24 Hour Restaurants & Late Night After Hours Dining

Opened in Austin by New York native Marc Katz in 1979, Katz's Deli and Bar can always be relied upon to be open on any holiday, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Located at Sixth and Rio Grande, Katz's Deli and Bar features an extensive menu of New York deli classics and traditional Jewish kosher-style cuisine, including reuben, corned beef, salami, pastrami, ham and turkey sandwiches, slaws, creamed spinach, potato knish, award-winning matzo ball soup and deserts including cheese blintzes and New York style cheesecake. Fifth generation kosher butcher Marc Katz brought his family recipes from New York City and says his deli in Austin serves the best sandwiches west of the Hudson River. Instantly recognizable to the majority of Austinites by his baldhead and winning smile, Marc Katz has brought more than New York style food to the Austin restaurant scene. He is also a fundraiser and philanthropist for numerous local nonprofits and has made substantial contributions to the Austin community. In addition to New York food and decor, Katz's Deli and Bar is also well known for people watching, especially an eclectic late night after hours bar crowd. Equally well known is the vintage bright yellow Cadillac convertible with the license plates reading "24 HRS" which is usually parked in front of the restaurant or in the parking lot behind Katz's.

Kerbey Lane Cafe is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a week with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Besides the original location among a triangle of unique shops off of 38th Street near Seton Hospital, Kerbey Lane Cafe has locations in the University of Texas area on Guadalupe Street, on South Lamar Boulevard in South Austin and in northwest Austin less than 20 minutes from Round Rock. An affordable, casual place to eat healthy food, Kerbey Lane was opened in 1980 by David Ayer and Patricia Atkinson. The night before opening, they made their first batch of the now famous Buttermilk Pancakes and the recipe hasn't changed since. Kirbey Lane Cafe offers locally grown produce whenever possible, including pesticide-free tomatoes, squash, okra, spinach, strawberries and field greens. Much of the produce comes from the farm of Cora and Bobby Lamar, who plant year round for Kerbey Lane Cafe on over 60 acres. The home grown tomatoes at Kerbey Lane are renown, as well as the always popular Kerbey Queso. Kerbey Lane Cafe also offers free range beef and pork, tasty regional selections, breakfasts, and many vegetarian-friendly choices.

Twenty-four hours a day, Magnolia Cafe serves a wide selection of salads, quesadillas, tacos, burgers, soups and sandwiches, as well as dailey blackboard specials featuring seafood, pasta and steaks. Magnolia Cafe is also well known for it's breakfast any time of the day and it's “Sorry, We're Open” sign. Specialties include generous stacks of pancakes, including gingerbread, buttermilk, whole wheat and cornmeal varieties and omelettes like the Popeye with steamed spinach, red onion, bacon and cheese topped with sour cream. The menu also includes a number of vegetarian items, including Magnolia's trademark Love Veggies grilled in garlic and serrano Love Butter. Rotating art exhibits from local artists decorate the walls and the ceiling of Magnolia Cafe and there is also outdoor patio dining under large oak trees. Magnolia is also associated with the gift shop Prima Dora next door. If there is a wait for a table, the PA system will call you either outside the cafe or in the gift shop. The Martian Landscape, seasoned grilled potatoes with melted jack and cheddar cheese, jalapeno and green onion, is said to be a favorite of former Austin resident George W. Bush. Besides the location in the South Congress Shopping district, the original Magnolia Cafe opened in 1979 and located at 2304 Lake Austin Blvd is also open 24 hours a day.

Besides being a downtown late night eatery on the east side, Sam's BBQ is also close to many Austin historical sites frequented by visitors during the day, including the Texas State Cemetary and the LBJ Library. Sam's Bar-B-Cue has been consistently rated best barbecue in Austin over the years in the Austin Chronicle Reader's Poll and is nationally known for it's juicy and tender brisket and ribs. Owner Dan Mays purchased Sam's Bar-B-Cue 25 years ago from the original Sam, who owns the nightclub next door. Mays has been known as Sam ever since. If you're looking for him, you can usually find the seventy-something father of six sitting on the front porch of his restaurant, cane in hand. His daughters Waunda and Kay run Sam's now. Waunda Mays says she's proudest of her chicken, but Sam's is also known for it's mutton, moist and tender on the inside, dry and crisp on the outside. Besides the homemade barbecue sauce, plates are served with a sweet, Southern-style potato salad and spicy beans. The late guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was a devoted Sam's customer, even making some long distance call in orders for Sam's specialties while he was on the road. In February 1992, a grease fire destroyed the family business. But within a month, the community of east Austin and loyal customers donated their money, time and hands to help rebuild their beloved barbecue pit.

This late night South Austin restaurant is open daily until 4 am and features tasty and affordable Chinese food such as pan fried dumplings, spicy seafood served in a clay pot, sliced duck in ginger sauce, crab Rangoon and chicken in garlic sauce. Family owned and operated for over ten years, Wanfu is a comfortable setting perfect for long late night conversations. A favorite after hours hang out of local musicians, the background music includes a quirky mixture of Asian music, movie soundtracks and classic rock. Carryout and delivery are available, as well as weekday lunch specials. Wanfu Too at 1806 Barton Springs Road is also open late night until 2 AM.