As any Austinite knows, the unique and lively community of Zilker has much in store. Zilker Park is a renowned spot for the perfect sunny afternoon, whether you’re jogging along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, exploring the butterfly gazebo at the Zilker Botanical Garden, or taking a dive in the Barton Springs Pool. As the mainstay of the Zilker community, Zilker Park offers outdoor amenities and recreation galore in its 351 glorious acres.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite with all that Zilker Park has to offer, you might be wondering where to catch a bite to eat nearby. Thankfully, Zilker is complete with top-rated dining destinations where excellent cuisine is always on the menu. From the sushi selections at Uchi Austin to pasta at Juliet Italian Kitchen, you are sure to find an outstanding meal. With upscale restaurants worthy of a Michelin star alongside casual eateries that are perfect after a long Saturday out and about, these are the best choices out there. If you’re on the hunt for Zilker homes and feeling hungry, read on!
Uchi Austin
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Photo courtesy of Uchi Austin
Some say Uchi has the best sushi in the state. Of course, this is a bold statement, but if bluefin tuna crudo with green peppercorn, softshell crab roll, Atlantic salmon nigiri, or shrimp tempura sounds appealing, you’ve come to the right place. Led by Chef-Owner Tyson Cole, a James Beard Award-winning chef who has trained in Tokyo under the best of the best, Uchi provides a dining experience that promises to impress every time. You can expect world-class food and service from this seemingly little space. The S Lamar location is the first Uchi location — Chef Cole is also the owner of Uchiko on N Lamar, another upscale sushi spot.
Matt’s El Rancho
2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Photo courtesy of Matt’s El Rancho
Since he was only six years old, Matt Martinez had a dream of paving his way into the restaurant business. He kept his eye on the prize, and in 1952, he and his wife Janie manifested that dream when they opened El Rancho on E 1st Street. Since then, this family-owned eatery has moved to S Lamar Blvd and features a menu full of tasty Tex-Mex selections, ranging from spinach poblanitos and asadero tacos to cheese Chile Rellenos, flautas, Gulf Coast shrimp fajitas, and fish a la Mexicana. From seafood to mesquite-grilled steaks, this popular restaurant puts thrilling flavors and fantastic service at the forefront of its mission.
Odd Duck
1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Photo courtesy of Odd Duck
Two brothers with a food truck founded Odd Duck with a defining goal: serve food only from Austin and its surrounding areas. Their menu has grown since their trailer days, but it’s all delicious. This restaurant has been a favorite on the Zilker dining scene for a long time, and they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve. Dining at Odd Duck promises exceptional service and an intriguing menu of bold, locally-sourced ingredients. From the cast iron cheddar cornbread with green garlic butter to the grilled quail with fried rice and braised greens, you won’t find food like this anywhere else.
Nido at The Loren
Rooftop, 1211 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
Photo courtesy of The Loren Hotels
For rooftop dining at its finest, look no further than Nido at The Loren, where new American cuisine meets an effortlessly refined ambiance. Menu standouts like half-chicken a la brique, halibut with coco beans, beef short rib with heirloom polenta, and Wagyu sirloin take center stage. Enjoy complimentary valet parking, top-notch service, and an exquisite meal on the rooftop patio, with sparkling views of the city skyline and Lady Bird Lake on the horizon as you dine in sophisticated serenity.
Tiki Tatsu-Ya
1300 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
What began as an inspiration in a Los Angeles sushi bar evolved into Tiki Tatsu-Ya, a local favorite renowned for its unique creations from Chef-Owner Tatsu Aikawa and beverage manager Cory Starr. This popular dining spot aims to bring a taste of Japanese cuisine to the heart of Austin. With a menu of slingin’ shrimp musubi with Singapore chili sauce, Pacific stuffed squid with bacon and braised greens, tropical cheese plate, and BBQ beef skewers, this is a dining experience that will keep you coming back time and again. Pair your delicious meal with an innovative cocktail, Banzai boat, aged Jamaican mai tai, or pineapple and fresh mint rum.
Juliet Italian Kitchen
1500 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Photo courtesy of Postmates
If you’re dreaming of pasta, take a break from touring Zilker real estate and head to Juliet Italian Kitchen, where the menu promises a true adventure. From the pesto chicken with fettuccine and cherry heirloom tomatoes to the pan-seared chicken piccata with lemon butter sauce, these delectable dishes are sure to leave you smiling. Pair these phenomenal selections with pinot bianco, California chardonnay, or a dessert of NY-style cheesecake with graham cracker crust, and you’re set for a meal you won’t soon forget.
Loro
2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Photo courtesy of Loro
If it’s amazing Asian smokehouse dishes you seek, you will find your answer at Loro. Crafting sensational flavors with favorite menu items like Malaysian chicken bo ssam, smoked prime bavette rice bowls, chopped smoked brisket, and crispy Szechuan tofu with coconut rice, chefs Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole bring their talents to the table and leave no taste buds untested. This casually friendly restaurant is widely popular for its fantastic food and batch cocktails, and the indoor/outdoor dining space is the perfect choice for catering or special events.
Zilker is more than just a food lover's dream
Superb dining destinations are just one perk of living in Zilker. If you are ready to make moves on the Zilker real estate scene, team up with leading local Realtor® Katie Jackson. With a results-oriented approach and a dedication to success, Katie is ready to help you achieve and exceed all your real estate goals. Get started with Katie today.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
