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Special
Refreshing Lake Restaurants
by Erin Smith and Drex Earle, Ph.D.
With summer here, there’s no better time to take a taste of Austin’s lake cuisine. And take it from us, dining near the water can be as healthy as it is scenic and fun. With this special lake dining guide, you should have everything you need to stay happy, healthy and hopefully satiated when searching for great lake summer eats.
 Branchwater Bar at the Hyatt Regency — the perfect place to enjoy the Hike and Bike trail when you are not actually, hiking, biking, running or sweating in any way. Sit back and enjoy one of the best views of downtown as the daily stream of Town Lake runners and site-seers parades below the spacious patio. Distinctly Texas décor gives this favored spot extra flavor, as visitors and locals mingle nightly.
208 Barton Springs Road
477-1234
http://austin.hyatt.com
Healthy Selections:
• Portabella Fries
• Shrimp Margarita
• Fajita Salad
Shoreline Grill
— an Austin fave for almost 15 years now, this gracefully understated restaurant offers top-tier cuisine to locals and visitors alike. Located next to the Four Seasons Hotel, the Shoreline Grill’s menu resonates with class and subtlety, as traditional seafood favorites are accented with eclectic twists, such as grilled tuna with a cranberry Serrano sauce or crab cakes coupled with chipotle mango salsa. An excellent view of Town Lake and the South Congress “Bat” Bridge are simply bonuses in comparison to the wonderful food.
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
477-3300
www.shorelinegrill.com
Healthy Selections:
• Shoreline Caesar Salad with Grilled Tuna
• Fish Taco with Napa Slaw and
Sliced Avocado
• Grilled Quail with Spinach, Pecans,
Pineapple and Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
The Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons — situated in the pristine Four Seasons Hotel, this impeccably well-decorated lounge sparkles with Capitol City class. Without question, this is one of the top locales in the city for Austin’s executives, ingénues and associates. The view of Town Lake and the Four Seasons pool provides the perfect back-drop to the real show, which usually starts around nine on weeknights, as a parade of powerful and positioning roll in for the evening.
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
478-4500
www.fourseasons.com/austin/dining/
lounge_1.html
Healthy Selections:
• Steamed Turkey and Vegetable Pot Stickers
• Smoked Duck Quesadilla, Pico de Gallo,
Sour Cream and Guacamole
• Tuna “Sashimi” Sliced Ahi Tuna with Pickled
Ginger Sauce and Soba Noodle Salad
 T.G.I. Friday’s — a cliché franchise eatery but with a twist, this is a great place to grab a drink and gaze across beautiful Town Lake for the nightly bat extravaganza. Linked to the Radisson Hotel off South Congress Avenue, this is a popular spot for short-visit tourists and locals craving potato skins, pot stickers and spinach dip. Health-conscious eaters can also rest assured, as several menu options (particularly salads and soups) can be prepared low-fat, while the growing population of Atkins followers will rejoice at a special section tailored just for them.
111 Cesar Chavez
478-2991
http://austin2.myfridays.com
Healthy Selections:
• Garlic Chicken with Mixed Broccoli
• Classic Shrimp Marinara
• Tuna Salad Wraps
County Line Barbeque — a surreptitious route along Lake Austin will take you to this delectable barbecue joint, known for having food that’s as good as the view. Occupying an old lake lodge, this outpost of the County Line sits on a less-traveled branch of Lake Austin. Many meat-eaters have embraced the spot for its shady patio and casual atmosphere, making it a hot-spot at both lunch and dinner. The delicious homemade bread will surely tempt even the most disciplined Atkins dieter.
FM 2222 (just off Capitol of Texas Highway)
346-3664
www.countyline.com
Healthy Selections:
• Smoked Pepper Turkey Breast Platter with
Baked Beans and Onions
• Smoked Chicken Breast with
Sauteed Mushrooms
• Texas Tampiqueña Salmon with Cole Slaw
 Hula Hut— arguably one of the most popular restaurants in town, perhaps its major attraction is prime placement on Lake Austin. The food is an interesting mix of Mexican and Polynesian cuisines, and the margaritas are consistently tasty and refreshing. The novelty of easy boat access, however, keeps most Austinites coming back. Be sure to try the heaping Pipeline Enchilada or the Mango margarita on your next visit, the earlier the better if you want to avoid the crowds.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
476-4852
www.hulahut.com
Healthy Selections:
• Hula Hut Chopped Salad with Shrimp
• Chile-Rubbed Salmon Tacos
• North Shore Veggie Fajitas
 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters — While not as quirky or stylized as some coffee shops in Austin, Mozart’s instead allows the view to do the decorating for them. Situated serenely on the banks of Lake Austin, this traditional coffee and desert shop proves the perfect psychic and social counterbalance to Hula Hut, its bold and brassy neighbor. Perfect for an afternoon of reading or relaxing, Mozart’s also hosts live music Thursday through Sundays. For the more industrious sunset-watcher, they also have free wireless internet access. Finally, Mozart’s boasts its very own coffee blends, in addition to harboring one of the most glorious pastry selections in town.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
477-2900
www.mozartscoffee.com
Healthy Selections:
• Smoothie Granita
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
• Hot Tea
Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe —becoming a local favorite, this lakeside restaurant draws visitors via land and water with parking available for both. A sunny, mostly outdoor seating spot on the lake, it has been a favorite since 1954 when it was serving up necessity grub for lakeside vacationers. All of the burgers are excellent, and the grilled chicken and catfish keep them in good company. Ski Shores markets itself as a family place, thus no bar, though it does serve beer and wine. Austin-based singer/songwriters round out weekend nights, making it one of the best destinations for good, wholesome, flip-flop-wearing fun.
2905 Pearce Road
346-5915
www.skishores.com
Healthy Selections:
• Veggie Burger
• Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich
• Garden Fresh Salad
The Pier — volleyball, video games and great eats are just a few of the offerings just a boat ride away at The Pier. Serving up traditional American fare to hungry, tanned crowds throughout the summer, The Pier has become a popular stop for boaters looking for a quick bite. Healthy is certainly possible at The Pier, but if you are feeling adventuresome, it’s the only place on Lake Austin you can get a fried pickle.
1703 River Hills Road
327-4562
www.pierlakeaustin.com
Healthy Selections:
• Peel ‘Um and Eat ‘Um Shrimp
• Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
• Chips and Salsa
 Carlos ‘N Charlie’s Bar and Grill— the first of the famous (and sometimes, infamous) bar and restaurant chain in America, the Lake Travis location draws a massive crowd on weekends throughout the summer. Always a party, this multi-level establishment hosts live music on weekends from March to September to entertain the bikini-clad boaters and tanned wakeboarders who flock to the lakeside party. Carlos ‘N Charlie’s has a strict “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem!” policy, and plenty of first-come, first-serve boat parking for maximum user-friendliness. While it is a great singles scene, the restaurant also serves up great food and atmosphere for families as well.
5973 Hiline Road
266-1683
www.cncaustin.com
Healthy Selections:
• Tortilla Soup
• Beefsteak Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella Salad
• Chipotle Chicken Breast
Healthy’s — near Carlos ‘N Charlies, Healthy’s offers a refreshing alternative to much of the fried fare found on Lake Travis. Loaded with an assortment of healthy eats and matching nutritional information, it is a great choice for fitness-buffs or those simply wanting to look good in their swimsuits. Virtually everything on the menu is designed to be uber-healthy and fast, but also tasty. All menu items are grilled, baked or steamed, and every ingredient is fresh (garnering Healthy’s one of the highest inspection scores by the Travis County Health and Human Services Department), preservative-free and devoid of hormones or steroids. Consciously keeping within the price point of other fast-food restaurants, Healthy’s is sure to give McDonald’s and Wendy’s a run for their money very soon.
4919 Hudson Bend Road
266-8998
Healthy Selections:
• Grilled Adobo Chicken Sandwich
• Air-Baked Fries
• Grilled BBQ Tilapia Sandwich
Iguana Grill— billing itself as Lake-Mex (Tex-Mex with a Yucatan flair), and sporting an impressively long and fruity drink menu, Iguana Grill is perfect for a meal-length tropical vacation. Be wary though, the combination of the stunning lake view and a tasty Texatini (Iguana’s Mexican Martini) is a dangerous one: you’ll be online looking for flight specials to Cancun as soon as you get home. Overall the atmosphere is relaxed, the food is fresh and light and the lake is just a short drive away.
2900 Ranch Road 620 North
266-8439
www.austincityguide.com/iguana-grill-austin.htm
Healthy Selections:
• Ceviche al Estilo Yucateca
• Alambres a la Parilla
• Rainbow Trout Vera Cruz
Johnny Fins — another mainstay for the boating set, Johnny Fins is a one-of-a-kind establishment, resonating with local flair and puckish attitude. Its location directly on Hurst Harbor Marina, ample patio seating and tons of boat parking ensure a jumping scene throughout Lake Travis’ peak season. In addition to traditional favorites like fried catfish and shrimp, burgers and hot dogs, Fins also offers lighter fare for the more health-conscious patrons. Starting in April they turn it up with live music every Friday and Saturday, as local acts belt out Top 40, Jimmy Buffet and rhythm and blues.
16405 Clara Van Trail
266-2811
www.johnnyfins.com
Healthy Selections:
• Chicken and Shrimp Grille
• California Chicken (served with low-fat
mozzarella and fresh avocado)
• Fillet En Foil
 Oasis Cantina del Lago — sunset at the Oasis demands a celebration, and awed patrons are more than happy to applaud the event on a daily basis at this perfectly situated Tex-Mex restaurant overlooking Lake Travis. While the food holds its own, the panoramic view of the lake and surrounding countryside is jaw-dropping, oh-my-goodness spectacular — a reason both natives and visitors flock to this establishment. Often crowded with out-of-towners on weekends, Austin residents have the best shot at a short wait, and a prime seat, on weeknights.
6550 Comanche Trail
266-2442
www.oasis-texas.com
Healthy Selections:
• Seafood Botana
• Honey Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
• Low Carb Fish
Also check out:
Hill Country Pasta House
3519 RR 620 North
266-9445
www.hillcountrypasta.com
Hudson’s On The Bend
3509 RR 620 North
266-1369
http://hudsons.
citysearch.com
Shades Café
18200 Lakepoint Cove
267-1845
Sundowner Grill at Volente Beach
16107 FM 2769
258-5109
Tug’s BBQ
18660 FM 1431
Located in the Jonestown Country Store
694-0335
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