Austin, Texas has a great selection of coffee shops with delicious coffee and great WiFi, and many of them are just off the University of Texas campus. Here are the best spots to get your caffeine fix while getting your work done.
Caffé Medici
Located across the street from the University of Texas on what locals call ‘The Drag,’ Caffé Medici is extremely popular with students and faculty. This two-storey space offers French-pressed coffee blends as well as a variety of direct-trade coffee and tea options that will satisfy any caffeine fix. Caffé Medici is almost always bustling with students, giving it a great atmosphere while also being perfect for studying. Great coffee and snacks, fast WiFi, and a friendly staff make Caffé Medici a great off-campus spot.
Bennu Coffee specializes in mocha | @ Vox Communications
Bennu Coffee is a popular shop located in East Austin, less than a mile from the University of Texas campus. At Bennu, you can open a tab and stay as long as you want as long as you purchase something off the menu. This makes it dangerous for those who need a constant stream of caffeine while getting work done. However, Bennu’s fantastic coffee, free WiFi, food from local Austin restaurants, and 24-hour service make it one of the best places in Austin to study.
La Tazza Fresca is a hip coffee shop and bar located just a mile north of campus. With plenty of indoor seating and a huge outdoor patio, La Tazza Fresca is a great place to study alone or to bring your friends to just hang out. It also has a great selection of coffees, teas, and snacks. Additionally, it serves some of the best flavored lattes in town. If you’re feeling adventurous and have a sweet tooth, try the cookie dough latte for a drink that’s truly special. La Tazza Fresca is a refreshingly homey spot in a busy part of town.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
A 24/7 coffee shop north of campus, Epoch is both a study spot and a place for a more eclectic crowd. Epoch’s atmosphere can only be described as cool, with local art plastered on the walls, graffiti in the bathrooms, and succulents sitting on the windowsills. Epoch offers classic coffee fare, as well as more unusual drinks like the dirty Chai latte (a chai latte with a shot of espresso) and Mexican hot chocolate. Epoch also offers an assortment of pastries and sandwiches, as well as pizza from the excellent East Side Pies across the street.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
A perfect spot for those who live at UT and have limited transportation, Texas Expresso is located right on campus as part of the university’s alumni center. Although closed evenings and weekends, Texas Expresso is a great place to relax for lunch or during an afternoon lull. Texas Expresso offers coffee, sandwiches, and some of the best paninis in the area. The chai tea latte is especially worth trying. Despite being located on campus, Texas Expresso doesn’t feel like a cramped library or a student center.
A cafe located in East Austin, Thunderbird Coffee is known for an ambiance that’s both cheerful and indie. It’s a wide space with lots of tables and an outdoor patio with late hours. This makes it perfect for studying alone or in a group. Thunderbird is well known for its fantastic honey nut latte, and the rest of the coffee menu is worth noting as well. Thunderbird also has a good variety of snack fare, from bagels and sandwiches to Taco Deli tacos. It also sometimes offers a pop-up brunch on Sundays.
Flightpath is a neighborhood coffee shop at the corner of 51st Street and Duval that has been around for years. One of the few places in Austin that does not feature live music, Flightpath offers a quiet and constructive environment so that anyone can study or work in peace. If you are feeling more social, it does have a patio where you can grab a coffee or even beer or wine. It’s surprisingly large for its location and has plenty of tables and outlets so you can get your study on.
Key Lime Pie at Quack's 43rd Street Bakery | Courtesy of Dan Brennan
Although Quack’s is better known as a bakery, its cozy ambiance makes it the perfect study spot. Located in Hyde Park, Quack’s high quality desserts and full service espresso cafe is a fun, comfortable place to study or hang out. Quack’s is known as the ‘first coffeehouse in Austin’. It has been roasting its coffee beans in Texas since the beginning. Quack’s reputation and high-quality products will satisfy your sweet tooth and your study needs.
Houndstooth Coffee on N Lamar serves carefully sourced coffee and tea as well as beer, wine, and pastries. Houndstooth’s goal is to become part of your daily routine. It makes an effort to be cool and casual while also serving high-quality food and beverages. Houndstooth offers great service that more than makes up for the prices. Its coffee is some of the best in Austin, and the atmosphere makes you want to stay and work awhile.
Pacha is an organic coffee house in North Austin that sells organic brews, sandwiches, and snacks in a fun environment. It has amazing homemade pancakes and quiches, making Pacha a great place to enjoy eating while you study. The space is a bit small and more of a cafe than a coffeehouse. However, its casual vibe and homey service (it’s run by the original owners) make it a pleasant place to spend your afternoon studying and sipping coffee.
