Eat + Drink Coffee

Best Cafes in Austin: 14 Spots to Get Your Caffeine Fix and More

Coffee, croissants, and Wi-Fi, oh my! Whether you call them coffee shops or cafes, the bottom line is that there are plenty of one-stop shops in Austin where you can grab a drink and light bite with the option to hang around for a bit or bolt out in a hurry.

When it’s time to get your daily dose of java (or matcha green latte and bagel) in the capital city of Texas, here are some of the best cafes in Austin you’ll want to check out.

The Best Cafes in Austin

Looking for the best cafes in Austin? We’ve got you covered with this lit of the top spots — from food trucks specializing in baked goods and tacos to the best coffee shops in town. You’ll even find spots where you can indulge in happy hour for a Sunday funday. Here are some of the best cafes in Austin to try today.

1. Radio Coffee & Beer

4204 Manchaca Rd., Austin, TX 78704

Where else can you go for a killer espresso and craft beer? Radio Coffee & Beer, of course. This South Austin joint quickly became one of the favorite coffee shops in Austin with a fun scene and no shortage of drinking options. It’s not only home to cold brews (in more ways than one), but it’s where you can get tacos from Veracruz, Thai street food from Dee Dee Northern Thai, and wash it all down with your choice of cappuccino, beer, or a cocktail. Oh, and don’t forget the weekly live music.

2. Houndstooth Coffee

4200 N Lamar Blvd. Ste. 120, Austin, TX 78756 | 401 Congress Ave | 2823 E MLK JR Blvd | 11501 Rock Rose | 2001 Ed Blustein Ave

Houndstooth Coffe offers 5 different locations in the Austin area, including one on the east side. Believing that being a barista isn’t simply a job, but a title that must be earned and requires continual education, Houndstooth Coffee takes its coffee seriously. Along with well-educated baristas, you can expect coffee from roasters like locals Little City and Wild Gift as well as Stumptown Coffee Roasters from Portland, Oregon. There’s also tea, pastries, beer, and wine. Because, you know, this is Austin.

3. Levercraft

3307 Oak Springs Dr

Owner Eric opened up Levercraft in an airstream trailer he built himself. Understanding that good espresso is hard to come by, LeverCraft is all about using the right machinery to get the job done. An espresso aficionado, Eric has restored vintage espresso machines for years and many of these delightful tools are displayed around the coffee shop. Try the Freddo, which is a nitro cold brew with whipped milk dolloped on top. For something more refreshing, try the espresso lemonade, which is two shots of espresso, soda water, and fresh lemon juice concentrate.

4. Cenote

Multiple locations

This East Austin cafe has two locations — one on Cesar Chavez and one on Cameron Road — and both are hella good coffee spots. Along with delicious coffee, Cenote offers a full menu featuring meat and produce from local farms and a Mexican flair. There’s also a solid selection of beer and wine. (Are you sensing a trend here?)

5. Sa-Ten Coffee and Eats

4917 Airport Blvd | 916 Springdale Bldg 3 Ste 101

Jonesing for some coffee but also can’t shake your craving for Japanese fare? Well then, Sa-Ten Coffee and Eats is your new favorite cafe in Austin. (In fact, there are two locations, so even better.) Serving up fresh coffee with treats like crispy tofu teriyaki, chicken katsu, and curry bowls, Sa-Ten offers a daily menu as well as catering options.

6. Fleet Coffee

2427 Webberville Rd., Austin, TX 78702

A cute little spot when you need to get caffeinated, Fleet Coffee offers plenty of creative drinks whether you want it dripped, iced, or hot. You can get breakfast tacos from Veracruz (this is Austin — nobody can survive without breakfast tacos) and a variety of pastries made from local bakeries. As Fleet says, “We make coffee, sometimes people like it.”

7. Patika

159 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

The name means “footpath” or “alley” in Turkish, but Patika is less an alley and more cozy home (a 1940s building, to be exact) that will make all your coffee dreams come true. With locally sourced coffee and espresso drinks, plenty of food options (breakfast, lunch, and brunch) and a minimalist, modern vibe, it’s no wonder this is one of the best cafes in Austin.

8. Cherrywood Coffeehouse

1400 E. 38th 1/2 St., Austin, TX 78722

Tacos, muffalettas, and free yoga? Oh, Dorothy, you’re definitely not in Kansas anymore. But you’re most certainly in Austin. Contrary to its name, Cherrywood Coffeehouse offers more than just fair-trade espresso and cappuccinos. It’s a full-on restaurant (and local institution) with a fun scene, approachable prices, and, as they proudly proclaim, “some of the best burgers in Austin.” Oh, and there’s tons of beer on tap.

9. Mañana

1603 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

Located inside the South Congress Hotel, Mañana might mean “tomorrow” in Spanish, but this is the kind of place you’re going to want to visit right now. Coffee and tea, grab-and-go eats (think yogurt, granola, salads, quinoa bowls and, of course, breakfast tacos) and pastries are all on offer. There are even snacks for your pup.

10. Bennu Coffee

Multiple locations

Whether you need your coffee fix at 2 o’clock in the morning or afternoon, Bennu Coffee has got your back. (In fact, they’ve got your back in two different locations — East Austin and Central Austin.) This 24-hour coffee shop has hot drinks, cold drinks, breakfast, mochas, pastries, and even lunch and dinner. In other words, you can pretty much you spend your entire day and night here. And with the free Wi-Fi and indoor/outdoor seating, why wouldn’t you?

11. Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St., Austin, TX 78703

For cold brews (of both the hoppy and caffeinated variety), Better Half Coffee & Cocktails is an all-day restaurant and coffee bar in downtown Austin that won’t let you down. The same folks who brought Flat Track and Wright Bros. Brew & Brew has something for grown-ups, kids, and dogs. (Hello, dog-friendly outdoor patio.)

12. Seventh Flag Coffee

1506 S. 1st St., Austin, TX 78704

Housed in a cozy converted home, Seventh Flag Coffee isn’t one of the best cafes in Austin because of its envious Instagram account (they don’t have one ⁠— and they also don’t have a website). It’s an Austinite favorite because it’s welcoming, it’s good, and it’s where you can actually get work done while sipping on coffee and noshing on pastries and breakfast treats. Plus, the patio is so cute. It’s temporarily closed since covid, but their website states they have plans to reopen so we’ll keep this here while we stay tuned.

13. Caffe Medici

Multiple locations

Featuring their own espresso made from La Famiglia blend by Medici Roasting, Caffe Medici is all about producing the perfect cup of coffee. Along with a variety of coffee, guests are invited to participate in regular events, including cuppings at the store. This local indie chain of coffee houses has locations on Guadalupe, West Lynn, South Lamar, and 8th and Congress, among others.

14. Greater Goods Coffee Co.

2501 East 5th at Pedernales

Greater Goods Coffee Co. offers great coffee and was voted the best microroaster in 2021. Their craft coffee is made using the best coffee beans from sustainable growers around the world. From blends to single origins, there’s something for every coffee aficionado here. This spot is best for coffee lovers since the focus is on the beverages rather than food.

15. Merit Coffee

4615 N Lamar Blvd | 1105 S Lamar Blvd | 222 West Ave #120

Merit Coffee is a Texas chain with locations in Dallas and San Antonio as well as three different spots in Austin including one in North Austin. They offer a laid-back vibe with cute and minimalist seating areas. Their coffee is some of the best in town and you can grab bags of their brew to whip up at home.

16. Epoch Coffee

3900 Far West Blvd | 221 W North Loop Blvd | 2700 West Anderson Ln #409

Epoch Coffee has something for everyone. From frozen coffee drinks to hot espressos and simmering chai, you’re sure to find something to sip here. Best of all, the shop features art from local artists in the community, helping them to garner more awareness and showcase their pieces on-site.

17. Mozart’s 

Speaking of artists, Mozart’s coffee is another must-see cafe in Austin. Flanking the shores of Lake Austin, it’s one of the most scenic cafes in town. Here, you’ll find incredible coffee as well as tasty bites in a addition to stunning vistas and a great community vibe.

18. Jo’s Coffee

5 locations in town

Jo’s has been serving java to Austinites and tourists alike since 1999. Their South Congress location is famous for its mural “i love you so much” and is usually packed with a line out the door or you can head to the downtown location for a more lade-back vibe. In addition to coffee, you’ll find griddle sandwiches, burgers and fries, and various breakfasts cooked to order.

The Best Cafes in Austin Have Tea, Tacos, Booze, and Oh Yeah, Coffee

Best Cafes in Austin: coffee food

Looking for more Austin coffee shops and cafes to try? Don’t miss figure 8 Coffee Purveyors on Chicon St, Flitch Coffee, Cosmic Coffee, and Thunderbird Cafe — all offering great coffee and delicious snacks to keep you satiated.

While every Austinite has their favorite spot, it’s safe to say that this list highlights some of the best cafes in Austin. From eclectic and vibrant spots serving alcohol alongside coffee, to low-key spots dedicated solely to the craft of roasting, there’s a little something for everyone. Plus, many of these spots are great for people-watching and a late-night pick-me-up. The only question that remains is, where will you get your next cup?

 

Author
Mar Yvette
Mar Yvette

Mar Yvette is an established writer and editor who covers food, restaurants, travel, arts, entertainment, fashion, beauty, health, and wellness for print, online, and broadcast outlets. She’s obsessed with animals, nature, 80s pop, and vegan donuts.

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