Best & Cool Bars in Lake Austin

"Designed to feel more like a Hill Country ranch than a restaurant, Contigo is just north of much of Austin's action, drawing families on the weekends with kids who love to run around its outdoor space. The steaks and burgers are well worth going out of your way for, as are the cocktails, which are mostly seasonal. You'll feel like a real Austinite here, surrounded by locals from the neighborhood at one of the family-style tables and chatting up the staff that seems to know every anecdote about what's served here and where it comes from."

"Contigo is a choice location just outside of downtown for amazing, well, everything. The completely outdoor rustic eating area is true to Texas and very rancho-chic. The food offerings are farm to table and as such, vary often based on ingredient availability."

"Situated on Anchor Lane just by the Southwest Greenway, the first thing diners notice about Contigo is the fantastic open front and huge outdoor dining area. This is because the ow..."

"You can sit outside in Austin almost any month of the year - with a short break in the summer for 110 degree days and that one week in January when it drops below 40. So it makes sense that there’s no shortage of great patios, but there are few better spots to eat and drink outside than Perla’s. You’ll sit under a large tree while servers bring you oysters and make you feel like you’re vacationing in a small beach town - despite being able to hear the traffic of South Congress and see a guy testing out his “Cowboy Mime” act for tips."

"Congress, 512/291-7300www.perlasaustin.comHours: Brunch Sat.-Sun., 10:30am-3pm; lunch Mon.-Fri., 11am-3pm; snacks & raw bar daily, 3-5:30pm; dinner daily, 5:30pm-close. Happy hour weekdays, 3-6pm. To say that McGuire Moorman Hospitality group has the Midas touch would be an understatement."

"Austin might be miles from the beach, but you would never know it while eating at Perla’s. The seafood is fresh, the nautical interior is fun and food is consistently top-notch."

"4710 E 5th St, Austin | Ask nearly anyone that’s been living in Austin longer than 5 years and they most likely have at least one story that involves a fun night of mischief at Justine’s. The patio and interior proudly boast its old-world French-inspired bungalow, meshed with the liveliness of New Orleans bar to set the mood for a fun night. The incredibly playful service team, coupled with a delicious menu of French snacks and creative cocktails will keep you and your friends coming back for the party."

"Location & ParkingSouth Austin (off Congress) // Parking lot available but limited spots. DetailsI used to head over here ALL THE TIME for happy hour, but unfortunately they recently changed the happy hour prices so I can’t consider this a go-to anymore. However, it is still stunning and features beautiful gardens and fire pits."

"Lenoir is the refined madame to Justine’s sultry mademoiselle. With the beautiful, romantic decor and cozy dining room, Lenoir is an impressive first date venue. Opt for the four-course tasting menu, which makes ordering a breeze, freeing up the rest of your time to chat away."

"With a history of trying to support farmers and ranchers in the Austin region, Barley Swine is the best restaurant for couples in Austin who also consider themselves foodies. Here, you’ll enjoy a dining experience with courses inspired by the fresh food and produce available from local areas during the season you’re eating in, so no frozen dishes here!. Creative dishes like shitake dumplings and rice pudding with hibiscus make sure that you’re always trying a combination of flavors that you haven’t considered before, and the cocktails and drinks use ingredients from the restaurant’s garden."

"If you want to be surprised, put your trust in the tasting menu, best for adventurous groups. But if you're going a la carte you can expect things like cured antelope, beef fat toast and aged Akaushi ribeye. If you're not sure where to start, Barley Swine's servers are disciples of Chef Bryce Gilmore's local food movement."

"Often lauded and rustically chic, Barley Swine makes for a superb milestone celebration destination. Order the tasting menu and let the chefs guide you and your date through unusual but delicious offerings."

"Back in the day, the location where cafe and bar Kinda Tropical, stands was once a gas station—and, although you may not be able to get a lotto ticket and a packet of Slim Jims from there now, it continues to fuel the Austin population in other ways. Not just with their tasty food and bountiful drinks, but with the friendly and relaxing vibes to be found on their back patio. It is a place where you can as easily meet up with friends as you can go and hang out by yourself with a good book."

"Cannone is located on Barton Springs Rd, right near Zilker, making it the perfect spot for a post-park cool down. The owner started off with a gelato shop in Monaco before opening up this small, mobile gelato shop in Austin a few years ago. All of the gelato is made daily, and many with imported ingredients like Italian pistachios or hazelnut paste."

"Cannone makes gelato fresh every day without the use of any preservatives. Their all-natural ingredients are blended to make unique treats like the pineapple jalapeno sorbet and ricotta and pears ice cream.Their vegan options even include an avocado gelato that is not to be missed."

"Cannone Gelato Italian set up shop on Barton Springs, serving up classic gelatos and sorbets (stracciatella, ricotta/figs, mango, etc.). To-go orders can be placed in person. The patio has reopened for dine-in service."

"Among the earliest gelato shops to open in town, Tèo has been sweetening Austin with its Italian scoops since 2003. Owner Matthew Lee has won accolades locally and abroad for his gelato, including a top ranking as foreign-born gelato maestro at the Gelato World Finals. Try a scoop of the shop’s signature flavor, simply called nuts, which is a mixture of peanut butter and hazelnut."

"Tèo founder Matthew Lee wowed the Austin crowd and the entire world and placed in the top three flavors in the North American competition in the spring of 2014 at the Gelato World Tour. For eleven years, award-winning Tèo has been located in the 26 Doors Shopping Center at 1206 W."

"Teo is the perfect gelato shop to visit, especially if you are looking to sit down and study while enjoying your treat. All of the gelato is handmade and was rated among the top 5 in the world!. Feel free to mix and match different flavors, so that you can find your favorite."

"Vegan Indian food is sneakily a great way to eat healthily without loading up on soy fillers. Located in a strip shopping center out in the burbs, this little spot offers authentic Northern and Southern Indian food at cheap prices."

"Serving American-style meals, casual and modern Caroline is located on 7th Street near Austin’s walkable downtown. Caroline has two outdoor dining spaces to choose from depending on the vibe you are seeking for that meal. The upstairs patio (which they call “Upstairs at Caroline”) is an urban playground for those 21 and up."

"Located in Downtown Austin, Caroline offers something for everyone. It's a coffeehouse, restaurant and bar all wrapped up in one popular location. While not strictly a vegetarian r..."

"Caroline is a hot meeting spot in downtown Austin and a favorite place to take a date. As well as people-watching and intimate dinners, Caroline opens for coffee, juice, and breakf..."

"Have dinner and drinks on Rainey Street, a charming block of residential bungalows transformed into trendy eateries and bars. Sample the small plates at the award-winning Emmer & Rye, and stop in for an expertly made martini at Clive Bar. Be sure to check out Anthem, which bills itself as a Tex-Asian pub (with tiki drinks!). And see the newly expanded Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, which added a three-story annex featuring a huge outdoor tap wall, 5,000 square feet of outdoor porches and a smokehouse equipped for whole hog barbecues."

"Rainey Street is a neighborhood of day-drinking and brunch, a trailer park of food trucks, and on Sunday’s a live cover band at Icenhauers. Rock Rose is a street of hookah bars, clubs, and restaurants in the middle of an outdoor shopping mall where people go to party away from the 6th street crowd."

"Rainey Street is a unique collection of houses turned bars. It’s great place to hang out, especially during the day time, and specifically on a Sunday. It’s filled with awesome spots, like Clive Bar (cocktails), Craft Pride (craft beer), Bangers (sausage and beer), and Bungalow (just a cool bar)."