I love taking new people to a place where I have confidence it's gonna be a great experience and…read moregreat food. El Alma has always one of those stops for me. And yesterday was no different. I was worried we might not get a table quickly, but we arrived at the perfect time on a Saturday and were seated immediately. We ordered a couple drinks, perused the menu and ordered the ceviche and street tacos and chicken tacos and everything was fresh and delicious. Our server was helpful, Attentive without hovering. My friend visiting had nothing but great things to say. Look forward to going back for brunch. Which is my typical go to there.

I've been coming to El Alma for nearly 5 years now (according to my first review, I first came here…read morein November of 2026). During that time, it has easily become one of my favorite restaurants in all of Austin. I absolutely love the food and the rooftop patio that overlooks downtown/the park, and it will forever be somewhere I continue to go, especially during happy hour. I have tried every vegetarian item on their menu, and while everything is great, my personal favorites are: - cheese enchiladas with mole verde (I get this 99% of the time because they are my favorite enchilada in town) - the chile rellano (it's listed in the sides, but I promise you that it can be a meal in itself) - their rice (comes with many of their plates or inside of their enchiladas) is actually soooooo good and one of the things I look forward to - queso (nothing different about it, but it's just a really good standard queso) - flaquita (spicy watermelon margarita; I don't need to say more) - sangria blanca (super refreshing) Up until a few months ago, I would have given this place five stars, but I've noticed a decline in service that is making me knock it down to a four. For example, they used to give free chips and salsa the second you sat down, but the last three times, I've had to ask them for it (pro tip: ask for chips and salsa!!). I've also noticed slower and less attentive service. Overall, I still love El Alma, and when it comes to food and vibes, it has withstood the test of time. Everyone I introduce to El Alma falls in love (my sister visits me once a year, and El Alma is always on the agenda). Not only have I been coming here multiple times a year for the past five years, but I know I will be coming for as long as they are around.

This is the best taco place I have found since I've moved!…read more I don't know how often I will come back here I don't know that it's that easy to find parking in this area. We walked from the hotel and ended up eating here twice! I had the extra cheesy volcan tacos they were so good I could smell how they tasted when I walked in. The carve asada was a little salty but it didn't stop me from devouring them! If you come in down the alley like we did you'll walk through what looks to be a little bar area walk-through there and then follow the signs to find the tacos. There were some people walking in with small children as we were walking out and they looked confused walking into the bar and I showed them just keep going you'll find the tacos and then they laughed. Everyone inside was nice and very friendly they run a super efficient operation and it's very clean. Soon as someone gets up somebody cleans the table because somebody's already waiting for a table. The whole thing is like an assembly line you get in line you order you get in line you get your food you walk around the corner and you get a table. Keep it moving people! This is just an amazing taco place with some amazing people highly recommend if you are in the area to go for it. The second time we came back and got more tacos to go and had to pay for parking around the corner so I don't know that it's convenient unless you're walking because parking was really expensive over there I think we paid $20 for 15 minutes.

Why 5 stars? Because this absolutely nailed my craving…read more --- --- --- My friend and I had big ambitions to eat nothing but BBQ during our 4 days in Austin. We weren't even fully through day #2 and were already sick of BBQ. He broke the seal first and suggested Mexican. I found Taqueria De Diez in my bookmarks, and dinner plans were set. This was one of those meals where I was walking out with a pep in my step because I got exactly what I needed. I ordered a carne asada quesadilla + two tacos: Campechana and adobada. I don't even know what my favorite thing was. They were all excellent. The only slight miss were the beans, which were kind of oddly watery. But everything else was perfect, including the jamaica agua fresca. I ended up returning the next night and ordered a carne asada burrito. I didn't love it quite as much, but this is still an easy 5-star review for me. Note: this is not the easiest place to find. You literally have to walk in between some big, orange road blockers (is that what you call them?), to enter an alley. You then walk into a small bar, and then from there, you enter the actual restaurant. It's like a taco speakeasy, and it's glorious.

Asador at Las Perlas (taco stand located in patio of Las Perlas) - tasty and decadent tacos and…read morequesadillas. I got the grilled chicken and beef Piccadillo tacos along with a chicken quesadilla. I have a healthy appetite but even for me it was more food than I could eat. All items were good and they had several HH drink specials that ran until 8pm. The decor was cool with a cool vibe. If you come in during the day you may need a minute to adjust your eyes cause it can feel dark coming from sunlight.

Solid taco spot / bar!!!…read more Was visiting Austin Downtown with some coworkers and we were craving Mexican food, but also wanted to get a drink. This place had the best of both worlds!! I had the guava margarita - refreshing and yum - as well as the quesadilla (brisket) and chicken taco. Both were devoured. delicious. no notes. I would say the only thing that is keeping my rating in the 4.5 range is the smaller menu, some things were sold out, and got a little bad vibe from one of the workers when picking up my food. Other than that, food was solid. Outdoor area was nice. Would come back again!

Suerte never disappoints - you can always expect something interesting on the menu, but also trust…read morethat the suadero tacos will be there for you when you need them. Went and did a true tapas style dinner here - happy hour was nice but some of the app plates are a bit small for the price since it got recognized by Michelin. Ambiance is perfect, nice and low lighting inside but not so dark that you can't see. Servers were very kind to us and kept our table clean after each plate was cleared. An elevated option, especially for out of towners or anyone who loves a new version of a dish

I had a pretty good time at Suerte. The space is beautiful and the vibes were great overall. Dope…read moreatmosphere and a great spot to grab dinner with colleagues and friends. The food was solid although nothing I had really stood out to me. My friends and colleagues seemed to really enjoy their meals so it may have been just what I ordered. The drinks were great though. Our server was also sweet and accommodating and made sure we had everything we needed. Overall we had a good time at Suerte. Although the food didn't knock me off my feet, I would come back to try other items on the menu.

Marc was so great! His service was awesome and the food and drinks were delicious!! We will def be…read morecoming back!

Just discovered this place in my neighborhood, even though it's not "new" it's new to me and I love…read moreit! The happy hour here is great, with deals on tacos, apps, churros and drinks. The chips are super fresh and the guac was delicious too. Tortillas tend to make or break a restaurant for me but both the flour and corn are really fresh and taste like they could be made in house. My favorite thing here is the agua frescas, all the flavors are great. They don't taste artificially sweet, just natural fruit sweetness. You can add tequila to them as well! Ambiance here feels upscale, with instagram-worthy decor and swanky lighting, but casual enough that I don't need to dress up too much to come by and hang out at the bar. Service has been quick and friendly when I'm there but, to be fair, I always go on pretty slow days/hours. It's a nicer take on tex-mex that feels and tastes way more authentic than other places in Austin. I've been back frequently and would definitely recommend to others.

Once again... THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN AUSTIN…read more If your a fan of trying new things... you've got to try the Las Calabasas as your "side". If you love garlic.. you'll love this side! We tried Esme's creamy potato enchiladas and DANG they were good. The basmati white rice was cooked and flavored to perfection. Maybe a sour cream verde sauce on Esme's would be good, too! My friend got Brian's Alambra plate which was the winner. I've never tasted so much savory delicious flavor in one bite. I couldn't even speak. WELL DONE BRIAN!!! Derrick at the bar took very good care of us. I have never said this: I will try every single item on the menu in the next 10 years. This place should be on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. It deserves more recognition. Texas has lots of great Mexican food, but this place is hands down the best. Please El Dorado make sure it doesn't go to your head. Hire good people and don't let your recipes fall into the wrong hands. Can't wait for next time!

So phenomenal. Highlights for me:…read more (1) Massive animal adoption focus. So many print outs for adoptable dogs and cats in the Austin area, especially pit bulls. Hurray! (2) Incredible queso. This is the thinner white queso variety. (3) Delicious salsas. We did the 6 salsa sampler and all here so good. (4) Great house chips. Substantial but also very light and crispy. Perfect for dipping but never feel heavy. (5) Amazing carnitas. Here from California where we have great carnitas and these topped them all. So extremely crispy but still tender. Staff is also very friendly. So glad we stopped in here for lunch.

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.

Good first visit to Arriba Abajo. Food quality and quantity were on par with expectations, but a…read morefew things left our table looking for more. We made a reservation for inside, and upon arrival, the staff mentioned that'd we'd have to wait quite some time for our table. Instead, they suggested an outside table wouldn't be too bad. We were happy to accommodate, but then the service was noticeably slow (both for drinks and for food). Price points were high (but, I suppose not unexpected for a hotel restaurant). The spot we were in just felt like limbo between guests enjoying the pool and people inside enjoying A/C and good music. May give it another shot down the road.

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!

This bungalow restaurant has all the feels of dining in someone's home. Comfort, cozy, welcoming…read more It's just a quick walk from our apartment and we're lucky to be so close. Let's talk about happy hour: Tues-Fri (4pm-6pm) $8 cocktails! Several to choose from like Paloma, Lupita, Margarita. Buckets of beer available during HH too. $8 apps like quesadillas, sopecitos, and mole. Like the drinks menu, several options to choose from. Regular Hours Menu: Tasty "for the table" selections available. The potatoes with fresco and sauce are really good. Huraches, Quesadillas, Gorditas, and Flautas are all equally good. Several different things to choose from on the regular menu, including salads. Food portions can definitely be shared between two people. The Paloma mocktail is refreshing. We find the service to be efficient and professional.

Genuinely such a treat to come across this spot while in Austin. My group had reserved a section…read morefor a happy hour and I was beyond pleased with the food and cocktails. Their happy hour selections were great, and the cocktails were craft fully made. The food - full of flavor and diverse creations to truly keep you fueled and filled (in a healthy way).

We had a good experience here! The restaurant itself is really beautiful. It's open, welcoming, and…read morewell lit. We had a group of 8 people and were sat at a long table. Our server was personable and took really good care of us! We enjoyed the queso fundido and it was super good- who doesn't love cheese and chorizo? We also had the guac which was super fresh and delicious. I loved the chips. My filete de limo was super good, cooked well and I enjoyed the shishitos that accompanied it. It was pricy, but super good! I also had a spicy margarita which was made really well. I would come back!

Haven't been here in a while (years). Make sure you have a reservation. Appreciate the free valet…read moreparking. Inside is as inviting (and busy) as ever. Arrived on time and seated on time. Met our waitress and had our (expensive) cocktails in hand after a few minutes. Ceviche app (special) was on point. Delicate and citrusy with just a hint of heat. COCHINITA PIBIL. That is all. It's all I ever order here. (Unless they have duck enchiladas). Better half's crab enchiladas (special) was on point. Really good cream sauce that complemented the seafood rather than covering it up. Service was exceptional. Prices were as expected.

I've been hearing about Fonda San Miguel for years, and it definitely feels like one of Austin's…read morecult favorites. Somehow I'd never been despite living so close, so I was excited to finally check it off my list. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and their famous foyer is just as pretty in person as everyone says. I came with a friend, and we grabbed seats at the bar first while waiting, but I definitely recommend making reservations because this place is BUSY, even on a weeknight. Parking can also be a bit of a struggle since they have a pretty small lot. I had to make a few laps before I finally found a spot, so definitely give yourself a little extra time. They do offer valet, and I believe you may also be able to park in the lot next door after hours since it's their sister restaurant, but don't quote me on that haha. Their margaritas are also really good and definitely on the stronger side, so they were a great way to start the meal. The staff here was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. They even walked us to our table and later showed me where the bathroom was, which I thought was a really nice touch. As for the food, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's on the pricier side, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and was well worth it. We ordered the enchiladas, which were delicious, and the shrimp was probably my favorite part of the meal because it was so fresh and perfectly cooked. I can definitely see why this restaurant has been around for so long and has such a loyal following. It took me way too long to finally come here, but I'll definitely be back. One thing I'm noticing as we do these is that you often write reviews that are genuinely useful--not just "food good/bad." You include things like reservations, parking, what to order, or where to sit. I think we should keep leaning into that because it feels very authentic to your style and makes your reviews stand out.