News You Can Eat

Nashville hot chicken and fancy bentos box up 12 bites of Austin restaurant news

Hattie B's and Loro, both famous for sandwiches, have developed a collaborative menu.

Photo by Joseph Woodley

During this season of renewal, the Austin restaurant scene is paying attention. From new service styles to new events, Austin eateries are shaking things up. Plus, good news: Most of this week's listings are available long-term.

Openings and closings

A beautiful new upscale bistro called Gina's on South Congress is continuing the European vibes of the former La Traviata space at 314 Congress Ave. Neither fully Italian nor French (a press release calls it "Paris meets Rome"), this new restaurant already offers dinner, lunch, and brunch, and it all sounds luxurious. Menu items include steak tartare, a few different pasta dishes, duck confit, and some sophisticated salads.

ICYMI: A vibrant new hotel, CitizenM, has opened with luxury hostel vibes and a 24/7 dining serving grab-and-go options. Las Bis and Luminaire, two Austin Hyatt ventures by famous San Antonio chef Steve McHugh closed unexpectedly after less than a year in business. Texas Roadhouse is the latest tenant in a New Braunfels shopping center. Nine Texas chefs and restaurants are up for the 2024 James Beard Awards as semifinalists.

Other news and notes

As mentioned, there's a lot going on at restaurants downtown; We'll do it quickly. TenTen, a modern sushi restaurant on West 6th Street, is now offering bento boxes at lunch. Diners can choose an appetizer, maki, nigiri/sashimi, and protein, plus a miso soup. The noncommittal and curious can let the chef decide with a daily box. Across the street, Devil May Care is mostly known for extravagant parties, but is now venturing into takeout for its "Mediterranean-inspired dishes."

Continuing on to Congress Avenue, the cool upstairs lounge Swift's Attic is bringing back its "Big-Ass Burger" special starting January 29. The restaurant will offer a new creative burger (like lamb ribs with a beet-falafel patty and mint chutney) every Monday after 9 pm through March 11. Just up the road, Best Martini-winner Small Victory has repealed its mandatory reservation policy that started during the pandemic and is now accepting walk-ins. Some reservations will still be available each night for larger parties.

Finally, in East Austin, the extremely popular coastal Mexican restaurant Este — whose chef is one of the aforementioned James Beard nominees — just got a little more accessible with a daily happy hour. Deals will be available from 5-6 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and from 3-5 pm Fridays through Sundays on seafood towers, small plates, oysters wine, cocktails, beer, and more.

Austinites craving an elevated, but genuine bar experience can find it at Equipment Room, the "hi-fi listening bar" at Hotel Magdalena. It's kicking off a trendy series — but likely one worth the hype — that works on an "vinyl omakase" metaphor, offering an album played from start to finish for guided listening. The inaugural monthly event on January 28 will feature jazz icon Herbie Hancock's Inventions & Dimensions, and will include cocktails, a preface, and a post-album discussion. Tickets ($50) are available via Resy.

Austin restaurant Loro's regional chef Mike Perez hasvisited Nashville to cook up a collaborative menu with cult classic Hattie B's, famous for spicy fried chicken. The following will be available in all Loro locations from February 1-4: a hot chicken rice bowl; a hot chicken sandwich with Loro slaw and other toppings; oak-smoked collard greens; sesame noodles with hot pop rocks; wonton chips with cheese dip and burnt ends; a frozen painkiller $9; and even a new golden ale. The sandwich and rice bowl are available for delivery exclusively via Uber Eats. Merch will also be for sale.

Holiday shopping

6 lesser-known Austin holiday markets to shop as holiday clock winds down

Photo by Chad Wadsworth

Koko's Beer Hall on South Lamar promises a German-style holiday market with local vendors on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5-8 p.m.

As Christmas draws closer and casual browsing starts turning into urgent buying this holiday season, Austin shoppers can pick up handcrafted, locally made gifts at multiple holiday markets around the city.

Of course, there's always the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar and Blue Genie Art Bazaar, two very large markets and two of the city's main holiday traditions. But if shoppers want to fill the gaps on their lists or try something new, there are plenty of other options.

Some, like Koko's Beer Hall on South Lamar, come with their own seasonal food and drink menu. Others, such as The Merry Market Austin at the El Presidente at Maufrais on South Congress, will cater to shoppers looking for items made in Austin. And some, such as the Bee Cave Holiday Market at the Hill Country Galleria, incorporate family activities such as ice skating.

Here are six markets to shop this holiday season:

Luck on the Lawn pic at Hotel Magdalena Earlier Luck on the Lawn event this year at the Hotel Magdalena.Photo from Hotel Magdalena

Holiday Luck on the Lawn at Hotel Magdalena
1101 Music Lane. December 13, 10 am-6 pm

Hotel Magdalena's free Holiday Luck on the Lawn is a day of free activities, including local vendors such as apparel brand Frankie Jean, Bad Luck Bandanas, Fraulein Boots, and Breakaway Records. Guests can reserve their spot on Eventbrite. Other events during the day will include a morning Pilates class and kid-friendly craft station.

Hot cacao drinks will be provided by Austin's Hijita Cacao. Angel White and Bovine will be entertaining from 4 to 6 pm.

Press Room at Baker Center Print press production at the Press Room at the Baker Center.Photo courtesy of the Baker Center

Hyde Park Holiday Market & The Press Room
Baker Center, 3908 Avenue B. December 13, 11 am-4 pm

This will be the first Hyde Park Holiday Market for the renovated Baker Center, the former Austin school district junior high that is now owned by Tim and Karrie League, the founders of the Alamo Drafthouse.

The event will also be the official launch of the Press Room, an indoor and outdoor showcase of Texas artists and vintage curators. Expect handcrafted goods, artwork, antiques, prints and specialty items. Attendees will also be able to create prints on the building's working letterpress shop. The Press Room has a broad collection of original cinema advertising printing cuts, Participants at past events have created custom movie posters.

Creation by Colleen Creations by Colleen, one of the vendors at Holiday Artisan Market.Photo courtesy of Creations by Colleen

Real Ale's Holiday Artisan Market
Real Ale Brewing Company, 2250 N. US Hwy 281, Blanco. December 13, noon-6 pm

Real Ale Brewing Company will host its Holiday Artisan Market at its Blanco brewery and beer garden. Visitors can expect jewelry, artwork, artisan soaps, stained glass, pottery and baskets. Participating makers include Floriography, Katie Baker Designs, Pouring Gardens, Shango Mecca, Hodgson Studio, Creations by Colleen, Wild Dill Farms , and others.

On-site bites will include Oh My Pizza Pie as well as Real Ale's various brews, including Firemans #4, which was voted No. 1 blonde ale at the World Beer Cup.

Merry Market Austin 2024 Photos from the Merry Market Austin event in December 2024.Photo by Katlyn Gitzen. Graphics by Kate Donovan

The Merry Market Austin
El Presidente Suite at Maufrais, 1512 S. Congress. December 13 and 14, 10 am-4 pm

If you're looking for that Austin-crafted gift for the holidays, the Merry Market Austin is the place to go. The two-day holiday pop-up on December 13 and 14 is a ticketed event and will feature 25 local makers. Vendors will include Abbey Dyed, Abbey Simpson's plant-based eco-friendly printed garments; The Glowbs, eye-catching disco-inspired decor and props; KWOLA, hand-crafted food carriers inspired by family tradition; Lux+ Luv, distinctive Texas-themed jewelry; and Dumblove, casual streetwear apparel.

Tickets, which can be bought at the Merry Market Austin, will benefit Tankproof. Beverages will include both hot chocolate and cocktails made with Austin-based Carabuena Tequila. The first 20 guests will get a Merry Market tote and goodie bag.

Bee Cave on Ice, sponsored by the City of Bee Caves, at the Hill Country Galleria.Photo courtesy of the City of Bee Cave

Bee Cave Holiday Market and Bee Cave on Ice
Now through December 20, Fridays 4-9 pm and Saturdays noon-7 pm

The Hill Country Galleria will be hosting a pop-up holiday market in the mall's central plaza each weekend between now and Christmas. The holiday market will host a rotating list of vendors with handcrafted goods as well as live music each Friday evening. Guest artists will include Havins, Scott Strickland, George Devore, and Mark Chandler. Admission is free.

The City of Bee Cave also will be back with Bee Cave on Ice through mid-January. Hours of operation will vary by day, with sessions on Saturdays and school holidays open from 10 am to 10 pm. The 50-minute skating sessions, which includes skate rental, are $16. Tuesdays are community nights, with discount pricing of $11 per skating session.

Free photos with Santa Claus at Santa's Workshop also are available during weekend hours. Parents are asked to bring their cameras.

Koko's Beer Hall on South Lamar for the Holidays Koko's Beer Hall will offer holiday-themed drinks this month to celebrate the holiday season.Photo by Chad Wadsworth

Koko's Alpine Lodge & Christmas Market
3003 S Lamar. Through January 3, Tuesday and Thursday nights, 5-8 pm

Koko's Beer Hall, which opened its doors in South Austin in October, promises a real Bavarian Christmas experience through the month of December. Local vendors will be on hand Tuesday and Thursday nights, with holiday movies such as Elf, Home Alone, and The Grinch scheduled for Tuesday evenings.

Doors will be open 11 am to midnight most days. Koko's, the brainchild of Nickel City's Travis Tober, also will be open on Christmas Eve, 11 am to 6 pm, and Christmas Day, 11 am to 5 pm. For updates, visit Koko's Instagram.

markets holidays shopping gifts artisans