This blog post is sponsored by OLLY Nutrition. All experiences and opinions are my own.
Let’s talk lunch because it is one of the most important meals of the day. Austin is filled with so many wonderful restaurants and as you guys know, I’ve always been the biggest supporter of our local restaurant scene. This is actually one of the most FAQs, “what’s a cute restaurant that I can go to with a girlfriend?”
So are the best lunch restaurants in Austin who ladies who lunch.
SEE ALSO: 41 Best Restaurants In Austin, Updated 2020
Before we get into the best lunch spots in Austin, let’s have some girl room talk on bloating because it happens to all of us. For me, bloat happens after I eat a large restaurant meal or at night when I’m sitting on the couch snacking on chips or a pint of ice cream.
The new OLLY Future is Female products are here to help! I have here the Beat The Bloat softgel capsules that help reduce gas, bloating water retention, and digestive discomfort from foods and hormonal cycles.
Digestive Enzymes help support the breakdown of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, lactose and vegetable fibers,
helping to alleviate gas and bloating.*
- Alpha-galactosidase is a natural enzyme that helps break down complex carbohydrates found in grains and vegetables.
- Lactase helps break down lactose in dairy foods.
- Lipase helps break down fats which can be difficult to digest.
- Amylase helps break down starches into smaller carbohydrate molecules for easier digestion.
- Cellulase and Hemicellulase (not produced in the body) help break down cellulose plant fibers and hemicellulose—only partially digested by flora in the intestinal tract.
Dandelion Root has been traditionally used to help with gas, bloating, digestion issues and water retention.*
Fennel and Ginger are traditionally used to relieve gas and bloating.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Back in high school, I was so used to girl room talk in the locker rooms. Believe it or not, I played varsity tennis in high school. Yup, I was terrible at everything else – band, choir, art, and track. We had to choose an extracurricular activity – tennis was one of the last options but it was mostly guys & I was the tiniest one on JV (still tiny IRL 😝).
Coach didn’t think I’d even last through the first week of practice & the rest of the team thought I couldn’t keep up. But I would stay after practice and force the guys to play with me so I could get stronger & eventually made it up at varsity 🙌.
So gals, let’s talk #inthegirlsroom – what’s something you’ve done that you didn’t you could?
Scroll down for my guide to the best lunch spots in Austin!
Table of Contents
Oakmont Food Company
Oakmont just opened in Central Austin and I’m already obsessed with this cute, bright, and sunny spot. Perfect for a ladies lunch! All-day dining with options like pupusas (corn tortillas filled with Oaxaca cheese), shrimp tostada, grain salad (farro, quinoa, and goat cheese), Gluten Free Fried Chicken Salad, Oakmont burger, and a breakfast sandwich with carnitas and American cheese.
If you come for brunch on the weekend, order the yogurt parfait, and french toast with chicken!
1106 W 38th St, oakmontfood.com
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Guide To Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Austin
FoodHeads
I love this little sandwich shop tucked away on 34th Street that’s been making sandwiches in Austin for over 20 years! Specialty sandwiches like chicken and eggplant, hot pastrami, veggie sandwiches, salads, and made from scratch soups. FoodHead’s has a cute patio for any ladies who lunch!
Host a FoodHead’s Neighborhood lunch bunch! As a host, send out an email with the specifics on the pick up time and location and place your order on the lunch bunch page and choose your neighborhood pick up spot and your lunch choices. On your lunch bunch day, pick up your food from your neighbor’s front steps (your neighbor retrieves the food curbside from FH)at the designated location and time! It will be packed with your name on it, and the receipt will be attached to the bag. This is a fun way of being neighbors… the social distancing way! What’s in it for you the host? You’ll receive a $20 credit for every $500 of lunches sold in their hood. Interested https://hotcanadianpharmacy.com in being a host? Please email FoodHead’s at eat@foodheads.com
What to order: I personally love the squash sandwich (grilled squash & fresh mozzarella served on toasted multigrain bread with spinach, tomato, basil pesto & balsamic reduction) and a cup of tomato coconut soup. & don’t forget to get a coconut cupcake to-go!
Lunch hours: every day at 11am
616 W 34th St, foodheads.com
Taquero Mucho
Austin’s cutest & instagrammable pink Mexican restaurant recently added a new patio that’s perfect for lunch!
Lunch hours: Every day at 11am
508 West Ave
TLV
If you find yourself in downtown Austin for lunch, go to TLV at Fareground food hall for Israeli street food. The inside of Fareground is temporarily closed so TLV is offering curbside pick-up (on 2nd street in the parking lot) or delivery (via DoorDash and Favor).
The chicken hawaiej hummus with chicken thighs in Yemenite spice blend with pita is absolutely delicious.
Lunch hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 11am-9pm
111 Congress Ave Fareground #7, tlv-austin.com
Hank’s
I go to Hank’s quite frequently during the week because I like working from their coffee shop and it’s a cute lunch spot. I usually get the cheeseburgers with french fries, avocado toast, garden and goat salad, or the brussels sprouts.
1/2 off burgers every Monday from 11am – 10pm (featured in my guide to the best burgers in Austin)
Lunch hours: 11:30 am daily
5811 Berkman Dr, hanksaustin.com
Elizabeth Street Cafe
When I think of ladies who lunch spots in Austin, Elizabeth Street Cafe is probably the most popular spot. It’s super cute and the Vietnamese cuisine is delicious.
Lunch hours: opens at 11am daily
1501 S 1st St, elizabethstreetcafe.com
Loro
Loro just reopened for lunch and they have a huge outdoor patio that’s also dog-friendly. My favorite items are the crunchy sweet corn fritters, oak-grilled snap peas, crispy potatoes, chicken karaage, and crispy Szechuan tofu coconut rice bowl. Try the Thai watermelon punch or the frozen gin & mango sake slushee.
Lunch hours: opens at 11:30 am daily
2115 S Lamar Blvd, loroaustin.com
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Guide To Best Happy Hours In Austin
La Piscina Ceviches & Fajitas
I dined at La Piscina recently during my Austin Proper staycation and it’s a super cute spot if you wanted to catch up with a girlfriend in a social distancing environment. I had the gulf snapper & aji amarillo aguachile, queso fundido, baja sea bass tacos a la plancha, and jamaica with a hibiscus with fresh spearmint.
Lunch hours: Friday and Saturday at 12pm
600 W 2nd St 5th Floor, properhotel.com/austin/restaurants-bars/
SEE ALSO: 13 Best Breakfast Tacos In Austin
Fresa’s
Fresa’s has reopened its patio and dining room at their South First location with limited seating. They’re still offering contactless curbside service, margaritas, beer, and wine to-go. Y’all know Fresa’s is one of my absolute go-to’s if I’m wanting to take someone to a cute spot with really great Tex-Mex! If you’re only wanting takeout, go to their location on N Lamar Blvd.
Lunch hours: daily from 11am
1703 S 1st St, fresaschicken.com
Sawyer & Co
Sawyer & Co is a cute Southern Diner that offers a full bar, breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both indoor dining, orders to-go, and a cute retro outdoor patio.
Lunch hours: opens at 10am
4827 E Cesar Chavez St, sawyerand.co
Sixth & Waller
Sixth and Waller at East Austin Hotel has reopened but the indoor space of the restaurant will not be opening for dining — all dining is outdoors! The restaurant is open seven days a week, offering a limited lunch menu served at Pool Bar, on the pool deck, on the downstairs patio outside of Sixth and Waller from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The limited mezze menu includes bento box-style sandwiches, salads, and snacks, such as guacamole and muhammara.
Lunch hours: opens at 12pm
1108 East 6th Street, eastaustinhotel.com/food-drink/6th-and-waller/
Launderette
While Launderette is currently not doing lunch service right now, they were one of my absolute go-to’s if I wanted to grab lunch with a girlfriend. Launderette is an East Austin café located in the heart of the Holly neighborhood. Launderette features an inviting menu elevated by the vibrant and global flavors from Chefs Rene Ortiz & Laura Sawicki.
To-Go Menu: The menu features Snacky Bits, Specialities & Vegetables. The Specialties will be available in two serving sizes – the smaller is Launderette’s typical serving size and the larger is a Family-Size portion. Chef Sawicki will be preparing a selection of her signature desserts to be enjoyed at home. The Launderette team is also offering Signature to-go cocktail kits, as well as beer & wine to-go.
2115 Holly St, launderetteaustin.com
June’s
I couldn’t leave off June’s on a ladies who lunch guide – this super cute all-day diner has both indoor and outdoor patio dining. The appetizing board with pastrami smoked salmon, onion and poppy bialy, red onion, capers, watercress, and wasabi tobiko cream cheese is great for sharing. The June’s charbroiled burger and fried chicken sandwich are popular options too.
Lunch hours: Dine-In & To-Go / 11:30am-4pm Mon-Fri
1722 South Congress Ave, junesallday.com
Komé
Komé is one of my favorite spots for sushi in Austin and especially for a quick weekday lunch. Komé is currently closed and only safely serving contemporary home-style Japanese meals, sushi, and ramen through curbside pick-up.
Online ordering for takeout: Sun – Thu 12 noon – 8 pm; Fri & Sat 12 noon – 9 pm.
5301 Airport Blvd #100, kome-austin.com/miso/
Nervous Charlie’s
la Barbecue
If you’re wanting bbq for lunch, la Barbecue is the spot to-go. La Barbecue is currently closed for dine-in and only doing curbside take out which means you don’t have to wait in line and order online! Get a nice spread of brisket, pork ribs, jalapeno sausage, potato salad, and shells & cheese.
To-Go Menu: Wednesday — Sunday from 11am — 6pm, order online here
2027 E Cesar Chavez St, labarbecue.com