For richer or pour over, Austin’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. Our city ranks among the top coffee cities in America thanks to factors like cafes per capita and the price of beans.
The Capital City has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in ATX.
Pro tip: if you need to refine your order, review the different kinds of coffee before stepping up to the counter.
For latte art lovers
Don’t miss out on Café Crème’s seasonal sips.
Photo by @cafecremeaustin
Café Crème, Multiple locations | 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.
Cenizo, 7701 Colton-Bluff Springs Rd. | The winner of ATXtoday’s Best coffee shop, this trailer serves a delicious cafe de olla latte.
The Hideout Coffee House, 617 Congress Ave. | Lovers of the arts will flock to this shop, which famously has a stage and improv school inside. Psst — this coffee shop and theater will soon move to 2801 S. I-35.
Merit Coffee Co., Multiple locations | In addition to its picturesque pastries, Merit’s attention to detail is what makes its drinks shine.
Proud Mary Coffee, 2043 S. Lamar Blvd. | Experience a piece of Melbourne’s coffee culture here in the Lone Star State. Psst — don’t forget to order something from the kitchen.
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.
Specialty drinks
Black Rock Coffee Bar, Multiple locations | Try a caramel white mocha, seasonal lemonade, or mint chip blended drink at one of these stores just outside of Austin.
Codependent Coffee + Cocktails, 301 West Ave., Ste. #110 | This swanky spot is a great place to make that day to night transition, with a curated menu of caffeinated bevs, a cozy place to work and lounge, and a robust cocktail program.
Dear Austin Coffee Bar, 2310 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. #102 | Grab a coffee drink, boba tea, or strawberry frosé at this shop, where you can leave a love letter for Austin on the wall.
Desnudo Coffee, Multiple locations | Indulge in specialty drinks — made with beans sourced from family farms in Colombia — like the shoyu butterscotch latte and white vanilla miso latte.
Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors Cafe & Roastery, Multiple locations | If you’re passionate about the beans used in your coffee drinks, stop in to try beans from Brazil, Kenya, Ethiopia, El Salvador, and more.
Lucky Lab Coffee Co., Multiple locations | Grab your (leashed) furry friend, order a seasonal creation, and don’t skip the homemade pastries.
Dog owners will love libations from Lucky Lab Coffee Co.
Photo by @luckylabatx
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.
Sweet Memes, 3801 S. Congress Ave., Ste. #109 | Satisfy your sweet tooth at this pretty local coffee shop and bakery, featuring treats like coconut cream coffee and taro frappes.
Best bites
Bakery Lorraine, 11600 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. #100 | Try to leave this bright and airy coffee shop without trying a macaron — we dare you. The French pastries at this shop are to die for, and the seasonal drink specials are always worth a try.
Cenote, 1405 E. 7th St. | Cenote’s expansive patio makes it a solid choice for any time of year, especially with a mocha and breakfast sandwich in hand. Note: This cafe’s new location in the former Revival space has yet to open.
Civil Goat Coffee Co., Multiple locations | You won’t go hungry at any of this mini-chain’s three locations, which serve acai bowls, avocado toasts, and omelets in addition to specialty drinks.
Dear Diary Coffee, 1212 Chicon St., Ste. #103 | This all-vegan coffee shop is always serving up specialty seasonal drinks and a wide array of snacks.
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.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. | This lakeside coffee shop has views for days, an expansive menu of pastries, and an ongoing events roster.
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.
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.
Revolución Coffee + Juice, 207 San Jacinto Blvd., Ste. #200 | Order an ube latte, London Fog, or chlorophyll water to go with some delicious breakfast tacos at this Downtown coffee shop.
Plenty of outlets and internet connection
Bennu Coffee, Multiple locations | This is the perfect work-away-from-home destination — it’s open 24/7, serves up tasty breakfast tacos, boasts a big drink menu, and has free Wi-Fi.
Epoch Coffee, Multiple locations | With plenty of seating, outlets, and knowledgeable baristas, Epoch Coffee makes an excellent study or co-working space.
Flightpath, 5011 Duval St. | Working from this coffee shop will make you feel like you’re sitting in an old friend’s living room. City Editor Figi here — I’ve written the newsletter from this shop many times, and in addition to lovely drinks and delicious treat options, it’s always a nice change of pace.
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.
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.
Where to write your novel
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.
Jo’s Coffee, Multiple locations | There are plenty of these shops around the city, so choosing a place to work won’t hinder your writing schedule.
Mañana, Multiple locations | This tranquil shop has a fully rounded-out coffee and tea menu. What to order: golden milk or matcha latte.
Radio Coffee + Beer, Multiple locations | Grab a lemonade or locally sourced brew and stay for a while on Radio’s massive patio.
Cosmic Saltillo, 1300 E. 4th St.| The second Cosmic installment keeps you happy and fed with its adjacent taco shop, unique coffee drinks, rooftop patio with Downtown views, and proximity to the Red Line.
Turnstile Bar and Restaurant, 10025 Burnet Rd. | A cozy spot with pastries, beers, and burgers, Turnstile has everything you need to complete a long day of work. Plus, the staff is super friendly.
Palomino Coffee, 4136 E. 12th St. | Tucked away in an adobe-inspired interior, this shop doubles as an apothecary and home goods store. What to order: anything from the seasonal menu.
Trendy and new
Neon Belly Coffee, 8312 Burnet Rd., Unit #101 | Set to open sometime in September, this coffee shop and scratch-made bakery specializes in matcha drinks, pastries, sourdough, and gelato.
Coffeyeh Coffee Shop, 2100 Cypress Creek Rd. Ste. #200, Cedar Park | Middle Eastern and Mexican-inspired flavors take center stage at this new shop, which uses a play on words about traditional Palestinian scarves for its name.
The COACH Coffee Shop, 11401 Century Oaks Terr., Ste #121 | If you wake up needing some bougie caffeine, this shop serves a surprisingly large menu of drinks + pastries in the same place where you can get a brand new purse.
La La Land Kind Cafe, 1400 S. Congress Ave., Ste. #A102 | This Dallas-based coffee shop with a central ethos of kindness is known for its colorful drinks, avocado toast, and white + yellow atmosphere.
Strangelove Coffee & Wine, 2614 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Whether you’re sipping coffee or wine, keep an eye out for food and book pop-ups at this shop.
Later Gator Coffee Co., Multiple locations | There are 20+ flavored syrups to choose from at this coffee trailer, plus, the cups have a cute little gator mascot on the sides.
Amity’s Coffee and Karaoke, 2513 San Antonio St. | Located in the back space at Hole in the Wall, this shop with retro 1970s decor serves coffee from Barrett’s during the day and acts as a karaoke bar by night.
Ghoul Coffee Company, 2324 E. Cesar Chavez St. | There’s nothing scary about this coffee truck, which offers themed specialty lattes like the fresh “Minty Ghouly” and “Nightmare on Maple Street.”
Stargazer, 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. #130 | This day-to-night coffee shop and bar is a great place to work or play, as it is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Try the “Lunar Landing” cocktail and don’t miss the on-site food trucks.
Terrible Love, 3908 Avenue B | This Hyde Park spot doesn’t upcharge for alternative milks in its creative drinks, which include a Shirley Temple cold brew and grapefruit brown sugar latte.
Where to buy beans
Cuvée Coffee, 2000 E. 6th St. | Whether you’re looking for beans from Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, Indonesia, or another place around the globe, Cuvée has you covered, and you can try before you buy (in-store or online) at its east Austin shop.
Fara Coffee, 7808 Danz Blvd. | These Nicaraguan-grown, Austin-roasted coffee beans come in six different roasts and can be found at well over 100 stores in the Austin area, including H-E-B, Whole Foods, and Costco.
Future Classic Coffee, online | Beans from this local company are “hyper-seasonal,” as the founders work with farmers around the world in small batches and single origins. Basically, what that means is when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Greater Goods Roasting Co., 160 McGregor Lane, Dripping Springs | This small-batch roastery has a bean for every preference, from classic dark to fruity + floral to limited edition.
Sightseer Coffee Bar, 1905 S. 1st St. | Not only does this local coffee shop offer tons of variety in its beans, but they also come in unique flavor profiles with notes like berry jam, lemon custard, almond butter, and shortbread.
Stouthaus Coffee Roasters, 4715 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. #102 | Pick up a bag (from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and more) next time you stop by the shop or order online. Beans will be shipped to your door the day after they are roasted.
Be the barista
Shop our favorite coffee essentials to turn your house into our city’s next great coffee destination.
- For a French Press that lasts, avoid breakable glass options and opt for stainless steel — this Secura French Press is highly rated and comes in multiple colors.
- Bloom pour overs like a pro with elegant gooseneck design of the COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle.
- These double walled glass espresso cups or these handmade ceramic espresso cups will set your home cafe apart.
- Hide coffee stains under espresso makers with this absorbent drying mat that sucks up coffee drops like magic.
- For the sleekest coffee accessories imaginable, shop the Fellow collection for coffee bean grinders, kettles, and carafes.
- Ready to go all in? The Breville Barista Espresso Machine is a best-selling espresso machine that makes coffee shop-worthy lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso at home.
