The 24 Best Outdoor Patios And Backyards At Austin Restaurants And Bars - Austin - The Infatuation

"The footpath outside Aba is like a catwalk—long, narrow, and full of heads turning to see who’s approaching the restaurant next. This hard-to-book Mediterranean spot has commandeered its little area of South Congress, with a chic outdoor bar, tables on either side of the runway, enchanting string lights overhead, and a sea of people who might be carrying bags they bought at Hèrmes around the corner. Unlike most of the patios on this guide, this one usually requires some planning—it's worth the effort, even if we aren't wild about the food. Reservations during normal dinner hours are typically available about six to eight weeks out, but if you just want to stop in for afternoon drinks and snacks—or you're okay with a 9pm meal—you can usually grab something about a week or two out. If you want a patio seat, you can make a request when booking, but they’ll be seated on a first come, first served basis. And when the weather’s nice, the patio is where everybody will want to be. That means you can sometimes grab a seat in the dining room as a walk-in, but then you’re missing one of the few redeeming things about Aba." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion, matthew jacobs