Best restaurants near The Driskill
The Driskill offers several on-site dining options: The Driskill Grill for steakhouse dinners (and limited lunch Thu–Sun), The Driskill Bar and The Victorian for hand-crafted drinks and nightly live music, and 1886 Café & Bakery for breakfast and lunch pastries. For reservations, dress-code rules, and live-music times, check each venue before you go or ask the concierge at the front desk.
In this guide
The Driskill Grill — classic American steakhouse
The Driskill Grill is the hotel's formal American steakhouse serving dinner nightly from 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM and lunch Thursday–Sunday. It offers a traditional steakhouse menu and accepts reservations online.
A dress code applies for dinner service (business casual or above; shorts and flip-flops/slides are not permitted). The restaurant also provides private dining options, from the Chisholm Trail Room to full-restaurant buyouts.
- Hours: Dinner nightly 4:30 PM–10:30 PM; lunch Thu–Sun (check current menus/hours)
- Reservations: accepted and bookable online
- Private dining: Chisholm Trail Room and larger buyouts available
| Service | Typical Hours |
|---|---|
| Dinner | 4:30 PM–10:30 PM nightly |
| Lunch | Thursday–Sunday (midday) |
The Driskill Bar and live music
The Driskill Bar serves hand-crafted cocktails in a historic setting and features live music nightly, typically from about 8 PM to 10 PM. Hours listed by the hotel show the bar open from mid-afternoon into the late evening (check current hours before visiting).
The Bar has received national recognition in travel and lifestyle coverage; it is a focal point for evening entertainment at the hotel and a place to enjoy a polished cocktail after an evening out.
- Typical live-music slot: around 8 PM–10 PM nightly (confirm with concierge)
- Bar hours vary by day; check current schedule with the hotel
| Day | Listed Hours (hotel page) |
|---|---|
| Sun–Thu | 2:00 PM–12:00 AM |
| Fri–Sat | 2:00 PM–2:00 AM |
The Victorian — pub-style drinks
The Victorian is The Driskill’s pub-style bar described as where Old West saloons meet English pub charm. Hours vary, so the concierge or front desk can give the current schedule and any special events in the space.
The Victorian is suited to a relaxed evening with hand-crafted drinks and live music; it’s an alternative to the main Driskill Bar if you want a different atmosphere inside the hotel.
- Type: Pub-style bar with crafted drinks
- Hours: vary — check with concierge or front desk
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Pub-style, warm |
| Live music | Offered (times vary) |
1886 Café & Bakery — breakfast and casual fare
1886 Café & Bakery serves breakfast and lunch daily and is the hotel's casual-chic spot for pastries, breakfast classics (including migas and huevos rancheros), sandwiches, salads, and the signature Texas-shaped waffle. It is open early for morning guests.
Reservations are possible through the café’s booking link and OpenTable; the café also serves as an event/meeting venue for small gatherings when configured as a venue space.
- Hours: Daily, approximately 6:30 AM–3:00 PM (confirm current hours)
- Menu highlights: pastries, breakfast dishes, sandwiches, 1886 Chocolate Cake
- Reservations: available via the café’s booking link or OpenTable
| Meal | Typical Hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Morning — starts ~6:30 AM |
| Lunch | Until ~3:00 PM |
Dining for events and private meals
The Driskill offers private dining and event catering tied to its restaurants — the Grill has private rooms and the hotel lists multiple meeting and wedding venues that can be paired with on-site catering. Wedding and event specialists are available through the hotel to plan menus and room setups.
If you’re booking a rehearsal dinner or group meal, contact the hotel’s catering or private-dining team to confirm space, menu options, and any rental fees. The hotel’s venues include the Maximilian Room, Crystal Room, Mezzanine and Driskill Ballroom, which are used for larger plated dinners and receptions.
- Ask about pairing The Driskill Grill or 1886 Café with venue rentals
- Wedding/meeting specialists can coordinate menus and room setups
- Venue sizes and capacities vary by room — consult the hotel for current options
| Example Venue | Use |
|---|---|
| Driskill Mezzanine | Large receptions and seated dinners |
| Maximilian Room | Premium dining events and private dinners |
| Crystal Room | Intimate ceremonies and small receptions |
Practical tips for dining at The Driskill
Make reservations for The Driskill Grill and busy times at 1886 Café & Bakery; the hotel concierge can also assist. Note the Grill’s dinner dress code and that bar hours and live-music schedules can change, especially around city events.
Valet-only parking is available at the hotel (a nightly valet surcharge applies). If you need accessibility, the hotel states accessible paths of travel and accessible public washrooms; contact the front desk for specific dining-accessibility requests.
- Reservations: recommended for The Driskill Grill and useful for 1886 Café
- Dress code: The Driskill Grill enforces proper attire for dinner (no shorts or flip-flops/slides)
- Parking: valet-only with in/out privileges (fee applies)
- Music & hours: live music often runs in the evenings; check with the hotel for today's schedule
| Need | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Reservations or dress-code questions | Restaurant reservation link or concierge |
| Event catering or private dining | Hotel catering / wedding specialists |
| Live-music schedule | Front desk or concierge |
Nearby dining and getting around downtown
The Driskill sits at 6th and Brazos, a short walk from Historic Sixth Street and many downtown restaurants and bars. If you want more variety beyond the hotel’s venues, the concierge can recommend nearby options and help with reservations.
Because the hotel is in the core of downtown Austin, several landmarks like the Paramount Theatre and the Austin Convention Center are within an easy walk, which makes combining a show or meeting with dinner straightforward.
- Location: corner of 6th and Brazos — steps from Sixth Street
- Ask concierge for local recommendations and reservation help
- Walking is practical for many downtown restaurants and venues
| Nearby Landmark | Walk time listed on hotel page |
|---|---|
| Historic Sixth Street | 1–2 minutes |
| Paramount Theatre | About 1–2 minutes |
| Austin Convention Center | About 5 minutes |
