Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Austin's Late Night Restaurants

I've always been a night owl, so I've repeatedly experienced the challenge of finding a restaurant that's open late in Austin; most close @ 10pm on weekdays and @ 11pm on weekends. For being a college town, that seems pretty crazy (and not very smart business-wise). I compiled a list of late night restaurants, so if you're up with the late night munchies in the near future, check back. There's sure to be something here to satisfy your stomach:

Open until 11pm

P.F. Changs
This upscale Chinese restaurant is sure to please all palates, with a menu that features traditional Chinese-American favorites, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options. My favorite late night treat is the chicken lettuce wraps.
Open Su-Th until 11pm; F-Sa until midnight; (512) 457-8300; 201 San Jacinto Blvd.

CheeseCake Factory
Cheesecake Factory's menu is like a book, featuring over 200 items, including my favorites Seared Tuna Tataki Salad and Chicken Madiera. Be sure to save room for dessert, as they offer over 50 varieties of cheesecake. Wash it all down with a refreshing drink from their full bar, and you've got a late night feast.
Open M-Th & Su until 11:00pm, F-Sa until 12:30am; (512) 241-0777; 10000 Research Blvd.

Homeslice Pizza
Kinda hipster, this SOCO pizza parlor serves N.Y. style pizza. You can either buy their thin-sliced pizza by the slice or by the pie, but either way, it's a fun place to hang and drink beer with friends.
Open M-Th & Su until 11pm; F-Sa until 3am; (512) 444-7437; 1421 S. Congress Ave.

Located near UT campus, this late night bbq restaurant has been an Austin tradition since 1988. Serving some of the best brisket and ribs in town, they're my favorite bbq restaurant next to Salt Lick.
Open Su-Th until 11:00pm; F-Sa until midnight; (512) 477-1651; 512 West 29th St.

Silhouette
This downtown sushi bar recently added a karaoke bar upstairs. Downstairs, you can find sushi chefs making yummy rolls and sashimi platters, a full bar serving interesting concoctions such as saketinis, and a big projection screen that shows Japanese movies.
Open Su-Th until 11:30am, Fr-Sa until 1:30am; (512) 478-8899; 718 Congress Ave.
Open M-Sa until 2am, Su until 11:30pm; (512) 448-4722; 2400 East Oltorf St.

Open until Midnight or Later

Parkside
This downtown restaurant is frequented by chefs who get off their late-night shifts at restaurants that close earlier.  They are most famous for their oyster bar, but they have other delights such as raw fish, a wide assortment of appetizers and entrees and of course, yummy desserts.
Open Daily until 12:30am; (512) 474-9898; 301 E. 6th St.

G'Raj Mahal Cafe
Open Tu-Th & Su until midnight; F-Sa until 3am; (512) 480-2255; 91 Red River (in the backyard)

Phara's
This Greek restaurant doesn't compare to Athenian, Tito's or even El Greco. Located in North Austin next to a hookah lounge, Phara's boasts one of the best patios in town, sometimes transforming into a stage for belly dancers. Best yet, it's BYOB.
Open Tu-Su until midnight; (512) 632-7067; 111 E. North Loop

Bakehouse
Open Daily until midnight; (512) 443-5167; 5404 Manchaca Rd.


Open M-W until midnight, Fr-Sa until 1am; (512) 482-8842; 315 Congress Ave.

Plucker's
This campus original is not for the weak at heart. Pluckers's specialty is wings, and they do it right, offering over 16 flavors, including the infamous "Fire in the Hole". Don't forget to order tons of fried stuff, including pickles, macaroni and cheese and yes, even Twinkies!
Open Daily until 2am; (512) 443-WING; 3909 S. Lamar

Texas Chili Parlor
Open M-Sa until 2am, Su until 12am; (512) 472-2828; 1409 Lavaca Street


Thai Passion
Open Daily until 3am; (512) 472-1244; 620 Congress Ave. Suite #105


Open 24-hours

Star Seeds Cafe
Star Seeds Cafe is a hip little diner located near campus on I-35. It neighbors a hotel (incidentally the one that was used to film). Their coffee is nectar for night owls, and their entrees cover sandwiches, salads, vegetarian options and breakfast. Everything is made fresh

Open Daily 24 hours; (512) 478-7107; 3101 N. I-35

24 Diner
Open Daily 24 hours; (512) 472-5400; 600 N. Lamar

Magnolia
Open Daily 24 hours; (512) 445-0000; 1920 S. Congress Ave.

Kerbey Lane
Open Daily 24 hours; (512) 445-4451; 2700 S. Lamar Blvd.

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