18 Best Rooftop Bars & Restaurants in Austin Texas

Great rooftop restaurants and bars are a staple in Austin, Texas. 

If you are planning a night out and have good weather why not enjoy some trendy cocktails and delicious food on a rooftop in Austin?

Lucky for you Austin boasts tons of rooftop bars and restaurants. Serving up craft beer, a range of cuisines, and amazing views, there’s something everyone will enjoy.

Best Rooftop Bars in Austin

So, what are the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Austin? We have a few suggestions to quench your thirst. Let’s jump right into it, shall we?

Please note – Some of our selections contain affiliate links. These allow us to earn a small percentage every time you make a booking. Using our links enables us to provide all the information found on this site free of charge.

Upstairs at Caroline

• Address: 621 Congress Ave. #201

This rooftop bar in Austin is known as the city’s urban backyard party. Upstairs at Caroline offers outdoor games like foosball, shuffleboard, cornhole, and giant Jenga to get some healthy competition going.

You can choose from an impressive lineup of spirits, craft beer, and $4 cocktails while overlooking Congress Avenue.

They run different happy hour specials every day, so you’re in for a treat no matter when you stop in.

Edge Rooftop

• Address: 110 E 2nd St.

Edge Rooftop is located atop the JW Marriott downtown, this rooftop bar overlooks the Texas Capitol Building and Lady Bird Lake.

Open to the public after 5 pm daily, the poolside bar turns into a hip lounge in the evening. Sometimes it also hosts a DJ and other events.

If you’d like to enjoy a craft cocktail poolside during the heat of the day, make a cabana reservation.

Azul Rooftop Lounge

• Address: 310 E 5th St.

Azul Rooftop Lounge is located 20 floors up, making it the highest rooftop bar in the city. This also means this rooftop bar in Austin has the best views.

During the day you can sit poolside and enjoy a craft cocktail while you dip your feet in the water. At night, they’ll light up the fire pits and you can snag some couch space nearby.

This is also an iconic photo spot so don’t forget your camera.

Maggie Mae’s

• Address: 323 E 6th St.

Maggie Mae’s rooftop bar is known as the most iconic bar on Austin’s legendary Sixth Street. One of the best places to see live music performances, Maggie Mae’s boasts 7 bars and 3 stages.

With over 15,000 feet of space, there are also several floors so there’s no end to the fun. 

77 Degrees

• Address: 11500 Rock Rose Ave.

77 Degrees is a new 3-story rooftop bar that has it all: a dance floor, signature cocktails, a hookah lounge, and more.

Complete with a selection of tapas and plenty of comfortable seating, this place is a true crowd-pleaser. During the summer, they also occasionally host fire-dancing performances, so try to catch one if you can.

It’s worth noting that 77 Degrees is strictly 21 and up, so no children are allowed.

ACL Live

• Address: 310 Willie Nelson Blvd.

ACL Live is known for being one of the best music venues in Austin. What some people don’t know is that they also have an outdoor patio. It’s the perfect place to grab a beer before watching the set.

Head upstairs, grab a craft brew, and chill on the rooftop before heading inside for the show.

P6 at the LINE Austin

• Address: 111 E Cesar Chavez St.

Located in the LINE Hotel downtown, P6 was converted from a 1960s parking garage into the delight it is today.

Known for the pink flags on the ceiling, this iconic bar serves up fancy cocktails along with Mediterranean-style bar snacks.

You can enjoy all of this while watching the sunset over the South Austin skyline.

Best Rooftop Restaurants in Austin

Ok, we covered drinking. Now, let’s get into some of the best rooftop dining that Austin has to offer. 

EastSide Tavern

• Address: 1510 E Cesar Chavez St.

EastSide Tavern is the perfect place to enjoy a meal outside in Austin. Their rooftop features tons of picnic table seating, an Astroturf section, and string lights.

Indulge in delicious Texas barbecue, mac and cheese, and a variety of brunch options.

There’s also a separate bar on the rooftop that serves frozen rose and cocktails to accompany your delicious meal. 

Wilder Wood Restaurant and Bar

• Address: 1300 E 7th St.

Wilder Wood Restaurant and Bar is a rooftop restaurant in Austin is special because it’s 100% gluten-free.

With plenty of space underneath the umbrellas and fans, you can chow down on tons of wheat-less options. These include fajitas, ribs, street tacos, and more.

They also host open mic nights occasionally, so if you can catch one of those you’re in for a treat!

Paperboy

• Address: 1203 E 11th St.

If you’re a breakfast fanatic, Paperboy is the best rooftop restaurant in Austin for you. The cozy and bright rooftop patio is the perfect place to enjoy the most important meal of the day.

Serving up classics like quiche, pancakes, lemongrass cured lox, and more, you won’t be able to get enough. Their weekend brunch specials are also legendary, including their Texas hash and grits.

The Dogwood Rock Rose

• Address: 11420 Rock Rose Ave. #130

Known for their Southern hospitality, the Dogwood’s food menu is massive.

You can choose to indulge in tacos, chicken and waffles, burgers, salads, and everything in between. The rooftop patio also has fans and tons of palm trees to keep you cool and shaded while you eat.

You’ll definitely want to check out their happy hour specials, as well.

Parkside

• Address: 301 E 6th St.

One of the more upscale rooftop restaurants on Sixth Street, the food at Parkside is just as good as the views.

Most of their menu items are fish and seafood, but the steak is to die for as well. Their lineup of signature cocktails is almost as impressive as the food menu, so be sure to check it out. 

Note: as of July 2023, Parkside is temporarily closed. Check their website for updates

The Best of Both Worlds – Rooftop Bar & Restaurants in Austin

What about establishments that combine the best of all three worlds? Rooftops, food, and drinks. Here are some of the very best. 

El Alma

• Address: 1025 Barton Springs Rd.

This is one of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Austin for Mexican food and margaritas. With beautiful views of the downtown skyline and tons of margarita flavors, you’ll want to check out El Alma.

The Avorita is a crowd favorite. You can also chow down on some Mexican classics such as ceviche clasico, queso fundido, and more. 

La Piscina

• Address: 600 W 2nd St. 5th Floor

This poolside restaurant and bar offers incredible views from the 5th floor terrace. Located at the Austin Proper Hotel downtown, La Piscina’s menu has a wide variety of seafood, fajitas, salads, ceviches, and more.

If you’re eating out with a large group, check out their family-style Tex-Mex platters. Their margarita and cocktail list is also extensive to go with your meal. 

Geraldine’s

• Address: 605 Davis St.

Geraldine’s is located at the top of the Hotel Van Zandt and is well-known for live music performances.

There’s also a pool and a fire pit for guests to use while sipping their craft brews or signature cocktails.

The food menu is also impressive, with mainstays like pork ribs, steaks, and grilled Texas quail. And don’t forget to sample the dessert menu which includes bread pudding and chocolate tarts.

Rules & Regs

• Address: 101 Red River St.

This 7th-floor restaurant and bar is located on the pool deck of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Austin.

Serving brunch, Tex-Mex snacks, poke bowls, and more, Rules & Regs is one of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Austin.

The drink menu also includes an impressive lineup of signature cocktails. You can enjoy all of this poolside in the afternoon or with a live DJ at night.

Zanzibar

• Address: 304 E Cesar Chavez St. Unit 700

Located on the 7th floor, this rooftop restaurant and bar seeks to redefine the term “concrete jungle.” Zanzibar rooftop bar and restaurant is jungle-themed, specializing in island cocktails and seafood. Sit poolside while you sip on one of their craft cocktails and chow down on a sushi burrito. 

Oasis Texas Brewing Company

• Address: 6650 Comanche Trail Suite #301

This rooftop brewery is located right above Lake Travis for an incredible view of the water. The craft brews at Oasis Texas Brewing Company have won several awards, so pair one with a pretzel, fish tacos, or some queso.

Head up to the rooftop to have a few pints and watch the sunset over the water. 

Last Bits – Best Rooftop Bars & Restaurants in Austin

These are some of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Austin, Texas. Of course, there are many more dotted around the city that are worth a try.

These, however, are the cream of the crop. Start here and if you have time, keep exploring! As always, happy travels, happy drinking, and we’ll see you on the road!