Elizabeth Street Café

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.

- Grant Wissler -

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.

- Allyne Dawson -

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.

- Diana Vu -

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elizabeth Café is an absolute gem! I stopped in recently and was blown away by how warm, charming, and perfectly “Austin” this spot feels. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, the service is quick, and everything on the menu tastes fresh and thoughtfully made. The vibes are cozy, bright, and just make you want to stay awhile. My food and coffee were both perfect — full of flavor and beautifully presented. You can tell they really care about quality here. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast, meeting a friend, or just want a relaxing café to unwind, Elizabeth Café hits every mark. Highly recommend! I’ll definitely be coming back.

- Alyssa Magnum -

Elizabeth Street Cafe on South Lamar in Austin is a culinary delight, masterfully blending the sophistication of French cuisine with the bold flavors of Vietnamese heritage. The ambiance echoes this fusion, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. The Vietnamese wonton soup, a creative reinterpretation of the classic French onion soup, was a highlight of our visit. Rich, comforting, and perfectly suited to a chilly evening, it showcased the cafe's ability to reimagine familiar dishes with unexpected flair. The Bahn Coun was a testament to the kitchen's skill, with tender, expertly cooked meat and a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. Each component was carefully crafted to elevate the dish as a whole. Dessert was a symphony of refined indulgence: the macarons were delicate, nuanced confections, while the chocolate sesame puff was a sublime marriage of crispy, nutty, and rich elements, a true tour de force of textural contrast and flavor pairing. Overall, Elizabeth Street Cafe delivers a distinctive and captivating dining experience, one that will appeal to adventurous palaters and those seeking a sophisticated take on traditional flavors.

- Sunil Samantaray -

We’ve been wanting to try this place for some time and yesterday we finally had the chance. We came in for Happy Hour on Thursday and ordered the Rice Paper Rolls (Crispy Chicken), Chili Oil Dumplings, Steamed Rice Rolls, and Drunken Noodles. All dishes were great! Kai our server provided amazing service and made some great recommendations for us first timers..we’d come back for the service alone!

- James A. -

We went to dinner as a group of nine and arrived without a reservation. Even so, we were seated quickly (at separate tables), which worked out perfectly since the restaurant filled up shortly after. The place is very nice, especially the terrace. The weather was great and the area is calm, with little traffic, making the atmosphere very pleasant. The service was excellent. Our waiter, Mark, gave us great recommendations and was very attentive. We started with the buns (the order comes with two, but they added an extra one), had the grilled chicken thigh banh mi with generous portions, and finished with the drunken beef noodles. The beef was delicious and flavorful, though it is spicy — something they let you know in advance. Overall, a great experience and a place I would definitely visit again.

- Jose Luis Monroy -

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.

- Jessica Badejo -