Blue Dahlia Bistro

If we needed a restaurant to explain “cottagecore” to someone who didn’t spend half their time on the internet, we’d probably show them a photo of Blue Dahlia’s patio in Westlake. It’s cozy in a way that feels less tailored to smartphone-holders, and more like it grew up in a quaint village near a babbling brook in the French countryside. The menu is simple—mostly made up of salads, tartines, and a few heartier plates—but you’re not coming here to experience innovations in modern French cuisine. Grab a seat on the patio full of blue mosaic tables and hanging plants, order a prosciutto and mozzarella tartine to share, then round out the meal with a bowl of coq au vin blanc or a salad niçoise. If you really want to lean into the aesthetic, do it all in your favorite prairie dress or chunky knit sweater. 

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Food Rundown

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Pearl Sugar Belgian Waffles

These are probably the best Belgian waffles we’ve found in Austin, complete with dots of crunchy pearl sugar mixed into the batter. If you’re here for breakfast (served until 3pm), these are a clear winner.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Prosciutto and Mozzarella Tartine

We like to order one of the tartines to share if we’re with others, or for a light meal when we’re sitting alone on the patio and contemplating if we should move to Colmar. Either way, the prosciutto and mozzarella tartine is our favorite—the pesto and sun-dried tomatoes add some acidity and depth to the creamy cheese.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Coq au Vin Blanc

Very few dishes feel as rustic as a hearty bowl of coq au vin blanc served with a toasted baguette. Ours has arrived a little colder than we’d like on a couple of occasions, but the flavors (and the bread) have never disappointed.