Austin's Summer Restaurant Openings and Closings

Austin's culinary landscape is ever-evolving, and July has been a month of notable shifts. From fresh seafood and global flavors to Instagram-worthy coffee shops and ice cream havens, several new restaurants have opened up shop.

But as new doors open, some also close, and a bittersweet farewell is on the horizon. Jim Jim's Water-Ice, a Sixth Street institution for 31 years, is preparing to close its doors permanently at the end of September as owner Jim Moy retires. That means you only have a couple of months left to get your fix of their refreshing Italian water ices.

Here's a look at what's new and what's gone in Austin's dining scene.

New arrivals

Fish Shop

East Austin just got a fantastic new seafood spot: Fish Shop. This new venture comes from the husband-and-wife duo, Justin Huffman (who you might know from Justine's, Uchi, or Uchiko) and Nicole Rossi (former general manager at Justine's). The raw bar is set to be a real highlight, but there's plenty more to explore. To complement the food, Fish Shop offers a beverage program featuring classic cocktails, with a special emphasis on martinis, wine on tap, and champagne.

1401 E. Sixth St. fishshopatx.com. (512) 650-3474.

La La Land Kind Cafe

South Congress Avenue is buzzing with the addition of La La Land Kind Cafe. This Los Angeles-based coffee shop has garnered significant online attention for its mission and aesthetic. Founded on the principle of "kindness," La La Land employs and mentors youth aging out of the foster care system. Known for its Instagram-worthy bright yellow branding, the menu features a variety of coffee and tea drinks, including signature lattes and matcha concoctions, alongside toasts and other light fare.

1400 S. Congress Ave. lalalandkindcafe.com. (512) 284-7939.

Siti

Chef Laila Bazahm, known for her Spanish restaurant El Raval, is bringing her second Austin restaurant, Siti to The Frances Modern Inn. Siti is a Southeast Asian restaurant honoring Bazahm's Filipino heritage and her experiences living and working in Singapore. The menu draws from the culinary traditions of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, featuring housemade curry pastes, char-grilled meats, fresh seafood and broths. Siti's menu is divided into raw bar, smaller plates, larger plates, satays and sides, with highlights like Sambal Striped Bass and Char Kway Teow with confit duck. Guests can also sample desserts created in collaboration with Merry Monarch Creamery and an in-house cocktail program.

1123 E. 11th St. sitiatx.com. (512) 628-7484.

Zeds Westlake

Austin's New Zealand-style ice cream purveyor, Zeds, is expanding its footprint with a third location in Westlake. The new shop opened its doors last week with an event offering free ice cream, live music, and smash burgers from BB's. Zeds has quickly become a local favorite for its approach to ice cream. They craft each serving by blending fresh, ripe fruits with a creamy vanilla ice cream base on the spot. Customers can customize their treats with various fruits, drizzles and toppings, or opt for ice cream specials like the Banana Pudding. Beyond frozen delights, Zeds also offers coffee, beer, wine and tea.

3736 Bee Caves Rd. Suite 8. zedsicecream.com. (806) 782-2175.

Closings

Jewboy Sub Shop

Fans of the inventive sandwich creations at JewBoy Sub Shop on Burnet Road said goodbye on July 20. The shop, which began combining West Texas and Jewish ingredients in its generously portioned sandwiches in 2021, announced its closure on Instagram. Owners cited the end of a lease and the pursuit of "other opportunities" as reasons for the closure. While the Sub Shop will be missed, fans can take solace in the promise that many beloved menu items will be preserved or adapted at other existing JewBoy locations, including the JewBoy Sliders outposts.

Z'Tejas

After more than three decades serving Southwestern Tex-Mex to Austin, the curtain has officially fallen on Z'Tejas. The restaurant chain's final remaining location in Kyle ceased operations on June 30, marking the end of a 36-year run across Texas and Arizona. The brand began 2025 with four operating restaurants. The original West Sixth Street flagship location, a fixture for 33 years, closed in 2023. After earlier expressing intentions to sell the business, owners have now shut down all stores.