TLDR
Urth Caffé, a Los Angeles cafe chain, is under construction at 1010 E. Cesar Chavez St., the former home of Cenote.
State filings list a $2.3 million, 3,311-square-foot restaurant and an $800,000, 1,908-square-foot bakery commissary at 104 Medina St. Total: $3.1 million and 5,219 square feet.
The owner on both filings is Adam Haidar of McAllen. City drawings name Haidar Properties.
City drawings from November 2024 show 100 seats.
Foundations are poured and framing is underway on both buildings, according to a Nov. 4, 2026 city briefing.
An opening date has not been announced. CultureMap Austin reports it could open as early as spring 2027.
Urth Caffé is building its first Texas location at East Cesar Chavez and Medina streets in East Austin. Two Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings put the project at $3.1 million across two buildings.
Rendering of Urth Caffé from East Cesar Chavez Street, by Matt Fajkus Architecture. Rendering courtesy of the City of Austin.
What the filings show
Both filings were registered with the state on April 28, 2025.
Urth Caffe Restaurant, 1010 E. Cesar Chavez St.: $2,300,000, 3,311 square feet. The scope is an interior renovation of the existing restaurant building plus a wood-framed addition.
Urth Caffe Bakery, 104 Medina St.: $800,000, 1,908 square feet. The scope is converting an existing wood-framed building into a bakery commissary.
Both list a start date of June 1, 2025 and a completion date of April 28, 2026. The costs are filing estimates.
Drawings filed with the city in November 2024 show 100 seats on a 12,833-square-foot lot. A sheet in the Nov. 4, 2026 briefing shows a 500-square-foot outdoor seating area.
Ownership
The owner on both state filings is Adam Haidar, with a McAllen address. The city drawings name the owner as Haidar Properties, the architect as Matt Fajkus Architecture of Austin and the general contractor as AR Lucas Construction.
CultureMap Austin reported that Haidar Properties is developing the site as Urth's Texas flagship and says it holds exclusive statewide development rights for the brand. The company also operates IHOP, Dave's Hot Chicken and Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux franchises in the Rio Grande Valley, CultureMap reported.
Urth was founded by Jilla and Shallom Berkman, according to CultureMap. Its website lists nine locations, in Southern California and Las Vegas.
Rendering of the Medina Street side, by Matt Fajkus Architecture. Rendering courtesy of the City of Austin.
Construction status
The Historic Landmark Commission voted 7-0 on Dec. 4, 2024 to release the plans with comments, according to the meeting minutes.
The building permit for 1010 E. Cesar Chavez was approved June 5, 2026. A plan revision for 104 Medina was approved Oct. 16, 2026. Both dates come from the architects' timeline in the Nov. 4 briefing.
The briefing says concrete foundations have been poured and framing is underway on both buildings. The historic L-shaped front facade is being preserved. Its siding is being removed and stored in the contractor's climate-controlled shop, then reinstalled. Rotten or damaged boards will be replaced with custom-milled cedar matching the original profile.
Rendering of the interior counter at the planned Urth Caffé. Rendering courtesy of Matt Fajkus Architecture.
Site history
The main building was constructed as early as 1887, according to a city staff report.
Cenote closed its cafe there in April 2025 after the property was sold, CultureMap reported. It reopened Aug. 29, 2025 at 1405 E. Seventh St., according to Community Impact.
Opening date
An opening date has not been announced. CultureMap reported on Nov. 11, 2026 that Urth could open as early as spring 2027. A menu and hours for Austin have not been announced.
Urth Caffé's website is urthcaffe.com.
Why it matters for Austin
The project is Urth Caffé's first location in Texas, and the developer holds statewide rights to open more, according to CultureMap. The $3.1 million in state filings covers a 100-seat restaurant and a separate bakery commissary.
Sources
TDLR project TABS2025017638, Urth Caffe Restaurant (registered April 28, 2025)
TDLR project TABS2025017642, Urth Caffe Bakery (registered April 28, 2025)
City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission staff report (Dec. 4, 2024)
City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission minutes (Dec. 4, 2024)
CultureMap Austin (Nov. 11, 2026)
Community Impact (Sept. 11, 2025)
