The morning after a night of lively celebration in Austin, you’re going to want to tuck into a good breakfast. Grab a cup of coffee inside and hang outside, soaking in the Texas sunshine at these local Austin restaurant favorites to check out.
Although you can expect to wait for a table at the city’s most popular spots, that’s part of the Austin experience. And as always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Magnolia Café
Behind a sign on the door that reads “Sorry, We’re Open”, you’ll find a cozy, colorful interior that makes Magnolia Café a true local gem.
The extensive breakfast menu, from eggs to pancakes to tacos, is available all day and night, or “24/8”, as the staff likes to say.
While the little South Congress location has a weekend brunch menu, both locations have gluten-free and vegan menus.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Another longtime local favorite, the original Kerbey Lane opened in 1980; now there are six locations in Austin and one in Round Rock, and several are open 24/7.
Check out the restaurant’s featured pancakes for the week — maybe Rocky Road, Vegan Chili Cinnamon Chocolate or Gluten-Free Pumpkin.
And if you’d rather skip the inevitable weekend wait for a table, Kerbey Lane uses the Nowait app, where you can get on the list, check your wait time and get there when your table is ready.
Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s started in a trailer on South 1st Street. Now you can’t swing a jalapeño without hitting a Torchy’s Tacos location; there are 10 in Austin alone (and others across Texas and into Colorado).
Order one (or more) of the nine breakfast tacos on the menu, or prove you’re in the know and order one of the “secret” tacos — perhaps the Ace of Spades: a jalapeño sausage link, grilled brisket, fried egg, green chili queso, cilantro, cotija cheese, sour cream and Torchy’s “Diablo” hot sauce on a flour tortilla.
El Meson
The Sunday brunch at El Meson on South Lamar is extensive and impressive. This isn’t cheesy Tex-Mex, it’s food from the interior of Mexico. Load up on all-you-can-eat handmade tortillas and tamales, ceviche, pozole, carne guisado, chicken mole, cochinita pibil and more — or if you must, eggs, pancakes and French toast. Try to arrive early, while the food is fresh, hot and plentiful.
Maudie’s Tex-Mex
Here is the classic Tex-Mex breakfast visitors crave on a visit to Austin — huevos rancheros, migas, chilaquiles, etc. At Maudie’s Tex-Mex (which has several locations) however, the eggs in your breakfast tacos are organic, vegetarian tacos have their own space on the menu, and you can order most menu items gluten free.
Polvos Mexican Restaurant
Polvos is another solid option for a casual Mexican breakfast served all day (although prices increase after 3 p.m.). Eat inside the colorfully decorated 1st Street restaurant or sit on the deck and watch passerby out the window. Tortillas are fresh and made on site.
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