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    Gabriela's Downtown

    3.9 (984 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Gabriela's Downtown Photos

    Business Info

    GABRIELA'S DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Dining area
    Dania A.

    Food was incredible. We may have ordered too much, so careful with the appetizers, you will fill up before your food makes it. We came for brunch and the Tamarindo Lindo was MY FAVORITE!!

    Danielle T.

    I always wanted to try this location because of the views. I had gone to the south location plenty of times and of course, it's much bigger. This location is very small and the wait was long but we did have a group of 10. I did call ahead of time and they still had us wait an hour. The host wasn't that friendly and I would stick to my south location when my family and friends come into town. The food is always 10/10 and we all love Birria tacos. It is a bit pricey but worth it my family from California really enjoyed this place they said it felt like they were at a day club and didn't want to leave (lol). Our server was very nice and she took her time I'm sad I forgot her name but she really made sure once she talked to us that she took care of us and got everything we needed.

    City view!
    Reece M.

    The restaurant itself has a super cute porch and a great view of the city line! Inside is a little cram so I wouldn't recommend. We did a reservation the day before and had no problem getting in. Service was a little slow in the beginning but food came out extremely quick and was AMAZING! Highly recommend the queso and puffy tacos. Everyone at our table loved the homemade chips. We would have liked to know that you can't split the check per entree before hand but wasn't a problem for us; and everything is priced really well! Very kind staff and will definitely be coming back here again soon! (Even though someone stole my phone charge but it was another customer....)

    Chiana P.

    Mid Gabriele's is really cute with a nice outside area to sit and eat. However the food was mid. I was there for brunch. My friends and I got the pineapple mimosa tower and it was good . My friend ordered guacamole for an appetizer and it was really tasty. I order the tipsy French toast with the birria empanadas. The guy empanadas were big , but there was not much meat in them. The meat was bland and the consommé was the most bland I've ever tasted!! The tipsy French toast was really good, I wish I had more of the syrup that was on it. Overall the food was mid. I had fun because the DJ was great. If I go again, it would be for appetizers!

    Timia W.

    The service here was great! Jay was handling the bar and the outside tables and still accommodated us well without us feeling like a burden or rushed. He rang in our happy hour orders with only a few mins to spare because we'd arrived just 10 mins before it ended. From there the happy hour items came out quickly! For the entree, I ordered the enchiladas and a fish taco. The enchiladas had steak strips in them topped with a chili con queso and came with rice and beans on the side. I didn't enjoy the enchiladas, mainly because of the chile sauce (the red sauce) and also because it was pretty cold when it got to me. The sauce was a strong flavor and covered the dish, but if you like that flavor then that will be no problem! I ordered the fish taco as well because I was torn between so many items (their menu is pretty big). But I loved the taco and I hate I didn't order more. The tortilla was a great thickness, the fish was nice and flavorful with the perfect amount of crisp to it. The slaw and sauces on top were perfect, not too much or too little. I don't know that this is a place I'd come back to next time I'm in Austin, but if I do, it would be for those tacos! It's also a super cute partially indoor, mostly outdoor space. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the beautiful skyline. The decor here made us feel like we were in Miami. So if you're into aesthetics and love a happy hour and tacos, then this is the place for you.

    Entry art
    Michaela B.

    Came here for dinner with my husband, another couple, and 3 children around 7:30 on a Friday night. We each paid $17 for parking right off the bat. We were sat down pretty quickly, but the music was already very loud inside. Our drink and appetizer order was taken very quickly; however, we were all taken aback by the fact there was no salsa delivered to the table. Instead you have to purchase a $5 salsa sampler. The food was ok- definitely nothing to write home about, and the service was subpar. When we got our bills we were both already had a 20% gratuity added. Probably would never come here again despite the reviews.

    Patio
    zoe m.

    The service was great. Her name was Priscilla she was so sweet. The ambience is so fucking cute. It's like an old house that's now a restaurant! The back patio is to die for!!!! and they do live DJs. Definitely a weekend brunch hang out. As for the food, it was pretty good. We got the birria grilled cheese. We got the chorizo queso (it is a fundido) not a dip and the shrimp ceviche ( it was good but it's a tomato base) so kinda just a personal preference, I like mine very citrusy. But overall it was good vibes and good food!

    Avocado Enchilada
    Patty R.

    Service A+. Atmosphere A+ especially from being in a maybe sketch area? We are here for the day and a bartender at an establishment recommended this place. Outstanding!! Food came out quickly and piping hot! Everything was...as my daughter said...fire. Best Mexican place I have ever been to! Do not miss out on this place!!

    The outdoor space
    Soseh P.

    We stopped by for lunch on a Thursday. Place was empty, it's an older establishment so don't have high expectation when going. Our waiter was nice but didn't speak much English but that was not a big deal for us. We ordered the two torta that they have on their menu the brisket and the Cuban one. Both come with loads of show string fries, however they both lack some kind of sauce or condiment or something. They are on the dryer side. We also ordered size of coleslaw and wasn't impressed that for $4 they gave us a tinny little container like what you get at burger spots for ketchup or ranch. Overall we liked it we may go back for drinks and more food item if we are ever in the area. They did have a very loud Mexican music playing and the entire decor is very colorful.

    Stephanie C.

    Stopped by Gabriela's Downtown during a recent trip to Austin, and the food did not disappoint. Classic Tex-Mex done right--everything we ordered was flavorful and satisfying. The only hiccup was the service. We had a reservation through OpenTable for 12:30, but when we arrived, we were told they were still putting our table together... and ended up waiting about 45 minutes. Not ideal. Luckily, we grabbed seats at the bar and ordered a classic margarita--it was absolutely delicious and helped pass the time. Overall, even with the wait, I'd come back for the food and drinks alone. Just hoping for a smoother seating experience next time.

    Street corn
    Khian R.

    This was my first time trying Gabriela's. For a Saturday the wait was not very long. We were seated within 20 minutes of arrival. It took a while before a server came by for drink orders. Not sure of our servers name but we didn't see her much. Which made dinner drag longer than it should . The corn lacked flavor and was kind of dry. There are no actual spicy salsas . My tacos were ok but the meat was really tough. The highlight were the drinks . They were really good. We didn't order another round since the service was really slow here .

    Asada Tacos
    Anthony B.

    Amazing. Very nice view from the outdoor patio, you can see the sunset off 35 from the Austin skyline. I went during national Tequila day and even though they were busy, the service was excellent. I highly recommend the Choriqueso and the Asada Tacos, very delicious, flavorful and filling. Highly recommend for a date night or a night out with friends. Great Austin staple on the east side.

    Vegetarian tacos. Beans had pork
    Melissa M.

    This place was so awesome! From the outside it looks like a club, but when you step inside it's this super cool, trendy, magical place! It looks very instagramable inside! There were vegan options! I got vegetable tacos with rice and beans (the beans had pork bits, so i just ate around it). The portions were huge! I was only able to eat half of my meal. It was delicious! The service was ok. Our waiter didn't visit often and never picked up any of our dirty dishes as we finished the meal. We don't live in Austin, but I'm not sure if we will come back in the future. We were lucky it was the only place open so late at night. I guess if we are in this situation again we will come back.

    Papas con huevos

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Great vibe and atmosphere! Food came out super fast and the staff was incredibly friendly.

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Great service, prices, food & drinks! Ordered choriqueso, burrito & margarita flight! Super chill and fun vibes !

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    Great service and the waiters are so fun. Jonathan is a great waiter and highly recommend!!

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    For takeout the prices online are not correct f.e. guacamole appetizer is really $12 not 8....

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    6 months ago

    Jonathan was great!! So nice and attentive! Definitely ask for him when you go! The atmosphere and drinks are always so worth it!

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    3 years ago

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    6 months ago

    the best!!!! our server Jonathan was so good and never made us wait. Need to come try this place if you haven't already!

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Food was really good. Loved the Avacado enchiladas. Area is a bit sketchy, and the rap music with expletives was not the best experience.

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    Page 2 of 25

    Gabriela's Downtown Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gabriela's Downtown

    What is the parking situation for this location?

    There's a VERY small lot in the front and some in the back but it fills up VERY fast.

    Do you take (weeks in advance)group reservations for patio area?

    They do not take reservations

    Are Birria tacos available everyday?

    Yes

    Do they have Happy Hour? What days / times?

    According to their Instagram, their happy hour is 3-6 PM Monday through Friday.

    Until what time is food served on Saturday night?

    Do they sell birria? Are they specific days they do?

    Yes they do. They are excellent!

    Does this place allow dogs?

    They are super dog friendly on the back patio, and have water bowls as well!

    Are children welcome?

    Yes they are

    Are there daily specials? (Besides happy hour)

    Monday: $4 house margs ALL DAY Tuesday: $9 Piña para la niña (frozen strawberry marg in a fresh pineapple) ALL DAY… Read more

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes we take reservations, we may have some restrictions on peak hours during our Sunday brunch however.

    Kid friendly Saturday brunch?

    Yes!

    What time should you arrive for Sunday Brunch with a group of 10?

    We usually get busy around noon so anytime before then.

    Can you do call ahead for the waitlist?

    They take reservations

    Are dogs allowed on patio?

    Yep! I bring my pup all the time 💗

    View All 18 Questions

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    Papercut - Konbini sushi counter.

    Papercut

    4.7(28 reviews)
    0.1 miEast Austin

    Papercut is another one of those fabulous places close to my home (as in walkable) that I've been…read morewanting to get to and finally did with a group of friends made through Yelp. I felt the vibe instantly, like as soon as I put one foot in the door. Magical, sophisticated, worldly, wonderful and more were the feelings that spontaneously hit me. The dark and elegant decor, lighting, design, & layout made me feel as though I were in a high-end Tokyo cocktail lounge. The front room as I mentioned is an intimate bar and lounge area with artwork adorning the walls. It's a modern, minimalist, and sleek space. The artwork is ever-changing (every couple of months or so) and the cocktail menu changes right long with it. Note: artwork is available for purchase. What an absolutely glorious way of combining different mediums (liquid art vs physical art). The craft cocktails & mocktails are the epitome of works of art. I've had great cocktails and mocktails elsewhere but honestly I'd be hard pressed to find anything on this level. You're taken into an entirely different realm just watching the genius of mixologists. It's mesmerizing watching them hone their craft. In the back of the lounge is an enclave of eclectic art and other pieces that then leads you to Konbini, the sushi bar. It's an industrial, warehouse vibe with a long counter that screams hip, Tokyo inspired, late-night eatery. Service is impeccable and welcoming at this cosmopolitan venue. It's truly an amazing experience.

    Bear and Anthony at the bar were great. Bear informed me of the art and menu being cohesive and…read morethat they change ever so often. And that the menu is curated to tie with the art/artist so you never know what will be on the menu. A regular arrived to the bar and mentioned the edition of the menu. 005. So this is the fifth menu since opening? How fun! Tried the Key Lime drink which was too damn delicious. Tasted like a damn dessert and went down too easy. Only food I tried was the Tofu Chip which was delicious as well. Also got the Milky drink and it went down just as smoothly. All in all great place, just popped in for my second time in the past three days. The vibe was chill and laid back. Dim lighting and good music.

    Photos
    Papercut - Paper cut

    Paper cut

    Papercut
    Papercut

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    Whisler's - Left On Read - Delicious! (Tequila, Amaro, Bitters, Strawberry, Citrus, Spice, Egg White )

    Whisler's

    4.3(675 reviews)
    0.7 miEast Austin
    $$

    These are moments I think why do I live in San Antonio ( and often work in Austin ) when I can just…read morelive here and enjoy great restaurants, bars and weird gothic haunts like this with weird dark goth decor, a scent of palo santo , superb music, a great crowd and amazing drinks! College me would have lived here !! Enjoyed a French 75, my husband enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned and it was a great place to grab a drink prior to seeing Springsteen at the Moody seated amongst candles , a weird alter of sorts while enjoying some Stevie Wonder as is playing now though some weird NIN or Type O might have been more appropriate

    I went to Whisler's and had one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had…read more I had one drink. I was completely sober for all intents and purposes. The bartender claimed I was drunk and cut me off anyway. I was at the bar talking to a girl while waiting to get a drink (the wait was long because the service is very slow, despite the bar not being very busy at all). She was clearly into me, and the bartender kept jumping in trying to talk to her too (instead of doing his job making drinks). He was doing all sorts of things to try and flirt with her and make her laugh: pulling out and showing her buckets of pre mixed cocktails, running and sliding under the bar, etc. She was engaging with both of us , and right in the middle of that, I get cut off out of nowhere. No explanation other than claiming I looked drunk, which I very clearly wasn't. It felt very clear what was going on--he wanted me out of the way. I left and asked the bouncer on my way out if I seemed drunk. This was literally two minutes later. He said no, not at all, and asked me why I would even ask that. I then told him exactly what happened and asked him to let the owner or whoever was in charge know about this extremely unprofessional conduct so they can discipline the bartender. His response was that the bartender has discretion to cut anyone off, and let me know the bartender is supposedly married so he couldn't have been flirting with any of the customers. Well, sounds like his logic is flawed--not only COULD he flirt with his customers, he WAS, and was therefore cheating. I hope his wife finds out. This is perfectly representative of Austin customer service lately and not normal in other places. I was in Tampa for an entire month earlier this year and this would've been unthinkable there. I'm not coming back.

    Photos
    Whisler's - Side bar

    Side bar

    Whisler's - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Whisler's - Main bar

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    Main bar

    Nickel City - So magical!!

    Nickel City

    4.4(233 reviews)
    0.3 miEast Austin
    $$

    I realize I haven't updated this review since relocating to Austin two years ago. As you may have…read morenoted from my previous review, I'd come here twice a year when visiting from the east coast. One of my stipulations for relocation was to be within walking distance of my beloved Nickel City. Guess what? I am! Less than a five-minute walk. I love this place so much. It's not always about drinking. In fact, quite often I'll do mocktails, water, or soda. It's about community and friendship. The vibe at NC can't fully be expressed in words. It has to be experienced. The staff treat locals and tourists like friends. And, if you're lucky enough, you actually become friends. They're like a family. Same can be said about patrons, whether regulars, sometimers, or tourists, everyone feels the love. Everyone just gets it! They have some of the best cocktails around. The frozen Irish coffee is incredible. Espresso martinis on tap? Yes, please! And if you want the best bar/comfort food ever then order from their food truck, Delray Cafe. Crinkle cut fries A+ Smashburgers A+ Hot Dogs A+ Grilled Cheese A+ Pizza Logs A+ Tater Tots A+ Everything on the menu A+ Be sure to give the gang in the kitchen (food truck) some love! They're putting out the real deal. Oh and let's not forget Steak Night! Much love to my fave neighbor, Nickel City!

    This place is what I would call a hidden gem. Service is good. They don't over charge for beers and…read morethe bar food is actually good. There's also cheese curds in the menu now! It's a spot to go to in a downtown adjacent area. Definite place to come back to.

    Photos
    Nickel City - Frozen Irish Coffee

    Frozen Irish Coffee

    Nickel City - From left Nui nui new year and holiday on ice, loved both, but holiday on ice was my fav.

    From left Nui nui new year and holiday on ice, loved both, but holiday on ice was my fav.

    Nickel City

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    Marlow - Mocktail (Grow a Pear)

    Marlow

    4.8(33 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown

    I discovered Marlow through a Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. We stopped by on a…read moreSaturday night around 9:30/10pm and had a great time! Great house music from the DJ, friendly staff, and an easygoing atmosphere that's perfect for hanging out. I was having a sober night and tried a few drinks from their Dry January Specials menu. Wow, they did not disappoint. The Alrighty Aphrodite was delicious, and the So Fresh, So Clean was exactly that, super refreshing with a great pineapple flavor. My husband had the Dusty Trail (strong and perfect for bourbon lovers) and a Coquito that was creamy and smooth with a hint of cinnamon. Parking is limited, but we found street parking nearby. Overall, great drinks, great music, and a spot I'll definitely keep coming back to.

    Marlow's has a very Austin vibe. I grew up in Austin and just moved back. Austin has changed a lot…read moreso I was happy to visit a place like Marlow that's dedicated to keeping the Austin vibe alive. The owner is also an Austinite! Marlow's has a really in interesting and delicious drink menu. I tried both mocktails (option to add THC) and really enjoyed them both. Most mocktails with NA liquor have honestly tasted a bit weird and a bit off. I usually have one and call it a day. However, I really enjoyed the first one that I tried the second one, which I also liked. The bartenders work amazingly fast and take multiple drink orders at a time and don't miss a beat! There's street parking and during weekdays, it's free to park after a certain hour.

    Photos
    Marlow
    Marlow
    Marlow - Chicken slider

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    Chicken slider

    Busy Signal - Stage

    Busy Signal

    3.2(33 reviews)
    0.3 miEast Austin

    Y'all, I was so excited to go to the busy signal for the first time! Especially with the cool…read moreChristmas theme going on right now and DJ Hella Yella was there. But I should know not to get my hopes up... Storytime... We had a resy for 8 at 9:45 for a birthday, we arrived at 9:45 there was no clear spot to check in, we asked around and they pointed us to the water station by the entry. After finally being greeted, we were told our section wasn't ready, the other party hadn't left yet. The server / hostess seemed frazzled and kept running around trying to get us a section and talking to people about leaving. We stood there waiting for about 30 minutes. Then we were finally seated in a section barely big enough for 6, we were crammed in like sardines, sweatin. We asked the parties next to us if they could push over a bit so we all could fit, luckily they were friendly and accommodating. We were greeted not too long after being seated, Our order was taken by the first server, It took about 30 minutes for drinks and food to start to come out. The birthday girl ordered a hookah and it took an hour and a half for it to come out. Then we were not checked on for about an hour, We finally ordered more drinks and then we never received them, We asked three different servers and were told several times that they were taking care of it and it was never taken care of, We left at 1:15 without ever getting our additional orders. One of the servers told us that the bar was crazy busy and that they were probably making our drinks and people at the bar were just taking them. So chaotic. We were finally helped by Heaven and Summer at the end around 1:00 a.m. when we asked to pay for our tab. Of course the tab was all wrong because it had all of the drinks we ordered that we never received. Again, chaotic. I felt bad for the birthday girl because she was really excited about being there for the first time with all of us and the experience was subpar at best. I will say, the best part was the DJ, HellaYella. And the jerk lamb chops. Also, If and I mean if, We ever go back, We will not reserve a section like that and we will get our drinks at the front bar and sit out on the nice patio. We'll see.

    Such a nice find, went one time for a longhorn game and had to go back again for their wings…read more Their wings are sooo good, they have a perfect crisp coat to them, if they were spicier they would be a bit better. 9/10 The fries were good, can't go wrong with them, also a nice crispy to them not too soft. 7/10 Great music, will definitely be back! The only downside this visit was our waiter would get sidetracked and so we didn't get something we ordered. They also do a pre-authorization on some cards so just beware of that charge but it does go away! Overall great experience can't wait to go back!

    Photos
    Busy Signal
    Busy Signal
    Busy Signal

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    Gabriela's Downtown - mexican - Updated May 2026

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