Austin Restaurant Spotlight: Clarksville and West Lynn St

One of Austin's most sought-after neighborhoods, Clarksville offers a close-knit neighborhood feel in a European style, pedestrian-friendly setting. With small privately-owned markets and delicious restaurants all a stone's throw away, Clarksville residents happily enjoy the best Austin has to offer.

And while Clarksville is home to a number of distinctive shops, including award-winning locally-owned coffee shops and a drug store complete with working soda fountain, the neighborhood's restaurants are perhaps the largest commercial draw. West Lynn Street alone is home to no less than four unique restaurants, each offering original, delicious fare, and all contained within just three blocks.

The most notable of West Lynn's restaurants is likely Jeffery's. A high-class, high-dollar establishment, Jeffrey's chefs pride themselves on culinary ingenuity. The award-winning restaurant, housed in a small, bright yellow home at 1204 West Lynn, has received accolades as a Distinguished Restaurant of North America and boasts a Wine Spectator Award for Excellence. From ceviche to caviar, Jeffrey's offers its patrons a wide range of dishes that, while extremely unique, manage to work together surprisingly synergistically for a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience.

Catty corner to Jeffrey's on the Northern side, at 1213 West Lynn, you'll find Cipollina Clarksville's own Italian bistro. With high ceilings, low lighting and massive mirrors adorning the walls, Cipollina offers a wonderful old-world atmosphere in addition to its traditional Italian fare. Delicious wood-fired pizzas, boasting exotic toppings like white truffles, prosciutto and arugula, and tasty items like handmade pastas and lavender me brule ensure Cipollina's patrons will enjoy an authentic, unforgettable culinary experience.

Just a stone's throw to the South at 1110 West Lynn sits Zocalo Cafe, in a striking white building with lime green accents, and a long outdoor patio, shaded by overhanging trees. With fresh ingredients, reasonable prices, and bold Mexican flavors, Zocalo's patrons enjoy delicious tacos, salads and other typical fare in a relaxed Cantina atmosphere the weekend brunch is also very popular. The Posole soup (a zesty concoction of pulled pork) and Mexican Totra are two notable menu items, and the frozen sangria keeps residents of Clarksville and beyond coming back again and again during the hot Texas summer.

Zocalo's sister restaurant, Galaxy Cafe, lies just across 11th Street at 1000 West Lynn. Offering a similarly relaxed atmosphere and budget-friendly prices, Galaxy's fare puts an original spin on the typical American diner menu. Clarksville's answer to fast food, Galaxy treats patrons to specials like grilled mahi mahi and skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, on top of the everyday menu of delicious salads, sandwiches, wraps (the fish wrap, in particular, is a local favorite) and burgers. And like Zocalo, Galaxy's weekend brunch always draws a crowd.

Regardless of your budget, your mood or your cravings, Clarksville's own little restaurant district at West Lynn literally offers something for everyone. And the success of each of the four restaurants that dot the street "despite their close proximity to one another" is a strong testament to the quality and popularity of each, and of their ability to keep both Clarksville and greater-Austin-area residents coming back for more.