27 wonderful coffee shops to try out in Austin

If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.

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Try the Thai milk tea, Rainbow in the Sky, bottom is coconut cream coffee from Sweet Memes.

Photo courtesy of @sweetmemes.atx

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.

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.

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.

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

Dog owners will love libations from Lucky Lab Coffee Co.

Photo by @luckylabatx

Lucky Lab Coffee Co. , multiple locations | Grab your (leashed) furry friend, order a seasonal creation, and don’t skip the homemade pastries.

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.

Revival Coffee , 1405 E. 7th St. | At this shop, the drinks are just as tasty as the interior’s all-pink style. What to order: Matcha fruity pebbles or horchata.

Sweet Memes , 3801 S. Congress Ave., #109 | Satisfy your sweet tooth at this pretty local coffee shop and bakery, featuring treats like coconut cream coffee and taro frappes.

Revival is the pinkest coffee shop in Austin.

Photo by @coffeefriyays

Best bites

Cenote , 1010 E. Cesar Chavez St. | Cenote’s expansive patio makes it a solid choice for any time of year, especially with a mocha and breakfast sandwich in hand.

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.

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.

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 to choose from 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.

Patika also hosts an affordable brunch on weekends.

Photo by @patikacoffee

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.

The Perch , 74 Trinity St. | Get inspired at this shop, which has plenty of seating along Lady Bird Lake, while you sip on a Butterbeer latte or green smoothie.

Settle into The Perch’s huge waterfront patio, which is perfect for the more temperate months.

Trendy and new

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.

Foxtrot Market , multiple locations | Stop in one of these upscale bodegas for an elevated on-the-go experience.

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.

Be the barista

Shop our favorite coffee essentials to turn your house into our city’s next great coffee destination.

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Gabe is based in Seattle (originally from New Jersey), and has previously been a food writer at Eater, a sports reporter, and a YA graphic novelist. You’ll probably find him scouting out the latest restaurant in town on the weekends, or strolling around the streets of White Center with his feisty pup, Armando.
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