11 Best Brunches in Austin
Perla's
Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.
Seats on the spacious front patio are coveted. Nautical, striped umbrellas shade picnic tables and oak trees grow through the wooden deck. Inside, bright yellows, cool blues, basket lanterns, and weathered wood feel very Cape Cod. Guests can sit at the curved raw bar, where a lavish display of raw bivalves sits on ice behind glass. In the main dining room, crisp white tablecloths cover the tables, but the atmosphere is not stuffy.
What was the crowd like?
A mix of locals and tourists, some serious about raw oysters, others here for the sophisticated, lively atmosphere.
What should we be drinking?
The frozen cocktails could be described as addictive. The house frozen tropical fruit margarita is particularly popular and not sickly sweet. There are additional, rotating margaritas that pack a punch, like prickly pear or cucumber. A coastal-inspired cocktail, the Perla’s Porch Punch, is made with rum, curaçao, ginger, and sparkling wine.
Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
At brunch, groups order Bloody Marys and work their way through a platter of fresh oysters before moving on to the crab parmesan grits, served in a petite two-handled skillet, and fresh cuts from Texas' Gulf Coast, like the grilled redfish, which comes with their signature crispy shoestring fries.
And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
They're extremely knowledgeable about fresh oysters and fish and their origins. They are often overheard lending tips about Austin to out-of-town visitors.
What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
This is a place to spend an afternoon people watching and imbibing. The atmosphere works for diners of all ages.
In this town, brunch never disappoints.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
