What’s New in 2020
Now Open: What’s New in East Austin?
Words by Sam Lauron Photos by Cup & Leaf, Troublemaker, Julie Myrtille Bakery, Monarch Liquor, and Taco Bronco
There’s always something new popping up on the Eastside, from restaurants to cafés to shops. Whether you’re looking for a new spot to frequent or want to support the ventures of fellow Eastsiders, these businesses are some of the latest to open their doors.
Taco Bronco
Famed barbecue truck Micklethwait Craft Meats is extending its culinary offerings with a new concept for 2020. Taco Bronco combines Austin’s two favorite food groups, tacos and barbecue, and offers a menu of smoked meat tacos and house-made hot sauce. The new food truck opened in January and is located in the backyard at Batch.
3220 Manor Rd. | tacobroncotx.com
Texas Gamers Lounge
Based in San Marcos, Texas Gamers Lounge opened an Austin outpost this November in the Cherrywood neighborhood. For just $9.99, visitors have unlimited access to a wide range of vintage and modern arcade games, from Pac-Man to Super Smash Bros. The lounge also hosts gaming events and tournaments for those looking for a challenge.
3411 N I-35 | texasgamerslounge.com
Troublemaker
The community lamented the closing of The Hightower last September, but there was little time to grieve as the East 7th Street space quickly re-opened with a new concept: Troublemaker. The Hightower owners partnered with longtime Austin record store, End of an Ear, to create a unique bar and record store that offers drinks, California-style burritos, and records, all under one roof.
1209 E 7th St. | troublemakeraustin.com
Cup & Leaf
What began as a tea-focused blog, Cup & Leaf quietly opened a brick and mortar café in November. The move to open the shop came from owners Nat and Cosette Eliason’s goal of creating a space in which they could share their knowledge on tea. The intimate tea shop sources their teas from all over the world and also serves coffee and locally-made snacks.
1700 E 2nd St., Ste A | cupandleaf.com
Jowa
Jowa is a curated shop of goods from South Korea that carries women’s contemporary clothing, shoes, and accessories. A recent transplant from San Antonio, owner Eunhwa Jung Schriver decided to move her boutique to Austin after participating in several successful pop up events here. The shop has carved out a spot in the shared East 5th space that also houses ARO Jewelry and eleMINT Skin.
906 E 5th St. | thejowa.com
Moontower Cider Company
Established in 2017, Moontower Cider Company recently opened their very own tasting room on Tillery Street in December. The canned ciders are now available on tap in the low-key space that includes indoor and outdoor seating. Patrons can visit the tasting room to try one of their staple ciders like the Semi-Dry, which is made with bittersweet apples, or the Miel, made with honey wine and lemon.
1916 Tillery St. | moontowercider.com
Julie Myrtille Bakery
Get a taste of Paris at Julie Myrtille Bakery, which officially opened shop at the end of 2019. Located in the Springdale General complex, the bakery serves up Parisian-style treats, baked goods, and coffee under the helm of award-winning chef Julie Myrtille. The bakery built a dedicated following from their local farmer’s market presence, so the long awaited brick and mortar is a welcomed addition to East Austin’s scrumptious culinary scene.
1023 Springdale Rd. | juliemyrtille.us
OMG Squee
East Austin welcomed another bakery into town with the opening of OMG Squee last November. The bakery, which is known for its animated, playful designs that often depict characters or pop culture icons (ahem, Lizzo), serves up its signature macaroons, Japanese jiggly cheesecakes, and Taiyaki ice cream out of their Bolm Road space it shares with Old Rail Coffee Pub.
4607 Bolm Rd. | omgsquee.club
