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

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

4.7 (1030)
$30 and under
Mexican
1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
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 Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 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 catering@elalmacafe.com.
  • Location
    1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
  • Neighborhood
    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

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Menu

El Alma Cafe y Cantina's menu was last updated on 2/3/2022.

Sopas Y Ensaladas

  • Nopalito Salad$9.00

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

    • Sopa Azteca$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 Parilla$19.00

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

        • Camarones a La Plancha$23.00

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

          Rellenos

          • Shrimp & Crab Relleno$23.00

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

            • Duck Relleno$22.00

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

              Enchiladas

              • Veggie Verde Enchiladas$15.00

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

                • Enchiladas Placeras$14.00

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

                  Tacos

                  • Shrimp Al Pastor$4.50

                    Adobo shrimp, pineapple, slaw, avocado, lime

                    • Veggie$4.00

                      Mushrooms, onions, poblanos, queso fresco, avocado

                      Last updated: February 3, 2022

                      What 1,030 people are saying

                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                      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
                      • 4.6Service
                      • 4.6Ambience
                      • 4.6Value

                      Noise • Moderate

                      Loved For

                      • Austin

                        Lively

                      • Austin

                        Mexican

                      • Austin

                        Lively

                      • Austin

                        Mexican

                      Review summary

                      AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina offers a vibrant atmosphere with "best margs, best ceviche tostados". Known for "excellent service" and "fresh margaritas", it boasts a lively happy hour and delightful outdoor seating. "Great food and drinks" complement the "friendly, attentive staff", making it a must-visit in Austin.
                      1,030 Reviews

                      1. Melody

                        Dallas - Fort Worth1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined 3 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 4
                        I great night with friends. Good food, great service.

                        Is this helpful?

                      2. Sarah

                        Cancun / Riviera Maya1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined 4 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Best margs, best ceviche tostados - love this place

                        Is this helpful?

                      3. Madaniiyah

                        Austin2 reviews

                        3.0

                        Dined 4 days ago

                        1. Overall 3
                        2. Food 3
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 4
                        I enjoyed the ambiance and the service was great! The food was okay and the drinks were very strong. The elote was awful - it tasted frozen, boiled, and the sauce on it was very sour. The view on the rooftop was nice. Overall a 3/5 experience but our server was very sweet!

                        Is this helpful?

                      4. vincent

                        Austin1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined 4 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Great as always , food was excellent , and the server was nice.

                        Is this helpful?

                      5. Cammi VIP

                        Austin12 reviews

                        4.0

                        Dined on June 20, 2025

                        1. Overall 4
                        2. Food 4
                        3. Service 4
                        4. Ambience 4
                        Decent experience. Our table's food was all good except for the queso flameado - it genuinely tasted (& looked) like they melted a block of mozzarella cheese in a cast iron. There were no peppers or spices. Do not recommend the dish. Other than that, great atmosphere and of course a wonderful location!

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                      6. Ellen VIP

                        Austin7 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on June 19, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Always delicious interior Mexican and fun atmosphere and great value during happy hour too!

                        Is this helpful?

                      7. Margaret VIP

                        Austin19 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on June 14, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        El Alma is a favorite when in Austin . Great fresh margaritas, delicious food. Always a treat to visit

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                      8. Tony

                        Austin3 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on June 7, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 4
                        4. Ambience 4
                        We love this place! The food and drinks are excellent, and the staff is appropriately attentive.

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                      9. Shaggy VIP

                        New York City7 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on May 31, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 4
                        Great service! Great location! Happy hours are amazing. Food is good. Slightly smaller portions.

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                      10. Ken VIP

                        Austin24 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on May 17, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Great food, drinks and aervice. Did lunch and parking was easy

                        Is this helpful?

                      FAQs

                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina is rated 4.7 stars by 1030 OpenTable diners.

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

                      1. Home
                      2. United States
                      3. Austin
                      4. Austin
                      5. Downtown

                      Make a reservation

                      2 people
                      7:00 PM
                      Booked 44 times today
                      Google Map for El Alma Cafe y Cantina

                      1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

                      Additional information

                      • Cross street
                        Dawson
                      • Neighborhood
                        Downtown
                      • Hours of operation
                        Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 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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