Open Til Midnight: Late Night Eats in Austin

After Midnight: Late Night Bites in Austin

Austin’s exciting and colorful night life is one of its major attractions for tourists and residents alike. But after the clubs, concerts, or bar-hopping, the age-old question always arises of where to eat after midnight when most traditional restaurants have called it quits for the night. While Austin is not “the city that never sleeps,” it’s still possible to find great food when you’re dining late, no matter where the evening’s entertainment winds up.

For breakfast anytime, day or night, the Kerbey Lane Café offers a variety of Mexican-influenced choices. Eggs, bacon, and omelets top the menu, joining more traditional diner fare like burgers and sandwiches. Health-conscious night owls will enjoy the wide range of salads, while the popular fajita platters are available in beef, chicken, or Portobello mushroom varieties and are the perfect choice after an evening of live music and cold brews. An extensive dessert menu adds the finishing touch to the meal.

The Dog & Duck Pub offers classic English and Irish pub fare, including shepherd’s pie and Scotch eggs; fish and chips and onion rings are especially recommended at this Austin establishment. Open until 2 a.m. with a limited menu, be prepared to share your space with a variety of dogs and their owners. As its name suggests, the Dog & Duck is dog-friendly, so it’s best to watch out for the water dishes on the pub floor, especially after a long night of drinking.  

Katz’s Deli is open 24 hours and serves up traditional New York delicatessen fare, from bagels and lox to a wide array of sandwiches and salads. Dinner selections include the half-pound beef bacon-wrapped sirloin filet, freshly grilled salmon, and a variety of knockwurst and sausages with sauerkraut. Corned beef and cabbage with boiled potato will appeal to the Irish in the crowd, while potato pancakes are always a favorite among the deli’s diverse offerings.

For late-night barbecue, Sam’s Bar-B-Que offers the full range of smoky goodness. From brisket and ribs to sausage and mutton, Sam’s serves it up hot and spicy until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 a.m. on Sunday night and weeknights. Sam’s signature Salsa Chicken is a revelation, while his Carolina Pulled Pork is smoked for 16 hours over an oak wood fire and then spiced for that authentic flavor. Baby back ribs are slow-marinated for a rich burst of flavor, and then slow cooked over a low oak flame.  Garlic bread accompanies all orders, and sides include potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw and chili beans.

Serving Asian food until 2 a.m. every day except Sunday, 888 Vietnamese Restaurant serves up authentic Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai food in a skillful blend of classic and contemporary flavor profiles. Along with the traditional spring rolls and pho, 888 offers a number of vegan-friendly menu items and chef specials. American-influenced Chinese dishes like General Tso’s chicken are excellent but predictable, but the wide variety of Thai curries steals the show.

After a night out enjoying the multitude of cultural and entertainment options Austin has to offer, visitors will be glad to know that a number of local restaurants are available to serve the late-night crowd. Austin is certain to have something to satisfy every taste, be it for entertainment or for dining options, even after midnight.