The roasters writing the coffee scene in Austin: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Austin. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Cuvée Coffee in Austin is Mike McKim's specialty roastery since 1998 with a Rainey-district cafe, an Austin pioneer of single-origin sourcing and Black & Blue nitro cold brew.
Tip: The wholesale Spicewood roastery does not run retail; the Rainey cafe is the only Austin shop after the East 6th closure.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Nitro cold brew, Whole bean retail
Greater Goods Coffee in Austin is Trey Cobb and Khanh Trang's East 5th roastery and cafe since 2015, a B Corp specialty roaster with retail pours and a wholesale program.
Tip: Cupping happens at the roastery on Friday mornings; ask in-store about joining a session.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Houndstooth Coffee in Austin is the multi-roaster cafe chain founded by Sean Henry in 2010, with seven Austin shops pouring house blends alongside guest roasters from across the US.
Tip: The Frost Bank Tower location is the central flagship; the original on North Lamar has the larger bar.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, Costa Rica
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Cosmic Coffee in Austin is the South Congress beer-garden cafe on Pickle Road since 2018, an indoor-outdoor coffeeshop pouring multi-roaster specialty alongside a tap-room beer list.
Tip: The coffee bar shuts at 5pm but the beer side runs until 11; the patio bridges the daypart change.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Jo's Coffee in Austin is the Bunkhouse Group's South Congress patio coffee bar since 1999, an outdoor walk-up next to Hotel San Jose pouring espresso and the signature Iced Turbo.
Tip: The Iced Turbo is the Austin signature; queso on a breakfast taco from the morning menu is the locals' order.
Sources from: Various; sourced from Cuvée and others
How they serve: Espresso, Iced Turbo cold brew, Filter
Easy Tiger in Austin runs a coffee bar at its East 6th Street bake shop, a downstairs counter for espresso, drip and pastries before the upstairs beer-garden patio opens at noon.
Tip: Morning coffee runs 7 to 11am; from noon the beer takes over and pastry purchases continue but the coffee bar quiets.
Sources from: Local guest roasters
How they serve: Espresso, Drip
Peak food season in Austin is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Austin rewards trust.