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    Garbos

    4.1 (49 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Fish and chips
    mel g.

    Shout out to the fish and chips this was great ! I really enjoyed this and it was made to order . The tarter sauce was really creamy and tangy I like that it wasn't chunky but unfortunately I ordered the mini lobster roll it was really disappointing . I order the fish and chips because I actually saw a guy have it and it was really just amazing looking . What's hilarious is that his partner ended up ordering the fish and chips because the comparison is quite comical . THis place was on my bucket list for ever not anymore . I was hoping that they had the lobster taco on the happy hour menu but I was too late . I just really wasn't impressed. It should be a mini lobster brochetta .with 2 gram caviar bump I should have knew to turn around but my curiosity got me .

    Ariadna S.

    This place was on my "want to go" list for a while. We popped in while shopping in the area and actually really enjoyed our experience. It was not busy and we got have an inside seat at the bar top (the only indoors seating option). The service was attentive and friendly. They were out of couple of things but it was fine. We tired Connecticut lobster sandwich with Caesar salad and a couple of soft drinks. The lobster meat was very high quality and totally worth the price point. It was very generously topped with lobster claw meat and very well seasoned. I will definitely be back to try other options.

    Sunny C.

    Garbos is not a garbo place. The normal lobster roll comes with a side. I highly recommend the Cesar salad. The sandwich itself was really good full of lobster claw meat. The food can be a bit pricey but that's cause it's quality lobster meat. They ran out of calamari this day which I would have loved to try that too. This location is pretty small with only indoor bar seating and some outdoor seats. But a Nice place to stop by in the area for a quick meal.

    Maine Roll
    Stephanie K.

    This little outpost grown up from food trucks, surviving the Pandemic, and thriving with 2 larger brick-and-mortar locations in N MoPac and Dripping is the best place to find the freshest lobster (oysters, caviar too!) in Austin. With daily specials Monday through Wednesday and a generous Happy Hour menu Monday through Friday, there's a new favorite for everyone (my go-to is a tiny lobster roll on pillowy grilled bread, leaving room for dessert!). Chef Theresa is serving a trio of rolls including a seasonal Hatch Chile. I'll be back soon for their Forbes' famous fried Lobster Mozz Bites and Key Lime Pie (brought in from the sisters' outpost home - so you know it's good!!!).

    Bill A.

    I reviewed the feedback prior to visiting Garbos. It was spot on for the most part. The food is definitely pricey and the portions are small. The food itself is very good, and the service was top notch. They brought out our water fast and the food came out incredibly fast. They have room for about 8ish people inside and a couple of picnic tables outside. Definitely would dine inside if able during the summer. I ordered the trio and a side of the jalapeño coleslaw. The trio was the maine, connecticut and special. The special was the fried lobster, jalapeno and honey. The best of the 3 was clearly the connecticut. It was simple and good with chunk lobster, really a decent hunk for the claw. The hint of mayo and acid was really good. The special was very good. It was lightly fried with honey that gave a good sweet and savory balance. The maine was still good, I would consider it a lobster salad. The jalapeno coleslaw was excellent. It was slightly sweet and not too sweet at all. The jalapeño spicy was enuf to be there while it did not overwhelm the dish. In all everything was good, food and service with the exception of the price was a little high.

    Spring L.

    Pro tip: Check out their Tuesday all day fish and chips special. Better switch up that cheat day because you'll get a huge portion of well breaded fried fish and French fries with vinegar for a great price! Their lobster rolls also look like a great amount of lobster too!

    Trio
    Brittney D.

    First review on 2025? I'm behind. Anyway, I'm still sitting here at Garbos. Satiated. Taking in the view from the picnic table outside. I kinda love it here. I tried the roll trio so I could pick the best. The Seasonal Roll was a honey fried truffled roll which was special and def better than other fried lobster rolls I've had in the past. The best tho? Connecticut. Warm drawn butter gon smack every time. I text my husband 'do I wanna move to Austin?!'. Idk that yet but I do know I'd def recommend dropping in to Garbos. And I'd def return to nosh. Two word review: Connecticut Roll.

    Pop up menu
    Adrienne C.

    Tasty but pricey! 4.5 stars rounded up. Great service and charming ambience, sitting indoors at the bar counter in the air conditioning. We walked over after some shopping at REI and it was the best treat. There also happened to be a little pop-up with the chef from Bacalar preparing some other menu items. We tried the oysters and they were delightful! The hardest decision is always whether to get the Connecticut or the Maine role - a good solution is to go with someone and get both and share. My partner is diabetic and can't eat bread and even remembered to take the croutons off of his side salad.

    Joey B.

    Garbo's is the best seafood restaurant in Austin. You go there and you get New England vibes. I've been a patron since the Wells Branch location. I ordered the Maine Lobster, Lobster Cheese Bytes and the Peach Cheesecake for dessert. Always a great atmosphere and a great dining experience. I would definitely also recommend to anyone looking for a great Lobster roll, fish and chips, oysters you name it. Plenty of good options to choose from. Checkout their food trucks also for good take out food. A++++110%

    Look for this sign & pull in for a TASTY LOBSTER  ROLL~
    Becky L.

    4.5 STARS We ordered take out online from the Lamar location~ While we didn't eat at the restaurant it is quite cute inside like on diner feel very clean too~ counter with stools and some small tables, I think. Definitely tables outside plus a walk up window too! PLUS some parking also ~ The sandwiches were VERY GOOD, I didn't pick them up at the time I chose as my driveway was blocked, so about 30 mins AFTER my original pu time still tasty , I wish they would have been kept cool in the fridge but oh well. Each sandwich, a full size & a mini were full of lobster chunks NOT dribs & drabs, and the dressing was perfect too, not overdressed nor over-seasoned served a split roll (traditional for lobster rolls, I think) fresh rolls nice chew just ideal, imo. Each sandwich came with a bag of potato chips, even tho I asked for no sides but it was appreciated Lobster is always expensive so this is a splurge ~ I don't think you will be disappointed so try GARBO'S & ENJOY

    Connecticut Roll with side Caesar
    Ang F.

    Returned for the $16 Fish and Chips Tuesday Special. Portion is really great. If you're into fried fish, I would describe this as plentiful battered. It was reminiscent of pizza fritte, with fish inside of it. So less crunchy, and more so fluffy with a light exterior crunch. Personally, I'll stick with the lobster rolls. But I did appreciate the new experience!

    Maine Roll
    Yuri K.

    Garbo has been my go-to spot for lobster rolls for the past eight years, and for good reason--it's simply the best. The Maine Lobster Roll is perfection every single time: fresh, flavorful, and packed with lobster at a price that can't be beat. Their specials of the day are always creative and delicious, making it hard not to add one to my order. Today, I decided to switch it up and try their soup, and as expected, it did not disappoint. Perfectly balanced flavors, comforting, and clearly made with care. The service is always great--friendly, attentive, and efficient. If it's your first time, just a heads-up: parking can be a little confusing, but trust me, the well-buttered toast will melt your frustration away! Whether you're a lobster roll aficionado or just looking for consistently amazing seafood, Garbo is the place to be. I can't recommend it enough--hands down the best in Austin!

    Key lime pie
    Yenah J.

    I tried to lobster grilled cheese, lobster roll, fried mozzarella, key lime pie, and frozen lemonade. My favorites are in that order. I could probably do without the lemonade. It was just like frozen ice. But everything else-- DELICIOUS. Everything was seasoned well and had enough lobster in it. The service was so nice and attentive. There's limited parking and indoor/outdoor seating. I just parked a block away in the neighborhoods. And we sat inside by the countertops.

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    2 months ago

    Everything. Service fun & accurate. Food great! Pleasant place to lunch with friends.

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    Some of the best lobster I've ever had!! The food was fresh and the service was fast!

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    The Roosevelt Room

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    Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

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    Equipment Room - Mocktail.

    Equipment Room

    (120 reviews)

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    It's a rainy night in Austin. My girlfriend is in town because my cousin and her fiancé are getting…read moremarried in Austin. It's also the weekend of our one year anniversary. An hour ago it wasn't raining, but now it's pouring. A few months ago, I heard of a newer bar and experience called Equipment Room just right off of South Congress. Music means everything to me. Nothing can express emotions and instill a feeling in 3 minutes like a song can. I live for that. Equipment Room is inherently Japanese in concept. Existing in Japan for over 50 years, listening bars combine high fidelity audio equipment with impressively crafted cocktails and alcohol combining the passion of music in a space to gather with comfortable chairs and a beautiful atmosphere. The concept has expanded westward as all cool things inevitably do, but I would never think a spot would be successful in Austin like it would be in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and so on. As I back my car into a parking spot on South Congress, I grab the umbrella out of my trunk and walk my girlfriend and me to the entrance trying to not get ourselves soaked in the process. This is not the first time we have tried to go to Equipment Room. We tried to get a walk-in table just to see out of morbid curiosity and that was a failure. I booked her and me a table for this night and I was madly looking forward to it. As we got to the small entrance, we were introduced to the hostess who brought us from the stairs into the main underground space and to our seats on the couch in a large wraparound sofa with other parties sitting near us. The music is faint from the entrance, but once you walk through the main walkway, a wave of sound hits your eardrums. You're immediately engrossed into the music like walking into a concert hall or putting a fresh pair of headphones on for the first time. As we sat down, selections from Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik were playing through the speakers. Our hostess introduced us to their "User Manual" (their menu) where it contained all the snacks and drinks you could get your grubby hands on. There's more than just drinks and food on the menu. The first page introduces the concept and gives a few house rules. The second page shows all the equipment this so-called room has, from the premium Klipsch speakers, their preamps and amplifiers as well as their turntables and mixers. It's a dream page for music nerds. I want a $15k speaker in my apartment, but those noise complaints would never end. Our waitress came by shortly to give us water and take our order. Their menu is quite expansive, but the main pages we were told to check out were their A-side drinks or the classics and their B-side drinks, which are more experimental. We had to go with experimental for starters because who knows when you'll get to try something similar again. I started with a Goca Dünya while my girlfriend ordered a Deceptacon. The Goca Dünya was a vodka based floral drink with pistachio foam and Amaro Nonino, an Italian herbal liqueur. The Deceptacon was a rum-based cacao drink with a touch of lime and mint. It took a little time for our drinks to come out, clearly, as they are quite intricate. I loved my drink, bluntly. The pistachio foam was a great balance to the herbal flavors at the bottom. My girlfriend and I continued to enjoy each other's company as the music continued. The space we were in was decorated with posters and memorabilia from legendary artists coming through Austin and some general music decor like that purple album from that Prince guy. The DJ-curator that night was on a tear playing incredible soul music holding the bar hostage with a taste of funk. Jimmy Smith came next before transitioning to a few tracks from Bobbie Gentry. The last albums he pulled out were Steely Dan's Aja (a stone cold classic) and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life (a top 10 album of all time). Not only was he playing classics like Isn't She Lovely, but he threw down some deeper cuts like Black Man and Contusion. Incredible. We both got another drink with my girlfriend getting their A-Side Espresso Martini while I got the Brown Sugar from their B-Sides. It was a seaweed and mushroom infused whiskey with a few more bells and whistles and it was super unique. Quite a bit of their menu is Japanese-inspired in homage to the originators of listening bars. This includes Japanese beer, sake, and Japanese-inspired food and beverages on their menu. Very cool. The worst part of the night came when our hour and 45 minute reservation came to a close. I could've stayed there for another 3 hours and never grown tired, but with how popular this space has become, they gotta kick you out at some point. This is an experience you have to have. It's worth it. I'll be strolling back in soon enough because there is nothing like this in Austin and it's truly a special space. RIYL: Actively listening to music.

    Loved this place so much..!!! If you want to go somewhere to just lounge with low lighting and have…read moresome delicious drinks with great music in the background , this is place is it! They play no digital music and their speakers are installed throughout the whole building. The sound is great! The menu was so cute and on theme. The furniture and decor is mid century modern. I went here for my birthday and they gave my table a round of Sake shots, which was nice! My table ordered drinks: the Brown Sugar, Goca Dünya, Suffer No Fool (non alcoholic), Vitamin C. They were all delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol! It was well balanced! I seriously recommend the Goca Dünya--that pistachio foam was addictive! For food, we got the Cheese board to have something to pick on and we demolished it, haha. It came with marmalade and crackers. The cheeses were great, along with the dried fruits and nuts. The cheese selections seem to rotate every other season, which is cool.

    Midnight Cowboy - Drinks LOOKED delicious

    Midnight Cowboy

    (580 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown

    5-star speakeasy...if you like cool, secretive, unusual speakeasy cocktail bars - this is the place…read morefor you! Located on 6th street in downtown Austin (near the Driskill hotel), in what looks like from the street an apartment complex. You buzz the "secret" button and if you have a reservation, they let you in and escort you to your beautiful, sexy table. Their menu is creative and their every cocktail delicious! The theme we experienced was tarot cards and we loved the presentation and creativity of cocktails. Service is excellent and all drinks are around $20. Worth a visit for sure - great 5-star speakeasy and so fun for a date or with a group.

    I was unable to check out the quality or ambiance of this establishment as there were a number of…read moreissues with my reservation. Basically, I had a large group reserved for a celebration, and I didn't get a confirmation email and when I noticed this I scrambled to find another reservation. The reservation link I was sent to kept erroring out when I tried to process it. Apparently the incorrect date was selected and I did not notice I was charged an exorbitant amount of money because it was a larger party, but we had every intention of going and we would have spent quite a bit of money. After being charged a $120 no show fee I tried to contact them to see if they could at least squeeze us in or take the no show fee off but they said their policy was clearly stated and they don't respond to my last email. Also, there is no phone number which is incredibly frustrating as I would have called to confirm my 5:30pm reservation issue, but instead just assumed it didn't go through While part of this was undoubtedly user error, the process of reserving and confirming reservations was not easy. Furthermore, the establishment was not overly understanding Some tips: Go to a different bar. There are so many great bars, lounges, and speakeasy's in the area, and I wouldn't risk the potential hassle. We pivoted to the Roosevelt room last minute and we had a great time Cheers!

    Garbos - seafood - Updated May 2026

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