10 Best Coffee Shops in Austin, Texas

Austin has always been known for live music, breakfast tacos, and an alarming number of people on scooters. But if you ask me, the city’s real heartbeat is its specialty coffee scene. Whether you’re a fan of cold brew, an iced turbo, or just want a great cup of coffee before hitting the Town Lake Trail, the city delivers.

So, grab your reusable cup (or don’t, no judgment), and let’s talk about the best coffee shops in Austin—from South Congress icons to East Austin hidden gems.

Let’s kick things off with a true Austin classic. Bennu Coffee has been fueling the city since before “specialty coffee” was cool. It’s the kind of place where you can hunker down for a long work session, sip on something rich, and pretend you’re finally going to finish that screenplay.

• Great Coffee: Known for their fan of their classic drip coffee crowd, but also a solid lineup of espresso drinks and house-made syrups.
• Great Place: Open late, with street parking that doesn’t make you cry.
• Food Menu: Pastries, breakfast bites, and enough snacks to keep your laptop session alive.

If you’re in East Austin or near S Lamar Blvd, you’ve probably already stumbled into one of their locations.

No list of good coffee shops in Austin would be complete without Jo’s Coffee. The famous Jo’s Coffee Austinites know and love is more than just coffee—it’s an experience.

• Signature Drink: The Iced Turbo, a sweet, creamy caffeine fix that has basically become a local rite of passage.
• Best Part: The wall outside with the “I love you so much” mural, perfect for your first time Instagram shot.
• Locations: You’ve got Jo’s Coffee Downtown for convenience, plus the S Congress Ave location where all the action is.

If you like people-watching while sipping your Jo’s House Blend, this is your perfect place.

Caffé Medici is one of those specialty coffee shops that makes you feel like you’ve graduated from coffee amateur to coffee connoisseur. With several downtown locations (including the Warehouse District and Seaholm District), it’s a great place to grab a full-bodied roast before heading to theater shows or live music.

• Great Coffee: Their espresso drinks and own beans roasted with care are consistently excellent.
• Expansive Patio: If it’s a nice day, their outdoor setups are a good place to linger.
• Weekend Brunch: Pair your latte with pastries or head next door to one of their neighboring eateries for good food.

This is the best place if you want a cup of joe that’s smooth, bold, and roasted locally.

Ask a barista where they’d grab a drink and many will say Houndstooth Coffee. This coffee house is sleek, minimal, and a playground for serious coffee purveyors.

• Specialty Coffee Scene: Known for collaborations with local roasters, rotating beans, and flawless espresso drinks.
• Best Things: Try their cold brew or just go classic—their fan of their classic drip coffee is justified.
• Great Place: Multiple locations make it easy to find whether you’re on North Lamar, East Austin, or downtown Austin.

If you’re a coffee lover who wants to geek out over coffee beans, this is your stop.

If you want a good coffee shop that doubles as a cocktail bar, Better Half Coffee & Cocktails is your jam. Located near the Seaholm District, this cute coffee shop balances breakfast and booze like an Austin pro.

• Good Food: Don’t miss their avocado toast or full breakfast options.
• Great Coffee: A full espresso bar cranks out delicious lattes and cappuccinos.
• Happy Hour: The transition from coffee house to day café to cocktail lounge is seamless.

It’s the perfect place for weekend brunch with friends who need a caffeine fix before a mimosa.

Located on South Lamar, Radio Coffee is basically a beer garden with excellent coffee. This great place has become a community hub for coffee lovers, beer nerds, and taco enthusiasts.

• Food Trucks: The legendary Veracruz All Natural parks here, so yes, you can sip a latte while housing some of the city’s best breakfast tacos.
• Live Music: Because it’s Austin, of course there’s live music on the patio.
• Great Coffee: Their espresso drinks and cold brew are consistently strong players.

If you’re meeting a group with mixed interests (craft beer vs. great coffee), this is the best place to make everyone happy.

Over on S Lamar Blvd, Cosmic Coffee leans into Austin’s vibe of outdoor seating, craft beer, and quirky community spaces.

• Expansive Patio: Fire pits, gardens, and even chickens wandering around.
• Good Coffee: Their full espresso bar means you’ll never settle for a bad latte.
• Kind of Place: Perfect for hanging out, grabbing charcuterie boards, or enjoying happy hour under the stars.

Pair it with food from nearby trucks, and you’ve found your great place to spend an entire afternoon.

If you need a late-night option, Epoch Coffee has your back. This is the coffee house where good people gather at 2 a.m. to finish projects, play cards, or just sip hot coffees until the sun comes up.

• Good Coffee: Not fancy, just reliable and strong.
• Good Place: Their San Marcos St location is a great place for studying, while the North Loop vibe is more eclectic.
• Great Part: They’re open 24/7. Enough said.

If you need caffeine at odd hours, this is one of the best coffee shops in Austin.

Born in San Antonio but thriving in Austin, Merit Coffee has carved a spot among favorite coffee shops for both locals and visitors.

• Specialty Coffee Scene: Their dedication to sourcing and roasting their coffee beans shows in every great cup of coffee.
• Best Things: Try their cold brew if you need a strong kick.
• Multiple Locations: Find them in downtown Austin, South Austin, and beyond.

This is a good option for your first time exploring specialty coffee shops in the city.

Wrapping It Up: The Best Coffee Shops in Austin

From Jo’s Coffee Downtown with its mural moments, to the community vibes at Radio Coffee, to the sleek sophistication of Caffé Medici, Austin’s specialty coffee scene is as vibrant as its live music. Whether you’re in South Austin, East Austin, or strolling downtown, there’s always a great place to grab a cup of joe, meet good people, and maybe even sneak in some avocado toast.

The best coffee shops in Austin aren’t just about the drinks—they’re about the atmosphere, the community, and the fact that you’ll never be too far from a caffeine fix (or a breakfast taco). And really, isn’t that the best part?

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