AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s new Central Library has all the bells and whistles — the latest being the grand opening of its highly-anticipated cookbook-inspired dining experience.

The Cookbook Bar & Café opened it doors Thursday, and according to its website, features seasonal menus that pull from recipes from the pages of cookbooks created by "revered chefs across the country" that have inspired head chef Drew Curren, with extra attention to flavors of the South and Mexico.

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The best part? You can check out cookbooks while dining. 

“It was important that Cookbook Bar & Café was not only an amenity to the new Austin Central Library, but an extension of it,” says Curren. “I wanted there to be an educational piece that tied back to the menu and the books from which the recipes were published. Not to mention, our guests will enjoy an ever-changing menu with no boundaries!”

Designed by VeroKolt, in partnership with architect Lake Flato, the new culinary extension of the library features 50 seats inside and 75 seats outside on the patio.

Cookbook also offers a coffee cart with a variety of sweet and savory treats. 

Take a look at the menus here.

Cookbook is located at 710 W. César Chavez St.

Hours are Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. The rooftop coffee cart is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday 12-3 p.m. 

The Austin Central Library features two levels of underground parking with 140 public parking spaces. The entrance is on West Avenue. The parking garage opens at 9:30 a.m. and is enforced 24/7. Parking is not validated. If the lot if full, park at City Hall or on the street (with city pay stations). View map of downtown parking options.