Best Restaurants for a Quick Bite in South Austin

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodMexicanSpanishTapas / Small Plates

Regions

Austin

Neighborhoods

Central AustinDowntownEast AustinMidtownSouth Austin

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

12 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Neighborhood Sushi restaurant

1. Neighborhood Sushi

4.9

Exceptional(1171)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Sushi • South Austin

Booked 86 times today

Located on Austin’s vibrant South Congress Avenue, Neighborhood Sushi serves high quality sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes in a casual and beautiful setting. Happy hour and-a-half will offer food and beverage specials weekdays 3pm - 5pm throughout the entire restaurant. Our front door is on the neighborhood facing side, in the Annie Street parking lot. Look for a black-stained door with a white and wood light-box sign. Our host will be waiting inside to welcome you! ADA accessible entry through the Sake Garden on the Congress sidewalk.

2. Josephine House

4.8

Exceptional(1447)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Central Austin

Booked 70 times today

The sister restaurant to Austin fine dining institution Jeffrey’s, offering breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner & Monday night steak frites. The Clarksville cottage features a small marble bar for coffee or cocktails, intimate tables in the dining room, shady nooks on our patio and a grassy front lawn for lounging. Serving an eclectic daily menu featuring the best locally sourced products. Learn more about McGuire Moorman Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mcguiremoorman.com.

3. La Condesa

4.7

Exceptional(2338)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Downtown

Booked 44 times today

La Condesa is a two-times James Beard-nominated modern Mexican restaurant located in Austin’s vibrant 2nd Street District. Helmed by Executive Chef Rick Lopez, La Condesa’s menu features interior Mexican dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, plus a renowned bar program with one of the largest collections of tequila, mezcal and other Mexican spirits in the city.

4. Caroline

4.2

Awesome(1217)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 38 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.

A photo of Joann's Fine Foods restaurant

5. Joann's Fine Foods

4.7

Exceptional(537)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tex-Mex • Downtown

Booked 45 times today

Joann’s Fine Foods is a lively Tex Mex Diner & Patio Restaurant located in the iconic Austin Motel, along busy South Congress. The vibe is laid back but bustling with comfortable indoor booths, shady patio seating and a popular palapa bar. The vintage diner has been restored and updated with mahogany wood paneling, Mid-century furniture and photos of famous Texans.The menu features Tex Mex and diner classics cooked over our mesquite burning grill. Joann’s is perfect for brunch, lunch or a classic Austin dinner when strolling the iconic avenue. Favorites include Wood-Grilled Fajitas with tortillas made in-house daily, Joann’s Queso, Avocado & Tuna Tartare, Tacos and Quesadillas, Enchilada Plates and diner specialties including Stone Ground Blue Corn Pancakes, Patty Melt, and Club Sandwich.The bar is stocked with an extensive tequila and mezcal selection and Joann’s serves one of Austin’s best frozen margaritas.All Ways Welcome. So Close Yet So Far Out

6. Swift's Attic

4.4

Awesome(1288)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown

Booked 6 times today

Swift's Attic is offering weekday happy hour and nightly dinner every day. We also have spaces suited for intimate dining experiences or full buyout celebrations. Food you’ve had, like you’ve never had before. Familiarly strange, strangely familiar.Nestled upstairs off of one of the busiest streets in Austin, the lure of our funky twist on classics pulls patrons into our hidden attic for a journey into an eccentric and eclectic culinary world serving modern, whimsical shared plates.

7. Group Therapy

4.5

Awesome(642)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 21 times today

Group Therapy is Hotel ZaZa’s sky lounge and restaurant located on level seven overlooking the hotel pool and Republic Square Park. The journey to every venue at ZaZa is a joyful adventure with unique architectural features, artwork and one of a kind treasures at every turn. Guests can access Group Therapy by the elevators in the hotel lobby.Cozy booths surround the bar and comfortable sofas and lounge seating give the room a stylish supper club ambiance that extends to the covered terrace and pool. Group Therapy also includes a library room with lighted book shelves and an ornate marble fireplace giving the room a theatrical flare that is similar to a Saturday Night Live set. This space known as “Stage Fright” overlooks the entire lounge and is the perfect venue for live entertainment or seated dinners.

8. Kalimotxo

4.7

Exceptional(318)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Downtown

Booked 21 times today

Kalimotxo is a Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. Kalimotxo celebrates the vibrant small plates culture of Spain, from Basque style pintxos to tapas from Andalusia, all meant to be enjoyed with crushable cocktails, a curated Spanish wine list, and flowing porrones.

9. Rules & Regs

4.4

Awesome(288)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Mexican • Downtown

Booked 3 times today

Located on the 7th floor overlooking Austin's dazzling skyline, Rules & Regs is the ideal spot to enjoy signature cocktails, shareable Latin-American inspired bites, and a diverse menu of Cigars & Sips in leisurely fashion.

10. Punch Bowl Social - Austin Downtown

4.0

Excellent(56)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 11 times today

We’re all about good vibes and unforgettable hangs. Whether you’re looking for a chill night with friends, belting out karaoke tunes (even if you don’t know all the words), or just laughing over a few gutterballs, we’ve got you covered. With fourteen locations nationwide, each offering unique adventures, there’s always a reason to come through and make some memories with us.Every night brings something new, from our crowd favorites, Music Bingo and Trivia, to a Silent Disco with three DJs. Bring your besties or get ready to meet some new ones!Let us host your next event! We’ve got the beats pumping, drinks flowing, and games ready. From full venue buyouts to exclusive gatherings, we have options to fit your every need.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MichaelVIP
Greater Boston •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Best food great atmosphere and wonderful staff must try
More info
Neighborhood SushiPrice: Expensive• Sushi• South Austin
•
4.9
D
Dick
Austin •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Josephine House is a small restaurant that offers consistently excellent food and service in an intimate setting. It's prefect for a date or special occasion or anytime you want to have a great meal in a quiet, intimate setting. It is one of our go-to places in Austin. Highly recommended!
More info
Josephine HousePrice: Expensive• American• Central Austin
•
4.8
T
TomVIP
Austin •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food quality exceeded all of our expectations. Very well designed aesthetic as well, and our server Daniel was a pleasure.
More info
La CondesaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Downtown
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We had the Caroline salad and the crab Barrada. Both were absolutely delicious. Our table inside by the window as the sun was setting was perfect, away from the noisy center. The weight staff could not have been more attentive. It was a perfect evening.
More info
CarolinePrice: Moderate• American• Downtown
•
4.2
K
Kayleigh
San Antonio •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Joann’s Fine Foods nails it every time! Amazing food, great drinks, and a super chill yet stylish vibe. Every dish was delicious and thoughtfully made. Cocktails were top-tier, and the service was genuinely outstanding. Can’t wait to come back!
More info
Joann's Fine FoodsPrice: Moderate• Tex-Mex• Downtown
•
4.7

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