Austin Coffee Houses (Carthage, Clarksville, Manor: fit in, neighborhood, school)

[Carthage56]

Which coffeehouses in Austin are the best? I used to live in Seattle, and I miss great neighborhood coffee houses like Cafe Ladro, and others in Wallingford and Capitol Hill, and elsewhere, where the people were friendly, the coffee wasn't burnt, and the DSL access was reasonably priced (cheaper than Starbutts).

Good coffeehouses to me are:

(a) Not named Starbutts;

(b) Have cheap high-speed internet access (dare I dream of free access?);

(b) Have good hot chocolate (addict) or the occasional beer, should I feel frisky;

(c) Are comfortable places to relax, and aren't too snooty or overly trendy;

(d) Are places where the music isn't so loud that I can't do some light reading, but isn't so dull that I fall asleep;

(e) Are good for people watching and possibly the nice random conversation;

(f) Might be located downtown or nearly campus, but don't necessarily have to be (have car, will travel);

If you know of any coffee shops that fit some of these criteria, I would love your ideas.

[jwb123]

It's been through some changes but I still like Halcyon. You seriously can't beat tableside smores.... I liked it better when it was more coffee and less lounge - but what can ya do.

The coffee is still good (not Vivace good, but still) and the place is comfortable. Being in the Warehouse district, also makes for a good mix of people and fun watching.

Halcyon Coffeehouse - Austin TX - Coffee Houses & Tea Rooms - (512) 472-9637 - Open List
Halcyon Coffeehouse Austin, Downtown | Yelp

[twange]

These are the ones I frequent(not in any order). There are many in Austin but these are the ones in my general neighborhood(anywhere from 0-2 miles):

1. Summer Moon- excellent coffee(wood-fired), nice decor
2. Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse - good coffee, excellent outdoor space, funky and hip atmosphere(too much at times)
3. Green Muse - not too impressed with the coffee but my wife said the Chai was good. They also have beer and wine so...Cool space in an uncool strip mall.
4. Cafe Caffeine - The worst name ever. Coffee isn't always even, but decent food/snack options, nice little stage and GREAT decor. Very laid back and is a good place to work.
5. Garden District Coffehouse - Good coffee. Right in front of the Great Outdoors nursery. Nice place to sit on a nice day.
6. Jo's - Good coffee but a little too effin' cool for my taste sometimes. Usually filled with folks too hip for anyone's good. Strictly an outdoor place.
7. Flipnotics - Cool place with funky DIY vibe.
8. Austin Java - Great spot with a lot of seating options, in/out. I've heard some very good jazz on Sundays. A lot of eating options as well.
9. Fairbean Coffee - Haven't spent too much time here, but there seem to be a lot of bean options.
10. Mozart's - This place is out of our immediate jurisdiction but is right on Lake Austin and so it has great scenery. They have a desert display that's totally amazing and over-the-top.

All of these places have good WiFi.

[Carthage56]

You guys are great ... feeling like I'm going to fit in well in Austin.

[geoquiz3000]

Epoch (Epoch Coffee - Open 24 Hours) Northloop area, feels like old school Austin to me
Clementine (Clementine Coffee Bar: Manor Rd Austin TX, free wifi, happy hour, and 2 dollar draft beer tuesdays : Welcome) Cherrywood area
Progress (Progress Coffee :: Austin, TX) East Austin
Cafe Medici (Caffé Medici | Welcome) Clarksville

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by Carthage56

You guys are great ... feeling like I'm going to fit in well in Austin.

You will......and you will enjoy the people watching more than the outdoor and rooftop bars, which are usually full of college kids. Coffeehouses are the best, and you can read or write at ease. great places to just read the paper or a good book, besides the great conversations with friends.

And yes, Starbucks is indeed evil!

Our Menu :: Wood Fired Coffee :::: Austin, Texas

Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse - Peeps (broken link)

Cafe Caffeine: events (http://cafecaffeine.com/events - broken link)

Flipnotics & Satellite Cafe ~ It's All Good!

[jwb123]

Not necessarily for the atmosphere, but for a unique coffee experience - Texpresso is not to be missed if you truly love coffee.

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS (http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=149400 - broken link)

Texspresso - Austin, TX

[jwb123]

6. Jo's - Good coffee but a little too effin' cool for my taste sometimes. Usually filled with folks too hip for anyone's good. Strictly an outdoor place.

a MUST GO for their iced coffee concoction!!!

[twange]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

a MUST GO for their iced coffee concoction!!!

Yea, their drinks are pretty good! It's gettin' about that time for iced coffee drinks isn't it?

[jwb123]

I think it's the Turbo that I like - and with pellet ice? You can't go wrong....