Best Lunch Restaurants in Central Austin

146 restaurants available nearby

1. Hopfields

4.8

Exceptional(296)

Price: Expensive

• French • Midtown

Booked 12 times today

Hopfields specializes in French-fusion locally focused cuisine, 40 tap craft beer wall, a thoughtfully curated wine list and full bar. Boasting a warm inviting atmosphere with cozy nooks to venture into. Often praised for it's elevated but approachable style. The scratch-made menu offers food ranging from upscale specials, a finger-food bar menu, traditional-fusion French comforts and our Pascal Burger that has won Best Burger in Austin 6 years in a row.Hopfields has tableside service reservable for dinner in our dining room and patio, as well as a walk-in bar service, so you can customize the experience you want and always find a seat. Our lunch is a bar-service style that features traditional French sandwiches, salads and snacks. Brunch has a special menu reservable for tableside service or casual bar-style service; all in a 'not your average too-busy-to-book restaurant' setting. A few brunch classics, but many twists that make the menu scrumptious for everyone.

2. Nori

4.8

Exceptional(305)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Old West Austin

Booked 36 times today

Plant-based Japanese Cuisine serving sushi, ramen and crafted cocktails. Cozy romantic atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating available. Come try our best seller Volcano Roll and handmade Shiitake Gyozas.

3. Stella San Jac

4.4

Awesome(1557)

Price: Expensive

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Downtown

Booked 12 times today

Stella San Jac, located in the heart of downtown Austin, offers a distinctive dining experience that combines modern Southern cuisine with a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Our carefully crafted menu features locally-sourced ingredients and creative dishes that highlight the best of Austin’s culinary scene, from savory starters to mouthwatering main courses. Whether you're planning a special celebration, a business lunch, or simply looking for a memorable meal, we welcome you to join us. While reservations are recommended for the best experience, walk-ins are always welcome — just stop by and let our team take care of the rest.

4. Aba - Austin

4.8

Exceptional(1164)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • East Austin

Booked 106 times today

Aba, meaning father in Hebrew, is a Mediterranean restaurant with a California influence. The menu features Chef CJ Jacobson’s modern approach to Mediterranean cooking and the beverage program showcases spirits and rare wines from lesser known Mediterranean regions.

5. Josephine House

4.8

Exceptional(1315)

Price: Expensive

• American • Central Austin

Booked 67 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.

6. Paperboy

4.8

Exceptional(224)

Price: Expensive

• Breakfast • East Austin

Booked 36 times today

Paperboy is a breakfast and lunch spot, known for its thoughtfully curated menu and comfortable atmosphere. We use simple, quality ingredients in our dishes, with bread, juices, sauces and preserves made in-house. Whether you grab a pastry and coffee to go or sit and enjoy a meal with your friends, we put just as much thought and care into the Paperboy experience as the food itself.

A photo of CARVE American Grille – Central Austin restaurant

7. CARVE American Grille – Central Austin

4.7

Exceptional(713)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Austin

Booked 44 times today

A dynamic mixed-use community located at 45th and Bull Creek in the heart of Central Austin. Whether it’s a date night dinner, a casual lunch, or a weekend brunch — let our chefs prove how live-fire, smoke and hand craftsmanship are reinventing your American Grille favorites featured in our modern-rustic dining room, four private dining spaces, or patio spaces. Even signature salads, desserts and cocktail options deliver a delicious and memorable smoky experience. The expansive bar at CARVE will open to patio dining and feature hand-crafted mixology, non-alcoholic moxology and wines on tap along with bar bites and our full menu breaming with fresh, eclectic ingredients in every cocktail and taste.

8. Ranch 616

4.6

Exceptional(1547)

Price: Expensive

• Southwest • Downtown

Booked 22 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."

9. Quince Lakehouse

4.4

Awesome(799)

Price: Moderate

• International • Austin

Booked 39 times today

Quince is an upscale casual, indoor/outdoor restaurant where all demographics and generations come together and enjoy a dining experience beyond normal expectations. People may initially visit for the terraces with exceptional views, but the food and the overall “Quince Experience” is what keeps them coming back. The "crave-worthy" and "global collective" menus & the team’s attentive and personal service are mixed with carefully-curated happy tunes which altogether create a positive-energy experience rarely found in a restaurant. This is how Quince in San Miguel de Allende (SMA), MX became rated top of its class and is the “# 1 rooftop restaurant in the world.” and the "#1 rooftop destination in the world" by Robb Magazine.

10. Sammie's Italian

4.8

Exceptional(1437)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 41 times today

Sammie’s is a little taste of old Italy in downtown Austin. It celebrates the great ‘red sauce’ institution—inspired by old school, legendary Italian-American restaurants. The menu offers classic dishes in a casual but sophisticated, retro-designed space that is both lively and comfortable, capturing the essence of a night out at your favorite neighborhood joint. The space consists of a central dining room overlooking Shoal Creek and 6th Street, polished wood bar, Mildred’s Room (a private dining/wine room), and wraparound patio dining area. Please note that patio seating is weather contingent. The menu offers riffs on standards including Housemade Mozzarella Sticks, Clams Casino, and Caesar Salad a la Tommy; timeless pastas like Spaghetti with Meatballs, and Linguine Vongole; and Sammie’s Classics: big portions of iconic plates like Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Marsala, and Baked Manicotti.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
CynthiaVIP
Austin •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Food was excellent but for the quality of dining experience we expected better service. Our waitress had no suggestions for food or cocktails (almost like it was an inconvenience to be asked) and seemed less than attentive and not very friendly.
More info
Aba - AustinPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• East Austin
•
4.8
M
Michael
Houston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
One of my favorites in Austin. Absolutely delightful.
More info
HopfieldsPrice: Expensive• French• Midtown
•
4.8
H
Helen
Austin •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
I love Nori. The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable. The service is outstanding. I love it. It's so good.
More info
NoriPrice: Expensive• Sushi• Old West Austin
•
4.8
J
JosephVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •37 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
We split the Halibut Ceviche (starter) and the Herb-crusted Halibut and Key Lime Pie (dessert). Portions are small, but adequate. Quality is exquisite. The restaurant is located in an area that is a bit seedy, but the restaurant is upscale. Curbside parking is limited, but there is ample public parking within a couple blocks. Highly recommended for ambience, great taste, and superb service.
More info
Stella San JacPrice: Expensive• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service• Downtown
•
4.4
N
Nancy
Austin •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We had not been to the Josephine House in a while, so it was great to return and enjoy a delicious brunch in a festive and cozy atmosphere. Avocado toast was delicious! Our waitperson was attentive and accommodating. Looking forward to returning sooner than later!
More info
Josephine HousePrice: Expensive• American• Central Austin
•
4.8

Best Lunch Restaurants in Central Austin

Price

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Top Rated

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146 restaurants available nearby

1. Hopfields

2. Nori

3. Stella San Jac

4. Aba - Austin

5. Josephine House

6. Paperboy

7. CARVE American Grille – Central Austin

8. Ranch 616

9. Quince Lakehouse

10. Sammie's Italian

See what locals rave about

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