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    Merit Coffee

    4.0 (226 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed • 6:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Merit Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    MERIT COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Merit Coffee

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    strawberry matcha
    Megan Y.

    Merit Coffee can do no wrong. This one's conveniently located near the Central Library and the downtown Trader Joe's. I was in near the end of the workday so it was cool to see a mix of business people and people socializing. I quickly secured the booth closest to the back window and had a perfect time journaling. I ordered a large strawberry matcha latte, which I haven't tried from them yet. I *attempt* to make these at home myself but somehow I just don't get it like professional baristas do...

    Iced Cherry Blossom Matcha
    Angelica L.

    Rating: 4.4/5 Came on a Saturday afternoon, and there was no line. Our drink came out shortly after we ordered. We got one matcha drink to share, so we definitely need to come back to try their coffee. Iced Cherry Blossom Matcha ($8.85) + Extra Half Syrup ($0.35): We got the larger size so we could share. The cup was pretty big--about the size of a Starbucks Venti. My husband asked them to make it on the sweeter side, so I think they added an extra half pump of syrup. The drink was tasty and sweet. The milk base is oat milk, so we didn't have to pay extra for a dairy alternative, which is a huge plus for us. It's not a matcha-forward drink, and the cherry blossom foam tasted more like strawberry--but it was good nevertheless.

    Kaitlin C.

    The staff was super sweet and answered all of our questions about their coffees. Great service! They have both washed (more nutty) and natural (more berry) cold brew. They unfortunately only have full caffeinated cold brew. I got the frozen cold brew which was pretty sweet but amazingly delicious and fully of nutty flavor and a tasty herbal tea.

    Vanilla latte and strawberry matcha
    Roshini T.

    Absolutely love Merit! Their coffee has been a staple for me over the past few years. I'm loyal to their iced vanilla latte but also very much enjoy their specialty drinks as well. I'm not big on matcha but my friends who love matcha are very partial to merit's strawberry matcha as they include strawberry milk along with a strawberry puree. Nothing but good things to say about merit at any of their locations around the city!

    Cold brew
    Gretel Y.

    I visited Merit Coffee to get some caffeine and work done. I can't say much about the parking situation since I walked over from my hotel and didn't really pay attention to any parking lots. The shop was busy when I arrived. It's not a huge space, but they've made the most of it. There's seating outside, too. Almost all the tables were taken, but one opened up shortly after. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I was in the mood for cold brew. Theirs was very smooth and refreshing and hit the spot. I ended up staying for about an hour and got some work done. Thankfully, the wifi was strong!

    Bill A.

    Went on Saturday morning around 1045. Wow it was prime time with a line 30ish people deep out the door. It was rainy and cold so outdoor seating not an option. Small cafe inside that seats about 20-30 folks. The bagel was fresh and tasty. It was lightly dusted with butter and had a little rock salt on it. The americano I ordered was good and met expectations. Nice cafe and relaxing.

    Annette N.

    Street parking available, or a parking garage around the corner. Vibe is smooth for a quick coffee/bite or to stay for a long period of time. Can get packed with tables indoors, but there's an option for outdoor space if ya don't mind the heat right now.

    Ashley C.

    the cutest little cafe near the lawn area of trader joe's. i loved the cozy atmosphere of the cafe. it had plenty of seating for studying or just chatting with friends. i tried the strawberry matcha and it was delicious and looked gorgeous. however, it was pricey and definitely not a price i would be spending on a drink often. the service was very friendly and fast.

    Strawberry match
    Judy C.

    It's right next to Trader Joe's. The place is quite small but cozy. The drinks come fast so there wasn't a long wait. The strawberry match is okay to me, little bit water down the flavor. I'll prefer less ice next time. But overall it's pretty good. Pet friendly.

    Mahesh P.

    Nice people, okay coffee Basically, it depends on what you're looking for. The staff is great, and eager to please. The ambience is good too, and there is WiFi But....the coffee (espresso) is almost always tepid, which I frankly don't get. Anyhow, like I said, the peeps are great...

    Celine C.

    Merit Coffee came highly recommended by friends who lived in Austin, TX. The line was long but went by pretty fast. There were also merch to look at so that kept me entertained. + Ube cold foam cold brew 3/5: Meh, hindsight is 20/20 but I should've stuck with a regular latte. I've had my fair share of flavored cold brew in the past and this was the most underwhelming one. There was barely any ube flavor or sweetness coming from the foam. As for the cold brew, the flavor is extremely bright and fruity so that's a bit off from my usual preference of rich and balanced.

    Iced Latte
    Anisya N.

    So glad I finally got to try Merit! Came here on a Sunday afternoon with a friend. The line was long but moved quickly. Seating is limited but we were able to grab two stools by the window. I got an iced latte with white chocolate syrup and oat milk. Absolutely loved it! Definitely my new favorite drink, the syrup blended well with the coffee but wasn't overpowering. Excited to come back and try more from merit.

    Legit coffee shops should NEVER have off-brand Splenda. Get the real stuff!
    Louisa M.

    Pretty decent place to grab an espresso drink. I walked over the bridge to check this place out after reading all the glowing Yelp reviews, but it's just an average coffee shop. I placed my order at the counter with a very aloof employee (where's that Texas hospitality I keep hearing about?) who wasn't very friendly. I felt like she hated me from the moment I walked in, LOL. I even left her a tip on my already-overpriced cappuccino but even that didn't make her happy. Whatever. I waited for my name to be called and the barista was quite fast considering the line of people already waiting. I grabbed my to-go cup and grabbed one of the small tables outside since it was a nice day. My cappuccino was good, but nothing spectacular. The espresso beans were roasted well, and it was a quality cup. I didn't enjoy the more fruity notes though, as I prefer a cereal-y and darker, richer quality to my espresso. That's just a personal preference, though, so if you like fruitier notes, you'll love this place more than I did. The latte art was a nice touch, but it looked pretty pitiful -- if you care about that sort of thing. Minus a star for the attitude and minus another for having an "off-brand" sweetener instead of real Splenda.

    Salted Caramel Cold Foam

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    2 years ago

    Wasn't too impressed by my $8 iced latte and rude worker who took my order. Ambiance seemed good for studying or catching up with friends

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Solid cappuccino, nice space. Brought some beans home and my wife really liked them. Would come back but wish there was free parking nearby.

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    2 years ago

    One of the best coffee places in Austin. I've tried their lattes and matcha, which are both excellent. Highly recommend!

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent coffee place, my favorite in Austin. The only bad thing is it is so popular you can never find a place to sit

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    Page 2 of 6

    Ask the Community - Merit Coffee

    Are the raspberry danish pastries back? If not, where can they be found?

    Is tea available?

    I had a chai tea latte. Not sure how extensive the tea menu is.

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    Mañana - Matcha Affogato - so good

    Mañana

    4.3(414 reviews)
    1.4 mi•SoCo (S. Congress Ave.), 78704 (South Austin)
    •$$

    I looooooved the matcha here…read more I tried the mango sticky rice - amazing!! Blended so perfectly and around 8.50 but it is a larger size I also tried the kouignn Amin pastry and also loved this They heated up it up for me as well which was super nice Overall very cute spot Kinda hidden in the back of the south Congress hotel area near the water trade bar Service was great - super helpful with my questions about the pastries too This spot is great - definitely coming back

    Today, not tomorrow. "Hoy, no mañana." I choose Mañana to get my almost daily injection of…read morecaffeine. Mañana is located at the South Congress Hotel has coffee + tea, bakeshop and grab + go offerings (primarily water, kombucha, paletas and juices). Of course I was there for a latte spiked with black sesame vanilla (their most popular latte) according to my barista, which I paired with an almond bear claw. This was not your typical bear claw as it was not eye-squinting sweet but bursting with almond flavoring primarily in the center. It was almost like a crescendo in a symphony when you got to the center of the bear claw. My latte was flavorful in a subtle way with the sesame vanilla permeating throughout the latte. It is important to note that they make their own pastries and tacos each day. The pastries are a bit pricey costing more than my latte. The coffee shop has floor to ceiling windows on two sides with one of the windows opening into a courtyard with additional seating. The beautifully titled coffee bar immediately grabs your attention. In addition, service was quick and efficient. I was in and out the coffee shop within 10 minutes. I parked right in front of the coffee shop as it was early before the meters started to tick.

    Photos
    Mañana - Mañana interior

    Mañana interior

    Mañana - Iced Brown Butter Banana Walnut Latte (~$7)

    Iced Brown Butter Banana Walnut Latte (~$7)

    Mañana - Iced almond brown sugar latte

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    Iced almond brown sugar latte

    Cosmic - Agua fresca

    Cosmic

    4.6(741 reviews)
    2.9 mi•78704 (South Austin)
    •$$

    Cosmic Pickle is a very unique venue located of S. Congress that I discovered while visiting…read moreanother nearby location. The Cosmic effect can be realized through the red string lighting inside. Cosmic has indoor seating and outdoor seating with a covered patio. The lush greenery and trees make the venue visually appealing. In addition, a food truck park is across the walkway creating more interest. Joint outdoor seating is also shared with the food truck park. You can easily toggle between the food trucks and Cosmic. In addition, since there is so much outdoor space, the venue appears to be dog friendly. The drink menu has quite a lot of variety. In the early morning hours, you have the opportunity to drink lattes, espresso or cold brews paired with pastries. As the day continues, you can add to the drink menu wines, beer and cocktails. I had hibiscus tea with a croissant...both delicious. That morning, I was the only customer, so I had dedicated service. Will have to return in the evening...

    *this was meant to be 5 stars and for some reason I must have hit 4…read more Updating for that purpose only. Yeah so, I was updating a lengthy review but it seems to have disappeared. Anyway... The Cosmic Saltillo location is our go-to because it's walking distance from our home. This original location is amazing. Love the both so much. I like that there are food truck onsite, lots and lots of outdoor seating, koi pond, chickens, certified green spaces, and so much more. It's like being at the greatest campground ever. The interior is spacious. The entire place is welcoming and friendly. Super service. Super cocktails. Super coffee. Super other drinks. You see where I'm going, right? I love it here!

    Photos
    Cosmic - Barbacado! Barbacoa stuffed avocado

    Barbacado! Barbacoa stuffed avocado

    Cosmic - Outside

    Outside

    Cosmic - A great selection of coffee, juices and alcoholic beverages

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    A great selection of coffee, juices and alcoholic beverages

    Palomino Coffee - Latte

    Palomino Coffee

    4.4(205 reviews)
    3.9 mi•East Austin
    •$$

    The vibes are sick - so much space and fancy. I enjoy how clean it was too. They have an entire…read moresecond room full of coffee bean bags! Wild Matcha latte with espresso - was yummy and I didn't taste the bitterness from the matcha Crumb cake - exactly how I like it: crumby on top and moist all around. Surprised it's not dry, they did a good job Chai latte - sorry this was a miss. It needs more earthy tones Poppyseed muffin? - sorry I don't know how to explain this (can't find it online either) but it was sooo delicious. Really enjoyed the contrast of textures too Matcha latte - sorry this tasted like I was eating grass. On the bright side they didn't skimp out on matcha Blueberry latte - a seasonal flavor but it was delicious Overall there are some misses but I'd come back in a heartbeat because I can tell how much effort and care they put in.

    Palomino Coffee looks like it belongs on the cover of Southern Living magazine. Inside you have…read moreabout 25% of the coffee shop sprinkled with lush green plants...they are draped along the wall, hanging from the ceiling...sitting on shelves throughout the coffee shop...they are beautiful! There is something about a live plant that brings life to a space. The first signage you see when entering the coffee shop is "All plants for sale". No ambiguity...super clear...a part of Palomino's brand! In addition to the plants, the furniture is modern, stylish and minimalist. You could tell the space was being used by remote workers, students and others who enjoyed a visually appealing space. Now for the coffee...I tried a seasonal pumpkin latte. It was flavorful, smooth and nicely balanced. My latte was paired with a bacon, egg and cheese taco from Denizos down the street. Notably, the taco was stuffed with ingredients and the homemade flour tortilla elevated the taste. Also, they serve pastries from Sour Duck, which provides additional choices. In addition, they have a moderate amount seating inside and small amount of covered seating outside.

    Photos
    Palomino Coffee - Relaxing Vibe

    Relaxing Vibe

    Palomino Coffee - My delicious latte

    My delicious latte

    Palomino Coffee - Delicious matcha latte

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    Delicious matcha latte

    Dam Coffee Bar - Matcha, Hanoi egg coffee and tea drink.

    Dam Coffee Bar

    4.4(84 reviews)
    4.5 mi•Highland

    This place is 2 days from being a year old, and it will be known as a legendary shop soon, you…read moreshould go try the best Hanoi style egg coffee in the world before the lines become hours-long influencer feats. I mean the world, these guys aren't serving the $1.45 OG from Cafe Giang, they aren't even serving the version from Loading T, they're serving the single most luxurious premium version of what Loading T did to the Giang OG: this is the definitive version of egg coffee in the world, anyone who disagrees can fight me. This drink is so spectacular it elevates it beyond a mere delicious curiosity into a universally perfect drink. In 2-5 years every specialty coffee shop will likely be copying this as it becomes trendy. If you want to be a cool kid and drink some of the best coffee on the planet before that inevitable blow up, GO NOW! Pro tip: the gorgeous egg foam can be refreshed with an espresso shot if you choose (for extra $$ of course( so you can savor every bit of it!

    Came in to grab a quick coffee while in the area. clean and…read moremodern on the inside. line moved quickly. The vietnamese coffeee was quite small and was gone within 4 sips so that was disappointing but it was very good and well balanced. bathroom was shared with the pho place next door. 2 stalls with large gaps along the side. super small stalls making uncomfortable. definitely need an upgrade on these. staff was working quickly and not very sociable. since I came for the coffee and really enjoyed it overall, i'm giving them a 4 but a few tweaks could really take it up a notch.

    Photos
    Dam Coffee Bar - Inside/counter to order

    Inside/counter to order

    Dam Coffee Bar - Hanoi egg coffee

    Hanoi egg coffee

    Dam Coffee Bar

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    Simona's

    Simona's

    4.6(92 reviews)
    2.1 mi•78704 (South Austin)
    •$$

    This is a review about the coffee and food aspect of Simona's…read more It is over priced. In terms of coffee, they are middle of the pack. There is much better coffee in austin. They have premium prices still. They sell pastries and they have a taco food truck connected to it. Both are still very much overpriced. I get it, they are inside a nice hotel and so they will charge a premium but at least have the quality match that.

    Located inside the Colton House Hotel, Simona's is the hotel's local resident serving coffee by…read moreday, and cocktails by night. I usually only go to coffee shops to work, but today, went on a coffee date with my dog instead. There's ground floor parking in the garage that's complimentary for two hours. I kept it simple with a vanilla latte. I noticed they had tacos at the bottom of the food menu, but at $13.25 for two tacos + an a la carte item, I decided to pass. Maybe my expectations were too high (as usual) because it's inside a hotel, but I was hoping for the kind of warm hospitality hotels are known for, but instead, the service felt a bit cold. It didn't exactly make me want to spend more money there. While sitting on the patio, I spotted the food truck outside and thought, "PERFECT. A food truck HAS to be cheaper. Take that Simona's!" I walked up to the window... only to find out it wasn't actually a separate food truck. It was just the pickup window. To order? I had to go back inside to Simona's and place my order with the delightful staff... I ended up ordering two Blue Migas tacos, and honestly, they were just... good, but nothing memorable. They tasted like your average breakfast tacos that you can find all over Austin for less. Despite loving how relaxing the outdoor patio is with its lucious greenery surrounding you and the beautiful French chairs and cafe tables, it's located right next to the hotel pool. If you're visiting on a summer afternoon, expect some extra noise with pool guests. If you're looking for a quiet coffee or a place to work, I'd recommend coming early in the morning instead.

    Photos
    Simona's
    Simona's
    Simona's

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    Merit Coffee - coffee - Updated October 2026

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