Best Lake Travis Restaurants

Mar 02, 2022

A table on the terrace of a restaurant is adorned with plates, wine glasses, and plants.

Lake Travis is the most visited freshwater lake in the Lone Star State. Not only does it draw in local homeowners, residents from Austin and other Texas residents, it also entices a large tourist crowd.

There are plenty of reasons why this large crowd gathers in the area. For one, most people gather to envision a new life in the area. It is easy to find a home in the Lake Travis area because there are several great neighborhoods, including Lakeway and Apache Shores. You can also find homes in lakeside condo developments, such as the Villas on Travis.

In addition, Lake Travis is a great location for water sports and recreation, and you can also find lots of venues for live music and a diverse restaurant and bar scene. From casual grill and barbecue joints to fine dining establishments with amazing lake views, you can find an eatery to fit your plans on Lake Travis.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best Lake Travis Restaurants.

Beachside Billy’s

Beachside Billy’s occupies the area between an upscale restaurant and a regular, relaxed bar and grill. At the same time, this shoreline eatery has a premium ambiance.

The menu features affordable entrees and plenty of familiar favorites. In particular, Beachside Billy’s revolves around classic steak and seafood dishes. There are also plenty of kids' options, including ice cream for dessert.

Beachside Billy's is accessible by boat, and it also is a popular tourist spot. If you are visiting the area to look at the local real estate, you can stay in Billy's one or two-bedroom bungalows. Here are some details if you’re interested in stopping by:

Location: 16107 FM 2769 on the eastern shore of Lake Travis.
Price Range: $2 to $20.
Contact: 512-258-5110 or [email protected].
Hours: Open Wednesday and Thursday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Canyon Grille at Rough Hollow

Canyon Grille is right next to the Rough Hollow Yacht Club, making it a favorite among boaters, and anyone else who wants to dine near the water. Although this restaurant provides an exclusive ambiance, the scenic views of the water and surrounding hills make this a worthwhile dinnertime option.

Despite the atmosphere, the menu is quite reasonable. You will find burgers and fish tacos alongside the filet mignon and Scottish salmon.

This is a great option if you want something upscale but accessible. Reviews of the Canyon Grille often praise the welcoming staff and premium versions of classic dishes, such as their mahi-mahi fish tacos. Here are some more details:

Location: 103 Yacht Club Cove in Lakeway, Texas.
Price Range: $9 to $40.
Contact: 512-261-3444.
Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on weekends). Closed Monday.

The Lighthouse on the Lake

The Lighthouse on the Lake serves up all your American favorites, such as Philalephia-style cheesesteak, ribeye, and spaghetti 'n meatballs. There is also a full selection of wines, beers, and specialty cocktails.

If you are looking for good value, you will appreciate the $5 burgers, which are available during Happy Hour. The location is right next to the water, so the views are excellent. You can choose to sit inside or outside if the weather is pleasant enough.

Events include live music performances and special holiday celebrations. You can reach the Lighthouse by road or boat, so it is an ideal stop-off after a day on the water. Whether you’re stopping by foot or boat, here are some more details:

Location: 513 Sleat Drive, Briarcliff, Texas.
Price Range: $9 to $25.
Contact: 512-284-9407.
Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays (10 p.m. on Friday), Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 pm, and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Oasis Texas Brewing Co.

As you might have gathered from the name, Oasis Texas Brewing Company is all about beer. This craft brewery makes its own beers and serves them in the onsite taproom.

IPAs, lagers, and ales may be the stars of the show, but the scenery isn't bad at OTXBC either. The venue sits on a hill 400 feet above Lake Travis. It is known for having some of the best sunset views in Austin.

There is also a "barrel room," where you can get craft cocktails. If you are a beer enthusiast, you can also take a tour of the brewery and get an up-close look at how the beers get made. Food options include burgers and fries with spicy ketchup, giant pretzels, salads, and tacos. If all of this sounds intriguing, here are the finer details:

Location: 6650 Comanche Trail.
Price Range: $5 to $16.
Contact: 512-213-1313.
Hours: The taproom is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the restaurant is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Both are closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Oasis

The Oasis is adjacent to the aforementioned brewery. It is by far the largest outdoor restaurant in the Lake Travis area (and one of the biggest in the entire state). It offers sweeping views of the lake. The amazing sunsets make it an extremely popular evening time spot.

Although its ambiance and views are the main reason crowds flock to this restaurant, it is also a great nightlife spot, with live music on weekends during the warmer seasons that may be enjoyed on their multiple decks and eight event rooms. The menu is casual, with burgers, sandwiches, and Tex-Mex favorites like tacos and fajitas.

Here are some more details if you’re interested in enjoying The Oasis:

Location: 6550 Comanche Trail.
Price Range: $6 to $45.
Contact: 512-266-2442.
Hours: Open on weekdays 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Shack 512

The Shack 512 is a seasonal restaurant sitting next to Sandy Creek Marina. Its elevated lakeside perch provides excellent views of the water. You can reach Shack 512 by road, but the restaurant also has a dock on the lake where you can tie up your boat.

This summertime spot offers burgers, pasta, grilled chicken, nachos, and several varieties of margaritas, but you can also enjoy brunch, with classy favorites like eggs benedict on Sundays. If you’re interested, here are some more details:

Location: 8714 Lime Creek Road, Volente, Texas.
Price Range: $9 to $20.
Contact: 512-547-7610.
Hours: Seasonal hours vary.

Sundancer Grill

The Sundancer Grill offers a casual lakeside dining experience. This restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, which are served in the indoor dining room or on the outside patios. This casual eatery is located at the Sail & Ski Yacht Club in Lakeway. Like other Lake Travis eateries, this one has a dock so you can come and go by boat.

The Sundancer serves classic American favorites like burgers, seafood, and steak. Happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and there is a full menu of beers, wine, and cocktails to accompany your meal. Here are some more details if you’re enticed:

Location: 16410 Stewart Road, Lakeway, Texas.
Price Range: $7 to $25.
Contact: (512) 266-2268.
Hours: Open on Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

TR Restaurant and Lounge

The TR Restaurant and Lounge is part of the Lakeway Resort and Spa. This eatery has plenty of classy elements, from its marble-top bar to its cushioned lounge seating. The lake provides plenty of scenery, but this is also an excellent place to catch a game thanks to the well-placed screens around the dining room.

The menu changes seasonally, but you can always get excellent pizza, pasta, seafood, and steak plus a full range of burgers and sandwiches for lunch. You can also enjoy a full range of wines, champagnes, and cocktails in their happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday. Here’s a look at some more details:

Location: 101 Lakeway Dr.
Price Range: $15 to $50.
Contact: 512-261-6600.
Hours: Open on Sunday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Although these aforementioned restaurants are some of the best, there are dozens of others, so you can easily find something to suit your dining preferences.

Of course, because there are so many things to do on Lake Travis, you can combine your meals with adventures on the water and the shore.

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Best Lake Travis Restaurants

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