Elizabeth Street Café

1501 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States
$$$ Vietnamese restaurant
(2415 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to Elizabeth Street Café, a delightful Vietnamese restaurant nestled in the heart of Austin at 1501 S 1st St. This charming eatery combines the vibrancy of Vietnamese cuisine with a casual French flair, creating a unique and inviting dining atmosphere that keeps guests returning time and again.

As you step inside, you’re greeted by a cozy yet lively ambiance, reminiscent of a French café with its bright windows and cheerful décor. The buzz of conversation and the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared dishes envelop you, setting the stage for a memorable meal. Elizabeth Street Café is perfect for both intimate dinners and lively brunch outings, echoing warmth and hospitality in every corner.

The menu is a celebration of flavors, each dish crafted with care and attention to detail. Must-try items include the Elizabeth Street Fried Rice, a fragrant blend bursting with savory delights for just $20, and the unmissable Pork & Shrimp Crêpe, a culinary masterpiece at $21. For noodle lovers, the Red Curry Dan Dan Noodles offers a comforting spice that will leave your tastebuds dancing, while the Half Shell Redfish showcases the freshest flavors of the sea at $29.

Dine family-style for a truly communal experience, as customer Kevin Parmley suggests: “Get everything as family style and splitting it up!” A standout recommendation is the French Toast, which is described as “so good, I ate it before I thought to take a photo.” For those seeking a lighter option, the Crispy Vegetable Noodles and Chicken & Makrut Lime Laap are also delightful choices.

No meal here is complete without indulging in the café’s exquisite desserts. Treat yourself to the Daily Macaron for a lovely $3.50 or savor the rich Opera Cake at just $5. These sweet confections are the perfect way to end your dining experience, leaving you with a taste of happiness.

Despite the restaurant's small size, the enthusiasm of the staff, particularly Anna, shines through—making every visit feel personal and welcoming. Various reviews highlight the vibrant atmosphere; customer Cathleen Plasencia praises the "lovely" vibe and "amazing" food, while TJ Davis notes the staff's attentiveness and willingness to accommodate dietary needs.

While some diners like Grant Wissler have noted that service can occasionally lag during peak hours, it's worth it for the experience you will have. With vibrant flavors, a cozy atmosphere, and a stellar menu, Elizabeth Street Café is undoubtedly a gem of the Austin dining scene. Whether you are a local or just visiting, make it a point to visit this culinary treasure and experience a taste of vibrant Vietnam in every bite!

For reservations or inquiries, you can reach the friendly team at +1 512-291-2881. Don't miss out on this delightful experience where every dish tells a story!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Paid parking lot
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

2415 Reviews
Cathleen Plasencia

14 Sep 2025

We’re visiting Austin and all of us agree that Elizabeth Street has been our favorite meal. The spring rolls, chili oil dumplings, Singapore noodles, steak fried rice, chocolate mousse and croissant beignets were all amazing. Our server, Anna, was great. The atmosphere is lovely. Definitely worth a visit or ten.

Grant Wissler

17 Aug 2025

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. The food is just so good. We’ve tried so many things on the menu and have loved it all. Only complaint is service and be a little slow and the seating is tight because it’s a small restaurant but the rest of the experience makes up for it. If you’re looking for great Vietnamese food in the Austin area, this is the spot.

Kevin Parmley

19 Jul 2025

Solid meal, really great service and an amazing vibe! All the dishes are solid, but the French toast is REALLY good. So good in fact, that I ate it before I thought to take a photo. Highly recommend getting everything as family style and splitting it up!

Allyne Dawson

10 Jul 2025

My husband and I visited Elisabeth Street Café on a Sunday for a late lunch, and street parking nearby was easy to find. We were greeted warmly upon arrival and, since we had a reservation, promptly shown to our table. The tables are set quite close together - so, at times when the noise level is not deafening, it kind of feels like a large banquet table as one can overhear conversations from nearby guests. Overall, I had two main concerns during our visit: Noise level: the restaurant was extremely loud. Voices from a large table carried throughout the room, making it difficult to hear my husband even when sitting directly across from him. The atmosphere became uncomfortable, and I would recommend that management consider adding sound-absorbing panels to help balance the acoustics. Food spiciness: while the flavors were bold, the redfish dish was overwhelmingly spicy. I usually tolerate heat quite well, but this level of spice left me with severe reflux, which is very uncommon for me. It would be helpful if the staff asked guests about their spice tolerance before serving dishes prepared with such intensity. Elisabeth Street Café has great potential, with a lovely ambiance and attentive service, but addressing the noise and spice-level concerns would make the dining experience much more enjoyable.

Erin Isabel

06 Jul 2025

This place is very cute! The beignets were incredible. Super airy and fresh. I also got the lime fried chicken banh mi which was super tasty! Would be back for more :) The place is pretty busy but vibes are still great!

Jessica Badejo

30 Jun 2025

The food was outstanding, a solid 50/10. The presentation, dish choices, flavors, and temperature were all amazing. However, the service left much to be desired. I initially thought I could give them the benefit of the doubt, considering they were transitioning into dinner service, but I was never offered anything to drink beyond the water that their attentive busser provided. Even though I was dining alone, I had to encourage a family of three to seek out their server. The inattentiveness of the staff was frustrating, and I can't honestly recommend this place for a dining experience but I would for take out.

TJ Davis

22 Jun 2025

Brunch was amazing! It was our first time here, so the staff explained the menu to help us decide. They were very considerate when it came to allergies and went to check with the kitchen before submitting our order. They even helped us take a photo after our meal. 100% would recommend and definitely will go back!!

Diana Vu

28 May 2025

The food was very delicious. It was my first time visiting Austin and my cousin decided to take me here. The service was quick and our server was very attentive. I loved the food so much and would definitely come back.

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