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Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Austin, TX

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue

4.7
4.7
1927 Reviews
$31 to $50
Barbecue
BBQ ALWAYS, LIVE MUSIC OFTEN

Located on the corner of 2nd and Guadalupe Streets in downtown Austin (a block away from Town Lake & Moody Theater), in a historic 1873 Victorian building once home to J.P. Schneider general store, Lamberts features modern Texas classics including expertly smoked barbecue, grilled prime steaks, simple yet elegant apps and mains, and homestyle sides. We are open daily for lunch and dinner.

The two-story dining room features an open kitchen, two bars (with one of the best whiskey selections in town) as well as an outdoor patio surrounding our Mill Scale smoker. The design includes black leather banquettes and repurposed sinker pine table tops. The vibe is laid-back Austin and not afraid to get a little rowdy at times—especially when there's live music Upstairs at Lamberts.

*If booking an outdoor table, please note that patio seating is weather contingent. During those times, we will do our best to accommodate indoor seating depending on availability.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 71 times today
Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Barbecue, Steak

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–7:00 pm Mon 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (512) 494-1500

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Grant Harbert

  • Private party facilities

    Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, Lambert's Downtown BBQ can accommodate all your special event needs.

  • Private party contact

    Fallon Gaskamp: (512) 494-1500

  • Neighborhood

    Downtown

  • Cross street

    Guadalupe St

  • Parking details

    Parking is available in the City Hall parking garage directly east of Lamberts (entrance on lavaca) and in the Amli on 2nd parking garage (entrance on San Antonio). Valet is also available on 2nd Street.

  • Entertainment

    Lamberts features the best local artists in our intimate upstairs bar and lounge. Please check www.lambertsaustin.com for this weeks shows.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,927 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

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  1. JacobR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best Brisket in Texas. A wonderful experience for my business trip. I will be back and bring friends!
  2. MaryM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Couldn’t have asked for anything better. Excellent food and service
  3. MichelleY

    San Antonio

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very unique take on BBQ. Everything was excellent. Service was great.
  4. salm

    Austin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and drinks. Service was fantastic! Thank you!
  5. lynneb11803

    Austin

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Pre show at ACL with kids. Good food and great company
  6. GregL

    Orlando

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We visited this BBQ restaurant on our last night in Austin based on the reviews I read. I heard the brisket was quite good here, so we went to give it a try. The restaurant has both inside and outside seating and based on our reservation on Open Table we were seated outside, which looks out onto the street. I highly recommend the outside seating, especially on a beautiful March night like we had. The service was excellent (Anna Marie was our server's name, I believe) and the food was as good as advertised. I requested the Brisket Pie (as I read about it) and our server stated it was only served at the bar (as it was not on the menu). However, she said she would see if the bar staff could make me one to bring out to the table. She was back within 5 minutes stating the bar would be able to make one up for me. It was very good and the brisket was tender and well-flavored. My friend ordered the ribs and mac and cheese and she raved about both. I tried the mac and cheese and it was so creamy! Finally, if you are a bourbon lover, this place has an extensive selection of bourbons as well as bourbon drinks. One side of the drink menu is just bourbon infused selections! I highly recommend Lamberts if you are visiting downtown Austin.
  7. BostonConsumer

    New England

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    Short rib was over cooked to the point of being heavily charged Sausage undercooked to the point of concern Only one slice of brisket included in 3 meet meal
  8. JonathanC

    London

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Wild boar ribs were on the money
  9. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Ambiance was great, service was great. Would love to come back and see some live music upstairs. The brisket just didn't live up to my expectations though as a. Home BBQ cook I felt I could do just as good
  10. PaddyH

    New York Area

    18 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great atmosphere upon arrival and inside clearly preferred. We were outside and this had less atmosphere but also less noise. Classic Texan BBQ. Good drinks and very good service
  11. Lafitte

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    In town for a conference. One of the few BBQ restaurants that takes reservations and has live entertainment . Great hospitality, greeted by the hostess and promptly led to our table even though we arrive15 minutes before reservation time. Polite and efficient service from waitress who made great recommendations for shared appetizers and dining family style. Quest amazing. Fried pickles hot and hotter. Baby back ribs tender and flavorful. Giant short rib super tender and spiced right. Brisket fork tender and succulent sausage. They even accommodated our vegetarian colleague. Sides were Mac and cheese very rich and perfectly seasoned greens. Drinks were all strong and served promptly too. Nice desserts too. Live band was good. We had time to talk between numbers but better to sit downstairs if your keen on conversations. Prices not cheap, but typical of high end restaurant.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely a must visit when in Austin!! Amazing experience!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ across the board!! Try the lamb ribs!!!
  13. HAwk

    Jacksonville

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and ambiance. Brisket was wonderful
  14. WednesdayS

    Philadelphia

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Great upscale bbq located close to Austin City Limits. Service was just ok. Food was good, drinks very expensive but tasty
  15. NikiS

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a really great experience at Lambert's! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. Friendly staff too. Highly recommend starting with the queso & getting the 3 meat platter as a main to get a taste of everything. The mac & cheese was also so yummy!
  16. TimO

    Denver

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A fantastic lunch! Great food and service was exceptional!
  17. TiaV

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We sat outside with our two small dogs. They brought them water and were very kind. The service was outstanding and the food was incredible. Definitely a must visit when you are in Austin.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    William R was a phenomenal server, along with the entire staff. Overall service was impressive and the food was delicious. We enjoyed the Baby back ribs, mac n cheese and fried pickles the most!
  19. Barbhe

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Brisket was delicious but a bit salty. We loved the baby back ribs. Yummy BBQ sauces. Sat outside on a cold night but still very comfortable.
  20. PAConn

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Food was delicious. Great ambiance and fun lively atmosphere. Would have given 5 stars but server was rushed to take our order. Drink order was incorrect. We were seated right up next to a large table of 8 when the table on the other side of us was vacant. No flexibility for switching.
  21. dallas11

    Dallas

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Food was ok but not great. Way over priced. Sampler plate 1 slice brisket, 1 sausage and 1 small rib for 34 dollars also had wild bore ribs but over cooked and tough. Was looking at desert but cake slice 18 dollars so passed on that
  22. Pears

    Houston

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Not great and overpriced. Seems to be a tourist trap.
  23. JulieM

    Austin

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lamberts has a good feel as soon as you walk in. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The bbq is top notch. My only problem is that the table they sat us at upstairs was way too small! It was about a 24” round table. We ordered drinks and appetizers and 2 huge plates of food with sides. It was uncomfortable to try to juggle all of that on the tiny table. My plate literally hung off the side. I’ll ask for a larger table next time.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great night catching up with old friends. The queso and fried pickles were the perfect appetizers for us. We also had the brisket and the chicken, both delicious. The star for me was the baked Mac and cheese!
  25. POHAP

    Montreal

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An truly outstanding experience! Best baby back ribs I have ever had Service is excellent and attention to detail is absolutely incredible Thank you to the whole a team
  26. LauraO

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding. The chicken dish was out of control good.
  27. ChrisJ

    Charleston

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience2
    Usually an excellent experience, but we were seated for dinner at a table upstairs that was hardly big enough for plates for two. Hanger steak was excellent but the brisket to salty to eat. Hopefully just a bump in the road of our dining at Lamberts.
  28. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was lovely. We were very well taken care of. The server was knowledgeable and funny. The manager was attentive and the food was amazing!
  29. DdWw

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was outstanding and service was exceptional! Only complaint is that the restaurant was half full and they crammed guests into one section. Really dislike this approach that many restaurants take. There's no privacy or even the tiniest bit of distancing. Hard to believe in a small space like this that it's easier on servers when they seat guests in one block.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    So good! Perfect really!
  31. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal!
  32. milesm

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience1
    Same ole, same ole- so tired of overpriced food and drinks. Everything was a la crate- to run up the bill. Also, very limited menu. Ridiculous and definitely not a repeat experience. These places think they’re so “special” but they are a dime a dozen.
  33. LouV

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall4food2service5ambience5
    No what I expected...would not go again. However, the service was great.
  34. LeslieW

    Houston

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are repeat customers. Great food and atmosphere.
  35. ASAS

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Ribs excellent. Brisket dry and unappetizing. Sausage ok. Chopped salad very good. Potato salad ok. Server very good. If I were to return, would order ribs, ribs and ribs.
  36. JuliaB

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A very special shout out to our bartender, host, and server all-in-one, Will. He was so gracious and knowledgeable, kind and attentive. He went over the menu thoroughly & gave us his recommendations. He ordered and treated us to a wonderful birthday cake treat. Sincere gratitude & kudos to Will!
  37. andrewl

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Check in 15 mins early hostess that greets us is nice although we opt to wait for our guests before seating. I noted this was a business meeting on my reservation and they sat us in the front anyway. Very disappointed in the table they chose for us but I know the restaurant business and chose not to say anything. Waitress was 5 star. My guests were older and none of us are big drinkers so probably not your ideal table for her but she made sure we were taken care of. I will say that the service felt a little rushed at times, but I’m not ignoring the supposed two hour time limit either. Again it was noted a business meeting, but I think lambert’s may have been a poor choice on my part for a meeting. The food was phenomenal and phenomenally expensive for the portion sizes. There is a s not much value there it is an “experience” restaurant with great food and really good service. I would say great service but our meeting did run long, at one point I got up from my table, literally turned around as we were sat right by the wait-station, and asked a young hostess lady in a black and red dress for some more water and she acted very put out about it. If you can’t be hospitable to your guests that person is in the wrong place for the price you pay there. I expect people to be rude to me at fast food but seriously. I say this knowing we overstayed our welcome and only spent $50 a head in place where they are probably shooting for at least double that. Again Food was great! We had queso, and crispy ribs for an appetizer. The ribs were very good but boy were they sparse on the meat. Little tiny nibbles. I had Quayle and my guest had brisket that I tried. The brisket was delicious and incredibly rich. The side of macaroni and and one other were also very tasty. I ordered coffee and was directed towards an American which is fine but it wasn’t hot. Also no dessert was offered.
  38. BrookeB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful experience. It’s our first time in Austin and loved Lamberts. We shared the 3meat sampler, mashed potatoes and banana pudding. It was plenty of food for two and delicious. The setting was very cool and fun!
  39. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Christmas party pregame
  40. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall3food5service4ambience2
    Too dark and too noisy. Food was great and our server did what he could with the kitchen being behind. Meal was finished and then the sides finally came out

FAQs

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (512) 494-1500.

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue is rated 4.7 stars by 1927 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 71 times today
Google Map for Lamberts Downtown Barbecue

401 West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Guadalupe St

  • Neighborhood

    Downtown

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–7:00 pm Mon 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Barbecue, Steak

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Parking is available in the City Hall parking garage directly east of Lamberts (entrance on lavaca) and in the Amli on 2nd parking garage (entrance on San Antonio). Valet is also available on 2nd Street.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Grant Harbert

  • Entertainment

    Lamberts features the best local artists in our intimate upstairs bar and lounge. Please check www.lambertsaustin.com for this weeks shows.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (512) 494-1500

  • Private party facilities

    Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, Lambert's Downtown BBQ can accommodate all your special event needs.

  • Private party contact

    Fallon Gaskamp: (512) 494-1500

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