On South 1st Street in Austin, Texas sits the cute French Vietnamese Cafe, Elizabeth Street Cafe. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, to the booth seating and bright and quirky colors, the aesthetic of this place will brighten anyone’s day.
When you walk in the door you’re greeted with the sight of their incredible dessert case, filled with traditional French pastries like Kouign Amann and Canelés, and an assortment of Éclairs, Macaroons, and Croissants. From here, you can either sit inside or out. Once seated, order a Vietnamese Coffee (hot or iced) and take some time to take in their menu.
Breakfast & Brunch
Their breakfast and brunch menu boasts classic dishes with a twist, like their Breakfast Pho and their Sticky Rice with Ginger Sausage and Poached Egg. If you’re here for breakfast, order their House Baked Brioche French Toast, topped with sweetened condensed milk ice cream, a blueberry thai basil compote, and brown butter syrup. The combination is uber sweet, but so, so good. This is my go-to breakfast option here, mainly because I’m a sugar junkie, although their Breakfast Pho or Breakfast Bánh Mì are not to be missed!
Lunch & Dinner
The lunch and dinner menu varies quite a bit from their breakfast as it sticks towards its Vietnamese roots. It contains dishes like Bánh Mì, Pho, and the rice vermicelli bowls; Bún, along with appetizers like a variety of Spring Rolls and Steamed Buns. Order one of their Spring Rolls to start and a Bánh Mì for your meal. My personal favorite is the House Specialty Bánh Mì, filled with chicken liver mousse, a pork pâté, chunks of roasted pork, housemade mayo, jalapenos, and of course, an assortment of rice vinegar pickled veggies. The crispness of the house-baked baguette and tangy-sweet veggies with the creaminess of the pate are a match made in Heaven. Other amazing options on this menu are their Red Curry Dan Dan Noodles and Bánh Cuôn.
Dessert
After feasting on an array of Vietnamese classics, end your meal with one of their delicious French pastries, like their Canelés, Chocolate Bouchon, or Beignets and Jam. Wash it all down with a glass of tea.
Side Note
This place is PACKED during peak hours (Sunday morning brunches, I’m looking at you), so my advice for avoiding the crowd and chaos of the brunch and lunch rushes is to go during their “off” hours. Think early morning breakfast right after they open, 2-3 PM lunches, and either early or late night dinners. Parking is sparse and can get hectic, so these are my go-to times for dining in!