Queer-Owned Restaurants in Austin

ByXanthem Published

These eight Austin restaurants are queer-owned according to a dated source we could read: the restaurant’s own business listing, The Infatuation’s September 2026 guide to queer-owned spots, or The Little Gay Shop’s Austin Queer Business Map, updated November 2025. Each entry says which. They run from a barbecue line on East Cesar Chavez to a downtown hotel restaurant from a Top Chef winner.

We didn’t eat our way through this list. We checked each place’s own site for its address, phone and hours on October 15, 2026, and dropped two that we couldn’t confirm are still open. For coffee, see our queer-friendly coffee shops guide, which has more queer-owned cafes.

The Short List

RestaurantWhat it is
La BarbecueBarbecue on East Cesar Chavez, Wednesday to Sunday
El RavalSpanish small plates and paella on South Lamar
Jacoby’sSouthern food from a family ranch, East Austin
Arlo GreyKristen Kish’s restaurant at The LINE hotel, downtown
OvenbirdBreakfast and lunch in South Austin, with drag brunch twice a month
The Violet CrownCoffee by day, natural wine by night, in Crestview
Lick Honest Ice CreamsIce cream shops on Burnet, South Lamar and in Mueller
Bouldin Creek CafeVegan and vegetarian cafe on South 1st since 2000

Restaurants

La Barbecue

The Infatuation’s queer-owned guide calls La Barbecue a go-to for showing visitors Austin barbecue, and says the brisket line mixes locals and tourists. Plan for a line.

  • Reported as LGBTQ+-owned by: The Infatuation, September 10, 2026
  • Where: 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin 78702
  • Hours, as posted: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday
  • Phone: (512) 605-9696
  • More: labarbecue.com

Is this your restaurant? Update this listing

El Raval

El Raval describes itself as “an LGBT-owned restaurant” in its Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce listing. The menu is Spanish with North African, Middle Eastern and Asian influences, and there’s a long wine list. The Infatuation says the paella is worth its 40-minute wait and the room is good for walk-ins.

Is this your restaurant? Update this listing

Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile

Jacoby’s calls itself “family-owned,” and The Infatuation says its beef comes from the Jacoby family ranch. Thursday is steak night. It’s dinner Wednesday through Saturday and brunch on weekends, with a heated, enclosed patio in winter.

  • Reported as LGBTQ+-owned by: The Infatuation, September 10, 2026
  • Where: 3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin 78702
  • Hours, as posted: supper Wednesday and Thursday 5 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 to 10 PM; brunch Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM
  • Phone: (512) 366-5808
  • More: jacobysaustin.com

Is this your restaurant? Update this listing

Arlo Grey

Arlo Grey is the restaurant at The LINE hotel by Kristen Kish, the Top Chef winner and host. It overlooks Lady Bird Lake. The Infatuation notes the prices are steep. The hotel validates valet parking for $13 plus tax for up to three hours.

Is this your restaurant? Update this listing

Ovenbird

Ovenbird is a South Congress breakfast and lunch spot that calls itself “an inclusive and friendly space.” It hosts a drag brunch on the first and third Saturday of the month, per its own events list. For more drag, see our drag shows guide.

  • Reported as LGBTQ+-owned by: The Infatuation, September 10, 2026
  • Where: 6501 S Congress Ave, Austin 78745
  • Hours, as posted: Tuesday and Wednesday 7 AM to 3 PM, Thursday to Saturday 7 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 7 AM to 3 PM. Closed Monday
  • Phone: (512) 580-1388
  • More: ovenbirdatx.com

Is this your restaurant? Update this listing

Wine, Ice Cream and Cafes

The Violet Crown

The Violet Crown is a coffee shop and natural wine bar in Crestview. The Infatuation suggests buying a bottle and paying corkage to drink it there, and pairing it with a sandwich from the deli next door.

Is this your business? Update this listing

Lick Honest Ice Creams

Lick was founded in Austin in 2011 and makes small-batch ice cream. It has three Austin shops, and The Infatuation points to seasonal flavors like tequila grapefruit paloma.

Is this your business? Update this listing

Bouldin Creek Cafe

Bouldin Creek Cafe has served vegan and vegetarian food on South 1st since 2000 and calls itself “woman-owned.” It says it believes in paying a living wage. Happy hour runs Monday to Friday, 3 to 6 PM.

Is this your business? Update this listing

Before You Go

  • Ownership can change. Restaurants get sold. Our sources are dated, so if you know of a change, tell us with the update link
  • Check hours the day you go. We list hours as posted on October 15, 2026
  • Lines and waits. La Barbecue has a line, and El Raval’s paella takes 40 minutes. Plan for both
  • Ask about access. Patios, counters and parking vary, so call ahead if steps or seating matter to you

What We Couldn’t Check

  • We haven’t eaten at these restaurants for this guide
  • Ownership beyond what our three sources say. We don’t describe owners’ identities
  • Howdys Pizza and Brown Sugar Bake Shop, which appear on the queer-owned lists, but whose websites now show unrelated content. We couldn’t confirm they’re open
  • Lynny’s and Muse Coffee Truck, which are on The Little Gay Shop’s map without an address

Last checked: October 2026. Ownership from The Infatuation (September 10, 2026), The Little Gay Shop’s Austin Queer Business Map (updated November 2025) and El Raval’s Austin LGBT Chamber listing; hours and addresses from each restaurant’s own site, read October 15, 2026. See how we choose what goes on a list.

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