Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Counter Cafe East

    3.8 (575 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Counter Cafe East Photos

    Business Info

    COUNTER CAFE EAST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Counter Cafe East

    Recommended Reviews - Counter Cafe East

    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

    Seasonal hot cake
    Katie C.

    Counter Cafe is a great breakfast/brunch spot on the east side. Last time I was there, they had a seasonal apple cinnamon hot cake that was delicious! I'm so glad I ordered it. Surprisingly, they don't have lattes on their menu. I would love if they added them to their offerings. Overall, nice staff, good food and cool atmosphere. I'll definitely be back.

    Peach pancake
    Rachael L.

    Food was good, nothing that stands out. Pretty basic. We had the peach pancake and bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. I did drizzle honey on the biscuit sandwich and that was tasty. The value for what you get is why I am giving them a 4 Star. With tip, our bill was $37. Friendly smiles from all the staff. Ambiance is good - pretty small place so I'm sure during busy times it's hard to get in.

    Cup of Soup
    Elle K.

    This is a great neighborhood spot you can count on for a good diner type meal! It is usually pretty busy on the weekends so show up early or prepare to wait a little bit! I like their breakfast tacos and the salsa they come with. All of their ingredients taste really fresh. The menu really has something for everyone. They have some parking in the front and back of the building, then some street parking in the area.

    Crab Cake Benedict
    Hannah N.

    Spicy Bloody Mary is the way to start a Saturday and they make a stellar one at this spot! We were staying close by so this spot was awesome to walk to for a great meal to start a busy day. They do seem to get busy and it is just a walk ups to get seated and since the restaurant is on the smaller side we did have to wait but only for 15 mins. The menu had some many great items it was hard to pick but we had to start with a biscuit and gravy to share. I decided to go with breakfast tacos which I really enjoyed! Service was pretty quick which is also a plus and the servers are very knowledgeable of the menu which is always a plus.

    Biscuits and gravy.
    Isabel C.

    Good freshly prepared food and very tasty. Great service and the location is nice clean and cozy.

    Crab Cake Benedict
    Audrey K.

    The service was really friendly but the food was subpar. The crab cakes were good sized but I think they missed on the quality. Mine was grainy and the crab didn't shine through all the other ingredients. They gave us some sauces to pair with them for the eggs and I didn't think any of them blended very well. I think I'd come back to try their lunch options, I wish I would've gotten a burger instead.

    Counter Benedict
    Michael G.

    This place was jamming on a Sunday morning brunch. We waited for a little bit just to sit two of us, but that's Austin for you. The staff was very nice and management seemed to be doing a really great job with their staff and patrons. The inside had the hometown diner feel. We sat at barstools at the counter. I ordered the Counter Benedict and let me tell you that was some of the best hollandaise I've ever had. I'd probably order the same thing again because it was just so good. The eggs were cooked just right. We'll be back!

    Karla D.

    Wow! First of all, our server was AMAZING!! Super friendly and attentive. Genuine. Cute and updated version of a classic diner with a pleasant vibe. I love that everything is farm to counter. The chicken tortilla soup was some of the best I've ever had. It tasted like I was eating it in the kitchen of a grandma. Home style perfection. The boyfriend got the burger and he said he rivaled burgers that he's had at places that boast having the best.

    Hot Cake, Breakfast Taco
    Carrie M.

    The wait here can be long during peak hours as the interior is kind of small. After a couple of attempts, I came here at 10am on a Saturday, and our group of four was seated in 10 minutes. I ordered the hot cake, which is a large pancake that comes with packaged butter and maple syrup. You can add whipped cream, blueberries, strawberries, pecans, or chocolate chips for an additional cost. It is large, but not enough for a meal unless you are child sized or on a caloric restriction. It was really good and fluffy. I also ordered the breakfast taco, which has eggs, bacon, cheese, potatoes, and a mild salsa. It was a good, very standard breakfast taco, albeit a little bit small for the price. I only ordered it so I wouldn't be hungry with the one pancake. My friends enjoyed their egg sandwich, breakfast potatoes, fruit and granola, and counter burger. The counter burger ranked the 2nd best burger out of 50 in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine in 2009. This was quite a long time ago, and I haven't seen it in more recent rankings, but my friend who ordered it said it was a really solid burger. We agreed the fries were great too. The prices are reasonable with normal portion sizes as we all finished our meals and were satisfied. We were told at the end that they couldn't split the bill by item. This was surprising because this is a nice and modern restaurant in 2024. It was inconvenient, but I didn't think much of it until I read other reviews and found out that they can split the bill, but apparently the waiters don't like to do it because it takes a long time. Fair enough (although I suggest that they upgrade their antiquated system), but I felt very deceived that she told us that they "can't" split the bill. The service was friendly and relatively attentive. This isn't a restaurant to linger in when it's busy as there is limited seating with a long line. There is parking in front of and behind the restaurant.

    Paloma, people watching
    Jeanette S.

    We stayed the night close by and walked over to have some breakfast on a Friday morning. We had our dog with us so we went straight to the patio in the back and were greeted immediately by Dora. They had fans and dog bowls; special touches. My husband had a spicy Bloody Mary and the Counter Benedict's that he enjoyed. I wanted some huevos rancheros but it wasn't on the menú and Dora said, "not a problem". I'm not a fan with the tostada on the bottom of the dish but Dora said that I would not be disappointed and SHE WAS RIGHT! The tostada was so crispy that it never got soggy. The salsa and refried beans were seasoned perfectly. We ordered our precious Paloma some bacon. The service was great and the people were super friendly.

    Brian T.

    For a decently long wait on a Saturday, Counter Cafe is a average choice for a brunch in Austin. My group of three was seated in the patio area of the restaurant. Typically, this seems like a nice environment, as the restaurant provides blankets on the chairs for the outdoor seating as well as heaters that placed every two tables. Being a chilly day, I asked our waiter if he could turn on our heater and he said "no, we're out of fuel for that heater, but the temperature is great out so I think you'll be fine." Not off to a good start. Later, I saw the next table try to turn on their heater as well to no success. The food was very average, and overall not very flavorful. The biscuits and gravy were okay, and the biscuits were slightly overdone. Will not be returning here.

    I LOVE these plants outside
    Jesika H.

    Turn down for what? This place was welllllll worth the excruciatingly 20 min wait in the Austin heat with 30 other folks!!? I had the Benedict ( sub whatever meat for spinach and avocado, chefs kiss) the hollandaise sauce was like a lemony sort of concoction which normally I would hate but it worked so well! But let me tell you about this vanilla spiced pancake with a dash of nutmeg and a sliver of love, that pancake was SOOOO yummy and not as big as I thought because it was definitely finished with no crumbles left, equally as good was the crab cake benny. We were seated outside in a small outdoor Patio that was equipped but really lovely plants AND water mists and fans going so it was a lovely no sweating while eating situation!! Service was fantastic and the gentlemen over the waitlist was just that, a very nice guy!

    Counter Benedict and Local Coffee
    Clau R.

    Just went back to Counter Cafe with my boyfriend's parents, who were visiting us. A bit of a wait, but we went next door to Lazarus for a drink while we waited and kept walking over to check in. After about half an hour we were able to snag a table inside. It was really hot out and the AC wasn't blowing super well inside, but it was much better than sitting outside! We ordered some mimosas and then our brunch came. I ordered a baby cake with chocolate and pecans and the yogurt with fruit and granola. Delicious!

    Blueberry pancake, eggs and fruit

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John M.
    515
    911
    3973

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Great breakfast place. Food and service was great. Eggs bene and breakfast sandwich was great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of The Critical J.
    221
    2359
    7278

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Destiny H.
    113
    27
    25

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian O.
    91
    94
    28

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Heather S.
    443
    42
    16

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Amazing service. Amazing people. Amazing food. Consistently good. My husband & I have become regulars.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don L.
    172
    532
    1916

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angel C.
    385
    40
    37

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amber C.
    30
    146
    24

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K R.
    67
    24
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 15

    Ask the Community - Counter Cafe East

    Is the patio dog friendly?

    Yes it is!

    How crowded does it get at 8:00 am on a Saturday?

    Is breakfast served all day?

    Yes! It's only open until 3pm everyday

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Breakfast & Brunch 14,541 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Phoebe's Diner

    Phoebe's Diner

    4.5
    (2.1k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Gluten-free friendly

    My husband and I came in today and the service was phenomenal, as was the food!…read more My husband got the Brisket Burrito... and it is life changing -- it is now a favorite and a pregnancy craving. Their fried chicken sandwich was audibly crisp with fresh tomato and lettuce that I made two meals out of. To end the perfect meal... my husband actually coordinated with staff to create "Gender Reveal" pancakes! I didn't realize what they were until I got to the yummy surprise! Their cream is delicious! The pancakes were soft and sweet! The experience, unforgettable. It brought happy tears to my eyes and we really appreciate the thought and care put into our day. We will DEFINITELY be repeat customers!

    My first experience here was amazing, which is why I was excited to come back for breakfast…read more Unfortunately, this visit was disappointing. I ordered the migas, and the amount of onions in the dish was overwhelming--so much so that it felt like I had ordered a plate of onions rather than migas. The masa cakes were definitely the standout item and were absolutely delicious. However, the rest of the dish fell short. The sauce was extremely rich, making it difficult to enjoy or finish the meal. That said, the restaurant itself is adorable, and our waiter was fantastic. The service and atmosphere were both great. While this breakfast wasn't a hit for me, I'll still return and stick with favorites like the fried green tomatoes and taquito salad, which were excellent during my previous visit.

    Photos
    Cheeky monkey, fried French toast, eggs Benedict and slab of bacon
    Cheeky monkey, fried French toast, eggs Benedict and slab of bacon
    Phoebe's Diner
    Just starting the day...

    See all

    Just starting the day...
    Phoebe's Diner

    Phoebe's Diner

    4.4
    (395 reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Established in 2017

    I was in the mood for classic diner-style breakfast, and after seeing so many great reviews, we…read moredecided to give Phoebe's Diner a try. From the moment we walked in, the hostess gave us a warm welcome, and we were seated right away. It took our server a little while to get to our table, but she arrived with waters in hand, which was appreciated. We started with the fried green tomatoes. They were good, though I've definitely had better back home in Houston. For my entrée, I ordered the Badass Bacon Plate, and it absolutely hit the spot. Everything on the plate was delicious, from the thick-cut slab of bacon to the perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. I especially appreciated that the eggs were seasoned before cooking, something I don't often see at restaurants, and it really made a difference. The hash brown casserole was also fantastic and tied the whole meal together. My brother ordered the fried chicken biscuit and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. Although our server was clearly very busy, the restaurant had a great team approach. Other staff members checked on us, refilled drinks, and made sure we had everything we needed, so we never felt neglected. Overall, it was a great dining experience with delicious food, friendly hospitality, and excellent teamwork. I would definitely recommend Phoebe's Diner if you're looking for a satisfying breakfast or brunch in Austin.

    5/5 Stars - I would legally marry this bacon.Listen, I came to Phoebe's Diner for brunch, but I…read moreleft questioning every other meal choice I've ever made. The service was so fast and friendly I thought they were trying to prank me.Here is the breakdown of how they stole my heart: Phoebe Benedict: The poached eggs were so perfect they looked sculpted by Michelangelo. The hollandaise belongs in a museum. Biscuits and Gravy: Fluffier than a cloud and smothered in gravy that tastes like a warm hug from a Southern grandma. Pure, unadulterated comfort food. Side of Bacon: This isn't just bacon. It is a thick-cut, crispy masterpiece. Pretty sure it's the best bacon in Austin, if not the entire universe. Pro tip: Get on their Yelp Waitlist early unless you enjoy staring longingly through the window at strangers eating your future meal. 10/10 will be back to eat my weight in pork products.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    -Badass Bacon & Eggs-
    -Badass Bacon & Eggs-
    -Cafe du Monde Vietnamese Iced Coffee-

    See all

    -Cafe du Monde Vietnamese Iced Coffee-
    24 Diner

    24 Diner

    3.6
    (2.2k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    We were looking for a late-night restaurant with a variety of options to satisfy my picky daughter,…read moreand we ended up at 24 Diner. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome throughout our visit. My daughter and I both ordered the chicken fried chicken, and she substituted the collard greens for mac and cheese. The sausage gravy served with the chicken fried chicken was a little unexpected, but I actually enjoyed the subtle kick of spice it had. The collard greens weren't for me, but that's more of a personal preference since I've never been a fan. The mac and cheese, however, felt like it was missing something. Maybe it was the blend of cheeses, but it wasn't the classic, ooey-gooey diner-style mac and cheese we were hoping for. My brother ordered the chicken and waffles. The waffles had a fermented aroma and tangy flavor that caught us off guard. After speaking with the manager, she explained that they're made with a sourdough batter. While that may appeal to some people, it just wasn't his favorite. Overall, we had a good experience thanks to the outstanding service and welcoming atmosphere. The food simply didn't match our personal tastes. That said, the restaurant was absolutely packed, so they're clearly doing something right. I would still recommend giving 24 Diner a try because everyone's palate is different, and their unique flavors may be exactly what you're looking for.

    I have lived in ATX for 40 years. Somehow just never made it to this place. The lady and I ordered…read morehummus, chicken and waffles and the sweet potato hash. The hummus wasn't bad per se, just the combination of flavors didn't work for me. That's a me thing. Someone else might dig it. My lady ordered the chicken and waffles. She said it wasn't bad, the chicken was juicy. I had the abomination that was the sweet potato hash. The eggs were ordered over medium. Fruit was the side. The eggs were cooked over well, way over well. Ok. Things happen. The hash was not fresh at all. Really quite soggy. Ok, so guessing it may have been cooked a day or two prior to ordering. Not well prepared, but not the end of the world, right? Here's the thing: there was an unmistakable flavor of rubber and/or plastic. This was the predominant flavor. I simply couldn't eat it. Maybe a wrapper or some other foreign item was inadvertently added. The small dish of watermelon, strawberry and pineapple was ok. This, with tip, was $65.00 just had water to drink. Wonder if they used to be good and have just fallen off, but IMHO not worth it at all.

    Photos
    24 Diner
    Veggie Burger
    Veggie Burger
    Outside

    See all

    Outside
    Paperboy East

    Paperboy East

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    It's been two days and I'm still thinking of my meal here because it was that good. This place is…read morepopular so I highly recommend making reservations or risk waiting two hours. I love that you can sit upstairs and they play really fun music. It's a perfect place to come with friends. I loved the Lox plate, it's something that I will crave again and order the next opportunity I get. The migas with carnitas is so good too and vey filling. 10/10

    I don't know what to say about this. The place is super cute, parking is whack. The menu is a bit…read moresimple but complex at the same time. First time bring here and the waiter recommended these items. I feel like I ordered the wrong items, or maybe a Texas Hash is not my type of breakfast food. I didn't expect it to taste like curry and I don't want to eat curry spices for brunch. 4/5 The fried chicken with biscuit is okay, the chicken was great, well done great seasoning. The egg was cook to perfection, the biscuit was dry though, and the gravy was a bit weird. It was more like a dressing than gravy. 3/5 Texas hash was sweet potatoes and pulled pork in what I can guess is like a curry sauce with lime, cilantros. I wouldn't order this again, we ate like 1/2 of it and didn't even togo home. I was expecting more like... breakfast sweet potatoes with a side of pulled pork, didn't expect that it was all mixed in and mashed together. 5/5 free rice Krispies, this was amazing. Probably the best home made rice Krispies I had in my life. Overall I need to comeback to try something else. Also the water here was good, didn't taste like Austin city water.

    Photos
    Bar seat/ kitchen view
    Bar seat/ kitchen view
    Delicious Almond Horchata
    Delicious Almond Horchata
    Classic breakfast plate

    See all

    Classic breakfast plate

    Counter Cafe East - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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