Where to Eat Lunch in Austin

Anytime someone wants to meet for lunch or asks where they should go when in town, I feel tension build up as I try to think what is somewhat heathy or not an over the top Tex-Mex lunch that will ruin dinner?  A lot of my favorite restaurants are only open for dinner as well, so I wrote this list on Where to Eat Lunch in Austin, because sometimes it’s hard to find something worth exploring or ideal for the type of meal and company you are with.  For even more recs, follow me on Instagram and sign up for my Substack!

RELATED: Best Brunch in Austin HERE!

Sit-Down

Epicerie – Not only does this French bistro and grocery have incredible cookies and laminated pastries, but an ever-changing menu of French favorites and seasonal dishes. Owner Sara McIntosh brings French-Louisiana inspiration to dishes like the Gnocchetti pasta, Burgers and Frites, and Beef Tartare. Although the flavor changes often, the Quiche has a custardy egg filling that’s taller than any other quiche I’ve seen before, wrapped up in a tender, buttery crust, and their seasonal salad is consistently fresh and full of great produce — the summer version holds fresh, bright peaches, plus arugula, goat cheese, nuts, and high-quality honey. It’s a great place for lunch with all the nice lighting and the casual-yet-cute cafe atmosphere without overdoing it. Don’t leave without ordering my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie topped with sea salt or the Funfetti one!

Monger’s – Seafood is my cuisine of choice. When you visit Monger’s for lunch, order the freshest (and largest) Tuna Poké Bowl in town, and start with the Shrimp Cocktail. You can take home some fresh seafood from their market to cook for dinner as well.

Komé – An unassuming, casual sushi spot that always leaves me satisfied. I can’t come here without getting the Spooky Roll. It’s the only sushi spot that has the freshest rolls that you can eat at this meal period and has the best sushi combo and affordable lunch options. Another great order is the $12 healing udon.

Joann’s Fine Foods – A SoCo staple you probably walk by every time you’re on the south side of town! They have so many options to choose from from salads and sandwiches to tacos and breakfast served all day. I like their flour tortillas for breakfast tacos or their Rice Bowl with redfish.

Oseyo – Hip decor and a chic outdoor patio make the perfect setting to enjoy the incredible Korean-American food at Oseyo. Lunch here is everything I crave — healthy and delicious Asian flavors and plenty of food. Go for the Bulgogi Salad or the Do Si Rak bento box with all the fix-ins.

Uchibā – Uchiba opened 20 years after the first Uchi, and you can see how both Austin and Uchi have grown when you visit. Austin is often so casual with picnic tables and chairs that leave lines on the back of your legs, so I love the more elegant experience of eating at Uchiba, where everything feels intimate and luxurious with a beautifully-lit bar and arches throughout the space. What stands out about the menu compared to other Uchi restaurants is the Buns and Baos, Dumplings and Yakitori, but I think the sushi is the best part. I recommend all my go-to nigiris, including the Bluefin Otoro, Hamachi, Kanpachi and Nasu (Japanese Eggplant), plus the Spicy Tuna Makimano roll with crispy shallot, Asian pear and charred negi aioli. You might not know that Uchiba has a great lunch, and their gorgeous interiors make for a perfect setting for a work lunch downtown.

Uptown Sports Club – Aaron Franklin’s non-BBQ spot pays homage to the original Uptown Sports Club in its East Austin building. It feels exactly like Louisiana and has nice exposed brick, plants, and a cool loose “L” shape to the room with half booths and table seating behind the bar. My favorite dishes at this Texas and Louisiana-inspired spot are the Cold Bar, Double Smashy Burger with the saltiest fries I’ve ever had, Grilled Redfish on the Half Shell, a Cherry Jubilee Freeze, and the El Jardinero Cocktail. They have TV’s so you can expect the Longhorn game to be on the screen, which makes it in between a dive/sports bar and a restaurant.

Elizabeth Street Cafe – I can never decide between the Snapper Bún (with added lettuce) or the Chicken and Rice Soup.

Kinda Tropical – A little far east, but this old converted gas station (with the wall of drink fridges still in tact) offers a great menu of Mexican inspired dishes. Order the Cuban Yucca Fries with Jalapeño Avocado Dip. They are dense, comforting and will make you come back just for these with a frozen cocktail at dinner. One of my absolute favorite salads in town full of flavor is the Sesame Salad with pulled chicken, butter lettuce, avocado, peanut dressing, and cilantro. They also have burgers, a fried chicken sandwich, and vegetarian options like a Crispy Tofu Sandwich.

Proud Mary – This menu is tiny but mighty and leans heavy on the breakfast items! There’s a variety of lunches to choose from including Eggs on Toast, Miso Leek Toast, and a Sesame Noodle Bowl.

Paperboy – Paperboy is simply THE place to go for brunch and lunch. It can be impossible to get a weekend reservation, but maybe you’ll have better luck for a weekday meeting at their new South Lamar location!

Uroko – Truthfully, I’ve never been a big fan of hand rolls because the seaweed is hard to bite into or the roll falls apart in my hand. However, the temaki here were unlike any I’ve had, so much so that I felt a whole change in my spirit and attitude. The Bluefin Tuna Taku held bluefin tuna, cucumber, takuan, wasabi butter, and shiso for $8, and I absolutely loved the sour, vinegary flavor mixed with the tuna in a warm and comforting roll with every ingredient in each bite. I also tried the Marfa Roll with tuna, hamachi, avocado, yuzu kosho, cucumber, and shiso, and the Spicy Tuna, which almost tasted like sriracha, but I would go back just to get a bunch of the Bluefin rolls. It’s counter-service, open for lunch every day, and I can’t wait to eat there again.

Elizabeth Street Cafe

Joann’s

Launderette – An oldie but goodie, Launderette offers the exact stylish and craveable lunch options for everyone because they have a healthy protein packed veggie bowl option and their popular burger all at the same time for whatever mood.Start with the Beet Hummus, then dig into the Shawarma Cauliflower Bowl, which is served with really bright, vibrant veggies like pickled golden raisins, sweet potato, cabbage escabeche, and arugula. I added their in-house roasted turkey, and it was the exact flavorful and herby meal I like to pretend I can make at home, but is way better when someone else does it for you.

Sushi Roku – This reliable sushi spot has their sourcing figured out, and they’re open for lunch with a sushi and nigiri and chirashi option, as well as the full menu.

Sunflower Vietnamese – While Sunflower is most known for their Crepes, it was the Clay Pot with shrimp that I made my special last bite. This warm pot is the best stir fry-tasting dish in Austin that feels so composed with all the things I love — soft rice, seafood, and vegetables like bok choy, mushrooms, and tomatoes. We got the Shaking Beef with bites so tender you don’t need a knife, my favorite way to eat meat.

Choo Sando – Choo Sando’s daily sushi boxes are incredibly fresh and well-priced for how much fish you get in one box. They offer a 10-piece Sushi Box with five types of nigiri, Sho Omakase Box with nigiri and maki, and so many more options you can see here. All lunch boxes come with Miso Soup, fresh wasabi, ginger and housemade soy sauce, and you should pre-order because they sell out! You can’t really walk in and grab a box day-of, but if you plan ahead and want to try something new, order here.

Pho Please – Come here for the Grilled Chicken Rice Paper Rolls or Salad with fried egg, pickled veggies, cabbage, fish sauce and add shrimp! I love the salad because I love Nuoc Cham sauce and their pickled veggies are addicting. Save your wonton soup order for Elizabeth Street Cafe though!

Bartlett’s – Bartlett’s is an industry favorite that regulars flock to. My favorite items are the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Asian Noodle Salad with tender Steak, and Sashimi Tuna Salad.

The Well – If you’re looking for a healthy downtown or Bouldin Creek spot, I love coming to The Well for the locally-sourced ingredients. I actually prefer the design and easier parking at the newer Bouldin location. I recommend the Salmon Tartare with avocado, lemon, garlic chili oil crisp, caper, and jicama, which is served with Tozi Chips, and the Organic Pasture-Raised Chicken with quinoa, pickled fennel, spring onion, bell pepper, snap peas, spinach, lemon vinaigrette, and herb coconut yogurt. The salads are always good, too! I say skip dessert here, and head to Thai Fresh instead for their gluten-free baked goods.

The Well

Fast Casual/Order At The Counter

Gati – Already home to the best GF baked goods and DF ice cream, Gati now has counter-service breakfast and lunch inspired by Jam’s international travels. My order is the Breakfast Salad and Mushroom Congee, but there’s also a waffle you’d never know is gluten free, Oaxacan-influenced Memelas, and a meat pie inspired by Jam’s time in Australia. Your body will feel good after you eat, and don’t forget a scoop of ideally light and creamy ice cream to finish.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails – This is a good place to work or have a meeting, and it wouldn’t be awkward if one person wanted to order food, and the other just wanted to have a coffee. Go for the Cauliflower Tots with Beet Ketchup, the Big Salad with chicken, and always order a biscuit. 

Home Slice Pizza – You might be a pizza person and enjoy a slice here, but I will always choose the turkey sandwich.

P-Thai’s – The traditional Thai dish of Khao Man Gai brings so many of my ideal flavors together with poached chicken, rice with chicken fat, cucumbers, and a fermented bean ginger chili sauce. After trying this dish at P Thai’s, I would happily eat lunch here every day of my life. The Wontons are the best dumplings I’ve had outside of the soup ones from Qi, but the Khao Man Gai comes with a broth so it’s plenty of food on its own. There’s plenty of parking, order at the counter, and the food comes out quickly.

Local Foods – Originally started in Houston, Local Foods’ 2nd Street District location earned its way onto this list because of its amazing Salmon Poke Powl, although I did sub the salmon for tuna – duh! With jasmine rice and quinoa, watermelon, napa cabbage, cucumbers, nori aioli, shaved radish, radish sprouts, spicy broccoli-miso crunch, and black sesame seeds, the bowl is SO fresh and filling. I also love their desserts, particularly the vegan Carrot Cake and Cowboy Cookie.

Casper Fermentables – This place is full of homemade and fermented breads like bagels, sourdough, focaccia, and even kombucha. It’s also a great place to work while you have lunch.

FoodHeads – I love a half-soup, half-sandwich situation for lunch. This old Austin spot satisfies that craving and my need for a no fuss plan. I enjoy the Chicken and Eggplant Sandwich!

Măm Măm – Măm Măm doesn’t even have a counter — it’s just a person at an order kiosk at Springdale General. Khao Man Gai is one of my very favorite Thai dishes, and the Chicken & Rice here is essentially just that, with poached chicken, chicken fat rice, ginger lime fish sauce, and pickled veggies. I love the yellow rice, and altogether, one dish is probably enough to make two meals of it for $16. A great spot to meet up with someone for a quick, easy, and healthy lunch, you can also order Papaya Salad, Chicken Congee, Fish Sauce Wings, and more.

Veracruz All Natural – Everything is made from scratch with all natural, fresh, whole ingredients so I feel good after I eat here! The Migas Originales are the best migas tacos in town, but then they add poblanos on the Migas Poblanas, which I like even better because it rounds out the flavor even more! They give a good portion of eggs that are soft and taste fresh vs. some of the food trucks in town that use a flat top to make overcooked eggs. Don’t forget to try the tender Barbacoa Taco at their larger brick-and-mortar in Mueller, Veracruz Fonda & Bar.

Spread & Co. – I’ll be honest and admit that I came to Spread & Co. specifically to try the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip cookie, this is an ideal lunch hang spot with dishes like Avocado Tartine, Turkish Eggs with garlicky yogurt, and a Smoked Salmon Plate to choose from. I got the Smoked Salmon, which is more of a spread, some jammy eggs, and salad for a light lunch before I devoured my warm chocolate chip cookie. I loved it all!

Asahi Imports – This amazing Japanese grocery store on Burnet has the best bento boxes and onigiri you can pick up and eat on the go. Call ahead to reserve Wednesday through Sunday.

Anh Em – Since Koriente closed, I’ve been on the hunt for a more casual, fresh Asian option, and Anh Em could be the answer. I love the green tile and bumpin’ music at this family business. I went with the incredible Grilled Shrimp Rice Plate, with shrimp that tasted a little smokey and great pickled vegetables. The owner insisted we also try the Bánh Mi Brisket Sandwich so in a minute of pressure, I listened to the expert, and we were so fascinated by what we found. The bread on this was super crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, seasoned with that amazing pho beef broth, topped with pickled carrots and daikon, and served as a huge portion for $15.This would be the perfect place for a healthy lunch, and def add a side of the pho chicken broth.