Counter Cafe

Counter Cafe, with two unique locations in Austin, embraces a modern yet authentic spin on traditional American diner food. Its goal is to serve meals that are locally sourced, fresh in flavor, and organic.

One chilly Sunday morning, we decided to visit Counter Cafe’s east location. There was a wait, but while you wait, there is bottomless coffee, plenty of outdoor seating, and cozy blankets to snuggle up in. The interior space is welcoming and bright, and feels as if you’re walking into your best friend’s kitchen. White subway tile, blackboards with colorful handwriting, and Kelly green paint envelop the walls, and the open-concept kitchen is buzzing with busy chefs and servers.

Counter Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything between. On this Sunday morning, we were in the mood for hot coffee, freshly squeezed mimosas, and plenty of hearty breakfast food. 

We began our feast with a Fried Chicken Biscuit: a full fried chicken thigh and drizzly honey butter nestled between the halves of a warm homemade biscuit. In my opinion, the meal isn’t complete without a side of savory gravy to dunk your Fried Chicken Biscuit into. Served with seasonal fruit and crisp breakfast potatoes, this dish is a Southern food treasure. 

Crab Cake Benedict is a pair of farm-fresh poached eggs piled atop handmade crab cakes and a flaky biscuit, with plenty of creamy hollandaise sauce to top it off. The crab cakes are perfectly cooked, with just a hint of crustiness on the outside, and exploding with authentic seafood flavor on the inside. The poached eggs are soft and pillowy, and run with delicious yolk in every bite. Life hack: use breakfast potatoes to soak up leftover yolk. Delicious.

If you’re seeking a hearty breakfast with a unique twist, Counter Cafe in Austin, Texas, is the place to go.