Whether you’re an Austin local or a visitor, Austin’s café scene is one to check out. Emblematic of “Keep Austin Weird”, the city offers a diverse, eclectic array of coffee shops and cafés. From multi-functional cafes that turn into vibrant evening bars, to expertly crafted coffees by professionally trained baristas, Austin has it. In this guide, we provide a diverse list of the ten best coffee shops and cafes in Austin, chosen by their attention to creating high-quality coffee, to their highly regarded food menus, and to the part they play in the greater community.
Swedish Hill
- Locations: West 6th, Westlake, South First, & coming soon to Downtown
- Known For: While visitors rave about the artisanal baked goods, Swedish Hill is also known for its trendy atmosphere inspired by the bakeries in London, New York, and California.
- Food Selection: Huge selection of pastries from croissants, danishes, and buns, as well as a full brunch and lunch menu.
- Seasonal Offerings: Seasonal pastries and breakfast items like apple pies, Thanksgiving turkey and gravy, and pumpkin muffins.
Swedish Hill, known for its array of freshly baked breads, pastries, and wide selection of brunch items, started in 1975 as a small Austin bakery and is now one of Austin’s most popular brunch spots. If you’re looking for jaw-dropping brunch items and a more upscale coffee location that represents Austin’s growth as a trendy city, Swedish Hill is where to go. Grab your seat at the new Swedish Hill location opening in Downtown under 415 Colorado in Early 2026. Order a latte roasted by Intelligentsia, a signature croissant, and enjoy next-level deliciousness at one of three (fourth coming soon!) bustling locations in Austin.
Houndstooth
- Locations: Downtown, North Lamar, East Side, & More
- Known For: High-quality coffee from various local and national roasters including its Dallas-based sister company, Tweed Coffee Roasters.
- Food Selection: A small variety of pastries are offered along with breakfast tacos from Tacodeli.
- Seasonal Offerings: Houndstooth has a changing seasonal beverage on their menu – you’ll have to check it out at your next visit!
If you’re a local of Austin, you’ve probably heard of Houndstooth Coffee. Known for its local shops with a steady stream of customers and fine coffee selection from local and national providers, Houndstooth remains an Austin favorite by many. With laid-back vibes and highly trained baristas, Houndstooth is a great spot to grab a coffee and a pastry, sit with your laptop at a cozy cafe, and feel like an Austin local.
Desnudo Coffee
- Locations: Downtown & East Austin
- Known For: Adored for their business ethics, Desnudo works with small, family-owned farms around the world to produce high-quality coffee beans.
- Food Selection: Both locations offer a selection of croissants. The Downtown location also offers breakfast sandwiches while the East Austin location is in a food truck park.
- Seasonal Offerings: No holiday themed drinks, but Desnudo offers a rotating seasonal menu with unique flavors.
Desundo Coffee has been praised by locals for their ethical business mission: To support small coffee producers by making direct coffee purchases and educating these farmers on new techniques that will create sustainable products made from regenerative agriculture. Desnudo has two locations in Austin, each serving from their signature mobile truck and patio. They offer expertly crafted brews, unique coffee drinks like Shoyu Butterscotch, and breakfast sandwiches.
Merit Coffee
- Locations: South Lamar, North Lamar, & Seaholm District Downtown
- Known For: High-quality, ethically sourced, and roasted coffee brewed from their own beans right in Texas.
- Food Selection: A small pastry case with croissants and the like is offered, along with tacos at some locations.
- Seasonal Offerings: Merit Coffee offers holiday-themed drinks. 2025’s lineup includes a Sugar Cookie Cold Foam, Candy Cane Mocha, Rosemary Brown Sugar Latte, and Frosted Pistachio Matcha
Merit Coffee has their name for a reason. Having traveled around the world to source only the best coffee beans, the Merit team tests, roasts, and serves some of the finest coffee to Austin. Visit one of their many locations, each with sleek, minimalist interiors, a pastry case, and consistently brewed quality cups of coffee.
The Brew and Brew
- Locations: East Cesar Chavez
- Known For: Brew and Brew is iconically known for their wide selection of coffee drinks made with coffee beans from local companies, wines, and 38+ craft beers on tap.
- Food Selection: Offers both quick brunch and bar items like a Croissant Sandwiches, salad, and toasted bagels.
- Seasonal Offerings: We haven’t seen holiday drinks promoted by The Brew and Brew, but they do have plenty of syrups to customize drinks.
Known for its selection of espressos and 38 craft beers on tap, this all-day spot transitions seamlessly from a coffee cafe to a casual bar. Grab a coffee, wine, beer, or bite to eat all day long at this unique East Austin cafe. The Brew and Brew offers a variety of seating – indoor and outdoor, bar top or tabletop. Locals come for their impressive industrial atmosphere, wide selection of high-quality brews, and frequent live music performances.
Cosmic Saltillo
- Locations: East Cesar Chavez
- Known For: Cosmic Saltillo is most known for their vibrant atmosphere that includes a garden, art-covered walls, skyline views, and a focus on sustainability.
- Food Selection: Cosmic’s food menu is classically Texas with signature and breakfast tacos and snacks to share.
- Seasonal Offerings: Seasonal signature drinks like Autumn Apple Cider are offered on the menu.
Austin vibes are matched at Cosmic Saltillo, with a large outdoor patio surrounded by warehouse architecture, an upstairs bar overlooking downtown, and a menu that spans both espresso and cocktails. Order a creative coffee drink like their Espresso Tonic, enjoy nighttime live music or morning yoga session on the rooftop, and take in the art-covered walls and greenery that adorns their atmosphere.
Radio Coffee & Beer
- Locations: South Austin, East Austin, & Rosewood
- Known For: Though rooted in coffee, Radio Coffee is known for its fun atmosphere, popular live music and trivia nights, and selection of food trucks, beverages, and high-quality brews.
- Food Selection: Radio Coffee’s menu will depend on the location. Their main locations in East and South Austin offer a pastry case and local food trucks offering tacos, burgers, and poke bowls.
- Seasonal Offerings: Holiday coffee drinks include a White Chocolate Mocha, Roasted and Toasted Latte, and Peppermint Mocha.
Radio Coffee & Beer offers just about everything from a morning cappuccino and breakfast taco in a cozy, outlet-covered cafe, to a midday cocktail and smash burger on their patio with live music. Grab a great coffee made from their own proprietary roasters, RCB Roasters, while enjoying the vibe. The patio at East and South Austin locations is surrounded by a variety of food trucks, making it a hot spot for midday and evening visitors. Come during trivia night or live music night and this place is busy with locals. Radio Coffee is a top spot for good coffee and fun vibes with three locations in Austin.
Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
- Locations: East Austin & North Loop on Airport Blvd
- Known For: Expertly crafted coffee loved by even aficionados. Figure 8 operates its own coffee roastery and is an influential part of East Austin’s coffee scene.
- Food Selection: Figure 8 serves local baked items like cookies and cakes and a selection of tacos.
- Seasonal Offerings: Seasonal drinks like Pecan Pie Latte and Pumpkin Miso Latte have been popular options featured on their seasonal menu.
Looking for a hip coffee roastery with impressive service and high-quality coffee? Check out Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors, a true Austin favorite that’s been “Worth The Drive On ‘35”. Owned by Seattle native Ryan Hall and Kathleen Carmichael, Figure 8 brings meaning back to local coffee joints. Come for expertly crafted espressos, lattes, and coffee drinks galore, as well as small desserts, and old-school vibes.
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
- Location: Lake Austin
- Known For: Mozart’s is known for their live music and community events at its Lake Austin location. Come during Festival of Lights at the end of every year.
- Food Selection: Breakfast items, baked goods, sandwiches, and desserts
- Seasonal Offerings: Holiday seasonal drinks include a Peppermint Twist Tea Latte, Gingerbread Latte. Also check out their Annual Festival of Lights event!
If you’re looking for a patio with a view in addition to a good cup of joe, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is where to go. From unique coffees to a pastry case of European desserts, to a popular outdoor patio along Lake Austin, Mozart’s is truly an impressive spot. Visit this in-house coffee roastery for breakfast or come for live music on the water at night on the weekend.
Epoch Coffee
- Locations: North Loop, Far West, & Anderson Lane/The Village
- Known For: With 24/7 open hours at their North Loop location, this is a great space for studying and working.
- Food Selection: Offers a small variety of pastries, sandwiches, and slices of pizza.
- Seasonal Offerings: Rotation of seasonal coffee beans and house-made peppermint syrup.
Epoch Coffee is a classic Austin coffee shop and the perfect spot for when you want to bring your laptop and get work done. The North Loop location is open 24/7 and provides a hub for students, remote workers, and those looking for a quieter spot for coffee. Epoch has several locations, all with outdoor patios, and each have their own unique look. Aside from their laptop-friendly atmosphere, Epoch sources, grinds, and roasts their own coffee blends, which is why this spot is frequented by coffee lovers.
What Coffee Shop to Visit Next in Austin
To “keep Austin weird” you need to combine excellence with compelling atmosphere, made for the city’s diverse and growing population that craves energies of all kinds – from peaceful and productive to sociable and lively. Our list combined the best of all kinds.
Best For Breakfast: We recommend Swedish Hill for the best spot to get both coffee and breakfast. Check out their new location opening in early 2026 at 415 Colorado, which will soon be buzzing with Swedish Hill fans and residents. 415 Colorado is a luxury apartment building new to downtown Austin that is redefining urban living. If you’re looking for a new upscale place to live, you can see availability here.
Best For Studying and Work: Epoch Coffee and Houndstooth, among others are great spots for a productive, laptop-friendly atmosphere.
For Vibrant Vibes and Group Parties: Check out Radio Coffee, Mozart’s, or The Brew and Brew for live music. Swedish Hill also offers a bustling modern atmosphere that’s perfect for group brunches.
For Coffee Aficionados: Coffee lovers will enjoy almost all of these options, but the most highly regarded coffee roasters in this list are Houndstooth, Merit, Desnudo, and Figure 8.