The Oasis On Lake Travis — Restaurant in Lakeway

OK I gave this place three stars only because of the ambience. This is an absolutely gorgeous place. I saw this place in photos many times online, and really wanted to go, even before moving to Austin. My date, and I arrived at sunset, and saw the most beautiful view. However, what made the visit horrible was the poor quality of food, the food was completely overpriced and the staff was not knowledgeable about their menu. My date had just flown in from Las Vegas and really looked forward to visiting this place as well. Such a beautiful place & so poorly run. So we get there, take pictures, had a great table and the waitress comes up and takes our order for drinks. We did not order alcohol-based drinks, we ordered two Arnold palmers. Only one Arnold Palmer came to the table with no ice. We had to request the second one again, which came about 20 minutes later. So we ordered food, I went with the fajita shrimp and beef. We asked the waitress previous to ordering our meal if the corn and flour tortillas were homemade, she didn’t know so she had to go and ask and came back with “no they are not made in-house”. My date ordered a hamburger and fries. Mind you the menu has to be viewed on your phone. Those of us who are older, like having a printed menu. The food came. The beef portion of the fajitas were OK, with some pieces overly burnt and difficult to eat; the shrimp was like they opened a bag of cheap shrimp from a dollar store & threw it in a pan and quickly removed them. They had a slight smell to them. Completely ruined my appetite. Not to mention the beans were cold and the rice was shivering, Cold as well. My date’s burger, he said it was OK. The fries were OK. When he asked for some ice for a drink to go, he was given 1/ 4th cup of ice. So before the bill came and I asked for the fajita meal to be taken off, because apparently it was all still sitting there, barely touched. When I made that request, instead of the waitress, asking OK can we do anything else for you or let me get my manager, she looked at me with a very harsh look, said nothing, and just walked off. She came back and said OK we took it off the bill. And then she shows my date the total bill for two Arnold palmers, and his burger & fries, THAT came up to $30. So I asked her how much is the burger she said oh it’s $20. So we paid the bill and we left. Then we thought about it and turned back around. By this time the place was closing. We ran into the manager going back in. We explained that we were charged so much for so little. So we asked the manager how much is the burger and fries because we’ve looked online & saw that it was $12.99. It wasn’t that we were hard up for any money, it’s the principle of the matter. The manager himself didn’t know the actual price. Not one time did he look at the menu that we had drawn up online that said that the burger was $12.99. So we asked for a refund of the money that we were overcharged for. Usually when you go somewhere and the manager knows that you’ve had a bad experience they try to make it right so that you’ll want to visit again. This manager did not. He was rude, abrupt, unapologetic and made excuses for the waitress who lied to us. And although we were both highly disappointed with this experience, we loved the ambience, the entrance, and the gift shop area. However, I will never go back to this place again. I will not refer anybody there. To be honest, there’s other beautiful restaurants along 2222 in Austin that are so much better. When I returned home, I asked my daughter had she been to this place before and she says yeah, it’s a beautiful place but the food sucked. I should’ve asked before going, lol. I intend to call and find out who owns this place find out a general manager and explain to them that a restaurant with that much beauty, should not offer bad food and bad people working there. In my opinion, this is a place to possibly get margaritas and experience great ambience, however, Don’t waste your time going there if you’re looking for good food or...

Summary : Neat view, friendly staff, easy parking, mediocre food, needs a deep clean, service was missing in action.

The full report: I took my family to the Oasis on lake Travis for a Sunday lunch. Two of my guests were visiting from out of town so I wanted to show them some of the incredible views the Oasis has to offer. This was also my first time at the restaurant aside from just driving by it on my way to the lake. First off, for a busy Sunday parking was a breeze. The parking was ample and located across the street from the restaurant. If you are feeling super lazy or have family with mobility issues, they do offer two shuttles (golf carts) that can take you to and from the restaurant to the parking area. We chose to walk it with a stroller and while warm outside, it was an easy walk. The Oasis is located in what can best be described as a Downtown Disney type mercado. Other shops and one brewery surround it. It's nicely done however slightly out of place with the surrounding architecture which consist primarily high end homes done tastefully. Once we arrived at the check in point at the Oasis, it was well organized to handle a crowd. Staff was there to take a name and phone number so that they could text the patron when their seat was available. Though very busy, we were quoted a 30 minute wait but only waited about 15 minutes. We were then seated on the terrace with a great view of the lake and surrounding hills. Our waitstaff was friendly however the service was lacking. In all fairness the place was busy and they did have a "now hiring" sign up front so it's possible they were overwhelmed. There were a few empty tables around us that remained empty during our stay. The tables were dirty with food on them and those scraps also remained the entire time we were there. The floors needed a good sweeping and furniture needed a wipe down. Had I not been with Family who enjoyed the view, I would have left immediately as I do not trust restaurants that put cleanliness second. Our waitress brought us water but never took our drink order. A missed opportunity for the Oasis because my guests desperately wanted to have a few margaritas. At the end of our meal after never checking on us once in 90'ish minutes, one of my guests had to ask the waitress for a drink. The food can best be described as interesting. I ordered the nachos to share. It was a pile of chips, beans, over salted dry chicken and cheese. The rest of the ingredients arrived in a second bowl consisting guacamole, pico de gallo (sp?) And sour cream. My wife's salad was an interesting take on a salad. It lacked greens and a typical salad appearance. The taste according to her was lackluster at best but the the ingredients were fresh. One of my other guests had fajitas, and those were tasty and plentiful. My son had the criscut fries and quesodilla which were both tasty, greasy and yummy. As you can see in the pictures and the reason for my lower star review is due to the lack of cleanliness. The place was filthy. The carpets were heavily warn and dirty, there were many dirty dishes and glasses on a noticable amount of tables. The elevator we took to the second floor was absolutely filthy with stains on the floor, ceiling and walls. The floor was so sticky it literally ripped my sandles off my feet when it tried to move. Think fly paper. The views are simply amazing and a great place for pictures with loved ones. There is a brewery next to and above the Oasis that has a neat glass balcony. Overall the experience was good. If we go back, it will be for drinks and not food. If the dining room is that dirty, I'd hate to see the kitchen so I'll avoid eating...

Oasis Restaurant offers a fantastic Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The best time to visit Oasis Restaurant is during the spring and fall when the weather is pleasant and the sunsets are particularly spectacular. These seasons provide the ideal conditions for dining on the expansive outdoor decks, enjoying the cool breeze and

Perched high above the shimmering waters of Lake Travis, Oasis Restaurant is more than just a dining destination—it’s a historical gem with a panoramic view that captures the essence of Texas. Founded in 1982 by Beau Theriot, the Oasis has grown to become one of the most iconic eateries in the region, renowned for its breathtaking sunsets and vibrant atmosphere.

Beau Theriot, a visionary entrepreneur, established the Oasis with a dream of creating a haven where people could unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Travis. Over the years, the restaurant has expanded and evolved, but it has always remained true to Theriot's original vision of providing a unique, memorable dining experience.

Lake Travis itself is steeped in history. Before the lake was formed, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa and Comanche. These tribes lived off the land, fishing in the Colorado River and hunting in the surrounding hills. The region also witnessed significant historical events, such as battles between these tribes and early settlers.

The construction of the Mansfield Dam in the 1940s led to the creation of Lake Travis, transforming the landscape and providing a vital water reservoir for the area. Over the decades, the region has developed into a thriving community, with beautiful lakefront homes, resorts, and recreational areas. Today, Lake Travis is home to a mix of residents, from affluent homeowners to vacationers seeking a peaceful retreat.

Oasis Restaurant offers a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes. As of July 2024, here are some of the standout dishes and their prices:

Sunset Quesadillas: $14.99 Texas BBQ Ribs: $24.99 Grilled Mahi-Mahi: $28.99 Oasis Burger: $16.99 Fried Calamari: $13.99 Chicken Fried Steak: $22.99 Shrimp Tacos: $19.99 For dessert, the Tres Leches Cake at $8.99 and Key Lime Pie at $7.99 are crowd favorites. The restaurant also boasts an extensive drink menu, featuring everything from local craft beers to signature cocktails like the Oasis Sunset Margarita at $12.99.

Visitors to the Oasis will appreciate the ample free parking available, making it convenient to enjoy a meal without the hassle of finding a spot.

The decor at Oasis is a blend of eclectic and rustic, featuring statues and art pieces sourced from around the world. Many of the statues are imported from Mexico and Europe, adding a touch of global flair to the Texas landscape. These elements create a warm, inviting ambiance that complements the stunning natural surroundings.

Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis is more than just a place to eat—it's a destination that offers a rich tapestry of history, breathtaking views, and a culinary experience that delights the senses. With its storied past, vibrant community, and commitment to quality, Oasis remains a beloved landmark that continues to draw visitors from near and far.

Thank you for reading this review. I hope you get to experience the magic of Oasis Restaurant and the beauty of Lake Travis soon.

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