Follow us on our journey as we review some of the top coffee shops in Austin, TX. Ever wondered where the best cup of coffee is? Where you can go and enjoy a nice cup of joe without concerns about comfort? What vibe you can expect before walking in the door? Then this post is for you!!!!
Epoch on North Loop
Ideal for: Students, Folks who work from home, getting together with friends
Experience: I go to Epoch on North Loop pretty regularly to work on school and on the Guidebook. I know most of the folks who work there and a few folks who just are there from time to time. I always get the Mexican Mocha and a bran muffin to start my day. The Mexican Mocha is Epoch’s take on a traditional Mocha made with Mexican chocolate (think Abuelita’s chocolate, heavy notes of cinnamon and other spices) and it is one of my favorite drinks ever. You will notice upon walking inside that it is very quiet, always filled to the rafters with students and other folks who are working on their computers. I find when I am having working meetings or meeting friends that I prefer to go outside, I have a pretty booming voice and I don’t want to disturb anyone.
I appreciate that Epoch offers two separate outside seating areas, one for smokers and one for non smokers. The music played over hidden speakers is often music I would be listening to in my own headphones and it pleasantly subdues the murmur of voices on the porch.
Seating: The seating inside is your typical hodgepodge of thrift store finds, ranging from couches and stuffed chairs to wooden chairs that are armless, over all friendly and accommodating to those of us with larger hips and butts. Outside on the smokers’ porch, again armless chairs, this time metal, but sturdy and a long picnic table, which I was surprised to find quite comfortable. It is new and not rickety, you won’t feel like it is going to collapse under your weight and that is nice. The only not so great seating is on the non smokers’ side, they offer metal stools to reach the higher built in table. But again, no arms on the stools, just a smaller seat, so it may be uncomfortable.
Offerings: Coffee (try the Iced Mojo at least once) a selection of pastries and coffee shop fare with vegan options, and best of all, East Side Pies by the slice!
Pros: Great atmosphere, lots of seating available, awesome coffee
Cons: parking isn’t always the best, non smoking seating could use a fat friendly upgrade
Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery
Ideal for: Chic, Urban Moms
Experience: I walked in on an early Saturday afternoon. Many people were at this popular coffeeshop/bakery. I perused the three cases of bakery items and settled on a salted caramel brownie that looked promising. When I got to he register, I was “greeted” by an employee who looked like she did not want to be there. She asked me what I wanted. I stated what I wanted. She asked me what I wanted again. After she finally understood what I wanted, she then asked, “for here or to go?” I told her that I wanted it to go. She then gruffly repeated the question. I politely stated that it was to go. Taken aback by the tone I asked, “Are you okay?” I inquired because I had not done anything to merit that kind of response. She simply stated that she was tired. Someone mentioned that it was her birthday. I tried to make small chit-chat with her until the transaction was done.
The brownie itself was chalky and did not taste like caramel. Even though this brownie may not be indicative of the quality of all the pastries, I will still acknowledge that 7-11 offers a much better brownie for much less.
Seating: The seating inside may work for some due to the chairs being armless, but they may not consider it comfortable. There is a choice between flimsy chairs and picnic tables outside.
Offerings: A variety of pastries including vegan options and coffee
Pros: Vegan pastries
Cons: not-so friendly staff, forgettable non-vegan brownies
Sorrento’s Drive Thru
Ideal for: On the go, convenience
Experience: We drove up in a bit of a rush to make a meeting, right away, the staff is friendly, willing to answer questions, and quick to offer suggestions if they are out of anything. We came at about 2 in the afternoon, so the food selection had dwindled a bit. We got a sausage kolache and a sausage “muffinwich” (think upscale egg mcmuffin.) I had the monthly special, which was displayed on the board by the window, the graham cracker latte. It is possibly one of the best coffee drinks I have had in a while, sweet, creamy, and perfectly flavored. I love this place as a regular go to when I am running around, the coffee is much better than Starbucks and offers an opportunity to shop locally.
Seating: This is a drive thru coffee shop, so the seating is limited to two picnic tables on the side of the building.
Offerings: An amazing array of coffee beverages and a selection of coffee shop foods; pastries, cookies, sandwiches, etc.
Pros: Local, delicious, quick
Cons: No seating if you wanna hang for a while
Strange Brew
Ideal for: that “South Austin” experience, students, late-night coffee
Experience: I absolutely love Strange Brew, and indeed, anytime I should find myself in South Austin it is a must stop location. Strange brew is open 24 hours, which will make any insomniac salivate, they have a lounge side where you can find any number of local acts. They have a full bar with beer on tap, and they brew their own cold brew, which you can buy by the gallon and take home with you. They are located in an unassuming strip mall and have expanded to include the three shops surrounding them. They have a quiet room that is used for work or study. This place is wonderful for meeting new folks and enjoying an Iced Double Strange Brew on a hot Texas summer day.
Seating: Their inside is an array of over stuffed chairs and tables and chairs. It’s the outside I am most enthralled with, they have the entire of the back of the property with a shaded section with new picnic tables, and a wide variety of large, armed chairs.
Offerings: A great selection of coffee drinks (the Strange Brew is a must try!) and sandwiches made to order, beer, wine, and a small selection of pastries
Pros: Local, back patio, quiet room
Cons: Parking can be difficult, can be a long wait during peak hours
Flightpath Coffee House
Ideal for: students
Experience: I went on a Saturday afternoon and the vibe walking-in was reminiscent of a library that just so happens to sell coffee. This place is great for those who want to get things done. Don’t come here casually with friends for a gabby caffeination session. If you do have to work on a project with others, you may want to go outside. Expect a major source of your lighting to come from the laptops of surrounding patrons.
It took a moment for me to find the counter due to the layout of the coffeeshop. In the pastry case, there was a limited selection of cakes and juices. I was politely assisted by the barista who when I told her I wanted an iced coffee, promptly up sold me on the iced toddy. I am never mad at a hustler!
I moved up to pay the cashier. She asked what my plans were for the day. Again, I am never made at a hustler, so I made sure to mention fat girls’ guidebook. I got a “good luck with that.” I will take the positive words, even if the sincerity may be a bit dubious.
Seating: Armless chairs inside means there is no problem with restrictive seating. Picnic tables are the only option outside.
Offerings: coffee, cake slices, novelty snacks (Pocky sticks)
Pros: quiet place to study/work
Cons: dimly lit inside
Genuine Joe Coffeehouse
Ideal for: students, work from home, coffee with friends
Experience: I stop in here from time to time for its convenience as it is in my neighborhood. I have a weakness for their 3 Way Mocha, and I really recommend it! Right away, you will notice that the inside is small, and the seating feels cramped. They have a generally friendly staff and offer two meeting rooms that can be reserved for any number of events. They have a great patio for when you want to enjoy the outside air, and there are both smoking and non smoking areas. Their coffee is spectacular.
Seating: As above mentioned, the space feels a bit cramped, they have standard couches and chairs grouped together as well as bar tables that are a bit taller with armless stools. The stools are wider than average, so you may find them a bit more comfortable. Their porch seating is armless.
Offerings: coffee, small selection of pastries, snack bars
Pros: 3 Way Mocha, patio
Cons: cramped in house seating
Epoch Circa 13
Ideal for: students, work from home, coffee with friends
Experience: Full disclosure, I (Rhie) used to host an open mic at this coffee house, so it holds a near and dear place in my heart. That said, this Epoch differs from the one above in that it is much more a place to go when you are looking for a quiet place to get some work done. They have a shared back courtyard with tables and chairs just behind the shop. It is a peaceful, serene little setup in the middle of the hubbub of the city.
Seating: The inside is littered with tables and chairs to complete work, and a bar facing the window with higher stools to sit on. The back yard area is mostly comfortable, though the chairs do have arms, so if you are wider hipped, it might get uncomfortable after a while.
Offerings: coffee, pastries -vegan and non, sandwiches, bagels
Pros: wonderful outside, great coffee, awesome staff!!
Cons: outside seating can get uncomfortable