Best Restaurants, Must Try Places 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..."

"1501 S 1st St. | Elizabeth Street Cafe is what one might consider an elevated “Austin-y” experience when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine offerings. The price point is a bit high, but the jovial atmosphere and their creative menu will make you a repeat customer, especially if you enjoy patio dining, inventive craft cocktails, and beautiful dishes that will make an excellent addition to your social media feed. Photo Credit – Elizabeth Street Cafe Facebook"

"While, yes, Vietnamese dishes dominate the menu at this south Austin favorite, breakfast is all about French fare. People can choose from an array of croissants, stuffed French crêpes, beignets and jam, and the house-baked brioche French toast. The restaurant also features daily French macarons available all day long."

"This charming South Austin spot offers French pastries for the morning commute and Vietnamese classics (like noodles and bánh mì) for lunch and dinner. Try the popular bánh cuôn."

"Slices are the easiest and cheapest way to try the New York-style pizza. Bypass the wait for the restaurant and head to the next-door takeout spot that also happens to feature some way-casual dine-in seating."

"At Home Slice, you can get large slices of piping hot New York-style pizza for $4 or less. If you don’t want to wait for a table, grab a to-go slice at More Home Slice and eat it on the curb."

"Get outside, responsibly, and don't forget to get your fill of fresh air. If you've got pizza on the mind, we're open from 11 a.m."

"George Dreyfus and Dominique Dreyfus-Leon, a brother and sister team and French natives, love crepes and love crepes created lovingly in the French tradition. Their cafe, Le Cafe Crepe, serves a variety of crepes. You'll find traditional breakfast crepes filled with eggs, ham, and spinach."

"This food truck will satisfy all your sweet or savory cravings in the form of a delicious crepe. Book them for an event or find them on the streets. With sparkling lights surrounding the truck, this one will be hard to miss and definitely worth the visit."

"Fresa’s South First is a favorite for its shady, spacious patio, sneaky margaritas and modern take on wood-grilled Mexican food. Grab a table under the towering oaks with Fresa’s loaded queso and signature wood-grilled chicken, served family-style with all the fixings.Available for dine-in, reservations and takeout: toasttab.com/fresassouthfirst/v3. Courtesy of Olive & June."

"The park is a long, narrow 76-acre greenbelt along both sides of Shoal Creek. The leash-free area is located in the Pease Park portion of the greenbelt, between 24th and 29th Street. Parts of the trail are made up of large, rough-hewn boulders that can be hazardous to dog paws and human ankles, but most of the trail is simply hard-packed dirt."

"This park located in the heart of Austin offers picturesque views of both the city and natural landscapes. Of course, there is also a mile of off-leash terrain between 24th and 29th streets. While this park offers only trails, it is a great alternative to the traditional fenced-in dog park."

"This hiking spot includes 81 acres filled with scenic trails and a dog park. You can’t go wrong with a stroll through Shoal Creek!. 🗓 Open 24 Hours 📍 2600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705"

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. ATX Tans is officially open at Gateway Centers!. Look your best with an organic spray tan at the newest luxury tanning studio located on the 2nd floor at Gateway."

"Central Park is a mall in Austin, Texas that has something for everyone: a market with a wide selection of organic produce and locally sourced foods, retail options for all your shopping needs, a gorgeous sitting area with plenty of shade, and a playground for the kids to enjoy. If you visit Central Park on the weekend, you may be able to catch some live music as well."

"Located just northwest of Austin in Cedar Park, Lakeline Mall is the go-to shopping destination for those living in Austin’s northern suburbs. With more than 150 stores, the mall has a wide range of upscale and budget-friendly shopping experiences. The major department stores are Macy’s, Dillard’s and Sears."

"The Lakeline market houses many beautiful crops such as burgundy okra and tomato varieties , melon varieties, and lots of peaches!. Don’t forget to pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers for someone you love (like yourself, of course) from @petals_ink. You can find updated vendor layouts every Friday."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user JAH2k used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Enjoy amazing shopping, dining, and entertainment deals in this high-end mall. While here, you will find stores such as Macy’s, JCPenney, and Dillard’s."

"First opened in 2013, Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ is a family-owned and operated restaurant that offers classic barbecue with a Tex Mex twist. The smoked meats include brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken, and they can be ordered by the pound, in a sandwich, or as part of a special Mexican taco. The restaurant is also well-known for its Mexican-inspired side dishes and its delicious breakfast tacos; breakfast is served between 8:00am and 11:00am sharp."

"The far South Austin truck marries the best of Texas’s favorite foods — barbecue and breakfast tacos — into some of the best breakfasts found in the area. Look no further than its Real Deal Holyfield taco, where the flour tortilla cradles a thick slice of brisket, a fried egg, and a bed of refried beans, potatoes, and bacon. Pickup orders can only be placed online, and there are outdoor tables available for dine-in service."

"11500 Manchaca Rd | If you’re in the South Austin area, Valentina’s is the go-to spot for the best brisket south of Hwy 71. Their super moist, perfectly smoked brisket is exceptional, but add a few of their homemade flour tortillas (instead of white bread) and you’ll find may find a new religion. Photo by Hayden Walker"

"A post shared by Waterloo Ice House In Austin (@waterloo_austin) on Apr 2, 2017 at 8:51am PDT. Waterloo Ice House is an Austin classic, founded on Congress in 1976 to serve that special Austin mix of business people, students, artists, and musicians. While there are now four locations, none of them on Congress, Waterloo still has that comfortable feel–like the Hill’s Cafe and Threadgill’s of Austin past."

"Waterloo Ice House has a kids’ menu, crayons, playground, and is pet-friendly!. Truly, it’s perfect for your entire family!. 6203 N Capital of Texas HWY, waterlooicehouse.com"