2113 Manor Rd
Brought to us by the team behind Suerte, is this new hot spot on Manor Road. Este celebrates fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking. This more coastal restaurant has a beautiful, bright dining space as well as an outdoor deck perfect for enjoying their happy hour, where you can get $1 off oysters, $15 off seafood platters, $25 off seafood towers, as well as some great drink deals. Make sure to visit Bar Toti, their sister bar that is right next door, with a menu inspired by the bar cultures of Spain, France, and Mexico.
2406 Manor Rd
If you’re looking for food that’s fresh and flavorful, seasonal and locally sourced, look no further than Dai Due, where the ingredients—and, by proxy, the menu—change based on what’s fresh and available (along with what they’ve managed to preserve via extensive pickling, candying, fermenting and smoking processes). There’s a focus on food from the region, and you can find the current flavors of Central Texas in their day menu—which features tacos, sandwiches, desserts and more for lunch and breakfast—and, come evening, multi-course meals that can be enjoyed on an a la carte basis. Don’t think; just Dai Due it.
1809 Manor Rd.
It’s safe to say that plenty of Austinites are familiar with El Chile and have indulged in the cuisine—a mix of Tex-Mex, Interior Mexican and fusion food. And while the food is worth mentioning (and definitely worth devouring), the margarita selection is what’s most captivated us and deserves a spotlight of sorts. Think options like cantaloupe and prickly pear, plus the Sangria Margarita, featuring a sangria floater, and the Chilango Margarita, a spicy orange-infused variation of the traditional. We don’t know about you, but all of the sudden we’re feeling pretty thirsty.
2219 Manor Rd.
Because the world is a confusing place, there isn’t just an El Chile on Manor, but an El Chilito as well. Fortunately, each restaurant makes for an excellent eating experience, so you won’t be disappointed if you stumble into the wrong one. At El Chilito, you can enjoy breakfast all day in the form of tacos and burritos featuring farm fresh eggs, and a coffee bar offering fair-trade, organic coffee and Mexican Hot Chocolate. There’s also a wide variety of specials, including classics like Carne Asada, and plenty of vegetarian options to appease the herbivores.
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photo via Vic and Al's Instagram
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2406 Manor Rd
Manor really does have just about every cuisine you're looking for, including Cajun. The popular pasta spot Patrizi's (also on Manor - we'll rave more about this one later) opened a new brick-and-mortar in 2020. Vic and Al's has some of the best food in town, with classics like Shrimp & Grits, Beignets, and Blackened Catfish. Something we really love about Vic and Al's is their variety - they try to cook up something different every day for their daily plates. If you're ever wondering what their kitchen is making today, give them a call at (512) 387-5875.
2002 Manor Rd.
Named after owner Hoover Alexander—a fifth-generation Texan, native East Austinite, and perhaps the most jovial-looking man in existence—Hoover’s Cooking offers hearty, homegrown comfort food with a variety of cultural influences. Satisfy your Cajun cravings with a muffuletta or po’boy; get your barbeque fix in the form of chicken and sausage; or enjoy the flavors of Southern favorites like meatloaf, chicken-fried steak and pork chops. No matter what you order, there’s no better way to complement the main event aspect of your meal than with traditional sides like fried okra, candied yams, coleslaw, mustard greens and about a dozen other options.
2201 Manor Rd.
There’s certainly no shortage of good Tex-Mex on Manor, and Mi Madre's certainly falls in that category. Originally a taco shop, the restaurant has since expanded and now boasts dining areas and a patio where you can kick back, order a cerveza, and enjoy their original specialty—that would be the tacos—or something from their full-fledged lunch and dinner menus. Whatever you order, we recommend you try their queso, which they claim is the best in town. Because whether that’s true or not, it’s certainly a claim worth investigating. Make sure to end your meal by checking out the rooftop bar upstairs, Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar.
1917 Manor Rd.
This highly rated American Gastropub prides itself on farm-to-table cuisine they call “contemporary farmhouse fare” that is locally sourced. Start off with Triple Fried Duck Fat Fries or a jar of Chicken Liver Mousse (which, based on restaurant reviews, probably tastes better than it sounds) before digging into one of their swine-based entrees (Candied Pork Belly, anyone?) and finishing off with a decadent dessert like Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake or Bananas Foster Beignets. We imagine you’ll be planning your next visit before the check arrives.
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WHAT TO DO
2610 Manor Rd
Need a good spot to get some work done in between all this exploring? Stop by Civil Goat's Manor location for a Lavender Latte, some Cinnamon Toast, and maybe even Green Eggs & Ham? We also love the cozy inside with one of the friendliest staffs, as well as their patio for those perfect weather days.
3108 Manor Rd
On Airport and Manor road you'll find Oddwood Brewing, a small pub that focuses on hoppy beers, legaers, and sour beers. There's plenty more to do than just drink at this family-friendly joint, with their dog-friendly patio, free mini arcade, weekly trivia nights (Tuesdays), pop-up markets, and other fun events. They serve personal Jersey-style bar pizzas, salads, and apps, but make sure you also check out the incredible KG BBQ food truck out back, where you can get some of the best and most unique BBQ we've probably ever had.
2307 Manor Rd.
Though it’s adjacent to The Vortex theatre, you don’t have to be seeing a show to enjoy a drink at Butterfly Bar. A study in contrasts, with a dark and dramatic interior and an expansive patio and backyard outside, the bar is perfect for those looking for an intimate experience and those who want to enjoy a drink al fresco. Beer and wine is, of course, on offer, and the bar also has a killer selection of cocktails, like the aptly named Monarch Mojito, a mixture of rum, fresh mint, brown sugar and lime. When you get the munchies, chow down on some popcorn, available by the sleeve—an homage, perhaps, to the theatre next door—or check out Patrizi’s, the backyard food trailer serving up excellent Italian eats like fresh homemade pasta, salads, small plates and desserts. Food, drinks and entertainment…really, why would you ever leave?
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photo via haymaker's instagram
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2310 Manor Rd.
Though they offer an extensive menu—which includes sandwiches, burgers, and their pride and joy, poutine (aka french fries topped with gravy and melting cheese curds)—Haymaker is the brainchild of the people behind Black Sheep Lodge, and thus, we can’t help but characterize them as just a bar. But a bar with really, really good food (not unlike BSL). Stop by to watch sports or to play pool. Talk and hang out, either outdoors or in. Enjoy a craft beer or four. Whether you live nearby or miles away, trust us: you’ll want this place to be your new neighborhood bar.
2207 Manor Rd.
The best description of this dog-friendly joint is probably the one they gave themselves: neighborhood bar with kick-ass cocktails, local drafts and "feel good" pub fare. (See their menu here.) On the drink front, embrace the school theme and order one of their specialty cocktails like the Secret Crush (Aged Rum, Ancho Reyes, Ginger, Honey, Turmeric) or Lab Partner (Tequila, Aperol, Blood Orange). We recommend going on Sundays for their all day happy hour from 2pm-10pm, just don’t forget your hall pass.
2808 Manor Rd.
One of the newer spots to Manor Road, The Long Goodbye blends mid-century modern vibes with a touch of classic Hollywood flair. The inside area is perfect for lounging, but the real highlight is the patio, which has become a pretty popular spot. (Just ask anybody that lives around there!) Maybe our favorite thing about TLG is the drink menu, which focuses heavy on agave and Latin American flavors. Also in this space you'll find the delicious taco truck La Santa Barbacha, as well as a Fleet Coffee location, if you're in need of a pick-me-up. The Long Goodbye is also a regular spot for some great pop-up markets on the weekends!
2307 Manor Rd.
Much like we described Butterfly Bar as being adjacent to The Vortex, we can describe The Vortex as being…well, adjacent to Butterfly Bar. Founded in 1988, the theatre has a mission similar to that of the Salvage Vanguard Theatre, and seeks to challenge convention, foster connections between performers and audience members, and present innovative performances (hundreds of them since the theatre’s inception, for the record). From operas to plays to ritual theatre, this organization does it all, and you can check out a calendar of performances here. We suggest you peruse it over drinks. After all, the bar is right next door to the theatre for a reason.
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