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Magnolia Cafe, Austin
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Magnolia Cafe, Austin

Dining reviews and photos of Magnolia Cafe posted by real travelers and Austin locals.
• 3 Photos
• 12 Reviews
• Satisfaction Index:

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Magnolia Cafe: Breakfast here is a must!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
  • ATXtraveler
  • By ATXtraveler on June 14, 2004
  • Austin Page by ATXtraveler
  • The Austin Review of this place really says it all:

    Magnolia harks back to the days of old Austin, with a fiercely independent spirit that no amount of high-tech growth can squelch. Laid-back and comfortable, the cafe features tables covered in whimsical designs and friendly, if casual, waiters. The crowd includes old folks, alienated teenagers and little tykes. There's always a line for brunch, but free coffee will keep you awake while you wait.

    I would recommend the Neptunian Landscape, which is potatoes, topped with jack cheese, sour cream, tomatillo, avocado and onions! Yummy!

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  • Theme: Breakfast
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 2304 Lake Austin Blvd
  • Phone: (512) 478-8645
  • Website: http://www.cafemagnolia.com/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Magnolia Cafe: Totally Austin
  • Tip Rating:
  • contadina
  • By contadina on January 4, 2003
  • Austin Page by contadina
  • This is one place you should try while you're here. It's great food, from vegetarian to burgers. The atmosphere is laid back, you get a taste of Austin and it's culture when you pull up.

    Favorite meal has to be the Migas with a buttermilk pancake on the side...
    Try the Mag mud for starters too.

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  • Theme: Local
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 2304 Lake Austin Blvd. or 1920 S. Congress Ave.
  • Directions: Straight south on Congress it's on your right.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: Amazing Pancakes to Die For
  • Tip Rating:
  • Satisfaction:
  • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on February 16, 2004
  • Austin Page by keeweechic
  • Magnolia Cafe - Austin
    by keeweechic
    Magnolia Cafe is Tex-Mex. This is one of 2 cafe's and is opened 24 hrs.

    We went there for breakfast which is served anytime.

    You have to have the gingerbread whole wheat cornmeal pancakes with pecans, they are to die for but they are BIG. I had one only and that kept me going most of the day. The eggs were apparently good but the sausage a little crunchy. It is a very popular place and do not be surprised if they waiters have tattoos, ear piercing and long hair - the service is good and the coffee (which is ok - not great) keeps flowing.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: 2304 Lake Austin Blvd (the original cafe).
  • Directions: Exit Mopac at Lake Austin Blvd, head west a little way. Its popular so parking could be difficult.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: Magnolia's is very good...
  • Tip Rating:
  • bottleofdoom
  • Updated By bottleofdoom on September 7, 2002
  • Austin Page by bottleofdoom
  • Magnolia Cafe - Austin
    by bottleofdoom
    Magnolia's is very good Mexican food too.
    More healthy dishes prepared quickly & very ecclectic.

    Just about everything.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Across from The Continental Club too, but up the street a bit.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: Magnolia Cafe
  • Tip Rating:
  • SinKitty
  • By SinKitty on August 26, 2002
  • Austin Page by SinKitty
  • Magnolia Cafe - Austin
    by SinKitty
    Magnolia is a low key restaurant that is open 24 hours. Don't plan on going for breakfast on Saturdays or Sundays because they are slammed and there is always a wait. But if you can tolerate the wait, it's worth it. The service is allright, not top notch, but not as bad as Starseeds. The waitstaff is a unique combination of 'individuals'. Meaning Magnolia is a hip place to work if you have dreads or want to tell The Man to bite it.

    Gingerbread Pancakes. Need I say more? Well...if I must: These babies are incredibly good. They serve you a nice HUGE stack, and when you smother them with syrup, they are amazing. They are similar to Gingerbread cookies, but the consistency of pancakes. You get it.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: There is one at 2304 Lake Austin Blvd. The number is (512)478-8645. There is also one at 1920 S. Congress driving away from downtown. The number for that one is (512)445-0000.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Magnolia Cafe: Magnolia Cafe
  • Tip Rating:
  • KenMore
  • Updated By KenMore on August 25, 2002
  • Austin Page by KenMore
  • Magnolia Cafe
    Open 24/7

    Their pancakes are enormous!

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Two locations: 2304 Lake Austin Blvd. and 1920 S. Congress Ave.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: my favorite restaurant in Austin
  • Satisfaction:
  • tinyvulture
  • By tinyvulture on July 31, 2006
  • Austin Page by tinyvulture
  • Magnolia has something for everyone whether you are in the mood for breakfast food, Mexican, or sandwiches/burgers. The gingerbread pancakes are great, everyone seems to love them, but their omelets are also good (the Magnolia, with avocado and black olives, is my favorite). I really like the Flamingo sandwich with avocado, sprouts and tomato, and my husband likes their shrimp enchilada special.

    The best dish I've had is a dinner special ...I think it's served on Saturdays... called polenta scipione. It is grilled chunks of polenta, topped with asparagus, carrot, mushrooms and spinach. It comes covered in a garlic/butter/white wine sauces that is absolutely wonderful. Sometimes polenta can be bland, but Magnolia's polenta is very flavorful and stuffed with chunks of tasty gruyere cheese and bits of sun-dried tomato. I would expect to get a dish like this in an expensive restaurant -- it's delicious.

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  • Theme: Eclectic/International
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 1920 S. Congress
  • Phone: (512) 445-0000
  • Website: www.cafemagnolia.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: Great Local Restaurant
  • Satisfaction:
  • tee0206
  • Updated By tee0206 on September 23, 2007
  • Austin Page by tee0206
  • There are two Magnolia locations in Austin: one on South Congress and one on Lake Austin Blvd. Since I live about a block away from one of these locations, I'm a regular. I'm probably there on average of twice a week. I really enjoy this restaurant. It's a great local place. This colorful and cozy diner has some cool, interesting art on the walls (including an interesting pterodactyl hanging from the ceiling in the S. Congress location), as does any good, local Austin restaurant. Most of the servers appear to be young and hip, possibly aspiring musicians. Magnolia Cafe is often packed with locals, especially on weekends, when the wait for a table can be long. However, if you're alone or want take-out, take a seat at the bar and you'll see the hustle and bustle going on in the kitchen. If you go during weekend brunch, you'll find quite a variety of people--families, students, hippies, hipsters. Oh yeah, the food is pretty good, too. There's a variety of local favorites, including Tex-Mex and good 'ole comfort food. They're also famous for their breakfast foods, which are available 24 hours a day.

    I love the Magnolia Brownie a la mode. Warning: it is huge. You may want to split this dessert unless you're really, really hungry. The chocolate cake is a favorite of a friend of mine. They usually seem to be out of this dessert, though. However, we found out a secret. The cake gets delivered in limited quantities every Tuesday, so if you want the cake, try going to Magnolia on a Tuesday. As for non-dessert foods, I like the queso for an appetizer. I've never had an entree I didn't like, but I am a big fan of the Tropical Turkey Tacos and the Pork Tenderloin with Cheese Grits. The Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Ravioli, Migas, etc. are also good choices. Told you I was a regular, ha.

  • Theme: Local
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Directions: Two locations: South Congress Avenue and Lake Austin Boulevard
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: it makes my heart mealt
  • Satisfaction:
  • boofany
  • By boofany on May 6, 2006
  • Austin Page by boofany
  • it makes my heart melt to see so many comments about the gingerbread pancakes.
    they are THAT good!
    this place is a must for anyone living in, or visiting austin...
    there's something there for everyone, in this relaxed and friendly place.

    the gingerbread pancakes are huge, soft and delicious with or without the optional fruit/nuts.
    just one flls up a whole plate and must be (at least) a hald an inch thick.... one pancake is more than enough.
    the home fries are great to get with the pancakes.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Local
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: South Congress, just before Oltorf
  • Directions: from the capital, go straight down congress over the bridge... this will turn into south congress, and magnolia cafe will be up a couple of stoplights on your right.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Magnolia Cafe: Magnolia Cafe
  • By My_View on August 27, 2002
  • Austin Page by My_View
  • The prices are ok, the atmosphere is laid back. It does not matter how you are dressed, no one cares. And the food is GOOD.

    Love Garlic Pepper Chicken

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  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: 1920 S. Congress (There is also on Lake Austin Blvd.)
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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