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Our Favorite Coffee Spots, Part 1

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These 7 south Austin coffee shops take their game to another level

You can get a cup of coffee from just about anywhere these days. Read about our seven favorite south Austin coffee shops along Miles 1-6 of the Austin Marathon course and order like an Austinite! Whether you need a cup before going to work or you’re meeting friends after your long run, put these south Austin coffee shops on your radar! Check out our blog featuring these seven south Austin breakfast spots if you’re planning brunch after the Austin Marathon. South Austin lunch and dinner blogs coming soon!

Image of iconic i love you so much mural. Take a picture with it when you visit one of the south Austin coffee shops on our list, Jo's Coffee.

i love you so much mural outside Jo’s Coffee.

Jo’s Coffee (Mile 1)

Jo’s Coffee (1300 S. Congress Ave.) opens every day at 7:00 a.m. and a line quickly forms at this Austin staple. They’ve been serving folks since 1999. Order the Iced Turbo and enjoy their sweet signature beverage! If you don’t like that much sweet in your coffee, order the Belgian Bomber. It’s half Turbo, half cold brew. Jo’s Coffee is home to the world-famous “i love you so much” mural and one of Austin’s fastest-growing running groups, The Morning Jos. 

Image of Cosmic Coffee's outdoor space. Cosmic Coffee made our list of our favorite south Austin coffee shops.

Cosmic Coffee has plenty of outdoor space and is dog-friendly! Credit – Cosmic Coffee Facebook.

Cosmic Coffee (Mile 2.5)

The area around Cosmic Coffee (121 Pickle Rd.) has transformed massively since it opened in 2017. What was once an open lot now features waterfalls, a coy pond, a chicken coop, and tons of outdoor seating with shade trees. Add amazing coffee, three food trucks preparing delicious food, and the fact that Cosmic is also a beer garden and you have an oasis. The smooth Nitro Cold Brew (on tap) is a must!

Plaza Colombian Coffee (Mile 3)

One of the newer spots in town, Plaza Colombian Coffee (3842 S. Congress Ave.), is family-owned and brings the flavor of Colombia to Austin. They roast 100% Cafe de Colombia in-house and often feature live music. In a hurry? Hit up their drive-thru!

Image of Summer Moon coffee. Summer Moon made the list of our 6 favorite south Austin coffee shops.

Try a Summermoon or Wintermoon, your choice! Credit – Summer Moon Facebook.

Summer Moon Coffee (Mile 4)

Austin has many Summer Moon locations, but 3115 S. 1st St. is their original location. Before you try anything on the menu, you need to delight your tastebuds with a Summermoon (hot) or a Wintermoon (cold) depending on your preference. Their secret ingredient is moon milk. Don’t even think about asking for the recipe; it’s top secret. They opened in 2002 and began crafting their own custom roasts by 2004 in their built-from-scratch roaster. Pro tip: if the full moons are too sweet, order a 3/4, half, or 1/4 moon.

Bouldin Creek Cafe (Mile 5)

Bouldin Creek Cafe (1900 S. 1st St.) is another go-to south Austin coffee shop. But if you prefer to obtain your caffeine from tea, they offer 25 different hot tea options. If you need a quick fix to your hangover, order The Leveler (Guinness, espresso, and chocolate). Want to check out an Austin mural? Bouldin Creek Cafe is one block from the “Greetings from Austin” mural.

Image of the Greetings from Austin mural. Snap a picture when you visit 2 of the south Austin coffee shops on our list!

Swing by the Greetings from Austin mural when you visit Bouldin Creek Cafe or Once Over Coffee Bar.

Once Over Coffee Bar (Mile 5)

This little gem with a creekside deck has been serving south Austin since 2009. Once Over (2009 S. 1st St.) opens at 7:00 a.m. every day except Sunday (8:00 a.m.). You can’t go wrong with any beverage on their menu. Their food comes from various local spots, but they’re cool with your bringing food as long as you order a drink from them. Whatever you decide, make sure you end up on the deck!

7th Flag Coffee (Mile 5.25)

The modern and clean look of the converted house to coffee shop offers no distractions, with good coffee and pastries to boot. They’re dog-friendly and have a great outdoor spot for when the weather is nice. If you’re spectating near 7th Flag Coffee (1506 S. 1st St.) on race day swing by when they open at 8:00 a.m.

Our favorite south Austin coffee shops are unique in their own way, helping keep Austin weird. We love them for that and know you will too! Grab one of our recommendations the next time you’re in the neighborhood. Did your favorite south Austin coffee shop not make the list? Let us know what it is on Facebook or Twitter.

Try these 7 South Austin Lunch Spots Along the Austin Marathon Course

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These seven South Austin lunch spots are all Austin originals

South Austin is one big melting pot. This list of seven south Austin lunch spots perfectly exemplifies this! From grilled cheese to barbecue, everything on this list offers something different. If you’re visiting friends or making plans for the Austin Marathon, add these lunch places to your must-visit list. Check them out and Miles 1-6 of the Austin Marathon course at the same time! Want more south Austin recommendations? These lists of breakfast spots and coffee shops should get you started.

Picture of the Waylon & Willie from Burro Cheese, one of our favorite south Austin lunch spots along the Austin Marathon course.

Snag the Waylon & Willie! Credit – Burro Cheese Facebook.

Burro Cheese (Mile 1)

Don’t look at the name and dismiss this as a food for children. Burro Cheese (1221 S. Congress Ave.) is next-level and combines artisan cheeses, homemade sauces, and fluffy breads. Burro has served delectable grilled cheese sandwiches to the masses since February 2013. Whether you’re from Texas or just visiting, we strongly recommend the Long Tall Texan or the Waylon and Willie. 

Güero’s Taco Bar (Mile 1.5)

When Texas food is mentioned most people immediately think Tex-Mex and they wouldn’t be wrong. But Güero’s Taco Bar (1412 S. Congress Ave.) is just a bit different. They’ve prepared Mexican food with a hint of Tex-Mex for 30 years. Their menu can be overwhelming… in a good way. They have something for everyone, plus their tortillas and salsas are homemade. Whatever you decide to eat, wash it down with a hand-shaken margarita.

Picture of different pizza slices from Home Slice Pizza, one of our favorite south Austin lunch spots along the Austin Marathon course.

In crust we trust. Credit – Home Slice Facebook.

Home Slice (Mile 1.5)

This South Congress staple has the best of both worlds (1415 S. Congress Ave.): you can dine-in or you can call ahead and pick up your pie. Home Slice’s New York-style pizza is making the world a better place, one slice at a time. We can brag about their pizza all day, but their salads, subs, and calzones really make this joint the perfect place for friends to gather after the Austin Marathon. 

Lucy’s Fried Chicken (Mile 2)

Picture of a bucket of fried chicken from Lucy's, one of our favorite south Austin lunch spots along the Austin Marathon course.

Can’t go wrong with a bucket of fried chicken. Credit – Lucy’s Facebook.

Lucy’s (2218 College Ave.) is open seven days a week and their brunch is as legendary as their lunch. If you keep waffling on what to get, just order the Chicken Basket. You won’t be disappointed. Make sure you save room for dessert and their homemade pies! When you go there for lunch, you might want to set aside some time for a post-lunch siesta (nap)!

LeRoy and Lewis (Mile 3)

This once up-and-comer on the Texas barbecue scene has firmly established themselves as one of the best. They even made our top Austin barbecue spots list! LeRoy and Lewis (121 Pickle Rd.) offers non-traditional meats like beef cheeks and barbacoa. They pair them perfectly with their ever-rotating side options. You can still get your brisket on the weekends, but their masterful ability to smoke different meats allows you to expand your horizons. They change their menu a lot. Stay up-to-date with their Instagram!

Picture of the outdoor seating at Fresa's, one of our favorite south Austin lunch spots along the Austin Marathon course.

Sit underneath the massive shade trees at Fresa’s. Credit – Fresa’s Facebook.

Fresa’s (Mile 5)

The Tex-Mex at this Austin original (1703 S. 1st St.) is perfect for sharing with friends and family. If you’re thinking Fresa’s tacos are good then you are correct. Before you order, start off with the Chipotle Bacon Guacamole (you’re welcome). Looking for a vegetarian option? We recommend the Crispy Brussel Sprouts and Grilled Sweet Potatoes. If it’s a beautiful day, sit underneath the massive shade trees. Pro tip: this location offers happy hour prices all day every day to folks seated at the bar! 

Elizabeth Street Cafe (Mile 5.5)

Switch it up a bit at Elizabeth Street Cafe (1501 S. 1st St.). This Vietnamese cafe and French bakery opened in December 2011. They’ve served South Austin fresh-baked pastries ever since. You might think this is an odd combination, but try their pho and follow it up with something sweet. You’ll be hooked! They also have a full bar featuring different sakes and Japanese whiskeys.

We curated this list of south Austin lunch spots. Now the question is where do you begin? To tell you the truth, you can’t go wrong. Just pick a place and get started. Welcome to south Austin! Did your favorite south Austin lunch spot not make the list? Let us know what it is on Facebook or Twitter.