Best Restaurants with Bar Seating in Downtown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

Austin

Neighborhoods

ArboretumBouldin CreekCentral AustinDowntownEast AustinNorth Central

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

13 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

The default order for search results reflects a number of factors, including table availability, restaurant location, search criteria, and restaurant reviews and ratings. In addition, payment made by a restaurant to OpenTable is also a factor for the relative ordering of restaurants.

A photo of Taverna - Downtown Austin restaurant

1. Taverna - Downtown Austin

4.5

Awesome(1221)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 67 times today

Taverna is a restaurant utilizing authentic Italian flavors to create memorable dishes. This restaurant is designed from the ground up to be a neighborhood bistro. Taverna is meant to be the kind of restaurant that guests can bring their family for either a casual meal or to celebrate special occasions. While the inside of the restaurant is cozy, the best place to enjoy the great food is out on the wraparound patio.Taverna is open for lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on the weekends. During lunch and dinner service, guests will find a large variety of menu items available. Pasta, soups, salads and pizza are all popular choices. Taverna is also known for their risotto, as an entire section of the menu is devoted to the "risotteria". The signature risotto topped with a simple blend of parmesan cheese and black truffle cream sauce.

A photo of Sushi Roku - Austin restaurant

2. Sushi Roku - Austin

4.6

Exceptional(88)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Downtown

Booked 24 times today

A Japanese sushi concept new to Austin, Texas, unites the elements of inventive fusion dishes, hip ambiance and trendy cocktails while offering unparalleled hospitality. Making it a favorite for Los Angeles, Orange County and Las Vegas tastemakers as well as guests from around the world.

3. Paperboy

4.9

Exceptional(294)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Breakfast • East Austin

Booked 50 times today

Paperboy is a breakfast and lunch spot, known for its thoughtfully curated menu and comfortable atmosphere. We use simple, quality ingredients in our dishes, with bread, juices, sauces and preserves made in-house. Whether you grab a pastry and coffee to go or sit and enjoy a meal with your friends, we put just as much thought and care into the Paperboy experience as the food itself.

4. Nido

4.7

Exceptional(1279)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Bouldin Creek

Booked 88 times today

Luxury takes root in the heart of Austin at Nido, bringing the charm of the area together with the culinary techniques of coastal Europe, all perched above Lady Bird Lake and the energetic cityscape. Nido is located on the rooftop of The Loren at Lady Bird Lake - recently named by Conde Nast Traveller and Travel & Leisure Magazine as "one of the hottest hotel openings in the world." Nido nods to the surrounding and native Hill Country, giving diners a one-of-a-kind respite to experience worldly-travel through food. Nido’s selection of carefully crafted, seasonal menus are internationally-inspired with a focus on classical technique.Reservations are available for inside the dining room and the dining tables in the bar. Lounge seating is available on a walk in basis in the bar and on the terrace for drinks and snacks.For more information, please visit https://www.thelorenhotels.com/cuisine/restaurant and follow @Nidoatx on Instagram.

5. Prélude

4.9

Exceptional(166)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Downtown

Booked 25 times today

Chef Mathew Peters, the first American to win the prestigious Bocuse d'Or in 2017, is bringing his culinary expertise to the heart of Austin with the opening of Prelude, an elevated cocktail bar and canapé lounge set in a historic home in West Austin. The space has a beautiful back lawn lounge with views of downtown Austin and private rooms throughout the house that can accommodate groups of 6-18 with private events options of groups up to 120 guests.Prelude will offer a unique Austin experience, combining innovative cocktail creations with elevated small bites. The menu will feature a curated selection of small plates, designed to complement the bar programs signature cocktails and highlight Chef Peters' culinary artistry. Please note that our kitchen closes each evening at 10 pm. Join Prélude during Happy Hour Tuesday-Thursday from 4-6 pm for $2 oysters and drink specials.

6. Uchiba Austin

4.8

Exceptional(190)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • Downtown

Booked 44 times today

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE :: Uchibā, loosely "Uchi Bar" in Japanese, is Uchi's izakaya‑inspired cocktail bar and restaurant delivering a vast selection of Japanese whiskies, unique cocktails, yakitori grill items and Uchi classics. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

7. Este

4.8

Exceptional(201)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • East Austin

Booked 101 times today

Nestled between East Austin neighborhoods, Este celebrates fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking. From the team behind the East 6th favorite, Suerte, Chef Fermin and restaurateur Sam Hellman-Mass are taking their love for masa coastal. In a location with a rich history, Este’s bright dining spaces, artisan decor and spacious outdoor deck bring the energy of seaside towns to East Austin. An extensive wine list and vibrant coastal-inspired cocktails are the perfect pairing for aguachiles, ceviches, oysters y otros mariscos!

8. L'Oca d'Oro

4.7

Exceptional(1579)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • North Central

Booked 24 times today

The dining room is open Tuesday - Saturday starting at 5:30PM. Join us for Sunday Supper Club Sundays at 5:30PM! Join friends, family and strangers to enjoy a communal meal straight from Chef Fiore's childhood!The bar and patio are open starting at 4PM. Happy Hour in the bar and patio is from 4-6PM.All of our dishes are prepared with locally grown produce & meats—a reflection of a farm-to-table philosophy that extends to our handmade pastas, cheeses, salumi, breads, vinegars & liqueurs.L'Oca d'Oro believes in ONE FAIR WAGE in the belief that lovingly prepared food & thoughtful service are best nurtured by ensuring that we meet the basic needs of our staff. We apply a a 20% service charge as well as a credit card surcharge of 2.85% on all credit card transactions.

9. Uchiko Austin

4.8

Exceptional(6075)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Sushi • Central Austin

Booked 36 times today

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE :: Uchiko is the sister restaurant to Tyson Cole’s original Uchi. It matches that restaurant’s dedication to food, wine, and service, but it has a Japanese farmhouse aesthetic with crafted materials and warm finishes to round out a completely updated setting. The chef team at Uchiko has created a brand new selection of composed dishes and sushi, taken from ideas and plates created at Uchi. Uchiko is Uchi redefined. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

A photo of CARVE American Grille - Barton Creek restaurant

10. CARVE American Grille - Barton Creek

4.7

Exceptional(3604)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • South Austin

Booked 78 times today

Our butcher is carving the freshest cuts. Our gardener tends our Farmshelf full of herbs. Our chefs prove how wood, live-fire, and smoke—with hand-craftmanship—can harmoniously meld every ingredient into an unforgettable creation. Our mixologists stand ready to serve innovation in a glass from classic to inspired. Our bartender pours wine from tap or bottle. And our pastry specialist smokes your sweet ending. Your daily celebration is here—at CARVE® American Grille. Whether it’s a date night dinner, a casual Friday lunch, or weekend family brunch, CARVE® up some time in this amazingly modern-rustic dining room complete with a vibrant bar and patio with hill country views. Everything about CARVE® is inspired by fresh and eclectic ingredients, with every dish reinventing the American grille experience. Come share in our heritage of flavor – your experience awaits!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Camille
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Our waiter, Trent, was amazing! We had a wonderful time and meal celebrating the bride-to-be!
More info
NidoPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Bouldin Creek
•
4.7
T
Tim
San Antonio •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Taverna never disappoints. Pumpkin Risoto and Lasagna were our choices. Outstanding service, great vibes, food was outstanding!
More info
Taverna - Downtown AustinPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.5
D
DawnVIP
Austin •12 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food and service was excellent. Very nice servers.
More info
PaperboyPrice: Expensive• Breakfast• East Austin
•
4.9
E
Emily
Toronto / Ontario •1 review
5.0
Dined on Mar 20, 2025
Nice relaxing backyard area for some casual jazz and great cocktails. Our server was amazing - attentive yet relaxed, great for a place to wind down after work and catch up with a friend.
More info
PréludePrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Downtown
•
4.9
R
Raphael
West Palm Beach •4 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 19, 2025
Very good sushi for a reasonable price. Excellent service
More info
Sushi Roku - AustinPrice: Expensive• Sushi• Downtown
•
4.6

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