Favorite Austin Coffee Shops and Tea Houses
Coffee shops and tea houses mean different things to different people. To some, it’s all about the beverage: give them high quality espresso and cappucino, or great-flavored, fresh-brewed tea, and it doesn’t matter if it’s served out of a food stand on the street, they’re satisfied.To others, the ambiance is equally important. A coffee shop or tea house is much more than a place to sit and sip. It’s a place to meet and catch up, to get together with friends, to study, to linger and contemplate life, or to write the great American novel. Also a place to munch on snacks and desserts.
Austin has a lot of coffee and tea houses to meet different tastes. The national brands are here, and there are also local chains, and one-of-a-kind places that serve great refreshments. Below is a list of some popular places.
For other local shops in the same vein, also see Bakeries and Sandwiches.
Our Favorites
Patika Coffee
E. Fourth St. and Congress Ave., Austin TX 78701
(512) 535-3955
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Some coffee connoisseurs among us say this modest food truck serves the best coffee in town. Piney lattes, sweet mochas, rich and tasty espressos, all perfectly hand-prepared in small batches and served by super-friendly employees. Available in 8, 12, and 16 oz sizes depending on your mood and how much caffeine you need. After tasting their products, people say, you’ll never want to go to Starbucks or have Folgers again. Since each product is made to order, though, there might be a long wait in line. But the many loyal regular customers say it’s worth it.
Summermoon Coffee Bar
3115 S. 1st St. Ste. 1B, Austin TX 78704
(512) 804-1665
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A small, quiet, relaxing place to work or just sit and enjoy one of their signature wood-fired espresso drinks that are all made from a proprietary, seven-ingredient blend. It includes a homemade mix of milk and cream that is flavorful and slightly sweet. Their Summermoon latte is quite popular and is made with this mixture, while the Half Moon is made with this mixture and skim milk, resulting in a very rich, creamy, and sweet latte. They also have delicious vanilla chai, croissants, kolaches, muffins, and even breakfast tacos (which they buy from other stores). Comfortable, padded chairs and very friendly staff invite you to stay a while. Hard to find the place the first time, though, and hard to park.
Caffe Medici
1101 W. Lynn St., Austin TX 78703
(512) 524-5049
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2222B Guadalupe Street, Austin TX 78705
(512) 474-5730
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200 Congress Ave. #2B, Austin TX 78701
(512) 827-2770
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Another small, neighborhood cafe, this one in multiple locations, that serves some of the best coffee in town. Consistently delicious lattes and chai. Wide range of choices, served however you ask drip, french press, espresso, milked or unmilked, foamed or not, sweetened or not. Does get crowded and seating can be a problem. There is outdoor seating, but it’s kind of primitive. Also hard to find parking. Very friendly baristas.
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3826 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin TX 78703
(512) 477-2900
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Nice, relaxing ambiance. Huge deck overlooking the lake. Find a shady spot in the summer, or go there in the winter and enjoy the twinkling lights at night reflected in the lake. There’s also ample indoor seating. They have a wide selection of snacks, baked items, and desserts, more than many coffee places. Friendly staff. The coffee offerings are actually quite good, but people come here mostly for the view and the atmosphere. Sometimes has live music.
Epoch Coffee
221 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin TX 78751
(512) 454-3762
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Very popular place for local college students to meet and study. Background music playing softly. Surprisingly quiet atmosphere, though, some find it still too loud to study. Lots of outlets to plug your laptop into. Plenty of tables, stools, and couches with room to maneuver around them. Open all hours, with good snacks and drinks served around the clock. Carrot cake and cinnamon rolls are especially tasty, and try the Mexican mocha and whole milk cappuccino with vanilla syrup.
More Restaurant Choices
View the maps below for other coffee and tea choices around town.
COFFEE
TEA
Click here for a list and map of Austin coffee shops (opens in a new tab).
Click here for a list and map of Austin tea houses (opens in a new tab).
Austin Coffee and Tea News
Coffee on the go
Austin Brew Hub is a coffee shop on a bicycle. Bike-driven carts set up shop at various sidewalk locations around town during the day and serve iced coffee, tea, and sodas to passers-by. Originally founded in Chicago by one woman, Brew Hub moved to Austin in 2014 and now has seven people pedaling hubs around town. Each hub has USB charging ports for customers and runs on a battery, though solar power is planned for the future.
Do you have a Story about an Austin Coffee or Tea Shop?
Do you have a favorite coffee or tea shop in Austin? Or do you have a story about a coffee or tea shop, maybe one listed on this page? Tell us about your favorite restaurant, or share your story here.
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