Dinner and a Show: Top Restaurants Around Austin’s Performing Arts Venues
When you’re heading out to enjoy an elegant night of ballet, theatre, opera, symphonic concerts or other special performances, you’ll want to make your experience extra special with a pre-show dinner or a post-show nightcap. To help you enhance your evening, we’re sharing some of our favorite restaurants near Austin’s biggest performing arts venues.
Nido
1211 West Riverside Dr.
A glamorous rooftop hot spot at The Loren Hotel, Nido is a beautiful restaurant with stunning views of Lady Bird Lake, and a menu of chic cocktails and sophisticated Modern American cuisine. Here, you’ll find a mix of dining options from Texas comfort foods to healthy plant-based choices and decadent desserts, too. A great spot before or after a show.
Near ZACH Theatre & The Long Center
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs Road
This chef-driven, authentic Mexican restaurant features a beloved outdoor patio that stands out as an Austin dining gem. El Alma‘s chic yet relaxed setting is perfect for enjoying delicious drinks outside on the patio before a show, or try their delicious brunch menu before a weekend matinee.
Near ZACH Theatre & The Long Center
Carpenters Hall
400 Josephine Street
Step into the refined setting of Carpenters Hall, located within the trendy Carpenter Hotel, to savor dishes that showcase the seasonality and multicultural nature of central Texas. Executive Chef Thomas Malz’s menu includes such options as rib roast, gulf oysters, waygu tartare along with and easy-going picks such as cheeseburgers and carrot cake.
Near ZACH Theatre & The Long Center
Casa de Luz
1701 Toomey Road
For the most health conscious choice, plan to pop into the dining room at Austin’s iconic Casa de Luz, a nonprofit community center that includes classes in yoga, meditation and healthy lifestyle education. The Dining room serves exclusively organic, vegan meals in a communal cafeteria-like setting. Expect a hearty assortment of soups, greens, vegetables, beans and nuts that will leave you well-nourished.
Near ZACH Theatre
House Wine
408 Josephine Street
A longtime Austin gem, House Wine is located in a comfortable and cute 1940s-era home and carries a bevy of wines from around the world, along with cheese plates, tapas and other delightful dishes. Plus, happy hour is hosted from 3 to 6 p.m. daily making it an ideal stop for light bites and a drink before a show.
Near ZACH Theatre
Arlo Grey
111 E Cesar Chavez Street
Nestled inside the LINE Hotel is restaurant, Arlo Grey, that features food from Top Chef winner Kristen Kish. The menu includes nods to Kish’s Midwestern background as mix of dishes influenced by French and Italian traditions from both Kish and Executive Chef Alejandro Munoz.
Near The Long Center
Lamberts
401 W 2nd Street
Situated in a restored 19th century brick building in downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District, Lamberts is contemporary, cool, and a great spot for “fancy” barbecue for a special dinner and a show combination. Enjoy a variety of mouth-watering meats, either smoked or grilled over an oak fire.
Near The Long Center
The Peacock
600 W 2nd Street
Austin Proper’s fantastic restaurant, The Peacock, is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor. Beautiful design is paired with outstanding cuisine. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine with dishes such as dips, mezzes, and kebabs geared towards sharing.
Near The Long Center and ZACH Theatre
Este
2113 Manor Road
Chef Fermín Núñez’s menu at Este is a seafood lover’s dream. Enjoy ceviche, oysters, fried fish tacos, a shareable seafood platter and much more. Beyond the fish, there’s a cast iron-seared T-Bone steak, seasonal vegetables and other inland dishes. If you’re just interested in snacks and a quick dinner before or after a show, pop into their neighboring onsite sister bar, Bar Toti.
Near Bass Concert Hall
Salty Sow
1917 Manor Road
Salty Sow serves up Southern comfort food with a modern twist. Expect creative signature drinks and sophisticated gastropub fare. It’s great for late-night post-theatre dining. Enjoy triple-fried duck fat fries, crispy Brussels sprouts, candied pork belly, and rich desserts.
Near Bass Concert Hall
El Chile
1900 Manor Road
For a refreshing margarita and delicious Tex-Mex, visit El Chile where you’ll find corn tortillas made in-house daily, sauces made from scratch and quality ingredients in classic dishes such as enchiladas, fajitas, chalupas, tacos and more. Visit for brunch, dinner or reverse happy hour.
Near Bass Concert Hall
Acre 41
Acre 41, a contemporary steakhouse located on the Ground Level of the Otis Hotel, is an upscale restaurant in Austin’s UT Campus District. The menu features USDA prime steaks, comfort-food favorites and dressed-up classic dishes that go the extra acre with locally sourced ingredients.
Near Bass Concert Hall
Luminaire & Las Bis
721 Congress Avenue
Located in the Hyatt Centric Hotel downtown, you’ll find two great options for pre and post-theatre dining experiences both led by six-time James Beard Nominee Chef Steve McHugh. Luminaire offers seasonal local Texas fare and charcuterie with a Spanish twist. Located on the eighth floor of the hotel with sweeping views of Congress Avenue, Las Bis offers a curated selection of craft cocktails, biodynamic wines, and an assortment of conservas.
Near The Paramount Theatre
The Driskill Grill
117 E 7th Street
Inside the downtown historic landmark, the Driskill Hotel, The Driskill Grill offers traditional Texas fare and dishes that are inspired by various eras that the hotel has seen during its 137-year history. For decades, it was a favorite dining spot for ranchers, politicians, high society folks and celebrities. Menu highlights include the short rib, crab cakes, pastas and more. Note that they also offer a special 3-course pre-theatre menu specifically for dinner and a show featuring a choice of salad, entree and dessert.
Near The Paramount Theatre
Lonesome Dove
123 West 6th Street
Chef Tim Love’s popular Lonesome Dove “Western Bistro” features Austin-inspired dishes that showcase Love’s creative use of bold flavors and wild game. Here you can try unique types of meat, including Montana Bison Ribeye, Elk Loin and Wild Boar Ribs, and Rabbit-Rattlesnake Sausage.
Near The Paramount Theatre
Old Thousand
1000 E 11th Street
This east side neighborhood Chinese restaurant serves up an eclectic and inventive mix modern interpretations of classic American-Chinese recipes. Don’t miss Old Thousand’s brisket fried rice or the salt and pepper tofu for a fun and casual option for dinner and a show.
Near Waterloo Amphitheater
Stubb’s BBQ
801 Red River Street
For a casual yet classic Austin option before a cultural performance in Waterloo Park, stop by Stubb’s BBQ where they have been serving authentic Texas barbecue since 1968. Enjoy a variety of smoked meats and classic sides in heart of the Red River Cultural District.
Near Waterloo Amphitheater