1886 Cafe & Bakery 604 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701

"Nice place for brunch. Loved the atmosphere and those nice employees, they are moving so fast and are all so nice! We had the chocolate cake and the chocolate croissant, absolutely enjoyed. Was a great experience."

"Avocado toast was good, croissants were also delicious. Other stuff was okay. There is a line to order, then self-seating (system similar to Panera). We were in-line then were told the line started in the back end, so lost our spot and waited quite a long time again to order. There’s a gap in the line to not get in the server’s way as they pickup food"

"1886 has very high quality food and a classic cafe atmosphere. The avocado toast was quite delicious and I liked the sweet radish combination with the savory flavor of the chipotle mayo on it. However, if you get to 1886 after 9:30, often the line is out the door and there isn’t enough indoor seating. Additionally, it is quite expensive. For avocado toast, a cup of cold drip coffee, and a piece of chocolate cake, it was $44. This is quite steep considering that it is a cafe, not a sit-down formal restaurant. I would recommend coming here since it is an Austin classic and the food is reliably good, but I would be aware of the cost."

"Beautiful historical cafe in the heart of downtown Austin. Had the chai latte and the chocolate croissant as a starter. Croissant was fresh and chai deliciously spiced. For breakfast I ordered the chicken and waffles. Food took a while to come out, almost 30 minutes. The waffle was super fluffy and probably my favorite part of the meal. I was not too crazy with the taste of the breading on the chicken, but it was still good. Total price was definitely on the expensive side. However, this cafe is a nice place to experience the historical atmosphere of old Austin"

"It never occurred to me during my 20+ years of living in Austin to enjoy a meal at the Driskill’s 1886 Cafe & Bakery. This weekend, while hunting for a good Sunday breakfast at any downtown restaurant, I made a stop at two other establishments that had a waitlist that was longer than I was willing to accept. My final Google maps search suggested the 1886 Cafe & Bakery. After scrolling through the patron photos and reviews, I was convinced that it would be worth the additional 8 minute drive. Downtown parking during the final day of ACL weekend was easier than expected. After a brief one block walk, I arrived at the Driskill. As I grabbed the door and began to pull it open, the doorman rushed to finish the task. Door handle on one hand and his cell phone in the other, he welcomed me to the hotel and ushered me in. I thanked him and made my way to the cafe. It was hard to determine my position in line. I was close enough to access the menu from the QR code just under the vintage stained glass welcome sign. After a few minutes, I learned that each guest is addressed by a greeter who offers polite instructions on the ordering and seating procedure. In less than 10 minutes, I was near the main counter. During my wait, I managed to take a few tourist-style photos and chat with a few other patrons-in-waiting. I arrived at the register having narrowed my selection down to two choices.. It was either the Chicken and Waffles, or the Brazos Huevos Rancheros. Since I already have a favorite restaurant to experience an exquisite chicken and waffles, I chose the Brazos Huevos Rancheros. Pricing is a bit high. But, I wouldn’t quite call it expensive. After placing my order, I took my neatly bundled utensils with my table marker(a numbered wooden spoon) and found a table in the main area of the hotel. My steaming meal arrived minutes later. The waiter staff seemed light. But, “Wolfie” stopped by to check on our table at least twice. The chefs at the 1886 Cafe & Bakery present their signature Brazos Huevos Rancheros in a non-traditional fashion. Instead of simply covering the plate with separate and familiar portions of food. This dish is served with layers of fresh flavorful ingredients. The foundation starts with a mixture of papas(potatoes) and chunks of sausage. Next is a crispy fried corn tortilla which is coated with a smooth layer of refried beans - and, if I’m not mistaken, a light layer of crumbled sausage. Finally, another crispy tortilla is added. This time topped with ranchero sauce, scrambled eggs, pico, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream! The combination of fresh ingredients and contrasting textures made for a delightful experience. Although both are delicious, there is a discernible difference between a chef-prepared dish and one that is traditionally home-cooked. Is it worth paying almost twice what you might pay at a local Mexican restaurant? I would recommend visiting the 1886 Bakery & Cade at least once so that you can decide for yourself!"