Austin Travel Forum

What are some romantic lunch restaurants and date ideas? cheap ideas best.

For the best lunch deal in town for romance with a wonderful buffet, go to the Clay Pit Indian restuarant. For $6.95 you get an incredible lunch buffet. You might also want to try Romeo's on Barton Spring Road.

If you have an afternoon during the week, a picnic at City Park is always romantic. Weekends are too crowded. During the week you can have a private area right on the water shaded by huge trees.

You could go to one of the Magnolia Cafes for lunch and then go to the Zilker Botanical Gardens. Magnolia Cafe is fairly inexpensive and entrance into the Botanical Gardens is free.

The SOCO area is fun to explore (South Congress) if you like funky shops, vintage clothing, antiques. There are quite a few restaurants in this area, including Guero's (texmex), El Sol y la Luna, and others. The Continental Club is across the street, which is a great live music venue. They've been having free happy hour shows on Tues & Wed, I think. Check on their website for calendar and details.

Another idea: a trek up to Mount Bonnell (3900 Mount Bonnell Rd) is always a nice afternoon or early evening date. Or a stroll along the Town Lake Hike 'n Bike trail, across the new pedestrian bridge at South Lamar, ending your walk at the exit point at Barton Springs Road where you can walk a ways and pick from Austin's "restaurant row" ... my favorite is Shady Grove -- eat under the shade of wonderfully large pecan trees. thursday nights in the spring & summer catch a free live music show.