Garden or Cafe? Leona Combines the Best of Both in South Austin
What began as an idea between food truck neighbors has grown into a South Austin cafe and bar surrounded by native plants, water features and room to linger
In Sunset Valley, a peaceful path meanders around burbling water and blooming flowers that butterflies flit between. But this isn’t a nature trail — it’s one of the city’s most beautiful cafes, Leona Botanical Café and Bar.
Leona opened in November 2025 as a long-anticipated collaboration between the owners of Dee Dee Thai (married couple Lakana and Justin Trubiana) and Veracruz All Natural (sisters Reyna and Maritza Vazquez). Back in 2018, the teams were food truck neighbors at Radio Coffee & Beer and dreamed of opening a garden-centric eatery together. “There’s a mutual respect and appreciation among the women founders of these businesses,” Justin Trubiana wrote to TRIBEZA in an interview. “They all come from abroad and started successful businesses that highlight their families, homeland, and culture.”
Building the garden
The team searched for the right space for the project, and finally, five acres previously owned by World War II veteran and philanthropist Betty Grubbs became available (proceeds from the sale started a scholarship program for University of Texas women’s athletics). The land included 90 trees, which were preserved to maintain shade and habitats. With additional landscaping by Campbell Landscape Architecture and Studio Trubiana (Lakana is known for her gardening videos featuring her French bulldog, Mango), the property now houses 20 native species of trees and 60 native species of plants, chosen to show off Texas blooms and foliage at different points in the season. Right now, that means a lotus in the water feature and lots of wildflowers.
“The garden is an integral part of our space and really important to who we are as owners,” said Justin. “We’re nature people and wanted a space where people could spread out, relax, listen to the wind through the trees, the waterfalls in the stream and disconnect from everything else going on in the world.” Justin personally loves sitting on the Leona porch and looking out towards the water feature and bridge, noting that sunsets and sunrises featuring that big Texas sky are something to behold at the cafe.
Leona today
The space has changed quite a bit even in the six months Leona has been open. There’s now a private play area in the back with picnic tables so parents can enjoy a coffee or cocktail and keep an eye on kids. The planned pastry rotation is going well, with Rockman Bakery and Teal House completing stints and Texas French Bread and Sour Duck Market still to come. The team has made operational changes so service is faster and smoother from the existing food and drinks stalls: Dee Dee, Veracruz and Leona (the cafe/bar). The third stall, Bun Bun Burgers — a burger collaboration between Dee Dee and Veracruz — is awaiting final inspection and will open soon.
Bun Bun Burgers will be its own identity separate from its Thai and Mexican founders. Justin shares that will mean different burgers and fries, a fried chicken sandwich, a breakfast sandwich and soft serve ice cream.
Leona is still working out some kinks, like parking: without nearby street parking, the 130-spot lot can be a challenge on busy weekends. But, Trubiana is confident the restaurant will find a solution soon.
Seven years after the idea first took shape between food trucks, Leona has grown into a popular destination that is still evolving. With new additions on the way and a garden designed to change with the season, the Sunset Valley cafe continues to build on the vision that started it.
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