo's Smokehouse serves mesquite-smoked and barbecued meats, including pork, beef, sausage, pork loin, ribs, chicken and turkey.
Congress Avenue
South Austin is home to Barton Springs Road, which houses a row of restaurants spanning several blocks. Romeo's offers Italian cuisine in a casual romantic setting. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at Shady Grove, serving hamburgers, Frito Pie, chili and Hippie Sandwiches for vegetarians. Chuy's has become somewhat of an Austin institution when it comes to Tex-Mex food. The colorful atmosphere offers an entertaining option for families or out of town guests. On South Congress, Guero's Taco Bar offers a Tex-Mex/Mexican dining experience and an occasional celebrity spotting. Threadgill's offers diner-style entrée options such as chicken-fried steak and meatloaf. Jovita's, located on South First Street, has played host to country music's Don Walser and offers tasty Tex-Mex food.
The Warehouse District offers several upscale options, as well as casual, laid-back eateries. Malaga's Wine and Tapas Bar showcases an extensive wine menu and serves tapas with a Spanish flair. Sullivan's serves Hollywood stars and politicos top-quality steak with an air of confidence. If you're looking for a more casual dinning spot, try Spaghetti Warehouse, offering steaks and pasta dishes. If you're looking for an Irish pub, look no further than Fado. You'll often find Gaelic football on the television and a menu filled with Irish-inspired appetizers. For a mellow pub experience, stop by Ginger Man, where you can sip on a beer in the couch-filled bar area. Need a cup of coffee? Head to Ruta Maya Coffee House, Austin's original coffeehouse, brewing coffee produced in Latin America and offering poetry readings and occasional live music. Oilcan Harry's is a large bar and dance floor playing host to Austin's diverse gay community, although the straight set can also often be found dancing the night away.
Hyde Park
Not too far from the downtown area lies the neighborhood of Hyde Park, boasting a small cluster of wonderful places to dine, drink and grab your morning cup of coffee. Quack's 43rd Street Bakery offers a good selection of baked goods and a welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy your cup of tea or coffee. For an exquisite dessert and liquor date indulge in Dolce Vita Gelato and Espresso Bar. Mother's Cafe and Garden offers vegetarian, lowfat and vegan menu items in a casual environment. Sit inside and enjoy the music, or head out to the peaceful patio, with its small fishpond and lush greenery. Hyde Park Bar & Grill is a bit more upscale in décor, but is famous for its Texas take on battered fries served the European way. ASTI Trattoria, with its modern design, is the newest addition to this area of Hyde Park. Specializing in dishes from Northern Italy, it offers delicious and creative desserts and upscale service.
Downtown
If you are downtown, try Manuel's for fine Mexican food or Clay Pit for a contemporary Indian dining experience. If sushi is what you're craving, you will find Kyoto, not far from the Capitol on Congress Avenue, offering Japanese food and a variety of sushi options. Hickory Street Bar and Grill is a popular downtown destination for its outdoor patio dining, extensive salad selection and weekend brunches. Stop by the Elephant Room for drinks and a variety of live jazz music, located below Kyoto in a smoky basement. For a more upscale drinking atmosphere try Speakeasy, offering swing dance lessons and musical standards from the 30s and 40s, along with original live music. Visitors and locals alike seem to enjoy the view of downtown from the rooftop deck.
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