Best Casual Restaurants in Central Austin

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Austin

Neighborhoods

AllandaleArboretumAustinBouldin CreekCentral AustinDowntown

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

63 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Caroline

4.3

Awesome(1222)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 11 times today

Our all-day spot is perfect for homemade breakfast, lunch, dinner and to-go options. Located in the buzzing Austin's central district, Caroline Restaurant is a great place to jump start your day or enjoy a late afternoon glass of wine, curated cocktail, and full dinner menu. With a focus on regional cuisines our neighborhood restaurant has recreated classic dishes to make them healthful but delicious.

2. The Well

4.7

Exceptional(680)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 37 times today

Located in Austin's iconic 2ND Street District at 440 W. 2nd St., The Well blends top-tier nutrition, local and sustainable farming, and authentic flavors for a culinary experience that redefines healthy food in Downtown Austin.

3. Ranch 616

4.6

Exceptional(1608)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southwest • Downtown

Booked 30 times today

South Texas Ice House, "Texas Cuisine" Products from the Texas Gulf to the Texas Hill Country."The huge snake logo on the outside of an otherwise nondescript building -- created by Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, best known for the oversize boots that front San Antonio's North Star Mall -- is your first hint that this place might be a bit, well, different. Inside, cowboy kitsch, 1950s diner decor, and Mexican folk art mingle, as do workers from the nearby county offices, local movers and shakers, and anyone else looking for terrific food that, like the decor, defies easy categorization.Call it South Texas gourmet. You can really taste the chipotle chilies in the tartar sauce that comes with some of the best crispy oysters this side of the Mason-Dixon Line, and the Gulf fish tacos are gussied up with chili lime aioli and Tabasco jalapeño onions. You get the idea -- lots of spicy dishes."

A photo of El Chile Cafe Manor restaurant

4. El Chile Cafe Manor

4.7

Exceptional(583)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tex-Mex • Central Austin

Booked 13 times today

Welcome to El Chile. El Chile Cafe y Cantina offers a combination of Tex-Mex and Interior Mexican cuisine. We will hold all reservations for 10 minutes past reserved time. We run seasonal specials and have a great brunch menu for the weekends! Come sit at our bar to enjoy a game or just relax having some of our great drinks options we offer! We do apologize, but our patio is not pet friendly. Service animals are welcome. We appreciate your patronage.

5. Maie Day

4.4

Awesome(496)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Bouldin Creek

Booked 23 times today

Maie Day is a community chophouse located at South Congress Hotel. Helmed by three-time James Beard-nominated chef Michael Fojtasek and a MICHELIN Guide Recommended Restaurant for 2024, the menu is everything you love about a steakhouse, designed to be approachable and great for groups, and is a celebration of all people and always a party.

6. Le Calamar

new

4.7

Exceptional(29)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Bistro • Bouldin Creek

Booked 19 times today

Le Calamar is a modern French bistro with Texan sensibilities from acclaimed hospitality partners Claudia Lee, Richard Hargreave, and Chef Casey Wall. An intimate dining experience where refined technique meets unpretentious hospitality. Featuring a distinctive beverage program highlighting wines from France, Mexico, and Texas, alongside signature cocktails focused on martinis, manhattans, and mezcal, Le Calamar offers guests a transportive take on the modern bistro.

A photo of La Volta Pizza Club restaurant

7. La Volta Pizza Club

4.8

Exceptional(96)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Downtown

Booked 26 times today

Come hang with us at our original Brick & Mortar location feat. casual lunch service, daily Happy Hours and unmatched late night vibes. Our shop thrives in the evening hustle and bustle but if you can't make it in for dinner we always offer takeout, and are open for lunch on both Saturday and Sunday. See y'all soon!

8. Licha's Cantina

4.7

Exceptional(323)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • East Austin

Booked 18 times today

BIENVENIDO A LICHA’S…Located in the heart of East 6th Street, Licha’s has become a niche restaurant for Austinites craving a bite of interior México. The restaurant is named after owner, Daniel Brooks’ mother, Alicia “Licha” Rivera, The atmosphere at Licha’s is casual and familiar. When you are here, you are in our home and we want to cater to you. Inspired by the Mexican soulfood cooking that we were raised with, our menu is prepared by a team of passionate cooks. All of our masa products are made fresh and daily in-house and our proteins are thoughtfully brined and braised with a medley of herbs and spices. If you’re interested in distilled agave products, Licha’s offers a large range of tequilas, mescales, bacanoras and sotoles. Lichas’ friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help should you have any questions about any of our dishes or menu options.

9. OKO

4.6

Exceptional(75)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Asian • East Austin

Booked 44 times today

OKO was born from the shared vision of FAM Hospitality and Trinity Concepts, blending Filipino and Southeast Asian culinary traditions with Austin’s energy. Led by Chef Harold Villarosa and FAM co-founder Paul Qui, OKO redefines Austin’s dining scene with a menu celebrating the Filipino diaspora and the rich, diverse flavors of Southeast Asia.

10. Café No Sé

4.4

Awesome(460)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 9 times today

Located in South Congress Hotel, Café No Sé is an all-day café featuring seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner fare, as well as weekend brunch. Join us for Rosé and Fries Happy Hour - every day from 3pm-close - and get half-off bottles of rosé, $8 bottomless fries and $5 off cocktails.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

H
Heather
Austin •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Delicious food; acoustics were great; Ana Maria our server was excellent; Hostess was warm and welcoming. A lovely experience.
More info
CarolinePrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.3
J
Jonathan
Austin •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Amazing experience. Great food and the vibe was perfect.
More info
The WellPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.7
E
ElVIP
Austin •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Great great place! Atmosphere is electric, the staff treats you well and the food is delicious! Great experience
More info
Ranch 616Price: Expensive• Southwest• Downtown
•
4.6
S
SoniaVIP
Austin •27 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Great food, great service. It was a little warm where we were seated in the patio, but not necessarily anything you can do about it. It is Texas after all.
More info
El Chile Cafe ManorPrice: Moderate• Tex-Mex• Central Austin
•
4.7
A
AnissaVIP
Austin •30 reviews
4.0
Dined on Jun 15, 2025
Excellent food in a fun and welcoming atmosphere; jalapeno cornbread was amazing and steaks were perfect.
More info
Maie DayPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Bouldin Creek
•
4.4

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Casual

Central Austin

Wells Branch
East Austin
Austin
Lago Vista / Jonestown / Cedar Park
Bee Cave
Barton Creek
West Austin / Westlake
Northwest
Buda
Bouldin Creek
Bee Caves / Lakeway / Lake Travis
South Austin
Midtown
Georgetown
Cherrywood/Upper Boggy Creek
Crestview
Downtown
Hutto
Old West Austin
San Marcos