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

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

4.7 (1024)
$30 and under
Mexican
1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 39 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
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 1,024 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
                      • 4.5Ambience
                      • 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 in Austin is a standout for its "great fresh margaritas" and "delicious food." The ambiance is enhanced by the "lovely patio" and attentive staff like "Ryder, who was an absolutely amazing server." The menu offers "unique and delicious" options, including "plenty of gluten-free choices."
                      1,024 Reviews

                      1. Margaret VIP

                        Austin16 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined 3 days ago

                        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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                      2. 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.

                        Is this helpful?

                      3. 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.

                        Is this helpful?

                      4. Ken VIP

                        Austin23 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

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                      5. Spencer

                        Austin1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined on May 13, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Our waiter Rider was awesome! He made the experience worth it.

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                      6. Holly

                        Austin3 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on May 3, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Always great food and service! Love tres leche cake for my bday, thanks!!☺️

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                      7. Mel VIP

                        Austin6 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on April 30, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 4
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Adore El Alma! Pre Show bites n drinks couldn’t be easier or tastier! I have always enjoyed how the space preserves its natural vibe setting. Thanks again for another great eve!

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                      8. Chris VIP

                        New Hampshire34 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on April 27, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 4
                        Great vibe with authentic Mexican menu, very good margaritas and excellent food.

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                      9. Eric

                        Philadelphia County2 reviews

                        3.0

                        Dined on April 17, 2025

                        1. Overall 3
                        2. Food 4
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 2
                        If you go make sure you sit at the outside patio. Inside is depressing. Table was sticky. Bad lighting and feels like you in a dingy storage room. Food was good. Our waitress was great.

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                      10. Carol

                        Key West / Florida Keys1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined on April 7, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        I loved my vegan option veggie tacos. The waitstaff accommodated me by adding black beans and tomatoes. This gave me additional protein etc… My husband was excited to try to duck … something not usually offered!

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                      FAQs

                      El Alma Cafe y Cantina is rated 4.7 stars by 1024 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 39 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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