I really wanted to love this place, especially since it's considered an Austin staple, but unfortunately, my experience was pretty mixed. My biggest issue started before I even got seated. There is a QR code that you're required to use to join the waitlist/queue, but this is not clearly communicated on their website. You essentially have to arrive at the restaurant and figure it out once you're there. For a restaurant that is known for having long waits and high traffic, I feel like this information should be clearly stated online so people can plan accordingly. Once I joined the queue, I was number 43 and ended up waiting about an hour and a half before being seated. I understand that popular restaurants can have long wait times, but the lack of transparency about how the process works made the experience more frustrating than it needed to be. Once inside, the ambiance was actually quite quaint and charming. That said, considering how much traffic this restaurant gets, I was surprised by how limited the space is. I honestly think expanding the property would make a huge difference, although I understand that may not be entirely within their control. One thing I will give them major credit for is the menu. Online, the selection makes it look somewhat limited, but once you're there, they actually have 50+ food options, so there is plenty to choose from. That was definitely a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, my entrée was disappointing. I ordered a shredded beef taco with salsa and substituted a side salad. The beef was extremely tender, but unfortunately, it was also very dry. The salad was another disappointment because the vinaigrette was honestly not good. I don't think I've ever had a vinaigrette that I actively disliked until this meal. Thankfully, my fiancé had a much better experience. He ordered an enchilada and said it was one of the top five enchiladas he's ever had, so clearly there are some standout dishes on the menu. That definitely made me curious about trying something different if I ever return. I also really enjoyed that they offer hibiscus tea. I was very happy to see it on the menu, although I personally think it would be better served on its own rather than incorporated into one of their mixed drinks. The drink itself was just okay, but the hibiscus flavor was great. Overall, I can see why this place has become an Austin staple, but I think the experience could be improved significantly by making the waitlist process much clearer online and by improving the consistency of some of the food. The menu has a lot of potential, and clearly, some dishes are excellent! Unfortunately, mine just wasn't one of them. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Shredded beef tacos with a side salad! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Service, great. Magmud, delicious. Tropical turkey tacos, terrible. I was expecting grilled or BBQ turkey, it was diced sandwich meat in a tortilla. Great vibe and staff, but I will not be ordering tacos here again. read more

Two stars simply because the server and staff were very nice. Aside from that, I'm super disappointed, considering it was my first time eating at the cafe, as I've been an Austinite all my life. I'm sure that at some point in its history the food was spectacular, but today just wasn't that day. What was good. - the server and staff were terrific. - For being an old establishment, it was very nice inside and clean. What was difficult/different - I ordered enchiladas with an over easy egg; the enchiladas tasted a bit sour, and the over easy egg was fried hard. I didn't want to send it back because I was with a large group and didn't want to wait. - chips and salsa: chips were stale even after we asked for a different basket; the salsa was either out of a jar or out of a can similar to what you can find at any local grocery store. - Colleagues of mine reported that their dishes were either cold or without any sort of flavor. I was genuinely excited when I was told we were eating there as a team, but when the food showed up, my experience took a huge left turn. read more

Went here for breakfast with my friend after a tennis lesson nearby. The wait was only 20 minutes so we walked around a bit before being notified our table was ready. We sat at a picnic table on the back patio. It was comfortable with all the fans. We both got eggs benedict since it's only available on the weekend. Unfortunately my egg rolled off the top when she brought our plate, and then the yolk was hard. It was fine, but not anything great. Prices are reasonable. I know this is an iconic Austin brunch spot, but our experience was meh. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

I was a little disappointed with my recent experience at Magnolia Cafe South. The restaurant has a very laid back chill diner vibe and I appreciate that they serve breakfast foods all day and are open 24 hours. While Magnolia Cafe is a longtime South Congress staple and a beloved Austin spot, my visit didn't quite live up to expectations. I met a group here for a pre-show meal and appreciated being seated promptly upon arrival, even though my entire party had not yet arrived. I ordered the chicken caldo soup, which was not served with avocado. The waitress did not check in with us immediately after the food was served but when I inquired about it I noticed there was an up charge on the bill for avocado. I recommend allowing the substitution of the tortilla chips with avocado in the future for a healthier alternative. However chicken caldo traditionally cones with avocado. I also tried the Mag nachos, with tortilla chips topped with black beans, cheddar/jack cheese, jalapeño, tomato, green onion, avocado and sour cream. These were very tasty and unlike the caldo, was served with avocado. The food took a while to come out and the service felt slower than expected. Magnolia has a great reputation, so I was hoping for a better experience. Unfortunately, this visit fell short of expectations. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Chicken Caldo soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

I came for brunch with a friend. They have a small outdoor waiting area that is used when busy. The servers took a little too long to bring us the order. Portion sizes are fairly large. The coffee was great. I had an omelette and fruit. The pancake was also great. They also have a large back outdoor covered seating area. read more

See all

Have had this on the list for awhile and really wanted breakfast food. Sooo, here I am. This place def has a vibe and is unique very Austin. Got parking right in front around 9 pm on a Wed. Upon entry was greeted by Melissa and sat in her section. The decor is very diner type with low, cozy booths and few tables and chairs. Not too big of a space and not sure if there is more seating elsewhere. Anyhoo, coffee was good and I got the Royal toast and a single pancake with eggs, and sausage. Ample amount of food and def had take away box. Everything was tasty and the buttermilk pancake was amazing with just syrup. Melissa was kind enough to provide little cups to take syrup home along with the tael away container. They had a daily special and a board above the kitchen with other items. Really wanted to try a slice of pie ( TX Pie Co) but seems a bit outta line with what I already ordered. Maybe next time. read more

See all

It has been years since we have came to Magnolia cafe. Today's visit did not disappoint. You have to scan a QR code upon arrival to get in line, thought that was weird that the host didn't just add you to the list- anywho. The wait was about 15 min , we walked out to the patio and discovered lots of neat plants, and the mimosa bar. Patio was covered for the most part with ac units and fans to cool you off. We were sat inside. Our waitress was a older pescatarian lady which was cool since i'm pescatarian too. She provided great suggestions and was very personable. We ordered the prima dora omelet which would have used more filling but it was over all good, the black beans we ordered in the side , we possible the best black beans i've had. We also ordered a veggie benidict off the seasonal menu. The hollandaise sauce was a bit bland but I used the yellow bird habenero salsa and it kicked up the flavor profile- Overall we really enjoyed the food, service & vibes! read more

See all

This is a travel staple for us. Our waitress was friendly and awesome, the ambiance is quirky eclectic Austin vibes, and the food was good. All day breakfast is fabulous for those lazy days of vacation, kids meal breakfast had a not-so-small pancake, and my burger and soup were well-prepared.. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Kids breakfast, sausage already eaten! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Walked in for Dinner on a Wednesday evening. No line, and were fortunate to be seated immediately. Great selection of adult beverages, as well as a strong variety of different menu options. Had quesadilla, and the Meatloaf Special of the day. Great food, service was excellent, and such a fun place to visit. There is a small counter which faces into the kitchen. The vibe is laid back, easy going, and the food was delicious. After dinner we had Key Lime pie, which was neither too sweet, or tart. The pie had a wonderful balance of flavor. Our waitress was excellent, and charming, while super welcoming and efficient. Nice lady. Great visit, nice vibe, and worth the trip for dinner. What a gem. read more

Came here for Saturday brunch and waited about 45 minutes -- but honestly that's pretty expected anywhere in Austin, so no complaints there. The service was friendly and kept things moving, which made the wait feel reasonable. I ordered the Eggs Zapatino and it was super interesting -- I'd never seen anything like it before. Scrambled eggs topped with queso on an English muffin... sounds unusual but it actually worked! It was flavorful, filling, and something different from the typical brunch lineup. Prices were pretty decent for brunch, especially considering portions and quality. Overall, solid spot with good service, unique menu options, and worth the wait on a busy weekend. Would definitely come back to try more. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - eggs zapatino - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

Yum! Stopped here for a late night/early morning meal after attending the Todd Snider tribute concert at Luck Ranch! Got there a little after midnight and there was still a pretty good crowd. We had great service from the young guy who sat us and got us our drinks, from our great server, and even a super nice and helpful lady working in the kitchen/bar area who noticed I wanted something and quickly walked out to find out what I needed. She took care of it immediately! My dish was great. I got the Chicken and the Egg dish. The jalapeño cornmeal pancake was really unique. A huge amount of shredded ancho chicken (chicken breast) and two sunny side eggs on top with avocados, lettuce, and pico. Black refried beans and salsa. Our server said we should try the queso with it and gave us a bowl of it to try. It was delicious. I didn't even get through half of it before being really full. Took a lot to go. My partner got the Magna Cristo sandwich with a side of home fries topped with cheese and bacon. He loved it! He had some to go as well. I got a piece of peanut butter pie to go. I haven't tasted it yet because I was too full. The cafe is really cute with lots of art on the walls from local artists which you can purchase. I love that they support local artists! Whenever I'm in Austin, I'll go to the Magnolia Cafe! So glad I found this cool, tasty joint while visiting. read more

See all

If you haven't been, you need to go one of my favorite late night, eating spots in the city you can't go wrong with anything on their menu and they're rotating specials are always amazing thing. If you see the pot pie on the menu definitely get it. it's amazing. I love that this place is a true café with so many menu options. Everyone at the table should be happy with their choices. the waitresses are amazing and it's a super chill environment. You can go in your pajamas for a late night snack a true café. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Chicken pot pie mag queso - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

We walked here from our Airbnb and it was so nice -quaint little space with super friendly staff! If it's crowded, you will need to stand outside. It is tight walking in thru the front door and even 2 people get in the way of bathroom traffic. I got bagel and cream cheese and crispy bacon. All delicious!! read more

I'd heard about this brunch place before so when a friend suggested it, I was excited. I did have diner food (IHOP) earlier in the morning so wasn't sure if I was down for it again. But it turned out to be a silver lining. We got in the waitlist at the counter at 1:09pm and stayed waiting there until our table was ready at 1:37pm. Our food arrived at the table around 2:08pm and we left around 2:45pm after feeling full. It's definitely an Austin signature and a must-do experience for anyone, local or tourists alike! Great place to bump into people who also went to your college too :) read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Ham & Cheese omelette with fruit and home fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

I recently tried Magnolia Cafe during our visit to Austin, and we absolutely loved it! We were in the mood for breakfast and stumbled upon this cute, cozy spot on South Congress. I ordered the Neptune's Landscape, while my friend went with the Newport Chicken Club sandwich, and we enjoyed some refreshing iced teas alongside our meals. Everything was delicious! The Neptunes Landscape was especially cheesy just what I was in the mood for. Our server was hilarious, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, and made our experience even more enjoyable. The restaurant also has a gorgeous outdoor patio surrounded by a beautiful garden, which made the atmosphere feel extra relaxing and charming. I highly recommend checking out Magnolia Cafe if you're in the South Austin area! read more

Excellent "Big Dipper" queso, late night burrito, and breakfast tacos. Came here at 3:30am and it perfectly hit the spot. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Late night burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place can be busy especially on Fridays during the late breakfast early lunch timeframe. It was just two of us so we opted for seating at the bar with no wait. The bar area is small, just about 5-6 seats and looks into the kitchen. The service was quick but still friendly. I had huevos rancheros with chorizo. The chorizo wasn't too greasy and had a small amount of spice. The food was flavorful and didn't need additional seasonings but I did add hot sauce. I will definitely return to try some of the other great entrees! read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Huevos rancheros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

The food at Magnolia Cafe was really good and overall I enjoyed my experience! The only downside was that the waitlist seemed a little unorganized. I noticed a few people were added to the list, but somehow their names disappeared, so they ended up having to wait almost double the amount of time. Hopefully they can get that system worked out because the food itself was definitely worth trying! read more

Popped in for a late night feast at Magnolia South the other night. I've been coming here for years and have never reviewed the place - high time I took care of that. On a Sunday night, it wasn't crowded and we got seated right away. Our food also came out astonishingly quickly and our server was sooooo niceeee. He refilled our coffee a whole bunch, too, without us asking. It feels like Magnolia is lately making more of an effort, because not only was the service consciously excellent but the food was better than I remember as well. I took off one star because my friend found a hair in her egg, but the management 100% made it right immediately - comped her bill, sent her home with a second plate of it to go, and apologized. My migas were hair-free and delicious! The potatoes were particularly good. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Migas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Came on a rainy Saturday afternoon, and there was still quite the wait! They have a QR code you scan and get in queue. They offer a tent outside with 2 benches to sit at. We put "any seating is ok," and ended up at the bar after a 15-20 min wait. Bar seating was fun to watch the chefs and servers work in harmony and get all the food out to the customers, but over time, the lack of back support from the chair made the seating a little uncomfortable. Service is quick, and they definitely try to get your order quickly. This is definitely an old school "original" Austin diner establishment, and I was glad to find me make it here! The inside decor definitely fits the "keep Austin weird" vibe. Migas (6.5/10) - great portion sizes! Came with a side of flour or corn tortilla, beans, two onions, homemade pico de gallo. - the Migas itself was not what I'm used to. I originally thought that Migas was crispy fried tortillas with egg and cheese topping. However, this dish was just egg and cheese, no crispy chips underneath - not sure if this is a Tex-Mex style Migas, or just how they do the this year, but I was hoping for a little more than eggs/cheese with a side of tortilla - ultimately, the beans and salsa definitely saved this dish as both were quite delicious and paired very well with the eggs Overall, a unique Austin establishment with relatively cheap food with generous portion sizes. Expect a Tex-Mex twist on all of their breakfast dishes, and I was a little disappointed with their Migas as it had no crispy chips on the bottom (felt like eggs and cheese). Might come back in the future and try another dish. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Migas (6.5/10) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

We stopped in and got breakfast before volleyball game. THE Food was absolutely delicious - 1000% recommend this restaurant!! The waiter was friendly & joyful! Food came out super fast, which was great for us because we were in a hurry. read more

See all

Four of us had lunch here on a weekday (Monday) and thankfully we all found parking either in their lot or nearby. We were quickly seated and our waitress was quick to check on us and was patient while we figured out our order. I was with my 83 yo aunt so we needed a bit of extra patience. We all enjoyed our food. I had the fish tacos which were good with a side of rice and beans. The special of the day was biscuits and gravy, which my son ordered. We were tempted with the apple pie and ice cream and we all thought it was really good! I was sad when the Lake Austin location closed but glad to see it is still surviving even if at a further south location which makes it harder for me to get to. I hope they continue to thrive as it is an Austin original! read more

See all

If you're looking for an old school diner that keeps your cup of coffee full, this is it. Great service and the staff is super friendly so you'll feel taken care of. Had no problem with parking during the week but I imagine it could be trickier on the weekend. The food isn't going to knock your socks off but it gets the job done no doubt! They have a pretty large menu so there's something for everyone. I have to go back for their desserts! read more

Pro tip: tough critics out here! If you go in with the mindset of visiting a diner, you'll have an enjoyable experience for sure. Diners are open late, they have an extensive menu, they top you off whenever they get to it from a pot of whatever coffee is available, and the servers can be hit or miss. Its great! Especially when you're looking for a full meal at midnight. The server was okay. She forgot about us quite a bit and then perhaps blamed the host when she saw our coffee mugs weren't filled. But, that's not why we came. The Prima Dora was solid (Sliced avocado with cheddar/jack cheese, topped with lemon sourcream sauce, verde and chipotle sauces. Choice of two sides: Home Fries, Black Beans, Fruit, Sourdough toast, Rye toast, English Muffin). The Egg scape not so much...it literally was two eggs over potatoes. Shared a pancake. I said yay, my partner said nay. Whaddaya gonna do? read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

Checked out Magnolia Cafe for the first time on a Saturday! You can join the waitlist via a QR code, which is posted outside the restaurant. Overall the wait was around 20 min for us. There's some parking spots in front, but somewhat limited. We got seated at the bar, which was fun because you can see all the food and orders being made. It can get kinda loud (as expected) so if you're looking to have more privacy, would recommend waiting a bit longer for booth seats. Our server was friendly and attentive, and we got the food in a reasonable time. Chicken and the Egg ($16.50, 3.5/5) - Features cornmeal jalapeño pancake with pulled chicken, cheese, and two eggs (over medium) - The cornmeal pancake itself is an interesting concept, but it came out kinda thin - would have liked it to be more dense & have more volume. - The chicken is on the drier side, so the sauces/sides come in handy. The addition of black beans, avocado, pico de gallo, sour cream, and lettuce adds a nice Tex-Mex spin. Also liked the red sauce that the dish came with! Overall, Magnolia is a charming, historical spot with the classic diner ambiance. If you're visiting, you can count on food made with traditional and fresh ingredients - just don't expect anything too complex. Would probably come back if someone I knew wanted to try it out for the first time! read more

See all

Visited in the morning during the week, there was plenty of seating inside and outside. Big variety of menu items available. My family and I enjoyed everything we got! The Queso was delicious! The food and the service were great! I would go back. Parking is a bit limited but we found a spot right away. read more

See all

Solid brunch spot. An inspired souther/Tex mex menu with something for everyone! Inside is no frills, diner ish vibes. I had an omelette with lemon sour cream special sauce (so dank) but it was interesting that the vegetables were steamed and kind of rolled into the omelette rather than mixed in as I'm used to. Great hot sauce options! We also tried the red pozole soup of the day which was delish. Wait list on a weekend but moved quick. No complaints here. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Red pozole - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Magnolia Cafe - Where Flamingos Would Totally Dine if They Could If you've never been to Magnolia Cafe, let me paint you a picture: imagine flamingos running the place--because the staff here are just that cool. Melissa and the crew glide around like a flock of pink legends, taking care of everything with grace, humor, and the kind of hospitality that makes you want to stay for three more meals. Let's talk food. The shredded beef queso? It's not just queso. It's a fully loaded, beefy, avocado-kissed, pico-dancing masterpiece. If queso could win "Most Likely to Steal the Show" in a yearbook, this one would be voted unanimously. Then there's the Magna Cristo sandwich. Top notch doesn't even begin to cover it--it's like a glorious, melty, golden-fried hug that makes you question every other sandwich you've ever had. It's indulgent. It's beautiful. It's what your taste buds write love songs about at night. Between the food and the flamingo-vibe staff, Magnolia Cafe just radiates Austin charm. Open late, full of character, and serving food that makes you do a happy dance in your booth--this is one of those rare spots where everything just clicks. Melissa and the entire wait staff? Absolute rockstars. If I could give them a standing ovation after every plate, I would. Final Verdict: Come hungry, stay silly, and prepare to leave planning your next visit. Magnolia Cafe doesn't just serve food--it serves pure joy. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Shredded beef queso - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

Okay so the food is standard diner food, and if that's what you're looking for, they do it well. I was a little bit disappointed in my breakfast tacos because they came out so soggy on the bottom that I was not able to eat them without the tacos completely falling apart. However, my son and husband really enjoyed their food (hence the three stars). There is generally quite a wait, but we got here early around 8:15 AM and were able to park in the small parking lot next to the restaurant. Our waitress was very nice and answered all of our questions about the food. read more

Magnolia Cafe is an oldie but goodie in Austin. They've got everything from pancakes and waffles to club sandwiches and burgers to tacos and enchies. They're best known for their enchies, "Mad Mug" queso, and pancakes. Just about every table has a stack of pancakes-well done! I got a turkey avo omelette with gluten-free bread, and my girlfriend got the black bean entree, which was essentially a multi-layer bean dip. No shade, looked good. We had great service-our server even made a simple syrup for my friend to add to her iced tea. While no longer my favorite breakfast spot in Austin (my taste has evolved since college), it's consistent in food quality and service. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Queso and salsa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

Magnolia Cafe South has been around since foreverrrr - okay, since 1979 ;) & really is a local Austin Gem for so many reasons including -- -- - - open 7 days a week, 7am-midnight -- - - fresh, hot, tasty dishes! You can't go wrong w/ anything you order but a few of my favorite dishes are the pancakes, home fries, Turkey Reuben --- - - my NEW favorite is the frozen Mimosa w/ lemonade! Parking situation: Magnolia has their own parking lot & there is also parking across the street. read more

See all

I've been a fan since day one in my trips to Austin. Located in The SoCo neighborhood next to cool shops and an awesome neighborhood. I'm a big fan of their breakfast. Nothing crazy, I just don't go that direction, but they always come on time with their great presentation of my simple classic breakfast. I may eggs, bacon, and toast guy. Coffee is pretty good. The service is great. Love the vibe with all sorts of people and all sorts of outlook, starting their day right with a great breakfast. read more

Great food, excellent service, cool atmosphere. This was quintessentially Austin through and through. Egg and the Chicken was my dish, recommended by our server Taffy. It was so delightful. And the peanut butter pie was the perfect way to end the meal. read more

I've been in austin 8 years and this was my first time at magnolia! I was craving waffles so we thought we stop by. We soon found out that magnolia is pancakes only. No biggie, I settled for French toast and it was good! Service was ok, I'd say a little slow for it being pretty empty but overall decent. The ambiance was ok as well. If I went back I think I may take the food to go but I'd def give it another shot! read more

See all

It's a good breakfast/brunch spot! I especially like their outdoor area, it feels like you're in a greenhouse. The parking a little tough and the wait time can get crazy especially on the weekends. 100% recommend to get their horchata cold brew. The food is consistently good regardless of what I'd get. They have classic American and TexMex options. I've had Melissa as a server multiple times and she's great! read more

See all

Always amazing and so worth the wait. Had friends in from out of town and have been dying to go there. You can never go wrong with the food or service here. It has the best fun vibe anywhere! The food is always fresh and so much of it. Started out with a carafe of mimosas for the 3 of us. Then finished off with the lemonosas. A refreshing hot day treat. We had the migas, habanero rancheros and traditional breakfast. Never anything ever wrong always perfection with the food and the staff! read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Habanero rancheros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Sat out on the patio for a bday dinner for about 15 people. Great service. Chips. Dips. Artichoke dip. Bread. Hubs had jalepeno burger and I had the chicken piccata. Food was tasty I was worried about sitting out but they had plenty of fans so it wasn't so bad. Our server was very patient. read more

Came by on a Sunday morning. We did wait about 30 minutes to get a table so be prepared to wait if you don't come early enough on a weekend. There's an area where you can get mimosas while you wait. Our server was friendly and helpful. We split a veggie omelette with black beans. Omelette was good and beans were great. Our friend had the primadora omelette and she enjoyed it very much. Honestly, there wasn't anything that blew me out of the water. This is just a simple basic breakfast joint. read more

Magnolia Cafe South - Primadora omelette with fruit and toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Cafe that is in an older building as it's been around for about 50 years. Okay seating, felt very relaxed but not up to date, 3 stars for that as it was still clean. Service was quick and fast and she was very friendly knowing our names and getting it quick for us. No rushed service. Food I can tell was fresh eggs and veggies and not frozen or reheated. It felt bland so needed salt which we added from the table. Food was 4 stars and that carries the weight for me. read more

See all