Tribeza Talk: Coffee Shops

SPILL THE BEANS

14 NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE SHOPS TO GET YOUR BUZZ ON

By Darcie Duttweiler

No matter what part of town you live in, chances are you already have a favorite neighborhood cafe to grab a cuppa joe. Below you’ll find 14 of our go-to coffee shops that are scattered throughout the city. But they’re not just places to get your caffeine fix, they’re also great WFH options, community centers, live music venues and Instagrammable hotspots.

BETTER HALF COFFEE AND COCKTAILS

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.

406 Walsh St. / betterhalfbar.com

BRENTWOOD SOCIAL HOUSE

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.

MOZART´S COFFEE ROASTERS

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.

3825 Lake Austin Blvd. / mozartscoffee.com

PHOTO BY PATRICIA JAURRIETA HALL.

JO´S COFFEE

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.

1300 S. Congress Ave. / joscoffee.com

PHOTO BY CAMERON KISEL.

CHERRYWOOD COFFEEHOUSE

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.

1400 E. 38th 1/2 St. / cherrywoodcoffeehouse.com

TRY HARD COFFEE

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.

PHOTO BY PLAUREN ACARDO.

RADIO COFFEE AND BEER

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.

4204 Manchaca Rd. / radiocoffeeandbeer.com

PHOTO BY DARCIE DUTTWELLER.

EPOCH COFFEE

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, pre-pandemic the shop was open 24 hours. Currently its hours aren’t quite that robust, but there’s still plenty of WFH to be done between 6 a.m. and midnight. Don’t skip the Iced Mojo, a creamy, slightly sweetened drink that’s hard to describe but easy to love.

CIVIL GOAT COFFEE CO.

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, fourlegged 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.

704 N. Cuernavaca Dr. / civilgoat.com

REVIVAL COFFEE

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.

1405 E. Seventh St. / revivaltexas.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF COSMIC HOSPITALITY.

COSMIC COFFEE + BEER GARDEN

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 and waterfall gardens. Created by native Austinites, the space showcases local art, music, purveyors and the local craft community.

121 Pickle Rd. / cosmiccoffeebeer.com

SA-TEN COFFEE AND EATS

Housed in the former Komé spot, this cafe serves the usual caffeinated drinks and more along with Japanese toasts topped with kewpie mayonnaise eggs, smoked salmon, fried seaweed, mozzarella cheese and anchovy garlic oil. The super hip digs include a traditional Japanese tatami room with floor mat seating. Don’t skip the Ohayo, a double shot brown sugar cappuccino, or a gigantic Teddy V chocolate chip cookie.