Nestled in the heart of South Austin, Bouldin Creek Café is an authentic, local gem that is not to be missed.

I first tried the restaurant on one of my mother’s whims about a year ago. And to be honest, my initial reaction was total skepticism. The menu was completely vegan and vegetarian and I assumed everything would be bland and tasteless, full of meat replacements made out of bean sprouts and other unsavory items. However, my first bite out of “The Neal” taco quelled all of my fears. Filled with egg, mushrooms, spinach and cheese, it was delicious and I couldn’t eat it fast enough.

The ambience was cool and low-key with crazy metal light fixtures, colorful paintings by Austin artists and blackboards covered in chalk scribbles, occasionally substituting for walls. In addition to the unique feel, the café also was impeccably clean and they offered airy outdoor seating in the midst of their small garden.

The staff was friendly and helpful, and each member had a funky, distinctly Austin look that added to the ambience. After my brother spilled his hot chocolate all over the table, our waitress cleaned it up without even upsetting the tire chandelier that hung above our heads. I’ve been to the café about four times in the past year, and every visit I leave feeling completely content.
Entrées range from the most basic taco priced at $2, to more filling sandwiches priced around $7.75. Open from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight on weekends, the restaurant is always ready to please with great choices like their famous veggie burger and “Wanna-BLT” made with tofu bacon instead. Even meat lovers will find this tasty.

Located at 1900 South First Street, Bouldin Creek Café offers affordable prices and a truly Austin experience that you won’t want to miss.