Trace - W - Austin

Name: Trace - W - Austin
Address: 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX, United States, 78701
Telephone: (737) 701-6021
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4

4.0

1429 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Top tags:

A journey for the avid culinary enthusiast, Trace is an enriching and authentic experience of the senses, capturing the character and personality of the locale. Our cuisine with a conscience is foraged, farmed, crafted, hunted and shared utilizing the freshest, peak-of-the-season local and regional ingredients, supporting sustainable, renewable and organic food and beverage products.

We will do our very best to accommodate outdoor seating requests and ensure all of our guests have a safe and delicious dining experience.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 1, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 12 times today

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Regional American (Contemporary Southern), Dining Bar
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–10:30 am Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(737) 701-6021
Website
http://www.traceaustin.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Manuel Rodriguez
Catering
Onsite catering available for restaurant buyouts, weddings, etc.
Private party facilities
Enjoy TRACE in the most intimate setting. Reserve our private room for your next corporate, family, or special event. Combining modern art and ambiance with the farm-to-table approach of TRACE, your guests will be enchanted from the moment they sit down.
Private party contact
Annie Goodrich: (512) 542-3605

Location
200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701
Neighbourhood
Downtown
Cross Street
2nd Street
Parking Details
Valet parking is available for $12 per car with validation (3 hour maximum time limit).
Public Transit
W 2ND ST & LAVACA ST
Entertainment
Live DJ music during Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

74 Austin Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

What 1,429 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.0

4 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
3.8Service
4.2Ambience
3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

1,429 Reviews

R
Rachper
Cincinnati
2 reviews
vip
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall1food5service1ambience4
Their website says brunch starts at 10:30. In person it starts at 11. They won’t honor their website. They are incredibly understaffed which I know is a challenge for them but it resulted in incredibly slow, neglected, and poor service. We got there at 10:30 and didn’t leave til 12:50 bc it was so slow. We requested the check and then waited twenty minutes. Everyone is nice but it was unprofessional and we won’t return. Food is good though
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TC
TCC111
Austin
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall3food3service2ambience3
Always so dead in there and service is never great. Food just ok
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A
Alli
Austin
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall5food4service4ambience5
This is the best place to enjoy a drink and delicious appetizer or meal before a concert at ACL Live. Totally recommend!
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TM
TracyM
Austin
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall2food2service1ambience2
One waiter at 8pm. He was trying to do his best. The busier did more for us than anyone there. The Bavette had a schmear on the plate that smelled like KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce and tasted like spaghetti sauce. The veggies looked/tasted microwaved. My three potatoes were all at a different cooked level. The atmosphere was just old. Broken mirror pieces on the wall. The drinks were STRONG and almost undrinkable. Will not be going back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such a wonderful place to meet friend and family for brunch or just a drink. Bar tenderess was wonderful, friendly and served us with greatness. (Alisha, Alicia) Great vibe!
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TP
TeresaP
Austin
1 review
vip
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall2food2service1ambience3
Surprisingly disappointed. We had been patrons of the W hotel lounge and pool on previous occasions but never eaten at Trace. It was empty other than one other table on a Friday evening, that should have been a give away. The waiter was clearly not in the profession he should be in. He took our orders did not have any recommendations but was clear to rush us through ordering. Then after nearly 15minutes and no food came back to say they were out of two of both dishes two of the guests selected. He did not bring a menu with him so they didn't what to order so all but myself were forced to order the salmon. I ordered the lettuce wraps and so did another guest, the lettuce was brown and old the chicken (not even a teaspoon portion) was the consistency of cat food, the salmon smelled bad and they all had stomach aches that evening after. When one of the guest asked for a separate check the waiter then brought a menu, pointed to the "fine print" and said they only split up to three checks. He was very rude. Maybe he was not happy to wait on successful females of color?! I'm not sure was his personal issue was. We're sorry W-hotel -Trace Austin but you need to step it up to your sister co: JW Marriott and affiliates in service and cuisine. We would not recommend Trace at all.
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ML
MegL
Austin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a great experience dinner was before a show at ACL Moody. Food was fantastic. Service was great. It was just perfect.
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TL
TrishL
Austin
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience3
I was disappointed when I asked to moved to another table, not as trafficked and near entry, that we could not do so, notwithstanding that we arrived 15 minutes early at 4:45 pm and there were only 2 other couples sitting at tables; all other tables were empty. That truly soured my first time experience at Trace. Is it the policy of Trace that customers must reserve a specific table when making a reservation?
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S
Sofian
Austin
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience3
Went there for restaurant week. The place seems to be catering mostly to hotel guests and the service lacks the commitment that would otherwise be expected from a regular restaurant personnel. They don't seem to want to nurture a local and returning clientele. The food was OK, but nothing special, maybe with the exception of the green gazpacho. The brisket was good, but a bit too fatty. The "dessert cookie," however, was a random and over-sweetened cookie that came in a sealed paper bag. It rather spoiled the entire experience and was very anti-climactic.
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AT
ATXfoodie
Austin
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience5
Nice place service was good food was good the time it took to get the food was crazy long -
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B
Babygirl
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Went to drag brunch show. Loved it… loved it….awesome performance and the entertainment director was fabulous. Waiters were great….
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Drag brunch with The Beckies! Will look forward to it again in the future!
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LS
LindseyS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We enjoyed the amazing drag brunch. Great show. Fun foods. Yummy cocktails. Great service. We had the best time! Would definitely go back.
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L
Lala
Austin
23 reviews
3.0
23 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall3food2service5ambience5
Go for the cocktails and amazing service, not for the food. It was adequate at best, but our server was really incredible.
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CJ
CJane
Austin
33 reviews
vip
2.0
33 reviews
Dined on July 18, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience2
We have dined here many times previously but had not been there in a long time. We found the prices up and the choices down. The service was terrible. Took forever to be served food and drinks and had a hard time getting anyone’s attention to order a second drink. I don’t think it was the waiter’s fault. He was very nice but completely overwhelmed. It was also miserably hot inside. I’m sure that is more miserable for staff than customers. But the burger was still great.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charleston
3 reviews
vip
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 18, 2023
overall1food3service2ambience3
AC was broken on a day of 107 degrees. Took one hour to get our cocktail. Server had been called into work and was not happy. No apologies for lousy service. Nothing.
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F
Frenchyk
Austin
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on July 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was a great place to have a business luncheon. Service and food were great, with no long wait times for food. The ambiance and noise level were perfect for conversation.
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AK
AlexisK
Austin
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 14, 2023
overall2food3service2ambience1
Man, did this place go downhill. Went on this past Thursday night. The last I was there was 7-8 years ago while staying at the hotel. I recalled a nice hotel restaurant. We arrived at 7pm. Only waiter sat us. Had to ask for water, and when it was poured, there was no ice. 102 degrees outside in Austin, and you dont offer ice water? Also, the AC wasn’t as high as it needed to be for such a hot day. Tepid air quality inside the restaurant. Waiter was nice but sheesh, he had no other tables (actually the place was dead empty) and it took him ages to check on our needs. Drinks took forever, meals took forever. And when the food did arrive, they brought -all of it- at once. I have never once been to a restaurant that brought out small plates/apps/salads/entrees out all at the same time. It was weird. Lastly, the food was just halfway decent. Am I miss-remembering? I thought Trace was a nice restaurant. It was not an ideal evening.
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KR
KirstyR
Austin
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 9, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience2
The dragshow was great, the food and service were just average
1 person found this helpful
SG
SloaneG
Austin
11 reviews
3.0
11 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience4
Waiter also had a 10-top so we were basically ignored
Is this helpful?
S
Studio8
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was perfect: the food, the service, the validated valet parking. We/I will definitely return.
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LA
LeeAnn
Austin
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
So honestly, I’d probably give it a five star overall if it wasn’t for the fact it was extremely warm. I know it’s hot outside, but it’s like AC wasn’t blowing in the actual restaurant area, just the bar. But the food and drinks were great. My salmon was excellent! And the staff worked their butts off as there were only a few of them. So service I gave five stars because they were doing their best and it was not bad even though they were short handed and everyone seemed to arrive at the same time. It was my birthday and we were going to a show at ACL live after dinner and I really thought it was great dinner and great being next to the theatre. I’d recommend it!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Drag brunch is always amazing and fun! Definitely not the place to go to for reasonable prices in terms of drinks; you’re more so paying for the ambiance/dining experience which is fine because I like that every now and then!
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JR
JaimeR
Austin
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2023
overall1food4service1ambience1
It was an awful experience. The show was amateurish and self congratulatory. As Each song that was performed the performers were unabashedly asking for tips. The drag wasn’t uncomfortable, their seeking the extra money was extremely awkward. Our service was appalling with absolutely no apologies.
1 person found this helpful
l
luv2network
Austin
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience4
When our food finally came out, both of our main entree dishes were completely wrong and were not at all what we ordered. The waiter admitted that he had entered all the wrong information into the computer. It took a while for our correct dishes to again come out plus we had to wait even longer for the sweet potato fries to be delivered. Our food was average to good. Trace was almost completely empty so there is no reason this should have happened. We have been coming to Trace for many many years and something has seriously gone wrong with the restaurant. It is sad that it cannot be our go-to restaurant anymore before every ACL Moody concert that we attend.
1 person found this helpful
D
Delicious
Austin
38 reviews
vip
2.0
38 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience3
Brunch after my daughter’s graduation- food was fine but not great. Service was friendly but so, so slow. Not inclined to return. I used to go and have a good time - disappointing to see it’s gone down so far.
1 person found this helpful
LS
LarmieS
San Antonio
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was awesome and the live music was a nice touch.
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s
shannont
Las Vegas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great very happy with it! Good was tasty and service was amazing! Definitely recommend
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H
Huskyhouse
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 18, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3
There servers were very friendly and doing their best but it took forever for the food to arrive. That’s not great for a lunch spot.
1 person found this helpful
VM
VishalM
Austin
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food4service4ambience5
We went to the Mother’s Day Drag brunch. It was my first time to a Drag show. It was a blast w the comedy and fun old school dance music! And the brunch food was great!
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BC
BethC
Austin
3 reviews
vip
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall3food2service5ambience4
The service was impeccable! Food was under seasoned, boring, and cold.
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JJ
JohnJ
New Orleans
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Cam was the best! Good times, good food, great day for daughters UT Graduation! Hook ‘em!!!
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KJ
KarlaJ
Austin
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2023
overall2food3service1ambience2
Extremely slow service. We waited half an hour for drinks, then ordered one appetizer and two entrees. The appetizer came within about 10 mins. and was good. Which is good because we didn't have time to eat the entrees before having to leave for a concert next door. I had allowed an hour and a half for dinner and the entrees arrived just 15 mins before show start. The manager comped our meal which was nice, but we left hungry and unimpressed with Trace.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on May 3, 2023
overall1food3service1ambience2
The food was fine. The service was terrible. We sat at our table for 20 minutes before our waitress came over. It was another 20 minutes before we got drinks. It was an hour before we got food. She never came by for refills on drinks. It was bad enough that other tables in the section were complaining to each other. No help was provided to her by the restaurant.
1 person found this helpful
VH
VictoriaH
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food3service1ambience3
Service was slow and terrible. We waited for 30 min for someone to take our order. Food arrived only once we pointed out the long wait. Drinks were delayed. It’s really unfortunate
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MB
MeganB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 27, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Service was excellent, would've enjoyed more food options and descriptions, besides loud bar patrons was a lovely meal. The ladies that waited on the table were so nice and accommodating would go back just for the good service!
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SL
SummerL
Austin
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ask for waiter Cam! Cam was very accommodating and did a great job with our large party.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience5
Reservation at 1 was not seated until 2:10 food was good and staff was kind
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DG
DianeG
Austin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice ambience outside on a Saturday at noon. Food was tasty, though not very many vegetarian options on the brunch menu. Service was great, attentive and helpful server.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 25, 2023
overall2food4service2ambience4
After being seated, waited 20 min. For water. The rest of the dinner followed this pace
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

Trace - W - Austin is rated 4 stars by 1429 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 1, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 12 times today

200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
2nd Street
Neighbourhood
Downtown
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–10:30 am Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Regional American (Contemporary Southern), Dining Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Business Casual
Parking Details
Valet parking is available for $12 per car with validation (3 hour maximum time limit).
Public Transit
W 2ND ST & LAVACA ST
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Manuel Rodriguez
Entertainment
Live DJ music during Saturday and Sunday Brunch
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.traceaustin.com/
Phone number
(737) 701-6021
Catering
Onsite catering available for restaurant buyouts, weddings, etc.
Private party facilities
Enjoy TRACE in the most intimate setting. Reserve our private room for your next corporate, family, or special event. Combining modern art and ambiance with the farm-to-table approach of TRACE, your guests will be enchanted from the moment they sit down.
Private party contact
Annie Goodrich: (512) 542-3605

Featured in

74 Austin Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Trace - W - Austin

Make a reservation

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

74 Austin Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Menu

What 1,429 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

FAQs

How is Trace - W - Austin restaurant rated?

Is Trace - W - Austin currently accepting bookings?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

74 Austin Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day