The Top 10 Brunch Spots In Austin's East Side

Austin’s East Side is in the midst of a brunch renaissance. Formerly known as a rougher area, a wave of gentrification has hit this part of town to give rise to a crop of clean-cut condos, artisanal storefronts, and chic dining destinations offering fresh takes on classic Texan dishes, as well as a handful of great Tex Mex and French-infused menus. Check out our guide to the East Side’s most promising brunch options.

Eastside Cafe

Eastside Cafe serves modern takes on classic American cuisine with dishes like Mushroom Crepes, Smoked Salmon Benedict, and Grilled Chicken Salad. Accompany your brunch with the East Side Cafe’s famous ‘Lemosa,’ a frozen lemonade mimosa with a touch of raspberry. Be sure to check out the plush garden out back, which is the source of many of the restaurant’s fresh vegetable dishes.
2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 476-5858

Hillside Farmacy

Mettle

This East Side restaurant offers French-New American cuisine from an inventive menu, and creative house cocktails that are too good to pass up. Mettle’s vast floor-to-ceiling windows and extensive patio, which sometimes features live music, makes this place the perfect brunch oasis. Since every dish on Mettle’s menu is scrumptious, it can be difficult to settle on just one –the best way to enjoy this joint is to come with some friends to share a few plates.
507 Calles St, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 507-0396

Counter Cafe

The Counter Cafe serves fresh, local, and organic food in a comfortable, familiar setting. Although the East Side cafe is Counter Cafe’s second location, the homey feeling and delicious comfort food proves that this hotspot certainly hasn’t lost its original touch. The menu features many traditional breakfast items, as well as some modern takes on the classics. Go for a timeless Texan stack of hot cakes, served with butter and pure maple syrup, or the hearty steak and eggs – or mix things up with the crab cake Benedict, which includes two perfectly poached eggs and homemade crab cakes atop a homemade biscuit.
626 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 708-8800

Sawyer & Co

Sawyer & Co is the home to some of the best traditional New Orleans cuisine right in the heart of Austin’s East Side. Diners can enjoy the signature vieux cafe (an ancho liqueur spiced coffee) and for something sweet and memorable, try the banana foster French toast with butter rum syrup. If it’s something savory you’re after, try the Big Easy omelet with fries, ham, and chili, or the Frenchie breakfast sandwich, which features a combination of two fried eggs, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and American cheese on po’boy bread.
4827 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 531-9033

Hi Hat Public House

Hi Hat Public House is an Austin tavern, drawing in hip crowds with its innovative twists on comfort food, cozy atmosphere, and live music. The weekly brunch menu consistently offers house favorites like brioche French toast with strawberry mascarpone, and steak and eggs with hollandaise and potatoes. For those torn between one of the tavern’s craft brews and a brunch cocktail, we’ve got good news: for the small price of $1, you can turn any craft beer from their menu into a michelada.
2121 E 6th St, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 478-8700

El Chile Cafe y Catina

El Chile’s menu is filled with custom dishes such as huevos divorciados, migas, and chilaquiles verdes. Try the barbacoa con huevos with braised short rib, eggs, guacamole, and pico de gallo which comes with potatoes and refried beans, in case you weren’t already full. Complete your bruch with a ‘Big Ass Mimosa.’
1809 Manor Rd, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 457-9900

Contigo

A relaxed ranch-to-table restaurant, Contigo is a truly laid back, ultra fun restaurant, both dog and kid-friendly. Contigo offers brunch classics with a regional, local twist: after filling up on the signature burger (served on homemade challah), or the rabbit and dumplings, guests should be sure to try one of the delicious baked goods made on site. The pecan coffee cake with bourbon caramel and the cinnamon cake doughnut are our favorites.
2027 Anchor Ln, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 614-2260

laV

laV is a rustic French eatery and wine bar, whose inspirations are drawn from the regional dishes of Provence. Whether it’s a special occasion or just because, this restaurant’s refined French cuisine is consistently scrumptious. Diners can begin their brunch with one of the many cocktails like the Coffee Manhattan (made with rye, coffee-infused amaro, and maraschino liqueur), or choose a bottle of bubbles chosen by the sommelier for a mere $15. Their oven-fresh scones and hand-rolled croissants will melt in your mouth, and the chicken liver paté and duck rillettes are to die for. That’s all before the entrées even make an appearance!
1501 E 7th St, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 391-1888

The Hightower

Brunch-goers seeking something different should head to The Hightower, an East Side bar-turned-eatery specializing in eclectic small plates for sharing and classic entrees with a twist. For vegetarians, the Yorkshire Pudding is a true experience, topped with a slow-cooked egg, zucchini puree, chèvre, seasonal vegetables, and charcoal powder. For those who don’t mind a little meat, the boudin hash and chicken ’n’ waffles with ginger honey syrup are delicious alternatives.
1209 E 7th St, Austin, TX, USA, (512) 524-1448

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