The Best Breakfast and Brunches in Austin, Texas

If you've spent anytime in Austin, you know that there's no shortage of eating establishments. However, I hold a special place in my heart for breakfast and I am one of those people who can have breakfast at any time of day. I've pulled together some of my favorite spots, in the hopes you'll get a chance to try each out for yourself.

The Omelettry

The Omelettry has been around for quite a while, figuring heavily in late night breakfast runs, after I'd had my fill of studying and sleeping just seemed way too obvious. Though the name indicates that eggs are probably in the offing, it is the Omelettry's pancakes for which patrons are willing to wait upwards of 30 minutes for. Once seated and staring down into the golden brown face of pancake love, the wait is rewarded many times over. After 30 years of serving breakfast, the Omelettry has it down to a science. If you're like me and you remember Austin before it's trendsetter status, then happen by the Omelettry for a nostalgic look back and a darn good plate of pancakes to boot.

$3.50 - $4.50
4811 Burnet Rd
512-453-5062

Magnolia Café

Another Austin mainstay, the Magnolia Café, has built legions of fans by boasting an outlandish array of breakfast choices that are suitable for any palate. Two of my personal favorites are their gingerbread pancakes with maple syrup and the signature Magnolia omelette. Be warned; if you order the Magnolia omelette bring your appetite to bear. The omelette consists of fluffy eggs stuffed to the brim with black olives, buttery avocado, creamy cheddar and jack cheeses and fresh tomatoes. All of that is topped with Magnolia's rich lemon sour cream sauce. Each omelette is served with your choice of two sides. If you prefer, you can swap a short stack of pancakes for your sides for an additional 95 cents.

$7.50
1920 S. Congress Ave.
512-445-0000
2304 Lake Austin Blvd
512-478-8645
http://www.cafemagnolia.com

Flip Happy Crepes

Craving Crepes? Unfortunately you'll have to hold off until August 14. Flip Happy Crepes is closed for summer break through August 13. As it turns out, that's only a few days hence. I'll just whet your appetite, in anticipation. Come August 14, you can creep on over to Flip Happy Crepes and get your nosh on. Situated in a trailer on Jessie St, Flip Happy serves fullsized crepes that are enough to satisfy even a big appetite. Before you go, be sure to check the website. Hours may vary. Owners Nessa Higgins and Andrea Day Boykin, whipped world renowned Chef Bobby Flay, when he challenged them on his show, "Throwdown," last year. Nessa and Andrea's episode reairs on the Food Network during the week of August 16 so be sure and check them out. Try a perfectly tender crepe filled with fried eggs, smoky Gruyere cheese, fresh scallions and a drizzle of Mornay sauce. Yeah! That's good eating. If you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, then try one of their sweet crepes. My personal fave is the Brownie crepe with chocolate sauce and Chantilly cream, however, I also strongly recommend the Nutella with fresh bananas.

$4.50
400 Jessie St
512-552-9034
http://www.fliphappycrepes.com

Galaxy Café

In this Galaxy, real men eat quiche and they like it. So will you. The Canadian bacon and leek quiche is incredibly uncomplicated and simply delicious. Fluffy eggs, fresh leeks and Canadian bacon create a hearty meal whether you stop to chat and chew or you grab and go. For a few dollars more add a seasonal fresh fruit bowl and some of the best Ciabatta toast, this side of Italy. Check out the website to see other menu offerings.

$3.95
47^th @ Guadalupe
512-323-9494

1000 W. Lynn St
512-478-3434

9911 Brodie Ln
512-233-6000
http://galaxycafeaustin.com

South Congress Café

If you love your carrot cake like I love my carrot cake, but you've been wondering how you could make it even better, then you've come to the right place. South Congress Café has solved your dilemma. Have it for brunch, grilled in a cinnamon-vanilla egg batter. Slather it with an accompaniment of thick cream cheese pecan syrup. For an extra $5 go wild with a side of wild boar bacon or venison sausage. South Congress Café is upscale dining, reasonably priced. Check out their website for a complete listing of all their gourmet selections.

$10.00
1600 South Congress Ave
512-447-3905
http://www.southcongresscafe.com

Kerbey Lane Café

An Austin original, Kerbey Lane has seen me through numerous late night study sessions and meaning of life confabs. In fact, anyone who has spent longer than a week in Austin, has at least heard of Kerbey Lane. If you haven't made it there yet, I recommend making your way over there. If you've got breakfast and/or international relations on your mind, Kerbey Lane offers their Paris,Texas platter. The platter consists of a heaping helping of cheesy crispy migas. I recommend giving them a dousing in Kerbey Lane's smooth creamy queso. Along side the migas is a hearty helping of crisp tender French toast. It's like Détente on a plate.

$8.00
3704 Kerbey Lane
512-451-1436

2700 S. Lamar Blvd.
512-445-4451

2606 Guadalupe St
512-477-5717
http://kerbeylanecafe.com

Threadgill's

Threadgill's delivers up Soul music and soul food in equal parts. Threadgill's Riverside location offers a Gospel brunch and a spread just like Grammy used to make. For the Grammy deprived among you, I recommend you high tail it right over. If you like your spread with a side of torch and twang then check out Threadgill's Bluegrass brunch at the North Lamar location.

$10.95 for the buffet (10 am - 1 pm)
301 W. Riverside Drive
512-472-9304

6416 North Lamar Blvd.
512-451-5440

T&S Seafood

Now for something completely different. Perhaps the regular culinary accoutrement of breakfast has become passé. If so then maybe it's time to break out of your brunch shell and go Asian. T&S Seafood's Dim Sum Brunch maybe just what's needed to pull you out of the breakfast doldrums. Dim Sum brunch is served Saturday and Sunday.

$7 - $10 (11 am - 2:30 pm)
10014 North Lamar Blvd.
512-339-8434

Moonshine Grill

Give a taste to Moonshine Grill's Green Chile and Cheese Grits, Homemade Jalapeno breakfast sausage, Buttermilk biscuits with Chipotle cream gravy along with a plethora of other menu items that are sure to become family favorites.

$15.95
301 Red River St
512-236-9599
http://moonshinegrill.com

Café Mundi

Everything but the kitchen sink. Slap it between two pieces of crispy toasted focaccia or a chewy toasted bagel and have at it. Café Mundi amps the breakfast sandwich up to epic proportions. Feel free to start out slow with the basic toasted bread and build from there. Eggs, cheese, migas, some ham, a little turkey along with some sausage for good measure. Accompany with some fresh chips and homemade salsa. Perhaps a Big A$% waffle would be more to your liking. Wash it all down with one of Café Mundi's signature coffee drinks.

$4 - $6.50
1704 East 5^th St
512-236-8634
http://www.cafemundi.com

Chez Zee

Though I have not had the good fortune to dine at Chez Zee, I have it on good authority (read all my foodie friends say) that it's dynamite. My friends went wild over the Crème Brulee French toast platter, which just happened to be featured on a segment of the "Today" show. Matt Lauer recreated the recipe on the show. The recipe consists of Challah bread soaked overnight in a crème brulee mixture then baked and toasted to order. The French toast is served with a side of eggs and bacon or country potatoes. Check out Chez Zee's website for a full description of all the mouthwatering selections they offer.

$16.95
5406 Balcones Drive
512-454-2666
http://www.chez-zee.com

Breakfast Tacos

Though Austin didn't create the Breakfast Taco, they have definitely refined it. Breakfast Taco's are still one of the most reasonably priced breakfast items around. Grab 'em on the fly and get full for a little pocket change. Here are three of my favorite Austin taqueria's. This is by no means, an exhaustive list of good taquerias in the Austin area. These are just the three that I visit most frequently.

Juan in a Million

Stop by here and pick up some breakfast tacos or try some of Juan Meza's other legendary food items. Once one of Austin's best kept culinary secrets, Juan is now getting his due.

2300 E. Cesar Chavez St
512-472-3872
http://www.juaninamillion.com

La Reyna

A quick aside; if you are feeling under the weather and you live in Austin or you happen to be visiting, Get thee over to La Reyna and pick up their wonderful beef soup, called 'Caldo de Res'. You'll be right as rain in no time. La Reyna creates a wonderful array of traditional Mexican breakfasts. They also boast some of the best and most inexpensive breakfast tacos in Austin. I recommend them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

1816 South 1^st St
512-447-1280
http://lareyna.ypguides.net/

Maria's Taco Xpress

Housed in a colorful building on South Lamar is Maria's Taco Xpress. Delicious food and great ambiance make Maria's a must see. Not to mention live music sets every Friday and a Gospel brunch on Saturday's. However for my money, of which I have spent plenty, Maria's Chorizo is the best in the city. Grab a chorizo and egg breakfast taco or three and taste the love.

2529 South Lamar Blvd
512-444-0291
http://www.tacoxpress.com