De Nada Cantina is officially expanding, bringing its laid‑back Tex‑Mex energy, pink‑cup margaritas, and kid‑friendly taco culture to South First Street as early as this month.
Taking over the beloved El Mercado space at 1302 S. 1st St., this second location marks a major moment for the neighborhood—and for families looking for a reliable, fun, and welcoming spot to land on weeknights and weekends.
You can track opening details and menu updates directly from the official De Nada Cantina site.
Check the official site and social channels the week of your visit—hours and soft-opening details can shift quickly during the launch phase.
SOUTH MANCHACA
Interactive map with permits, restaurants, bars & development data
De Nada Cantina – South First
$$What locals can expect: a refreshed cantina aesthetic with new furniture, bright Mexican décor, and plenty of plants; fan‑favorite tacos and margaritas; and a casual, bustling setting that makes it easy for parents and dog owners to relax without feeling like they’re disturbing the room. For dog lovers building a whole afternoon around South First, it’s an easy pairing with community‑minded spots like Happy Hearts Dog Rescue.
Plan to linger on the patio: it’s one of the most relaxed kid‑ and dog‑friendly setups on South First, especially in the late afternoon before the dinner rush.
This new location also preserves a bit of Austin history. Rather than a full teardown, De Nada’s parent group, 2 Dine 4 Hospitality, is treating the transition as a rebrand of the longtime El Mercado, even keeping select classic menu staples while introducing the playful De Nada style. Local outlets like Community Impact and the Austin American‑Statesman have already traced the handoff, underscoring how this opening blends neighborhood nostalgia with a fresh Tex‑Mex era.
If you loved El Mercado, expect a mix of familiar comfort dishes alongside De Nada’s signature tacos and margaritas—this is more of an evolution than a full replacement.
INSIDER INTELLIGENCE
• This is one of the strongest bets for kid‑friendly Tex‑Mex in early 2026 thanks to its patio‑centric cantina format and historically family‑heavy foot traffic along South First. If you’re mapping out a full weekend with kids, it pairs well with playful outings like Fortlandia 2026.
Do an early lunch at De Nada, then head to Fortlandia for afternoon exploring—parking and crowds are both easier to navigate if you avoid peak brunch hours.
• The South First–South Congress corridor is experiencing a fresh restaurant wave; this opening positions De Nada as the new casual anchor for the area, similar to how buzzy concepts like Baldinucci Pizza Romana at Domain Northside are reshaping other corners of the city.
• Expect stronger weekend crowds here than its East Cesar Chavez counterpart—South First families love fast‑casual Tex‑Mex with walkability. For a deeper look at how other districts are evolving into walkable hubs, check out the boom around EastVillage Austin.
Weekend evenings can mean long waits and tight parking along South First. Aim for earlier dinners with kids, consider rideshare, or be ready to walk a few blocks from side‑street parking.
• Because 2 Dine 4 Hospitality is preserving elements of El Mercado, longtime locals may treat this as a nostalgia stop as much as a new‑school opening, much like they do with other Austin institutions spotlighted by local tourism and news sources such as the city’s official visitor listings and ongoing coverage from Community Impact.
This is a rare case where a beloved neighborhood spot gets a refresh without losing its roots—expect to see both longtime regulars and new families sharing the same space.
Related Austin Data
Inside De Nada Cantina South First: Austin’s New Family‑Friendly Tex‑Mex Hotspot Arriving Early 2026
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