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Cool. Funky. Eclectic. These are the words that come to mind as I describe Dear Diary Coffee, located on Chicon on the East Side. I discovered this interesting coffee shop when visiting a nearby bakery. Can you imagine an establishment that is all plant based? Dear Dairy coffee meets this requirement. During the Daniel fast the hubs and I both go full on plant based and on average, we do plant based consumption twice a week throughout the year. So, this coffee shop would be right up our alley. There are many benefits espoused about a plant based life style. In addition, they have a paparazzi of items for sale including knitted items, jewelry and many other uniquely crafted items.. This coffee shop is small, cozy and welcoming with a lived in, homey feel. If feels like the place you can stay a while to study or use as a mobile office for remote working. My barista immediately greeted me and offered suggestions for coffee. She was helpful, friendly and warm. Look forward to returning...
Cute, casual and cozy coffee shop! Small space so I got mine to-go. Highly recommend their lattes, was so good I wanted to order another one! Service was quick for the latte and then a 10 mins wait for the plant-based BF bagel sandwich. While expensive it's a big portion and on par with other plant-based options. Street parking only and lucked out on grabbing a 15 min only spot. Otherwise may be looking for awhile.
Its a cute spot and the only vegan coffee shop in Austin that I'm aware of! It was friendly and you could tell very community oriented and supports local artists. The drinks were varied and though probably a bit more pricey than I typically would spend for a coffee. It's a bit far for me so this would be more of an occasional spot rather than an every day spot for me. But I did enjoy it and thought it was a fun spot. However, major perk here is oat milk is their default milk!
We stopped in on a rare rainy day in Austin before heading to breakfast. It's walking distance from our house and across the street (on an angle) from our dog's favorite pet store, Paws on Chicon. We've been wanting to check out this shop for quite sometime and finally had the chance. From the minute we walked in the door the vibe was on! Our barista, Litsa was incredible! She was fun and bouncy and had so much positive energy. She even helped me create a concoction of sorts. Like most, lavender is my go-to. But, I also wanted toasted marshmallow and so I was torn. She suggested a combo of the two for my cappuccino (with oat milk of course). Wow! It was spectacular. I was so beyond miserable when I walked in the door (the rain) and she turned things around for me within 30 seconds of interacting. Her positivity and kindness were through the roof! My cappuccino concoction...so good I think it should be a menu feature! The banana guard iced latte my boyfriend got was equally as delicious. It was like an ice cream treat for grown-ups. Everything about the shop is so welcoming. Warm lighting, comfortable seating, and spacious. So much for the eye to take in as they have offerings from local artists and craftspeople for sale. A mini store if you will. All lined neatly on wall hanging shelves. They've got candles, pottery, jewelry, clothing, etc. All the goodies you'd expect to find at a gift and craft, artisan shop. Fitting since the drinks they put out are liquid art. Since it's about a ten-minute walk from home, it'll definitely be a new stop when going to the pet store. Wonderful experience on a dreary day.
Oh man oh man I LOVE THIS place. Why? Because it reminds me of old Austin I miss, the Austin is weird part that supports local artisans/businesses and is funky and cute without being bougie and pretentious like the newer places coming in. Although it's located in a newer building the coffee shop is such a welcoming space and reminds me of the old Austin vibe I miss. Located in central East Austin, Dear Diary has a plethora of vegan drink and treats and don't be thinking just because it's vegan it lacks in flavor and delivery. I had their special lavender black matcha which was earl grey lavender drink and it was delicious and creamy even with using oat milk. Food wise I had the spicy seitan kolache that was warmed up and delicious. Service was super friendly (I am sorry I can't call out barista so she gets the $5 tip but she has extremely short hair working Sunday afternoon). Space inside is beautiful with plenty of tables to sit and work and the chairs all have cushions which makes the chairs more comfortable. The music they were playing in the background was soothing. Also free WiFi was strong! Also loved that the for here drinks came in a cat mug! Parking is also free and easy plenty of street parking.
Very cute shop. Fully vegan so you won't pay extra for asking for oat milk! Not suitable for groups. There are only 8 tables of 2 and one coffee table to sit 5 people. Parking is on the street or follow the sign at the corner to go to a lot around the corner. It's definitely folllowing the artistry route. All around the place , you can see that it is displaying various items for sale from small businesses : cards, drawings, pottery, earrings etc. There's also a shelf for Japanese stationery! Now, the most memorable is the coffee art ! The staff made a bear on my cappuccino !!!! HOW CUTE is this! And she even said .. you have to eat it now. Ahhh hahahah They also serve some pastry to go with your drink. I got a banana bread, simple but tasty. Music is not loud at all. Overall ambiance is quite studious so it allows a great time to study or work. Chatting may be done at a lower volume. I really appreciate this concept. Will definitely be back !
Austin is full of great coffee shops, but this one really stands out for its cozy and creative vibe. Not only do they serve good coffee, but the space also doubles as a little boutique! You can browse unique crafts, pens, stationery, bowls, and other fun finds while you're there. It's spacious, quiet, and relaxed, making it a perfect place to get some work done or just unwind. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. I tried the marshmallow coffee, which was a fun treat. It starts off mild, but once the marshmallow melts, it turns sweeter, rich, and almost dessert-like. The coffee itself was smooth and milky, a bit decadent without being too heavy. We also picked up a cupcake from the shop next door to enjoy alongside our drinks. All in all, it's a spot worth visiting for both the coffee and the vibe.
This is a very artsy vegan coffee shop that makes it clear they have a mission for social justice. I was so impressed by the lavender black matcha. It was very pricey at $7.75, but it was so good. You can adjust the sweetness level, and the sugar tastes of very high quality. The barista was very friendly. Their other drinks are even more expensive at $10. I really appreciate how they include tax in the displayed prices, so the listed price is what you pay. They sell art supplies, and my artist friend I came with said she has come here to doodle before. It was very cramped walking around to look at the supplies and being inches away from the occupied tables. There were people studying/working at the tiny tables as well as some people chatting. The space was really cute and bright, but the AC was so cold.
Lived in Austin for a year before I found this place! Have to go early to get my favorite item before it sells out - the little snack burritos. The coffee drinks are pretty coffee-y so I havent found a favorite yet - I like more sweet less coffee. Lots of little things to grab around the cash - Im always trying something new. Locally made (art) items also available for sale! And dont forget to sign the coloring book!
Absolutely love this coffeehouse! I have been driving by every week day after dropping my son off at Kealing MS and finally decided to stop. Now I have been there three times in two weeks! The barista is sweet. The place is cute. The gifts for sale are incredible and the pumpkin carrot cake is my new fave! I ordered the Mexican mocha and wasn't disappointed. In fact I was quite satisfied and now a repeat customer. Thanks for keeping things light and local.
Dear Diary is such a delightful spot that I've found myself completely charmed by. From the moment I walked in, I noticed the care and thoughtfulness that goes into every detail--especially the cups they use. I don't know what it is, but there's something about drinking from a beautiful, well-chosen cup that just makes the experience even better. One of my favorite parts of visiting was getting to see their art vendor spaces. They showcase so many cute, locally made goods, and I was lucky enough to be there while a new artist was meticulously setting up their space. Watching their attention to detail and care for their display was such a special moment--it really added to the sense of community that Dear Diary cultivates. The café is also super convenient, with ample street parking nearby, which made it an easy stop. Whether you're here for a coffee, to browse the art, or just to enjoy the cozy vibe, it's clear this place is more than just a coffee shop--it's a hub for creativity and connection. I can't wait to come back and explore even more of what this lovely little café has to offer!
Sweet and peaceful coffeeshop on the East side. I love how quiet and chill this place is - its small wih about five tables and a couch area. They are called dear diary because they have l community journals where patrons can write letters, messages, and drawings, which is so precious. Reading them makes me really happy:) I tried their matcha latte, very tasty, strong matcha flavor 7.5/10. Their banana muffin is kinda dry and flaky but flavor is not bad 6.5/10. Overall a good place to study or work, they close early at 2pm!
We really enjoyed our experience here. Wallace was our barista. Toward the end of the day, we were offered the remainder of their drip coffee. It was fun looking through the journals and seeing the creativity of previous customers. There is so much to take in and lots of artwork available to purchase. The two of us ordered their speciality marshmallow drink, and we were glad that we did. There also some other fun shops nearby that are within walking distance.
4 years ago
Drinks were good happy to finally see a vegan hot chocolate since they usually have dairy in the chocolate part so that was nice. Even when the weather is a bit on the warmer side i like my hot chocolate lol i am cold blooded and will gladly be in the ac with a blanket and hot beverages lol. The spiced vanilla was ok didn't really taste like horchata as the description said though. Workers were friendly and quick to fill the order. I found parking easily but not sure if i just went at a good time or if that's how parking is every day. read more
4 years ago
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2 years ago
Well, I really wanted to like this place. Woman owned and vegan. Unfortunately it was not up to par. The two stars are for the very nice barista and a cute shop. But literally stopping at another coffee shop. My expresso shot was pulled beautifully. But the coffee is very acidic and quality was not great. Same for the person I was with. Also all their milks are sweetened! Really there are unsweetened versions of most plant based milks. 9-10 grams of sugar in your morning coffee? No thanks. My coffee un drinkable. Bummed. But hopping the next stop brings better luck. read more
Dear Diary is definitely a cute place to sit down, drink coffee and get work done. I thoroughly enjoyed my Sunday studying here. I was even able to catch their open mic night and experienced lots of singing and more! The energy was very nice! Highly recommend for anyone who is wanting a vegan friendly and cute place to sip on some good coffee! read more
Their chai latte is so good! It's on the creamy side, which I love. It was also mixed well, so there wasn't a lot of The barista was so friendly, and I loved the vibe/interior of the coffee shop. It was really clean, bright, and open. I also love the concept of showcasing local artists' art. I would definitely come again! This will go in my "Best Austin Coffee" bookmarks. read more
Business owner information
Amalia L.
Aw, yay! Thanks for adding us to your bookmarks. We'll pass this…
4 years ago
I was stopping in the area and needed a pick-me-up so I stopped here. I'm glad I did. - curb parking and indoor seating. - coffee was rich and brewed fresh - Service behind the counter was friendly and relaxed! - Inside looked like quintessential Austin: youthful and wacky. - great study / meeting location with plenty of tables and electrical outlets. -wifi -conveniently located near-ish to the highway, I will be back next time I'm in Caesar Chavez/ area. P.S. -it's 100% women owned!!! read more
2 years ago
ADORABLE inside and loved all the fun trinkets for sale. Espresso was very good! The barista was pretty unfriendly but I've noticed that's the case for most coffee spots. read more
2 years ago
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4 years ago
I got a matcha latte with oat milk and it was delicious. I'm not sure what oat milk they use, or if they have their own in-house version, but it is smooth and doesn't taste too nutty or earthy like others! The matcha latte itself wasn't too sweet either, which I really appreciated. I also got the blueberry lemon muffin and it tasted great! It was more crumbly than your typical muffin, but it's vegan and will naturally have a different texture to it. The flavor of the muffin mattered more for me, and it tasted great. I love how there was local art for sale along the walls of the coffeehouse - I would definitely come back! read more
This the the epitome of a nice memorable college artsy style coffee shop. It has a good selection of coffee and teas. It is all vegan based cafe. No second guessing on if something has dairy in it or not. It's tucked away inside of the Rosewood East Austin district. Nice art on the walls, options to add a story or piece of art to the place as well. Highly recommended! read more
This is a really cute little place. Not only do they serve coffee, but they offer lots of table space for working and journaling. They even sell journaling equipment like pens/highlighters, stickers, and small paper journals. As for the coffee, I had a cold brew with fresh made oat milk. It was good coffee, and I appreciated the milk. If you've never had fresh-made oat milk it's a different flavor, bolder. They also offer a variety of gluten-free baked goods, as well as breakfast tacos, and yogurt parfaits. I like that this business is woman-owned. I want to go back here and work some time. Check it out if you're in the neighborhood! read more
4 years ago
I haven't been to Austin in years and had forgotten about their incredible coffee scene. Walking into Dear Diary was like being welcomed by an old friend. The ambiance was warm and inviting with enough personality to let you know that this wasn't a cookie cutter spot. We were greeted by the friendly Nathan, who was so charming you felt like this was *his* coffee shop. It's not everyday that you bump into someone who takes pride in where they work. He beckoned us into the "plant-powered oasis" that is Dear Diary, explaining that everything on the menu was plant-based, even the beefy looking breakfast biscuit sandwiches. Coffee was the first order of business, so we ordered a dirty chai and a cinnamon roll latte. Once we knew that caffeine was on its way we could focus on food. I went with mushroom spinach kolache while my partner snagged the aforementioned breakfast sandwich. Gonna be honest, everything was fantastic. The kolache and dijon aioli combo was great and the sausage biswich pleasantly surprised my meat eater palate. Little tip, the dijon aioli goes great with the biswich too. My only regret was that we were only in Austin for one day *and* that I didn't get one of their kitty t-shirts. This place instantly became a fave. read more
Business owner information
Dear Diary C.
Aw! Thanks so much for the thoughtful review. I'll share this one…
3 years ago
Was super excited to try Dear Diary Coffee because of the great reviews. Unfortunately we were extremely let down. The matcha latte we were given looked nothing close to the quality of other lattes in the pictures. The matcha tasted bitter and there were tons of clumps at the bottom. Assuming that matcha was not whisked and prepared properly and it's not ceremonial grade. My drink was inedible so had to throw it away due to the terrible preparation. Don't waste your money like me :( would not recommend this spot for matcha. read more
4 years ago
First pumpkin spiced latte of the season (with oat milk). An adorable vegan coffee shop with a strong artist community focus. My heart is full -Free wi-fi -desks for laptop work with outlets in the benches -small loveseat -Local art books, manga, pictures and stickers sold on shelves -community events hosted for artists read more
7 years ago
WHY aren't more people talking about this bastion of superlative third-wave coffee practices? First of all, mad respect for opening right at the beginning of the pandemic, and still producing top notch food and beverages despite the odds. The espresso program is on point, which means you can get your fancy seasonal lattes with all the bells and whistles, or a simple shot of espresso, prepared with equal care, not pretension. Personally, I love the fact that they're unafraid to go off the beaten path. Wheatgrass lattes? Hell yeah! Give it a shot- No pun intended. The pastry case is largely furnished by local operations, with kolaches, tacos, and sandwiches prepared by Bistro Vonish, of particular note. Plenty of tender cake slices and soft cookies for the sweet tooth, too. Though the dining area turned out to be too small for proper social distancing, I love the fact that they turned that around and made it into more of a shoppable art gallery, supporting local illustrators instead. Get caffeinated, get cultured, and invest your dollars here! read more
coffee is amazing but a lil pricey - $5-$7 a latte or regular coffee - blame no one but inflation and recession of course. Ambience to work : 8/10 - table is a bit small and limited space Parking : no parking lot so park on the side of the street read more
dear diary is a vegan based coffee shop located in the east side! they often have events with live music and markets with different artists and vendors so be sure to check out their instagram for any updates! when you walk in there's a shelf full of art from local artists and stationary items for sale which was pretty cool to browse through. the iced vanilla lavender latte was not sweet enough for me so i ended up adding honey to adjust it! it was very smooth and creamy but it was lacking the lavender flavor. we weren't too big on the kolaches tbh. the kolaches were a lil too dry and the bbq flavor for the seitan kolache was ~different. the dijon aioli worked so well the kolaches though. this was also my first time trying seitan, a plant based protein generally made of wheat. the texture was chewy similar to vietnamese cha lua (ham) which i thought was interesting. im glad i got to try something new though! what we got: - iced vanilla lavender oat latte - mushroom spinach kolache w dijon aioli - bbq seitan kolache w dijon aioli ig: @whatsviveating read more
5 years ago
In response to the owner: while I appreciate that you offered to not tip that wasn't at all anything that had to do with my review. I have no issue with tipping. The price and quality of the coffee was not what I believed to be something I'd come back for. The parking also was a deterrent. Either way glad I at least tried it. The atmosphere was cute they had great merch. Prices are too high for the quantity. I got a mocha latte and the yogurt with granola. It was ok but not my fav. Parking also isn't abundant. While I like the concept I probably wouldn't go again. read more
Business owner information
Amalia L.
Hi Redstarpiggy! We are in the process of transitioning to a no-tip…
Aesthetically pleasing, fair prices, delicious food! We had their donuts, spicy seitan kolache with mustard dip, flat whites and a latte. I opted for almond milk and my hubs and friends opted for coconut and soy milk. My flat white with almond milk was really strong, I used three packets of brown sugar but it was good strong. Next time I'll try coconut milk too. Their barista Lee is so good at latte art despite not using any milk products. That's so hard to do, I tried at home so many times and I can't get any kinda art done. My absolute fave here though was the peanut butter cups, IT IS SOOO GOOD! If you'e ever had Justin's peanut butter cups, it's like the giant version of it!!!! I'd come back here over and over again if I'm in the area. Pretty far for me but we wanted to try it. Not too shabby for a Vegan/plant based spot. You have to try their food with their coffee- it's delish! read more
We've passed by the coffee shop in the afternoon dozens of times when it's closed and we are taking our dog to Paws on Chicon. Was looking for a place in East Austin to stop at before a hike and when we saw this pop up, we knew it was finally time! Third Coast coffee is one of my favorite Austin based coffee roasters and they are the coffee used for the cold brew at Dear Diary. I went with the Maple Oat Nitro Cold Brew coffee and it was perfection. The creamy smoothness of the nitro was enhanced by the oat milk and the subtle maple flavor really brought out the chocolate notes of the coffee. Will definitely be back! read more
Dear Diary is great. I a solid A-tier coffee shop. It's niche in the coffee shop scene is vegan food. Best spot to get your oatmilk latte and a soy breakfast taco, if you're into that. If you're not, it's still good, just maybe a little pricey. The atmosphere is fun though in an indie way. Interior is a little forgettable but the patio is stand out. In terms of atmosphere, there's a lot going here. When the weather is nice, they have a unique courtyard with these cool circular tables and a pond. The tables have art on them. It doesn't feel like another forgettable outdoor picnic table patio. The inside feels a little sterile and is a little forgettable. Very aluminum wood and glass. They have cool art on the walls though and off brand muji notebooks for sale. In terms of coffee/cold brew, very solid. Not the best cup in town but very passable. Better than what i can make. I like their coffee better than cold brew. I usually get oat milk. You can get soy, or almond though. Good variety. Matcha is good too but on the sweeter side. In terms of pastries and tacos great variety. They switched from bistro vonish to lick it up for tacos recently. Feels like a step down. Markup isn't bad. Just 50 cents over the price at lick it up. Its great to have a one stop coffee stop. The day old pastries are solid, value. In terms of regular pastries the donuts are especially good-- even for vegan standard. Not sure where they're sourced but I need to find out. read more
Business owner information
Amalia L.
Thanks so much for your review! We appreciate your endorsement so…
Really great location and I love the outdoor seating close to the place. Parking is also not bad either. Limited indoor seating - wouldn't come with a large group. The vibe really reflects Austin (especially East Austin well). Eccentric and artsy (if that's the type of coffee shop you like). Music was not loud either! The coffee is just okay though (personal opinion since I see many people praising it). It had good food selection from what I could see. We got a matcha and a latte. Both of which were decent, but nothing crazy good in comparison to the competition around here. Definitely a good neighborhood place, but don't plan on studying there. read more
Low key coffee shop near East Austin. Lots of tables and space. Friendly staff and welcoming environment. They offer pastries, sandwiches too. The muffin and bread were both great. I went here every day while on vacation! read more
Business owner information
Amalia L.
Aw! So glad you found us, Karley!
3 years ago
Great coffee! I love that there are so many items to purchase from the local artists/vendors. read more
Amazing vegan cafe!!! It's adorable inside and they have spacious outdoor seating as well. So many treats to choose from. I ended up trying the spinach and chickpea kolache and it's perfect/craving it now! The rose latte was also perfect. I got my husband the coffee donut and it was huge/awesome too. Be back soon! read more
Business owner information
Amalia L.
Aw! Thanks so much for sharing. And for helping us make history! I…
2 years ago
6 years ago
3 years ago
Another successful trip to a great company in Austin! I got a Spicy Seitan Kolache and it was absolutely stunning taste-wise. One aspect where I had to take 1 star out of the 5 max, is that the tables weren't necessarily clean... Not that everything has to be perfect, but I wouldn't really want crumbs on the table I was going to be sitting at. Not a bad idea if you want coffee, because my dad gave me a few sips and it was delicious . The service wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but I wasn't really expecting them to treat me like a king anyway. Amazing restaurant overall, and I would certainly love to come again. read more
4 years ago
UPDATE: Adding a star due to management's responsiveness and sincere desire to create a positive experience with customers. It's much appreciated Honestly might have just been a one-time off experience. I wanted to love this place CONS: I stopped in during the Austin Studio Tour on 11/12am. I was the only customer in line and stood at the counter while the employees saw me, didn't greet me and continued to finish their personal conversation. I was far more friendly and welcoming to them than they were to me. I tried to not let this color the experience. I asked for the nitro cold brew. They were out of nitrogen so I was offered the regular cold brew.. totally fine, it happens. Then was asked if I wanted anything in it... I said 2% was fine, forgetting they were a vegan coffee shop. The employee was pretty rude and short with me when correcting me on this. It came across very pretentious and judgmental. No problem... I was fine with almond milk. So I paid, tipped on principal and left. It was easily the worst coffee I have had in a very long time. It tasted terrible. The almond milk look separated. I took two sips and had to throw it out. PROS: the location is very cute and I love that they support local artists. read more
6 years ago
A vegan coffeeshop!? Austin, you spoil me! Lovely spicy chai (12oz for $5) with no upcharge for IaT milk! Cute patio across the street and unique items for sale in store. read more
More info about Dear Diary Coffee
1212 Chicon St
Ste 103
Austin, TX 78702
East Austin
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(512) 489-6757
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https://deardiary.coffee
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