6 Best New Year, New Places

Hot New Places to Check out this Year

Words Deven Wilson

A new year brings with it a new collection of local businesses as the neighborhood continues its annual tradition of opening more shops and restaurants. From new bars to dog-friendly clubhouses, the Eastside continues to have it all for the locals who live here and the visitors who keep coming back.

Mercado Sin Nombre
East Austin streets are so packed with fantastic food options that they are beginning to spill into the alleyways. Mercado Sin Nombre, with corn as a core part of their menu, brews up their version of Mexican coffee through a take-away window in the alley. Owner Julian Maltby fell for the coffee-corn combination while getting his masters in Mexico City. Now, all of Austin can experience the new gold standard of cafe culture in an alley with atole cortados made with Oaxacan bolita corn and oat milk and masa Twinkie for a touch of Americana as they reconsider the possibilities of corn as the star of the show. mercadosinnombre.com | 408 N Pleasant Valley Rd.

BARk House Social
Austinites and their furry companions can now co-work and co-mingle together at BARk House Social. An off-leash dog park, cafe, bar, and co-working space, BARk’s members can spend hours out of the house with Fido happily nearby, no longer wondering when their humans will return home. Memberships start at an approachable $45 a month, or visitors can acquire a day pass to sample the new concept beforecommitting. barkhouseatx.com | 5022 E Ceasar Chavez St.

Teddy’s Neighborhood Bar
From the tasty team behind Eastside staple, Love Supreme, Teddy’s is taking over the old Thunderbird space in style. With well-balanced and approachable drinks, Teddy’s is the neighborhood bar where neighbors feel welcome without having to squeeze the glitterati out of their cocktails. With mid-century decor, plaid wallpaper, and a moody atmosphere, where else would one want to sip on “Tiny Tinis” for only $5? teddysatx.com | 2200 Manor Rd.

ByCloudia
Claudia Geoly’s curated collection of rare, luxurious home decor and furniture will become the top conversation pieces in your home. From Hollywood Regency chairs to authentic ancient African Terracotta sculptures, Claudia’s fabulous furnishings could be the focal point of a renovation or the missing piece to complete a room. bycloudia.life | 979 Springdale Rd., #117

Cockti Juicy Fried Chicken
Going for the coveted fried chicken sandwich crown, Cockti is twisting what people can expect fried chicken to taste like. The seasoning on the chicken changes the game as they coat it with a dry rub made out of Oaxacan peppers. They also make a sandwich with Szechuan spices and another with chipotle cinnamon. Visiting Cockti will make anyone reconsider if the Colonel even knows how to season his chicken. @cockti_jfc_ | 2701 E MLK Jr. Blvd.

Radius Butcher & Grocery
Filling the void left by Salt & Time, Radius brings farm-to-table cuts of meat back to East Seventh. They’re stocking shelves with locally sourced everything, ranging from farm-fresh eggs, organic produce, and locally pastured meats to wild-caught Gulf seafood. Fresh takes on a whole new meaning at the radical Radius Butcher & Grocery. eatradius.com | 1912 E 7^th St.

New Year, New Spaces
In 2025, Austinites can expect to see some new brick-and-mortars from local favorites such as Granny’s Tacos, Micklethwait Craft Meats, and Spread & Co. Granny’s will move into the space next to their truck with a coffee service dining room, bar, and lounge, while Micklethwait will take the religious experience of their barbecue into a former chapel on Tanney Street. Meanwhile, Spread & Co. will move into the former Lola’s Donuts space in Cherrywood.