I will make this brief. The barristas at Houndstooth know a lot about coffee. They offer a variety of local, small batch coffees and espressos and offer helpful descriptions of their products. Although expensive, their lattes are easily the best I have ever had. Even on to go orders, the barristas take the time to make designs in your beverage, which I appreciate from an aesthetic standpoint. Moreover, Houndstooth offers four craft beers on tap (one could conceivably start with coffee and then transition to beer over the course of a long afternoon at the coffee shop), several more in a bottle, and numerous pastries. My main quibble is with the atmosphere. It's sleek and modern, which makes the place feel very "professional" - by which I mean that when you walk in there, you are immediately under the impression that these guys take their coffee bloody seriously. The downside is that it does feel a bit cold. I tend to prefer worn, fluffy couches and chairs to sleek modern style when I am enjoying my coffee; I don't know if I could see myself spending a long afternoon at Houndstooth reading a book or doing some work. Nevertheless, on final analysis, the environmental factors are not enough to detract from their excellence of their product. These folks are geniuses. Damn good coffee. read more

Delicious coffee, intelligent and efficient staff. Best of all, big windows to see the autumn leaves falling over the scent of freshly pressed beans. The coffee would be a shame to spoil with milk and sugar. Drink the barista's choice french pressed and weep. read more

Impressed by the coffee, but not impressed by the cafe itself. It's too crowded and doesn't have enough tables - good thing I was by myself - otherwise, would have not found a place if i came with a friend. The staff were very friendly though so no complaints there. The parking lot was a nightmare from the Taco Deli traffic. That being said one bad experience won't stop me from trying again, perhaps my review might change. I really did love the Japanese iced coffee. read more

WHAT? Why does this place not have 5 stars? I guess this is what you get when you expose Starsux junkies to a real coffee shop. Houndstooth is the most current coffee shop I've come across in Austin. They are focusing on making high-quality espresso drinks, and they are succeeding. They will not make you a pizza or a smoothie, but the will make you a fantastic shot of espresso, a great french press or a cortado, which is a fantastic drink to enjoy on a sunny afternoon. You think this place is cold? This place is coffee church- quiet and reverent. If you want a place with mismatched furniture and horrible coffee, go to epoch or bennu. Houndstooth has the highest quality in Austin because they have decided to focus- to do a little and do it well. If you appreciate fantastic espresso and good service, you'll love Houndstooth. If you think a coffee shop is a place to sit for four hours and write your english paper while you sip a 20oz blended carmel "macchiato", then this isn't the shop for you. read more

If they didnt make the absolute best cup of coffee this rating would be lower, but they dont, its so good, im wild about it. Im not so wild about the parking and seating here. Ive tried to have a number of meetings with friends here and its a hope and prayer that we can find 2 seats. You really have to pick your times if you want to hangout here. Otherwise popping in and out for a drink is perfect. I have a list of coffee's that i love here but if they ever have any new ones, TRY THEM! They have this amazing company structure that is somehow always finding wonderful twists of flavors and blend. They are good at what they do, let the pros suggest something and then just enjoy. read more

This place seemed fine. My skim cafe latte wasn't the best I've ever had. Plus, I thought $3.99 was a little pricey. The internet was working well, and there were plenty of tables to work. I also appreciated the ample parking. read more

I'm going to sit on the fence with my A-OK until my next visit. I was excited that they had beer/wine because I came here right after work to meet a friend. They did have a few beers on tap, one hefewiezen on sale for $2.25 a glass, but other than that- I had to ask for prices. He looked at me funny when I asked.... I really hate having to ASK for prices.... They had about 4 beers to choose from, 5 white wines, 5 red wines, one prosecco. I might be able to more carefully clarify, but I wasn't allowed to take the menu with me..... For food they just had a few random pastries, but I think they allow you to bring food from Taco Deli in. I see potential, but there was just something missing.... read more

I don't understand why people complain that this place is full of snobby baristas and hipsters. It's not. They serve good coffee, and they're knowledgeable about it to boot--if that somehow means they're uppity, then I guess I'm okay with that. Anyway, I love Houndstooth! If you don't understand the coffee offerings (I rarely do, I just go in with an idea of what I feel like drinking), they are glad to explain what things are to you. There is enough seating to satisfy the place on a non-busy day, which is good. The only thing I would complain about is the lack of outlets -- so come here with your laptop charged if you plan to stay! read more

Not too sure if you guys are aware of this, but this place kicks some ass. Seriously. Kicks. Ass. From the espresso to the siphon coffee (I know it's $8, but it's really almost 3 cups of coffee, and so f***ing worth it), there's not much here in the way of caffeine that won't blow your mind. The two espresso options are in constant rotation, which is kind of exciting for me. I never know what I'm going to get until I get there, but I do know it's always great. New, rare, seasonal, different, they are constantly striving to achieve something great with something as simple as coffee. They've got a fantastic beer selection, Brother Thelonious, Victory Pilsner, a few bottles of Rogue. I mean, c'mon, when your "worst" beer is a tie between....you know what, they don't even have a worst beer, because they're just that kinda place. You know, the place you can go and not think to hard about what to order, because anything you order is going to be awesome. Oh, and did I mention the design? Beautiful in its simplicity. Nothing flashy, or trashy, just an understated elegance, like your wife in that sexy black dress she wore to the charity function. Nice. To the haters, stop hatin'. It kinda makes you look dumb, because if you don't think this coffee is some of the best you've ever had, I think you might be a few bulbs short of a chandelier. Bottom line, I wish there were more local businesse striving to be like Houndstooth. Less focus on the "we're local" and more focus on the "kicking ass at what we do". read more

Meh is right. The decor is strickly strip mall, all hard surfaces and metal. I don't want to start my morning off at a steel mill. The iced mocha wasn't chocolately enough and there was some obnoxious loud cell phone guy from the Tacodeli two doors down shouting into his phone the whole time, which wasn't a good morning mood-setter either. They do seem to have a good selection of coffees and beers, but the breakfast pastry selection was paltry and old-looking. There are probably too many cool coffee places in Austin to give this place another chance, but who knows. read more

Wow. Expensive. REALLY expensive. And limited seating for sure. Not fun to pay $3.40 for a double espresso and $4 for a tea and then have to stand outside. Can't say that he coffee was any better than most. Although it certainly kicks Starbucks' ass. Still. Too expensive and too much attitude with it. I admire them for trying to continue to up the ante for coffee. We've come a long way from Folgers for sure. But, seriously, this is getting out of hand and it starts to feel like a RIP OFF. read more

At the barista's recommendation I purchased a small bag of their tweed coffee beans (TIMEPIECE) for $16.50. Pretty steep price for a small bag but I heard some good things so what the heck, right??? Tried it and really didn't like it so I took the whole bag (full) back assuming they would give me a refund or at least let me exchange it. Nope - a short, bearded guy told me "I'm sorry Sir, what was wrong with the beans?" Nothing other than we just didn't care for it like the barista felt we would, I told him. The attitude on the short bearded hipster alone was enough to make me cringe at the thought of buying anything from them again. Add the fact that they don't stand behind what they sell and I'm done. These guys are way too proud of themselves. read more

Con: limited things to eat (ie pastries), no coffee table by the couch so you can put your coffee down inside of spilling some of it on you. Pro: you can bring outside food in to eat, staff is friendly, coffee is good, staff friendly I might return. read more

I'll preface this review by stating that I think I'm the odd one out on Houndstooth--I've never found the appeal of this place among my peers--please take no offense. It's always hard to find parking here and the coffee shop is too small in my opinion--it probably seats a max of 25 people. It's a chore in itself to find a seat unless you like sitting outside during the wintertime. On another note, I've always felt awkward staying here as you could easily spot me from the crowd of hipsters at this place. People come here for the coffee as the baristas know what they are doing but I also go to coffee shops to get work done and sadly the availability of electrical sockets at this place is zilch. The Internet speed is okay but not as quick as Monkey Nest's. Confession: sometimes I just order my coffee to go and work from Starbucks close by. read more

I cannot praise their baristas enough. I don't have the words at the moment to describe in a flowery fashion just HOW well executed their espresso drinks are. I've never had a drink here that was less than a 9.7 out of 10. The staff is ultra professional, friendly and knowledgeable. They have TWO wireless networks in case one goes down(!) If coffee turns you on, if you are an admitted coffee snob, if you delight in cuppings and can identify what's going on with a particular roast or origin of a particular bean in your drink, if you are a career barista or roaster, or addict of high-end product, this is your go-to. How do I know? I am all of those things. Don't question my wisdom, just trust me. Would I steer you wrong? No, I would not. A word of caution for those who are NOT coffee snobs-- There are gas stations and Starbucks for your instant caffeine fixes, my dears. If gas station coffee and Starbucks satisfy you, this place could 1- change that so that no other coffee ever makes you truly happy ever again OR 2- piss you off because you just don't get it. Starbucks' coffee abominations are to Houndstooth as Boone's Farm is to Dom Perignon. (My sincere apologies to the handful of talented baristas working at Starbucks these days. YOU know what I mean, though, and it's no fault of your own that the corporation you work for has changed over to fully automatic disappointment-makers... uh, I mean espresso machines.) read more

if you are rating parking lots, space, the fact that some hipsters were there....go fornicate yourself wif an iron rod. I have made my own espresso for years, chose my own blends, tried espresso in more countries than I can remember, even roasted my own beans. Houndstooth makes as good, if not the best quality of all espresso related beverages I've had. This is a hit to the ego of a home puller, but truth is truth. Excellent selection of beans to chose from for an in house or beans to take away. I actually visited the counter culture roasting house in NC because the quality was so impressive. It is not a hotel, it's a coffee shop. Why am I so pissed about dumb reviews? P.S. they have beer, so 6 stars. read more

Whenever I'm in Austin I spend a lot of time trying to look busy in coffee shops. My friends can spend all night in one, working, reading or whatever they do. Probably just pretending to look busy as well. Because of this, even though I don't particularly drink coffee, I've been to a lot of Austin coffee shops. Houndstooth was a surprisingly short trip. The interior is slick and chic...almost sterile. It doesn't have that same bohemian, casual vibe as a lot of other coffee shops I've been to. Since I'm not really into coffee I was a little overwhelmed. Thankfully, the barista (can I call him that?) was a coffee guru. He explained the different roasts, varieties and the best way to prepare them. I felt smarter and more like a coffee snob just by listening to him. I ordered a coffee that he made in a what can best be described as an hour glass or a beaker. It took about 5 minutes to make and was really cool to watch. I have no idea why he did it but I appreciated the time and technique. The coffee was really strong but it grew on me. I love the sophisticated vibe here and I'll definitely be back. It turned me into a coffee fan! read more

After moving my butt to Seattle, I can't be blamed for starting to appreciate better coffee (translated: not starbucks). And in Texas, if it's not sbux, it gets a bit hard to find a decent coffee joint. Luckily, the place I was staying at was only a mere 10 minutes or less away from this wonderful place they call Houndstooth Coffee. And wouldn't you know it, the only time I went to get coffee, it happened to be POURING outside. The location is just kinda.. there. Not in a new hipster neighborhood, not in a strip mall by suburbia, but just kinda in a strip of shops that happen to also house one of the best rated restaurants in Central Texas. In full disclosure, I usually only get the normal brewed coffee. And theirs was done just as good as it can be done. I guess if i ever come back to town, i'll try some of their espresso as well. Oh, and the people that sit outside of this place like to silently judge you as you walk in. leery eyes. read more

Houndstooth serves up fantastic espresso drinks using the best beans available from Verve in Santa Cruz, CA and Cuvee in Austin, TX (among others). You're usually given two choices of espresso for your drink. The seating area is pretty small, but it's also pretty comfy. Houndstooth also has great croissants and vegan doughnuts I highly recommend the Sermon espresso from Verve. :] P.S. The parking lot is wonky, always enter it from the North side and exit on the South side. read more

I would love to give Houndstooth Coffee 4 stars since the baristas were so friendly and the atmosphere of the café was very cozy. However the honey latte I ordered was pretty disappointing. There was no honey flavor and had a funky taste...moreso like a hazelnut taste. Maybe I have to try a different drink but the one I had didn't impress me. read more

Houndstooth Coffee - Honey soy latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

Houndstooth is a toolbox of all things caffeinated. They do siphoned and pour over and they offer a variety of beans every day. Heck, They even have booze. The price tag is steep, but you are certainly paying for quality here. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, and it is a bit more sleek than your typical South Austin hip java joint. The trendy feel provides you with a more professional vibe if you are looking to really concentrate. No tattoos or animals to stare at here. To complement the large selection of caffeine and grub, the service is great here. The workers are here to help you out and provide you with the best cup of joe possible. The location is very convenient.... mostly because it located right next to TacoDeli! Grab yourself a cup when passing through or even for a workday at Houndstooth. read more

After a recent trip to NYC, where I was taught what a real latte should taste like, anything short is a waste of cash. And since Pumpkin Spiced Lattes are technically out of season now, I was in search of an espresso drink worthy of my dollars. Not that PSLs are some testament to fine coffee. i'm just weirdly obsessed with Fall and Fall related food - namely anything pumpkin flavored. I digress. After a quick stop at Austin Books & Comics for the latest Saga, I felt that the drive back home was much too long to wait to read the issue. Instead, I used my trusty Yelp app and found Houndstooth down the street. It was busy, but not stuffy. A good mix of people working on their laptops and friends congregating for some caffeine and conversation. I found a cozy chair easily and sipped my delicious latte gladly while absorbing all my comic needs. Although the latte was good, really good, but not quite NYC good, the real reason why I docked a star was because of the croissant. That croissant. I seriously didn't think it was possible to not finish a croissant, but that sad and pathetic display of flour and butter was an affront to everything French and holy in this world. It was fucking terrible. As I was walking out and setting my used dishes on the counter, the nice barista asked if I wanted a box for said disgusting croissant and I told her no, I didn't like it very much, and she kindly apologized and said that if ever I didn't like an item, they would gladly replace it. Hopefully I won't have to take them up on that, because as certain as death and taxes, I shall never purchase another croissant from Houndstooth again. But I'll totally go back for the espresso and atmosphere. read more

Nice place. Good Crowd. Coffee & Snacks like Chocolate Muffins also. I found what I was looking for. A place to work outside my house. read more

Visited Houndstooth with my boyfriend after eating Taco Deli next door. The coffee shop was filled with people sitting down on their laptops working and or studying. The atmosphere and decor was great, and you can clearly see the baristas creating each person's beverage. There was a cupping tasting going on inside the shop that caused my boyfriend and I to look and see what was going on. Definitely looked like something I would be interested in and trying sometime (especially since it's FREE). I was surprised that they have a short menu for espresso beverages, and I am use to seeing coffee shops with syrups choices, but this one didn't have any. I ordered the cappuccino and awaited for my drink. The male barista preparing my drink tasted the espresso and threw it away and said, "the espresso is not cooperating right now". He proceeded to brew another shot, tasted it, and then frothed the milk. I was impressed that the baristas here take pride in their beverages and ensure that the beverages taste the way it is suppose to. Upon receiving my coffee, I liked that the barista made a foam heart :). When I took my first sip, I was amazed and in love. I am usually the kind of coffee drinker that will only drink sweet espresso drinks, but this time I absolutely LOVED the beverage despite not having a smidgen of sugar. This is definitely a plus for me because I am trying to limit my sugar intake. The espresso taste was really different than what I am use to tasting. It was a deep, smooth, and earthy taste that was great from start to finish. I never thought I would drink coffee without sugar, but Houndstooth has shown me what GREAT coffee is suppose to taste like. If you have great coffee, you don't need sugar to enjoy the beverage. I will definitely be spending my money here at Houndstooth when I want a pick me up. Side Note: parking is really hard to find there because the lot is shared by Taco Deli, Houndstooth, Uchiko, a barbershop, and other businesses in that same building. I parked in the Central Market parking lot and walked across the street to avoid being towed. read more

Best coffee in North Austin. Yep, I said it. I would say all of Austin, but I haven't been to all the coffee shops in the city. Two years ago I was introduced to Houndstooth and I haven't looked back since. I've frequented other coffee shops around Austin and haven't found one that does what they do nearly as well. The atmosphere can be intimidating, but the staff are really friendly. The prices are more expensive than most coffee shops, but the quality of the coffee is worth it in my opinion. If you've got the time I highly recommend participating in a coffee cupping they host twice a week (Monday and Thursday). It's an extremely informative coffee tasting. The seating is limited, but the staff and fantastic coffee will keep me fighting for a spot here for years to come. If you're looking for a drink to start with I highly recommend a cappuccino. read more

The baristas are friendly. The espresso drinks are prefect. The atmosphere is cool. Stop by if you're ever in Atx. read more

Houndstooth Coffee - Cortado love. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Best coffeee we had in Austin! If you're like me and too often are disappointed that the coffee you ordered has: burnt milk; incorrectly ground beans; or over-extracted coffee - rejoice - houndstooth coffee should not do this. This store is owned by someone serious about their coffee. Generally, they can make the coffee to your taste. In our case - we love "flat whites" - double shots in a short cup (less than 8 ounces) with milk but no foam. Head to north lamar if you are a coffee snob like us! read more

The staff is knowledgeable, the coffee is made with care. If you're looking to get educated, this is a great shop to get some information and informed opinions. Pour over, press, siphon... they do all of them well, and the siphon is $5 cheaper/pot than Frank. They pull a good shot and they know how to steam milk to that sweet spot. Some people say they're not friendly or affable. They totally are, they're just shy coffee nerds, but start talking about coffee and eventually you'll make a personal connection with a staff that really cares about your relationship with coffee. That might sound lame and pretentious, but remember, you probably sipped your mom's Sanka or your dad's Maxwell House and wondered how they could drink that awful swill. See? You were a hipster even then. Another bonus, Tacodeli in the same strip mall. read more

Coffee-wise, this place never disappoints. The baristas are knowledgeable about what brews they have and quick to offer suggestions. If anything, you should go here with the intention of savoring your experience. It isn't an assembly line to get your caffeine fix; they want you to enjoy whatever you drink and that isn't to be rushed. Houndstooth presents coffee as an art that isn't to be taken lightly. It is more expensive than most coffee you'll find other places, but the quality is so high that it's worth the indulgence. read more

Sometimes first impressions do count! Houndstooth provided me free wifi that was easy to access. Along with that, their coffee was brisk and freshly brewed. Houndstooth gave a good start to my day as I explored my new neighborhood and got a chance to work on the internet while my home network was still out of commission. Friendly and genuine staff. I look forward to returning. read more

Espresso: among the best I've had in Austin Wi-fi: good Outlets: fair - only a few on the back row have them; a couple elsewhere via power strip Seating: decent - one group table, a couple couches, and a bunch for individuals and couples; I really don't care for the round tables -- very difficult to fit everything with laptop Cafe: very clean Baristi: awesome - Sean (owner), Paul (owner's bro), and Rudy are among those I've spoken with, and they're all passionate, knowledgeable pros, and very friendly! Notes: weekly cuppings held Mondays @ 1:30pm -- very educational. My main issue with Houndstooth, as many have noted, is price. It makes no sense why I'd pay 50% more for an Americano here than at, for instance, Once Over. read more

To be completely honest, I don't quite understand all the hype with Houndstooth. Yes, Houndstooth has some really great coffee, but I'd rather not pay $5+ for a small cup. There are so many other coffee shops in Austin that have amazing coffee at a much cheaper price. However, the ambience at this location is nice. The baristas are very well-educated and know their coffee! If you ever have any questions, don't be afraid to ask them! Parking can be tough here. Sometimes the lot is full so be cautious of that. read more

Houndstooth Coffee - The essentials. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Good coffee and a few Pinthouse Pizza beers on tap. Good supply of work space and clean interior. No sugar free which sucks, but their vanilla latte is super creamy and fresh. Parking easy to find in the lot itself, but might need to walk a bit as the lot in general gets crowded. Good spot to kill some time whether drinking that morning coffee or that afternoon beer. read more

If Yelp offered half-stars, I would give Houndstooth 3 1/2. The coffee is superb, and I thoroughly enjoyed my $4 latte (before tax and tip). I recommend going here for an experience with quality coffee. The staff seem knowledgeable, although not all that friendly. I wasn't too keen on the atmosphere. The place has sleek, modern decor and clientele to match (think men with shaved heads wearing J Crew, sitting behind chrome Macs). I love Austin's coffee shop scene, and I prefer something more funky and weird, someplace more Austin. Houndstooth would fit right in with Manhattan, or even parts of Dallas. I hate to write a place off for its atmosphere, but when I'm wanting to chill with some friends or get some work done, I'll take my business elsewhere. I could see myself coming back to try their cappucino -- maybe after getting a paycheck. Also, FYI, you need to ask for the WiFi password, and don't be surprise if the barista is annoyed to give it to you. read more

This is one of the few places in Austin I have found that serves made to order drip coffee, Intelligentsia style. While I wasn't quite overwhelmed with the roast, the careful attention to preparation was appreciated. Parking is a bit of a drag however, as they are located in the same center as Uchiko. Take the second entrance and cross your fingers for a spot. read more

I like coffee, but I don't drink it every day, and when I do go for coffee I don't really like a lot of liquid, so I tend to stick to espresso. I could talk to you about coffee for about thirty seconds and then run out of things to say. I think that was what my problem was here. I think if I had a greater appreciation for coffee, this would be a five star review. When I walked in, there was a mentality going on. The first word that popped into my head -- "elitist" -- has a very negative connotation, and so does the second word -- "snobbish", but it isn't really that either. "Well informed" is a word more fitting. This place offers obscure types of coffee (maybe they aren't obscure, I couldn't tell you) and they prepare them in a number of visually interesting ways. There is a lot of coffee esoterica here. The servers could tell you all about these things, and maybe saying the same things over the course of the day would render a person tired and impatient. But these servers remained cheerful. They were knowledgeable and happy to explain and suggest. For example, after I ordered my espresso, the cup was set on the counter with a shot of mineral water. I had never seen it served this way. I eyed the espresso and the mineral water next to each other, ultimately deciding that only the espresso was mine, and someone else in line must have ordered the mineral water. Later on, I ordered another espresso. Again, it was served with mineral water. "So what's the deal with the mineral water?" I finally asked. "What do you do with it?" The barista looked at me, confused at first, as if I had never seen actual mineral water before. "It's a palette cleanser," he patiently explained. "You drink it." "Oh, you drink it before the espresso, you mean?" "You can drink it before or after or during." I actually appreciated this. There was no hint of annoyance or sarcasm. The espresso itself is maybe the best that I've had in this city. I liked much about the place. The only issue I had with it is one that has been mentioned. It is a small area and there's not much personality to the interior design. read more

I do not understand some of these reviews. This is one of the best coffee shops in Austin. The barista did a very good job with the Latte that my brother had and was far from snobby. With beans from multiple roasters all across the USA this place is for people who appreciate good coffee. read more

Houndstooth Coffee - Nice Coffee shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

I would say this is more of a social coffee shop. Not very quiet, but very nice with good furniture. It's pretty small inside, but has a patio for when the weather is nice. My chai latte was watery, but the cinnamon roll was good. read more

Houndstooth Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

Before heading back to Houston, I wanted to catch up with a good friend, so we decided to grab a cup of coffee near by her place and she suggested Houndstooth. I had been to the Congress location before - when I worked at the Capitol, but I hadn't been to this location! And, being a Houndstooth, the coffee and the service were good (very good cappuccino - I wasn't surprised), BUT...it's tiny! Tiny, tiny, tiny! So little seating! It was raining outside, so the tables out there were wet and there wasn't any available seating inside - we ended up getting our coffees to go and taking them back to her apartment! So - good coffee, good service, tattooed Brooklyn-ite looking baristas (just what you expect now in Austin), but too small, and definitely not enough seating! read more

I make a stop at Houndstooth whenever I possibly can for these reasons: Seriously yummy coffee, with a rotating menu of coffees and espressos. With a small (12 oz.) French pressed cup, I'm always caffeinated to perfection for the day! Open, airy space, good for working or meeting. Super friendly staff (careful, you might end up conversing for a while!) In a word, all the coffee shop basics to a T. The prices are commensurate with the quality (so, on the upper side), and you'll have to wait for your brew while it's done up fresh (french press or siphon- you pick!). But, these trifling downsides of Houndstooth are really just upsides in disguise. Win win! read more