Coffee Shops

Our favorite Austin coffee shops for sitting, sipping, socializing and even celeb-spotting

One of the best parts of working at CultureMap is the inevitable question posed by friends, family and fellow Austinites: "Where should we go?" The answer to that question is usually, "Go to a coffee shop." In addition to finding a great cup of coffee pretty much anywhere, coffee shops are the core of the creative community, a great place to hang out, work and spend time in the community. (It also doesn't hurt that almost all these places serve beer, wine and good food.)

But not all coffee shops are the same. There are certain java joints that are just made for socializing, while others really do let you shut out the world and work. Over years (and we do mean years) of research and multiple visits to each place, we have a go-to list of coffee houses to match our every mood. In honor of both National Coffee Day and the creative community that keeps Austin's coffee shops bustling here are our favorite places to mix, mingle, sip and socialize.

Place to take out-of-towners — Spider House Cafe
As any past and present University of Texas student knows, Spider House is a great place to grab a cup of coffee, order a basket of chips and salsa and hunker down all day. But there is something magical about Spider House at night. Walking up to the little bungalow after dark is like walking into a weird world illuminated with Christmas lights year-round, and everyone just looks happy to be there. For an out-of-towner, Spider House is the perfect way to fall in love with Austin.

Have a downtown meeting people will enjoy — The Hideout Coffeehouse
Even the most important meetings are a little more fun when they're held at the Hideout. In addition to its impressive snack offerings (important to know if your colleague if paying), the Hideout is a far superior alternative to that coffee mega chain just across Congress Avenue.

Where you think you'll get work done, but end up surrounded by friends drinking beer at 2 pm on a Tuesday — Wright Bros Brew & Brew
We always go to the Brew & Brew with the best of intentions, but this East Austin joint is one of those places where you're going to run into pretty much everyone you know. (Even if you don't know anyone, you will make friends, as one peer visiting from New York recently found out.) Come early, order a cortado, and don't be surprised if you end up sipping a beer by lunchtime with your new friends. Don't worry about getting that project done — your boss is probably sitting a few tables over.

Where to actually get work done — Vintage Heart
Just up the street from Brew & Brew, Vintage Heart is a little gem on East Seventh Street. With superb coffee, breakfast tacos from Tacodeli and a quiet ambiance, Vintage Heart is a great place to power up and power through.

Take the kids — Cherrywood Coffeehouse
Cherrywood is the perfect place to pack up the kids (or the pup) and relax on the expansive, tree-covered patio. Order up a Luna taco (you can never go wrong with crispy shoestring potatoes on a taco) or a sandwich with a side of some of the best fries in the city.

Where to take a coffee snob — Cafe Medici on Congress Avenue
As Austin grows, so too does our intolerance for piss-poor coffee. With a host of local roasters and the expansion of major coffee powerhouses like Stumptown into the city limits, the ability to craft an impressive coffee program has never been more important. Though all three Cafe Medici locations have talented baristas and charming atmospheres, the Congress Avenue locale is sleek and stunning, providing the perfect backdrop for your perfect espresso.

Where to pull an all-nighter — Epoch Coffee
Whether it's tax season or a big deadline, there will no doubt come a time when you need a java jolt at 2 am. Lucky for you, Epoch Coffee is open 24 hours a day.

Best place to people watch — Jo's Hot Coffee Good Food on South Congress
Full disclosure, our love of Jo's knows no bounds. In addition to the best people watching in the city, Jo's has it all: Tacodeli tacos, delicious pastries, an expansive patio and a new partnership with Stumptown Coffee. Beware the muffin-stealing grackles, but enjoy the steady stream of celebs wandering over from Hotel San Jose next door. We mean it: Everyone from Karl Rove to Jake Gyllenhaal has stopped by. Oh, and Ryan Gosling is fan.

The coffee shop most likely to give you a hangover — The Buzz Mill
Another 24-hour shop, The Buzz Mill is impossible to describe and must be experienced firsthand. (If this helps clarify, one Yelper aptly wrote, "If Ron Swanson was a bar, he would be The Buzz Mill.") Part Rocky Mountain lodge, part bar/coffee shop, part comedy club, The Buzz Mill does many things well — including getting you pretty hammered.

Where to go to prove South Austin is just as hip as any other neighborhood — Radio Coffee & Beer
Another Stumptown joint, Radio Coffee & Beer opened earlier this year in an eager neighborhood. With a great patio; craft beer offerings; and food from some of Austin's favorite vendors, including Veracruz All-Natural, East Side Pies and Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Radio is the kind of joint where you're going to stay a while — so plan accordingly.

Where to take a novice coffee drinker — Monkey's Nest Organic Coffee & Bakery
We don't know any personally, but there are folks out there who just aren't into coffee. Remedy that with a trip to this Burnet Road shop. Offering specialty coffees and enough flavors to give those pumpkin spice latte lovers a run for their money, Monkey's Nest is like a coffee gateway drug. Serious coffee folks will enjoy a simple French press and everyone can appreciate that a large cup of coffee will cost you just $2.19.

Get brunch'd — Cenote
There are no shortage of brunch options in Austin, but if you're like us, sometimes you just want no frills, no fuss — just good food. Housed in a former church, Cenote could easily be our pick for best place to take an out-of-towner, but with options like eggs Benedict, a hearty migas dish and a breakfast sandwich to put others to shame, it's become our go-to casual brunch destination. (Did we mention these dishes are $10 or less?)

Our new favorite gem — Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors
Sure, one could argue this list is a bit heavy on east side joints, but the newest addition to Chicon Street is so darling — and so delicious — that we can't help but fawn over it. Chances are this little gem will become your go-to spot in no time.

A shop without pretense — Once Over Coffee
While we (sorta) understand that not offering Wi-Fi and holding expensive cuppings is serious coffee biz, sometimes you just want an exceptional cup of coffee, a friendly chat with the barista and a place to hide away for a few hours. Once Over is that place. When the weather is great, we hit up the patio and enjoy a made-to-order cup of Joe. When a deadline approaches, we take it inside, slap on our headphones and sip an espresso (or three) to get us through.

Wright Bros Brew & Brew

Photo by Jon Shapley

Wright Bros Brew & Brew

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Omakase for Everyone

New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase

Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi keeps things simple.

Austin had no shortage of beautiful sushi restaurants, but a new one at Lantana Place is doing drawing the trend away from the center of the city and sticking a lower price tag on the experience. Tancho Sushi, offering "everyday omakase," is now open at 7415 Southwest Parkway.

The thought of casual omakase feels like a bit of an oxymoron in Austin, where the service style — which tasks the chef with choosing what the diner will eat — is almost synonymous with something fancy and expensive. Factor in the interior design at Tancho, which certainly doesn't look pedestrian, and it's hard to believe it's actually an everyday meal.

But all things considered, these prices seem reasonable: $29 for the lightest dinner option, and capping out at a $59 feast. Lunch is even less expensive, starting at $24.

Tancho Sushi interior The airy space takes advantage of its surroundings outside of the city.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

In some omakase experiences, the chef might factor in a diner's taste, the special ingredients that are available that day, and any number of other factors to determine what hits the table. But at Tancho, these prix fixe options are predetermined, doubtlessly contributing to the more accessible pricing.

The 50-seat restaurant also uses a clever marketing angle to get diners in who aren't necessarily experienced in sushi, or might otherwise be intimidated by letting a chef choose unfamiliar foods. "With thoughtfully curated preset menus, Tancho simplifies the dining experience by eliminating the guesswork so guests can focus on enjoying their meals," a press release announcing the opening says.

The release was sent November 22, but it looks like Tancho has been serving customers in a soft opening capacity for about a month, based on its Google reviews (which are stunningly high for a new restaurant at 4.7 stars).

Offerings at Tancho are simple.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Although each menu is different, there is a shared arc. All four experiences start with sunomono salad, a cucumber-based dish with red seaweed and sesame. Then there's tuna sashimi with smoked yuzu ponzu and scallions, and the rest depends on what the diner chooses.

Some standout items across the dinner service are sea bream on the light menu; akami (very red meat along the spine of a tuna) on the standard omakase menu; a lobster open hand roll on the rolls-only menu; and a tuna flight on the grand omakase menu.

No menu item is especially complicated. The focus is on doing each ingredient right, including the temperature the fish is served at and even the flavor of house-made soy sauce and ponzu.

“We keep the focus on the ingredients,” said co-founder Brad Van Otterloo in the release. “By stripping away unnecessary flourishes, we allow the quality of our fish to take center stage. This is a Texas-born concept through and through, and we’re proud to contribute to Austin’s growing sushi reputation.”

The open hand rolls are a signature for the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Despite all this talk of omakase, it is possible to order à la carte items: some appetizers, nigiri (sliced fish on top of rice), and rolls. There's also a carefully curated beverage program, which largely focuses on sake. That includes the Kubota Manju or “Ten Thousand Celebrations" ($79), renowned in Japan for its complex layers and smooth mouthfeel.

“As Austin continues to grow, we wanted to introduce a fresh take on the sushi experience,” said Van Otterloo. “We’re here to make sushi approachable for Austinites while honoring the integrity of this cuisine. It’s about creating a space where everyone can discover and enjoy sushi at their own pace – no pressure, no pretense.”

Tancho Sushi exterior This restaurant is meant to be approachable.Image courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi is located at 7415 Southwest Parkway, Building 4, Suite 300. It's open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, offering both dine-in and takeout. There are no reservations.

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