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    La Palapa

    3.2 (212 reviews)
    ModerateTex-Mex, Mexican
    Closed • 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    La Palapa Photos

    Business Info

    LA PALAPA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - La Palapa

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    Jenn C.

    Quick and easy place for Mexican food. The make a great cheese enchilada and a crispy beef taco. Nothing fancy just good food. I come for lunch since it's close to my office. Good margaritas too!!! It's easy on the wallet with affordable options.

    Lauren M.

    An Austin Tex-mex staple. If you haven't been here, you are missing out. Lots of good Tex mex options and alcoholic drinks to choose from. Service is quick and friendly. The place may look a little rough around the edges but the food is delicious authentic Tex mex.

    Sopapillas
    Maria M.

    Nice atmosphere, good customer service, and the food was outstanding. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food served it was worth it. We like how the bar is separated from the main dining area. We will definitely come back.

    Fish tacos
    Mo L.

    Stumbled upon this cute place after a day playing tennis at the high school next door. Food was tasty! We ordered fish tacos and enchiladas. Food was very reasonably priced and drinks were fantastic! Service was very fast although it was closer to closing so there weren't many others there. Overall would recommend if you are looking for a good casual Mexican sit down experience.

    Margarita couldn't wait did the tacos to arrive. Cheers!
    Inez V.

    As soon as you walk in the door you're greeted by the friendly host and a big sign with all the daily specials. You can't go wrong with a margarita and some delicious tacos. I ordered the street tacos and was instantly hooked! This is my favorite place with a chill, and enjoyable ambiance where you can eat, talk and drink up! Best thing is there is a bar in the back area where you can enjoy a louder room and listen to some great music. Great bank for your buck, great value at a great cost!

    Botana Sampler
    Amy G.

    La Palapa is the place for the best cheese quesadilla in town, or maybe Texas or the entire universe (which is basically the same thing because this is obviously the only state that matters when it comes to tex-mex food.) Sure, a cheese quesadilla is a plain thing to get from a restaurant, but when it's done right, it's absolute cheesy delight. I can never quite replicate it at home. The combo of cheeses they use is very mellow and not greasy, and the texture of the tortilla is crispy and almost flaky, without being burnt. Most other things from La Palapa are satisfactory as well, but it's hard for me to come here and not go straight for the quesadilla.

    Bacon cheeseburger
    George N.

    The bacon cheeseburger from here is something to write home about. So much flavor!! The cheese was beyond imagination. I will be back and order again.

    Menu 8/2024
    John M.

    Overall not a bad visit....Place has been here forever, and we have passed by for years....yet a friend who had just moved up the street said we need to try it....for as old as it is, very clean and the up keep is great.....Salsa, Chips and Queso hit first....Salsa if very tomato forward, and I swear it tasted like Pace out of a jar...but had some heat to it. Queso was good but not a fan of the raw veggies, but was better with a scoop of salsa. Wife went with the Beef enchiladas with Chipotle, double rice...Sauce had a decent bite, beef was stand alone good...Rice was rice...I went with the Tri color Enchilada....All three were good...sour cream sauce being my favorite...Beans were good...The service definitely needs work...Huge party (20+) of city workers showed and we were forgotten....didn't even get a second water refill. We will continue to pass this place by, as there are several in the area we prefer. Onto the next adventure.

    Great salsa!
    Mary L.

    After driving past this place for years, we finally checked it out for lunch the other day. We found good, solid Texmex lunch specials, and a sprawling menu that lures us back for further exploration. The Happy Hour looks tempting as well, with drink and appetizer specials. I ordered the lunch Chicken Flautas, which were excellent. The two were bigger than I expected and tasted fresh from the fryer, and the rice and Charro beans that came alongside were very good. A few TexMex places have started upcharging for Charro beans instead of Refried, but La Palapa does not. My guy ordered the Chile Relleno. He's from Chicago and refuses to pronounce "relleno" properly, but our server did not hit him over the head with the chips basket, and was kind and friendly throughout. He has a weird idea that the fried chile shouldn't be flattened before cooking, but said it tasted fine. I liked the interesting architecture of the building and the friendly vibe. We'll be back.

    a colorful christmas tree in a restaurant
    Katherine A.

    Goto appt for a last minute dinner. Lots of choices. There's always a daily special so that's really nice. They have things on there like enchiladas, pollo, caldo all sorts of yummy stuff so it's always a good idea to go for the special

    Taco Salad shredded chicken  perfect

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    9 months ago

    Fajita Nachos are addictive AF!!! Michelle best bartender & server ever!! Laid back vibes & good for friends & families to meet up!

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    3 years ago

    This place was cute, the food was nice, and our server was friendly. Those of you complaining are just babies.

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    Moonshine Grill - White chocolate bread pudding

    Moonshine Grill

    4.4(6.4k reviews)
    4.8 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    Don't sleep on Moonshine Grill! We've been here a number of times and recently returned for dinner…read moreafter an event at the Fairmont Hotel. We somehow snagged nearby street parking and a table for two with no wait despite it being a busy Saturday evening after a UT football game. Make a reservation if you have a large party or are on a tighter schedule. It's a bit loud for those seated in the lobby/entrance area, but totes a vibe. For food, we ordered the blackened catfish, brisket burnt ends quesadillas, and harvest bowl to share. Everything was delicious and served quickly, even with the aforementioned dinner rush. 10/10 would order the same items again. I was so appreciative of the server splitting the entree over two plates without us asking. Did I mention the complimentary popcorn and cornbread? Twas a FEAST. I'm already thinking about the next time we're going back! If not for Moonshine, definitely for the speakeasy downstairs.

    I ordered food today from Pollo Regio on Burnet Road.. I placed the order at 1pm for 4pm delivery…read more The website has a choice for pick8up or delivery. I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with the store manager because we have not received the food. It is now 5pm. The manager couldn't find the order but after 30 minutes found it. He told me that I was supposed to have a delivery service pick it up. No, the website has two boxes to check, pick up or delivery. It is their responsibility to have some delivery service. A few weeks ago I ordered from the same pollo Regio for delivery. They contradicted with a service but the order was over an hour late. After being on the phone with the store manager he supposedly gave me a full credit. I have tried to contact the Austin manager but can't find him/her. TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!! Please spread this message. Thank you.

    Photos
    Moonshine Grill - Dining area

    Dining area

    Moonshine Grill - Garlic appetizer

    Garlic appetizer

    Moonshine Grill - Bourbon pour

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    Bourbon pour

    Mama Betty’s - Chilli relleno and blood orange margarita (Notice the rice looks orange red, it wasn't it was normal Spanish rice color)

    Mama Betty’s

    4.0(400 reviews)
    12.3 mi
    •$$

    Dined in for lunch party of 3. Avery was our fabulous server. We were welcomed and she was very…read moreknowledgeable. We had Kristen tacos entree and the quesadilla entree. Everything was so delicious! A+++ What great ambience and fun restaurant.

    I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley where Tex-Mex has no equal. I'd heard this place was good and…read morefinally made a trip out of my way to try it. I should've reacted to my first impulse when I walked in. Leave! Now! The booming, loud and annoying music was almost unbearable. I stayed and ordered the #3 lunch combination. The chips were good, but I much prefer a thinner white corn chip. The red salsa was very good; the creamy stuff was bland. The rice and beans were above average. The guacamole was a mess. It was bland, and the whole tostada--with guacamole, lettuce and chopped tomatoes--was slathered in something sweet and weird. I just pushed it aside. Excellent crispy taco shell, but the carne molida was dry, overcooked and disappointing. The cheese enchilada was awful. Wrong cheese. I prefer (correct) American, not cheddar. But it was good quality cheddar and not that stringy, bubble gum consistency stuff I run into occasionally. There was only a trace of what I assumed was supposed to be the chili con carne gravy (per the menu) so I requested more gravy which was thin, bland and somewhat tomato tasting, not chili con carne sauce. I ate the rice, beans, taco and a couple bites of enchilada--and left hungry. The service was outstanding.

    Photos
    Mama Betty’s - Not so Private event space

    Not so Private event space

    Mama Betty’s - Churros slathered in sticky sauces

    Churros slathered in sticky sauces

    Mama Betty’s - Mexican martinis

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    Mexican martinis

    El Alma - Chips salsa and queso

    El Alma

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    5.7 mi•Bouldin Creek, 78704 (South Austin)
    •$$

    I love taking new people to a place where I have confidence it's gonna be a great experience and…read moregreat food. El Alma has always one of those stops for me. And yesterday was no different. I was worried we might not get a table quickly, but we arrived at the perfect time on a Saturday and were seated immediately. We ordered a couple drinks, perused the menu and ordered the ceviche and street tacos and chicken tacos and everything was fresh and delicious. Our server was helpful, Attentive without hovering. My friend visiting had nothing but great things to say. Look forward to going back for brunch. Which is my typical go to there.

    I've been coming to El Alma for nearly 5 years now (according to my first review, I first came here…read morein November of 2026). During that time, it has easily become one of my favorite restaurants in all of Austin. I absolutely love the food and the rooftop patio that overlooks downtown/the park, and it will forever be somewhere I continue to go, especially during happy hour. I have tried every vegetarian item on their menu, and while everything is great, my personal favorites are: - cheese enchiladas with mole verde (I get this 99% of the time because they are my favorite enchilada in town) - the chile rellano (it's listed in the sides, but I promise you that it can be a meal in itself) - their rice (comes with many of their plates or inside of their enchiladas) is actually soooooo good and one of the things I look forward to - queso (nothing different about it, but it's just a really good standard queso) - flaquita (spicy watermelon margarita; I don't need to say more) - sangria blanca (super refreshing) Up until a few months ago, I would have given this place five stars, but I've noticed a decline in service that is making me knock it down to a four. For example, they used to give free chips and salsa the second you sat down, but the last three times, I've had to ask them for it (pro tip: ask for chips and salsa!!). I've also noticed slower and less attentive service. Overall, I still love El Alma, and when it comes to food and vibes, it has withstood the test of time. Everyone I introduce to El Alma falls in love (my sister visits me once a year, and El Alma is always on the agenda). Not only have I been coming here multiple times a year for the past five years, but I know I will be coming for as long as they are around.

    Photos
    El Alma - Busy on a Tuesday

    Busy on a Tuesday

    El Alma - Queso blanco

    Queso blanco

    El Alma - Mezcal Margarita

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    Mezcal Margarita

    Eldorado Cafe

    Eldorado Cafe

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    4.0 mi
    •$$

    Once again... THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN AUSTIN…read more If your a fan of trying new things... you've got to try the Las Calabasas as your "side". If you love garlic.. you'll love this side! We tried Esme's creamy potato enchiladas and DANG they were good. The basmati white rice was cooked and flavored to perfection. Maybe a sour cream verde sauce on Esme's would be good, too! My friend got Brian's Alambra plate which was the winner. I've never tasted so much savory delicious flavor in one bite. I couldn't even speak. WELL DONE BRIAN!!! Derrick at the bar took very good care of us. I have never said this: I will try every single item on the menu in the next 10 years. This place should be on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. It deserves more recognition. Texas has lots of great Mexican food, but this place is hands down the best. Please El Dorado make sure it doesn't go to your head. Hire good people and don't let your recipes fall into the wrong hands. Can't wait for next time!

    So phenomenal. Highlights for me:…read more (1) Massive animal adoption focus. So many print outs for adoptable dogs and cats in the Austin area, especially pit bulls. Hurray! (2) Incredible queso. This is the thinner white queso variety. (3) Delicious salsas. We did the 6 salsa sampler and all here so good. (4) Great house chips. Substantial but also very light and crispy. Perfect for dipping but never feel heavy. (5) Amazing carnitas. Here from California where we have great carnitas and these topped them all. So extremely crispy but still tender. Staff is also very friendly. So glad we stopped in here for lunch.

    Photos
    Eldorado Cafe
    Eldorado Cafe - Dart Bowl Enchiladas

    Dart Bowl Enchiladas

    Eldorado Cafe - Cocktails

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    Cocktails

    La Piscina - honey chipotle bowl with steak

    La Piscina

    4.3(259 reviews)
    5.1 mi•Warehouse District, Downtown
    •$$$

    I just found my new favorite restaurant in Austin! These were the best steak and chicken fajitas…read moreI've ever had in my whole life. Fajitas are a go to for me so this is the ultimate compliment I can pay. The pineapple sorbet, chocolate flan, and churro desserts were off the charts. The chips, oh my God, the chips. I've never had fresh chips made like this before, and the guacamole was unlike any I've ever had, just phenomenal. The server was just adorable and the design of the restaurant was impeccable. I just can't state enough how much I love this place! It's a little pricier, but worth every penny. Great for business meals or dates, or celebration meals- I would say business casual or nicer would be dress. There is valet parking available and it's inside the Austin Proper Hotel. Verdict:: FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC !!!!!

    I've been here a few times now, and every visit has been a great experience. Friday was no…read moredifferent! Our server, Brandie, was absolutely amazing. She was attentive from start to finish, asked about food allergies right away, and made sure everything went perfectly for our special occasion. She checked on us at all the right times without ever making us feel rushed, and her recommendations were spot on. She suggested the Gulf Snapper Aguachile as an appetizer, and it was fantastic. The tabletop sizzling fajitas are always a must, and the steak arrachera is easily one of the best things on the menu. Great food, outstanding service, and another memorable experience. Huge thanks to Brandie for making our night so special. We can't wait to come back!

    Photos
    La Piscina
    La Piscina - Lobster Quesadilla, Steak and Chicken Fajitas

    Lobster Quesadilla, Steak and Chicken Fajitas

    La Piscina - View from the rooftop

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    View from the rooftop

    La Palapa - tex-mex - Updated October 2026

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