

Ski Shores Cafe on Lake Austin was founded in 1954 by the Fowler Family as a hamburger joint and watering hole on the “beach” with 25 cent beers for water skiers who ventured far up the lake. For over 60 years, Ski Shores Cafe has been a landmark lakefront destination known for its laid-back vibe, family-friendly fun, griddled burgers and fried catfish. MML Hospitality is proud to carry the torch in this next chapter and will continue to cement its legacy as a one-of-a-kind place beloved by generations of Austin families past and future. No Shoes. No Shirt. No Problem.
Casual Lake Austin hangout offering burgers, tacos & other pub fare, plus a full bar.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2905 Pearce Rd, Austin, TX 78730
Phone: (512) 572-2997
Website: https://skishorescafe.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
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Ski Shores Cafe
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Reviews
The views are breathtaking, the vibe is chill and fun, and the people are friendly young and old, everyone has a great time here. Cocktails are fantastic, the food is good, and it’s pet friendly too. Perfect place to relax, enjoy the scenery, and soak up the good vibes. Highly recommend!
The big draw here isn’t just the food — it’s the vibe. People come to relax by the water, sip cold drinks, and enjoy views of the lake from outdoor seating and picnic areas, have some bites to eat and chitchat with love ones .
My friend Britt took me to Ski Shores Cafe on a sunny afternoon, and it was a great call! Perched right on Lake Austin, the vibe is pure Austin chill: wooden decks, live music drifting in the background, and that unbeatable water view. We grabbed a spot outside and dove into the menu. The fish tacos were fresh and flavorful, with just the right kick from the slaw, and the burgers hit the spot with juicy patties and crispy fries. Service was friendly and quick, even though it was packed.
That said, the wait for a table was a bit longer than expected (about 20 minutes), and prices felt a tad high for casual lakeside eats. Still, it’s a solid spot for a fun outing – thanks, Britt! Would definitely return.
They’re also very inflexible with substitutions. Even though all the sides are priced the same, they won’t let you swap fries for another side, which was frustrating. Instead, they push you to buy extra items if you want something different. The burgers are around $18, don’t come with a side, and are surprisingly small, so they really don’t feel worth the price.
Another issue was how the food was brought out. We were a group of four, and instead of bringing everything together, they brought plates out one by one. So you either ate alone or waited while your food got cold, which made the experience feel unorganized.
The water also tasted very strange, which was another letdown. And the carajillo was basically just Coke, when it should obviously be an alcoholic drink.
That said, the environment is the highlight. The views are great, the vibe is cool, and the fire pits with s’mores are a nice touch. I’d recommend Ski Shores more for the scenery and atmosphere than for the food or service, which were both pretty mid.