Charming little breakfast spot that's open 24 hours

Popular plate: Gingerbread pancakes are a multi-sensory experience, but the desire to savor the smell is quickly overwhelmed by the urge to devour them.

This cozy old cafe's original emphasis on fresh breakfast foods has expanded in recent years to include all manner of vegan, organic and otherwise politically correct fare. Vegetarians rave about the avocado and black bean tacos and the banana bread french toast, while carnivores flock here for the chicken tortilla soup and multiple incarnations of enchiladas.

The service varies wildly depending on the hour, but even if you get stuck with a grumpy waiter at 3am, your food will be tasty, fresh and (usually) fast. As the service declines late at night, the people-watching improves exponentially, so sit back, sip some coffee, and enjoy Austin at its weirdest.