La Piscina Delivers a Coastal Escape in Downtown Austin
The Austin Proper’s thoughtful design and coastal cuisine create a sensory escape in the heart of the city
Perched on the fifth floor of the Austin Proper Hotel, La Piscina is more than a hotel restaurant — it’s a sensory-driven escape that blends coastal Mexican cuisine with Austin’s vibrant energy.
The space hums with the sound of sizzling fajitas and clinking cocktail glasses, all set against sweeping downtown views. But step inside and the glass-and-steel cityscape fades. You’re transported — by scent, texture and color — into a dynamic cantina where every design detail and dish tells a story.
That strong sense of place is intentional. Interior designer Kelly Wearstler, who crafted the restaurant’s visual identity, was inspired by Austin’s artistic character and Mexico’s coastal beauty.
“This city has this incredible artistic energy that’s rooted in tradition yet constantly pushing boundaries,” she says.
Working closely with MML Hospitality and Mexican artisans, Wearstler incorporated handcrafted tiles, richly grained natural woods, and undulating plaster walls to create surprise transitions and tactile textures.
Transformative spaces
The color palette — fiery terra cotta, sky blues, and burnished copper — sits on a foundation of warm whites. A vestibule bathed in pink plaster greets guests with a glow that subtly shifts throughout the day, especially during the gorgeous golden hour.
“Dining spaces should have this incredible sense of place while still feeling completely unexpected,” Wearstler says.
That philosophy carries through to the expansive rooftop deck, where luxe materials and sculptural furniture extend the ambiance outdoors, right up to the glistening pool.
The food, like the space, is immersive.
“It’s very transformative,” says Chef de Cuisine Will Corke. “You’re downtown, surrounded by high-rises, but once inside La Piscina, it’s organic and alive. The aromas, the textures, the cactus-lined space — it feels like a coastal Mexican town.”
That harmony between design and cuisine runs deep. Corke brings a background in coastal and farm-driven cooking. His journey has taken him from New Jersey to Florida to the coast of Maine, where he cooked under James Beard Award-winning chef Melissa Kelly at Primo. There, he embraced a “zero-kilometer” ethos — sourcing ingredients from the restaurant’s own four-acre farm.
Coastal cooking
Now in Austin, as of early 2024, he’s traded French and Italian techniques for a new focus on Mexican cuisine.
“It’s kind of an evolution of my culinary career,” he says. “La Piscina’s food is central and coastal Mexican with a local Austin influence.”
The seafood-forward menu nods to his roots — tartares, dressed oysters, bright ceviches, and a standout hibiscus-aguachile tuna crudo that layers Mexican flavors with Corke’s personal story.
Then there are the fajitas — the restaurant’s most popular dish. These arrive on sizzling cast iron over a live flame, designed for maximum impact. Proteins are marinated individually (pineapple-soy for beef, achiote for chicken), laid over blistered peppers and onions, then topped with melted Monterey Jack and Oaxaca cheeses, charred jalapeños, and a tangy finishing sauce. Freshly pressed tortillas, rice, and beans complete the dish.
“It’s about delivering that ‘wow factor,’” Corke says. “When the plate hits the table, the aromas open up the palate. It’s comforting and familiar, but it’s also elevated.”
From the artful design to the bold, elemental cooking, La Piscina offers more than just a meal — it provides a little escape.