9 Fantastic Coffee Shops in Waco, TX
Are you looking for the perfect place in Waco to get your caffeine fix? Or maybe some baked goods to start your day off on the right foot? Well, there’s no shortage of fantastic coffee shops in Waco, TX!
From quaint downtown nooks to cozy cafés that are ideal for catching up with friends and family, each spot is unique and has its own special vibe.
Whether you’re an espresso connoisseur or just need a morning pick-me-up to power through until lunchtime, there’s something for you here.
On my recent trip to Waco, I drug my sister along with me to almost all of these coffee shops and at the end she said she would likely never want a coffee again. 😂
I was only in Waco for a few days so I wanted to try as many places as I could! Here is my list of the coffee shops in Waco that you need to try.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going! This trip was sponsored by the Waco Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. All opinions are my own.
9 Best Coffee Shops in Waco, TX
While in Waco, we tried all of these cafés except for two! The others on the list came highly recommended though. I loved seeing how different each one was and exploring the city one coffee at a time.
Fabled Bookshop and Cafe
I was in heaven at Fabled because it mixed two of my favorite things – coffee and books! As you walk in, you’ll see the coffee bar on the right of the store. They also have a refrigerator here with some pre-made sandwiches and salads.
I loved that their drink names had literary themes like the Muggle Mocha, Sleeping Beauty, or Call of the Wild(flower). I went with Thumbelina which was one of their Spring Specials – iced peach blossom tea sweetened with raspberry and vanilla.
They also have beer on tap here and serve wine if that’s more your speed. This place absolutely needs to be on your weekend in Waco itinerary.
Once you have your drink, you can wander around the bookstore or have a seat in one of their comfy chairs. There were sticky notes everywhere with staff picks and recommendations for various books which I loved.
This would be the perfect meet up spot! I did see a few people studying or working but this spot is a little busy if you have an easily distracted mind.
Location: 215 S 4th Street
Brû Artisan Coffee Works
Brû Artisan Coffee Works is downtown and such a fun spot for coffee. They serve a variety of traditional coffee drinks like mochas, lattes, and cappuccinos plus hot and iced teas.
As you walk in, it looks like a little coffee stand that’s been built in an old elevator on the bottom floor of an office building. Very art deco style.
My sister went for the iced mocha with vanilla and I’m so glad she let me try it. It was so chocolatey and smooth!
They do have a rotating selection of pastries that are made in-house but you’ll want to get there early if you want one of those.
They have an adorable indoor seating area with string lights overhead and it shares a space with Paper Crown Creative Hub which sells fabrics, ribbons, scrapbooking materials, and so much more.
It’s located near many of the top places to eat in Waco downtown.
Location: 601 Franklin Avenue #1st
Pinewood Coffee Bar
Pinewood Coffee Bar was probably the busiest coffee shop in Waco that we visited. As you walk in, you’ll order at the counter before grabbing a seat either inside or in their adorable courtyard area.
The retro theme really makes this a fun one and we definitely noticed it was popular among Baylor students. We got our coffee to go on a Friday morning and like I said, it was packed.
They have all the traditional drinks you might want but they also have a fun seasonal flavor you can add. When we were there it was Marigold.
The Coffee Bar is only half of the business as Pinewood Public House also operates here too. You’ll find beer on tap, bottles & cans, wine, and drinks you can pick up to take home here. If beer is your thing, there are some great breweries in Waco.
Location: 2223 Austin Avenue B
Common Grounds Waco
Common Grounds probably has one of the coolest hangout spaces and for good reason – it’s located right beside the Baylor University campus.
The decor and furniture is eclectic and very laid-back. Honestly, I’m super sad that we missed this one because it’s a local favorite.
They have a special Cowboy Coffee menu full of drinks made with their “Secret Sauce” that’s sweet and caffeinated.
Their House Specialties are also fun with options like Caramel Coffee Crunch (latte, caramel, & secret sauce) and the Hotel California (club soda, coconut, lime, & vanilla).
Location: 1123 S 8th Street
Magnolia Press Coffee Co.
I was worried this might be touristy and the coffee wouldn’t be that great. How wrong I was.
I had the mocha (amazing) and my mom tried The 1905 which is their house latte infused with toasted marshmallows and vanilla. I didn’t get a chance to try it because she drank it so fast!
There is also a selection of pastries that are made in-house, the Blueberry Lemon Roll and Chocolate Croissant were both to die for.
This café has an old-school library feel and comes with plenty of seating options like booths and tables, which makes it a great place to study earlier in the mornings.
If you’re visiting during a busier time then try their walk-up window on the back side of the building, facing the shops. This is convenient anyways because then you can walk around the Silos while sipping your coffee.
Location: 418 S 8th Street
Be Kind Coffee
The atmosphere was one of my favorites in Waco as it’s so bright and airy with neon colors with a theme of being kind to others. They also have fun latte creations like the Churro Latte and Buttercup Latte (peanut butter and mocha).
I’m not much on sweet drinks but I wanted to try one of these since they were pretty unique. I went with the Churro Latte and they told me they could make it half sweet. If you are a sweet coffee drinker then you will love this! The flavor was great but it was still sweet for my taste.
We visited their downtown location which is relatively new but their original café is located southwest of downtown, on Lake Air Drive.
If you’re hungry, then they also have a few pastries for sale.
Location: 1534 Washington Avenue (Downtown)
Casket and Cauldron
Here is one of the most unique coffee shops in Waco, TX because of the theme! They have a spooky/Halloween theme year round so if that’s your scene then definitely add them to your list. My sister loved it.
They serve regular drip coffee and lattes plus a few specialty drinks but I think the show stopper here is the donuts. These donuts are literally what dreams are made of.
We tried the Oreo donut which was fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness. They have different flavors like Maple Bacon, Cookie Dough, Smores, and Peanut Butter as well.
Location: 1601 Washington Avenue
Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits
Mixing coffee and alcohol is a popular thing it seems. Dichotomy is another café in Waco that serves coffee but also has beer, wine, and liquor for the second half of the day.
It’s a popular place for people to set up and work as there are many seating options like tables, booths, lounge chairs, and a large bar. I could see this being a happening spot on the weekends.
If you like sitting outdoors, they also have a rooftop terrace with a view of the beautiful courthouse.
In addition to coffee, they serve light pastries and a few pre-made lunch options in the refrigerator. My sister tried their blueberry muffin and said it was one of the best she ever had.
Location: 508 Austin Avenue
Thrst Coffee
Third Space Theory, also known as Thrst Coffee, is a relatively new coffee shop in Waco where you can get your caffeine fix. The space is homey, inviting, and full of plants.
They began with a little mobile coffee cart and sold drinks at the Waco Farmers Market for the last few years until they got their permanent space set up.
If you love their coffee, then they also offer a subscription service where you can get their coffee beans delivered right to your doorstep.
Location: 1500 Colcord Avenue, Suite C
Which are the Best Coffee Shops in Waco to Study?
A few of the best coffee shops in Waco to study would be Dichotomy, Be Kind Coffee (Downtown), and Common Grounds. Magnolia Press is a good one if you get there early.
I prefer places to study/work that aren’t SUPER busy but still offer some background noise. If you take headphones that doesn’t matter though.
I’ll also say, Fabled Bookshop had a little nook with a desk in it that would be the perfect study spot but it’s the luck of the draw if you would be able to find it free.
Wrap Up: Top Coffee Shops in Waco, TX
Waco obviously has some great options for your morning coffee runs! Like I said, we visited all of these except for two and each one had something great to offer.
I do want to note that the popular Lalo’s Coffee & Pastries closed. I came across it a few times when doing my research. Also, we tried to visit Z’s Brew Coffee and Crepes but it looks like they are doing wine instead now.
No worries though, there are still nine great options on this list that you should try!
