Morning Motivation: The 22 Best Breakfast Places in Austin

In the early a.m., we would never have the nerve to tell you to rise and shine. Mornings are made for groaning and squinting into the dark, and the only thing that inspires us to rise at all is the smell of bacon (or tempeh for our vegan friends). If you’re like us and could use a good reason to get out of bed, head to one of the best breakfast places in Austin. 

Unlike the best brunch spots in Austin — which mostly serve their griddled goodies on Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. — most of these spots open early and serve breakfast — the most important meal of the day — every day of the week. Many also serve breakfast all day because sometimes you just need pancakes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and a late-night snack. (Seriously, we’ve needed pancakes at all these times.)

So, head to these best breakfast places in Austin to satisfy your scrambled or griddled cravings. 

The 22 Best Breakfast Places in Austin

From gourmet to good ol’ fashion comfort food, these diners, cafes, and restaurants serve up breakfasts so good you might stop hitting that snooze button. Read on to discover the best breakfast places in Austin. These Austin breakfast spots are so good you just can’t miss them.

1. Bouldin Creek Cafe 

https://www.bouldincreekcafe.com
1900 S 1st St

Bouldin Creek Cafe serves the best vegan and vegetarian breakfasts in town. They whip up their morning menu fresh each day, and anything that’s not made in-house — like the bread and coffee beans — is sourced from local small businesses.

For a little Tex-Mex in the morning, try the Zucchini and Cheese Migas, featuring eggs scrambled in a spicy fire puree with zucchini, onions, tortilla chips, and house-made salsa, topped with cheddar-jack cheese. Swap the eggs for tofu and leave off the cheese to make it a vegan meal. 

And, don’t forget to order your morning coffee — Bouldin Creek Cafe is one of the best coffee shops in Austin. They serve up classic and creative drinks with any kind of milk you want, including soy, almond, oat, coconut, and dairy milk. 

Opens: 8 a.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. on Sundays
Serves breakfast until: 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 p.m. on Sundays

2. Kerbey Lane Cafe 

https://kerbeylanecafe.com
3704 Kerbey Lane 

This family-owned shop has its original location on Kerbey Lane in Rosedale, but it’s since expanded to seven other locations across the city. So, if you’re feeling ironic, you can head to a Kerbey Lane Cafe located far, far away from Kerbey Lane. 

The restaurant specializes in made-from-scratch comfort food (picture carbs, glorious carbs), and their fried chicken is a thing of ultra-crisp beauty. Try it in their Crispy Chicken Eggs Benedict with fried chicken, poached eggs, Hollandaise sauce, green chile sauce, and citrus-marinated onions, served on a house-made biscuit. 

For something on the sweeter side, try their French toast made with Texas toast. (Buh bye, Paris, France. Hello, Paris, Texas!) 

Opens: 7 a.m.
Serves breakfast until: 10 p.m.

3. Café No Sé

https://cafenoseaustin.com
1603 S Congress Ave

Located inside the South Congress Hotel, Café No Sé serves breakfast on the boujee side. They have a critically acclaimed executive chef, Kendal Duque, who ran some of Chicago’s most sought-after restaurants before coming to Austin. 

Wake up your tastebuds with the creative flavor pairings in his Red Quinoa Porridge with berries, kiwi, cacao nibs, and pistachios. Or, try the breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, marinated tomatoes, almond pesto, cheddar, provolone, and brioche.  

Opens: 7 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 3 p.m.

4. Paperboy

https://www.paperboyaustin.com
​1203 E 11th St

You wouldn’t think food this fancy could come out of a trailer, but seven days a week, Paperboy serves up some of the best breakfast in Austin from inside their stationary food truck on 11th St. 

Revisit Texas‘s southern roots with a taste of the stone-ground grits with roasted mushrooms, pickled onions, kale, cheddar, herb butter, and poached eggs. Or try Paperboy‘s take on Migas with goat carnitas, tomato, jalapeño, cotija cheese, serrano hot sauce, and grilled tortillas. (You can also add avocado, which seems like a no-brainer to us.) 

Opens: 8 a.m.
Serves breakfast until: 2 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 3 p.m. every other day

5. 24 Diner 

https://www.24diner.com
600 N Lamar Blvd

You might have to fight for parking in downtown Austin, but 24 Diner is worth it. Picture a classic diner from the 1950s and then mentally upgrade it with a little something called ambiance. That’s 24 Diner — no fluorescent lights, yes breakfast potatoes (or skillet fries as they call them). 

This diner makes classic Belgian waffles with a traditional yeasted dough that adds a layer of complexity to the flavor. Add a little Texas to this European classic, and try the chicken and waffles served with fried chicken and brown sugar butter. For a gluten-free breakfast, go for the sweet potato hash with roasted poblano peppers, sausage, and jack cheese. 

Opens: 7 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 11 p.m.

6. Cenote

https://cenoteaustin.com/home/
1010 E Cesar Chavez St

This east-side treasure has two locations: one in the East Austin neighborhood and one in Windsor Park. The original location on E Cesar Chavez is in a historic building — Cenote even won an award for their preservation work on the place. 

The restaurant is one of Austin‘s best cafes with incredible coffee, plus a menu that includes local veggies and eggs. To get a breakfast loaded with fresh, local fare, try the Cenote Scramble with tomatoes, onions, arugula, pesto, capers, goat cheese, and sprouts. 

For a lighter option, order the parfait with house-made granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit. 

Opens: 8 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 4 p.m.

7. Josephine House 

https://josephineofaustin.com
1601 Waterston Ave

Another amazing Austin restaurant and one of the best breakfast places in Austin that sources its ingredients locally, Josephine House is tucked away in a cozy cottage in the Clarksville neighborhood. You can head straight to the counter cafe to order your morning coffee or find a shady spot on the patio to savor your meal. 

We have nothing but respect for a breakfast place whose first menu item is a fine French cheese. Try the Brillat Savarin, which has a soft texture similar to Brie or Camembert. It’s served with green tomato, strawberry, sourdough crouton, and Mexican marigold-infused honey. 

For something less savory, opt for an upscale breakfast classic, and try the lemon ricotta pancakes with strawberries, blueberries, maple syrup, and house-cultured butter. (Yeah, they make their own butter — nuff said.)

Opens: 9 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 4 p.m.

8. Magnolia Cafe 

http://www.magnoliacafeaustin.com
1920 S Congress Ave. 

This South Congress staple is one of our favorite spots in South Austin. (During the non-breakfast hours, you’ll catch us here gobbling up three kinds of hot, melty cheese — Magnolia serves some of the best queso in Austin.) 

Try more of their Tex-Mex flavors by ordering their Huevos Rancheros, which are served on a grilled corn tortilla topped with two eggs, arbol sauce, and cheddar-jack cheese, plus rice, beans, and more tortillas on the side. 

Instead (or should we say also because only quitters stop at just one breakfast) you can make the morning sweet with buttermilk pancakes topped with bananas and pecans. They’re exactly as decadent as they sound.   

Opens: 8 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 10 p.m. 

9. The Omelettry 

http://www.theomelettry.com
4631 Airport Blvd 

This no-frills American diner serves up all the breakfast classics, but let’s be real, with a name like The Omelettry, you need to try the omelettes. They’ve been serving up omelettes for over 40 years, and we think they’ve mastered it.

Get your veggies first thing in the morning with the Broccoli Sour Cream Omelette. It’s made with sautéed onions, broccoli, cheese, and a lemon sour cream sauce. 

If you absolutely must break the mold, skip the omelette and try the Burnet Road Benedict. It starts off classically with basted eggs, bacon, and spinach on an English muffin, but this Benedict is topped with queso instead of Hollandaise sauce.   

Opens: 7 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 3 p.m.

10. Snooze A.M. Eatery 

https://www.snoozeeatery.com/restaurant/texas/north-lamar/
1700 S Lamar Blvd

This mid-mod diner is part of a larger chain, but don’t let that scare you off — it’s still one of the best breakfast places in Austin. Their menu features creative pairings of responsibly sourced ingredients. And with locations all over the city, including in North Austin, South Austin, and East Austin, your next morning meal is never too far away.

Start your day with Juan‘s Breakfast Tacos. It’s a build-your-own taco experience that might excite us even more than a brunch-time Bloody Mary bar. 

The tacos start off with corn tortillas, scrambled eggs, hash browns, green chile Hollandaise, and pico de gallo. Then, you choose your protein from options that include lox, chorizo, and soyrizo (among others). Add your favorite veggies, cheeses, and sauces, then chow down.    

Opens: 6:30 a.m. 
Serves breakfast until: 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

11. Patika

http://www.patikacoffee.com
2159 S Lamar Blvd

If you want great coffee and tea to go with a delicious breakfast, head over to Patika on Lamar Street or Congress Avenue. The multi-roaster café also serves up one of the best brunch menus in Austin. Try their breakfast sandwich on a pretzel roll, the salmon stuffed avocado bagels, or basic avocado toast.

Opens: 8:00 a.m. daily
Serves breakfast until: 3:00 p.m. daily

12. Elizabeth Street Café

https://elizabethstreetcafe.com
1501 S 1st St

This café bistro and boulangerie serves up a weekday breakfast menu and weekend brunch that blends Vietnamese and French flavors into one delicious infusion. Here, you’ll find sweet Vietnamese coffees using condensed milk along with café au lait. Don’t miss one of the French pastries like croissants and eclairs, as well as omelets or steamed buns. They also have an incredible pho with brisket and nutella and banana crepes.

Opens: brunch on weekends at 9 a.m.
Serves breakfast until: brunch on weekends ends at 3 p.m.

13. Veracruz All Natural

https://www.veracruzallnatural.com
Five locations across Austin and Round Rock (our favorite is the food truck on South Lamar)

Veracruz is one of the cities best breakfast taco places. Try their migas tacos, which is a blend of eggs and crispy tortillas that is a must-try Austin food. The taco trucks can be found from South Austin to East Austin and feature other Tex-Mex favorites like cheese empanadas, flautas, and chilaquiles. Pair it with one of their agua frescas or fresh smoothies.

Opens: 8 a.m. across all locations
Serves breakfast until: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. depending on the location 

14. June’s All Day

https://junesallday.com
1722 S Congress Ave

June’s offers breakfast options that are suited for all mornings. Whether you want to grab a leisurely brunch or snag a pastry to-go, June’s has something for you. The petite patio is pet-friendly and the perfect place to enjoy a quiet morning with a great breakfast. Try their housemade granola with stonefruits or their Croque Madame featuring gruyere cheese, a fried egg, Paris ham, and mixed greens.

Opens: 9 a.m. for brunch on Saturday and Sunday 
Serves breakfast until: 3 p.m. for brunch on Saturday and Sunday

15. Dai Due

https://www.daidue.com
2406 Manor Road

Dai Due — one of Austin’s best restaurants — offers a breakfast menu that ends at 3 pm for people who prefer to get a late start. Located in Fareground, this taqueria makes tortillas in-house and focuses on wild game and naturally-raised meats including duck, quail, turkey, and seafood. The options here are endless as the menu changes seasonally, but one of our favorites is the Gulf shrimp and wild boar chorizo tacos.

Opens: 10 a.m. for brunch on Friday through Sunday
Serves breakfast until: 4 p.m. for brunch on Friday through Sunday

16. Epicerie

http://epicerieaustin.com
2307 Hancock Dr

Epicerie is a cheerful coffee shop and breakfast spot brought to Austin by owner and chef Sarah Mcintosh. Try the pastrami muffin or the eggs Roxanne featuring dirty rice, coddled egg, hot sauce, and a honey butter biscuit.

Opens: 10 a.m. daily (closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Serves breakfast until: 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 3 p.m. on Sunday

17. Picnik

https://picnikaustin.com
4801 Burnet Rd

Picnik offers a wide range of Paleo and gluten-free breakfast options. The healthy restaurant focuses on high-quality ingredients that are all corn-free, soy-free and peanut-free.

Their flagship Austin location features a full butter coffee menu, bone broth, and breakfast delights like their Harvest Hash. Filled with sweet potatoes, spinach, sausage, and toasted pecans it’s a real treat! If you’re looking for something sweet, try their hotcakes or French toast baked with homemade bread and drizzled with maple syrup and berries.

Opens: daily at 8 a.m. for grab and go breakfast tacos; brunch Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.

18. Sixth and Waller

https://eastaustinhotel.com/food-drink/6th-and-waller/
1108 East Sixth St.

Located in the newly opened East Austin Hotel, hip spot Sixth and Waller serves breakfast tacos, queso eggs benedict and steak and eggs. It’s a newbie compared to some of these other iconic spots, but it’s still one of the best breakfast places in Austin. Their blueberry cream cheese French toast is to die for and there are several vegan choices for patrons as well including popular ingredients such as kale and avocado.

Opens: 9 a.m. daily
Serves breakfast until: 4 p.m. daily

19. Phoebe’s Diner

https://www.phoebesdiner.com
533 West Oltorf St

Phoebe’s Diner is a classic diner that serves up greasy spoon fare. It’s a great place to head after a long night on the town or when you’re craving some comfort breakfast food. They offer a menu that blends Texas BBQ favorites with classic American diner fare using their lovingly-named smoker called Flapjack.

Opens: 7 a.m. daily
Serves breakfast until: 3 p.m. daily

20. TacoDeli

https://www.tacodeli.com
6 locations across Austin 

Looking for breakfast tacos in Austin? Head over to TacoDeli to indulge in one of Austin’s most famous bites. Some fo our favorites include the Migas taco and the Barbacoa Madruguera. Bet of all, you can build your own taco, choosing form a large list of ingredients so every visit offers something new to try.

Opens: 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends
Serves breakfast until: 11 a.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends

21. Bird Bird Biscuit

https://www.birdbirdbiscuit.com
2701 Manor Rd | 1401 W Koenig Lane

Bird Bird Biscuit is a takeout joint offering fresh chicken and biscuits. Try the Queen Beak, featuring spiced and breaded chicken breast with cayenne black pepper honey and bacon-infused chipotle mayo.

Opens: 7 a.m.
Serves breakfast until: varies depending on location and day

22. Juan in a Million

http://juaninamillion.com

This family owned restaurant is legendary in East Austin. They’ve been serving delicious Mexican food and breakfast specials since 1980 — focusing on offering dishes with most ingredients made from scratch. That means authentic, fresh beans, salsa, and tortillas every day. Try the Machacado con Huevo or the Texas Rib Steak breakfast.

Opens: 7 a.m. daily
Serves breakfast until: 3 p.m. daily

Austin Is Always Sunny Side Up 

All this talk of our favorite breakfast food has got us feeling hungry. We think we’re finally ready to hunt down our going-outside pants and get ourselves over to one of the best breakfast places in Austin. 

After all, one of the hottest things about this city is the food. Maybe after our breakfast burritos and French toast wear off, we’ll head to one of Austin‘s best lunch spots or see how our breakfast tacos stack up against the best tacos in Austin. There’s always more to experience in the Texas capitol.