Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile

Jacoby’s (named after owners Adam Jacoby and husband Kris Swift) is a great “special meal” option for LGBTQ+ travelers who want Austin food with a sense of place—Southern-leaning, ranch-to-table, and set right by the river in East Austin. It’s the kind of spot you pick for a slower evening with comfort-forward plates and a bit of Texas polish. Bonus: it pairs really well with an Eastside night out (or a low-key date) when you want something beyond the usual downtown circuit.