We don’t have the data to back it up, but we’d venture to say that Austin might have the largest number of amazing coffee shops per capita of any city in the US. For freelancers, remote workers and conference goers looking to get some work done, these gems provide reliable Internet and powerful caffeinated fuel.
With that in mind, we compiled a list of some favorites from around the WooConf venue to help you stay productive while visiting this fair city.
By Proximity (5 min walk max)
Best view: Altas
Tucked away from the busy streets of downtown Austin and overlooking the beautiful Lady Bird Lake, Altas offers a peaceful atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
Altas boasts delicious food and coffee, plus an unbeatable deck and a quieter atmosphere, and it’s a bit off the beaten path.
Austin-est:
Jo’s Coffee
Jo’s Coffee on South Congress is an Austin stable – particularly the iconic ‘I love you so much mural.’
Their downtown location serves a full breakfast, lunch and dinner, they’re very dog friendly (as seen above) and are just a short walk from the W. But be warned: this place gets busy, so plan ahead, and avoid it if you prefer true quiet.
Closest & most-food-filled:
If you’re hungry and don’t want to wander, Austin Java is a great go-to. The City Hall location is right across the street from the W, making this the closest coffee shop, and most likely to be overrun with WooConfers.
Austin Java also has a full kitchen and serves all manners of delicious goodies:
Since it’s located in City Hall, Austin Java tends to be populated by city staffers, so watch out for a rush right around 8 a.m. and on Thursdays, when City Council is in session.
Still close but farther afield (15-20 minute walk)
Quiet and reliable: Hideout
Part coffee shop, part theater, the Hideout is spacious, calm and quiet, at least compared to any other option in the downtown area.
While slightly noisy at times (it’s still a coffeeshop in downtown Austin), the reliable internet and comfy seating options make it the perfect place to get lost in work, away from the hustle and bustle of WooConf.
It’s also a great place tocatch some improv or get a beer after the work day is done.
Delicious pastries: Easy Tiger
For the most delicious of noms, head over to Easy Tiger, the fantastic bakery nestled in the middle of the city. The intoxicating aroma of fresh-baked bread will hit you as soon as you walk in the door, but it doesn’t stop there: there’s also pastries. Oh, are there pastries.
Easy Tiger was named the best bar in Texas by Business Insider and has ping pong. What more could you want?
Austin-tastic: Cenote
On the other side of I-35 in East Austin, Cenote is a spacious spot with lots of seating inside and out. Depending on the time of year, you can sometimes see exactly what we mean by Keeping Austin Weird right at Cenote.
Cenote also has a full kitchen filled with delicious goodies, lots of outlets to plug in your computer and seriously delicious coffee.
Not for the faint of heart (20 min walk + CATS)
This one is not for those too picky about keeping their keyboards cat-hair-free: Austin has its very own cat cafe. If you’ve got a soft spot for tiny furry friends, enjoy whimsy or just want an excuse to stop working when a cat inevitably sits on your laptop, this is the place for you.
Blue Cat Cafe serves vegan food and coffee via a food trailer in their front yard.
Be careful though: many of the cats are up for adoption, so you may go home with more team members than you started with.
Want more options? Search for yourself and let us know if you spot anything that looks promising.