El Chile y Cantina is not your typical Tex-Mex joint. Our flavorful contemporary approach to Tex-Mex dining has paid off with critical acclaim not only from within the Austin community, but as far away as New York and California.

We beam with pride at our appearance in national publications such as Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, and Food & Wine. On any given day we never know who will be sitting at one of our interior or patio tables: food critics, former presidents, actors, governors, national championship coaches, academics, local politicos and Keep-it-Weird Austinites.

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Reservations for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

25 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

(25 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 25 reviews

5 stars

(8)

4 stars

(12)

3 stars

(4)

2 stars

(1)

1 star

(0)

Food

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(13)
great for outdoor dining(11)
fit for foodies(8)

good for groups(8)
great for brunch(4)
great for lunch(4)

El Chile Cafe y Cantina Reviews List

Review 1 for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great experience

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The food was fantastic! We went for brunch/lunch and our whole table enjoyed their food. Their "big a** mimosas" were yummy! The outdoor dining was relaxed and comfortable. Would definitely return!"

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Review 2 for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

El Chile excellent as always

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/09/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We've been going to El Chile since it opened in 2004. It has always been a wonderful restaurant with a friendly staff and great food. They've recently changed and expanded the menu, so it's worth going for another visit if you haven't been recently."

Dined on 5/09/2013

Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, kid-friendly

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Review 3 for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

good food, be careful with

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2013

2007

Dined on 03/30/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"good food, be careful with reservations through open table though. the restaurant had no record of our reservation so we did have to wait to get a table."

Dined on 03/30/2013

2007

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Review 4 for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Good food but slow service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2013

2010

Dined on 03/15/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I really like the food here and have been here a few times. Unfortunately, the last two times that I have been here the service has been really slow. I'd still come back for the food but maybe not as frequently due to the slow service."

Dined on 03/15/2013

2010

Special Features: great for outdoor dining

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Review 5 for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

WE've been going to this restaurant

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/15/2013

2009

Dined on 02/15/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"WE've been going to this restaurant for many years. Food is always very, very good. Great beer and cocktails, but wine list could be better. Service is always excellent."

Dined on 02/15/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 6 for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We went here for day-after

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/15/2013

2013

Dined on 02/15/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We went here for day-after Valentine's Day dinner, and it seemed like every one else had the same idea :). Thank you OpenTable for allowing me to book in advance, we skipped the wait, and we chose to sit in the patio area, even though it was cold. They had these outdoor heaters that were nice and toasty, and I felt like I was having dinner in the Caribbean (that's a good thing!).

It has been difficult for me to stray away from pescado entortillado, just because I never feel like I overate, only that comfortably full feeling.

It was yet another good meal, and honey and I were full & happy. I highly recommend!"

Dined on 02/15/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem

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Ratings-Only Reviews for El Chile Cafe y Cantina

Based on the average of (19) ratings-only reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 4 / 5

4 out of 4 recommend this product

Food

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic