Marimbas Guatemalan Bakery & Restaurant offers a variety of authentic Guatemalan dishes made from ingredients sourced from the family's ranch. (Bailey Meyers/Community Impact)
Inspired by generations of family recipes and locally grown ingredients, Marimbas Guatemalan Bakery & Restaurant serves traditional Guatemalan dishes, baked goods and specialty drinks with the goal of bringing a taste of Guatemala to Austin.
The background
Marimbas started as a food truck parked in a small North Austin car dealership nearly 15 years ago serving food inspired by the family’s roots in Guatemala.
The truck was run by general manager Ronaldo Alvarado’s mother and aunt, yet because they were also juggling full-time jobs, the truck was eventually put on pause, Alvarado said.
“They had a lot of regulars,” Alvarado said. “It was always in the back of their heads that they wanted to start something up again.”
Three years ago the pair had the opportunity to open Marimbas as a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and after a year of preparation Marimbas opened to the public in December 2024.
“The restaurant has really been inspired by my mom and grandma’s cooking,” Alvarado said. “We try to provide a piece of authentic Guatemala.”
Most of the dishes at Marimbas are inspired by general manager Ronaldo Alvarado's mother and grandmother. (Bailey Meyers/Community Impact)Bailey Meyers/Community Impact
The details
Marimbas uses fresh ingredients from the family’s ranch in Manor in nearly every dish, including vegetables, native chilies and farm-raised chickens, Alvarado said.
“We remind a lot of people of their home … how their mom or how their grandma made their food,” Alvarado said. “Using their own ingredients, growing their own crops, it’s just very familiar to our Guatemalan customers.”
The family also sources and sells their own coffee beans through Tres Hermanos Coffee Co.
The coffee beans are available for purchase and are also used in specialty drinks at the restaurant like the “cafe chata,” an espresso and horchata combination.
On the menu
Using ingredients from the family ranch and influences from Guatemala, Marimbas has an extensive menu including breakfast items, Guatemalan street food, traditional Guatemalan dishes, baked goods and a variety of drinks.
Popular dishes include the Pepián de la Abuela, a Guatemalan stew made from farm-raised chickens in a thick sauce made from tomatoes, seeds and chilies.
The Chuchito is another popular item, similar to a tamale. The Chuchito is a corn-husk-wrapped tamale filled with meat and topped with tomato sauce, cheese and parsley.
For those who are not familiar with Guatemalan cuisine, Marimbas offers the Tour of Guatemala tasting platter, which includes a variety of dishes such as chuchitos, enchiladas, a tasting of pepián de pollo and other popular Guatemalan foods.
“Our biggest goal is a shared experience,” Alvarado said. “We love for as many Guatemalan people to come try our food, but we also love when other demographics come through our door and try a different cultural experience.”
Marimbas general manager Ronaldo Alvarado encourages people from all backgrounds to try the Guatemalan cuisine. (Bailey Meyers/Community Impact)Bailey Meyers/Community Impact
What else
Marimbas Guatemalan Bakery & Restaurant will host a Día de los Santos event on Oct. 31.
“We want to bring the Guatemalan cultural aspect to Austin,” Alvarado said.
