The classic dinner and a movie concept has undergone a revolution in recent years. We live in an age where you can enjoy gourmet food alongside the latest blockbuster flick.
While the Austin-born Alamo Drafthouse chain is a local go-to, there are other great options for wining and dining. Below are our picks for the best theaters with a truly unique dinner and a movie experience.
iPic Theaters
Located at The Domain, iPic takes the stress out of date night with options to imbibe and dine.
At craft cocktail bar Salt, guests can sip on popular drinks like the El Corazon Margarita or the Passion Ginger Sangria, made from pisco, ginger syrup, passion fruit puree, white wine and yuzu. Salt uses fresh, local ingredients in its cocktails, just like the chef-prepared dishes at Tanzy Express. Among the most popular dishes are the Angus burger trio, the buffalo chicken spring rolls and the new lobster roll with pink chili dressing.
iPic offers two types of seating. The Premium level featuring leather seats and a swivel table. Guests order food and drinks in the lounge and bring it in for the screening. The Premium-Plus seats come with large micro-suede recliners, a pillow, blanket, complimentary popcorn and a personal server.
Moviehouse & Eatery
Situated at the Trails at 620, Moviehouse & Eatery is the perfect option for a movie night with friends. Featuring seven dine-in theaters, Moviehouse & Eatery has a dedicated waitstaff and plush recliners.
Order the fried chicken lollipops to start. Hand-breaded chicken drummettes are tossed in your choice of five sauces. If you’re hungry for pizza, the menu’s top choice is the Yucatan pizza, made with Spanish chorizo, avocado, yucca root, roasted corn, queso fresco, and cilantro lime crema with red chile oil.
If you’d prefer a sandwich, you can’t go wrong with the Millionaire’s Club, piled high with thick-cut, house-cured bacon and topped with peach chutney, arugula, pickled cucumbers and a house aioli sauce.
The extensive Moviehouse & Eatery menu also includes gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Flix Brewhouse
Flix Brewhouse in Round Rock knows how to stand out from the crowd. Flix is a first-run movie theater that happens to house a fully functioning microbrewery. The menu features nine craft brews made at the theater. The most popular to sip are the 10 Day Scottish Ale, a nutty dark amber ale, and the Luna Rosa Wit, a witbier that uses blood oranges instead of traditional oranges for a unique taste.
Pizza is a popular choice among many guests. Try the barbecue chicken pizza or go for broke and order the jalapeno popper pizza topped with spicy cream cheese sauce, jalapeno, bacon, cheddar jack cheese and raspberry sauce.
Violet Crown Cinema
Violet Crown Cinema is one of the 2nd Street District's favorite entertainment and dining attractions. It's also one of the best Austin cinemas to view independent, documentary and international films in an intimate environment.
Before the show, settle in and enjoy bites and drinks from the bar and café. Choose from the extensive beer and wine list or try some of the cinematically inspired cocktails. El Dudorowsky — Cinco vodka mixed with porter reduction, horchata and mole bitters — is an inspired twist on The Dude’s drink of choice.
Violet Crown offers great appetizers, including an Antonelli's cheese plate and pork tapas. More filling fare includes a range of artisan pizzas and a Chicago dog made from Wagyu beef. If you just want a little nibble, head to the snack bar for fresh-popped popcorn, vegetable snacks, cake balls and even gelato. Everything ordered at the café, bar and snack bar can be taken into the theater when the film starts.
Alamo Drafthouse
And of course there’s the old standby born right here in Austin. There are five locations in the Austin area, each unique in its own way. Whichever you choose, expect a mix of great movies, weird shows and a wide selection of food and drinks.
You can’t go wrong with the burgers and pizzas, but one appetizer that everyone has to try at least once is an order of French fries topped with herb parmesan and mayo. Each theater offers the same menu, but the Alamo Drafthouse Village also has a small vegan menu, including tacos, bruschetta and even vegan oatmeal cookies.
Chances are you’re going to the Drafthouse to have a drink, too. The milkshakes serve as a refreshing dessert to cap off the night — especially the adult shake made with tequila, bourbon or beer. Along with cocktails, wine and local craft beers, the Drafthouse knows how to quench any thirst.
Alamo Drafthouse is a great place to grab a burger and unwind with a good flick.
