7 Coffee Shops in Austin You Need to Try

Oh, Austin. Now that you’ve been taken over by tech bros, you’re not as delightfully weird as you used to be. Rising cost of living? Check. Infrastructure strain? Check. Disappearing charm? Check.

But hey, you’ve still got one helluva coffee scene.

From tucked away trailers to wide-open patios, here are 7 of the best coffee shops in Austin: 

Houndstooth Coffee

As you step into the Houndstooth Downtown, you’ll instantly get a whiff of their freshly roasted beans. This cafe is all about making exceptionally good coffee, and building a warm relationship with customers.

To that end, they set pretty high standards for recruiting and training their baristas. They also redefined the concept of “office cafes”. Their hospitality and well-equipped facility make it a great place for remote workers.

Houndstooth is a medium-sized cafe, with big windows that let in plenty of sunlight. Try the Vanilla Latte – it’s smooth and warm and goes perfectly with their almond croissant.

Houndstooth can get snug when the workday crowd hits. Couples can carve out a corner table, but it’s not necessarily the most suitable place for kids or pets, unless you can find a chair outside.. 

Prices sit on the higher side, but this feels fair for Austin’s downtown crowd. Tucked under the Frost Bank Tower, it’s all business bustle, steps from Congress Ave’s busy square. Houndstooth is perfect when you need to cut through the noise.

Find Houndstooth Coffee:

401 Congress Ave. #100c
Austin, TX 78701

Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors

Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors is where to go for slow sips. Austin hipsters love the laid-back artsy ambience, as it’s great for gossiping with a friend or finally sitting down to work on that screenplay.

The decor is eclectic, with local art, worn chairs, and bushels of coffee beans lying about. While the coffee’s brewing, you might hear a guitar being plucked in the background.

Figure 8’s brew is a tad floral and incredibly smooth. Try it with a breakfast taco from a nearby truck.

Prices are average, so it attracts a younger crowd and local families. It’s the perfect reflection of Cherrywood’s residential hum. The cafe is near UT, but it’s not exactly campus-y – it’s where you go when you want quiet company.

Find Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors:

1111 Chicon St
Austin, TX 78702

Cosmic Coffee

Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden is like a big backyard – a South Austin sprawl with an abundance of greenery, flowing creeks, and wandering chickens. The patio seats 50 or so quite comfortably, plus a bit more with the food trucks in tow. 

The rich aroma of coffee fills the air, as does the unmistakable smell of sizzling tacos. Pair your beverage with a cheesy warm migas taco. Or go pair a Pink Pony Club latte with a pretzel.

Cosmic Coffee is beautifully rustic, with wood benches, and string lights. Families often fill the space, letting their kids roam and their pets lounge.

Prices are average. And there are two Cosmic locations where you can feed the need.

Find Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors:

Desnudo Coffee

Desnudo Coffee shop started as a scrappy Eastside trailer, literally. At Desnudo, you stand with gravel under your feet, as the sweet, salty scent of their brown sugar miso latte fills the air.

It has limited seating, mostly on picnic benches under thatched umbrellas, but the long line tells you that it’s worth it. It’s just a metal counter and chalkboard, it’s all about the coffee, not the fuss. 

Now with two locations, Desnudo has a minimalist tropical vibe that is intended to make visitors focus solely on their pure Colombian blends. Their cold brew will recharge you in a jiffy.

Find Desnudo Coffee:

Proud Mary Cafe

The Proud Mary Cafe is all about bringing its Australian roots to the Austin coffee scene. The big windows and white tiles add brightness to this refreshingly spacious cafe. Even if you’re not seated on the sunny patio, you’ll still feel its openness. 

Try the flat white. With its bold and creamy profile, it pairs perfectly with their fluffy and filling ricotta hotcakes. If you’re in the mood for something new, try the Jasmine Dragon Pearl and pair it with a savory scone.

This place appreciates food as much as coffee, so your palate will be quite satisfied there. The menu includes Aussie meat pie, scrambled eggs roti, grilled pepper focaccia, and a ton of other delish options. The kitchen closes at 3 pm every day, so try to be an early bird.  

Couples seem to love the brunchy vibe. Families too can squeeze in if kids behave. There’s no play area, and pets can stay outside only. 

Proud Mary is a little pricey, but you totally get your money’s worth. The cafe is near South Lamar’s upscale residential strip.

Find Proud Mary Cafe:

2043 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

This is an amazing place where coffee aromas are carried by the Lake Austin breeze. The multi-deck setting and picnic benches at Mozart’s Coffee shop add to the charm and laid-back vibe. 

The water is lapping right beside you, the view is beautiful, and the smell of fresh goodies is irresistible. The cold brew is always comforting, and if you pair it with a blueberry muffin, you’ll hit a culinary jackpot. For something a bit warmer, order the spiced chai with a chocolate croissant. 

This is one of the rare venues that welcomes everyone. It’s quite romantic, but it’s also enjoyable for a family with little ones. You can also bring your pet along.

Quite often there’s live music at Mozart’s, which isn’t surprising given the name.

The cost of goods is average. But the view is priceless. Tucked into West Austin’s upscale residential stretch, Mozart’s is close to business areas but far from the UT chaos. It’s the kind of calm you crave when the bustle’s too much.

Find Mozart’s Coffee:

3825 Lake Austin Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Merit Coffee (Downtown)

This slick downtown cafe is one of Merit Coffee Co’s three venues in Austin, more than 10 locations throughout Texas. They all have a minimalist chill vibe, and exceptional brews. The concrete interior with bright lighting and soft colors is quite unique, but wait till you try their beverages.

As you grab your drink, you’ll get to appreciate the modern lines and airy space – it’s crisp, not cold. Try a cortado – it’s short and strong, and pairs great with pecan sticky bun. Also recommended: Cold brew with a bagel. 

The taste and texture of Merit Coffee will probably grow on you right after the first visit, but there’s a nice way to replicate the experience. You can buy their special coffee beans or blends, and prepare your cup of joe at home. They also have a full guide and videos to help.  

Once you become a regular, Merit has a loyalty program that rewards you for every beverage or bag of freshly roasted coffee you purchase. After you acquire a certain number of points, you start getting gifts that match your score. 

Your bill will likely be on the higher-end, downtown style, but their offerings are worth it. This is where you recharge when the grind is on.

Find Merit Coffee Co:

Keep Austin Wired

Austin is a thriving community with a varied demographic of families, young workers, investors, musicians, artists, and college students. It’s not surprising that the coffee shops reflect this variety, culture, and energy. 

Whether you’re a local looking for a new venue, a new resident exploring the surroundings, or a digital nomad looking for a new experience, there’s a cafe just for you. 

These 7 Austin coffee shops don’t just pour a drink, they serve up a whole experience. It’s where you’ll find the city’s heartbeat, one sip at a time. So grab your favorite mug (or just your caffeine curiosity) and hit the streets.