Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?
Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these Austin patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.
Coffee shops
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
| 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. | Partially shaded
This expansive patio overlooking Lake Austin is one of the most popular outdoor coffee stops in Austin and frequently hosts live music.
Once Over Coffee Bar
| 2009 S. 1st St. | Partially shaded
Step out back to sip your coffee on a secluded patio — which backs up to East Bouldin Creek — shaded by large live oaks.
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden
| 121 Pickle Rd. | Mostly sunny
Try some delicious food — including LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Tommy Want Wingy, and Pueblo Viejo — at this environmentally friendly
South Austin coffee shop.
Epoch Coffee
| 221 W. N. Loop Blvd. | Fully covered
The North Loop location of this trendy local coffee chain shares a shopping center with Blue Velvet vintage clothing, Flourish Shop plant nursery, and Breakaway Records.
Irie Bean Coffee Bar
| 2310 S. Lamar Blvd. | Partially shaded
The coffee shop may be small, but you can often find live music outside on the patio it shares with East Side King
.
Radio Coffee + Beer
| 4204 Menchaca Rd. | Partially shaded
The coffee shop and bar’s ample outdoor space is often used for live music, and hosts Dee Dee, Briscuits, Shortwave Diner and Veracruz All Natural food trucks.
Cenote
| 1010 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Partially shaded
Get yourself a coffee — and maybe a bite to eat — at this shop inside a historic, 1880s-era home.
Ani’s Day & Night
| 7107 E. Riverside Dr. | Full sun
Take it from day to night at this coffee + cocktails spot residing inside a renovated 1930s-era Victorian home.
Restaurants
Loro
| 2115 S. Lamar Blvd. | Partially shaded
This Asian smokehouse comes from two members of Austin food royalty: Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi. In addition to a killer fusion menu, this space offers plenty of outdoor seating in a natural, laid-back setting.
Sour Duck Market
| 1814 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Partially shaded
This dog-friendly space known for its baked goods also serves up bites and sandwiches, coffee, and craft cocktails.
El Alma
| 1025 Barton Springs Rd. | Mostly shaded
Take in the sun and some skyline views at this Austin favorite, which offers multiple levels of rooftop dining.
Hold Out Brewing
and Better Half Coffee and Cocktails
| 406 Walsh St. | Partially shaded
It’s the best of both worlds at this outdoor patio, which is shared by both Hold Out and Better Half. Order a beer, cocktail, or coffee and take your pick from the two menus — you can’t go wrong with either.
Nixta Taqueria
| 2512 E. 12th St. | Fully covered
Be prepared to stand in line at this East Austin spot, as its lauded food — curated by James Beard Award-winning
chef Edgar Rico — draws lines every day of the week. We promise it’s worth the wait.
Aba
| 1011 S. Congress Ave. | Partially shaded
You may feel like you’re in a jungle dining on this lush, plant-laden patio at the popular Mediterranean food spot.
Güero’s Taco Bar
| 1412 S. Congress Ave. | Mostly shaded
If you’re lucky, you just might catch some live music on the patio at this lively South Congress spot.
The VORTEX
| 2307 Manor Rd. | Partially shaded
Whether you catch a live play, trivia night, or concert at this East Austin outdoor space, don’t miss out on a bite to eat from Patrizi’s
or a beverage from the Butterfly Bar
.
Vinaigrette
| 2201 College Ave. | Partially shaded
Munch on fresh food under a truly enormous live oak tree at this healthy salad spot, which also serves soups, sandwiches, and cocktails.
Food truck parks
The Buzz Mill
| 1505 Town Creek Dr. | Partially shaded
Complement your coffee with a bite from Bully Bagel Co
., Mr. Pimento
, or Bat City Pies
.
The Picnic
| 1720 Barton Springs Rd. | Mostly shaded
This food truck park hosts Yapa
, Cannone Gelato Italiano
, and Habibi ATX
, and is a go-to pit stop for people visiting Zilker Park and Barton Springs.
Thicket Food Park
| 7800 S. 1st St. | Mostly shaded
This circle of food trucks includes Artipasta
, Revolution Vegan Kitchen, and Song La
, and surrounds a live music stage and kids’ play area.
Arbor Food Park
| 1108 E. 12th St. | Partially shaded
Some of Austin’s best food trucks — including Cuantos Tacos
, Sammataro
, and Cachitos 512
— can be found at this East Austin park.
The Doughminican
| 2505 Webberville Rd. | Mostly sunny
Chow down on Veracruz All Natural
, Amy’s Pretzels, Desnudo Coffee
, and Kerlaches
at this East Austin food truck park.
Bars and breweries
The Pitch
| 13000 Harris Ridge Blvd. | Mostly sunny
Austin FC fans will feel right at home at this verde and black space built right next to the stadium’s training facility. Pro tip: this spot is a go-to for pre-games and watch parties.
Meanwhile Brewing
| 3901 Promontory Point Dr. | Partially shaded
ATXtoday readers voted Meanwhile as their favorite brewery
in Austin, and we can see why. This contains a massive outdoor space complete with a kids’ playground, stage for concerts
, and food trucks including Distant Relatives
, Side Eye Pie
, and Bésame
.
Whisler’s
| 1816 E. 6th St. | Mostly sunny
Don’t miss the secret mezcal bar upstairs at this East Austin gem inside a historic building.
The Little Darlin’
| 6507 Circle S. Rd. | Partially shaded
Bring your pup to this casual South Austin watering hole.
Central Machine Works
| 4824 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Mostly sunny
This local favorite is known for hosting unique events
like movie screenings, markets, and the occasional wrestling match
.
Domo Alley-Gato Tatsu-Ya
| 1600 E. 6th St. | Partially shaded
This Japanese-inspired bar attached to Ramen Tatsu-Ya contains a small, secluded rooftop.
Opa
| 2050 S. Lamar Blvd. | Partially shaded
Sample Greek favorites like spanakopita and dolmas in a quaint, tree-laden patio.