Have You Done Brunch at These 6 Local Restaurants in Austin?

Fried chicken sandwich at Native

Brunch is a way of life. There's an art to finding the perfect place, with the perfect vibe, that serves that egg just the way you like it. Austin originals Magnolia Cafe, Kerbey Lane, and Juan in a Million have fan followings that could put a celebrity to shame. The oldies are goldies, and nobody doubts that. But consider having a go at some of the newer restaurants Austin has to offer. I did the research for you, and suggest these six local spots to satisfy your brunch cravings.

1/ Chicon

The Elvis at Chicon is Texas toast, caramelized bananas, nuts, ham, and whipped cream

Contigo's sister restaurant is a happy proponent of meat. Chicon's brunch menu features classic dishes like eggs Benedict and steak hash. But believe me when I tell you: the fare doesn't fit the "classic" definitions. Take the eggs Benedict, for example. A rye English muffin is covered in caramelized onions and delicious pulled pork, topped with a perfectly poached egg and rich hollandaise.

Then there's The Elvis, a creative take on Elvis Presley's famous peanut butter and banana sandwich. When the plate arrived, my first thought was, "Wow!" I found myself taken in by this clever deconstruction consisting of peanut butter mousse, Texas toast, caramelized bananas, and ham.

1914 E. 6th St., Ste. C – Website

2/ Eberly

Short rib hash and avocado toast at Eberly (Credit: Eberly)

This South Lamar restaurant has become a favorite among Austinites due to its contemporary American food. And when the gorgeous plates are served in just as gorgeous a space, it's difficult to stay away for long.

Eberly's short rib hash is a wonderful mixture of mushrooms and pickled jalapeños, accompanied by a couple of eggs, sunny-side up. Charcuterie lovers relish a healthy selection of cured meats, like duck, ham, and salmon. For a quick and filling bite, try the avocado toast. The menu also has brunch favorites like hot cakes, chicken and waffles, and plenty of house-made pastries to keep you full. The cocktail menu features brunch classics like the Bloody Mary, mimosas, and Bellinis.

Head over to Eberly on the first Sunday of the month to discover local vendors and their fares. Shopping, mimosas, and pancakes in one place? It doesn't get better than that.

615 S. Lamar Blvd. – Website

➡️ Keep reading: "History Drenched Eberly Serves Reimagined Classics in a Dazzling Space"

3/ Holy Roller

Soft serve and fries at Holy Roller (Credit: Holy Roller)

Brunch. All. Day. I bet that got your attention! Holy Roller opened its doors not long ago, and it doesn't take much to understand why it's become popular. The all-female-owned restaurant prides itself on its "whimsy food." The Sunday School Brunch is a must. The menu is covered in clever religious puns that translate just as delightfully on a plate. The restaurant even created a "seven deadly sins" display, featuring pastries and cocktails.

My favorite items at Holy Roller are the fries. Yep, the fries. I didn't expect to love the combination of fries and soft serve ice cream, but I did. Enough to have gone back a couple of times already. For your sake, I hope you can find it in yourself to give this strange but delicious combination a shot. For a more filling option, give the trash fries a try. This place is a special mix of Mexican street corn, American fries, and Texas gravy.

509 Rio Grande St. – Website

4/ Rosen's Bagels

The lox and an iced latte at Rosen's Bagels

For those days when making decisions is not an option and coffee is of utmost importance, try Rosen's Bagels. The bagel shop is housed at Wright Bros Brew and Brew Co., so its a given that the coffee will be strong and good.

The menu is small and features unique flavors of schmears, such as caramelized shallots and bacon, lime, poblano and scallion, and maple syrup almond. I tried the lox and the turkey, both of which were excellent and filling. However, my heart remains with the schmears, as I lean toward ordering an everything bagel with a tiny sized serving each of the lime, poblano and scallion, and caramelized shallots and bacon schmears.

500 San Marcos St. – Website

➡️ Keep reading: "5 Bagel Joints in Austin That Are Anything But Basic"

5/ Native

Brunch spread at Native with French toast, Scotch egg, and fried chicken sandwich

Native's brunch menu is full of surprises. It's classic at first glance, but what you taste is a whole new world. I've never had a Scotch egg that wasn't grease-heavy, until Native served its version to me. It's crunchy, light, and oozes with a perfectly runny yolk. The sausage is a special blend created by Chef Virginia Pharr that complements the rich egg yolk.

The cardamom French toast is made with Pharr's special brioche recipe. It's so flavorful on its own that there's no need to slather it with maple syrup. It's citrusy and dense with a healthy dose of cardamom. The French toast is served with a coffee Chantilly cream, fresh berries, and blackberry syrup.

For a more savory option, the fried chicken sandwich is a must. The biscuit is made in-house and topped with a perfectly fried piece of brined chicken, slathered with roasted serrano gravy, and finished off with a sunny-side-up egg. It's inspired by Chick-fil-A's hot fried chicken sandwich, but Native's version is far ahead on the curve.

807 E. 4th St. – Website

➡️ Keep reading: "Native Hostel Goes Beyond Lodging With Restaurant, Co-working, Events"

6/ Le Politique

Croque Madame at Le Politique (Credit: Wynn Myers)

This casual patisserie and coffee shop is where you go when traditional French fare beckons. Escargot? Check. A raw bar with oysters, shrimp,and lobster? Check, check, check, and check. Le Politique offers a customizable cheese board that lets diners choose from three, five, or seven varieties on the available menu.

It's a beautifully-designed space with equally beautiful food, especially the pastries. If you're a carb lover, like yours truly, Le Politique offers a variety of traditional French baked goods like croissants, pot de creme, and madeleines. Once you try it, you'll find yourself telling everyone about the Croque Madame, with it's gooey comté and ham center, and a light sauce mornay.

110 San Antonio St. – Website

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

What's your new favorite brunch in Austin?

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