ATXReview
Included In
Clark’s looks like it was pulled off a magazine cover about “happy people, doing happy things, in happy places.” It’s set in a corner of Clarksville that somehow toes the line between a quiet neighborhood and a bustling intersection, complete with a restaurant that thinks it’s in California, a wine bar, and a tiny nightclub (all from the same team). Clark’s is the de facto answer to the question “Where can I eat oysters and sip on martinis in Austin?” and it’s earned that reputation by offering excellent versions of both with incredible consistency.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
photo credit: Richard Casteel
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Take a quick stroll through the cozy dining room—complete with black-and-white photos of coastal landscapes and white tablecloths—and you might forget that you’re not in a breezy town in New England. There’s also a small, but always busy oyster bar reserved for walk-ins, complete with tiny white and sea-green hexagonal tiles on the floors and a glass display where you can check out the seafood ahead of time. But when the weather is nice, there’s no better place to be than on the large patio overlooking the street, covered in large pastel-yellow umbrellas that provide shade, ambiance, and an overwhelming desire to buy a boat.
This is an oyster bar, first and foremost, but with a menu spanning two full pages (in tiny font), that’s just where things start. Since we’re in Texas, you’ll be able to order plenty of Gulf seafood, but because refrigeration and transportation exist, you’ll also have access to a ton of fresh seafood shipped in from the colder climates. Start with the cold bar—we like to grab a few oysters, plus an order of tart and spicy Red Snapper ceviches—then move to something from the cooked side, like tender Spanish octopus or some sweet and buttery pan-seared Maine scallops. And for the seafood-averse—first off, why are you here? Second, you’ll have a few options, including one of our favorite burgers in the whole city.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
If this all sounds like a magical place, you’re probably wondering why you shouldn’t just eat here all the time. And that’s because if you want to eat your meal at a semi-reasonable hour—and you don’t want to gamble with a walk-in—you’ll typically need to make a reservation a solid month or two in advance. To call this place popular is an understatement. Well, that and the fact that you’ll also be dropping $39 on a lobster roll or $49 on a bowl of (admittedly, very good) cioppino. But whether you decide to take advantage of the solid Happy Hour here, save up for a special occasion, or just ball out on a Tuesday night, just know that you, too, could be a happy person, doing happy things, in a happy place, if you have the money to spend.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Dressed Oysters
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Red Snapper Ceviche
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Pan Roasted Black Angus Hamburger
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Wood Grilled Shrimp Toast
photo credit: Richard Casteel