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Entrées, main dishes and desserts - El Alma Cafe y Cantina, Austin, TX

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

4.7
4.7
968 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 37 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Lively
Patio seating is first come first serve. Reservations are for indoor dining room only.

El Alma Cafe y Cantina is vibrant, homespun take on the authentic flavors of Mexico. Chef Alma Alcocer prepares food as she would cook for you in her home.


"It"s fun, flavorful Mexican food that is very approachable. It's a casual, authentic representation of the food I grew up eating." - Chef Alma

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (512) 609-8923
  • Website
    http://www.elalmacafe.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Alma Alcocer
  • Catering
    For caterings email us at info@elalmacafe.com.
  • Location
    1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown
  • Cross Street
    Dawson
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Featured in

Menu

Sopas Y Ensaladas

  • Nopalito SaladUS$9.00

    Tender cactus, avocado, pico, queso fresco, roasted pumpkin seeds, corn tortillas

    • Sopa AztecaUS$8.00

      Ancho and chipotle chile spiced tomato soup with chicken, tortilla strips, avocado, corn, crema, queso fresco, cilantro. Sopa Choices: Chiquita, Grande ($2)

      Especialidades

      • Pollo a La ParillaUS$19.00

        Grilled chicken breast, chipotle tomato salsa, caramelized onions, queso panela, spiced crispy papitas

        • Camarones a La PlanchaUS$23.00

          Shrimp sauteed in garlic ancho butter. corn slaw, avocado, white rice

          Rellenos

          • Shrimp & Crab RellenoUS$23.00

            Poblano stuffed with shrimp, lump crab, panela cheese, and spinach. Chipotle tomato salsa, crema. Corn pudding, slaw, queso fresco

            • Duck RellenoUS$22.00

              Poblano stuffed with roasted shredded duck. chipotle tomato salsa, crema, almonds, escabeche onions, white rice

              Enchiladas

              • Veggie Verde EnchiladasUS$15.00

                spinach, mushrooms, rajas, smoky tomatillo salsa, raw hemp seeds, white rice, black beans

                • Enchiladas PlacerasUS$14.00

                  jack cheese, chipotle tomato salsa, caramelized onions, crema, white rice, refritos

                  Tacos

                  • Shrimp Al PastorUS$4.50

                    Adobo shrimp, pineapple, slaw, avocado, lime

                    • VeggieUS$4.00

                      Mushrooms, onions, poblanos, queso fresco, avocado

                      Last updated: February 3, 2022

                      What 968 people are saying

                      Overall ratings and reviews

                      Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                      4.7
                      4.7 based on recent ratings
                      • 4.7Food
                      • 4.5Service
                      • 4.4Ambience
                      • 4.6Value

                      Noise • Moderate

                      Loved For

                      • Austin

                        Mexican

                      • Austin

                        Mexican

                      968 Reviews

                      1. barry

                        Philadelphia

                        15 reviews

                        5.0

                        15 reviews

                        Dined 5 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 3
                        Service was stellar, food even better. The duck enchiladas with mole was one of the best things I’ve ever had!

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                      2. Kim

                        Austin

                        194 reviews

                        vip
                        5.0

                        194 reviews

                        Dined 6 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Fantastic food and service! Happy hour appetizers are an excellent value. Live the empanadas

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                      3. Justus

                        Austin

                        1 review

                        5.0

                        1 review

                        Dined on September 28, 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 4
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 4
                        It a slightly nicer casual spot. I enjoyed the enchiladas.

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                      4. Nancy

                        Austin

                        1 review

                        5.0

                        1 review

                        Dined on September 21, 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 4
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        The guacamole appetizer was exceptional!! Great quantity too! The veggie tacos were delicious too. Our waitress was great and very attentive. Great place to grab a bite before going to Zach Theatre.

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                      5. Molly

                        Austin

                        5 reviews

                        5.0

                        5 reviews

                        Dined on September 14, 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 4
                        4. Ambience 4
                        We sat outside and it was lovely!! The service was fantastic and the enchiladas with queso were amazing.

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                      6. LA

                        San Francisco

                        10 reviews

                        4.0

                        10 reviews

                        Dined on September 5, 2024

                        1. Overall 4
                        2. Food 3
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Great Service and dinner on their beautiful patio was terrific.

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                      7. Bethany

                        Milwaukee

                        16 reviews

                        vip
                        5.0

                        16 reviews

                        Dined on September 2, 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Our server was in a race to not let my dehydrated husbands glass be empty! It was comical as he didn’t know my husband was trying to drink it faster than the poor guy could pour it. Amazing service, food was incredible!

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                      8. Art

                        Austin

                        16 reviews

                        vip
                        4.0

                        16 reviews

                        Dined on August 28, 2024

                        1. Overall 4
                        2. Food 4
                        3. Service 3
                        4. Ambience 4
                        Be aware that El Alma Cafe y Cantina automatically adds 3% charge on your bill so you (not the employer or employee) can pay the employees health insurance cost. Hopefully, we don't also have to pay their retirement, social security and medicare cost on our next outing.

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                      9. Ruby

                        Cincinnati

                        6 reviews

                        5.0

                        6 reviews

                        Dined on August 21, 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Wonderful dining experience! We love El Alma - the food is fantastic, and the cocktails are delicious. Our favorite is their watermelon margarita, with watermelon-serrano infused tequila! Every time we come back, the service is fantastic and quick, and the food blows us away.

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                      10. Jennifer

                        Austin

                        9 reviews

                        2.0

                        9 reviews

                        Dined on August 10, 2024

                        1. Overall 2
                        2. Food 3
                        3. Service 2
                        4. Ambience 2
                        Good food but the service was disappointing and not very friendly. My order came out incorrect, and it took nearly 20 minutes to get one taco replaced. Was definitely a disappointing visit.

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                      FAQs

                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina is rated 4.7 stars by 968 OpenTable diners.

                      Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                      Make a reservation

                      2 people
                      7:00 p.m.
                      Booked 37 times today
                      Google Map for El Alma Cafe y Cantina

                      1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

                      Additional information

                      • Cross Street
                        Dawson
                      • Neighbourhood
                        Downtown
                      • Hours of Operation
                        Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm
                      • Price
                        $30 and under
                      • Cuisines
                        Mexican
                      • Dining style
                        Casual Dining
                      • Dress code
                        Casual Dress
                      • Parking details
                        Private Lot
                      • Payment Options
                        AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                      • Executive Chef
                        Alma Alcocer
                      • Additional
                        Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

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