Hey y’all, City Editor Figi here. 👋 Now that the weather is reliably chilly, it’s time to show your local coffee shop some love.
I’ve been to 50+ local coffee shops in town, so I guess you could say I know my stuff when it comes to recommending cafes. I’ve searched far and wide to curate coffee shops so you don’t have to, and I think there’s a little something for everyone here.
These 18 locales have been taste-tested and approved by yours truly — click here to find them on a map.
Café Crème | 1834 E. Oltorf St. | This French-Vietnamese cafe not only offers super creamy lattes, homemade breakfast tacos, and seasonal bites — it’s also a marketplace for local artists. What to order: Café Crème Brûlée or chai tea latte.
Cenote | 1010 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Cenote’s heated patio makes it a solid choice for the colder months, especially with a hot mocha and breakfast sandwich in hand.
Don’t miss out on Café Crème’s seasonal sips.
Photo by @cafecremeaustin
Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden | 121 Pickle Rd. | An urban oasis, Cosmic easily transitions from work to play with equal emphasis on coffee, cocktails, and the great outdoors. What to order: Molé mocha or black cherry limeade.
Epoch Coffee | Multiple locations | With plenty of seating, outlets, and knowledgable baristas, Epoch Coffee makes an excellent study or co-working space.
Greater Goods Coffee Co. | Multiple locations | Good luck finding a table inside this shop — it’s usually packed — but the drinks and atmosphere are worth the trip. What to order: Bourbon latte or the McGregor.
Greater Goods has its own Austin roastery.
Photo by @gg_roasting
The Hive | 10542 Menchaca Rd. | This newly-refurbished coffee shop sits on an expansive garden, has several rooms of indoor seating to choose from, and offers a full menu. What to order: Lavender lemonade or hot chocolate.
Irie Bean Coffee Bar | 2310 S. Lamar Blvd. | If you blink, you’ll miss this tiny shop. Irie Bean’s cold brew is worth a trip, plus it shares a back patio with East Side King if you get hungry.
Kick Butt Coffee | 5775 Airport Blvd. | Kick Butt Coffee might be the only coffee shop/open mic/dojo combo in Austin, and it has a full kitchen and plenty of space for co-working.
Mañana | Multiple locations | With newly-opened location in the Seaholm District, Mañana is a tranquil shop with a fully rounded-out coffee and tea menu. What to order: Golden milk or matcha latte.
Patika also hosts an affordable brunch on weekends.
Photo by @patikacoffee
Merit Coffee Co. | Multiple locations | In addition to its picturesque pastries, Merit’s attention to detail is what makes its drinks shine.
The Meteor | 2110 S. Congress Ave. | A bike shop-wine bar-coffee shop hybrid, The Meteor has a full menu to enjoy, a sunny patio, and fancy wines to peruse.
Monkey Nest Coffee | 5353 Burnet Rd. | A popular study destination for UT students, Monkey Nest has a great sandwich and drink selection, from drip coffee to Thai iced coffee and smoothies.
Nate’s Baked Goods + Coffee | 401 Orchard St. | This teeny tiny coffee shop only has a few tables, but tons of flavor, so don’t leave without something from the kitchen.
Patika Coffee | Multiple locations | Patika will make you feel fancy, even if you just order a pot of tea. Its natural lighting and breezy patio make it an ideal place for meeting, working, or even brunch on the weekend.
Revival is the pinkest coffee shop in Austin.
Photo by @coffeefriyays
Plaza Colombian Coffee Bar | 3842 S. Congress Ave. | This South Austin coffee shop has it all: Colombian coffee, gourmet teas, guava pastries, pataconcitos, cocktails, and an outdoor patio. What to order: El Houston Bogota or London Fog.
Radio Coffee + Beer | 4204 Menchaca Rd. | Grab a lemonade or locally-sourced brew and stay for awhile on Radio’s massive patio. Bonus: Veracruz All Natural, Briscuits, and Dee Dee Thai have food trucks on the property.
Revival Coffee | 1405 E. 7th St. | At this shop, the drinks as just as tasty as the interior’sall-pink style, plus there’s always room to sit. What to order: Matcha fruity pebbles or horchata.
Simona’s Coffee + Cocktails | 2510 S. Congress Ave. | Got an important meeting or need to impress someone? Take them to Simona’s upscale shop, which converts to a bar in the evening and has a welcoming library upstairs.
