14 Neighborhood Coffee Shops to Get Your Buzz On

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St.

From decadent breakfast biscuits to an incredible burger, Better Half may be more well-known for its food (those cauliflower tots!) than its coffee program, but the expertly-made espresso drinks pair perfectly with the elevated diner fare. Order the cardamom clove latte for a spicy, flavorful take, and don’t miss the cutesy outdoors complete with millennial pink picnic tables.

Cherrywood Coffeehouse

1400 E. 38th 1/2 St.

Much like Austin itself, the Cherrywood neighborhood has also grown and evolved, but local mainstay Cherrywood Coffeehouse has been a staple for almost 15 years. Along with a very chill atmosphere, live music, comedy shows and regular yoga events, Cherrywood Coffeehouse also offers food from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., including scrumptious burgers and breakfast plates all day.

Brentwood Social House

1601 W. Koenig Ln.

It doesn’t get any more British than Brentwood Social House. When you’re jonesing for something Paul Hollywood is smashing his giant fingers into on The Great British Baking Show, this tea and coffee spot will fit the bill. Kiddos and pets will enjoy the spacious area in the back complete with a playground. The female-owned community cafe seeks to create a welcoming place for people to commune and connect, and there’s no better way to do that than over afternoon tea and a millionaire bar.

Radio Coffee & Beer

4204 Menchaca Rd.

Head south of the river for fun morning, noon and night at this live music venue/food trailer park/coffee shop/bar. From Austin flea markets to regular bluegrass nights and everything in between, including trivia and talent shows, Radio Coffee & Beer is the ultimate nighttime hotspot. Its giant patio is also home to DEE DEE, Veracruz All Natural and Briscuits food trucks. Bonus: As of 2019, they’ve exclusively served their own RCB Roasters’ blends.

Epoch Coffee

221 W. North Loop Blvd.

Although Epoch Coffee has three locations, we’re partial to the North Loop Boulevard spot, which is one of the best places for working remotely. Plenty of tables and plugs abound in this coffee shop, which has been open since 2006. Not to mention, the stop is open 24/7 for all your WFH needs. Don’t skip the Iced Mojo, a creamy, slightly sweetened drink that’s easy to love.

Try Hard Coffee

1115 E. 11th St.

Taking up residence in the former East Side Blue Dahlia Bistro home, this specialty coffee roaster offers plenty of events and vibes to keep neighbors coming back for more. Don’t miss out on vinyl DJ sets every day of the week at the place Food & Wine magazine called the “best coffee shop in Texas.” While the inside is cozy and inviting, both the front and back patios are the best spots to enjoy seasonal caffeinated sips and breakfast tacos.

Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden

121 Pickle Rd.

The soothing water feature at Cosmic Coffee creates a peaceful and tranquil outdoor space, while some of the city’s best food trucks, LeRoy and Lewis, Pueblo Viejo and Tommy Want Wingy, adjoin the lot. Cosmic Coffee celebrates the principles of permaculture, sustainability, and regenerative systems by utilizing rainwater harvesting, chicken coops, on-site composting, biological ponds, raised-bed, rainwater, and waterfall gardens. Created by native Austinites, the space showcases local art, music, purveyors, and the local craft community.

The Meteor

2110 S. Congress Ave.

Just look for the retro-looking sign reading “ESPRESSO CHAMPAGNE CHAIN LUBE,” and you’ll find yourself in the right spot. Combining the owner’s various passions of bicycling, great coffee, delicious food and wonderful wine, The Meteor offers specialty coffee drinks, an expansive selection of craft beer and natural wine, homemade baked goods, delicious Roman-style pizza — not to mention a full bike shop. The Meteor’s boutique retail space specializes in expert service and a carefully vetted selection of bikes, apparel, accessories and other gear for both the expert and novice cyclist.

The Brew & Brew

500 San Marcos St., Ste. 105

Just east of I-35 sits the industrial chic day-or-night coffee shop Brew & Brew, which not only slings caffeinated bevs from local coffee beans but also those of the alcoholic variety–and, of course, some that are both, like the deeply addictive the New Green Deal made with matcha, honey, lavender and gin. Enjoy hearty breakfast sandwiches or substantial hoagies from Destroyer Sandwiches.

Revival Coffee

1405 E. 7th St.

Step into this all-pink coffee shop for one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in town. Owned by Gabriela’s Group, which obviously knows a thing or two about “doing it for the ‘Gram” with Gabriela’s Downtown and Taquero Mucho, this pink paradise is a feast for the senses. Along with traditional lattes and the like, the coffeehouse also serves fun iterations, like the Abuelita Latte with Mexican hot chocolate and espresso. The hardest part will be deciding where to perfect your pink selfie.

Jo’s Coffee

1300 S. Congress Ave.

Hey, it’s a classic for a good reason! Sure, most tourists just know this as the “I love you so much” wall, but locals know that Jo’s Coffee has been offering tasty coffee drinks for more than 20 years. Grab an Iced Turbo (a sweet, creamy chocolate and hazelnut coffee) and a hashbrown taco before nestling into one of the best people-watching patios in town. Bonus: Every Sunday is Sinners Brunch with special musical guests.

Nate’s Baked Goods & Coffee

401 Orchard St.

Situated in a tiny old home off of West Fifth Street, this scratch bakery and coffee shop is slinging some of the city’s best baked goods, including plenty of cookies, scones, muffins, breads and more. Pick up a breakfast sammie and a golden milk latte, and head out to their expansive patio for a perfect place to start your morning.

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

3825 Lake Austin Blvd.

It’s not Christmas if you haven’t seen the dazzling light show at Mozart’s. While a relaxing place for the whole family all year round, during the winter Mozart’s is always the place to be, especially with a large mug of hot chocolate in hand. This Austin staple has been around since 1993 and overlooks the lake, giving it one of the most spectacular views of any coffee shop in town. Coupled with a menu brimming with desserts, sandwiches and tacos and a robust event calendar, the outdoor patio is classic Austin.

No, Civil Goat is not a misnomer. Head to this West Austin coffee shop to meet Butters, the official pygmy goat mascot, who graces patrons with his presence from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. In addition to this cute, four-legged friend, the shop roasts its own blends from beans sourced from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nicaragua and Brazil and offers a menu full of light snacks, toasts, donuts, acai bowls and toasts. Be warned, though, Butters is sometimes quite spunky.

Sightseer Coffee

1905 South 1st Street

Tucked in a cozy nook adjacent to the beloved Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Sightseer is a must-try coffee shop serving unique drinks with freshly roasted beans. The shop has a seasonal “fun menu” of creative drinks made with fresh ingredients and house-made syrups. As a women—and queer-owned business, Sightseer is a proudly feminist enterprise, with all its coffees farmed, sourced, and roasted by women.