From The Current

Where to Eat & Drink on Lake Travis

A floating bar, a sunset institution, and a couple of dock-and-dine patios — the lake's best reasons to cut the engine and stay a while.

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Half the fun of a day on the water is knowing where to point the bow when everyone gets hungry. The good news: Lake Travis has a handful of waterfront spots that are easy to reach by boat or by car, from a literal floating bar to the sunset patio every Austin transplant gets taken to exactly once. Most lean casual — burgers, tacos, seafood, and cold drinks with a view — and several offer courtesy docks so you can tie up, eat, and shove off. Here's where to aim.

Good to know: Several of these have courtesy docks or boat access, but slips are limited and fill fast on weekends — plan to arrive early, especially for sunset. If you're coming by water, check the current lake level first, and always confirm hours directly, since lake spots adjust their schedules with the seasons.

The Waterfront Table

Tie up, settle in, and let someone else do the cooking for once.

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By Boat or Land

Captain Pete's Boathouse

A bar that actually floats, where the only thing more casual than the menu is the dress code.

  • Formerly The Gnarly Gar — reachable by boat or by land via Point Venture Marina
  • Seafood, burgers, tacos, foot-long hot dogs & cocktails
  • Marina shop stocks snacks, drinks, ice & fuel for the ride back

Where: 18200 Lakepoint Cove  |  Hours: Daily, lunch & dinner  |  Menu & info

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Sunset Spot

The Oasis on Lake Travis

Less a quiet dinner, more a tiered grandstand for the most reliable sunset in the Hill Country.

  • Sweeping lake views from sunset-facing patios
  • Margaritas, Tex-Mex, seafood & weekend live music
  • Arrive at least an hour before sunset for prime seating

Where: 6550 Comanche Trail  |  Best for: Golden hour  |  Menu & info

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7-Slip Dock

The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge

An easy boat-up perch above Briarcliff Marina, with weekend music and a dock that does the parking for you.

  • Casual American & Mexican fare with lake views
  • Live music on the weekends
  • Seven-slip dock makes it a simple stop by boat

Where: 513 Sleat Drive, above Briarcliff Marina  |  Menu & info

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Courtesy Dock

Sundancer Grill

A laid-back lakeside bistro that throws in free boat parking — the kind of detail boaters remember.

  • Salads, sandwiches, steak, seafood & cocktails
  • Located by Sail & Ski Yacht Club
  • Complimentary boat parking at the courtesy dock

Where: 16410 Stewart Road  |  Perk: Free dock parking  |  Menu & info

Dock-and-Dine, Done Right

Slips go fast. Courtesy docks are first-come, first-served and tight on summer weekends. Have a backup plan and a deckhand ready to tie off.

Time it for the light. Sunset seating at The Oasis is a contact sport — get there early. For a quieter meal, aim for an off-peak afternoon.

Call ahead. Lakeside hours shift with the season and the weather, and some spots close early on slow days. A quick check beats a long ride to a locked door.