Best Lunch Restaurants in Central Austin

148 restaurants available nearby

1. Hopfields

4.8

Exceptional(300)

Price: Expensive

• French • Midtown

Booked 13 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(311)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Old West Austin

Booked 69 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(1566)

Price: Expensive

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Downtown

Booked 19 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(1192)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • East Austin

Booked 182 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(1330)

Price: Expensive

• American • Central Austin

Booked 59 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(234)

Price: Expensive

• Breakfast • East Austin

Booked 63 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

4.6

Exceptional(738)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Austin

Booked 78 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. Sammie's Italian

4.8

Exceptional(1455)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 81 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.

9. Este

4.8

Exceptional(103)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • East Austin

Booked 92 times today

Nestled between East Austin neighborhoods, Este celebrates fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking. From the team behind the East 6th favorite, Suerte, Chef Fermin and restaurateur Sam Hellman-Mass are taking their love for masa coastal. In a location with a rich history, Este’s bright dining spaces, artisan decor and spacious outdoor deck bring the energy of seaside towns to East Austin. An extensive wine list and vibrant coastal-inspired cocktails are the perfect pairing for aguachiles, ceviches, oysters y otros mariscos!

10. Caroline

4.3

Awesome(1159)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 49 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
BrettVIP
Dallas - Fort Worth •36 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
From the hostess to the waiter Oscar, and the food everything was excellent!!!
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Stella San JacPrice: Expensive• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service• Downtown
•
4.4
C
Carol
Jackson Hole / Wyoming •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
Unfortunately steaks were overcooked. Salad was excellent
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Josephine HousePrice: Expensive• American• Central Austin
•
4.8
E
Elizabeth
Austin •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
This is a fantastic venue for a work lunch. The atmosphere is elegant, and the attention to detail is evident in everything, from the ambient candles in the bathroom to the beautifully presented mocktails we enjoyed. I have two minor suggestions for improvement: first, our table for four felt a bit cramped given the size of the plates, and second, while we ordered three dips, we felt that the pita was not replenished as frequently as we would have liked. Overall, however, I would rate the experience a solid 10/10. I highly recommend this establishment and look forward to returning in the future.
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Aba - AustinPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• East Austin
•
4.8
M
Michelle
San Antonio •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
They were full but we were sat as soon as we arrived. Food and drinks were brought to us fast and the food was fresh and tasty. Everything is always so good. This is a highly recommended vegan restaurant.
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NoriPrice: Expensive• Sushi• Old West Austin
•
4.8
M
MichaelVIP
Dallas - Fort Worth •12 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 28, 2024
I like this place and staff was great too, but my steak and frites came out both cold, barely warm. It was still tasty though but not what I expected for the cost. I really didn’t have time to send it back just pushed through cold meat and frites lol
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HopfieldsPrice: Expensive• French• Midtown
•
4.8

Best Lunch Restaurants in Central Austin

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148 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. Sammie's Italian

9. Este

10. Caroline

See what locals rave about

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