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A salad with green beans, sliced seared tuna, tomatoes, and potatoes.
A salad from FoodHeads.
FoodHeads

21 Excellent Lunch Destinations in Austin

Don’t underestimate the importance of the midday meal

by Darcie Duttweiler Updated
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A salad from FoodHeads.
| FoodHeads
by Darcie Duttweiler Updated

Dinner may be the most exciting meal of the day, breakfast is the most important one, but what about lunch? Whether you’re just sick of the same old sad sandwich during the workday at your desk or you want to try out a new restaurant during a more affordable mealtime, lunch doesn’t have to be an afterthought, especially in Austin.

There are plenty of delicious lunch options scattered throughout the city, offering everything such as giant sandwiches at campus spot FoodHeads, pizza slices at Little Deli, meaty sandwiches of Otherside Deli, and vegetarian dishes at South First cafe Bouldin Creek.

For similar daytime eats, check out the best downtown lunches, breakfasts, breakfast tacos, breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches, salads, and brunches (new and essential).

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Little Deli & Pizzeria

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Both locations of the pizzeria-slash-deli (this is Crestview and the other in Windsor) offer up Jersey-style pies and slices alongside hot and cold sandwiches. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

7101 Woodrow Ave (at W St Johns Ave), Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
(512) 467-7402

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Choo Sando

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You can grab perfect thick Japanese sandwiches and impeccable sushi boxes at the Allandale shop. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

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épicerie

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Choose from salads, po’ boys, burgers, and more at this adorable French-Louisiana bistro in Rosedale. Lunch hours begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 371-6840
(512) 371-6840

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Komé

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The lunch menu at the North Loop Japanese restaurant is somewhat different from its dinner offerings. There are teishoku (lunch combinations) with mains like karaage, katsu, and hangar steak, we well as sushi lunch specials and rolls, bento boxes, and donburi and chirashi bowls. It’s available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and until 3 p.m. on weekends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5301 Airport Blvd #100, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 712-5700
(512) 712-5700

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Hank's

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Looking for a lighter lunch? The robust salads and rice bowls at the casual American restaurant give plenty of options to eat your greens. Lunch hours begin at 8 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5811 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 609-8077
(512) 609-8077

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Uncle Nicky's

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Get a taste of Italy at the Hyde Park cafe with classic antipasti, pane tostadas (open-faced toasts), pastas, salads, and sandwiches (like the Italian tuna). Don’t skip the pastry section. Lunch hours begin at 8 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4222 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 318-2877
(512) 318-2877

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Otherside Deli

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Great pastrami and corned beef adorn several hefty sandwiches at the Heritage neighborhood deli. Go for a classic or indulge in the Rowdy Roddy turkey melt with cherry peppers. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online, and there are indoor dine-in areas.

1104 W 34th St D, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 407-9702
(512) 407-9702

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FoodHeads

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Looking for gigantic sandwiches near campus? The casual daytime restaurant offers that and beyond, like generous salads and large cookies. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

616 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 420-8400
(512) 420-8400

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Josephine House

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You may need reservations even during the week at this Clarksville charmer, but the daily brunch (aka just lunch) is totally worth it. Don’t skip the Nutella morning bun. The daytime menu is available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1601 Waterston Ave, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-5584
(512) 477-5584

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Sour Duck Market

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This casual, outdoor all-day cafe offers baked goods, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and plenty of vegetarian options for lunch. Hours begin at 9 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 394-5776
(512) 394-5776

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Better Half

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Perfect for a working lunch, place your order at the counter and hunker down at a millennial pink picnic table at this West Fifth Street hotspot. The burger is one of the best in town, and the cauliflower tots are exceptional. Lunch is served from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786

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Walton's Fancy & Staple

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Still a classic lunchtime, well, staple, the deli has some of the best sandwiches and pastries in the downtown area. Daily hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3380
(512) 542-3380

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Uroko

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The East MLK casual Japanese restaurant within Springdale General serves up temaki (hand rolls), which work out perfectly for lunch. Make a meal out of two or three of ’em. Lunch hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 3 p.m. Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1023 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 520-4004
(512) 520-4004

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Koriente

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Fresh and affordable pan-Asian fare can be found at this Seventh Street spot. Lunch hours begin at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Pickup orders can be placed over the phone or via DoorDash (with deliveries available too); there are outdoor dine-in areas.

621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 275-0852
(512) 275-0852

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Austin Rotisserie

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The best lunch destination within downtown food hall Fareground is this French rotisserie chicken stall. Fine roast chickens with potatoes, soups, and baguette sandwiches. Daytime hours begin at 11 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 358-4009
(512) 358-4009

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Salt & Time

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The East Austin butcher shop restaurant offers a nice meaty lunch menu with steak frites, salads with charcuterie, that burger, and more. Weekday lunch hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1912 E 7th St A, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1383
(512) 524-1383

More Home Slice

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For South Austinites, perfect New York-style slices and sandwiches can be found at the Travis Heights takeout pizzeria spot. Daytime hours begin at 11 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1415 S Congress Ave (Gibson St. E.), Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
(512) 444-7437

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Patika

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The South Lamar cafe offers excellent coffee and daytime eats like toasts, bowls, and sandwiches. Its daily hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2159 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

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Bouldin Creek Cafe

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The South Austin vegetarian’s best friend is this Bouldin Creek restaurant offering a plethora of tacos, sandwiches, bowls, and stir-fries. Daily daytime hours start at 8 a.m. Takeout orders can be placed online; the restaurant features indoor and dine-in services.

1900 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601
(512) 416-1601

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Habanero Cafe

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The Dawson restaurant serves up perfect daytime Tex-Mex, especially with its lunch specials like crispy taco plates and enchiladas. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

501 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-0443
(512) 416-0443

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Casper Fermentables

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The Sunset Valley deli focuses on fermented goods, including sourdough bagels and kimchi used in a tuna melt, for its daytime menu. Daytime hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and then from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4715 S Lamar Blvd #101A, Sunset Valley, TX 78745
(512) 330-4935
(512) 330-4935

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Little Deli & Pizzeria

7101 Woodrow Ave (at W St Johns Ave), Austin, TX 78757

Both locations of the pizzeria-slash-deli (this is Crestview and the other in Windsor) offer up Jersey-style pies and slices alongside hot and cold sandwiches. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

7101 Woodrow Ave (at W St Johns Ave), Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-7402
(512) 467-7402

Choo Sando

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

You can grab perfect thick Japanese sandwiches and impeccable sushi boxes at the Allandale shop. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person.

5222 Burnet Rd Suite535, Austin, TX 78756

épicerie

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756

Choose from salads, po’ boys, burgers, and more at this adorable French-Louisiana bistro in Rosedale. Lunch hours begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 371-6840
(512) 371-6840

Komé

5301 Airport Blvd #100, Austin, TX 78751

The lunch menu at the North Loop Japanese restaurant is somewhat different from its dinner offerings. There are teishoku (lunch combinations) with mains like karaage, katsu, and hangar steak, we well as sushi lunch specials and rolls, bento boxes, and donburi and chirashi bowls. It’s available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and until 3 p.m. on weekends. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5301 Airport Blvd #100, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 712-5700
(512) 712-5700

Hank's

5811 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723

Looking for a lighter lunch? The robust salads and rice bowls at the casual American restaurant give plenty of options to eat your greens. Lunch hours begin at 8 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

5811 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 609-8077
(512) 609-8077

Uncle Nicky's

4222 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751

Get a taste of Italy at the Hyde Park cafe with classic antipasti, pane tostadas (open-faced toasts), pastas, salads, and sandwiches (like the Italian tuna). Don’t skip the pastry section. Lunch hours begin at 8 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4222 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 318-2877
(512) 318-2877

Otherside Deli

1104 W 34th St D, Austin, TX 78705

Great pastrami and corned beef adorn several hefty sandwiches at the Heritage neighborhood deli. Go for a classic or indulge in the Rowdy Roddy turkey melt with cherry peppers. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online, and there are indoor dine-in areas.

1104 W 34th St D, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 407-9702
(512) 407-9702

FoodHeads

616 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705

Looking for gigantic sandwiches near campus? The casual daytime restaurant offers that and beyond, like generous salads and large cookies. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

616 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 420-8400
(512) 420-8400

Josephine House

1601 Waterston Ave, Austin, TX 78703

You may need reservations even during the week at this Clarksville charmer, but the daily brunch (aka just lunch) is totally worth it. Don’t skip the Nutella morning bun. The daytime menu is available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1601 Waterston Ave, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-5584
(512) 477-5584

Sour Duck Market

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

This casual, outdoor all-day cafe offers baked goods, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and plenty of vegetarian options for lunch. Hours begin at 9 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 394-5776
(512) 394-5776

Better Half

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

Perfect for a working lunch, place your order at the counter and hunker down at a millennial pink picnic table at this West Fifth Street hotspot. The burger is one of the best in town, and the cauliflower tots are exceptional. Lunch is served from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786

Walton's Fancy & Staple

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Still a classic lunchtime, well, staple, the deli has some of the best sandwiches and pastries in the downtown area. Daily hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 542-3380
(512) 542-3380

Uroko

1023 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78721

The East MLK casual Japanese restaurant within Springdale General serves up temaki (hand rolls), which work out perfectly for lunch. Make a meal out of two or three of ’em. Lunch hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 3 p.m. Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1023 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78721
(512) 520-4004
(512) 520-4004

Koriente

621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701

Fresh and affordable pan-Asian fare can be found at this Seventh Street spot. Lunch hours begin at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Pickup orders can be placed over the phone or via DoorDash (with deliveries available too); there are outdoor dine-in areas.

621 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 275-0852
(512) 275-0852

Austin Rotisserie

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

The best lunch destination within downtown food hall Fareground is this French rotisserie chicken stall. Fine roast chickens with potatoes, soups, and baguette sandwiches. Daytime hours begin at 11 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 358-4009
(512) 358-4009

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Salt & Time

1912 E 7th St A, Austin, TX 78702

The East Austin butcher shop restaurant offers a nice meaty lunch menu with steak frites, salads with charcuterie, that burger, and more. Weekday lunch hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1912 E 7th St A, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1383
(512) 524-1383

More Home Slice

1415 S Congress Ave (Gibson St. E.), Austin, TX 78704

For South Austinites, perfect New York-style slices and sandwiches can be found at the Travis Heights takeout pizzeria spot. Daytime hours begin at 11 a.m. daily. Takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

1415 S Congress Ave (Gibson St. E.), Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
(512) 444-7437

Patika

2159 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

The South Lamar cafe offers excellent coffee and daytime eats like toasts, bowls, and sandwiches. Its daily hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2159 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Bouldin Creek Cafe

1900 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

The South Austin vegetarian’s best friend is this Bouldin Creek restaurant offering a plethora of tacos, sandwiches, bowls, and stir-fries. Daily daytime hours start at 8 a.m. Takeout orders can be placed online; the restaurant features indoor and dine-in services.

1900 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601
(512) 416-1601

Habanero Cafe

501 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704

The Dawson restaurant serves up perfect daytime Tex-Mex, especially with its lunch specials like crispy taco plates and enchiladas. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

501 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-0443
(512) 416-0443

Casper Fermentables

4715 S Lamar Blvd #101A, Sunset Valley, TX 78745

The Sunset Valley deli focuses on fermented goods, including sourdough bagels and kimchi used in a tuna melt, for its daytime menu. Daytime hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and then from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

4715 S Lamar Blvd #101A, Sunset Valley, TX 78745
(512) 330-4935
(512) 330-4935

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