Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Palapa

    3.2 (210 reviews)
    ModerateTex-Mex, Mexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    La Palapa Photos

    Business Info

    LA PALAPA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Palapa

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Chimichanga with beef fajita
    Kayla P.

    Had a good experience here. It wasn't very busy for lunch, but the food took a little time to come out. Tried the queso with beef which was very good. The kids meals left much to be desired, but when I requested an extra quesadilla, they did make one. Super grateful to that. The chimichanga was very good. I feel like I go everywhere trying them. The lunch crowd seemed to fill a large portion of the restaurant, but it was still pretty quiet. The customer service was good. So on a quiet day, I think this would be a solid spot.

    Jenn C.

    Quick and easy place for Mexican food. The make a great cheese enchilada and a crispy beef taco. Nothing fancy just good food. I come for lunch since it's close to my office. Good margaritas too!!! It's easy on the wallet with affordable options.

    Lauren M.

    An Austin Tex-mex staple. If you haven't been here, you are missing out. Lots of good Tex mex options and alcoholic drinks to choose from. Service is quick and friendly. The place may look a little rough around the edges but the food is delicious authentic Tex mex.

    Sopapillas
    Maria M.

    Nice atmosphere, good customer service, and the food was outstanding. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food served it was worth it. We like how the bar is separated from the main dining area. We will definitely come back.

    Fish tacos
    Mo L.

    Stumbled upon this cute place after a day playing tennis at the high school next door. Food was tasty! We ordered fish tacos and enchiladas. Food was very reasonably priced and drinks were fantastic! Service was very fast although it was closer to closing so there weren't many others there. Overall would recommend if you are looking for a good casual Mexican sit down experience.

    Margarita couldn't wait did the tacos to arrive. Cheers!
    Inez V.

    As soon as you walk in the door you're greeted by the friendly host and a big sign with all the daily specials. You can't go wrong with a margarita and some delicious tacos. I ordered the street tacos and was instantly hooked! This is my favorite place with a chill, and enjoyable ambiance where you can eat, talk and drink up! Best thing is there is a bar in the back area where you can enjoy a louder room and listen to some great music. Great bank for your buck, great value at a great cost!

    Bacon cheeseburger
    George N.

    The bacon cheeseburger from here is something to write home about. So much flavor!! The cheese was beyond imagination. I will be back and order again.

    Botana Sampler
    Amy G.

    La Palapa is the place for the best cheese quesadilla in town, or maybe Texas or the entire universe (which is basically the same thing because this is obviously the only state that matters when it comes to tex-mex food.) Sure, a cheese quesadilla is a plain thing to get from a restaurant, but when it's done right, it's absolute cheesy delight. I can never quite replicate it at home. The combo of cheeses they use is very mellow and not greasy, and the texture of the tortilla is crispy and almost flaky, without being burnt. Most other things from La Palapa are satisfactory as well, but it's hard for me to come here and not go straight for the quesadilla.

    Menu 8/2024
    John M.

    Overall not a bad visit....Place has been here forever, and we have passed by for years....yet a friend who had just moved up the street said we need to try it....for as old as it is, very clean and the up keep is great.....Salsa, Chips and Queso hit first....Salsa if very tomato forward, and I swear it tasted like Pace out of a jar...but had some heat to it. Queso was good but not a fan of the raw veggies, but was better with a scoop of salsa. Wife went with the Beef enchiladas with Chipotle, double rice...Sauce had a decent bite, beef was stand alone good...Rice was rice...I went with the Tri color Enchilada....All three were good...sour cream sauce being my favorite...Beans were good...The service definitely needs work...Huge party (20+) of city workers showed and we were forgotten....didn't even get a second water refill. We will continue to pass this place by, as there are several in the area we prefer. Onto the next adventure.

    Great salsa!
    Mary L.

    After driving past this place for years, we finally checked it out for lunch the other day. We found good, solid Texmex lunch specials, and a sprawling menu that lures us back for further exploration. The Happy Hour looks tempting as well, with drink and appetizer specials. I ordered the lunch Chicken Flautas, which were excellent. The two were bigger than I expected and tasted fresh from the fryer, and the rice and Charro beans that came alongside were very good. A few TexMex places have started upcharging for Charro beans instead of Refried, but La Palapa does not. My guy ordered the Chile Relleno. He's from Chicago and refuses to pronounce "relleno" properly, but our server did not hit him over the head with the chips basket, and was kind and friendly throughout. He has a weird idea that the fried chile shouldn't be flattened before cooking, but said it tasted fine. I liked the interesting architecture of the building and the friendly vibe. We'll be back.

    a colorful christmas tree in a restaurant
    Katherine A.

    Goto appt for a last minute dinner. Lots of choices. There's always a daily special so that's really nice. They have things on there like enchiladas, pollo, caldo all sorts of yummy stuff so it's always a good idea to go for the special

    Taco Salad shredded chicken  perfect

    See all

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gabo L.
    93
    191
    2

    18 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I love this place, I ordered tacos and Tae ordered and Chilada's and they are amazing

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jeff S.
    19
    15
    2

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of john j.
    1
    161
    0

    5 years ago

    Update, 3/2021: This place stays great! It is now our go-to restaurant for TexMex. Highly Recommended!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laura S.
    167
    30
    0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue C.
    53
    8
    18

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Clint K.
    138
    10
    0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J G.
    1
    32
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim B.
    1
    51
    2

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of James A.
    11
    88
    10

    13 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Debbie M.

    Debbie M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of bob k.
    6
    23
    2

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 6

    Ask the Community - La Palapa

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Tex-Mex 8,445 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Suerte

    Suerte

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$$

    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

    Photos
    Cool vibe
    Cool vibe
    Tlayuda de Hongos
    Tlayuda de Hongos
    Tlayuda de Hongos (mushrooms)

    See all

    Tlayuda de Hongos (mushrooms)
    La Popular Austin

    La Popular Austin

    4.2
    (603 reviews)
    11.4 mi
    $$

    La Popular continues to be one of my go-to spots for hosting business dinners--it's always a big…read morehit. The authentic Mexican cuisine is consistently on point, both in flavor and presentation, making it a reliable choice when you want to impress. The traditional margaritas with Tajín are a standout and easily a favorite among my group every time--refreshing with just the right kick. On my most recent visit, I tried the new Salmon entree, and it was delicious--perfectly cooked and full of flavor. My coworkers explored a variety of menu options, and every dish received rave reviews: the Carne Asada entrée, Ribeye tacos, Enchiladas Suizas, Chicken Mole Poblano, and Carnitas tacos--all executed beautifully and packed with authentic taste. And of course, the Guacamole and Queso Fundido remains one of my personal favorites--fresh, flavorful, and always a must-order for the table. Between the consistently great food, crowd-pleasing drinks, and overall experience, I'll definitely be back again soon. La Popular never disappoints!

    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.

    Photos
    La Popular Austin
    La Popular Austin
    La Popular Austin

    See all

    Arriba Abajo

    Arriba Abajo

    4.3
    (313 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$$

    Came here for lunch on a weekday. So the place was very quiet. Only a few other tables were…read moreoccupied. Arriba Abajo as you walked in just gave me all the vibes of a happening place when you want to hang out with friends and have a great time. We ordered the braised ribs rolled tacos for appetizers. It was so fresh and kicking' with all kinds of flavors. I wish I had ordered another one. The avocado sauce layered on the bottom was just enough to keep wanting more. For lunch I ordered the Carneasada Fajitas with chimichurri and my husband ordered the Carneasada Taqueria. With my fajitas came a side of frijoles, green rice & flour tortillas. Corn flour was the other option. Both meals came in pipin' hot & the smell coming from both was very aromatic, zesty & spice. Amazing taste, flavors, just the right amount of marinade on the Carneasada with a hint of lime. It was so delicious while enjoying the ambiance. Our server was a delight and took very good care of us. We didn't order any of their alcoholic beverages since we were both working, but definitely we will be back to enjoy more food and try out their beverages.

    I came here on a rainy evening to grab some drinks with a few friends. We had originally planned on…read moregoing elsewhere but it was rained out so we decided to give this a go. Because Arriba Abajo is mainly an outdoor space, they had to move everyone indoors which meant that they were completely booked. Thankfully, we were able to find a few seats at the bar (also super packed). We ended up ordering a pitcher of their passionfruit margarita & their queso. Bith were really good and I liked their unique take on queso (Ive never seen anyone add chimichurri to it before). The bartender was very attentive and informative about any questions we had. One of the main appeals of Arriba is the outdoor rooftop so Ill have to come back to fully enjoy it!

    Photos
    Private Dining Area
    Private Dining Area
    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.
    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.
    Spicy Margaritas & Large   Format Cocktails by the Patio Fireplace

    See all

    Spicy Margaritas & Large Format Cocktails by the Patio Fireplace
    Licha's Cantina

    Licha's Cantina

    4.1
    (844 reviews)
    4.5 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
    Side seating area

    See all

    Side seating area
    Fonda San Miguel

    Fonda San Miguel

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.0 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.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
    Frozen guava margarita

    See all

    Frozen guava margarita

    La Palapa - tex-mex - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...