Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Round Rock

"Designed to feel more like a Hill Country ranch than a restaurant, Contigo is just north of much of Austin's action, drawing families on the weekends with kids who love to run around its outdoor space. The steaks and burgers are well worth going out of your way for, as are the cocktails, which are mostly seasonal. You'll feel like a real Austinite here, surrounded by locals from the neighborhood at one of the family-style tables and chatting up the staff that seems to know every anecdote about what's served here and where it comes from."

"The inspiration for this place was a ranch by the same name in South Texas. The owners loved the original ranch so much that they decided to bring it with them to Austin and open this restaurant on the fringes of the now booming Mueller development. The open concept restaurant is almost entirely outdoors, with just the kitchen, bar and a few tables actually under a roof."

"2027 Anchor, 512/614-2260, www.contigotexas.comHours: Sun.-Thu., 4-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4-10pm. Happy hour Sun.-Thu., 4-6pm. Contigo consistently makes nearly every listicle of great Austin patios, thanks to high-quality, reasonably priced happy hours with snacks like crispy green beans and charred avocado."

"In the heart of Downtown Austin, this 350 acre park, has a playground, the Zephyr Train, and some beautiful walking trails. Zilker park is also home to Barton Springs pool, which is a spring fed pool that remains 68-71 degrees year round. They also have a small free museum in the front of the bathhouse, definitely worth bringing the kids into."

"With thriving plant and animal life and a huge variety of things to do, the Zilker Metropolitan Park is the diamond in the crown of Austin’s ‘places to see’. Are you in Austin during the winter time?. Then head on over to the park and gaze upon the stunning 155 feet tall Zilker Holiday Tree, all decked up in streamers and lights."

"Zilker Park is the perfect place for families to soak up fresh air and warm sunshine. Take a refreshing dip in Barton Springs Pool, a peaceful canoe ride on Lady Bird Lake, or a train ride on the Zilker Zephyr. There is a concession stand, a large playground, and an educational exhibit called Splash!"

"Henry Museum on 5th Street offers a look into the life of William Sidney Porter in the Austin years leading up to his controversial prison term, after which he assumed the pen name O. Henry and set about transforming himself into the famed short story writer. You can’t tell from the quaint house in the photo but this house is now surrounded by buildings in Downtown Austin."

"Post Office and Federal Building, is a historic edifice located at 601 Colorado Street in Austin. Completed in 1881 under the supervision of architect Abner Cook, the District Court met here from then until 1936. One of its most noted trials occurred in February 1898, when William Sidney Porter - the man who later became known under the pen name of O."

"The O. Henry Museum houses artifacts and exhibits exploring the life of writer William Sydney Porter. The building was actually his home at one time and still contains some of the original furniture. Porter adopted the pen name of O."

"A classic Austin diner with a longstanding history, the Omelettry lives up to its name by dishing up some of the most delicious omelets that Austin has to offer. Each omelet is prepared with three eggs and the restaurant’s special combo of cheddar and swiss cheese. Not only that, but omelets are served with one of your choice of the following: soup and salad or a short stack of pancakes of your preference."

"At Z'Tejas, diners can enjoy a gorgeous view of the Texas hill country while devouring some of the best, if non-traditional, Mexican food in Austin. Don't miss the street tacos or achiote chicken. Continue to 5 of 12 below."

"This warm, inviting restaurant has three locations and Austin is lucky to have one of them. The restaurant prides itself on a range of northern Italian dishes and a flagship dish, Risotto. The restaurant is described simultaneously as 'quaint and like an old church' by some and still others refer to it as 'chic and hip.' Taverna creates an ambiance that encourages building relationships and hanging out."

"Not only is the food incredible, like the Lobster Omelet and Taverna Hash, but their $2 Mimosas and Bellinis 100% also hit the spot. With a price like that you are sure to have more than just one!"

"One of the newest shops on the scene, Venezia features real Italian gelato from Italian owners Alice and Nicola Morella. Linger over one of the rotating flavors, such as green apple or toasty pecan, with a coffee or espresso. Or grab a Mr. Ring—that’s a gelato “doughnut” on a stick—to go, along with an imported specialty, such as balsamic vinegar or Amarena cherries."

"For a real sweet treat, check out the new french pastry house FoliePop’s. Located at Hill Country Galleria, they offer both sweet and savory treats with TONS of options. They have great coffee options too."

"This Japanese-inspired bakery offers character macarons featuring cute cultural obsessions from anime creatures to panda bears. The Japanese cheesecake is a must-try as is the Tayaki sundae. The ice cream flavors change weekly and the macarons come in a huge variety of flavors including London Fog tea, matcha, Mexican vanilla, and fruity pebbles."

"Located in East Austin sits a unique spot for Tex-Asian sweets. One of their most popular baked goods to try: jiggly Japanese cheesecake (basically a combination between cheesecake, pound cake, and flan textures). They also offer cute macarons shaped and decorated as characters and taiyaki hot pockets (fish-shaped waffle pockets)."

"I’m very excited about more Asian desserts being available in Austin. OMG Squee offers a decadent Japanese cheesecake in classic or ube flavor (pictured below is the swirl flavor). It’s similar to a cheesecake you might be more familiar with but less dense and more fluffy, hence why it’s called a cotton souffle cheesecake."

"HandleBar is right in the heart of the East Side and is full of that “keep Austin weird” mentality. The bar is themed around mustaches (hence the name), has a super cute photo booth, games to play and of course – the rooftop. Enjoy some great city views while drinking a craft beer or cocktail."

"The theme is mustaches, not bicycles, at this Texas establishment. If you don’t have a mustache, you can buy a handlebar-style knockoff for $1 and put it on your glass or your face!. The rooftop is decorated with twinkle lights and a few green plants and trees, creating an intimate ambiance."

"How has this ironic mustache-themed downtown bar managed to escape the extreme douchiness it seems destined for on the surface?. The cocktails are legit and the beer selection is solid."

"The Texas beer scene is booming, and there's no finer place for a taste of it than Craft Pride. The Craftsman-style bungalow feels like a remote cabin transported onto bustling Rainey Street, complete with an exhaustive tap list of all-Texan brews. Beers from legacy Austin breweries like Independence and (512) are always available, as well as new Austin classics like Pinthouse Pizza's Electric Jellyfish."

"The 2019 ABG Editors Pick for Best Brewery couldn't me more daddish if it wore a pair of New Balance 608s and texted with one finger. And that is why we love the 24-year-old patriarch of Central Texas beer so much. Dad Ale is over there still making plenty of 2019 ABG editors pick for Best Everyday Beer in Hans' Pils to keep us happy."

"It’s filled with awesome spots, like Clive Bar (cocktails), Craft Pride (craft beer), Bangers (sausage and beer), and Bungalow (just a cool bar). Just walk down Rainey and pop into whatever looks cool."

"The stuffed cookie is soft inside with explosions of peanut butter chocolate, s’mores with melted chocolate chunks and marshmallow or twix. It’s heartier than a cookie and offers all kinds of textures. If you like the ends of things, or a cookie that is a little gooey but also chewy this is for you."

"Kellie’s bake shop starts with giant, chewy cookies (that would honestly be amazing by themselves) and raises them to the next level by stuffing them with a big pieces of a Snickers bar. Hand down one of the best desserts you can find in Austin."

"This Burnet Road bakery is known for its InstaBites cookies (sugar cookies iced with an Instagram picture) and chocolate chip cookie shot glasses."

"Tiffany and Leon Chen, who started their business by delivering cookies at the University of Texas, are the bakers behind Tiff's Treats. The Austin-based chain offers some of the best cookies you will ever eat."

"A still-warm delivery of Tiff’s Treats is a surefire way to get on anyone’s good side. Just make sure to know their favorite flavor."

"I used to love their M&M and Snickerdoodle, but I do have the say, the best thing they make are their Chocolate Chip Brownies!"

"6812 Ranch Rd 620 N | Just like Austin, Cold Cookie Company is anything but ordinary. They not only serve ice cream that’s delicious on its own, but also cookies that can be a simple topping or blended into one of their shakes. They’re also famous for their ice cream sandwiches and “unshakes” which is just like a milkshake, but much thicker because of all the ice cream and toppings that you’re getting."

"Sweet trailer for ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes and more. I recommend the birthday cake ice cream on snickerdoodle cookies!. Address: Trailer at 2512 Rio Grande, Austin, Texas, TX 78705"

"Have you ever had to pick between a homemade cookie and homemade ice cream?. It’s basically like choosing a favorite child. At Cold Cookie Company you can have the BEST of both worlds."