Round Rock Restaurants

These 10 rocking restaurants are totally worth the drive to Round Rock

Our neighbors to the north have a delicious little secret: The Round Rock restaurant game has leveled up. Farm-to-table and family-owned restaurants are quickly becoming the norm, and better pricing and (gasp!) parking make the short drive north totally worth it.

Here are 10 rocking restaurants to try in Round Rock:

Ajo Restaurant
Ajo tries to bring the feel of downtown Austin to Round Rock (without the parking problems). It's a family-owned restaurant with a farm-fresh bent. Lobster-stuffed soft shell crab, bourbon-candied pork belly, seared sea bass, hamachi crudo, fried tomahawk pork chop, and fig and blue cheese cheesecake are standouts. Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Chennai Cafe
Teji's was the name of the game for Indian cuisine in Round Rock for a long time, but Chennai Cafe has won over some tough critics. It specializes in southern Indian fare displayed on an extensive menu. Expect fresh dosas, samosas, butter chicken, and tikka masala. For those more well-versed or adventurous, dig into the chettinadu kofta curry, vindaloo, chili paneer, muttai bajji, kanava sukka varuval, or meen kozhumba.

Greenhouse Craft Food
Oh so crafty! This casual farm-to-table restaurant sources lunch, brunch, breakfast, and dinner items from the best Texas purveyors, and the meat is hormone- and antibiotic-free. Daily soups, rotating dinner specials, weekend brunch, and monthly beer-pairing feasts ensure you've got a different option every day of the week. Enjoy happy hour from 3-6 pm Monday through Friday.

High Country Market, Diner & Gastropub
As we know, there's nothing wrong with eating in a gas station — especially when that gas station also houses a restaurant with fresh food, a lovely wine bar, and a great little patio. Stop in for a quick brunch or a leisurely, inexpensive dinner. Highlights include the burger on a pretzel bun, margherita pizza, and pulled pork sandwich. Check High Country's social media for updates on weekly wine tastings.

Jack Allen's Kitchen
The second location of JAK is a staple of the Round Rock dining scene. The restaurant sources 80 percent of the items locally and features robust brunch, lunch, dinner, and bar menus. Fan favorites include chorizo-stuffed tenderloin, blue crab gratin, beef cheek enchiladas, bacon-wrapped quail, fried chicken, and the extensive brunch buffet. JAK is a great option for those with gluten-free diets too.

Miso
Places that specialize in two kinds of international cuisine are tricky, but Miso nails it. This eatery has a full Korean menu — with spicy bulgogi, seafood pancake, kimchi, and galbi — and a nice selection of Japanese-style sushi rolls. Order the kimchi bacon fried rice with a tuna tower and you'll never have that "hungry after sushi" feeling again.

Palermo Pasta House
Located on Main Street, Palermo Pasta House is a little slice of Italy by way of Argentinean chef Antonio Giner. Artisanal hand-tossed pizzas, housemade sausages, fresh pasta, from-scratch sauce, huge salads, and daily dessert options are just a few of the standouts. Palermo never uses tomato paste, opting for peeled Roma tomatoes packed in juice with fresh basil.

The Scarlet Rabbit
The Scarlet Rabbit is like a magical adult Alice In Wonderland tea party. The decor is whimsical with "drink me" and "eat me" signs, vintage chandeliers, brightly colored walls, and a huge patio littered with fairy lights and turquoise tables. The food is distinctly Southern — think smoked rabbit gumbo, fried oyster nachos, spicy chicken and waffles, and green chile mac and cheese.

Svante's Ranch Direct
Talk about meta — Svante's sources its grass-fed beef directly from its own farm in West Texas. The restaurant is famous for burgers and other prime beef cuts, but non-carnivores have seafood and vegetarian options. You should absolutely leave room for the mocha mud cake or chess pie. If you can't make the trip to Round Rock, look for Svante's stuffed burger catering truck around town.

Veracruz All Natural
Veracruz All Natural took the Austin taco scene by a storm with its early food truck endeavors. The first brick-and-mortar is located up by Dell and boasts the same incredible flavors with a sit-down option. Veracruz is super popular during the week, so you'll want to find off-times or you may end up in a line. The best part? Breakfast tacos are served all day.

Greenhouse Craft Food sources ingredients from the best Texas purveyors.

Adrianna C./Yelp

Greenhouse Craft Food sources ingredients from the best Texas purveyors.

dinner lunch breakfast brunch burgers craft-beer bests

Election Day Dealas

Election deals and parties in Austin to make November 5 go by faster

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Save that sticker.

Whether voting fills you with emotion or a sense of mundane obligation, there are immediate rewards after the ballot box.

Austin bars and restaurants who either want to inspire civic feelings or capitalize on the newsy moment have prepared treats for voters — or just people who want to watch the outcome be announced together. They know you might have voted early, so stickers aren't always required.

Voters don't need to feel passionate about the president to get out there, either. If a free slice of pizza, a chance to choose a mayor, or a pick for railroad commissioner (who oversees the oil and gas industries) are enough motivation, Tuesday, November 5 is the last day to head to the polls and follow this list to the deals.

An interactive map of Travis County polling places can be found here. Voters can visit any location in the county where they are registered.

Aloft Hotels
109 E 7th St.
This is one of the few election events that actually don't address the race; this "No Watch Pawty" invites people to escape the election madness with a local animal shelter (this national brand under Marriott doesn't mention which) for some free stress relief starting at 5 pm.

Bambino
979 Springdale Rd. Ste. 153
Folks who can stand to witness the full scope of reactions in person as results start rolling in can get that experience at pizza joint Bambino, which will be offering $1 slushy shots each time a state is called. For Kamala Harris, the deal will be for piña colada shots; for Donald Trump, it'll be for orange dreamsicle shots. (Do these choices feel personal? Absolutely.) A tenth of the night's proceeds will benefit TX Gun Sense and the Lilith Fund.

Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind Dr #100
Black Star Co-op has been in the watch party game for years, and has even had a busy cycle of hosting debate watch parties, too. It promises "Food & Beer Specials all night. Good people. Good vibes."

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River St
Organized by (and benefitting) civic engagement platform Democrasexy, this "carnival of care" from 6 pm to midnight includes performances by drag artists, burlesque dancers, comedians, and more, plus an acknowledgment that regardless of the outcome, there's work to do at the state legislature in January.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 & 1421 S. Congress Ave., 501 E. 53rd St.
One of Austin's most popular pizzerias is bringing back its longtime election incentive, where customers can wear their “I Voted” sticker for a free slice. The promotion started with early voting on October 21 and is running through Election Day.

Hotel Vegas and Volstead
1502 E 6th St.
These music venus are famous for their South by Southwest parties, but this time they're steeping into politics with a watch party starting at 5 pm. They'll show analysis inside, with a DJ on the patio, themed cocktails, games, and tacos throughout the night.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
All locations, including 3003 S. Lamar Blvd. and 13435 US-183 Ste. 415
Austinites in need of comfort food can get some at Kerbey Lane Cafe, which is giving out a free pancake to anyone who brings their "I Voted" sticker; it can be saved from early voting. This deal is for dine-in only.

Rosen's Bagel Co.
11101 Burnet Rd. Ste. A100
The first 100 people in line at the Burnet location of Rosen's Bagel Co. will get a free bagel with Violife coconut-based cream cheese in two flavor choices: Texas Pecan Pie or roasted lime, poblano and scallion. "I Voted" stickers are not required, but an openness to trying vegan cream cheese is.

Star Bar
600 W 6th St.
Star Bar has endorsed its candidates: UT Longhorns Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Guests can pick up some merch declaring their support (buttons for $3, hats for $20), plus enjoy $3 red and blue jello shots all day.

Tillery Street Plant Company
801 Tillery St.
Austinites with the compulsion to nurture something after the election can present their "I Voted" sticker at Tillery Street Plant Company for a freebie: either a four-inch herb or vegetable starter (excluding lavender) or a two-inch succulent. Both come with a Tillery sticker.