The Texas Restaurant That Can Serve More Than 2,000 People

There's nothing as big as the Texas sky, meaning the Lone Star State does sunsets unlike anywhere else. If you find yourself in the Austin area, you should consider watching a dramatic, flaming sunset from one of the terraces of The Oasis on Lake Travis. Situated on the shores of the glistening, eponymous body of water in picturesque Hill Country, it can't be argued that the views are extremely gorgeous. But scenic vistas aren't the only thing setting this eatery apart: its immense size means that it can serve over 2,500 patrons at once.

Unlike Maxi's Noodle, the tiny Queens hotspot that was Yelp's best Chinese restaurant of the year in 2024, The Oasis on Lake Travis adheres to the Texan maxim that bigger is always better. It's situated on a soaring cliff hundreds of feet above the lake, and boasts 30,000 square feet of area. Not only does The Oasis sport multiple dining decks that afford patrons sweeping panoramas of lakeside sunsets (they even ring a bell when the sun goes down!), but it has no fewer than eight event spaces, making this the perfect spot for weddings, showers, and corporate parties.

The Oasis on Lake Travis is definitely huge; that isn't in question. But is the restaurant good enough to earn a Michelin star? Do guests like the food? That's perhaps a more thorny topic.

On paper, The Oasis on Lake Travis offers something for everyone. The menu reveals that the food gravitates towards Tex-Mex, with tacos and enchiladas on the entree list, and the holy trinity of salsa, queso, and guacamole served alongside chips as one of several appetizers. There are also some creative burgers, including an Impossible plant-based meat alternative patty for veggie lovers. Paella is touted as the restaurant's "signature dish."

On Yelp, however, The Oasis sports an aggregate rating of only 3.5/5 stars. While the atmosphere gets consistently high marks, the food quality and value for money trail in rankings. "The only redeeming factor about this place is the view," one reviewer griped, while another headline complained of "terrible food and service," which is a repeated thread throughout the ratings. Remember, however, that not every restaurant will please every diner. Considering the fact The Oasis does not take reservations and yet frequently accumulates a wait list for a table, plenty of folks clearly find the Insta-worthy views and hearty fare worthwhile.