Kolaches have a special place in Texas culinary tradition. They’re ubiquitous, whether you’re in a high-end bakery or a roadside convenience store. Brought to Texas by czech immigrants By the 1800s, the pastry had become synonymous with status. Traditionally, the beloved delicacy is made with a sweet dough patty (kolaches comes from the Czech word for wheel) and filled with fruit, poppy seeds, or other sweet fillings.
After arriving in Texas, the round bun of sweet dough wrapped around cheese and sausage emerged, with which most are familiar. In the Czech community this is actually called Klobasnek, but everyone calls it Kolache.
Some places exclusively make “Texas-style” kolaches. However, many have both versions, including the traditional kolache sweet dumplings of the past. Whichever version of a kolache you prefer, Austin has you covered. Here, we’ve rounded up the 10 best places to get kolaches in Austin.
The 10 Best Kolache Shops in Austin
1. Round Rock Donuts: This nearly 100-year-old bakery is a must-stop.
2. Lone Star Kolaches: Their menu is the size of Texas, and you’ll want to try them all.
3. Moonlight Bakery: You may know Moonlight for its cakes, but its kolaches are just as delicious.
4. Ausin Kolache & Koffee Shoppe – A more traditional Czech bakery with great kolaches and klobasneks.
5. SH Donuts: A hidden, family-run gem in East Austin.
6. Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches: Pair a craft beer with some fresh-tasting kolaches in Batch.
7. Kerlin BBQ – Combine two Texas favorites: Barbeque and Kolaches
8. Donut Taco Palace: Breakfast tacos and kolaches are a beautiful Texas combination.
9. Mrs Johnson’s Bakery: The drive-through donut shop has been an Austin staple since 1948.
10. Capital City Bakery: A 100% plant-based bakery so everyone can enjoy their delicacies.
Austin’s 10 Best Places to Enjoy Kolaches
1. Round Rock Donuts (@redrockdonuts)
(via the Round Rock Donuts website)Round Rock Donuts is first on the list of Kolache places in Austin that have been in the donut and kolache game since 1926, known for their “Texas sized” donuts. They have since expanded to a location in Cedar Park. They keep things simple, just offering a combination of sausage cheese and salty jalapeno kolaches. But, they also sweeten things up, with their fruit kolaches. The cherry looks almost too good to eat…almost.
Address: 106 W. Liberty Avenue, Round Rock TX, 78664 (Round Rock location)
1614 E. Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park TX, 78613 (Cedar Park location)
Hours: 5:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
2. Lone Star Kolaches (Twitter: @LoneStarKolache)
(via the Lone Star website)Everything is bigger in Texas, including the menus. Second on the list for Kolaches in Austin is the Lone Star kolaches. They have tons of kolaches, both sweet and savory, to choose from. Come with an appetite, because you will want to try them all. Some of the most unique flavors are available, from pineapple to the more traditional poppy seed kolaches. El Ranchero, with ham, egg, cheese, and jalapeño may also catch your eye. They have five locations in Austin and one in Pflugerville. Not only do they deliver, but you can also have Lone Star take care of your event. If you end up catering, send me an invite.
Address: 2210 W. Anderson Lane Austin, TX 78757 (Downtown Austin location)
Hours: 5:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
3. Moonlight Bakery
(Via James W./Yelp)While Moonlight is loved for its croissants and pastries, you shouldn’t sleep on its kolaches. They have great sweet options, including some seasonal flavors. But their tasty kolaches sell out fast, so get them while you can. You can swap out the sausage for their tasty ham, swiss, and jalapeno. They also have vegan and gluten free options.
Address: 2300 S Lamar Blvd Ste 102 Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4. Austin Kolache and Cafe (@austinkolache)
(Via Austin Kolache’s Instagram)The Austin Kolache and Koffee Shoppe has been selling traditional kolaches and klobasneks for over forty years. Some fan favorites are the classic jalapeño, sausage and cheese Klobasnek, and the apricot kolaches. Their sticky buns, and of course the coffee, are also delicious. Delivery and takeout options are available.
Address: 8127 Mesa Dr Ste B202 Austin, TX 78759
Hours: Monday closed
Tue-Thu: 7am-12pm
Fri-Sun: 7am-1pm
5. SH Donuts
(via a T./Yelp)A bit of a hole in the wall, SH donuts aren’t as well known as other places. But certainly not lacking in quality. This family-owned bakery is one of East Austin’s best kept secrets. They have your classic Texas sausage, jalapeno and cheese. If you want something equally delicious and a little more unique, try their boudin kolaches. Two words I never thought would go together but they sound delicious. Delivery is available through all major delivery apps.
Address: 5313 Manor Rd Austin, TX 78723
Hours: 5am-1pm
6. Lots of craft beer and kolaches (@bachatx)
(via the Batch website)Beer and Kolaches; Now that’s an Austin meal. Batch has all the classic kolache flavors, and a few more inventive ones, to bring together the old and the new. If you’re looking for something sweet, PB&J’s kolache is a must. If you are vegetarian, vegan or just having a meatless day, they have vegetarian sausages. Like any good brewery, they have a beautiful outdoor patio.
Address: 3220 Manor Rd Austin, TX 78723
Hours: Sun-Thu: 8am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 8am-11pm
7. Kerlin Barbecue (@kerlinbbq)
(Via Kerlin BBQ Instagram)If you like me, you like some carbs with your barbecue. Kerlin BBQ managed to make Texas barbecue even more Texas by stuffing it into a kolache. Despite the fact that only one type of kolache, the brisket and cheddar, is sold only on Sundays at the restaurant, it is one of the best kolaches in the city. It is so loved that Kerlins just started the truck “Kerlaches” (@kerlaches)* which has a new location every weekend.
Address: 2207 E. Cesar Chavez Austin, Tx 78702 (Kerlin BBQ location)
*Kerlache truck location posted on his Instagram
Hours: 11am-4pm (Kolaches only available on Sundays at Kerlin BBQ)
9am-10am (Kerlache food truck)
8. Donut Taco Palace (@donuttacopalacio)
(Via Donut Taco Palace’s Instagram)If the previous two entrees weren’t enough for Texas, let’s throw in some tacos. Donut Taco Palace has all your breakfast needs, from breakfast tacos to, of course, kolaches. They only have the savory klobasneks, but plenty of sweet donuts to try. They sell individual kolaches or by the dozen, which is a must everywhere if you ask me. Delivery is available.
Address: 5446 W Hwy 290 Ste 101 Austin, TX 78735
Hours: 5am-1pm
9. Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery (@mrs.johnsonsbakery)
(via Ms. Johnson’s website)Mrs Johnson’s Bakery has been making Austinite baked goods since 1948. For most of their lives, they have been famous for their donuts. Equipped with a convenient drive-thru, it feels like a local Krispy Kreme, plus kolaches. They keep it simple, with sausage, cheese, ham, and jalapeno-stuffed kolaches. You can’t go wrong with that.
Address: 4909 Airport Blvd Austin, TX 78751
Hours: 7:30pm-12am (next day)
10. Capital City Bakery (@capcitybakery)
(via the capital city website)Everyone deserves to enjoy kolaches. For those seeking plant-based delights, Capital City Bakery is 100% vegan. Even the most carnivorous would love their vegan meats and cheeses. For something less traditional, try the Buffalo Chicken kolache. If you have a sweet tooth, they have sweet kolaches with vegan cream cheese and fruit fillings. There are also gluten free options available.
Address: 2211 E Cesar Chavez St Austin, TX 78702 East Austin
Hours: Thursday-Sunday: 10am-3pm
Kolaches in Austin Frequently Asked Questions
Does a kolache have meat?
Traditionally, kolaches are meatless. The dough-wrapped sausages we’re used to in Texas are called klobasneks, but everyone calls them kolaches.
Are kolaches healthy?
I don’t think any yeast dough or sweet dough is necessarily healthy. However, even if it is not good for the heart, it is good for the soul.
Who invented the kolache?
It is not clear who the original inventor of the pastry is, but it seems that the kolache originated with the Moravian Czechs in the eastern Czech Republic.
conclusion
The kolaches, whether the traditional sweet kind or the savory klobasneks, are delicious reminders of the influence of other cultures in Texas cooking. Once a recipe brought by Czech immigrants, today they are found in every place that serves breakfast. It’s no surprise that Austin has so many delicious places that carry on that tradition. That’s it from our list of the Best Kolaches in Austin Must-Visit Places.