What we targeted and why

As the number one home for remote workers in the country according to the New York Times (nearly 1 in 4 people in Austin works remotely!), Austin has a bustling coffee scene. We know there are plenty of great coffee shops around town that offer ambience and a great latte, but the list we’ve curated here is focused on Roasters who roast their beans locally in the city. When looking for quality coffee, it’s never a bad idea to look at the experts who sourced and roasted the coffee beans themselves. We like supporting local roasters, and many people find that it’s the best way to find fresh coffee that has a roast date within the same month you’re drinking it.

A few quick indicators of coffee quality we look for:

• Roast Date

• Single Origin / Origin Traceability

• Processing Method

• Roast Profile

• Variety

Who to look out for in Austin (In no order):

Austin Coffee Festival 2024

At the 3rd annual Austin Coffee Festival, each of these specialty roasters had a presence so we had an opportunity to get incredibly over caffeinated while trying most of these roasters all in the same place. Our biggest takeaways that might help guide you:

Best Cup:

Barrett’s Coffee - Uganda Organic White, Nile Natural

A perfectly served cappuccino, hints of strawberry, cream, and chocolate. The strawberry notes were memorable, and this was a cup that even coffee drinkers who avoid fruity notes typically would enjoy. Be on the lookout for this offering to come back, but checkout other Barrett coffees in the meantime.

Unique Branding:

Creature Coffee

They won the day as far as best booth setup. If you were a fan of tamagotchi as a child, then this booth probably drew your attention. They served several pour over options including a single origin from Chiapas, Mexico

Best Specialty Selections:

Greater Goods Coffee Co.

With many coffees on their list from farms from Mexico to Vietnam, it’s hard not to get excited by the novelty of a few of their offerings. As of October 30th 2024, they are still offering a specialty coffee called “Lộc Rừng” which they source from various small plot holders in Vietnam. It’s of the Catimor varietal with flavor notes like Honeydew, Yellow peach, and Banana Curd. 

Can’t Miss - Old Faithful:

Merit Coffee

Everything from Merit is meticulously selected and hits the mark. Hola Templo, a coffee sourced from roughly 10 small scale producers in Huehuetenango, Guatemala is a killer espresso with hints of Butterscotch, Sweet Grapefruit, and Ganache. Another can’t miss that is already taking home rewards like the 2024 Cup of Excellence award is Basha Bekele. Sourced from Sidama, Ethiopia it’s a light roast with hints of peach, chamomile, and a bit of vanilla.

The Data Breakdown

107 current single origin offerings around Austin, Texas

• 18 Different Countries Represented

• ~50% - 50% split on washed vs. natural processing

• 46+ distinct producers

• Highest elevation grown at 2500 Meters above sea level (~7,200 ft)

There’s a lot to choose from in specialty coffee around the Austin, Texas area. If you’d like to take a look at the list yourself click the links above and explore some of these great roasters, or give us your email and sign up for our newsletter where we publish the data about these offerings.