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How do you start your day in the morning? With pancakes and waffles? Yogurt and granola? Or, do you skip the food and go straight for the coffee? Either way, Austin has great places for you to enjoy your breakfast! Read our list to discover the best breakfast and brunch spots in Austin, TX.

South Congress Café

South Congress Café

Bar, Diner, Restaurant, Cafe, American

South Congress Café, Austin
dianaconnolly101/Flickr
Said to have ‘The Best Bloody Marys in America’ according to the Huffington Post, South Congress Café is a modern diner that serves classic American dishes with an upscale, gourmet twist. Enjoy fresh seafood dishes, such as ceviche, oyster shooters, crab cakes, shrimp and grits, tuna tartare, and more. The omelettes are prepared with local, farm fresh eggs, as are the eggs Benedict. Try the Migas dishes, a kind of Spanish breakfast, and their famous carrot cake French toast. South Congress serves brunch daily, as well as dinner. Look out for all of the fantastic drink specials that are offered.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

Bar, Restaurant, Diner, American, Pub Grub, Contemporary

Located in a nineteenth-century home is Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill. The restaurant is a modern saloon with many spaces for a pleasant dining experience. Enjoy one of their delicious plates in the modern Texan interior, out on the warmly lit patio, on the open-air veranda, or in their pleasant and cozy nook and fireplace area. There are numerous choices for both rooms and food. Munch on their chicken and waffle plate, green Chile chicken macaroni, shrimp and grits, or pimento cheeseburger. The menu changes seasonally, so be on the lookout for new, tasty additions. The Sunday Brunch is all-you-care-to-eat, so fill up on their most popular dishes, and take advantage of the supreme drink specials.

Diner

Diner, Bar, Belgian, Fast Food

24 diner ,Austin
Cheryl Coward/Flickr
24 Diner brings a refreshing, modern twist to the classic 50s-style diner. Cozy up in a retro-chic booth and let the friendly staff serve you one of their delicious menu items. Some local favorites include the Belgian waffle sandwich, sweet potato hash, bacon and cheddar frittata, bacon Gorgonzola burger, and biscuits and gravy. The menu also features lunch appetizers, sandwiches, entrée dinners, fresh salads, and larger breakfast platters. For a small bite, try their oatmeal, yogurt parfait, skillet fries, or apple-wood bacon. Taking a page from the classic diner handbook, 24 Diner offers nearly ten ice-cream milkshakes; try the chocolate cherry, coconut cream, roasted banana and brown sugar, or peanut butter and chocolate. The milkshakes, along with their coffee or tea, are perfect to finish off a delicious meal.

Bouldin Creek Café

Cafe, Vegetarian, Vegan

Bouldin Creek is the ultimate community café. The healthy breakfast spot serves a vegetarian and vegan menu, which features local cage-free eggs and organic, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Try their potato leek omelette, tamale breakfast, tofu chorizo tacos, and homemade granola. The salads and sandwiches are also fresh, filing options for a brunch meal. Pair your plate with a tasty coffee or refreshing smoothie, and enjoy them both out on the patio in the garden. The green surroundings perfectly reflect the healthy meal, and create a lovely morning ambiance. Bouldin also hosts a monthly art show where they display the work of local up and coming artists. The events bring the community together and are a great way to showcase undiscovered talent.

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue

Restaurant, Bar, Sandwich Shop, BBQ

Magnolia Café
©Turlach MacDonagh/Flickr
When most people imagine barbecue, they probably picture bibs, tear away tablecloths, and messy, saucy food. Luckily, Lamberts provides all of the delicious meals we love, but in an upscale and classy environment. The menu features smoked, slow-cooked BBQ premium beer, and classic Texan dishes. Come in for brunch and enjoy brown sugar and coffee rubbed brisket, hanger steak eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, and the herb omelette. Drinks include white sangria, a cucumber gimlet, and a pineapple mint julep. In addition to the made-to-order menu, Lamberts offers a deluxe buffet; look out for deviled eggs with caviar, house smoked salmon, apple-wood smoked bacon, cheddar and roasted poblano grits, and fresh fruit and berries.

Magnolia Café

Cafe, Diner, Bistro, American

You’d be crazy not to visit Magnolia Café. Everyone loves it! This includes the President of the United States, who stopped by the local café during a visit to Austin — so what makes Magnolia Café so special? Perhaps it’s their delicious gingerbread pancakes, breakfast tacos, or one of the 12 kinds of omelettes they serve. Or maybe it’s the fact that their menu is a perfect combination of classic American favorites and creative Tex-Mex dishes. Not only is Magnolia open all day, everyday, but they also have a special gluten-free menu! So, stop by – day or night – and feast on your favorite breakfast. You never know who you might see!
Address and Telephone: 1920 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX, USA

Blue Dahlia Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, Belgian, French

Blue Dahlia Bistro, Austin
C.C. Chapman/Flickr
Blue Dahlia Bistro serves fresh French bites, small plates, tartines, and more. Snack on warm croissants, organic egg frittata, crepes, and Belgian waffles. In addition to fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt, a popular menu item is the tartine. Tartines are a kind of open-faced sandwich; order one with smoked salmon, proscuitto, organic egg salad, roast beef, hummus and avocado, roasted turkey, and more. Being a French restaurant, the wine and desserts are sublime and definitely worth a taste. Order a refreshing glass of red or white and pair it with the bread pudding, crème brulee, sweet potato soufflé, or macaron plate. Blue Dahlia Bistro is a fantastic choice for local, farm to table food with a foreign twist.

Kerbey Lane Café

Cafe, Coffee Shop, Pastry Shop, Restaurant, American

Kerbey Lane Café is dedicated to serving its customers in any and every way possible. For starters, the restaurant is open 24 hours a day so that Austin locals always have access to their delicious menu. Secondly, Kerbey Lane has opened at least five cafes throughout the Austin area, so no matter where you are, you can pop in for a tasty bite. Finally, the café menu is so extensive that you can truly eat whatever your heart desires. For breakfast, which is served all day, try one of their signature omelets, breakfast quesadilla or taco, crispy chicken eggs benedict, migas, pancakes, and waffles. These dishes pair perfectly with one of their refreshing mimosas. In addition to breakfast, the menu features gourmet burgers, Tex-Mex plates, sandwiches and salads, and large entrée dishes. Be on the lookout for local art displayed on the walls!
Address and Telephone: 3704 Kerbey Lane Austin, TX, USA

Eastside Café

Cafe, Restaurant, Bistro, Bar, American, Fusion, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Located in a charming bungalow in the heart of Austin sits the Eastside Café. The cozy café serves the most delicious and freshest food — the food is so fresh, in fact, that most of the ingredients are grown in the restaurant’s very own, personal backyard. Eastside serves food all day, and even offers a special gluten-free menu. However, their real specialty is brunch. Indulge in the salmon eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine, apple almond waffles, baked brie with apple chutney, and ginger mushroom potstickers. There are also salads, sandwiches, enchiladas, and creative entrees available. Pair your breakfast with a nice cocktail, such as a frozen lemonade, bellini, or mimosa.
Address and Telephone: 2113 Manor Rd. Austin, TX, USA

Second Bar + Kitchen

Bar, Restaurant, American

Stop by Second Bar + Kitchen for an artisanal, farm to table dining experience. The creative items featured on the brunch menu include steak and eggs, a breakfast club sandwich, black truffle pomme fries, a grilled pineapple and plum salad, and pepperoni soup. Enjoy these dishes and more in a modern American element. The restaurant is elegant but casual, creating the perfect atmosphere for dining. In addition to their innovative menu, Second Bar + Kitchen is also known for their creative cocktails. Order one of their signature drinks, or sample the beer, cider, wine, wine on tap, loose leaf tea, and more.

About the author

Shyla has just graduated Lafayette College. Even though she went to school in Pennsylvania, USA, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Shyla is an English major, so writing and reading are kind of her thing. She also loves all things Disney, pop culture, TV/movies, and Christmas. Her dog Precious is Shyla's pride and joy and you can often find the two of them walking around in the California sun. Last year, she traveled around Europe for the first time and the next place on her list is Brazil!

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