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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
976 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 15 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Vegetarian-friendly
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.

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: 3 February 2022

                      What 976 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
                      • 4.7Service
                      • 4.5Ambience
                      • 4.6Value

                      Noise • Moderate

                      Diners' Choice Awards

                      • Austin

                        Mexican

                      • Austin

                        Mexican

                      Review summary

                      AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina shines with "great food" and a "wonderful atmosphere." Guests rave about attentive service and "fantastic" happy hour specials. The "exceptional" margaritas and authentic Austin vibe make it a favorite. Enjoy the beautiful patio for a memorable dining experience with standout dishes like duck enchiladas and shrimp relleno.

                      976 Reviews

                      1. Shana

                        Los Angeles

                        3 reviews

                        5.0

                        3 reviews

                        Dined 7 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Liam (age 7) says this was the best place we ate at all trip and we don’t disagree. The hostess was so lovely and the server was equally nice and attentive. The food was excelllent, loved the steak and sides. Ample portions!

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                      2. Nancy

                        London

                        6 reviews

                        5.0

                        6 reviews

                        Dined on 11 November 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Fantastic!! The yummiest food and great ambiance! The staff were the best!! Definitely going back before the holiday is over.

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                      3. Matthew

                        Austin

                        11 reviews

                        vip
                        5.0

                        11 reviews

                        Dined on 10 November 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 3
                        4. Ambience 5
                        An excellent stop, especially on brunch weekends. Chips and salsas (you receive two at your table) are great, and our go-to enchiladas are fanastic, perfectly portioned.

                        Is this helpful?

                      4. OpenTable Diner

                        Austin

                        2 reviews

                        5.0

                        2 reviews

                        Dined on 4 November 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Great place for a Birthday celebration. The waitstaff is good.

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                      5. Lauren

                        DO NOT USE

                        1 review

                        5.0

                        1 review

                        Dined on 11 October 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Great food, great ranch water. Beautiful building!

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                      6. Steve

                        Greater Boston

                        6 reviews

                        vip
                        4.0

                        6 reviews

                        Dined on 9 October 2024

                        1. Overall 4
                        2. Food 4
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Really enjoy this place. The pork taco was delicious. The duck taco was dry. Will be back when it is cool enough to sit on the roof.

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                      7. barry

                        Philadelphia

                        15 reviews

                        5.0

                        15 reviews

                        Dined on 3 October 2024

                        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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                      8. Amy

                        San Francisco

                        1 review

                        5.0

                        1 review

                        Dined on 2 October 2024

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Loved our meal and our server! Perfect before heading to a show at the Long Center.

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                      9. Kim

                        Austin

                        198 reviews

                        vip
                        5.0

                        198 reviews

                        Dined on 2 October 2024

                        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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                      10. Justus

                        Austin

                        1 review

                        5.0

                        1 review

                        Dined on 28 September 2024

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

                        Is this helpful?

                      FAQs

                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina is rated 4.7 stars by 976 OpenTable diners.

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

                      Make a booking

                      2 people
                      19:00
                      Booked 15 times today
                      Google Map for El Alma Cafe y Cantina

                      1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

                      Additional information

                      • Cross Street
                        Dawson
                      • Area
                        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, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

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