1. The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

0

Austin, TX

Cancel

Open app

Search

The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

4.0 (130 reviews)
Open • 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago
Loading...

Services - The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

Bartending services

Catering services

The Wayback Cafe and Cottages Photos

Business Info

THE WAYBACK CAFE AND COTTAGES ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

You might also consider

More like The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

Recommended Reviews - The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Pressed watermelon
Andrew C.

This restaurant is part of a boutique cottages west of Austin downtown in the rolling hills. It's a charming cafe with space for approximately 30ish patrons. The hospitality is very nice and friendly. The cafe uses high quality ingredients and the food is really delicious. We were there on a Thursday' night which was nice for the half priced bottles of wine all day. Well crafted cocktails are also available too. For food we dined on: Cold pressed watermelon - cold dense watermelon packed with sweet flavor contrasted against savory cheese and nuts. Really liked this dish. Little gem salad - simple but perfectly balanced flavors. Fresh. Crisp. Refreshing. Heirloom tomatoes - ripe tomatoes simply dressed with olive oil and salt. Crab cakes - these were tasty with a great sauce and pepitas. Steak - perfectly cooked to temp and served with grilled tomatoes. We were hoping for the duck confit which I've heard is incredible but they were old out for the day. They are open for lunch as well and brunch on the weekends (that menu looks good!). One that the menu is seasonal so it will change over time.

Yummy Biscuit!
Theresa C.

The food the service and ambiance were wonderful. I would caution you to plan extra time if you go on Sunday since traffic is terrible since it's very close to Riverbend Church. The food is fresh and really well made. It's a small restaurant but it's cozy and homey! Parking is a bit tricky. Great breakfast and the biscuits are soooo good along with the homemade compote (blueberry sooo yummy). If you wanna try something a little different you should give it a try and call for a reservation!

Dead plants
Ashley B.

We live in Dripping Springs. My daughter who is a senior in high school at heard about The Wayback for taking photos, so I decided to look into it. I paid an exorbitant fee to use the grounds for my daughter and our photographer to spend 30 minutes around the property. A woman was on property in the office cottage. She never once greeted us and certainly did not offer us a drink of water or anything. We were not welcomed or given any lay of the land. We were completely fending for ourselves. In addition, so many of the plants around the place were dead. If you are a business are going to charge $150 for us to come photograph, then the least you can do is keep the floral life looking top notch. I was so disappointed. I called and asked to talk to someone and she said someone would call me back, but no one ever did, so hear I am. Don't waste your money on this place.

Ceviche
Justin S.

I had brunch here last weekend with my family and it was absolutely perfect! This was my second time coming here but it had been about 2 years since. The atmosphere at this place is so special. It's small, quaint, busy, but the staff treat you like family. They were so kind and generous throughout our time there. We had a lot of food at the table and everyone said their meal was great! I ordered the avocado toast with an egg on it, drip coffee and we had sticky buns and biscuits to start with. The drip coffee was excellent. Not your average coffee. The biscuits are freshly made each day. The sticky buns were like a dessert! Gotta try them! Others at the table ordered steak and fries, the burger, chicken and waffles, Greek yogurt parfait and quiche with a salad. We'll continue to come back here! You'll need to make reservations because the restaurant is small and is always booked!

Breakfast sandwich
Christina H.

Am I somewhere in the east coast by the beach? Because that's exactly the state of mind Wayback Cafe & Cottages has returned me to. This beautiful little escape is an absolute dream. We came in for brunch and just wow. From the decor (vintage and organic textiles) to the perfectly curated cafe menu (with seasonal offerings) to the delicious crafted drinks & specialty bites, The Wayback Cafe is a secret gem tucked away in the hill country. I am a huge fan of east coast oysters, and was pleasantly surprised when I saw it being offered on the menu. I immediately had to order a dozen for my appetizer! As for my meal, I ordered the breakfast sandwich with a lavender mimosa. I've never had a lavender mimosa before, but THIS WAS THE BEST!! My entire order was absolute perfection. Huge fan, will easily return to try everything The Wayback Cafe has to offer.

Sourdough Toast
James K.

First time coming here and we will definitely be back. We are new to the area and always looking for a good dining place. We came across this restaurant on Yelp and decided to walk in. It was a Sunday morning/afternoon and we did not have a reservation but they had open seating at the bar. Our drink orders were taken immediately. To start off, we had the "Morning Bun", a cinnamon roll with roasted pecans on the side. The cinnamon bun was warm and freshly baked. Quite delicious especially with the pecans. Highly recommend and it's enough for two, really even for three people if you just want something sweet to start with. I had the Omelet and my friend had the Avocado Toast. The omelet came with spinach, bacon, goat cheese, and potatoes on the side. I ordered mine without bacon and added a side of sourdough toast. I have to say this was one of the BEST breakfasts I have ever had! The omelet was hot and fresh and the ingredients were amazing. And since I have been in Austin, I have not been able to find good sourdough bread but this was the best sourdough bread I have had since moving here. The ambiance is quite nice inside but they also have outdoor patio seating. We opted to set indoors at the bar, but given the size, it can get quite loud and I would likely go for outdoor seating next time. The service was okay; I did read other reviews about the service and while we didn't have a problem getting service, we were sitting right at the bar. But I did see customers leave their tables just to come up and ask for something they had ordered but hadn't received. I like iced tea and they brew their fresh. But I was given my tea in a small tumbler, like something you would make an old fashioned in. They have large "beer can" style glasses and my friend received her cold coffee in the bigger glass. I went through the tiny glass of iced tea almost as soon as the server brought it out. She never offered to refill and I had to ask for more. Why wouldn't you serve iced tea in a normal sized glass like any other dining establishment? I asked if they could make my omelet with egg whites and was told "no". No egg whites? I have been cooking for more than 40 years and even cooked in a few nice restaurants. It takes only SECONDS to separate yolk from the whites. If your cooks don't know how, I'm happy to come by and show them. I have never heard of such a thing. You can't possibly be so busy that you can't take the 10 extra seconds it takes - and honestly, it really only takes about 5 seconds. And I was told no "special requests". I just wanted to add mushrooms to the omelet. Sad that I can't add something simple like mushrooms and you can't do egg whites. Last, we had no idea that reservations were needed. We were offered immediate seating at the bar or outside; we opted for the bar. However, when we arrived, all tables but one were empty. When we inquired about this, we were told the tables were all reserved for people coming in soon. We dined for quite a long time, and when we left, two of the tables were still empty. Sitting at the bar is very comfortable, but it would have been nice if we could have had one of the tables that remained empty the entire time we were there. But again, amazing food and we are looking forward to a return visit to try lunch and dinner and I highly recommend for breakfast.

Natalia R.

I've come here 3-4 times but today was my last. Service is on and off. Today I was quite rudely greeted by a lady on staff and reprimanded for sitting down outside with my elderly mother. I was asked if I would even order food. There was only 2 other couples there (inside) and the place was very quiet on a Wednesday morning when they opened. I put 3 stars instead of 1 because the server, a young gentleman, was very sweet before we left. + The views are very pretty and relaxing. The menu is a bit overpriced but it is essentially a hotel/cottages so the pricing is reflective of that. We live around the corner so we just ended up going to Civil Goat Coffee which never lets us down. I wish I could support this business but today was an unprofessional experience. Service is what keeps a business afloat.

Avocado toast
Vicky M.

Arrived at this place with no reservation. A member from our party walked in first and was told there were no available seating. Within minutes, the rest of our party members (2, myself included) walk back in and they said we may sit at the bar, however, they initially had said there were no seats. That was a bit questionable. The avocado toast was ok, nothing special. The bread on the second photo (I forgot the name) was actually very good. I would recommended you try it!

Ceviche

See all

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lynn B.
145
23
0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sarah S.
108
140
15

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 4

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jen H.
0
10
0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 11
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Best food, service, atmosphere! 10/10 recommend for a lovely girls lunch or group dinner with drinks. Never misses!

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Ace S.
5
23
0

1 year ago

Relaxing atmosphere with great food and friendly service. Highly recommend this place.

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Bo B.
640
2112
2544

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Stephen F.
124
67
133

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Chris S.
85
331
28

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Ken M.
36
33
12

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ashley T.
1091
32
26

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Matt C.

Matt C.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 4

Ask the Community - The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

Are the Wayback Cottages pet friendly?

Thanks for asking! The cottages welcome service animals only. They need to be approved by The Wayback before your stay and wear a vest while on property, and a $300 cleaning fee applies. The full policy is on the FAQ page of our website.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - The Wayback Cafe and Cottages

“The cafe was beautifully set a ways off Bee Cave Rd, making it a relaxing breakfast for the hubby and I.”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Quince Lakehouse - Spicy Salmon Roll

Quince Lakehouse

4.4(807 reviews)
5.7 mi

From the very first point of contact to the final moments of our event, Lisette and the entire…read moreQuince team were absolutely phenomenal. Lisette was accommodating, kind, responsive, and incredibly reliable throughout the entire planning process. She made everything feel seamless and was always willing to go above and beyond to make sure every detail was taken care of. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful and was the perfect setting for our group. From the incredible lake views and stunning atmosphere to the exceptional service, delicious food, and attention to detail, everything exceeded our expectations. Our members had an amazing time, and so many of them commented on how beautiful the property was and how well everything was executed. It is clear that the Quince team genuinely cares about creating an exceptional experience for their guests. A huge thank you to Lisette and the entire Quince Lakehouse team for helping us create such a memorable event. We are already looking forward to coming back and hosting another event here! If you are looking for a beautiful venue with an incredible team that will truly take care of you from start to finish, I cannot recommend Quince Lakehouse enough!

My family ate at this restaurant while visiting Austin. The setting is absolutely beautiful, right…read moreon the lake, and the service was excellent. Unfortunately, the food was very average at best. I ordered the French dip, and the meat was so salty that I was drinking water for the rest of the day. No one in our group was particularly happy with their meal. My niece ordered the scrambled eggs, and she also thought they were far too salty. Considering the prices, I expected much better food. While the atmosphere and service were outstanding, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant based on the quality of the food.

Photos
Quince Lakehouse - Interior design

Interior design

Quince Lakehouse - Emmaki Tuna Roll

Emmaki Tuna Roll

Quince Lakehouse - Black Forest

See all

Black Forest

Blue Hills Ranch - Kangaroo baby

Blue Hills Ranch

4.8(97 reviews)
78.8 mi

Absolutely incredible weekend at Blue Hills Ranch. We were fortunate to stay in the stunning…read moreGiraffe Villa... a hefty price, but worth it if you can afford it. The Giraffe barn is attached to one side of the house, and their pasture is on the other side. It is the most fabulous "Barndominium" with incredible finishes and clearly thoughtfully designed. That experience alone was mind-blowing.... however we also had the Gold Packages and were able to experience everything the ranch had to offer! Zebras, Capybaras, Kangaroos, Otters, Deer, Homer the Dromedary!!! Everywhere you turned there were more animals and more experiences offered. My children and I were in absolute animal heaven and will be thrilled to return. I will say, our vacation was expensive and it did not disappoint. However, I do believe you can absolutely visit this ranch on a budget.... Probably one of the best experiences was their ranch safari and that is a nominal price and totally worth it! You can see the entire property and all of the animals on the safari trip. Additionally they have fantastic cabins that are themed, and if you have children under the age of 10, the pirate themed cabins are beyond your wildest imagination.... as far as I am aware all of the sleeping accommodations include kitchens so you can absolutely cook for your family instead of paying for the delicious ranch food. That said... Chef Alan is phenomenal and out of this world excellent chef. Each meal was made with love and artistry. The staff at Blue Hills Ranch all go above and beyond to create lasting memories for you. I absolutely recommend this experience as a NOT TO BE MISSED event! We are already planning a return in October/November depending on availability . Cannot wait. Looking forward to being among these amazing staff members (shout-out to Jen, Anne, Shelby, Emily, Chesney, Alan...) the guard dogs, and all of the incredible exotic animals. Thank you, Matt!

All I can say is WOW! This ranch was an unbelievable experience from the moment we booked our stay…read moreuntil the moment we left. The entire staff was absolutely amazing--so accommodating, personable, welcoming, and attentive to every detail. The chef was incredible! Not only was the food delicious, but he was also so personable. He would come out and sit with us, talk with us, and make sure we were happy with everything. That personal touch made the experience even more special. The staff truly went above and beyond to make sure my husband and I had one of the most memorable weekends of our lives. We felt genuinely cared for throughout our entire stay. I cannot recommend this ranch enough. If you're looking for a special getaway with wonderful people, amazing food, and exceptional hospitality, this is the place. We had such an incredible experience and will definitely be back!

Photos
Blue Hills Ranch - Superhero and Giraffe

Superhero and Giraffe

Blue Hills Ranch - My new boyfriend, Blue

My new boyfriend, Blue

Blue Hills Ranch - Giraffe

See all

Giraffe

Star Hill Ranch

Star Hill Ranch

4.9(62 reviews)
6.1 mi

This place is gorgeous. I've never heard of this venue. Didn't know what it was all about. But I…read moredid come here for the Austin Mac & Grilled Cheese Festival. Star Hill Ranch looks like a little cowboy western town. Something straight out of a western tv movie. With little buildings, a small church, and a gorgeous back drop. Stage in the back, and lawn, and the hills and trees behind the stage. Old Ford trucks. Just the most picturesque back drop for any event. Truly is the most Texas scenery I've seen. The mac & grilled cheese event was spectacular. So many samples and so much fun. Gorgeous day to start out with. All the venders were delightful. Explaining their sample dish. Some used cheese that I've never heard of. Some using my personal favorite cheese and some of the most inventive toppings. Flaming hot Cheetos, green onions, pickled onions, pickles, just so creative outside the standard mac & cheese. No Kraft box in sight at this event! Event itself was very well organized. A speaker came on a few times and asked how everyone was doing, getting the crowd of people pumped up. Making sure everyone was informed throughout. A lot of crew members walking around too to answer questions and guiding people to the right areas. There were some tables overlooking the gorgeous back drop of the mountains and stage. Everywhere was a photograph moment. I would absolutely go back next year. I would probably get the VIP tickets verses the general addition. The VIP gets you into lounges and an hour earlier into the event.

After 9 years of dating, We decided on a "elopement" but near by. Like a staycation but getting…read moremarried :). After googling drive through weddings in Austin trying to find something similar to Vegas, I came across this little white chapel. The photos are just as cute as in person and the couple who officiate are the absolute sweetest. They make the moment special but also light hearted and friendly. We upgraded to go in instead of drive through and I am so glad I did. She took great photos with our phone (you can also upgrade that too, to professional photos). There are several packages to chose from with even more upgrades if you like. They are adding on to the back and it is looking super cute if you want an evening wedding with lights outside etc. The airstream they have is super cool too. Overall such a wonderful experience and I am so glad we found this little treasure hidden in the hill country hills.

Photos
Star Hill Ranch
Star Hill Ranch
Star Hill Ranch

See all

The Wayback Cafe and Cottages - bedbreakfast - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...