BEST Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Austin, TX.

To be upfront, I'm definitely not a breakfast or brunch person. So most of the time when I go to eat breakfast or brunch food, it's not your typical brunch options! Anyways, here is my list!

Paperboy

Paperboy is arguably the best brunch spot in Austin. Not only do they book up a week out with no reservations, but they usually have a 1–2 hour wait—and for good reason. They started as a humble food truck before becoming a brick-and-mortar, and now they have two locations, though I personally prefer the original in East Austin.

The standouts here are the chicken and biscuit with rosemary gravy, the pancakes with added chocolate chips, the cheddar hash brown (a must as a side), and their rotating baked goods. Everything we’ve tried has been consistently solid, though there have been a few misses, like the sweet potato hash. The true test will be whether they can maintain that consistency across multiple locations, but so far, our experiences have been excellent.

Mother's Ruin

Mother’s Ruin is a new addition to East Austin from New York City. They’re doing an all-day brunch menu in a pub-style setting, but with bright, airy vibes and late-night hours (open until 2 a.m. on some nights). The must-order here is the McMother’s Bagel Sandwich. I wouldn’t say the bagels themselves are amazing, but paired with the smashed sausage, egg, and their house-made sauce, it makes for a really solid bagel sandwich. We also liked the avocado toast, and their fries were perfectly done. Overall, it’s a solid spot for what you pay and what you get.

David Doughies

I’ve said it before, but David Doughie’s has the best bagels in Austin. The chef and owner, who previously worked in world-renowned restaurants in Washington, D.C., now runs a bagel business focused on perfecting the craft. His process is traditional, but he also incorporates Barton Springs Mill grains for a more artisanal touch. The result is a bagel with incredible flavor and texture that still feels unique. He’s not reinventing the bagel—just elevating it with wholesome grains and thoughtful pairings. Beyond the bagels themselves, the sandwiches are excellent too, from the barbacoa bagel to the vegan carrot “salmon” option. Honestly, everything we’ve tried has been delicious.

Citizen's Cafe

Citizens All Day is a new Australian-inspired brunch and dinner spot in Austin. On our first visit, we tried the BBQ Benedict and really enjoyed it, along with their pancakes topped with blueberry sauce. Most of the dishes we had were solid, and the menu balances unique Australian touches—like Vegemite—with more classic breakfast staples. Overall, it’s worth checking out, though I’d like to go back for another round before giving a final verdict.

Mercado Sin Nombre

Mercado Sin Nombre is a little alleyway spot serving masa everything—from Mexico City level–inspired eats to creative drinks. Some of my favorites are the horchata cold brew and the masa brisket biscuits, which are purple, flaky, and seriously delicious. They also do breakfast sandwiches and tacos, though I found the tacos a bit pricey for the size. Their masa Twinkies and seasonal specials are fun too. Honestly, you can’t go wrong here—it’s a great spot for a quick stop.

Comadre Panaderia

This spot isn’t really a sit-down breakfast restaurant, but they’re serving some of the best pastries you’ll find in the U.S. From pan dulce to their new bean and cheese tacos on house-made Sonoran tortillas, everything here is incredible. The breakfast empanadas are a must—flaky, decadent, and packed with filling. You can snack at the small tables out front, but honestly, it’s best to take everything home and enjoy. I usually grab a mix of pastries and empanadas, but I’ll definitely be back for those breakfast tacos.

Texas Honey Ham

Texas Honey Ham Company is one of my go-to spots for affordable breakfast options in Austin, TX. It's a beloved community spot, so expect it to be busy! My personal favorite is their breakfast roll, which features a grilled roll with a fried egg, cheese, and your choice of meat. If you're feeling adventurous, I highly recommend trying their signature ham. Another delicious option is The Benny, an eggs benedict with a twist. It features a honey cornbread muffin topped with their smokey honey glazed ham, an over-easy egg, creamy queso, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro. And don't forget to order a side of their shells and cheese – it's seriously amazing. Check out their menu here.

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ElDorado Cafe

Eldorado is my new favorite spot for TexMex, chilaquiles, and salsas! I first discovered them when they reached out to help with my fundraiser, Dine With Ukraine. The owners are fantastic people who used to work at Taco Deli. Despite not being a fan of Taco Deli, I decided to give Eldorado a chance, and the food blew me away. You can enjoy breakfast items until 11 am, but I also love their lunch options. My top picks from their breakfast menu are the Glorias Chilaquiles and the breakfast tacos, while for lunch, I recommend the breakfast burrito, Dart Bowl enchiladas, and the salsa sampler. I've also heard great things about Joel's Happy Plate. You can find their menu here, and they also take reservations!

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Spread & Co.

This is a beautiful, Instagram-worthy spot located on Manor Rd. While their cheese plates are popular, my personal favorite is the Grilled cheese with melty raclette cheese, and caramelized onions. Another must-try is mortadella sandwich. They offer breakfast  all day, and their menu can be found here.

Proud Mary

Proud Mary is an Australian coffee and brunch spot in Austin that prides itself on using ethically sourced ingredients for their artisanal coffee. While their menu changes frequently, I highly recommend their signature dish, the potato hash. Made with smoked pork belly bacon, a poached egg, kale salad, and bagna cauda sauce (a creamy sauce made with garlic and anchovies), this dish is consistently delicious. The bacon here is especially noteworthy for its thickness and flavor. Be warned, there's no sign outside, so it's easy to miss. Check out their menu here.

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Brooklyn Breakfast Company

I love this food truck! The owner, Ryan, is a great guy who used to work at Peached Tortilla before starting his own food truck. He makes everything from scratch, and it shows in the quality of the food. I highly recommend trying any of his fried chicken biscuits, which change every month. My personal favorite is the Sweet Heat - buttermilk fried chicken, house pickles, sweet heat sauce, and an egg on a biscuit. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, so make sure to catch them before they close. Check out their menu here.

Granny's Tacos

This spot is a must-visit for breakfast taco lovers! The owners are actually the parents of the Veracruz Tacos founders and they make their tortillas from scratch. In my opinion, their tortillas are even better than Veracruz's! I highly recommend trying the mole rice breakfast taco and the migas. Their corn tortillas are also noteworthy, with a smooth consistency and no graininess. Check out their menu here.

Bird Bird Biscuit

One of my favorite spots in town for a delicious biscuit sandwich is here! The Queen Beak (with cayenne black pepper honey, bacon-infused chipotle mayo, and fried chicken breast) is my go-to chicken sandwich. I also recommend getting an order of their dough doughs! They also have delicious biscuits and gravy. Check out their menu here.

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Jack Allens

Unfortunately, Jack Allen's no longer offers the brunch buffet, which is a bummer. Nonetheless, their brunch is still a must-try. They serve similar fare to Moonshine's, including their popular barbacoa eggs Benedict. Overall, the food here is delicious! Brunch is available on Saturdays from 11AM to 3PM and Sundays from 10:30AM to 3PM. You can view their menu here.

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Snooze

While Snooze isn't technically an Austin original, I can't help but mention it. The Eggs Benedict are my absolute favorite in town, especially the Ham Benedict III (featuring shaved Tender Belly ham, perfectly poached cage-free eggs, and house-made smoked cheddar hollandaise). I usually opt for breakfast sausage and bacon, and the Tender Belly bacon here is a standout. I appreciate that they provide Sir Kensington Ketchup and Yellow Bird Sauce as well. Additionally, the seasonal pancakes are always a hit. Pro-tip: ask for your hash browns to be cooked thin and crispy. I do want to note that quality has dipped considerably since I wrote this review~ Check out the menu here.

Tamale House

Tamale House is an Austin staple since 1958 and a must-visit spot in the city. Their Tex-Mex menu is classic and I highly recommend trying their chicken tamales with mole and enchiladas. They have plenty of patio seating and offer free validated parking for customers. Check out their menu here.

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Hillside Farmacy

Hillside Farmacy is located in East Austin and serves American-style breakfast dishes with some French influences. It's a great spot if you're visiting Austin or looking for a nice meal. While not perfect, their mac and cheese and pancakes are worth trying. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm and they take reservations. Check out their menu here.

Moonshines

Moonshine's Sunday brunch buffet is an iconic experience that runs from 9 am to 2 pm every Sunday at their downtown location. While it's been a while since my last visit, they serve delicious Southwestern-style food. I highly recommend trying their hot chocolate as well! Check out their menu, which includes pricing information, here.

Nervous Charlies $

Nervous Charlie's is a great spot for bagel sandwiches in Austin, TX . The logo and name are actually inspired by the owner's dog. My favorite options are the everything bagel and the poppy seed bagel. I highly recommend trying their breakfast sandwiches, such as the Longhorn (2 fried eggs, cheddar cheese, breakfast potatoes, Charlie's hot sauce (contains dairy), and your choice of protein), the Big Apple (Turkey, sliced apple, brie cheese, and honey mustard), the Empire (Fried chicken cutlet, bacon, coleslaw, mozzarella cheese, and Russian dressing) pictured, or the Classic (2 fried eggs and your choice of protein and cheese). You can also grab some bagels to go - they sell out fast, but I believe you can order online. Check out their menu here.

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Here are some other spots for breakfast/brunch that I have not tried (Phoebes, and Sawyer and Co) I will continue to update this list as I try more spots that I like!

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