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    Kinda Tropical

    4.0 (243 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Kinda Tropical Photos

    Business Info

    KINDA TROPICAL ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Reviews With Photos - Kinda Tropical

    Yucca fries
    Matt L.

    If it's a beautiful warm day out, and you want something that looks like what golden hour should feel like, come here and get a snack and drink to eat in the back with their mix of plastic lawn chairs and rusty metal furniture. Yucca fries with the dip are good. Hot toddy is a nice complementary drink if the temperature is in the 60s. Mexican Hot Chocolate is pretty liquor forward, with the Abuelita tempering the alcohol to taste milder rather than sweetening it.

    Anniversary party crawfish boil
    Caleb H.

    Cool neighborhood spot in a converted gas station. The food menu is small but interesting and the bar has a decent size selection. Big backyard with a stage as well. It's a good low key spot for lunches and events!

    Movetia S.

    Kinda Tropical has everything I love about East Austin. You can roll up on a bike, grab a spot outside,or settle into their large dining room that os giving gas station but now feels like a quirky little oasis. There is art everywhere, the music is always on point, and the whole place has that vintage, low-key charm that makes you want to take your time. The drinks lean into the name. If it's tropical, they probably serve it, from margaritas to piña coladas to tamarind, hibiscus, or mezcal creations. The food hits those same bright flavors. My go to items are the Cuban yucca fries and the dry rub blackened ranch wings. The yucca fries are crispy, well seasoned, and so addictive with that jalapeño avocado dip. The wings stay crunchy, the dry rub brings the flavor without the mess, and the lime ranch on the side ties it all together. Portions are generous, so you can share or take some home for later. Parking is a little tight since it still has convenience store bones, but once you're in, the vibe makes up for it. I'm a creature of habit, so I keep returning to my favorites, but the salads and bowls always look tempting. If you come when it is less busy (earlier in the day) you will get the best service. After the work day it becomes more of a bar and wait times for drinks, seats and food may be a bit longer. If you're into a spot that's kinda tropical, kinda vintage, and absolutely East Austin, this is your new spot.

    Hillary R.

    We love the brunch menu here. Definitely get the yucca fries, eggs or sandwiches. The outdoor patio-

    a patio with tables and chairs
    Don L.

    Kinda Tropical is the laid-back Austin hangout I didn't know I needed. Stopped in on a warm evening and was immediately drawn to the vibe--chill patio, friendly staff, and a crowd that feels like locals mixed with folks in-the-know. I ordered the burger with pineapple and it did not disappoint. Juicy, flavorful, and the pineapple added the perfect hint of sweetness without being overpowering. Paired that with a draft Paper Plane--yep, they serve it on tap for just $7! It's well-balanced and definitely one of the better versions I've had. Also grabbed the chips and queso to share, and they nailed it. Creamy with a little kick, and the chips were fresh and crispy--not your average afterthought. Kinda Tropical delivers on food, drinks, and good energy. Whether you're posted up solo or coming with a group, it's an easy spot to settle into. I'll definitely be back.

    Wendi K.

    4.5 Stars Casual cafe with hearty, simple Latin American (ish) food and yummy looking tropical drinks. Yucca fries ($8) with aioli - BOMB. Get these. They are hot and crispy and amazing. Like a giant, heartier french fry. I had the KT bowl with chicken ($11) and it was also great - a mound of fluffy white rice, flavorful beans, and shredded chicken (I would try the mushroom option as the chicken is pretty dry). The portions for prices are on point. Order at the counter, take a number, and they bring the food out to you. The large outdoor patio has misters which is a dream on a hot day.

    Michelada and frozen margarita
    Martha L.

    Greatest spot of them alll best place to chat all night w you're friends it's a local gem I've been going to Kinda for YEARRRRSSS I would rather gatekeep this spot

    This guy needs to work on his customer service.
    Tamie F.

    My daughter love love loves this place! My first impression wasn't great because they were pretty rude about my water bottle. Apparently if you just enter out back, it's no big deal to have a water bottle, but if you come through the bar area they aren't very nice about it. However, my daughter loves the food she gets there. They also make her a non-alcoholic cocktail that she likes. But they are also very strict about the hours you can order wraps vs salads, which is weird. Their service needs work overall. However, they have a chill backyard that is great for dogs and socializing. There were a ton of people out there when we went but still seating to be found. Seems like a great place to meet large groups of friends. Just don't get easily offended when the staff isn't the nicest and you'll love this place!

    Back Patio.
    Julia C.

    Driving by, looks a bit divey. Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon. Had many pop up vintage booths out front! So fun! Inside, service was busy but friendly. Back patio was chill and perfect space to catch up with friends. Others ordered food, we tried the fries. Delicious!

    Chilaquiles
    Katherine D.

    I stopped by for brunch on a Saturday afternoon because I was interested in a matcha pop-up happening on their back patio. I decided to order a chilaquiles while I was there at the recommendation of the cashier. The food was solid but didn't wow me. The chips were crispy and the egg was cooked perfectly. Maybe I would have liked it more if the sauce had some more spice or depth. The inside was decorated nicely, and there is plenty of seating inside and outside. I can see this place being a great option for catching up with a large group of friends.

    Tofu Wrap
    Emily W.

    Second time visiting during HH! Super good HH deals IMO and food is solid for what you pay for. Friendly service and lots of room between inside and outside dinning. Parking lot is on the smaller side and may have to find parking elsewhere. Will be back to try more HH specials!

    Amanda R.

    Yuca fries were super good! Probably the only reason I will go back, the rest of the food was just okay. However the ambiance was super fun and they have a nice backyard. Highly recommend it to go here for a drink.

    Indoor area
    Michael H.

    First time here and really like this space. Converted gas station. Lots of seating inside and tons outside in break. Great looking area. Smoking friendly outside. That said, I ordered the breakfast tacos and they were quite poor. Flour tortillas weren't warmed up or crisped and really need it. A little too thin and lacked flavor. Had bacon and egg and fake chorizo and egg. Nether filling was great, but not bad. Bacon one needed more filling. Rating this a 4 star because I really like the vibe of this place and my friends did was better. I'll come again. But... I won't get these tacos again.

    Sesame Salad, sriracha carrot hummus, curry

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    2 months ago

    Great drinks with a cool vibe! The food is yummy, but the portion sizes are a little small for the price.

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    Kinda Tropical Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kinda Tropical

    Is it kid friendly?

    Yes!

    Can they accommodate a gluten and dairy allergy?

    What are the restaurant's Covid protocols/guidelines?

    Hey Aida! Our guidelines are posted on our website under ‘menu’ but include: tables are set 10 feet apart with no more than 6 customers per table, using disposable plates/cups/utensils/napkins, no cash transactions, offering curbside takeout for… 

    Is this a good place to study and how is the parking in this area?

    This is not a good place to study. There is a single row of parking spots along the building walls.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Whisler's

    Whisler's

    4.3
    (677 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    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
    Side bar
    Side bar
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Main bar

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    Main bar
    Trona

    Trona

    4.5
    (69 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Hands down my favorite bar I have been too…read more It's beautiful the moment you walk in. The architecture and design creates such a cool vibe. The drinks.... Seriously....The best I've had. Very impressed with the drinks and I enjoyed the inspiration of Japanese liquor and design. Our bartender was so attentive and friendly. He made us shots and it was the best thing I've ever had. I been dreaming of the shot everyday. I recommend this place to everyone now. It's dark, it's quiet, it's cool, it's THAT bar. I cannot wait to come back again and again and again. We aren't locals. Not even close. We drove 9 hours. 10/10 will be back

    My husband and I went to Trona recently for my birthday. I'd seen photos and promotion (by local…read moreinfluencers) and thought it looked like a cool spot with a funky vibe. Being that we live south, it's rare we ever venture out to the east side so I was excited to try it. We had a 6pm reservation on a Wednesday and were promptly seated at a table. We're big fans of sitting at the bar if available, so we asked to switch and it was no problem. The main reason we came to Trona was due to a pop-up happening by Foodie + Tina. Excellent handrolls, crudo and even the chicory salad was amazing. The cocktails we tried were new to the menu as of this week and came with Christmas flair. They were good but not mind-blowing. The bartenders were super nice and easy to talk to. It was really dark which is normal for a speakeasy but as another reviewer suggested, makes it difficult to read the menu. One thing I noticed was they were burning white copal and it took me immediately to Tulum, MX - smells so good! Parking was easy, in an alley nearby. It might be helpful for customers if they had signage in/near the parking lot - we were unsure if we were in the right spot initially.

    Photos
    The bar and Sam the bartender
    The bar and Sam the bartender
    Entrance
    Entrance
    Lychee garden

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    Lychee garden
    Nickel City

    Nickel City

    4.4
    (234 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite bars in Austin. Some people might see it as a little divey, but that's honestly…read morepart of the charm. The atmosphere is always friendly, relaxed, and easy to settle into whether you're there for a quick drink or hanging out for the night. The drinks are consistently great, and they also have really solid weekday food specials. The sliders and tots are definitely the go-to items on the menu and always hit the spot after a few drinks. One thing I especially appreciate is how much effort they put into the themed décor during Christmas and Halloween. It really adds personality to the space and makes coming back during the holidays feel fun and memorable every year. Just an overall great neighborhood bar with good vibes and a lot of character.

    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!

    Photos
    Frozen Irish Coffee
    Frozen Irish Coffee
    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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    Busy Signal

    Busy Signal

    3.2
    (35 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    We came to the inside bar for a drink late, not knowing they were closed, but the GM (Steve, I hope…read moreI spell it right) helped us anyways and went and got clean supplies (regardless of that bar being closed). They were technically "out" of a main ingredient for the martini I wanted, but he went and looked around firsthand and found an acceptable substitute of what we needed for said drink (due to my extreme dietary restrictions). The martini was perfect and my first experience was fantastic. Will be back!

    First, there was absolutely NO SECURITY or anyone at the door checking people, unacceptable. It…read moredoesn't matter if it's a short-staffed night or someone called off, there should always be someone to check people. And this was on a SATURDAY. At the least you have someone on the weekend. We literally walked straight in--no questions, no acknowledgement, just straight to the back. Two, I came on Saturday and there were two DJs who were obviously having a lot of fun, which is good however, they do have the tendency to take you high and immediately low. For example, they would play a Sexxy Redd song and immediately Frank Ocean or even slower, Keith Sweat--the choices didn't make sense a lot of the time. WOMEN WHO COME TO DANCE don't like this, it really messes up the flow. I will say this is one of the few places that black people gather IN the city, so there's that. The bathroom is also disgusting but what can you expect when there's only TWO STALLS IN TOTAL, meaning there's no separate stalls for men or women. Also, these are the same two stalls that you share with restaurant goers so it can get busy.

    Photos
    Busy Signal
    Busy Signal
    Busy Signal

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    Kinda Tropical - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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