CAVA, now open in Pflugerville's Stone Hill Town Center, specializes in Mediterranean-style cuisine including bowls, pitas and salads. (Courtesy CAVA)
Freshly smashed Wagyu burgers and specialty dirty sodas arrive on Brodie Lane as Pinky’s Smash & Sip opens in South Austin, leading this week’s dining news across the metro.
Elsewhere, Pflugerville’s Stone Hill Town Center welcomes Cava, with Hopdoddy Burger Bar opening next door later this month.
Plus, in this week’s feature, family recipes and Guatemalan pastries in Northwest Austin.
Recently opened in South Austin, this new spot features freshly smashed Angus and Wagyu burgers, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, hand-spun milkshakes and specialty dirty sodas like the Barton Springs and Austin After Dark.
This new Cedar Park-Leander border spot serves authentic South Indian cuisine, featuring an extensive menu of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options prepared with complex, freshly ground spices like star anise, red chilies, fenugreek, cloves, and turmeric, co-owner Rathan Rajendren said.
Opened Sept. 22
14300 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Bldg. 1, Ste. 106, Cedar Park
Located within a luxury cabin resort, this full-service bar and event space offers handcrafted cocktails, indoor and outdoor seating, a covered pavilion, a resort-style pool, and live music. Future plans include adding covered pickleball courts and additional cabins.
This Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant in Stone Hill Town Center serves customizable bowls and pita wraps. Protein options include steak, lamb, falafel and chicken, complemented by a variety of greens, rice, lentils, roasted vegetables, corn, pickled onions and avocado.
This new Cedar Park location features a drive-through and offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas and a curated high-protein menu. Company spokesperson Jaden Hall noted that the restaurant is currently hiring.
Opening next week in Pflugerville's Stone Hill Town Center alongside Cava, this new spot offers handcrafted specialty burgers like the Saucy Seoul and Magic Shroom, chicken patties, veggie options, chicken tenders, salad bowls, fries, shakes and alcoholic drinks.
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, they eventually put the truck on pause, Alvarado said.
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.
On the menu
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. The family also sources and sells their own coffee beans through Tres Hermanos Coffee Co.
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. 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.
What else
Marimbas Guatemalan Bakery & Restaurant will host a Día de los Santos event on Oct. 31.
