As Austin’s coffee culture grows and deepens, coffee shops around the city are stepping up to meet the demands of discerning customers. One shop that has led the way in creating a desire for and understanding of quality coffee is Houndstooth. A clean, modern shop with a beautiful La Marzocco Mistral espresso machine—one of only 78 in the world—Houndstooth is the gold standard for excellent coffee beans, expert baristas, and great customer service. The shop has strong relationships with stellar roasters, including the local Cuvee Coffee, Counter Culture Coffee, Madcap Coffee Company, and Handsome Coffee Roasters, all of which use direct-trade, sustainable beans. The beans can be bought retail in the shop or in the form of excellent espresso, pour-over, syphon, and French press drinks. Also available are pastries and snacks from nearby purveyors, locally brewed beers, both bottled and on tap, and teas from Austin’s The Steeping Room. Baristas are trained to help customers choose the best coffee for their tastes, and are happy to answer any coffee-related questions. In addition, the shop hosts public cuppings on Mondays and Thursdays, where customers can learn how to taste, explore, and appreciate coffee.
Photo: Houndstooth Coffee
