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8 Gameday Tables to Book in Austin This Fall

A photo of Red logo
by OpenTable team
Updated 10 August 2022

Everything, including football season, is decidedly bigger in Texas. In Austin, gameday fever takes on epic heights thanks to the University of Texas, set in the city’s buzzy downtown. When UT’s beloved Longhorns kick off their season on September 3, many fans will ditch their couches for TV screens at an array of lively bars and restaurants, which include everything from an airy downtown rooftop to a historic German-influenced dive. Though many spots serve up that faithful beer and wings combo, others pair brews and specialty cocktails with Irish pub grub, spicy Southwestern snacks, and New York-style pizza to fuel the fun. Here is OpenTable’s guide to Austin’s 8 best spots for watching football this fall—so book'em (horns).

A photo of Caroline restaurant
4.3
4.3 (1150)
$30 and under
American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Cozy vibes await at the rooftop bar at the popular Caroline restaurant in downtown Austin. The spot offers a mix of indoor and outdoor seating on benches, couches, and round tables. Enjoy football games here alongside a rotating list of specials served 4 pm to 7 pm daily, such as $2 tacos on Tuesdays, and $7 draft cocktails on Thursdays. The latter includes options such as hasta la guava, featuring Champagne, lychee, and guava juice and tipsy tamarind that’s made with pear vodka, tamarind syrup, and sparkling water.


Top review
Will
Dined on 14 Dec 2024
Great ambiance! Food was excellent and made for a great first date spot.
A photo of Toss Pizzeria & Pub - South 1st restaurant
4.7
4.7 (101)
$30 and under
Pizzeria
Downtown
About the restaurant

New York-style pizzas and playful cocktails create a relaxed atmosphere at Toss Pizzeria & Pub. TV screens line the walls both inside and out, where customers can choose from pies such as a Texas barbecue brisket and pulled pork carbonara and pair them with drinks like the watermelon press with vodka, basil leaves and watermelon juice, and the loco margarita with pineapple juice and jalapeño-infused tequila. Toss serves $3 mimosas everyday and popular bar snacks such as garlic knots, waffle fries, and chicken wings with a slew of sauce options including a sweet and spicy sambal glaze and a bacon and ranch rub.


Top review
PatriciaVIP
Dined on 10 Nov 2024
Great time great food as well. Took new people there and they enjoyed as well
A photo of Doc B's Restaurant - Austin restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1053)
$30 and under
American
North Central
About the restaurant

This mini chain—which also has locations in Illinois and Florida—is a stylish and roomy hangout for all your sporting needs. The Austin outpost features leather booths and barstools indoors, and wooden tables outside, plus plenty of TVs for optimal game day viewing. Doc B’s menu leans fancy—think chimichurri steak and grilled California artichokes—but there’s also plenty of traditional comfort food including the cheeseburger and teriyaki chicken wings. The extensive bar menu spotlights a range of red and white wines, and cocktails such as the internal affair, which comes with tequila, jalapeños, and pineapple juice.


Top review
Kurtis
Dined 3 days ago
The indoor band was very loud, especially the piano. I would have preferred no music to load music as it made it hard to talk to others at the table and to place our order.
A photo of Goodall's Kitchen restaurant
3.9
3.9 (368)
$30 and under
American
Downtown
About the restaurant

This elegant Southern bistro is located inside Hotel Ella, a charming boutique retreat with ties to the University of Texas. Football, which is screened at the adjoining Parlor Bar, can be enjoyed with the restaurant’s stellar plates such as wild boar dumplings and a wagyu beef burger, served on an artisanal sesame bun from nearby Dō Bakery. Reserve well in advance of home game weekends to partake in some decidedly swanky tailgating with drink specials featuring made-in-Texas vodka.


Top review
Anitra
Dined on 10 Dec 2024
I met up with friends for a long lunch. The staff was friendly and accommodating. There was no pressure to turn the table in their beautiful indoor dining room. I loved my salmon Caesar. I also recommend their cozy Parlor Bar!
A photo of W Austin Restaurant & Lounge restaurant
4.2
4.2 (1440)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

The screened porch at this sleek 2nd Street District hotel bar at the W Austin, which gazes out onto a lush patio, is also equipped with a giant projector wall for showing games. Trace typically rolls out a special drinks lineup for football season, with themed cocktails such as the hail bloody mary, made with locally distilled small-batch vodka and the aptly named longhorn, a mix of lemon vodka and pilsner. Pair your sips with snacks like pulled pork tacos and roasted street corn.


Top review
HaleyRVIP
Dined on 20 Jan 2024
Great service - staff bent over backwards to get our food out in 15 minutes so we could make a show at 8
A photo of Corner restaurant
4.6
4.6 (991)
$30 and under
Contemporary Southern
Downtown
About the restaurant

Indulge in both game and people-watching at the always bustling Corner, a centrally situated bar at the J.W. Marriott Austin. Pick from an array of indoor and outdoor TVs; the restaurant’s patio, right on Congress and 2nd, is especially expansive and lined with ample lounge chairs and tables, lending a vibe that’s almost clubby. In true Texas style—the bar is named after one of the points on the Lone Star, after all—the cocktails are always ice cold and the plates, which includes shrimp and grits, braised short rib nachos, and four types of tacos, are especially hearty.


Top review
Stephanie
Dined 4 days ago
Great service! The restaurant is beautiful and low key, ambience is very chill, and the food was delicious! The staff was so kind! Will definitely be back!
A photo of Hays City Store restaurant
4.8
4.8 (288)
$30 and under
American
Driftwood
About the restaurant

In the early 1980s, Hays City Store, a short drive from South Austin, was a gas station slash convenience store. Thanks to a 2017 transformation led by owners Travis and Tamra Tindol, the bar and restaurant—known for Hill Country comfort food—now features an additional section lined with plenty of bar and cocktail seating, five TVs, a wood-fired pizza oven, and 40 brews on tap. If beer’s not your MVP, there are various margaritas in flavors such as strawberry, watermelon, and jalapeño cucumber. Note that Hays doesn’t take same-day reservations after 2 pm.


Top review
ZtravelerVIP
Dined on 1 Jan 2023
Brunch on 1/1/23 was really good. I had the chicken and waffle (Texas shaped), hubs had the chicken fried steak and eggs and said it was really good as did my sister. Brother in law had the truck stop enchiladas with eggs and I assume it was good because his plate was clean. I will be trying that next time. Bloody Mary was $5 during brunch. It was sort of sweet for some reason but was still good. Great place for a Sunday brunch.
A photo of Stella San Jac restaurant
4.4
4.4 (1557)
$31 to $50
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Downtown
About the restaurant

If you’re hoping to catch a football game against a sophisticated backdrop, step into this chic refuge on the ground floor of the Westin Austin Downtown. Stella San Jac’s modern Southern menu, which includes bar bites such as deviled eggs, biscuits with honey butter, and lamb meatballs, is an all-rounder—the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch from Friday through Sunday. Sit by the action-packed open kitchen, which promises a view that’s almost as exciting as what’s unfolding on the TV screens.


Top review
JosephVIP
Dined 4 days ago
We split the Halibut Ceviche (starter) and the Herb-crusted Halibut and Key Lime Pie (dessert). Portions are small, but adequate. Quality is exquisite. The restaurant is located in an area that is a bit seedy, but the restaurant is upscale. Curbside parking is limited, but there is ample public parking within a couple blocks. Highly recommended for ambience, great taste, and superb service.
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