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.)


This article appears in August 2 • 1996 and August 2 • 1996 (Cover).

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