Austin's dynamic food landscape continues to evolve with the announcement of Swedish Hill's expansion. Taking over the previous location of Chicago-based chain Foxtrot, the bakery/cafe/deli is known for its diverse offerings ranging from pastries and breads to sandwiches and rotisserie chicken. Eater Austin reports that the new location at 1804 South First Street is slated to open in early 2025, promising a menu replete with options for both dine-in and takeout. Beer and wine are also expected to be on the list.
Mark your calendars for the Swedish Hill's grand opening, which plans to welcome Austinites to its flagship location. As per CultureMap Austin, a temporary move to a smaller Sixth Street location occurred in January, yet this latest venue is a separate entity from the one projected for Sixth Street in 2026. Moorman Lambert Hospitality Group (MML), the parent group behind Swedish Hill, is also juggling additional expansion projects, including an outpost in the Westlake area and the first Swedish Hill outside of Texas in Aspen, Colorado.
Elsewhere on the hospitality front, notable changes are occurring at The Thompson and Tommie Austin hotels. Formerly hosting Diner Bar and Grey Market, both venues have been internalized to bring forth new food and beverage concepts. The Royale Room, an upscale cocktail bar, and Fifth Street Diner an approachable yet refined option for breakfast and lunch, are replacing the previous establishments, as evidenced by their recent openings mentioned by CultureMap Austin. Moreover, the official websites of both the Royale Room and Fifth Street Diner are the go-to sources for additional details on their offerings and hours of operation. With the Royale Room’s grand opening celebrating with happy hour specials, the date is set for October 4, welcoming patrons to indulge in a classic yet eclectic mix of food and drinks.
Moving towards a cultural note, El Naranjo is catering to those commemorating Día de los Muertos with authentic Mexican pan de muerto available for preorders, as reported by CultureMap Austin. The bread will be up for grabs from October 31 to November 2, with an ordering deadline of October 29. Adding to the festivities, Sí Baby-Q, a unique Chinese-Texan barbecue truck, is extending its hours till midnight on ACL Fest nights, along with hosting burger pop-ups with guest chefs from across the nation. Tickets and walk-up options are available for these limited engagements with further details accessible on Resy.
