Lucky 7: Restaurant Restrooms
Words by Ruby Van De Steeg | Photo by Casey Dunn of Suerte
East Austin’s culinary scene is renowned, but the rest-rooms are equally deserving of praise. These seven local eateries have elevated the humble washroom to an art form, offering stunning art, unexpected amenities, and immersive lighting.
1. Revival Coffee (sadly, now closed)
If pink is your favorite color, then you are in the right place. Revival Coffee’s pink branding goes beyond the cups and furniture, to covering each and every wall, including the restroom. Custom-designed wallpaper with biting lip motifs had owner Gabriela Bucio inspired by Lana Del Rey’s song “Summertime Sadness,” further beckoning a neon sign featuring the quote “kiss me hard before you go” as the perfect final touch. revivalcoffee.com | 1405 E 7th St.
2. Juniper
Their bold and contemporary flair embodied in the Northern Italian dishes doesn’t stop at the table. The blues and grays in their color palette extend across the restaurant and into the rest-rooms on meticulously hand-made wallpaper that is a work of art in itself. Bordered by black tile and hardware, the accent wall is given its well-deserved moment to shine with intricate depictions of Italian landscapes. juniperaustin.com | 2400 E Cesar Chavez St.
3. Suerte
As a restaurant known for its bold Mexican-inspired flavors by nationally acclaimed Chef Fermin Nunez, Suerte goes beyond the kitchen to expand its soothing coastal aesthetic into the rest of the restaurant’s interior design, including their restrooms. Encased in maximalist wallpaper with unique designs that might be reminiscent of an iconic Hawaiian shirt print, this restroom is a vibrant and unexpected oasis, adding a playful touch to the overall dining experience. suerteatx.com | 1800 E 6th St.
4. La Barbecue
Known as a barbecue icon in East Austin since 2012, it might come as a surprise that a hidden gem resides beyond the pits at La Barbecue. Smothered in paint rather than sauce, their restrooms are enveloped in vibrant colorful murals courtesy of artists Xavier Schipani in one and Zuzu in the other. Color-changing lights create an immersive art experience as the mural patterns morph and evolve with the light. labarbecue.com | 2401 E Cesar Chavez St.
5. Home Slice
More than just an authentic New York-style pizzeria, Home Slice embodies an ambiance that could be described as an ode to Andy Warhol’s pallet. Dark reds and velvet interiors are adorned with modern twists to classical fine art. In addition to the lush interior design, the restroom offers any last-minute necessities, from hair spray to bobby pins, all at your fingertips on a red marble sink with a stunningly iconic brass swan faucet. homeslicepizza.com | 501 E 53rd St.
6. Fukumoto
Serving traditional Japanese cuisine since 2015, Chef and Owner Kazu Fukumoto strives to share his passion for culinary delights. Like their elegant sushi, Fukumoto’s restroom is the epitome of crisp simplicity with classic-white tile walls and backlit mirrors that make the whole room glow. A beautiful marble slab sink adds a modern and organic element, while birch tree-patterned wallpaper gives the illusion of a higher ceiling. fukumotoaustin.com | 514 Medina St.
7. Kitty Cohen’s
It’s no surprise that a ‘70’s-themed cocktail bar would go all out for their restroom designs. Kitty Cohen’s is a classic selfie sanctuary with its vibrant pink flamingo wallpaper. As a testament to its popular photogenic appeal, the bar was able to host a selfie fundraiser for SAFE Austin. Adding to the retro allure is a dazzling miniature chandelier, a pinup, and sultry portraits of Burt Reynolds. kittycohens.com | 2211 Webberville Rd.
