How to Dine at Waterview Restaurants in Austin

Austin sits in the midst of a chain of lakes. Northeast of town are the Highland lakes, which empty into Lake Travis, which empties into Town Lake--now called Lake Lady Bird, which in turn is located in the center of the city. It goes without saying then that some of the hottest restaurants in town are those with views of all these beautiful lakes. Read on to enjoy Austin's waterfront dining scene.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Shoreline Grill<br>98 San Jacinto Blvd<br>Austin, TX 78701<br>[phone]<br><br>Helmed by Executive Chef Dan Haverty and located next door to the Four Seasons hotel and overlooking Lake Lady Bird, this elegant restaurant specializes in such dishes as prime rib, buffalo ribeye, beef tenderloin, salmon, tuna and scallops.
2. Mozart's Coffee Roasters, Inc.<br>3826 Lake Austin Blvd<br>Austin, TX 78703<br>[phone]<br><br>With Lake Austin lapping against the spacious deck and a stomach full of such bakery items as cheesecake (with nine different kinds offered) and a variety of cakes, torts and cookies, the Mozart's patron might be tempted to drift off into a relaxed sleep. But that's where the coffee comes in. Whole bean coffee is roasted on site and comes in six general types: roasts, blends, varietals, flavored, organic and fair trade, with beans available from all over the world. This café is worth visiting for its aroma alone.
3. Four Season's Hotel<br>Trio Restaurant<br>98 San Jacinto Blvd<br>Austin, TX 78701<br>[phone]<br><br>Dine either inside or out on the terrace--both have a great view of Lake Lady Bird. The menu includes Dover sole, tuna tartare, baby octopus, wild mushroom medley and a good selection of steaks. Sunday brunch is popular here as well and the Saturday lunch and everyday breakfast menus are also extensive.
4. County Line Bar-B-Q (On the Lake)<br>5204 FM 2222 (Just before 360)<br>Austin, TX 78731<br>[phone]<br><br>County Line is part of a chain based in the Southwest. The menu includes the usual barbecued beef, pork, chicken and turkey and three massive all-you-can-eat meals. The deck overlooks Lake Austin.
5. Iguana Grill<br>2900 Ranch Road 620 N<br>Austin, TX 78734<br>[phone]<br><br>The menu here includes all the usual Tex-Mex suspects as well as grilled shrimp, rainbow trout, tuna steak, ceviche and spinach and mushroom enchiladas. The view of Lake Travis from the deck is amazing.
6. Chuy's Hula Hut<br>3825 Lake Austin Blvd # 201<br>Austin, TX 78703<br>[phone]<br><br>With bar and dining decks built over Lake Austin, this tiki-themed eatery specializes in Tex-Mex, though a few of the dishes are given a "Polynesian" treatment with the addition of such ingredients as coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts.
7. The Oasis<br>6550 Comanche Trl<br>Austin, TX 78732<br>[phone]<br><br>When this place burned down a few years ago the local media gave it the attention usually accorded to a presidential assassination. Located far west of town, its fame comes from its network of decks which provide magnificent views of Lake Travis. The sunsets are often so impressive the patrons applaud, but the food and service have traditionally been very poor.