Retail Roundup: Lakeway Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Lakeway, about 16 miles northwest of Austin, built its reputation on beautiful homes, luxurious golf, and — of course — its proximity to Lake Travis. But its growing list of shops and restaurants are adding yet another major attraction to the neighborhood.

Just a few miles away, the Hill Country Galleria is an outdoor regional shopping mall featuring more than 20 restaurants and 80 stores. Some of the most popular retailers include Banana Republic, Chico’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Eddie Bauer, Relax the Back, Soma Intimates, and Victoria’s Secret, as well as White House Black Market, American Eagle Outfitters, and many other popular beauty, accessory and clothing boutiques.

Whole Foods, Outdoor Entertainment and Date Night Movies

Local foodies and health enthusiasts alike flock to the Whole Foods store in the Galleria for the best organic produce, meats as well as other groceries and daily needs. A few of the more popular restaurants in the Galleria include, All Star Burger, Amy’s Ice Cream, Buenos Aires Café, Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar, Jamba Juice, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Madam Mam’s Thai Cuisine, Mimi’s Café, Panera Bread, Schmidt Family Barbecue, Tadashi Sushi, and Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza, among others.

More than just retail shopping and dining, the Galleria is home to a small outdoor amphitheater that hosts local musicians for an ongoing, all-ages concert series the entire family can enjoy. There is also a Cinemark theater and a well-designed public library, as well as offices, apartments, condominiums, and 50 acres of green space.

Diverse Cuisines and Adventurous Flavors

There are plenty of quality dining options readily available to Lakeway residents, with over 30 nearby restaurants and a variety of new, exciting places opening regularly. Local foodies rave about relatively new attractions such as Fore, whose special sea bass wrap is extremely popular, and Santa Catarina’s, famous for presenting the classic favors of interior Mexico.

Among established local favorites there’s Flores Mexican Restaurant, Pao’s Mandarin House, and Sandeez Hamburger Hut. Sandeez serves nostalgic malt shop favorites like yummy old-school cheeseburgers, hand-cut fries, and delicious strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla shakes. And, of course, the Oasis on Lake Travis has become a local icon for sipping margaritas while watching the sun slip down below the horizon across Lake Travis.

Exciting Night Life and Live Music

Live music can be found in many area restaurants on weekends and even on weekday nights at a variety of local restaurants and bars. Tim’s Porch at the Backyard combines a restaurant and outdoor concert venue for local and national touring acts. Concertgoers at Tim’s experience memorable nights under the stars with good music and good friends. The Hills Country Club and Marina also do their share to keep it lively most nights throughout the year.

The Lakeway Recreation Center hosts holiday events such as The Great Goblin Glow, the Lights On! Holiday Celebration, the ‘Eggstravaganza,’ Movies in the Park, Dive-In Movies (movies in the pool) and the Viewpoints Dinner and Speaker Series.

From Humble Beginnings to a Luxury Destination

About 50 years ago, Lakeway began with the construction of a 48-room hotel — the Lakeway Inn. The Inn became today’s Lakeway Resort and Spa, a 168-room full service resort. Today, Lakeway is a self-sufficient city of more than 11,000. Residents and developers have created an ever-growing number and variety of recreation opportunities, social events, commerce, luxury amenities, and a satisfying range of fine to fun shops, food, and leisure activities.