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    El Alma

    4.1 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    EL ALMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Alma

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    Flaquita drink
    Nancy G.

    We cane on a Saturday afternoon and were able to sit on the patio outside. We had a couple of drinks. If you sit in the green chairs, there's no service. You'll need to go back downstairs to the bar. Drinks are pretty good. I had a Paloma

    Mezcal Margarita
    Zachary S.

    That rush hour traffic in Austin is lethal. If it starts raining too, oh buddy, what a nightmare. Eventually you'll make it to your destination and if it's half as good as El Alma, it'll be a sigh of relief. I've driven by El Alma many times being in the Austin area, but I never went until last Thursday, and after surviving a brief monsoon, I was glad to get a few drinks and eat some good TexMex with my large party just before a wedding. The best way to describe El Alma is that it is TexMex that is Austinified. Everything feels a little more unique and special than your classic TexMex options. I started off with a Mezcal Margarita that put a little hair on my chest and got me going. My group ordered two of their Nachitos, which were these nice nachos. For my main entrée, I got 3 Al Pastor tacos on corn with a side of their rice and beans. Their pastor was served with pineapples, onions, and cilantro with limes on the side. They were great and I immediately crushed them all. I thought their rice and beans were pretty good as well and a step above the typical TexMex rice and beans. The server was pretty attentive throughout our whole visit, and I honestly have no complaints about what they had to offer. Pricing on the meal and drinks was pretty standard for Austin, and I didn't think anything really took me out of the experience. On top of that, for being in Barton Springs, there is quite a bit of parking. I would love to come back at some point in the future and hang out on their rooftop bar because that seems like a lot of fun. Shoutout to El Alma for being a TexMex oasis saving me from the MoPac traffic. RIYL: TexMex, but better than your average

    Enchiladas
    Victoria T.

    Great spot! Awesome happy hour, great service, gets busy but they know it and are very efficient. Reservation recommended if you are coming during any event or special occasion! Great Mexican food, lots of options and amazing views. Definitely an underrated spot imo and locals favorite!

    Ahi Tuna Tostadas
    Stephanie K.

    A bright beautiful classic spot to enjoy indoors or out for Tex Mex favorites paired with cocktails or mocktails within walking or biking distance of the Palmer Events Center, Long Center for the Performing Arts, and Auditorium Shores. Bailey was casual and friendly per usual Austin charms, and I enjoyed a scenic spot on the upper deck with excellent Ahi Tuna Ceviche Tostadas (perfectly lunch-portioned, or for sharing). Fish was fresh, flavors sweet & tropical with balanced heat. The menu boasts lots of options in addition to Lunch Specials ranging from brunch (SAT/SUN only, 10-3) to house specials and classic tacos. I'm glad to be reminded they're also skilled with desserts - looking forward to sharing the Banana Bread Pudding on a return trip!

    Duck enchiladas
    Alyssa B.

    If you're going to eat here, you have to eat on the rooftop patio. The vibes up there are nice and the view is cool. I ordered the duck enchiladas and was pleasantly surprised. The salsas were good too but they should give you more chips at once. I got a mezcal cocktail and it was fine. The food was sort of greasy and rich and I didn't feel great after the meal so not sure I would come back.

    Chicken torta and potatoes
    John R.

    First time in Austin and our first meal was amazing. We had a mole chicken dish and a chicken torta and some plantinos and spicy duck dish. Our server Brittany had our drinks and orders going right away and has a pleasant smile that helped make our experience even more delightful. The restaurant is great for families and couples alike. Has a great rooftop outdoor seating , which sounded like good time up there as I was listening while walking to our car. If live here or visiting , look this place up and swing on by , you will not be disappointed

    Tacos
    Rachel T.

    El Alma has been on my radar since moving to Austin, but we finally just tried it for a random casual dinner and are now going to be regulars. We went here on a weekday evening around 6:30 and just beat the rush. We sat inside in the window and started with margaritas. I got the mezcal marg and it was seriously so good. I can't wait to go back for it. I also had a house marg that was good too, but the mezcal marg was great. Complimentary chips and 2 salsas were brought out right away. Our server was very friendly and patient while we took a few minutes to decide. We ended up just doing tacos and we loved them!! They were huge! I got a shrimp and a cactus taco - loved them both and will order the same thing. Also the side of plaintains covered in cheese - omg - the star of the show. We will each get our own order next time. Lastly, we finished with the tres leches which was the most unique version I've ever had. It was soaked in espresso, and I've never had anything like it. Do not miss this dessert! We can't wait to go back again very soon and sit on the rooftop. 10/10 tacos, margs, salsas, tres leches!

    Lunch / Brunch Menu
    Eric H.

    Dropped in for a quick bite prior to a Long Center show. Even though it wasn't busy, it was loud. We wanted something quick--we arrived at 6:30pm and we were out by 6:50pm. So mission accomplished. Decided on four tacos. I'd say their tacos are on the smaller side, even though they are well-filled. Their corn tortillas were hot and floppy, rather than slightly crisped up. This meant that they tore, somewhat easily due to potential sogginess. Their garnishes were prepared uniformly (in terms of cuts and size) and well. Lamb Barbacoa -- lamb, with habenero pickled carrots and cilantro. This barbacoa was drier than it should be. Because of the dryness, it was chewier than it should be. This is not melt-in-your mouth barbacoa. This barbacoa is not the kind that makes you involuntarily happy. As a side note, I didn't really notice spiciness or cilantro. I did notice the slight sourness from the pickles. Pastor -- topped with onions and pineapple. Tender pork, pretty good flavor. Onions and pineapple went well with it. I didn't bother adding the lime squeeze. More tender than the barbacoa. Pato -- roasted duck, with almonds, pepitas, and those pickled pink onions. I suppose this is their answer to carnitas. The texture of the duck was satisfying. More so than the barbacoa. Chicken Tinga -- shredded chicken, jack cheese, and cilantro. This was the softest of the four. Chicken and jack cheese, what more could you ask for in a simple flavor profile? Food-wise, I'd say their tacos are not bad. But they are missing that which would take them from not bad to exceptionally amazing. Honestly, I might venture to say their choice of garnishes might be distracting from the underlying flavor profile of their meat in certain cases. None of their tacos is exceptional. Service was friendly. Pretty fast. The table top surface was sticky. The bathroom situation is interesting. The first floor has a pair, so be prepped for a bathroom line. In this particular instance, one of the bathrooms became dysfunctional due to someone's bowel explosion. The staff promptly cleaned it up. Overall, I'd be up for coming back to check out some other dishes. And maybe the rocky leaf lined stairwell leading up to their patio.

    Marion W.

    El Alma is one of our to-go restaurants where we know we'll always eat great! Their tacos are so good, their queso is chef's kiss, their happy hour is also top notch, and their margs are margalicious! The place gets crowded at prime time, but if you go early you can get a spot on the rooftop with no resy. I would still recommend going to open table and make a reservation. Parking is tough, patience is key. Pro-tip: If you can't get in this one, they have a bigger location by central market with the almost exact same menu :)

    Trevor L.

    First time here and it was a pleasant experience. Most of their seating were for reservations upon entry and speaking to the host. Our waitress was friendly, gave input on menu and checked in occasionally. There is a rooftop like area if you prefer outdoor dining. My margarita drink was perfectly blended shout out to the bartender that made a little too much of my drink so I ended up with two servings. Our food was delicious. The only thing that I personally found different was having white rice with corn and green peas apart of the dish. I'm not Latino but haven't had that elsewhere before so... yea. Ambiance was severely lacking. The 2 single room bathrooms are directly in front of the bar in the main dining area. There are swing doors to try and separate but that doesn't work. There's a lot of exposed wires and such which is questionable. You don't come here for the vibe/ambiance but I would say the food. Not sure if I would return but it's worth checking out if you're near zilker park.

    Chicken tinga enchilada with verde mole salsa and avacado margarita
    Taylor N.

    never disappoints no matter what you order. The food is soo good!! Staff is very nice and attentive never have had bad service. Love they add a 3% wellness charge for the staff. Everyone is so happy inside it makes the restaurant even more amazing. Live the environment and food.

    Brittany T.

    We hear the Mexican food in Austin was fantastic, so we had to stop by El Alma! My boyfriend tried three different tacos and I had the grande ensalada. Probably one of the best salads I've had!! The fried cheese was the best part. Our drinks were also perfect for the hot day and service was quick and pleasant. We'd definitely come back - the tacos were gone in seconds! My bf gave them a 10/10.

    View from up top
    Marilyn N.

    We weren't ready for dinner but couldn't walk past without checking it out. So adorable perched on the hill. Cool vibe, pleasant servers. With aerial view across the river to the new downtown.

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    Been here several times for lunch. Good food. Sat outside upstairs as it seems quieter and more relaxed. Nice flavorful food

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    Page 2 of 36

    El Alma Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Alma

    If I visit for lunch, is the full menu available?

    Do they allow dogs on the patio?

    Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on patio.

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    Suerte

    Suerte

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.9 mi
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    Food and service was amazing. I'd recommend buying food for the table and sharing with everyoneread more

    Best meal of the Austin trip: upscale tacos and housemade masa in a welcoming space…read more Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Atmosphere: 5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Waitress Kelly was wonderful and so professional. She noticed I was ordering dairy items on side and asked about if pesto in guacamole was ok. So astute and kind of her. Also on my friends second drink remembered she didn't want salt or her rim without even asking - Everything tasted so fresh and high quality - Brisket tacos: packed with flavor--maybe it was the wagyu meat or the black magic oil. Freshly made corn tortillas were awesome. Usually corn ones and pretty throwaway meh, but these added to the greatness of the tacos. 5 stars - Duck flautas: crispy covered in mild mole. Loved the mashed potato addition inside for some mellowness and texture. 5 stars - Guacamole: so fresh and that dollop of pesto on top was lovely. Served with crispy masa dippers were impressive almost a 8x11 page size. It was fun to crack off into pieces, but hard to stop eating it. 5 stars - Sweet potato: friend loved these long charred wedges. 4.5 stars - Cocktails were stellar. I got the Don Dario which was a play on a marg and delightful - $12 of a few drinks during lucky hour (Mon-Fri 5-6pm, Sat-Sun 3-5pm) - High energy vibes in a clean, open, tan colored space - Had their bottle water on the table in a champagne bottle which speaks to my heart Midlights: - In East Austin so have to Uber if you are staying more central - Tacos come in orders of 4. Wish it was less so we could've tried more variety. Lowlights - No food discounts for lucky hour - Didn't have time to try the choco taco which looked amaze - Large gap of time between items first few items coming out and the rest

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    Cool vibe
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    La Popular Austin

    La Popular Austin

    4.2
    (602 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$

    Cruising on a street and decided to make a u-turn and parked. Came outta the car and saw this spot…read moreand decided to try this out for lunch! Glad we came in!! The hostess greeted us and sat us down and introduced us to Justin, our waiter, and this guy is AWESOME!! We got served chips & salsa but I had questions about the menu and Justin had answers. I ordered the Quesabirria Tacos and instead of rice/beans, I got it subbed for the Side Street Corn. The food was brought to us fairly quick and the tacos, my my my - it was soft, had flavor and had a light crunch to it. I thought it was different from other quesabirria tacos I've had in the past, but this was different and perfect. I will get this again for sure when we come back again and again and again Hahahaa!! =D The staff was wonderful and the overall experience was phenomenal. And with Justin, give him a PHAT BONUS!! He's a great asset to this establishment for sure!!!

    Beautiful restaurant and excellent service (thank you Juan)…read more Very innovative cocktails. Good chips and salsa. The breakfast burrito was really delicious. Good refried beans, too. I ordered the brunch cachetada and wasn't thrilled. The suiza chicken and runny eggs diluted the flavor and made the cheese crust on the tortilla soggy. I had to add a lot of hot sauce. It needed more texture and flavor. Overall a boring dish. I would definitely return and order something else, however.

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    La Popular Austin
    La Popular Austin
    La Popular Austin

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    Licha's Cantina

    Licha's Cantina

    4.1
    (844 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Another fun place in Austin! Great Mexican food, great and…read morefast service and the mood here was so cozy and inviting- we really enjoyed our food here. So we were thinking of tacos or Mexican food and my daughter suggested this spot as she had come here with some friends and really enjoyed their sopecitos. I had never had a sopecito! What is that! So we had to try... We were lucky to arrive at the right time (9 pm!) where we got their last table!! Make reservations or something because this is another one of those places that fills up! So- we were taken care of immediately: chips and some very hot salsas were set on the table while we chose. They menu is in QR code format, but we asked and got paper menus as well. Well I got the chicken sopecitos , my daughter got the pork ones and my partner got the meat tacos. Everything was delicious, the food arrived promptly, the portion size was perfect and bountiful and everything was super enjoyable. I really enjoyed trying some New Mexican favorites. Next time I will try some other delicacies since I always get tacos tacos burritos or quesadillas: time for some new items on the menu! Enjoy!

    Could have been much better. Many of their dishes are very…read moresweet, instead of savory. Salsa was the best thing. Music was so loud in the back room areas that you could not even have a conversation with others at your table. When I asked to have the music turned down, I was ignored. Dishes were on the pricer side. We won't be back.

    Photos
    Inside view
    Inside view
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
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    Side seating area
    Fonda San Miguel

    Fonda San Miguel

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$$

    As a Texas native & Austinite, my boyfriend has been going to Fonda for years (they've been around…read moresince 1975 after all). I've only been once and it's definitely not gonna be the last time. In fact, we've got an upcoming reservation that's been on the books for quite sometime. They've managed to remain delicious, relevant and in demand 50 years! That's saying something. I'll tell you what that says...it says they rule! Reservations can be tricky to get but oh so worth it. The bar & atrium are fantastic and they boast a generous happy hour. The restaurant area and entire space are decorated wonderfully. Amazing artwork adorns the walls, they've got extensive art all about, vaulted ceilings and more. It's kind of like being in a hacienda. It feels like you're in Mexico. Truly. The restaurant and food are upscale without being pretentious. How refreshing! Speaking of refreshing...they've got cocktails and mocktails that will knock your socks off. I'm a big fan of the Nojito. My boyfriend loves the Mexican martini (it's primo). Let's talk about food. Wow-wee is it everything and then some. This is the kind of Tex-Mex flavor that sends your tastebuds into a tailspin of goodness! On our visit we did a salsa flight (we did 3 salsas), the queso (melted muenster and Oaxacan), Wagyu beef tacos, and chicken verde enchiladas. We did a spread like that in order to share everything. Food so good I'd give ten stars if I could. I can't put my finger on it but there's just something so special about the food, the taste of it, and the quality. It's just incredible flavor explosion bite after bite. If I had to guess, I'd say the food has been made with love, skill, and attention to detail all these years. Hence, their amazing reputation. Service is beyond compare. Hands down some of the best I've experienced in all of my worldly travels. Fonda San Miguel (Tzintzuntzan) is a dream come true! A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PS: They offer complimentary valet service-be sure to tip!

    First time visit. Food was amazing. Atmosphere a bit loud,…read morebut understandable. Had to ask for utensils after we got our chips & salsa. Server was good but had to serve over 15 tables with like 50 people. He did good.

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    Bar
    Bar
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    De Nada Cantina

    De Nada Cantina

    4.2
    (644 reviews)
    3.2 mi
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    Very quaint location. Need to make a reservation…read more We had several items Birria was awesome Watermelon ceviche was incredible The vegetarian tacos were pretty good Service was attentive. Would I go back? Yeah

    Came by on a Friday afternoon around 5 PM, and they were super packed. I biked there so parking…read morewasn't a problem, but cars were parked on the gravel sides out on Cesar Chavez. However, we were still quickly seated at a table, and service was fantastic throughout the stay. Happy Hour M-F, 3:30-6:30 (basically $1 off small drinks) Seasonal Frozen Margs (Strawberry, Mango, 8/10) - SUPER STRONG MARGS!!! We were recommended this place because of the strong drinks, and they did not disappoint. - after ordering both strawberry and mango, we were not able to taste the difference. Both tasted like alcohol haha. Frozen drinks were good in the summer though Crispy Beef Taco (4/10, $6) - literally Taco Bell tacos. Comes with with 2 - not sure if I read the menu wrong, but I thought that the beef would be Crispy. Turns out that it's just the taco shell that's Crispy filled with beef. The filling itself was quite tender and juicy, but would not get this again. - others at the table got the regular soft tacos (verduras), and they said those are really good. Chips/Salsa ($1.5) - comes with three different salsas, which are all quite spicy Overall, a fun and busy spot with great service and good vibes. Drinks are super, super strong yet reasonably priced. Don't get the crispy beef taco unless you're craving Taco Bell.

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    Barbacoa Tacos are so soft! Loved.
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    The Cadillac of margaritas

    El Alma - mexican - Updated June 2026

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