Hula Hut
Tex-Mex restaurant · Lions
3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Highlights
Tex-Mex & tropical cocktails on a pier with lake views
Tex-Mex & tropical cocktails on a pier with lake views
"Hula Hut is kitschy in all the right ways. The servers are dressed in tropical shirts, you can pull into the dock and get “boat-side delivery,” and a giant metallic fish poking its head out of the lake greets you on your way to the patio. The restaurant serves Tex-Mex with a Hawaiian twist, and even though the food probably won’t be the highlight of your week, it’s hard not to have a good time here. Afterwards, head to Mozart’s for coffee or ice cream on the patio overlooking the water." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"If you want to sit by a large body of water while you eat and drink without having to drive out to The Oasis, Hula Hut is where you should go. The patio is right on the lake, brightly painted, and covered in palm fronds that make it look like a very large cabana—and almost makes us feel like we’re on vacation. Almost. Split a pu pu platter and some tacos and order a drink with a tiny umbrella in it." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion, matthew jacobs
"Renting a boat on Lake Austin is the best semi-outdoorsy thing your group can do in town. Before you put on your matching captains’ hats, though, eat some tacos and enchiladas at this lakeside Tex-Mex restaurant—the convenience of being able to eat with a party of 12 and then walk to your boat is incomparable. There’s even a “boat-side delivery” dock in case you’re already on the water and forgot to pack anything other than hard seltzers." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"Hula Hut is kitschy in all the right ways. The servers are dressed in tropical shirts, you can pull into the dock and get “boat-side delivery,” and a giant metallic fish poking its head out of the lake greets you on your way to the patio. The restaurant serves Tex-Mex with a Hawaiian twist, and it’s probably the only place in the known universe where you can get an order of sizzling Hawaiian fajitas, coconut shrimp, and dessert nachos all in one meal. It’s located at Oyster Landing Marina by Red Bud Isle—if you come at night, you’ll be able to find it by the thousands of string lights illuminating the cabanas that line the dock and the three separate outdoor seating areas, each with its own bar. It’s a massive restaurant that’s at its best outdoors, though you should absolutely take a walk through the inside to check out the merch and watch the staff toss little corn and flour discs onto a giant rotating tortilla griddle. The drinks are about what you’d expect from a tourist-friendly space that caters to large groups: cheap, sweet, and not particularly noteworthy—basically adult Capri Suns. But you’re not here for the drinks. You’re here for the views of the lake (try to come at sunset), the slightly better-than-average food, and the lively energy that surrounds it all. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Austin has its share of tiki-meets-Texas bars and restaurants—Tiki Tatsu-Ya and Anthem, to name a couple—but Hula Hut walked so that these spots could fly. It’s an Austin classic that was born the same year as Dazed and Confused, and it’s spent the better part of that time developing into one of the most fun spots in Austin to take a vacation without ever leaving town. Food Rundown Thai B.B.Q. Fajitas There are four types of fajitas on the menu, and we usually find ourselves bouncing between the Hawaiian and the Thai BBQ versions. These are cooked with Thai chilis, green onions, and a sweet and spicy Thai barbecue sauce (with peanut sauce on the side). They’re not as spicy as the Thai chilis would lead you to believe, but the grilled beef and chicken is tasty enough to eat with a fork, if you find yourself filling up on a few too many fresh flour tortillas. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Huli Huli Luau Platter This is a massive pu pu platter that will easily feed two as a meal, or half a dozen as a grazing board, that’s basically a sampler of most of the apps on the menu. Pick any starting point, then slowly work your way around, clockwise, but be prepared to linger on the ribs for a while—it’s a half rack of baby backs. They’re hickory smoked, tender, and glazed with a sweet and sticky barbecue sauce that’s impossible not to lick off your fingers. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary
"Hula Hut is the ideal spot when someone with kids is coming to visit—or when you weren’t able to swing that pre-baby beach trip. The patio is right on the lake, brightly painted, and covered in palm fronds that make it look like a very large cabana. The plastic-covered tables are easy to wipe down, and the wood floors are meant for children who like to sprinkle their meals on the ground. The menu has things like a shrimp po’boy with a fried pineapple ring and coconut shrimp, so everyone will feel like they’re on vacation." - adele hazan, nicolai mccrary
