Feast Your Eyes on This

Waterloo Brewery: The new rooftop beer garden provides a panorama of downtown. Note: Food is not allowed upstairs.

Coyote Cafe Rooftop Seating: A lower view but more in the thick of things; also only for drinking.

Bernie's Place, 18th floor, Sheraton Hotel: One of Austin's best-kept secrets, Bernie's view is top rate. The sparse crowd gathered in the dark bar is sure to be almost 100% out-of-towners, but for an intimate after-dinner nightcap, anonymity is a plus.

Landscapes

County Line on the Hill: Enjoy dessert or a pre-dinner drink on this patio nestled in the hills.

Z Tejas, Arboreteum: One of the newest additions to the growing Loop 360 area, Z Tejas features a commanding view on the beginnings of the Hill Country from its tables at the back of the restaurant.

Water

The Oasis: The 20-minute drive from central Austin to watch the sun set over Lake Travis from one of this restaurant's many decks is worth the trip. Stay after the bell rings -- the view actually improves once the sun disappears and the sky goes up in a pink-orange flame.

Iguana Grill: A relative newcomer to the shores of Lake Travis, Iguana Grill serves Tex-Mex favorites with a wide-angle perspective of the lake.

People

Hula Hut: Sure, it's got water and the hills too, but the best view at this Polynesian-styled paradise is on everyone else.

Little City: Take an outside table at this hip little coffeehouse and enjoy the parade along Congress Avenue. (The view of the Capitol isn't bad either.)