Naturaltown

East Side Cafe

Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri, 11am-11pm; Sat, 10-am-11pm; Sun, 10am-10pm

East Side Cafe is a bona fide Austin treasure, a charming cafe in a 1920s vintage cottage, nestled in front of an acre of lovingly tended organic gardens. Diners can relax in one of the cozy dining rooms or request seating on the comfortable-in-all seasons enclosed patio and choose from an inviting menu enhanced with seasonal selections from the cafe's huge garden.

Soup queen Ruth Carter is mindful of vegetarian tastes, with the daily offering of a spicy tomato soup easily made vegan by holding the cheese garnish and the addition of special new vegetarian soups regularly. Salads are always a high point here, and two of the most popular menu items are vegetarian pasta dishes; Artichoke Manicotti ($11.95 whole, $9.95 half) and the new Asian Noodles ($11.95), which features a bed of greens topped with angel hair pasta napped in a spicy peanut sauce with roasted portobello mushrooms and Thai cucumber relish. Other reliable vegetarian items such as roasted vegetable enchiladas with rojas or verde sauce can easily be made vegan upon request. Luscious homemade desserts and a refreshing stroll through the garden are the perfect ending to a meal at East Side.