Launderette is a chef-driven East Austin café at 2115 Holly St, Austin, Texas 78702, United States of America, in the Holly neighborhood. Set in a converted gas station and laundromat, the restaurant is known for Chef-Owner Rene Ortiz’s globally inspired Southern cooking, polished but relaxed service, and a dining room whose repurposed roadside setting gives it a distinct sense of place. Travelers come for dinner, weekday lunch, weekend brunch, shareable snacks, and cocktails on the covered patio.
What to Expect at Launderette
The building’s former-life details are central to the experience: Launderette occupies a low-slung, converted neighborhood service structure rather than a formal downtown dining room. Inside, the café format keeps the mood approachable; outside, the covered patio provides an open-air option well suited to Austin evenings. Reservations can be made for bar seats, dining-room tables, and patio seating, so travelers can choose the setting that fits their meal.
Ortiz’s menu moves easily between Gulf seafood, Southern references, and international seasonings. Recent dinner selections include striped bass crudo with dashi, lemon, oregano, and avocado; fried shrimp with ginger-scallion hot oil and pickled jicama; burrata with honey brown butter and candied pistachio; and potato chips with pimento cheese. From the wood grill, look for chicken thighs cacciatore, a bistro filet with red chimichurri and quinoa fries, sticky pork ribs with sweet-chili sambal, and whole branzino with preserved lemon and herbs. Menus change, so treat those dishes as useful examples rather than promises.
- Converted setting: A former gas station and laundromat reshaped as an East Austin café.
- Chef-led cooking: Rene Ortiz’s globally influenced Southern menu anchors lunch, dinner, and brunch.
- Snacky Bits: Shareable starters such as crudo, fried shrimp, burrata, labneh, and pimento-cheese potato chips.
- Wood-grill entrées: Dinner options include chicken thighs, bistro filet, pork ribs, and whole branzino.
- Covered patio: Reservable outdoor seating alongside the bar and indoor dining room.
- Weekday happy hour: From 5 to 6 p.m., beers, cocktails, and wines by the glass are half price, with discounts on Snacky Bits and plancha burgers.
Launderette at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2115 Holly St, Austin, TX 78702, United States of America |
| Neighborhood / Area | Holly neighborhood, East Austin; near Lady Bird Lake and East Cesar Chavez |
| Operating Hours | Lunch Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–2:15 p.m.; brunch Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–2:15 p.m.; dinner nightly, 5–10 p.m. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission or tickets; meals and drinks are purchased from the menu. Dinner dishes listed online range from $10 potato chips to $44 bistro filet or whole branzino. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 75–120 minutes for a meal; allow extra time for a leisurely weekend brunch. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Street parking is the practical option on Holly Street and nearby residential blocks. CapMetro service on East Cesar Chavez is a walk away; check CapMetro for the current stop and route. |
| Official Website / Phone | launderetteaustin.com / (512) 382-1599 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book ahead for weekend brunch and prime dinner hours, especially if the patio is important to your plans. For a lower-key arrival, target weekday lunch or reserve early in the dinner period; happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. Reservations are available through the official reservations page. There is no ticketed entry, and walk-ins may be possible, but a reservation is the dependable choice for a timed Austin itinerary.
Drive or use rideshare if convenience matters: parking is on the street, so leave time to find a legal space and avoid blocking driveways. The restaurant is in a single-story converted building, with dining-room, bar, and covered-patio seating; no elevator is involved. Contact Launderette before arrival to discuss wheelchair, stroller, seating, or other access needs through its accessibility page or by phone. Pair a meal with a walk at Holly Shores at Town Lake Metro Park, Festival Beach, or the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake, all roughly 5 to 15 minutes away on foot. East Cesar Chavez’s cafés, bars, and shops are also an easy walk west.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Launderette open, and what is the best time to go?
Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., and dinner nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. Weekday lunch and an early dinner reservation are strong choices for a more flexible schedule; weekday happy hour is 5 to 6 p.m.
Does Launderette charge admission or require reservations?
There is no admission charge or ticket. Guests pay for food and drinks, and reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner. Reserve a bar seat, dining-room table, or covered-patio spot online.
How much time should I budget for a meal?
Plan on 75 to 120 minutes for lunch or dinner. A brunch with shared dishes, dessert, and a walk by Lady Bird Lake can easily become a two-hour outing.
Is Launderette suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can order shareable snacks and choose among indoor, bar, and covered-patio seating, though bar seating is better suited to adults. The restaurant is single-story; wheelchair users and guests with strollers should contact the team in advance for the most suitable arrival route and table.
When planning your Austin travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and american restaurant in Austin, pair this stop with standout local spots including Pennybacker Bridge Overlook, Acre 41, Olamaie, and Juniper (0.6 km away).
