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As the novel coronavirus continues, restaurants and bars continue to open in the Austin area, offering safe dining and drinking options for people. Below, Eater is tracking all of the new restaurant openings in the Austin area since January 2021, listed in somewhat chronological order. If there’s an opening missing below, let Eater know through austin@eater.com.
January 2021
THE DRAG — National portable chicken and waffles chain Chick’nCone, opened its first Austin location in the campus area in early January. The fast-casual restaurant focuses on fried chicken served in waffle cones, along with standalone tenders, sandwiches, and ice cream. Pickup and delivery services are available, and there is outdoor seating. (2348 Guadalupe Street)
PFLUGERVILLE — Austin burger chain P. Terry’s opened its first Pflugerville restaurant in early January. (18801 Farm to Market Road 685)
MCKINNEY — Brewpub Pinthouse Pizza opened its fourth location — dubbed Pinthouse Brewing — in early January. Of course, there are plentiful beers, and then there’s food, though, decidedly no pizza. It’s open for dine-in and pickup services. (2201 East Ben White Boulevard)
EAST AUSTIN — A takeout frozen daiquiri, Jell-O shots, and gummy shop opened within Sam’s BBQ as of mid-January. Austin Daiquiri Factory is operating through a pickup window on the barbecue shop’s patio for pickups placed online or in person. (2000 East 12th Street)
HYDE PARK — Austin cafe mini-chain Jo’s Coffee opened its fourth location in late January, with a first-ever drive-thru. On deck are coffee drinks, tacos, queso, and more. (1000 East 41st Street)
WEST CAMPUS — Campus area hotel Moxy opened in mid-January with an all-hours walk-up window restaurant Zombie Taco and lobby bar Bar Moxy. (2552 Guadalupe Street)
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Lauded pastry chef Abby Love opened her bakery in late January. Abby Jane Bakeshop is full of pastries and wood-fired pizzas made with flour from host site Barton Springs Mill. It’s open for takeout and patio dine-in services. (16604 Fitzhugh Road)
CEDAR PARK — Venezuelan-leaning food truck Aleida’s Latin Food expanded with a physical restaurant in late January. The menu is full of arepas, cachapas, burritos, tacos, tequenos, and pastas. It’s open for takeout, curbside pickup, delivery, and dine-in services. (2011 Little Elm Trail, Suite 106)
BEE CAVE — Ellera, the second of two twinned Italian restaurants, opened in late January. The New England-Italian restaurant, under chef Tim Lane, serves up pasta (including a vegan bolognese), meats, and vegetables. It’s open for dine-in and phone-ordered takeout services. (12432 Bee Caves Road)
HUTTO — Filipino food truck Elsie’s Egg Rolls opened a drive-thru location in late January, serving up lumpia, congee, pancit, and more. To-go orders can be placed in person or over the phone. (525 Chris Kelley Boulevard)
SPRINGWOODS — New restaurant Valentino’s Pizza, Pasta and Wings debuted in January with, well, pizza, pasta, salads, chicken wings, and other appetizers and desserts. It’s open for takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining services. (8863 Anderson Mill Road)
AUSTIN AIRPORT — Burger chain Whataburger opened a new location in the cell phone lot of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in January, with dine-in, curbside pickup, drive-thru, and delivery services. (2901 Spirit of Texas Drive)
LEANDER — Whipped Bakery & Cafe made its debut in January, serving up cakes, double-stuffed macarons, and cake rolls. It’s open for in-person pickup and dine-in service. (15609 Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Suite B220)
February 2021
CEDAR PARK — Austin-area Cajun seafood restaurant Abby’s Crab Shack expanded with a third location in early February. The menu features fried, grilled, and boiled seafood (everything from oysters to soft-shell crab to shrimp) as well as wings, gumbo, and more. It’s open for takeout and dine-in services. (202 Walton Way, Suite 100)
PFLUGERVILLE — National chain restaurant Crave Hot Dogs and Barbecue debuted its first Austin area location in early February. The menu spans tacos, sandwiches, barbecue, hot dogs, and more. It’s open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in services. (21315 North State Highway, Suite 150)
PFLUGERVILLE — Indian and Nepalese restaurant Curry Kitchen opened in early February, with dishes ranging from pani puri to tandoori to biryani to momos. Takeout, delivery, and dine-in services are available. (15424 Farm to Market 1825, Suite 230)
FOUR POINTS — New restaurant Lazeez Mediterranean Cafe opened in early February. The menu features a variety of appetizers (labneh to falafel), kebabs, wraps, meat and vegetable-based plates, and baklava. It’s open for dine-in and takeout services. (6812 North Farm to Market 620)
NORTH LOOP — Ghost kitchen restaurant Mother Klucker, from the team behind Thai restaurant Charoen Express and Bay Area-based fried chicken spot Chicken as Cluck, opened in early February. The menu focuses on iterations of iconic Southeast Asian dish Hainan chicken and rice. It’s available for pickups and deliveries only. (5610 North I-35)
ANDERSON MILL — Growing taco chain OneTaco opened its sixth location in early February with dine-in and drive-thru services. (12233 Ranch Road 620, Building C)
THE DRAG — A new ramen restaurant opened within the Dobie Center food court in early February. Ramen Twist’s fast-casual menu features bowls of ramen, including several paired with chips such as Doritos and Lays. Pickup service is available via text messages or in-person ordering. (2025 Guadalupe Street, Suite 222)
NORTH AUSTIN — Growing Austin mini-coffee chain Spokesman opened its third cafe within Fairweather Cider in early February. Food and coffee drinks are available for takeout and on-site services in the cidery’s taproom. (10609 Metric Boulevard, Suite 108)
TARRYTOWN — Rosedale cafe Spread & Co. expanded with a second cafe within the alfresco art museum Laguna Gloria in early February. The shorter menu includes grazing boards, sandwiches, and pastries. It’s open for dine-in and takeout services. (3809 West 35th Street)
SANDAHL — The owners of Poke Poke opened a ceviche-focused restaurant within the South Austin location of the Hawaiian dish shop in early February, as reported by Austin360. Texas Ceviche Company items are available for takeout. (9911 Brodie Lane)
EAST SEVENTH — Austin beer garden and bakery mini-chain Easy Tiger opened its third location in the former LaV space in early February. The sprawling space features a big beer garden. Pickup and dine-in are available. (1501 East Seventh Street)
NORTH CAMPUS — Bee Cave coffee shop Civil Goat Coffee expanded with a second location on campus in mid-February. It’s open for takeout and dine-in coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch. (3423 Guadalupe Street)
DOWNTOWN — The owners of Brazos Street bar Cedar Door opened a new Irish bar in the space of their previous Italian restaurant, La Volpe, in mid-February. Foxy’s Proper Pub, which is only open for dine-in service in its indoor and outdoor spaces, serves beers, whiskeys, cocktails, and Irish pub food. (201 Brazos Street)
ZILKER — Korean barbecue restaurant Jjim, from CKN Hospitality, opened in Lamar Union in mid-February. The name stems from the Korean braising technique. It’s open for dine-in and pickup services. (1100 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 2140)
DOMAIN NORTHSIDE — Dallas-based popsicle shop Picolé, made its Autin debut in mid-February. The menu features Brazilian-style popsicles with alcoholic options. There are online and in-person pickups available, along with deliveries. (11501 Rock Rose Avenue, Suite 156)
BOULDIN CREEK — Catering company and bakery Word of Mouth expanded with a second location on South First, taking over the former Seventh Flag space, in mid-February. To-go pastries, sandwiches, and more can be placed in person. (1506 South First Street)
GEORGETOWN — Hot sauce company Mikey V’s opened a taco restaurant in Mikey V’s Tacos on the Square in late February. The menu features breakfast, lunch, and dinner tacos stuffed with eggs, cheeses, meats, and vegetables. Plus there are breakfast burritos and sweet deep-fried tortilla wedges. Everything is available for takeout or dine-in. (112 West Eighth Street)
CENTRAL EAST AUSTIN — French bakery Rocheli Patisserie, from Nelly Garcia, Linda Garica, and Rosa Nelly Caballero (who have all worked under Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro, opened in late February. On deck’s croissants, cakes, cookies, and more available for pickups placed in person. (1212 Chicon Street)
GATEWAY — Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen ghost kitchen expanded into Austin in February, slinging cheesesteak egg rolls and donkey sauce-drenched cheeseburgers. Everything is available for delivery only. (3612 Tudor Boulevard)
DOMAIN NORTHSIDE — Restaurant company Lombardi Family Concepts opened an Asian fusion spot in February. Joi serves a pan-Asian menu spanning sushi, ramen, dumplings, and more. The restaurant is only open for outdoor dining. (3120 Palm Way, Suite 150)
EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — East Austin bar Stay Gold had been temporarily closed during the pandemic, but the shutter became official when co-owner Will Tanner decided to turn the space into a second location of his Highland bar Long Play Lounge in February, as reported by Austin 360. Long Play Lounge East serves cocktails and beers and has a record collection, all for on-site services. (1910 East Cesar Chavez Street)
March 2021
DOWNTOWN — New hotel Austin Marriott Downtown opened up three restaurants and bars in early March: American restaurant Corrine, two-story bar the Lobbyist, and casual market Loaf + Vine. Corrine and Loaf + Vine are open for dine-in and takeout; the Lobbyist is only open for dine-in. (304 East Cesar Chavez Street)
GEORGETOWN — Sports bar restaurant District Six opened in early March with plentiful television screens and New American fare. It’s only open for dine-in service. (105 West Ninth Street)
NORTH SHOAL CREEK — Morning-focused restaurant Humpty’s Wall of Breakfast opened in early March, whipping up customizable sandwiches, wraps, and bowls, with plenty of eggs. It’s open with takeout, delivery, and dine-in services. (8820 Burnet Road, Suite 502)
BOULDIN CREEK — Bakery truck Teal House transformed into a physical bakery in early March (taking over the former New India restaurant space). The star of the menu is those cinnamon rolls, plus other desserts and pastries. Pickup orders can be placed online or in person. (2304 South Congress Avenue)
BEE CAVE — Austin-area mini-chain the League Kitchen & Tavern opened its fourth location in the Hill Country Galleria in early March, with takeout, delivery, and dine-in services. (3420 Galleria Circle)
ROUND ROCK — Austin hot chicken mini-chain Tumble 22 opened its fourth restaurant in early March. It’s open with takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in services. (2111 North I-35)
ROUND ROCK — West African restaurant and bar Banana Island opened in mid-March for dine-in service only. (311 University Boulevard, Suite 500)
ROUND ROCK — Irish bar, restaurant, and microbrewery Cork & Barrel opened this week as of March 17, serving beers, whiskeys, and Central Texan and Irish fare. There are indoor dining and a large beer garden. It’s currently only open for dine-in service, but curbside pickups will start on Friday, March 19. (4000 East Palm Valley Boulevard)
MUELLER — Japanese food truck Tsuke Honten opened a physical omakase restaurant in March, in the former Kyoten Sushiko space. The reservations-only dine-in seatings are centered on 11-course meals. (4600 Mueller Boulevard)
Note: The list indicates restaurants and bars that are currently only open for dine-in service. There are still safety concerns surrounding indoor dining in Austin. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the City of Austin website. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.
Past Openings
February 2020
EAST SIXTH — Natural wine bar Lolo has opened on East Sixth Street with indoor space and a large patio. In addition to wine, the casual spot serves snacks like cheese and baguette.
EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — Los Angeles chef Esdras Ochoa (who was a contestant on the Netflix show The Final Table), has opened his Austin taco restaurant, Reunión 19. Reunión will serve cocktails, West Coast tacos like carne asada, and sides like street corn
DOWNTOWN — Dallas-based taco chain Velvet Taco is bringing its unique creations (think Cuban pig and chicken and waffles) to Congress Avenue.
RAINEY — Another Dallas export, fancy bar The Tipsy Alchemist, opened on Rainey Street. The Instagram-friendly drink here is the Mad Hatter which is served via a pneumatic tube transportation system throughout the bar.
DOWNTOWN — The upscale Austin Proper hotel opened its third McGuire Moorman restaurant: The Mockingbird. The casual Mediterranean cafe is serving just breakfast and lunch for now, with dishes like shakshuka and bowls.
NORTH CAMPUS — Vietnamese spot Sip Pho has moved into the former Ruby’s BBQ place on 29th Street. From the team behind Pho Please, Sip features a similar menu with “chef’s special” dishes.
NORTH BURNET — Hopsquad Brewing Co. (and its omakase truck Tsuke Honten), are now open off Braker Lane. Hopsquad features five core beers with rotating taps.
WEST SIXTH — Bright pink Taquero Mucho, a taqueria from Gabriela’s Downtown, is now open in the former Frank & Angie’s space. It serves tortas, tacos, and has a full bar.
ZILKER — Bouldin Acres, a new restaurant from the EastSide Tavern team, is now open on South Lamar. It has lots of lawn games, a casual menu of burgers, and tacos from Pueblo Viejo.
NORTH LAMAR — Smoothie cafe Blenders and Bowls opened its fifth location on North Lamar, with the same menu of açai bowls, smoothies, and toasts.
FITZHUGH — Beerburg Brewing is a new brewery and tap room. It also serves tacos, sliders, and sandwiches.
RIVERSIDE — An Austinized version of favorite Texas fast food purveyor Whataburger, featuring compost bins, a digital menu, and patio seating, is now open on Oltorf.
LAKEWAY — Thai Spice has relocated to Main Street in Lakeway with the same menu of dishes like green curry fried rice, pad see ew and garlic chicken.
DOMAIN — Dos Salsas opened on Burnet Road near the Domain, with Mexican dishes, margaritas, and the like.
January 2020
ROSEDALE — Customizable grain bowl restaurant Honest Mary’s opened its second location on Burnet Road. It serves the same menu in a sleek, wood-accented space with a patio.
EAST AUSTIN — Gelateria Dolce Neve is also opening a second Austin location, expanding from South First Street to the Saltillo development. It will offer the same menu of creamy house-made gelato.
DOWNTOWN — Hospitality powerhouse McGuire Moorman opened two new restaurants in the Austin Proper Hotel: Peacock Mediterranean Grill & Bar and guest-only bar Goldie’s. The Peacock serves family-style Mediterranean fare for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining.
WINDSOR PARK — East coast-style pizzeria and deli Little Deli opened a second location. It features the same menu as the Crestview location.
WEST SIXTH — Sceney Japanese restaurant TenTen debuted this month, with a menu of sushi, grilled meat and vegetables, and more. Chef Jon Oh also worked on the menu of equally sceney Mediterranean spot Devil May Care across the street.
DOWNTOWN — Neapolitan pizzeria chain DeSano now has a second location in Austin, in the former Ginger Man space on Lavaca Street. It will have the regular menu plus a new item: nine-inch personal sized pizzas for late night dining.
WOOD CREEK — In the place of now-closed pan-Asian restaurant Street, Chinatown’s Ronald Cheng has opened a new sports bar called Far East. It serves cocktails, Chinese and Japanese food, and nitro coffee, and has 20 TV screens.
CEDAR PARK — The first of several new East Side King locations opened in Cedar Park. Rights to the restaurant were sold to Murphy Adams Restaurant Group, and Paul Qui, the Top Chef winner accused of domestic violence, is no longer involved.
WEST CAMPUS — Classic diner Counter Cafe opened its third location close to UT campus. It will serve the same menu of breakfast, lunch, and brunch until 3 p.m.
ABIA — 24 Diner is now open in the airport, although it is only open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Expect the same menu of breakfast dishes like chicken and waffles, burgers, and hashes.
ROUND ROCK — Modeled after San Francisco bakeries, Sanford Sourdough Bakery sells sourdough loaves and toasts to eat in-store.
FOUR POINTS — Iberian restaurant Frog & the Bull moved from Hawaii to start serving dinner and brunch on North Quinlan Park Road.
WESTGATE — Inside Beatniks Market & Cafe, Pizzeria Grata is already making waves for its Neapolitan-style pies and garlic knots.
MESA — Jan Chi Korean Cuisine & BBQ serves Korean dishes like chicken wings, jigae, and a kimchi pancake.
November and December 2019
DOWNTOWN — The team behind essential restaurant Emmer & Rye opened two new restaurants in the last month: Spanish tapas bar Kalimotxo and live-fire restaurant Hestia. The two restaurants share an entrance on West Third Street.
JOHNSON CITY — Fredericksburg natural winery Southold Farm & Cellar opened a tasting room, The Parlour, a bit closer to Austin in Johnson City. It serves wines and snacks like a cheese plate in a rustic space right off the main square.
DOMAIN — Ice cream chain Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is now open on Rock Rose Avenue, serving scoops and pints. A second location is planned for South Congress.
DOWNTOWN — Omakase restaurant Sushi Junai is now serving out of Counter 3.Five.VII’s former space on Congress Avenue. It offers a 24-course omakase dinner and a la carte lunch.
QUARRY — Provision, an American restaurant with low ABV cocktails and lots of sliders, took over the North location of Red’s Porch. The kitchen is helmed by Albert Gonzalez, who was the director of culinary for Red’s.
GOVALLE — Gluten-free bakery OMG Squee opened on Bolm Road, bringing jiggly cheesecakes, adorable macarons, and other desserts.
DOWNTOWN — Coconut Club, a dance club from alums of beloved bar Cheer Up Charlie’s, is now serving fruity drinks, with a food menu to come in the spring. It took over the shuttered Moonfire Lounge.
ROSEDALE — Spread & Co., a counter service restaurant focused on cheese, opened on West 38th Street. The breakfast and lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, sourdough pancakes, and of course, cheese and charcuterie boards.
MUELLER — In other cheese news, all-vegan Rebel Cheese opened with vegan cheese, faux meats, wine, beer, and coffee.
NORTH BURNET — Elgin’s Southside Market & Barbeque, which is the oldest barbecue restaurant in Texas, opened a location in the Shops at Arbor Walk. It will serve brisket, sausages, and other barbecue staples.
WEST SIXTH — Taking over the former space of Sophia’s is clubby Mediterranean restaurant Devil May Care. That means dishes like a hangar steak and whole grilled branzino from Chef Jon Oh, as well as a full bar with wines from Lebanon and Greece.
SOUTH AUSTIN — Carve American Grille, a more casual steakhouse from Perry’s, opened in the Lantana Place development. It has a larger menu than Perry’s, with items like meatloaf cupcakes and corn dogs made with lobster.
GOVALLE — Industrial-chic Central Machine Works Brewery opened in East Austin. In addition to a range of beers, the brewery serves burgers, brats, pizza, and pretzels.
LEANDER — Polish restaurant Ziggy’s Kielbasa House opened in Leander, bringing pierogi, sandwiches, and lots of pork dishes.
EAST AUSTIN — Commissary kitchen company RPM Kitchens opened a lunch-only restaurant, RPM Counter, within Springdale General. Restaurants are expected to rotate through monthly.
EAST AUSTIN — Farmers market French bakery Julie Myrtille has also opened a storefront in Springdale General, with items like croissants, crepes, sandwiches, and Parisian hot chocolate.
EAST SEVENTH — Taco shop El Tacorrido has taken over part of Mexican restaurant Takoba for its fifth restaurant, El Tacorrido Y Masa. It serves tacos and gorditas and unlike the other restaurants, there is no drive-through.
MLK — Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches opened its next-door brewery, Batch Brewhouse & Bugroom. Barbecue trailer Micklethwait expanded to a second location at Batch.
ABIA — Dirty Sixth restaurant Parkside has now opened a second location in the airport. It’s found by gates 1 and 2.
EAST AUSTIN — Austin cidery Moontower Cider opened its tasting room on Tillery Street, with a food truck to come. The tasting room serves favorites like Perry, flavored with pears, as well as small-batch ciders.
DOWNTOWN — Restaurant, bar, and game venue Punch Bowl Social finally opened its second location on Congress Avenue, which was announced in February 2018.
HIGHLAND — Onigiri restaurant Rice Ball Co. opened on Airport Boulevard, serving onigiri, bento boxes, and entrees like chicken katsu.
SOUTH AUSTIN — Sports bar Brick’s Pub opened in the former location of Independence Fine Foods on Slaughter Lane, with a menu of burgers and the like.
BRENTWOOD — The third location of chicken tender restaurant Happy Chicks opened in the former location of El Chilito, serving the same comfort food menu.
CEDAR PARK — Hopdoddy Burger Bar opened another location on Whitestone Boulevard, serving its same menu of burgers and fries.
HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA — Bag company Runaway Luna has added a new coffee shop, Runaway Luna Coffee House & Lifestyle Boutique, which will sell the leather accessories along with coffee and sourced baked goods.
ROUND ROCK — San Francisco-based saucy sandwich shop Ike’s Love & Sandwiches opened its third location in Austin.
BRENTWOOD — Pizzeria Austin’s Pizza opened another location within Little Woodrow’s on Burnet Road.
DOWNTOWN — The Soup Peddler expanded downtown to West Third Street.
DOWNTOWN — Ubiquitous juice bar Juiceland is opening its next location on West Third Street.
September and October 2019
CHESTNUT — Highly anticipated taco spot Nixta Taqueria is finally open on East 12th Street. The taqueria from co-owners chef Edgar Rico (Son of a Gun, Trois Mec, and Sqirl in Los Angeles) and Sara Mardanbigi serves tacos and tostadas (think beet tartare and duck carnitas), paletas, and aguas frescas.
BOULDIN — Roman-style pizzeria and bike shop The Meteor is now serving on South Congress Avenue. In addition to pizza by-the-pound, the cafe has morning pastries, sandwiches, and natural wine.
CRESTVIEW — Popular hotpot restaurant DipDipDip Tatsu-ya has opened an adjacent ice cream counter, DipDipDip Ice Cream. It offers unique flavors like black pepper-yuzu-mascarpone ice cream topped with strawberry-black pepper meringues and shiso leaves.
SOUTH LAMAR — Oaxacan restaurant El Naranjo opened a new location on South Lamar, taking over the shuttered El Chipiron. While initially touted as a second location, the original El Naranjo on Rainey closed soon after.
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Ethyl Ambrosia has opened a tasting room in Dripping Springs for its boozy Jell-O shots. It will eventually serve wine, too.
CLARKSVILLE — Taco Flats has officially taken over the restaurant space vacated by Zocalo on West Lynn. The second location of the restaurant serves the same taco specialties (like al pastor from a trompo) on handmade tortillas.
DOWNTOWN — Magical Dessert Bar, a shop that sells Instagram-friendly baked goods, is now open on Sixth Street. The treats are outsourced from bakeries, but include things like colorful cupcakes and extravagant milkshakes.
EAST AUSTIN — Subscription coffee service Creature Coffee opened its first physical cafe inside the hip Native Hostel. In addition to coffee drinks and teas, there are breakfast tacos from nearby spot Pueblo Viejo, pastries from Sour Duck Market, and brunch from on-site food truck Ranch Hand .
WEST CAMPUS — Sixth Street pizza mainstay Roppolo’s is now slinging its slices to Guadalupe Street by campus. The new location also has burgers and chicken wings.
WEST CAMPUS — Also landed in the area is Hawai’i-based ice cream shop Tropical Dreams, its first mainland location. It offers flavors like Tahitian vanilla, mango-lychee, toasted coconut, ube, and peanut butter and guava jelly.
BARTON HILLS — Jack Gilmore’s seafood restaurant Salt Coast Traders is now open in Westlake. This second location of the Round Rock restaurant has the same menu, with a raw bar, jalapeno hush puppies, and grilled fish.
WELLS BRANCH — Brunch restaurant The Breakfast Bar is now open in North Austin. From the same team as chicken and waffles spot Rolling Rooster, Breakfast Bar serves many kinds of pancakes, fried tacos, and frozen mimosas.
SUNSET VALLEY — Fast-casual Chinese restaurant Bao’d Up opened its third location serving fluffy bao on Brodie Lane.
EAST AUSTIN — All-day breakfast restaurant Snooze and ubiquitous juice shop JuiceLand have opened in Plaza Saltillo development.
WESTLAKE — Biderman’s Deli opened its third Austin location in the Village at Westlake shopping center, with bagels from Rosen’s, sandwiches, and desserts.
THE DRAG — Mediterranean restaurant MezzeMe has opened its second location on Guadalupe Street by campus. It serves customizable grain bowls, pitas, wraps, and salads.
DOMAIN — Coffee + Crisp, a cafe focused on coffee drinks and Rice Krispies treats, is now open at the Domain. It also serves light items like a salad and focaccia toasts, and comes from the same team behind catering company Kurant Events.
NORTH LAMAR — Korean restaurant and karaoke bar College Roadhouse has reopened as Seoulju. The new restaurant, which has much of. the same menu and a focus on the spirit soju, comes from the son of the original owners.
DOWNTOWN — Baked and Boozy, a pie company that incorporates liquor into its creations, is now open on Congress Avenue, and serving inside Royal Blue Groceries. The creations include a coconut cream topped with pineapple vodka whipped cream.
DOWNTOWN — J. Stephens Bar, a ’20s-themed speakeasy on East Sixth Street, is now serving its classic cocktails. The entrance of the bar is in the alley, indicated by a red light.
DOWNTOWN — The Hilton downtown opened a happy hour-only restaurant called Belle’s Backyard that serves food from the hotel’s other restaurants, Austin Taco Project and Cannon & Belle.
GEORGETOWN — The Bistro at Lark & Owl, a cafe within Lark & Owl Booksellers, has opened with coffee, draft cocktails, salads, and toasts. The team behind essential Austin restaurant Better Half consulted on the menu.
HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA — Java Dive Organic Cafe serves coffee, smoothies, breakfast tacos, and the like at the Bee Cave development.
ROUND ROCK — Wood-fired coffee roasters Summer Moon have brought the famed moon milk up to Round Rock.
ROUND ROCK — Also headed north is a second location of casual bar Night Owl.
NEW BRAUNFELS — The owners of historic Krause’s Cafe and Biergarten is opening a pizza and cocktail restaurant next door, called 188 South.
August 2019
CLARKSVILLE — The new iteration of classic neighborhood bakery, Swedish Hill (formerly Sweetish Hill), opened this month. After getting the McGuire Moorman treatment, the restaurant serves baked goods, wine and beer, bagels and deli meats by the pound, a prix fixe dinner, and, yes, a $24 rotisserie chicken.
EAST SIXTH — Arrive East Austin Hotel opened its fourth and final culinary offering, Gin Bar. Overseen by beverage director Lindsay Drew, the bar features over 60 kinds of gin from across the world.
NORTHWEST AUSTIN — Japanese restaurant Ebisu opened in Balcones Villages, bringing sushi, prime cuts of beef, and a full bar to the area. Besides this restaurant, the owners have a mini-chain, Yanagi, in California.
WESTLAKE — Toss Pizzeria and Pub expanded to a second restaurant near the Hill Country Galleria. The pizzeria, which also has a location on South First, serves specialty pies (including one with Terry Black barbecue), wings, beer, and brunch dishes.
EAST SIXTH — Middle Eastern restaurant Arafat has returned as a walk-up window with drinks and food on East Sixth. Look for hummus, dolmas, baked goods, coffee drinks, and boba tea.
WEST CAMPUS — Lucky Lab Coffee Co., which serves espresso drinks and has a walk-up window, has expanded to a second location on campus, on the ground floor of a student housing building.
OAK HILL — All Star Frozen Treats, which offers frozen yogurt, gelato, and coconut-milk treats, is now serving off Highway 71.
NORTH AUSTIN — Heaven’s Bistro Bakery off Parmer Lane serves desserts and pastries along with lunch items like sandwiches and soup.
LAKELINE — TLLT BBQ is now offering Chinese and Hawaiian barbecue like skewers and macaroni salad.
NORTHWEST AUSTIN — Donut Hub brings kolaches, croissant sandwiches, and of course, donuts to 620.
NORTHWEST AUSTIN — Vietnamese V Cafe is now serving vermicelli and rice bowls, sandwiches on baguettes, and bubble tea.
July 2019
EAST SIXTH — The two restaurants at Arrive East Austin Hotel (from Lenoir chefs Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher) are now open. Vixen’s Wedding serves Goan-Portuguese food in a colorful space, while Lefty’s Brick Bar focuses on Cajun food mash-ups (like a banh mi and po’ boy combination) and booze, including alcoholic snow cones.
DOWNTOWN — Beloved South Lamar coffee shop Patika opened its new restaurant, Patika Luncheonette in the lobby of 100 Congress Avenue. It will serve sandwiches, salads, and of course coffee.
ROSEDALE — The former Guild space is now neighborhood spot Rosedale Kitchen & Bar. It comes from the team behind Swift’s Attic and Wu Chow and serves sandwiches, salads, and the like.
DOWNTOWN — Texas Tavern, a cowhide-adorned sports bar, has taken over the former Fourth Street spot of Academia. In addition to drinks, it will serve a southern menu with dishes like chili cheeseburgers and boozy cupcakes.
WEST CAMPUS — Bao’d Up opened its second location on Rio Grande. It serves the same menu of fluffy bao with sweet and savory fillings.
DOMAIN — Coworking space and cafe Craftwork Coffee Co. opened in the Domain. It has pastries, sandwiches, and breakfast tacos as well as many coffee drinks.
TRIANGLE — San Antonio-based Merit Coffee opened its third Austin cafe, serving the same menu of coffee drinks plus pastries from fellow San Antonio export Bakery Lorraine.
LANTANA — Cafe and grocery Marigold Market + Cafe opened in the Lantana development on Southwest Parkway. It offers snacks, grab-and-go, and kombucha on tap.
NORTH UNIVERSITY — Louisiana Crab Shack opened a second location on Guadalupe Street, serving the same menu of seafood, po’boys, and wraps.
WEST CONGRESS — The Git Out (located within the SoCo Park development) serves cocktails and bar food in a neighborhood atmosphere. Bonus: It uses only reusable or biodegradable flatware and containers.
NORTH LAMAR — Pho Dinh Vietnamese Cuisine opened on North Lamar with pho, spring rolls, iced coffee, and the like.
April to June 2019
MANOR — Mum Foods expanded out of the farmer’s market to a deli adjacent to the former East Side Cafe. It will be in the space only for one year, during which is will sell pastrami, sandwiches, and pies.
CRESTVIEW — The latest restaurant in the Tatsu-ya family, shabu-shabu restaurant DipDipDip Tatsu-ya is opening tomorrow. It features hot pot, where diners cook meats and vegetables in boiling pots of broth.
NORTH SHOAL CREEK — Chef Amir Hajimaleki’s District Kitchen + Cocktails has a second location on Anderson Lane. It serves new American dishes like steaks, tacos, and items from a raw bar.
SOUTH LAMAR — All-day breakfast spot Kerbey Lane’s new venture High Note is now open. It caters to paleo, gluten-free, and keto-friendly diets and versions of the all-day classics like wraps, migas, and vegan queso.
GOVALLE — Uroko, the hand roll restaurant from the team behind Kome, opened in Springdale General. It serves casual temaki during the week and quick omakase on the weekend.
NORTH CAMPUS — Favorite taco purveyors Vaquero Taquero expanded from its food truck to a location on East 31st Street. It serves a simple menu of breakfast tacos, quesadillas, and such.
HYDE PARK — The latest restaurant from the Parkside group is “ranch-style Tex Mex” restaurant Vamanos. It serves tacos, enchiladas, grilled meats, and margaritas.
EAST CESAR CHAVEZ — Korean-American restaurant Oseyo opened with dishes like wood-grilled Korean barbecue, noodle dishes, and steamed dumplings. It’s dinner-only for now, but lunch and brunch are in the works.
DOMAIN — The Yard Milkshake Bar, a mini-chain out of Alabama that serves outrageous milkshakes, opened in the Domain. It serves many combinations of ice cream treats.
EAST SIXTH — East Austin Hotel brought three restaurants to the neighborhood: Upside Bar with drinks and casual bar food; Sixth & Waller, an all-day restaurant; and Pool Bar.
DOWNTOWN — Cuban restaurant Cuba 512 expanded to a second location downtown. It serves cocktails, Cuban sandwiches, and arroz con pollo.
DOWNTOWN — Trendy modern Mexican restaurant Comedor, from chefs Philip Speer and Gabe Erales, opened on Colorado Street by Garage. It has dishes like tortas with crickets and bone marrow tacos.
SOUTH CONGRESS — Neighborhood coffee shop and bar Velouria is open at the bottom of the Davis SoCo apartments. It’s owned by the same team at Drinks Lounge and The Brixton.
SAN MARCOS — Roughhouse Brewing and its restaurant, S Baker Kitchen, opened on a sprawling five-acre property. The brewery has farmhouse-style beers from the former head brewer at Blue Owl, and S Baker has smoked meats.
GOVALLE — Mexican Restaurant Grizzelda’s opened its Tulum-inspired patio bar Jaguar & Lily.
GOVALLE — Sandwich shop Front Page Restaurant and Bar opened in the Springdale General complex, with bread baked in-house, cocktails, and 16 beers on draft.
SUNSET VALLEY AND CEDAR PARK — San Francisco sandwich shop Ike’s Love & Sandwiches quickly opened two restaurants in Austin. It’s known for sauce-drenched sandwiches, and offers a few Texas-only specials.
EAST SIXTH — Grab-and-go restaurant Willow & Co. opened next to Wright Bros. Brew & Brew. It serves smoothies and juices.
CHERRYWOOD — Tex-Mex restaurant Mi Madre’s opened its juice bar offshoot, Vida Pura Juicery. Located in the former In.gredients space, it serves vegetarian and vegan fare.
ANDERSON MILL — Charm BBQ Chicken, part of the Charm Korean BBQ family, opened on Ranch Road 620. It serves many varieties of fried chicken and other Korean specialties like bulgogi.
LAKE TRAVIS — New Crêpeful serves Japanese-style, portable, cone-shaped crepes in sweet and savory flavor combinations.
DOWNTOWN — Food truck Chi’lantro opened its first downtown restaurant, on Colorado Street. It serves the same menu of Korean-Mexican favorites like kimchi fries and noodle bowls.
DOWNTOWN — Bao’d Up opened a second location on Rio Grande. It offers sweet and savory steamed buns and bubble tea.
DOWNTOWN — Another favorite to enter the downtown market is Tacodeli, which opened in June on Congress Avenue. It serves the same menu of tacos, salads, and soups, and is BYOB.
GOVALLE — Denver-based urban winery Infinite Monkey Theorem opened its new digs in East Austin.
TARRYTOWN — Cafe Epicerie opened its second location at the Laguna Gloria Museum, serving a limited of sandwiches, salads, and cheese plates.
ABIA — The airport is undergoing a facelift to add many new local stalls, like Flyrite Chicken, East Side Pies, Hat Creek Burger Company, and an Austin Java in the cell phone lot.
DOMAIN — Wine restaurant The Grove Bar and Kitchen opened its fifth Austin restaurant in the Domain Northside with the same menu of pastas, pizzas, and the like. The North Austin neighborhood also got Austin’s second location of Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, known for its massive pork chop special during lunch on Fridays, as well as another location of Taiwanese bubble tea shop Gong Cha and Mediterranean restaurant Cava.
DOWNTOWN — The SXSW headquarters on Lavaca Street includes a cafe, SouthBites, that’s open to the public. It serves coffee and to-go items like sandwiches from Pink Avocado Catering founder and executive chef Brent Schumacher.
OAK HILL — Lil’ Doddy, a burger and beer version of Hopdoddy arrived in Oak Hill. The restaurant serves at a faster pace, but is not all the way to fast food.
WOOTEN — Sugar Pine, a restaurant that serves Asian desserts and entrees, coffee, and tea, arrived on Research Boulevard.
CRESTVIEW — Korean restaurant Soha opened with dumplings, soups, and meaty entrees.
SOUTH AUSTIN — El Secreto de Abuela opened with homestyle menudo, fajitas, and handmade tortillas.
DOMAIN — Instagram-friendly bar Wonder Bar took over St. Genevieve in the Rock Rose section of the Domain. It also serves burgers and the like.
BRENTWOOD — American pub Revelry on the Boulevard (the second location of the East Sixth restaurant) opened on North Lamar, with a family-friendly atmosphere and drinks.
SAN MARCOS — Local fast-food burger chain P. Terry’s expanded out of Austin for the first time to San Marcos.
ROUND ROCK — Former pizzeria PS 35 is now a Torchy’s Tacos, its 17th in Austin. Round Rock is also getting a combination Austin’s Pizza and Mama Fu’s.
NORTH LAMAR — Kebab-focused restaurant Usta Kababgy serves Mediterranean food and halal meat.
MUELLER — Kyoten Sushiko reopened under new chef Sarah Cook.
EAST SIXTH — Mexican restaurant Takoba fully reopened after a renovation.