Indian food is, hands down, my favorite cuisine. The depth of flavor thanks to all of the spices and traditional cooking techniques is simply unmatched. Austin’s Clay Pit has some of the best Indian food in the Lone Star State (I’m not the only one who thinks so!), and it also happens to be one of the most historic restaurants in Texas.
Clay Pit is a contemporary Indian restaurant located in Austin’s historic Bertram Building, which was constructed in 1866 by German immigrant Rudolph Bertram. It originally served as a trading post and housed several other restaurants before Clay Pit.
The interior is sleek and modern, but not to the extent of losing its heritage. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled to India upon stepping inside and seeing intricate paintings of deities and other cultural decor.
Historic buildings rarely come without tall tales and secrets, and this one is no exception. Rudolph Bertram had tunnels constructed underneath the building (for what purpose, nobody can say with certainty), and ghost stories aplenty surround the restaurant as a result.
Whether or not you believe in ghosts, however, the atmosphere at Clay Pit is simply unforgettable. It pales in comparison only to the extensive menu, which features a combination of Indian classics like Chicken Tikka Masala and modern twists such as Curried Mussels (a house favorite!).
Start with an appetizer like cucumber salad, vegetable samosas, or crispy cauliflower with curried hummus. The restaurant also has a full bar with wine, beer, and handcrafted cocktails.
There are lots of vegetarian and meat-centric options, so you can rest assured you’ll find something delicious to order. From korma and vindaloo to salmon and stuffed chicken breast medallions, all of the dishes are absolutely packed with fragrant spices and rich, multilayered flavor.
No Indian meal is complete without lots of bread for dipping and scooping. either play it safe with regular naan or roti, or try something different like jalapeño cream cheese naan.
Clay Pit is open for both lunch and dinner, but the lunch menu is significantly more limited. You can also place a pickup or delivery order.
Visit the Clay Pit website or the Clay Pit Facebook page for more information, including current hours and a full menu.
Have you ever eaten at the Clay Pit? If so, do you think it’s one of the best historic restaurants in Texas? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
Check out our previous article for a fun fact you may not have known about the Texas Capitol Building.
If you’re a fan of ghost stories, take this downtown Austin walking tour to hear tons of spooky tales.
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