Some of the best meals in Texas hide behind plain storefronts, quiet country roads, and busy suburban shopping centers. You pull in expecting a quick bite, and suddenly you are planning your next visit before dessert even shows up.
The suburbs around Austin are full of places like that, and they are worth every mile of highway. Grab your keys and bring your appetite, because these spots will make you glad you left downtown behind.
1. Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Round Rock, TX
Chicken fried steak made from a New York strip? That single menu line tells you everything about the playful, big-hearted cooking at this Round Rock favorite.
Ingredients come from local farms, and the kitchen turns them into upscale Southwestern comfort food with serious personality.
Start with the smashed guacamole or the pimento cheese, then move on to grilled ruby trout, chorizo stuffed pork medallions, or a killer cheeseburger. Plant-based diners get a full vegan and vegetarian menu, including charred farmers market veggie tacos.
Kids have their own menu, and there is even a private dining room for bigger celebrations.
Evenings from Wednesday through Saturday get packed, so reservations are smart, especially for brunch on Sunday starting at 10 AM. Weekday lunches run calmer.
Expect to spend around $20 to $30 per person, with plenty of free parking and outdoor seating when the Texas weather cooperates.
2. Tillie’s, Dripping Springs, TX
Picture a former chapel with teal doors, tucked into the Hill Country outside Dripping Springs, serving brisket hash at breakfast. Tillie’s feels like a secret someone finally decided to share.
The menu is New American with international accents, which means Southern and Asian flavors often share the same table. Brunch arrives family-style in courses, and standouts include chilaquiles, spicy fried Brussels sprouts, smoked salmon rillettes, and a charred green garlic Caesar.
Sip a lavender lemonade while you soak up the views and the historic, romantic atmosphere.
Open daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, it works for an early breakfast or a slow, memorable dinner. Plan for a splurge, since meals usually land between $50 and $100 per person.
Reservations are recommended for every meal, and parking on site is free and roomy. It is the kind of place you save for a birthday, then keep finding excuses to revisit.
3. 2020 Market Scratch Kitchen & Bar, Georgetown, TX
Round Rock Donut Bread Pudding. Go ahead and read that again, because it is a real dessert and it lives at this relaxed Georgetown hangout.
Everything here leans toward scratch-made homestyle cooking inside an industrial-style space with plenty of room to spread out. Large groups fit easily at the big tables, which makes it a go-to for family gatherings and work lunches alike.
Popular plates include Flaco’s steak enchiladas, stuffed trout, ponzu ribs, shrimp and grits, and steak nachos, with key lime pie as another sweet finish.
Doors open at 8 AM every day and stay open until 10 PM, so breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner are all fair game. Live music adds energy on some nights, and dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating area.
Prices stay friendly at about $20 to $30 per person. Valet and free lots make arriving easy.
4. Trattoria Lisina, Driftwood, TX
Few drives feel as rewarding as the winding road to Driftwood, where a Tuscan-style trattoria waits among the hills. Trattoria Lisina brings casual elegance and old-world Italian cooking to the Texas countryside.
Wood-fired pizzas are a highlight, but the full menu shines too. Seafood risotto, osso buco, filetto marsala, calamari fritti, and Mamma Grace’s meatballs all make strong cases for a second visit.
Pasta lovers can pick from fettuccine with prosciutto and mushrooms or the delicate taglierini alla Portofino. A fireplace makes cooler evenings extra cozy, while the outdoor seating welcomes dogs.
Timing matters here. The restaurant is closed Mondays, opens at 4 PM Tuesday through Friday, and serves from 11 AM on weekends.
There is usually a wait, so reservations are wise. Expect roughly $30 to $90 per person, which feels fair for such a beautiful setting and warm service.
5. Taste on Main, Buda, TX
Here is a fun bit of wordplay worth ordering: the Budabaisse, a clever local twist on the classic French seafood stew. It fits right in at this upscale-casual spot inside an old building on historic Main Street in Buda.
Steak and seafood lead the menu. Tuna tostadas, tuna tartare, oysters, gnocchi, a butter poached Maine lobster roll, and seared Verlasso salmon all earn attention.
Crispy Brussels sprouts make a great side for the table. The atrium patio is a lovely place to linger, and dogs are welcome.
Hours run from 11 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends, with Friday and Saturday service until 10 PM. Those two evenings get busiest, so book ahead for dinner or brunch.
Most meals cost $20 to $60 per person. It is a strong pick for celebrations, date nights, or a family lunch with a kids’ menu.
6. Terry Black’s Barbecue Lockhart, Lockhart, TX
Lockhart holds the official title of Barbecue Capital of Texas, and Terry Black’s makes a delicious argument for why. Smoke drifts through the air before you even park.
Brisket here practically melts, and the pork ribs are just as craveable. Burnt ends, jalapeno cheese sausage, and a sliced brisket sandwich combo round out the lineup, while the potato salad is a side you should not skip.
Save room for a mini pecan pie. Ordering happens at the counter, which keeps things moving fast.
The best part for Austin folks is getting the same great barbecue as the downtown location without the massive crowds. Weekdays are the quietest, while Saturday and Sunday afternoons fill up quickly.
Doors open at 10:30 AM daily. Figure $20 to $30 per person.
Dogs are allowed inside and out, and a cozy fireplace adds charm on chilly days.
7. Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill Cedar Park, Cedar Park, TX
Tex-Mex gets a thoughtful makeover at this low-key Cedar Park grill, where sustainable meats and local ingredients drive the menu. Comfort food rarely feels this fresh.
Portions are huge, so come hungry. The BCH Family 512 Enchiladas are a signature, and the chicken fried ribeye delivers pure Texas indulgence.
Seafood enchiladas, fish tacos, pork taquitos, and a sizzling chicken skillet are also worth a look. Vegetarians and vegans can order from full menus, including V-stacked wild mushroom enchiladas.
Finish with a slice of key lime pie.
The relaxed atmosphere works for families, friend groups, and solo lunches alike. There is a pleasant outdoor seating area where dogs are welcome, plus free Wi-Fi inside.
Weekend brunch kicks off at 10 AM. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, while Monday mornings are calm.
Most meals run $20 to $30 per person.
8. The Gramercy, Lakeway, TX
Step inside and you might forget you are near Lake Travis. Art Deco style, rich decor, and a hip modern energy give The Gramercy a glamorous, big-city feel.
Small plates are the heart of the menu, making it easy to share and sample. Burrata salad, sweet heat cauliflower, steak frites, Cajun seafood pasta, and a brined pork chop are all crowd-pleasers.
Tiramisu makes a classic ending. A fireplace and occasional live music add to the cozy, romantic mood.
Unlike most spots on this list, The Gramercy is a night owl. It opens at 4 PM Monday through Saturday, stays open until midnight on weeknights, and runs until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
It closes on Sundays. Late-night food is available, and dinner reservations are recommended.
Prices hover around $20 to $30 per person, a nice surprise for such a stylish space.
9. Chisos Grill, Bee Cave, TX
Named after the rugged Chisos Mountains of Big Bend, this Bee Cave grill brings a taste of West Texas to the western edge of Austin. The Southwestern theme runs through the decor and every plate.
Locally sourced meats are the star. Try the bison chili burger, perfectly cooked redfish, or chicken fried steak.
Firecracker shrimp tacos and salmon tacos bring a little heat, and the pulled pork queso might be the best appetizer in town. The Chisos Sampler, loaded with queso, guacamole, and salsa, is ideal for sharing.
Truffled fries and Presidio tostadas are tasty meatless options.
Service is friendly and the space is spotless, with a patio and occasional live music. Hours run from 11 AM daily, closing at 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Surprisingly, Monday afternoons are among the busiest times. Meals cost about $20 to $30 per person.
10. Fogonero Venezuelan, Pflugerville, TX
Don’t let the unassuming strip mall fool you. Fogonero serves authentic Venezuelan food in a hip, industrial-style space that feels miles away from typical suburban dining.
Pabellon criollo, the national dish of Venezuela, combines shredded beef, black beans, rice, and sweet plantains, and it is a perfect first order. Asado negro, arepas, pastelitos, fried yuca, and mixed ceviche bring more bold, bright flavors.
The Caracas filet mignon and seared sesame tuna over heart of palm salad show off the kitchen’s polish. Pair everything with natural juices, then end with flan.
Plates arrive beautifully presented, and the service feels warm and personal. There is a patio plus rooftop seating for sunny days.
Weekends open at 10 AM, with late hours until 10 PM most nights. Friday afternoons and evenings get lively.
Expect around $20 to $30 per person for a meal you will talk about all week.
11. A Little Shady, Kyle, TX
Longtime Austinites still get misty-eyed about Shady Grove, the Barton Springs Road classic that opened in 1992. A Little Shady brings that spirit back to life in Kyle, and the nostalgia hits hard.
Think of the menu as a greatest hits album. The famous Shady Burger is here, along with green chile cheese fries, grilled wings, chicken fried chicken, and The Hippie Sandwich.
Tortilla fried queso catfish, a twice baked potato, and peach cobbler also return for fans of the original. Frozen Shady Thangs complete the throwback experience, and a full vegetarian menu keeps everyone happy.
The space blends vintage design with modern touches, and the huge patio lets you choose shade or sunshine. A fireplace, live music, and free Wi-Fi add comfort.
Doors open at 11 AM daily and stay open until 11 PM on weekends. Plan on roughly $20 to $30 per person.
Share this story
