The Top 10 Breakfast Spots in Austin

Our Local Expert Says:

Known for their addictive breakfast tacos, the morning staple of true Austinites, Juan in a Million often has a line out the door in the morning. No worries though; it goes quickly.

Description:

Located on East Cesar Chavez is this little Mexican place painted all in pink. Diners are instantly captivated by the no-nonsense decor, the comforting bustle, and the warm greeting of its owner, Juan Meza. Family owned and operated since 1981, Austinites flock to Juan in a Million for the Don Juan--a gargantuan taco stuffed with eggs, potatoes, bacon, and cheese, as well as enchiladas and fajitas.

Our Local Expert Says:

This small, low-key diner is do-it-yourself when it comes to a wait list. If tables are full, put yourself on the list and keep track of your place. If spots become available at the counter, go for it--those are first come, first served.

Description:

This funky roadside restaurant, located on the grounds of Days Inn University along Interstate 35, provides a hip late-night hangout for all types. Musicians and music fans alike mingle over omelets, breakfast tacos and a full range of diner food. Students are drawn to it because of the late night hours, convenience to UT and affordable menu items. After 2 a.m. there is often a wait while the bar crowd trickles in. The walls are covered with artwork—not anything typical, usually very eclectic or raw pieces are shown. The atmosphere is laid back and casual with diner booths filling the small space.

Description:

It has been cloned now, three times, but the original location of this Austin icon is still the best place to eavesdrop in town. Its wonderfully diverse menu makes vegetarians and non-vegetarians go happy and healthy. The vegetables are homegrown and pesticide-free, and the beef and chicken are free-range. Breakfast features omelets, pancakes and great breakfast tacos. Prices are on the inexpensive side. The restaurant is open 24 hours, every day. No wonder it is an institution here. There are three other locations in the city: 2700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 (+1 512 445 4451,) 13435 Hwy 183 N, Suite 415, Austin, TX 78750 (+1 512 258 7757) and 2606 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 (+1 512 477 5717.)

Our Local Expert Says:

On weekends, this low-key restaurant attracts many who start the day with a plate of migas and a michelada.

Description:

This restaurant offers traditional Tex-Mex fare all day long. Located in a mall, you generally wouldn't expect the food to be this good or the restaurant to be so popular. Other locations: 1212 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704 (+1 512 440 8088,) 10205 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78753 (+1 512 832 0900,) 9911 W Brodie Ln Austin, TX 78748 (+1 512 280 8700) and 3801 N Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, TX 78746 (+1 512 306 8080.)

Description:

A favorite of the locals on Saturday mornings, this tiny family-owned business is bursting with people willing to wait in a line that extends out the front door for a simple breakfast taco. But their food is anything but simple. The Taco Shack breakfast specialty, the Shack Taco, is filled with eggs, potatoes, cheese and chorizo. Although they can certainly prepare a basic breakfast taco with your choice of fillings, try the Burnet Road Burrito if you are extra hungry and want something to fill you up. For lunch, try the Shack Lunch Special. No matter what you order, you will not be disappointed. Other locations: 8201-B1 Crosspark Drive Austin, TX (+1 512 928 3534,) 4002 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX (+1 512 467 8533,) 2825 Guadalupe St Austin, TX (+1 512 320 8889,) 3901-C Spicewood Springs Rd Austin, TX (+1 512 418 8900,) 12439 Metric Blvd Austin, TX (+1 512 873 7977) and 402 Brazos St Austin, TX (+1 512 473 0101.)

Description:

Founded in the 1950s, Cisco is an Austin institution. This Tex-Mex eatery has served its famous breakfast migas to the who's who. The clientele may have changed but the recipe hasn't. Migas, meaning 'crumbs' in Spanish, is made from eggs, cheese, vegetables and tortillas with black beans, chorizo and avocado chile varieties. Many a egg-hater has been converted by Cisco's migas. Cisco is also a bar, and the Bloody Mary is best had to nurse a hangover, not something you'd want to begin your day with. Migas, fajitas and toasted biscuits--that's all you really need to know about Cisco.

Description:

This is comfort food to please adults and children alike, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will wait for a table, especially on weekends, but the wait only serves to sharpen the appetite for breakfast tacos and gingerbread pancakes, fajitas and burgers, grilled chicken and vegetarian entrees. The kid's menu is vast, offering burgers, black bean and chicken tacos and breakfast items. The atmosphere is relaxed and homey. A second location can be found at 1920 S Congress Ave Austin, TX 78704 (+1 512 445 0000.)

Description:

Located in the La Promenade Shopping Center, it's easier to spot the Kolache Shoppe with your nose, rather than your eyes. Look for the Dallas nightclub and let the smell of fresh baked dough guide you into this days-of-yore bakery. Of Czechoslovakian origin, the Kolache Shoppe prepares its 20 odd varieties of kolache, with an assortment of meat and cream cheese fillings, all from scratch. The kolaches are ideal for breakfast or lunch, given the hefty helpings.

Description:

Since 1978, this friendly little diner has served breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu that pleases the vegetarian as well as the carnivore. Sit at a wooden table, a booth, or a barstool on the white-and-black-checkered floor and taste the famous gazpacho or vegetarian chili while waiting for your avocado BLT. If you prefer morning grub like eggs, fries, pancakes and bacon homestyle, you've come to the right place. The chili con queso omelette is loaded with cheese and covered with jalapenos and even more cheese. Pancakes filled with blueberries, bananas, chocolate chips, pecans or raisins are another specialty. The weekends are very busy, with standing room only a common practice. No credit cards, checks or phone-in orders are accepted.

Description:

Home of the frontera funtido - succulent grilled chicken or delicious marinated sirloin garnished with flash-sauteed poblano pepper and onion strips and finished off with a mouth watering glaze of Monterey Jack cheese. It's so tasty, you might think it's the best taco in Austin! Check out Tacodeli's second location at 12001 Burnet Road, Austin, TX (+1 512 339 1700.)