El Alma takes its name from chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas, who cooks contemporary Mexican flavors as if guests were dining in her own home. The menu works local ingredients like redfish, lamb, and Texas quail into that approach, landing somewhere between refined and cantina-casual.
The original sits on Barton Springs Road in Bouldin Creek, with a second location, El Alma South, in Westgate — that location's patio is pet-friendly. Outdoor seating and convenient parking are part of the draw at both.
Regulars point to the service and atmosphere as much as the food, and the restaurant has built a reputation as a neighborhood spot people return to rather than save for a special occasion.
The original sits on Barton Springs Road in Bouldin Creek, with a second location, El Alma South, in Westgate — that location's patio is pet-friendly. Outdoor seating and convenient parking are part of the draw at both.
Regulars point to the service and atmosphere as much as the food, and the restaurant has built a reputation as a neighborhood spot people return to rather than save for a special occasion.