East Austin and downtown Austin are experiencing a surge of new businesses that promise fresh dining options, hospitality venues and fitness experiences for local families and visitors alike.
Restaurants now open
Smokin’ Dough Pizza Co. launched this fall in the patio bar of Kitty Cohen’s, offering 72‑hour fermented, hand‑stretched sourdough pies topped with artisanal meats and other ingredients.
Wasa at Papercut occupies the space behind the Papercut cocktail bar and art gallery, replacing the former late‑night sushi concept Konbini. The 14‑seat walk‑in bar serves sushi, nigiri, hand rolls and sandos under the direction of executive chef Elvin Jin, formerly of Tatsumi.
Big Al’s Pizza brings a New York‑style pizza experience to the neighborhood next door to Hank’s. Owner Andy Means keeps the shop open daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering slices, whole pies, cocktails and a kids’ meal.
Talisman Coffee Co. at La Holly is a family‑run coffee shop founded by Fernando Alvarado and Johanna Alvarado Barker. The café uses beans from the family’s Nicaraguan farm and pairs them with pastries from Sour Duck Market. Talisman also operates a coffee trailer in South Austin.
Hospitality additions
Hotel Trinity marks the latest venture from White Lodging, a family‑owned hospitality company. The 14‑floor downtown hotel features 258 guest rooms, 20 luxury suites and a rooftop social club for guests only. The on‑site fine‑dining restaurant, The Yacht Club, offers oysters, caviar, cocktails and seafood mains.
Bohème Hotel is a 20‑room boutique property founded by Walker L. Molinare. It includes 14 studios, six signature suites, a ground‑floor cocktail lounge called Sacred Souls and a rooftop lounge, Higher Spirits, with views of East Austin.
Coming soon
Chistā will open in the former Tómalo Grill space near Rainey Street. Executive chef and partner Mojdeh Eghbal plans to showcase regional Iranian cuisine, featuring dishes such as ghalieh mahi, a southern Iranian fish stew, and grilled peach labneh.
Shola is the third Austin‑area restaurant from chef Laila Bazahm, slated for a November opening in the former Grizzelda’s location. The menu blends Indian flavors with Texas barbecue, offering items like char‑grilled bone marrow, smoked butter chicken and biryani. The restaurant’s Instagram is @sholaatx.
ChowChow will operate a residency in the former Hoover’s Cooking building, delivering casual comfort‑lunch plates that rotate weekly. The space is located at 2002 Manor Road, with an Instagram presence at @chowchowatx.
Arts and community space
The Art of Living Group Art Gallery, Mueller’s first gallery, is set to open early next year. Real‑estate broker Viktoriia Jones and architect Lorena Vieyra designed the space, which will include a coffee bar and host events that connect artists, enthusiasts and local residents.
Relocations and updates
Taqueria Chapala has moved back to South First Street after losing its East Austin lease. The family‑run taqueria, operating since 1997, continues to serve barbacoa, breakfast tacos, enchiladas, tortas and menudo.
Escuelita del Alma, a long‑standing Spanish‑immersion childcare center, received a five‑year, $84,390 city grant through the Place‑Based Enhancement Program to help stabilize operations at its new East Austin location.
Closings
Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group’s Spanish tapas bar Kalimotxo will close as the group departs Arrive Austin, where a new lobby bar is opening. Lefty’s Day and Night remains open.
These openings and developments reflect a vibrant local economy that supports families, creates jobs and adds cultural variety to Austin’s neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
