This week in Austin food, things are pleasantly low-key. A well-known ramen restaurant will be temporarily closed, and some local breweries are giving folks new reasons to stop by.
Openings and closings
Michi Ramen, a local restaurant with three locations across Austin, announced that it is finally leaving its South Lamar pickup location for a new home farther southwest in Oak Hill. The new spot (6330 W 290 #102) is in a strip mall off the highway, just before crossing William Cannon Drive on the way out of town. The Instagram announcement said the move is "not the best timing," but the team decided not to renew the South Lamar lease "at the updated rate." The last day at the current location is January 30, and the reopening date hasn't been set yet, as the new space needs some renovations. Not much else is changing: the ramen will still be available for pick-up only, and the kitchen will maintain the same hours and current delivery radius.
Locals who have been enjoying the relatively new restaurants Powder Room, Toasty Badger, and Manny's can now task the hospitality team with their own events following the launch of Studio Lobos, its catering and events division. A press release counts weddings, intimate dinners, and large-scale brand activations among Studio Lobos' capabilities. The team offers food, cocktails, and even design, concept development, and other event coordination. Interested parties can start submitting inquiries now.
ICYMI: Since last week's Food News column, we heard about a second location for Baldinucci Pizza Romana at the Domain Northside and another second Austin-area location for Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in Pflugerville. Plus, we caught up with former Thai truck Kiin Di about the new brick-and-mortar restaurant and expanded hours, and we learned that the New York dim sum restaurant RedFarm had quietly closed its Austin outpost.
Other news and notes
Meanwhile Brewing is a local favorite for events, and now that includes a new running club using Strava, a running, hiking, and cycling tracker app. There will be monthly challenges with awards to pick up at the brewery when runners reach certain goals: in January, running 90 minutes gets a visitor 90 percent off their first beverage. More collaborations and events are coming soon. In the meantime (pun intended), the first 50 people to follow and join Meanwhile Mile Collective in person each day at the Spurs International Half Expo at the Palmer Events Center (January 16 and 17) will get a free Meanwhile branded BOCO Gear running hat. Others can purchase the hat ($35) at the taproom and online.
Cousin Louie's, an Italian restaurant out on the edge of Austin near Dripping Springs, had some of our favorite dishes of 2025; now there are new eats to try, inspired by traditional Roman dishes. This regional menu will be available in addition to the regular menu through the end of February, offering stracciatella alla Roma (like Italian egg drop soup), fried artichokes hearts with lemon aioli, braised lamb with white wine and roasted potatoes, and bucatini amatriciana, which is famous for pairing lightly cooked tomatoes with guanciale.
Austinites looking for something refreshing early in the year can stop by any Central Market from now until January 27 for the grocery store's annual Citrus Fest. Of course there will be some deals on citrus fruits, but the fun part is browsing all the special prepared foods and zesty snacks, from citrus-marinated meats and seafood, to newly stocked Hawaiian sodas, citrus flavored bulk nuts, a lemon Southwest turkey salad in prepared foods, and lemon crunch croissants. To see all the specials and featured products, go to centralmarket.com.
To celebrate its 9th anniversary January 17, Lazarus Brewing Co. on E. 6th Street is throwing a party centered around a fun drinking tradition: beer poking. Inserting a very hot iron rod into the beer caramelizes the brew and brings out toasty flavors and an extra frothy head. The team will be offering it for free to anyone who buys one of four Imperial Stouts: the St. Pete's (classic), the St. Pierre (Banana French Toast), the San Pedro (Mexican Hot Chocolate), and the Santa Maria (with Nicaragua La Bastilla Coffee). There will also be live music, new merch, raffles, a beer release, a s'mores pit, and more.
