See all
325 photos

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

Mexican Restaurant$$$$

Bouldin Creek, Austin

Save

8.6^/10

386

ratings

Ranked #5 for a rooftop in Austin
The folks at Austin Chronicle and AFAR Media like this place. Would you agree?
"Cheap and delicious bloody Maria's too."(4 Tips)
"their Piñarita"(4 Tips)
"Happy hour house margaritas are a wonderful weekend treat!"(21 Tips)
"One of the best happy hours in Austin bar none."(18 Tips)

97 Tips and reviews

Filter:

margaritas
happy hour
outdoor seating
bloody maria
pinarita
tacos
jacked sangria
good service
scenic views
good for dates
great value
corn pudding
off-menu items
trendy
balcony
gluten-free food
pork chops
chocolate cake
spicy food
orange juice
(15 more)

Sort:

Popular
Recent

Cassandra SchloserJanuary 19, 2014
Been here 5+ times
The guacamole is so fresh.. The mimosas only $3 for brunch & it's orange juice & mango puree, very tasty. The steak & eggs on rice & platanos maduros was so filling & delicious. Will be back!
Upvoted Apr 29
Austin ChronicleMarch 4, 2013
Love the folk art-festooned interior, but the rooftop patio with Downtown view can’t be beat. Try the tangy guacamole al chipotle, served with a smoky chipotle crema and crunchy sunflower seeds. Read more
AFAR MediaApril 14, 2015
Try their Piñarita, a frozen margarita with tequila-marinated pineapple puree and coconut milk, and satisfy your taste buds with an old time favorite; Queso Fundido or a Ceviche Clasico. Read more
Douglas HayesDecember 29, 2019
We had the quest blanco y rojo for an appetizer. For the entree we had the cholera de puerco and pescado a la plancha. perfect!! Restaurant has a real chill vibe. Great for a date night!!
Leah HammerschlagOctober 15, 2014
Their version of eggs florentine w chipotle hollandaise is awesome! Tacos are delicious, definitely get the flour tortillas. Cheap and delicious bloody Maria's too.
Simi F.August 6, 2015
Had the duck taco and lamb taco with plantanos on the side. Both tacos healthy servings of meat. The lamb was super tasty and well seasoned. Wish I got more plantains.
Anirban CAugust 6, 2014
Great ambiance (love the hillside staircase) and the chips and salsa set a good first impression. The queso fundido is really a quesadilla (and it's great) . Beware, the parking lot fills up quick.
Alyssa PMarch 18, 2014
The freshest Tex-Mex around. Try to get a seat on the deck at sunset- the view is fantastic! Enfrijoladas are delicious. And the salsas. Yes.
Ryan JoyJanuary 5, 2019
Been here 100+ times
Pretty much everything is good, but the frozen margaritas are exceptional and anything with duck (enmoladas or rejenos) are recommended.
JenKuduMay 1, 2016
The ceviche is fantastic! The house margarita packs a punch too. Love the upstairs patio. Parking is tight. I'd go back :)
RachaelMarch 11, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Decent brunch prices - get the Chipotle Hollandaise. A pretty setting for dining with a beautiful natural wall and succulents hanging.
James ArnoldApril 4, 2017
Happy Hour, strong margs, hillside patio bar, best place for people watching in Austin, across from Butler Park. Next to Terry Black's.
Jacobo GómezAugust 16, 2015
A little extra Mex and not so much Tex, which is perfectly fine! I recommend this place. Get the gringas al pastor
Michelle WilesJuly 28, 2018
If you share an entree they’ll divide it and bring it on two plates 🙌🏻
365 Things AustinMarch 16, 2013
Been here 10+ times
One of the best happy hours in Austin bar none. The sangria and the tostitdos (jack and pastor) are just incredible.
Susie SebastianJune 12, 2017
Loved the Jacked Sangria and Ceviche, so delicious 💕the upstairs patio is so nice too!
Sebastian RivasJanuary 18, 2015
Been here 5+ times
An everyday happy hour from 3-6, including weekends! Easily a cheap favorite with classic margaritas and sangria.
AmateurConciergeOctober 12, 2019
Really good Mexican spot with high brow but standard dishes...not really Tex mex. roof seating too. The piñarita way too sweet for my blood
Manuel GJune 21, 2014
Never judge a book by its cover, i just had amazing enfrijoladas and gorditas, almost as good as in Mexico!
Liana CascianiOctober 7, 2015
Their mimosas are to die for, seriously, amazing.
Tara GallagherJune 15, 2014
Yumm all so delicious! Don't forget about the margarita!
Sebastian KMarch 9, 2014
The Camaron Relleno was amazing. Great value for money.
Trevor SteenNovember 1, 2015
The tacos were amazing. The pastor is the best. Also the Bloody Maria is great.
ToddFebruary 9, 2013
This place rocks. Get anything with duck in it. And ask for Todd to be your waiter...best one we've had in Austin.
Blaine MilnerApril 19, 2015
The Bloody Maria is delicious! Nice and spicy
James McCoyMarch 30, 2014
Try the artichoke queso (off menu), pork chop, and a Charlie's Special margarita
andrew ballFebruary 27, 2015
I wouldn't normally order a chicken salad at a mex place but I had a craving and went with it. It was fantastic.
Storm HollowayJune 8, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Not a bad happy hour to say the least. Come here from 3-7, and order whatever. Just do so on the roof. It's lovely.
John WareMarch 28, 2014
Get the 2nd margarita on the drink menu (the orange one with jalepeno). You can thank me later.
Dempsey JonesMay 15, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Amazing! Lovely patio... Red salsa tastes like it could be the best lunchable pizza sauce ever.
Brea SimpsonApril 10, 2022
Margaritas, happy hour, elote! Such a great place.
Chris GlisanMay 3, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Pinarita on the rooftop on a sunny day for happy hour. Brunch is excellent too.
RCMarch 12, 2018
The roofdeck is nice and the food is higher end Mexican. The relleno is a good choice.
Julie LackJune 9, 2014
Been here 25+ times
The corn pudding is a gluten free slice of heaven. The deck is top notch.
feverMarch 10, 2012
Get the huevos franceses. I don't know what got lost in translation from the French version but it's amazing.
Josh MartinJuly 7, 2021
The chips and guacamole are amazing (the free chips you get at the table are awful, though).
Emily CharltonAugust 12, 2015
The pinaritas were so good! Great value Mexican food.
Lindsay RinchindromaJanuary 9, 2019
Love the drinks and food! All very good!
MihailMarch 29, 2017
Nice Mexican food. Reasonable priced and good atmosphere.
Justin BradySeptember 20, 2013
Happy hour is now from 3-6. Look at their menu or online to confirm. We went based on foursquare tips saying 3-7 and were disappointed.
Teresa HarrisonNovember 15, 2011
Stuffed duck poblano (served in the evening only) is the best. They have an excellent lunch poblano, too.
Amandeep GillAugust 11, 2017
Great margaritas, great waiters, excellent food!
AMBER BEDOLLAJanuary 28, 2012
The fundido de chorizo is so good...so much cheese!
VoniaMay 11, 2015
Patio dining! Try it on the weekends in the sunshine!
Sarah JoshiApril 8, 2016
Great rooftop and happy hour!
Andrea TrevinoNovember 19, 2013
The Relleno was good because it's not fried. The Elote was delish too!
Michael MMarch 23, 2013
Been here 10+ times
The Margaritas Here are BobBomb....so are the Tacos! ! ! Ask for Brandon..great service!
Hailey LoncarMarch 23, 2014
Love the balcony best place to sit on a sunny day.
Aaron UnnaschAugust 20, 2014
One of the best outdoor seating areas in Austin.
QuirineMarch 10, 2013
Good food, good drinks, good service. Outside patio was gorg.

1 2

325 Photos

Planning a trip to Austin?

Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.

El Alma Cafe y Cantina

Related Searches

You might also like

Places people like to go after El Alma Cafe y Cantina

Appears on 222 lists

Top places in the area

Is this your business? Claim it now.