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Essential Mexican Restaurants in Austin

Austin is renowned for the rich diversity of Mexican places where you can dine and hang out. Split into numerous variations, the local restaurant scene offers the brightest flavors, from traditional cuisine to modern interpretations. Each establishment's unique atmosphere and menu will allow every lover of tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, and other dishes to have as enjoyable a pastime as possible.

Join the Fiesta in the Heart of the City at La Condesa

Austin's downtown culinary gem on 2nd Street, La Condesa, is a Mexican restaurant and bar nominated twice by the James Beard Foundation. The dinner and brunch menus feature numerous authentic dishes, allowing guests to sample Frío, Los Snacks, Brunch Bebidas, Platos Fuertes, and other items.

During Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the establishment delights visitors with half-off all alcoholic beverages, embracing the Mexican spirit of mezcal and tequila. In addition to drinks, you can enjoy $3 taco specials, while various events like Brunch Beatz offer even more surprises. The partnership with The Farm Project allows La Condesa to stay in touch with farmers, ranchers, and regional producers, ensuring fresh and healthy dishes. The restaurant's features also include:

• group dining reservations;
• rotating Summer of Ceviche menu;
• enigmatic Flour House for events;
• digital and physical gift cards.

The main dining area and other spaces, like Malverde and the Four House, have cozy interiors adorned with stone decorations, bright-colored ethnic wall paintings, and numerous plants, creating a unique atmosphere.

Licha's Cantina: Where Every Meal is a Warm Embrace of Tradition

Situated in the heart of dynamic East 6th Street, Licha's Cantina has served the best Mexican food in Austin for almost a decade in a cozy yet party-style setting featuring bright colors and an inviting patio. The Starters and Del Comal menu sections include Chipotle Caesar, Pepino y Piña, sopecitos, huaraches, quesadillas, and many other favorites with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Those who come for tacos and entrées will also find impressive blends of flavors. The drink menu features various options, from classic cocktails for $12 to craft beverages and pitchers.

The street-style, vibrant Mexican and Latin restaurant is designed with colorful artwork and cultural elements, enhancing the dynamic atmosphere. Moreover, Licha's Cantina features Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, making visitors' experience even more enjoyable.

Unleash Your Taste Buds With Nixta Taqueria

An atmospheric hotspot on East 12th Street, Nixta Taqueria welcomes tourists and lovers of authentic Mexican cuisine. Bridging the gap between traditional dishes and innovative approaches, the establishment attracts an increasing number of guests with its vibrant interior and exterior colors. Moreover, various paintings that refer to the cult of snakes, corn as a core element of traditions, and other cultural elements and motifs underscore the uniqueness of Mexican culture.

The bright menu features a delightful selection of tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, and quesadillas, accompanied by antojitos and yummy desserts. Guests can enjoy the culinary delights alongside wines, beers, cocktails, ciders, and other refreshing beverages.

With its eye-catching design, welcoming patio, merchandise, gift cards, and Tuesday-Saturday Happy Hour, during which 50% off regular chips and dip and 25% off bottles of wine are offered, Nixta Taqueria has become the best Mexican restaurant in Austin for many.

Este: A Hidden Gem Among Mexican Places

Highly rated by both visitors and experts, Este on Manor Road offers a sit-down dining experience featuring masterpieces of Mexican and Latin American cuisine, seafood, and charcoal cooking. As a part of the same ownership as Bar Toti and Suerte, the establishment is recognized as one of the best hot spots in the city. Barra Fría, Botanas, Tacos, etc. will satisfy your taste buds, while the Lunch Specials, available until 4 p.m., will immerse you in ethnic culture from different angles. After enjoying your meal, move on to delicious desserts and admire the paintings and decorations while sipping aromatic wine or cocktails. The many features highlighting Este Costal Restaurant are the following:

• lounge, patio, Bar Toti, or full restaurant buyout;
• online reservations for up to 8 people;
• updates, news, and events announcements;
• $5-$500 gift cards with scheduled delivery.

In addition to these features, the establishment boasts the charming Este Garden, which focuses on cultivating East Austin's green space. Local tours will be back in the spring of 2024.

Indulge in Gourmet Tacos and Exquisite Salsas at El Alma

Nestled on Barton Springs Road, El Alma is a must-visit destination for every exceptional Mexican food Austin seeker. The extensive menu features anyone's favorite tacos, enchiladas, rellenos, sides, posters, etc., while combining traditional dishes, Tex-Mex, and other culinary motifs.

At the same time, the separate drinks menu includes multiple Margaritas, mocktails, wines, sangria, cerveza, and cocktail variations. The establishment rewards guests with enjoyable beverage perks from 3 to 6 p.m. daily, while the Brunch Happy Hour runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The main advantages of El Alma, which has a winged heart as its central symbol, are its skillful combination of creative approaches, quality service, and attentive staff. The light interior and spacious, stylish patio adorned with cozy garlands and plants create an inviting atmosphere, ensuring every guest enjoys each delicious bite of Texas Mexican food.

Experience the Best Mexican Food in Austin at Nomade

Combining vibrant flavors with a contemporary dining experience, Nomade is a popular restaurant located on South 1st Street in the historic Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Specialized in Mexican and Coastal Yucatán food, it offers Lunch, Vegetarian, Dulce, Beverages, Brunch, and Fall Tasting menu variations.

The Monday-Friday Happy Hour will boost your dining experience from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. with botanas, crudo, serveza, and bebida offerings. Meanwhile, exclusive bonuses are available on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., including 30% off select Mezcals.

A cozy beach-style restaurant invites everyone to feel Tumum magic. Convenient delivery and pick-up options, ample parking, and easy booking and reservations are other Nomade opportunities that continue to attract more guests. Don’t miss out on the unique Legends Game, which is definitely worth your attention!

Discover Sabor a Mexico: Dive Into Deliciousness at Sazon

A neighborhood Mexican food Austin restaurant on Lamar Boulevard has won the hearts of lovers of authentic dishes from various regions of Mexico. With numerous awards to its name, it offers a wide variety of dishes, the most popular of which include Choriqueso, Tikin Xic, Ceviche, and Tacos Al Pastor, among others.

The interior is both bright and spacious yet colorful, filled with diverse creative elements that will surely find their connoisseur. Guests can also enjoy food and drink al fresco, savoring authentic regional cuisine while taking in the scenic views of the boulevard. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, there's always something intriguing to find out.

Culinary Journey to the Gulf of Mexico at Veracruz Fonda and Bar

Walking along Aldrich Street, it's worth visiting this restaurant, known for its serene design and culinary delights. Named after a coastal city in the Gulf of Mexico, it invites you to start your day with delicious breakfast tacos or enjoy chilaquiles, Chicken Milanesa, Conchinita Pibil, and many other exquisite dishes. Sweet tooths and fans of unique combinations will enjoy the items from the Algo Dulce section, while drinks, juices, and coffee are available to enhance your dining experience.

The restaurant's history began in 2008 with sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez, who launched the award-winning food truck Veracruz All Natural. Today, the establishment has significantly expanded in scale. Guests can appreciate the restaurant's unique style, which emphasizes minimalism and features stylish artwork on the walls.

Veracruz Fonda & Bar also boasts a website with a clear interface, making it easy to find information and access services. Additionally, active social media management ensures patrons are always up to date with the latest news and offerings.

Julio's Cafe: Your Destination for Delicious Texas Mexican Food

Julio's Cafe in Hyde Park on Duval Street has delighted Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine lovers for over twenty years. With traditional culinary masterpieces and innovative approaches, this Texas Mexican food restaurant invites everyone to enjoy its lunch and dinner plates, as well as salads, soups, chalupas, quesadillas, and nachos.

For drinks, you can order beer, wine, Spanish sangria, and Margaritas while enjoying the lively vibe both inside and out, enhanced by the daily Happy Hour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The friendly staff is dedicated to helping you feel the unique Mexican spirit, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, whether with family, friends, kids, or even pets.

Every Bite Tells a Story at Fonda San Miguel

Located on W. North Loop Boulevard, Fonda San Miguel is a luxurious restaurant with a spacious dining room, special lighting, a stunning crystal chandelier, and decor that pays homage to Aztec deities and culture. The menu offers guests an array of aves, pescados, ensalads, postres, ellenos, and carnes, as well as numerous cocktails and cervezas. Happy Hour, held Monday through Thursday, enhances the dining experience with exceptional offerings for bar and atrium items.

Fonda San Miguel welcomes everyone to purchase tickets for memorable events. Unveiled biweekly specials, reservations, a banquet hall, and vegan-friendly traditional recipes are just some highlights that make the restaurant a standout destination.

As a vast treasure trove of Mexican places, Austin offers every connoisseur of authentic cuisine the chance to taste well-known masterpieces while experiencing innovative cooking approaches. While savoring the desired dishes, guests can enjoy a unique atmosphere with various designs that refer to Mexican culture or simply relax in a welcoming setting. Happy Hour offerings, specials, numerous events, and other features will make the vibe even more distinctive and enjoyable.

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