Whether you’re sneaking out after bedtime or planning a full-evening adventure, here are our crowd sourced community-favorite restaurants and fun experiences.

Each spot lists a short vibe check, price range, if/where to make reservations, and a typical drive time from Leander (add ~10–25 minutes for rush hour).

Restaurants

600 Degrees Pizzeria & Drafthouse — Georgetown

• What it is: Giant slices, creative pies, and a big beer list near the square.
• Price: $–$$
• Reservations: No (counter/seat yourself; line at peak times)
• Drive from Leander: ~15–20 min

Hyde Park Bar & Grill — Hyde Park

• What it is: Austin comfort-food staple (famous fries!) in a neighborhood setting.
• Price: $$
• Reservations: Mostly walk-in; call for large parties
• Drive from Leander: ~25–30 min

El Dorado Cafe — North/Central

• What it is: Comfort-Mex favorite with craveable sauces and a loyal following.
• Price: $$
• Reservations: No online reservations (call or join waitlist)
• Drive from Leander: ~25–30 min

Soupleaf Hot Pot — Central/North

• What it is: All-you-can-eat Canton-style hot pot; linger and customize.
• Price: $$ (AYCE; lunch vs dinner pricing)
• Reservations: Yes — online (Toast)
• Drive from Leander: ~25–35 min

The Golden Rule — Georgetown

• What it is: Craft-cocktail bar & American plates just off the square; cute patio.
• Price: $$–$$$
• Reservations: Yes — via website or call
• Drive from Leander: ~15–20 min

Midori Sushi — North Austin/183

• What it is: Long-running neighborhood sushi spot with a deep menu.
• Price: $$–$$$
• Reservations: Typically call/walk-in
• Drive from Leander: ~20–25 min

Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum — West 6th

• What it is: Beloved soup dumplings and dim sum with Chinese classics.
• Price: $$–$$$
• Reservations: Yes — Resy
• Drive from Leander: ~30–40 min

Bufalina Due — Burnet Rd

• What it is: Neapolitan pizza & natural wine; northside sibling to Bufalina.
• Price: $$–$$$
• Reservations: Mostly walk-in; occasional limited bookings (Tock)
• Drive from Leander: ~25–30 min

Salty Sow — East/Central

• What it is: Farm-style American plates & cocktails; great for shareables.
• Price: $$–$$$
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable
• Drive from Leander: ~30–35 min

Josephine House — Clarksville

• What it is: Chic cottage with New American plates; lovely patio.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable
• Drive from Leander: ~30–40 min

Suerte — East 6th

• What it is: Masa-driven Mexican with wood-fired touches; stylish and fun.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — Resy
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Canje — East Austin

• What it is: Modern Caribbean from chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph; bold, bright, celebratory.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — Resy
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Dai Due — Manor Rd (East/Central)

• What it is: Butcher-shop-driven Texas fare; hyper-seasonal and rustic.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — Resy
• Drive from Leander: ~30–40 min

Odd Duck — South Lamar

• What it is: Seasonal, Texas-sourced small plates in a lively setting.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — via website
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Fonda San Miguel — North Lamar

• What it is: Interior-Mexican icon with museum-like art and vibes.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — Resy
• Drive from Leander: ~25–30 min
• Real mom, Liz said “Fonda San Miguel is an Austin staple for fancy interior Mexican food.

Ember Kitchen & Subterra Agave Bar — Seaholm/Downtown

• What it is: Live-fire Latin cooking upstairs; agave-forward lounge downstairs.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

ATX Cocina — Downtown

• What it is: Modern Mexican; nixtamal & masa made in-house; fully gluten-free menu.
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable or via site
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Uchi — South Lamar

• What it is: Iconic modern Japanese/sushi destination.
• Price: $$$$
• Reservations: Yes — Resy
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min
• Liz, a member of the North Austin Family Network and one of our resident foodies, said “You can’t ever go wrong with Uchi”

Barley Swine — Burnet Rd

• What it is: Tasting-menu-centric farm-to-table; inventive small plates.
• Price: $$$$
• Reservations: Yes — via website (Resy)
• Drive from Leander: ~25–30 min
• Another Liz recommendation, she said “If you’re looking for an “Austin” fancy tasting menu, I recommend Barley Swine!”

Red Ash — Downtown

• What it is: Live-fire Italian steaks and pastas in a buzzy downtown room.
• Price: $$$$
• Reservations: Yes — via website or call
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Dean’s Italian Steakhouse — Downtown

• What it is: Classic steakhouse with Italian touches inside the JW Marriott.
• Price: $$$$
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Bulevar Mexican Kitchen — Arboretum

• What it is: Modern Mexican with live-fire cooking and a 100% gluten-free kitchen; sister concept to ATX Cocina. (Visit Austin, Bulevar, The Infatuation)
• Price: $$$$ (per OpenTable). (OpenTable)
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable. (OpenTable)
• Drive from Leander: ~20–30 min

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse — Lake Travis

• What it is: Hill-country steakhouse with panoramic Lake Travis views; prime steaks, big patio, and live music on select nights. (steinersteakhouse.com)
• Price: $$$$ (per OpenTable). (OpenTable)
• Reservations: Yes — OpenTable. (OpenTable)
• Drive from Leander: ~20–30 min

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Date-Night Experiences

Cap City Comedy Club — The Domain/North Austin

• Link: Cap City Comedy — Shows & Tickets
• What it is: National headliners + Austin favorites; check the calendar for “Funniest Person in Austin.”
• Drive from Leander: ~25–35 min

Comedy Mothership — Downtown

• Link: Comedy Mothership — Shows
• What it is: Multiple rooms, frequent surprise drop-ins; watch the schedule for hot tickets.
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Parker Jazz Club — Warehouse District

• Link: Parker Jazz Club
• What it is: Intimate, classy listening room with top-tier local and touring jazz.
• Drive from Leander: ~35–45 min

Jubilee Pottery — Liberty Hill

• Link: Jubilee Pottery Classes
• What it is: Wheel and hand-building pottery classes; great teacher and flexible formats.
• Drive from Leander: ~15–25 min

Texas Stars Game — H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

• Link: Texas Stars Tickets & Schedule
• What it is: AHL hockey (Dallas Stars affiliate) — loud, fun, snacky date night close to home.
• Drive from Leander: ~15–20 min

Candlelight Concerts (by Fever) — Pop-Up Venues

• Link: Candlelight Concerts in Austin
• What it is: String quartets & themed tributes in beautiful, candlelit spaces around town.
• Drive from Leander: ~30–45 min (varies by venue)

Antonelli’s Cheese — Tasting Classes

• Link: Cheese Tasting Calendar
• What it is: Guided cheese tastings/classes (often 7 cheeses with pairings).
• Drive from Leander: ~25–30 min

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Bonus: We love The Nudge app

For fresh, out-of-the-box ideas (and last-minute plans), we use The Nudge — it’s free, and they text curated date ideas and weekend plans for Austin: The Nudge — Austin.