Blue Dahlia Bistro

Our server was RUDE. When she failed to get our order correct, she blamed us. When asked to repeat the... more

Our server was RUDE. When she failed to get our order correct, she blamed us. When asked to repeat the specials for the day, she told us we should ... more

Fresh. That is the best way to describe the way this little gem feels. The food is perfect. The wait was a little long, but that is understandable - place this good is going to be busy all the time. \r The food that they serve here is the type of food that will make you feel good for the rest of the day. All kinds of fresh baked breads, fresh green, fresh veggies, fresh fruit, fresh meat, fresh, fresh, fresh. They have house made lemonade that is perfect and they have fantastic coffee. A very satisfying experience all around. I will be back. more

The best tables in this charming bistro are actually behind the restaurant in a lush courtyard. The cheese plate, egg salad tartine, and brunch items are menu standouts. more

With a small and inviting garden like setting out back, additional outdoor seating in front and an indoor dining room, this looks-to-be former house is a great find. I have been a couple of times and my only reservations would be that the service can be slow and they do not have equal for ice tea (byoe). Blue Dahlia offers good food at reasonable prices that appears attractive when served. This could be a nice alternative to hanging out at a coffee house or the like with your lap top or book (they have wi-fi). You may want to look elsewhere though if you are in a time crunch though. Pros: Outdoor seating, yummy food Cons: Inconvenient location for me, sometimes slow service (republished review from 2008) more

Finally, I have found the quintessential breakfast place in Austin and concluded my search for belgian waffles at the same time. Having come from Santa Cruz, California where breakfast places abound, minus the normal migas and breakfast tacos you find in Austin, I missed having a breakfast place to go to for fresh breakfast fare. Blue Dahlia fits the bill perfectly with their belgian waffles, blueberry blintzes, frittatas, fresh fruit salad, and delicious mimosas. Their lunch fare is just as delicious, with their unique style of sandwiches with the inside of the sandwich served atop a huge slice of fresh baked bread cut into triangles. The decor of the place is as charming as their food is fresh and delicious. With all wooden floors, and solid wooden chairs and tables it exudes an aura of curling up in a corner with a steaming cup of coffee and chatting with a good friend. Which is exactly what I do when I go here, minus the curling up in a corner. Located in East Austin on 11th just east of 35, it's the perfect downtown location without being in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of downtown. If you haven't been to East Austin yet, you are missing out on the best part of Austin. Part of my love for Austin is it's similarity to the parts of California that I'm familiar with - Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Los Gatos, Capitola, and everywhere in between. Much to my delight, East Austin embodies the parts of California that I love even more than Austin itself, with Blue Dahlia being my favorite corner of it thus far. It took me four years to discover this - don't let it take you that long! Pros: Charming atmosphere, belgian waffles, fresh baked bread Cons: None! more

I really like this place... been here twice... sadly- the only con was both times- the servers were SLOW... the first time I was on my lunch break, so that WAS a problem... as I was then 20 minutes late to work!\r \r Second time, it was a Sat., so it didn't matter- I had tons of time... the Blueberry Blintzes... mmmmmmmmmmmm... the soups... mmmmmmmmmmm... \r \r Cute place, great prices... just wish they'd up the service a bit... there was one waiter (he was not waiting on us unfortunately) the 2nd time I was there who seemed to be ON IT... he even checked on US and we weren't his table... I wish I knew his name- he gets props... Pros: Good food, great prices, cute atmosphere... Cons: Slow service... more

According to our waitress and the manager, the policy of this establishment is that if you order a bottle of wine, there is no service. They will open the bottle, re-cork it, and leave it at your table. Do not expect water, ice in your water, or to be checked on. Cons: horrible service more

I really enjoy The Blue Dahlia. It's a warm, inviting place to grab breakfast or lunch... or just a coffee and a pastry. \r \r The staff is always very friendly and pleasant. You really get a sense that they care about the place, the customers and the quality of food.\r \r The outside area in the back is really nice too. Pros: Great atmosphere, great food, great service more

Not being from Austin and having the impression of Texas eateries being limited to barbeque joints and Pappas chains, we didn't have high expectations of the evening meal. On a tip from local, we decided to try this place. The atmosphere was immediately inviting with heavy wood farm tables dappled with lit candles, soft chatter from families or groups of friends, and a charming back-garden warmed by heat lamps and a roaring chiminea. The food was equally amazing. I see why the owners chose to have family-style seating: you can't help but covet your neighbors meal while magnanimously also wanting to share your own. Between the three of us, we had, loved and devoured the: butternut squash risotto (hands-down the best risotto ever...exciting and still subtly flavorful); some sort of pumpkin spicy soup; and two pasta dishes. Fresh pesto, perfectly al dente, not drowning in sauce, perfectly sized portions. We had appetizers, a glass of wine, entrees and two desserts...all for under $70. This gave me hope that Texas restaurants may be finding their nirvana and no longer following the fat-ball trends of oversized and over-sauced options. Kudos! Pros: delicious, relatively healthy food & great atmosphere Cons: the neighborhood made my mom a little nervous (but its fine) more

I had the cheese plate which was absolutely fantastic. The only complaint was that the brie wasn't room temp so it was a little stiff to cut into and I wish the bread was warmed a little. Overall generous portions, perfectly ripe fruit accompaniments, great variety, the service was good too. The cheese plate was so large my husband and I had a hard time finishing it! Can't wait to try more stuff off their menu! more

I literally could hang out here just about every day - there menu has so many choices and it's all so fresh and great - I never leave feeling stuffed but always leave feeling satisfied. I highly recommend the brie and preserves and the bread pudding. Pros: Food is so fresh and presented so well. Cons: Unless you live near East Austin it's a little out of the way. more

Wow - what a great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert!! The courtyard in the back is gorgeous! At night, with the live candles, it's a beautiful palce for dates or other gatherings. (Exception: We went one night when it was cold, but it did not have the heater lamps -- so it was cold and unpleasant and we had to rush out.) The waitstaff is nice, and the bathrooms are pretty, and the entrees are fresh-looking and super tasty. Prices are average. Definitely worth checking out! Also very Austin ""green, granola, and organic"" feeling. But watch out if you ask for bottled water -- one staff was super snide to me and said ""We don't believe in plastic bottles here!"" So - I wasn't able to get any water to go. Pros: beautiful setting Cons: not many warm entrees more

Amazing food....healthy, beautiful, and tasty. Environmentally conscious. Amiable and respectful service without being pretentious. European attitude and comfortable atmosphere. Great experience. I'm planning to go back for breakfast tomorrow. Pros: Better than the most expensive restaurants in Austin. Everything more

My Husband and I just ate at the Blue Dahlia Bistro for the first time today and it was DELICIOUS! He had the hummus/sprouts/avocado sandwich with sharp white cheddar cheese...I had the mushroom soup & bread. The sandwich came open-face, looking like art, on a wooden cutting board. Both were incredibly tasty and you can tell they use fresh, organic ingredients - just like they advertise. We almost ordered the pasta until we read that it's only served after 5pm (we went for lunch). The atmosphere was charming and quaint and the acoustic mandolin music they were playing was a nice touch. And to top it all off, since we just drank water, our bill was only $11! We'll definitely be going back! Pros: Healthy delicious organic food, charming atmosphere, great prices Cons: No dessert menu, entrees only served after 5pm more

We tried the Blue Dahlia Bistro last night and were not disappointed. The restaurant definitely has a french feeling with the large wooden tables and wood beamed ceiling. The warm painted walls and candlelight helps you to step back from the everyday and take an hour or two to relax. The waitstaff was the perfect combination of the attentive but not so involved that you couldn't relax and enjoy the conversation. The wine list isn't huge but they have several different types available by the bottle or the glass. Our waiter seemed knowledgable about the wine - my Shiraz was exactly like he described it. We split the cheese tray and one of their European salads. The cheese plate comes with several types of cheese, fruit and some of the best olives that I have ever had. Not to mention the large basket of assorted bread - something for everyone. The salad was large and the vegetables on it must have just come from the farm they were so fresh. We will definitely go back - it is the perfect place to have great food and wine. Pros: Recommend the cheese plate! Cons: Nothing! more

Sitting on the patio at the Blue Dahlia with a glass of wine and a cheese plate made for a perfect evening. Our wait person was nice enough to tell us that with the great basket of bread that comes with the cheese plate and smoked trout my wife and I could make a meal out of our appetizers. It was a perfect assortment of cheeses and the bread was as good as she described - I think I ate at least a loaf worth. The inside of the restaurant is comfortable but elegant and the outside patio was perfect for an October evening. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Wait Staff more