Several restaurants, two hotels and a cycling studio have recently opened in East Austin and downtown, and more businesses are on the way.
Check out these businesses that are now open, coming soon or in the news.
Now openSmokin’ Dough Pizza Co.
The sourdough pizza concept opened at Kitty Cohen’s patio bar this fall. Smokin’ Dough serves 72-hour fermented, hand-stretched pizzas topped with artisanal meats and other items.
Wasa at Papercut
The 14-seat walk-in bar opened in the space behind the cocktail bar and art gallery Papercut, replacing late-night sushi concept Konbini. The spot serves sushi, nigiri, hand rolls and sandos, led by executive chef Elvin Jin of Tatsumi.
Opened Sept. 18
908 E. Fifth St., Ste. 107, Austin
Instagram: @wasaatx
Rival Studios
The indoor cycling studio from co-founders Fabiola and Charles Divins offers group rides on stationary bikes. Instructor-led sessions include 45- and 60-minute rides with different formats, playlists and themes.
Big Al’s Pizza
Hank’s owner Andy Means opened a New York-style pizza spot next door. Big Al’s is open daily from 3–10 p.m., with slices, whole pies, cocktails and a kids meal.
Talisman Coffee Co. at La Holly
Fernando Alvarado and Johanna Alvarado Barker’s family-run Talisman Coffee Co. brings coffee to La Holly using beans from the family’s farm in Nicaragua, with pastries from Sour Duck Market. Talisman also runs a coffee trailer in South Austin.
Hotel Trinity
White Lodging, a family-owned hospitality company, launched its latest venture in downtown Austin. Hotel Trinity is a 14-floor hotel with 258 guest rooms, 20 luxury suites and a guest-only rooftop social club. Inside, fine-dining restaurant The Yacht Club offers oysters, caviar, cocktails and seafood mains.
Bohème Hotel
The 20-room boutique hotel from owner and founder Walker L. Molinare includes 14 studios and six signature suites. The hotel is also home to a new ground-floor cocktail lounge, Sacred Souls, and a rooftop lounge Higher Spirits overlooking East Austin.
Coming soonChistā
Led by executive chef and partner Mojdeh Eghbal, the Persian restaurant near Rainey Street will draw on regional Iranian cuisine, with dishes such as ghalieh mahi, a southern Iranian fish stew, and grilled peach labneh. Chistā is taking over the former Tómalo Grill space.
Shola
Chef Laila Bazahm is launching her third Austin-area restaurant in November. Shola, meaning “living flame” in Urdu and Hindi, will serve Indian flavors combined with Texas barbecue. The menu features chargrilled bone marrow, smoked butter chicken and biryani. Shola is moving into the former Grizzelda’s space, which opened in 2016.
Opening Nov. 13
105 Tillery St., Austin
Instagram: @sholaatx
ChowChow
Former Olamaie chefs Amanda Turner and Jonathan Sánchez will run a residency in the former Hoover’s Cooking building, serving casual comfort lunch plates that change weekly.
Opening this fall
2002 Manor Road, Austin
Instagram: @chowchowatx
The Art of Living Group Art Gallery
Mueller’s first art gallery, from real estate broker Viktoriia Jones and designed by architect Lorena Vieyra, is opening early next year. The space includes a coffee bar and is meant to connect artists, art enthusiasts and residents through its events and works, according to Jones.
RelocationsTaqueria Chapala
Taqueria Chapala reopened on South First Street after losing its East Austin lease at 2101 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin. The family-run taqueria, open since 1997, serves barbacoa, breakfast tacos, enchiladas, tortas and menudo.
In the newsEscuelita del Alma
The longtime Spanish-immersion childcare center received a five-year, $84,390 city grant following a move to East Austin. The Place-Based Enhancement Program award, one of several totaling $1.2 million, is meant to stabilize its operations at the new location.
ClosingsKalimotxo
Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group’s Spanish tapas bar is closing as the group departs Arrive Austin, where the hotel is opening a lobby bar. Lefty’s Day and Night remains open. Kalimotxo reopened in the hotel in October 2024, as previously reported by Community Impact.
AloJapan.com