Dine at Latino- and Latina-Owned Restaurants in Austin

While in Austin, you must pay homage to the diverse and expansive food culture. From breakfast tacos and Tex-Mex to Latin American and Interior Mexican cuisine, Austin has tons of incredible dining spots perfect for hanging out with friends, sipping margaritas or mezcal and pretending you’re going to do something productive that day.

Three stuffed breakfast tacos in open foil on a blue picnic table top.
Veracruz All Natural Breakfast Taco. Credit @burgerchild.

Breakfast Tacos

For over 50 years, Cisco’s has been an iconic East Austin breakfast go-to. Try their migas, chorizo and carne guisada or build your own breakfast taco—you can’t go wrong. Since 1962, Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop has been serving up some of the best breakfast tacos in Austin. Ingredients are fresh, the tortillas are all handmade and breakfast is served all day. Plus, after you eat your fill of tacos, you can swing by their bakery counter for a pan Mexicano. Sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez are known for using fresh ingredients and classic flavors at their restaurant, Veracruz All Natural. This local favorite has multiple locations around town. Whether you're downtown or near the University of Texas campus in Central Austin, start your day with a breakfast taco from Vaquero Taquero. This no-frills spot was opened by two brothers in 2016, and has been churning out tasty breakfast and street tacos ever since. 

Check out even more breakfast tacos here.

Chips and Queso at Matts El Rancho in Austin Texas
Matt's El Rancho. Credit Jody Horton.

Queso

In Austin, queso is a staple. Longtime East Austin favorite, Mi Madre’s is a family run joint known for its creamy queso with just a kick of spice. Enjoy this warm melty dip on crispy corn tortilla chips, or drizzle some atop a Fajita Rito to take a tasty burrito to the next level. What more can you ask for? When Matt and Janie Martinez opened their Tex-Mex restaurant Matt’s El Rancho in 1952, it seated only 40 customers. They have since expanded seating to more than 500 customers, and Matt's still makes everything from scratch to offer the freshest tortillas and chips around. Michael Rypka decided to chase his dreams and bet his life savings on great Tex-Mex street food by opening a food trailer. At first, he gave out free chips and salsa to invite people to try his food. Now Torchy’s Tacos is a renowned franchise with over 100 locations across the United States.

Check out even more killer quesos here.

Tex-Mex

DK Maria’s brings vibrant flavors to classic dishes Texans know and love. Every plate was inspired by DK Maria herself, a woman of rich heritage and a spicy lifestyle. Try the signature brisket enchiladas, topped with chipotle sauce and chile con queso. This Austin eatery is known for its goofy attitude (check out the #ElArroyoSign). But one thing they take very seriously is their food. Pop in to El Arroyo for dishes like the green chile chicken chimichanga or pulled pork burritos. First opened on South First Street, Polvos embodies the laid-back friendly spirit of South Austin. Fill the handmade tortillas with flavorful fajita meat and stop by the salsa bar to sample sauces to top your tacos with.

Check out even more ATX-Mex here.

A plate with a poblano pepper dish on it sitting on a wooden railing outside of El Alma.
El Alma. Credit to @elalma_atx on Instagram.

Regional Mexican

From Bolivian-bred Carlos Rivero and Mexico City-bred Alma Alcocer, El Alma serves fresh and bold Mexican flavors in a cozy restaurant featuring an expansive outdoor patio. Proudly serving Mexican cuisine and traditional Yucatecan and Veracruzano fare, it’s no wonder Fonda San Miguel was crowned one of America’s 50 Best Mexican Restaurants. Not only does Rosita’s Al Pastor offer one of our favorite salsas in town (with árbol and tomatillo chiles), but she also carves the al pastor meat straight from the trompo. Oh, and the truck is open ’til 3am in case you need a late taco fix. Taco More is an authentic and casual Mexican joint with two locations in Austin. Even though they’re known for their tacos and caldos, their salsa bar is said to be the best in town.

Lay flat image of multiple dishes sitting on the table with people eating around the table at La Condesa.
Courtesy of La Condesa. 

Modern Mexican

An Austin original with a modern take on classic Mexican chicken al carbón, Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon wood-grilled meals, authentic salsas and satisfying sides are outstanding. However, you can’t go to Fresa’s without dipping into one of their famously melty quesos. An ATX-Mex spot with breezy beach resort vibes, Grizzelda’s fires up Central Mexican cuisine with a Texas influence and craveworthy house-made tortillas. Their Sunday brunch is one of the best ways to end your weekend. ATX Cocina is focused on clean, modern Mexican dishes. ATX processes its own masa in-house, sourcing its heirloom corn from small family farms in Mexico. Try the patos locos tacos heaped with duck carnitas, citrus mojo and cilantro salad. A modern Mexican restaurant in Austin’s 2ND Street District, La Condesa features Mexican dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It also features a bar with the most extensive collection of tequila and mezcal in the city.

A dish featuring three tacos, rice and beans sitting on a white plate on a table at Gloria's Latin Cuisine.
Courtesy of Gloria's Latin Cuisine.

Latin American

Enjoy freshly made Brazilian cuisine with a Texas twist at Boteco, a local favorite South Austin food truck. Buenos Aires Café features authentic Argentinian cuisine from empanadas to pastel de papas. With two locations in Austin, it’s easy to get your fix of Argentinian classics. Casa Colombia offers some of the best Colombian cuisine in Austin. They have a dog-friendly patio, a wonderful happy hour and feature live music every Friday night. On Saturdays, Peruvian restaurant Lima Criolla comes alive with futbol viewing parties thanks to their big projector screen. Enjoy their authentic Peruvian dishes and drinks from the Pisco bar as you cheer on your team. Head to Gloria's Latin Cuisine for Salvadorian favorites like pupusas and platano frito. We also recommend trying Cuba512, a casual eatery serving up classic Cuban sandwiches and drinks, located in South Austin.

A red margarita with tajin on the rim of the glass sitting on the edge of a wooden table.
Comedor. Credit to Mackenzie Smith Kelly. 

Margaritas

Comedor — named one of Esquire’s best new restaurants — serves cutting-edge Mexican cuisine in a chic industrial setting. Witness their inventive take on traditional dishes, such as the bone marrow tacos laced with smoked butter. Order the Oaxaca margarita, mixed with Reposado tequila, crema mezcal, Cointreau, and lemon and lime juices. Kick back in the greenhouse at the casual De Nada Cantina and order the El Chingon, touted as the “Cadillac of margaritas.” It’s mixed with El Tesoro Silver Tequila (made especially for De Nada) and Mathilde XO. The colorful patio, cafe tables, string lights make Tamale House East the perfect place to sip a cold drink and boy do they have some tasty ones. The frozen mango marg, rimmed with tajin and a slice of lime is a must try next time you’re there.

Check out even more places for margaritas here.

Mangonada from Hay Elotes.
Hay Elotes. Courtesy @infatuation_atx.

Desserts & Treats

After indulging in savory Tex-Mex and Latin American dishes, it's only right to balance everything out with a sweet treat. Treat yourself to a decadent mangonada topped with strawberries, a sour belt, chamoy and chili sauce from Hay Elotes on Austin's east side. Family-owned Mi Tradicion Bakery is a panaderia on steroids. Visit one of their two locations for pan dulces and different flavored tres leches cakes. Maha Coffee is a gluten-free cafe serving up yummy bakes, craft coffee and specialty teas. The cinnamon buns are a must try and are delicious paired with their Kali Mocha.

Check out some of Austin's top fruterías here.

Server carrying three plates of open faced tacos at Nixta Taqueria
Nixta Taqueria. Credit to Arts + Labor. 

Restaurants with Latino & Latina Chefs

Try traditional nixtamal tortillas with a modern twist at Nixta Taqueria. Chef Edgar Rico, recipient of a James Beard Award in the Emerging Chef category in 2022, tops his homemade tortillas with things you won’t find at any old taco stand like the duck carnitas taco combines duck confit, refreshing watermelon radish, thinly shaved white onions, salsa and cilantro. Born in Guatemala and trained internationally, Chef Juan Diego Solombrino has curated a menu of international-inspired tapas and inventive cocktails at Space Cowboy. At this funky experimental concept, you’ll have your dishes delivered via a unique, robot-esque spaceship on a track that runs through the restaurant. Chef Iliana de la Vega pays homage to her Oaxacan roots through her delicious mole dishes at El Naranjo. Winner of the Best Chef, Texas Category at the 2022 James Beard Awards, de la Vega’s delicious dishes, and recognition for her work have cemented El Naranjo as one of Austin’s premier restaurants.