Hula Hut

Some restaurants are recognized for their great chefs. Others for their eclectic design or locations. The one thing that sets Hula Hut apart is its atmosphere. It is the epitome of island life in Austin, Texas (!), located right on the lake. And I mean ON the lake. Half of the restaurant is on piers that extend a hundred feet out over Lake Austin.

You can eat inside or outside. If it’s not one of Austin’s blistering 100+ degree days, I recommend sitting outside, but only if you enjoy awesome views, a nice breeze from the lake, and being able to see fish below you in the water! Weekend dinner times are really the only hours when you’ll get stuck with much of a wait, because this place is BIG.

What to eat at Hula Hut

Another thing big about this place is its menu. Burgers, sandwiches, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, seafood dinner plates, fajitas… they have it all. Sandwiches and fajitas are great; then there are tubular tacos. A Chicken and Guacamole Tubular Taco is rich with herbed cream cheese and Monterey jack. The roasted chicken breast retains its moisture wonderfully after being baked in a homemade flour tortilla on a bed of sour cream tomatillo sauce. The guacamole is fantastic. It all adds up to one of my favorite meals at Hula Hut. 

The Shrimp and Spinach Tubular Taco includes tomatillo sauce that is an ideal complement to its sauteed shrimp, which are plump and juicy. With fresh spinach and herbs to spice up its Monterey jack and herbed cream cheese filling, this taco is a refreshing alternative to typically richer combinations. 

When you visit Hula Hut, you’ll find yourself on island time. The casual atmosphere, large plates, and cheap drinks ensure that everyone from families to first dates have a fabulous time. To make it extra-special, figure out when the sun will be setting and get there in time to watch it go down over the lake.