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She speaks with discernment and pace! There's merit in good taste, and I've found it all here - with cafes in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, they're purveying a range of roasts ethically sourced from Central, South America, and Africa. Pastries are also on-point, my current top 5 cookie resides here: try the Mexican Hot Chocolate (dark, rich, spicy, with crystalline sugar to balance). Their "About Us" section on the website tells all, but whether you're shopping wholesale or individual subscriptions delivered to your door, this is coffee and community that "Merits a brighter day!"
I came in on Friday morning before noon. This is probably one of their most busy times, with everyone out of the house to work/body double. The only seating left was the high-top bar counter. I still sat there for a bit before leaving to catch my next errand! And of course I ordered a seasonal drink: the rosemary brown sugar latte. I'd had so many matchas and chai recently it was time for a latte again. I ordered it "for here" so it came in a mug. I also got a kolache, which is unlike me because normally I try something new. It was just as good as the first time. The latte was great too, but I noticed they didn't fix the "art" for me at the same time they fixed it for another order (super small thing but just sharing observations). People are used to the weekend lines so nobody complained about the line as far as I saw! And I was able to give space to folks who eventually joined my table.
I needed that large Latte extra hot no foam in the worst way. Long story short I had no coffee this morning and it evaded me all day until 3:30 pm. I spotted Merit Coffee while cutting across Austin to another location. I quickly made a u-turn, pulling into the parking lot of this former historic home. Inside was small and packed, due to the Texas heat. I stepped up and ordered my Extra Hot Latte-no foam and waited. Looking around the room, I scoped out one stool left in the house. So , taking it, I then signed on to the free wifi. In about 5 mins my name was called and I picked up a fantastic cup of Joe. It was life changing knowing its 100 outside and Im inside enjoying a beautiful cup of coffee. Its been at least 15 years since ive gone without morning coffee so, this was an enlightening exercise. Im not inclined to do without my morning coffee tomorrow but, I would return here and you should too... Go!
A beautiful old building turned coffee shop ..... very cozy with a nice outside deck covered by trees providing plenty of shade. The breakfast sandwich and cappuccino we ordered were both very good. Servers were friendly and efficient
Merit coffee was a long awaited trial for me. The parking was a bit tight and didn't have many spots, and the actual building is quite small as well with usual lines out the door. I tried the cherry bomb matcha and was in love with it. It was perfect to mix the cherry foam into the drink and make the perfect flavor mix! I do think that the matcha was expensive. It is not a place to frequent as a small matcha was $8, but once in a while it is worth the money.
I had heard many outstanding reviews about Merit Coffee, so I wanted to try them. I was nearby for an event and walked to Merit, though parking can be minimal. Upon walking in, I was greeted and left to look at their menu. I decided to try their seasonal holiday blend, black, and was given a big mug; as I had mentioned, I intended to stay on the premises. It was a cold day, and I wanted to get some work done, but unfortunately, all of the tables were taken inside. Outside, there was plenty of additional seating, but there weren't any heaters. This is a coffee shop, so it's not a big deal. When I ordered, the Wi-Fi and password were readily available on the counter, making connecting to the Internet easy. The baristas didn't seem too friendly, though they seemed busy. I took off a star as I wished the baristas were more inviting. This was my first time there, and it took me a bit to figure out the place's vibe. I also wished they served coffee from a different region besides Ethiopia. Ethiopian coffee beans have a huge fan base, but I wanted to try coffee from other areas. I still enjoyed their coffee, though I probably would take it away next time. I'd like to go back to try one of their pour-overs.
Amazing strawberry matcha! This location is so cuuuuuute! The building is historic and the patio is so dreamy off of south Lamar. I signed up for the rewards and got a free drink of my choice for my birthday - honestly such a nice small gesture that will make me likely to return in the future. Inside is super clean and has restrooms and staff was so friendly. Drink came out in less than 5 minutes.
This place has their own parking so it's convenient. Their drinks are decent. It's always super crowded weekdays or weekends. Finding a spot might be a challenge
I like Merit and frequent their other location but have never been here. This coffee shop is located in a historical site/house and has a little plaque on the outside for info. It has indoor and outdoor seating, busy even when I went in early in the morning around 7. Outside seating can be loud since its on S Lamar. Matcha I got was alright but the croissants look super. They have a bit of parking but S Lamar can be busy. Overall nice experience
I'm visiting my daughter in Austin this weekend (March 19-23) from San Diego and went to Merit Coffee three days in a row to get her a Matcha Latte. Each time, the drink was inconsistent. * Friday (3/21): The drink was excellent--my daughter loved it. * Saturday (3/22): It had way too much milk, so she wouldn't drink it. I brought it back, and they remade it with more matcha and less milk, which I appreciated. * Sunday (3/23): I specifically asked them not to make it too milky, and they gave me an 8 oz Matcha Latte in a 12 oz cup--but charged me for 12 oz on top of that the drink doesn't taste like the first day. Management, what is going on? My daughter lives across the street at Lamar Union and would love to support this place, but consistency is key. Please make this right!
Okay coffee. Cool house. Freezing inside (68). May double charge your card and they dont take cash.
The matcha here is very good! Strong matcha flavor, and lots of great seasonal varieties. I got the banana pudding matcha today and it was delicious. The cafe is in a beautiful historical building with ample indoor and outdoor space. There's a shared parking lot and free street parking a short walk away. My drink took a while to come out, but the cafe was very busy on a Saturday morning.
I've been to other Merit Coffee but I like the ambiance of this location the most. I got the strawberry matcha and it was delicious! Overall I like the seating area more and it didn't feel as busy as the others I've been to. This might have to be my new favorite.
3 months ago
Cute and quaint coffee shop! I have friends who rave about Merit Coffee, so I thought I'd give it a try. I came in at noon on a Sunday, and the line was out the door. Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long to order, and our drinks came out fairly quickly too. My boyfriend ordered the banana pudding matcha latte, which was really good and didn't have an artificial banana taste at all. I was impressed by how tasty it was and will definitely order it next time. I ordered the corn pops latte, which had a subtle honey taste that paired well with the coffee. I suggest mixing it thoroughly to evenly distribute the honey syrup throughout the drink for a smoother taste. They have a parking lot, which is convenient, although it can be a bit tight. Most of the tables indoors and outdoors were occupied by customers working, studying, or reading. I can definitely see myself doing the same next time I'm here! read more
To be a great coffee place, the espresso must be correct, the front of house must want to be there, and the clientele must be eclectic enough to create the background noise necessary to be truly anonymous. Now, keeping those criteria in mind: - I was sad that my latte tasted so dry. It was well past the point where complex acidity and flavor notes exist; I didn't even want to finish it. - The overworked barista conveyed his stress implicitly every time he gave out the restroom code. I couldn't help but pick it up, because... - It is just too quiet inside. Literally only 1 table while I was there (1p on a Thursday) did not consist of people silently typing on a laptop. Maybe the third criterion is more a reflection of society than something the proprietors are responsible for, but it still makes Merit a place I hesitate to want to revisit. read more
5 months ago
She speaks with discernment and pace! There's merit in good taste, and I've found it all here - with cafes in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, they're purveying a range of roasts ethically sourced from Central, South America, and Africa. Pastries are also on-point, my current top 5 cookie resides here: try the Mexican Hot Chocolate (dark, rich, spicy, with crystalline sugar to balance). Their "About Us" section on the website tells all, but whether you're shopping wholesale or individual subscriptions delivered to your door, this is coffee and community that "Merits a brighter day!" read more
I came in on Friday morning before noon. This is probably one of their most busy times, with everyone out of the house to work/body double. The only seating left was the high-top bar counter. I still sat there for a bit before leaving to catch my next errand! And of course I ordered a seasonal drink: the rosemary brown sugar latte. I'd had so many matchas and chai recently it was time for a latte again. I ordered it "for here" so it came in a mug. I also got a kolache, which is unlike me because normally I try something new. It was just as good as the first time. The latte was great too, but I noticed they didn't fix the "art" for me at the same time they fixed it for another order (super small thing but just sharing observations). People are used to the weekend lines so nobody complained about the line as far as I saw! And I was able to give space to folks who eventually joined my table. read more
I needed that large Latte extra hot no foam in the worst way. Long story short I had no coffee this morning and it evaded me all day until 3:30 pm. I spotted Merit Coffee while cutting across Austin to another location. I quickly made a u-turn, pulling into the parking lot of this former historic home. Inside was small and packed, due to the Texas heat. I stepped up and ordered my Extra Hot Latte-no foam and waited. Looking around the room, I scoped out one stool left in the house. So , taking it, I then signed on to the free wifi. In about 5 mins my name was called and I picked up a fantastic cup of Joe. It was life changing knowing its 100 outside and Im inside enjoying a beautiful cup of coffee. Its been at least 15 years since ive gone without morning coffee so, this was an enlightening exercise. Im not inclined to do without my morning coffee tomorrow but, I would return here and you should too... Go! read more
9 months ago
A beautiful old building turned coffee shop ..... very cozy with a nice outside deck covered by trees providing plenty of shade. The breakfast sandwich and cappuccino we ordered were both very good. Servers were friendly and efficient read more
Merit coffee was a long awaited trial for me. The parking was a bit tight and didn't have many spots, and the actual building is quite small as well with usual lines out the door. I tried the cherry bomb matcha and was in love with it. It was perfect to mix the cherry foam into the drink and make the perfect flavor mix! I do think that the matcha was expensive. It is not a place to frequent as a small matcha was $8, but once in a while it is worth the money. read more
I had heard many outstanding reviews about Merit Coffee, so I wanted to try them. I was nearby for an event and walked to Merit, though parking can be minimal. Upon walking in, I was greeted and left to look at their menu. I decided to try their seasonal holiday blend, black, and was given a big mug; as I had mentioned, I intended to stay on the premises. It was a cold day, and I wanted to get some work done, but unfortunately, all of the tables were taken inside. Outside, there was plenty of additional seating, but there weren't any heaters. This is a coffee shop, so it's not a big deal. When I ordered, the Wi-Fi and password were readily available on the counter, making connecting to the Internet easy. The baristas didn't seem too friendly, though they seemed busy. I took off a star as I wished the baristas were more inviting. This was my first time there, and it took me a bit to figure out the place's vibe. I also wished they served coffee from a different region besides Ethiopia. Ethiopian coffee beans have a huge fan base, but I wanted to try coffee from other areas. I still enjoyed their coffee, though I probably would take it away next time. I'd like to go back to try one of their pour-overs. read more
2 years ago
Amazing strawberry matcha! This location is so cuuuuuute! The building is historic and the patio is so dreamy off of south Lamar. I signed up for the rewards and got a free drink of my choice for my birthday - honestly such a nice small gesture that will make me likely to return in the future. Inside is super clean and has restrooms and staff was so friendly. Drink came out in less than 5 minutes. read more
I like Merit and frequent their other location but have never been here. This coffee shop is located in a historical site/house and has a little plaque on the outside for info. It has indoor and outdoor seating, busy even when I went in early in the morning around 7. Outside seating can be loud since its on S Lamar. Matcha I got was alright but the croissants look super. They have a bit of parking but S Lamar can be busy. Overall nice experience read more
1 year ago
I'm visiting my daughter in Austin this weekend (March 19-23) from San Diego and went to Merit Coffee three days in a row to get her a Matcha Latte. Each time, the drink was inconsistent. * Friday (3/21): The drink was excellent--my daughter loved it. * Saturday (3/22): It had way too much milk, so she wouldn't drink it. I brought it back, and they remade it with more matcha and less milk, which I appreciated. * Sunday (3/23): I specifically asked them not to make it too milky, and they gave me an 8 oz Matcha Latte in a 12 oz cup--but charged me for 12 oz on top of that the drink doesn't taste like the first day. Management, what is going on? My daughter lives across the street at Lamar Union and would love to support this place, but consistency is key. Please make this right! read more
1 year ago
Okay coffee. Cool house. Freezing inside (68). May double charge your card and they dont take cash. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
The matcha here is very good! Strong matcha flavor, and lots of great seasonal varieties. I got the banana pudding matcha today and it was delicious. The cafe is in a beautiful historical building with ample indoor and outdoor space. There's a shared parking lot and free street parking a short walk away. My drink took a while to come out, but the cafe was very busy on a Saturday morning. read more
I've been to other Merit Coffee but I like the ambiance of this location the most. I got the strawberry matcha and it was delicious! Overall I like the seating area more and it didn't feel as busy as the others I've been to. This might have to be my new favorite. read more
1 year ago
Came to Merit because i heard so many good things, I came straight for the Cherry Blossom Matcha and it was amazing ! 10/10 , the Guava Palmer was 10/10 super refreshing and surprisingly bubbly ? it was good tho. the Tropical Tonic on the other hand i was under the impression it was like a juice press or like a mixture of juices or flavors and for some reason its topped with a shot of espresso ? i didn't like it at all but pretty color i guess. over all parking is very limited and is best to park on the street if you drive a big vehicle but other than that the ambiance was great for a coffee shop in austin read more
1 year ago
Cute little coffee shop in the cutest historical building. There's a plaque outside but I can't remember all the details. ;) I got an iced latte and my friend ordered some matcha drink but they made him the wrong order. They offered to make it again but he just took it. It was actually delicious. I think it was called the Strawberry Matcha. She said they make the strawberry syrup in house. There were a lot or people sitting around working on their computers. There's a nice little shaded patio out front too. read more
2 years ago
Okay am I the only one who thinks "gluten friendly" could not possibly indicate "gluten free" -- to me, they seem to be antonyms not synonyms. The counter insisted that is the correct use of the phrase and as a gluten-free customer, I am confused and disagree. read more
1 year ago
The ambiance of the cafe was very busy and lively. I went on a Friday around 3 but even though there was a lot of people the drink came out pretty fast. They do have free wifi as well. The banana pudding matcha is good more banana taste than matcha but still worth a try read more
1 year ago
This place is so adorable!! I really like the cozy feeling of the establishment. We went at a super busy time so of course there was a wait but the line moved super swiftly. The baristas were able to accommodate to my requests. I got the strawberry matcha and my boyfriend got, I believe, a banana pudding latte. Both were super refreshing and tasted natural without being overbearing! read more
If you are craving for the most amazingly roasted coffee beans to give your coffee that rich flavor, this is your place. A townhouse turned cafe, their aesthetics are so lovely and the queue is never ending (given the coffee is legit one of the best in town). Also tried their almon croissant, DELICIOUS! Definitely coming back for so much more. Thanks for the perfect morning coffee team :) read more
3 years ago
I found the baristas to be very friendly on the busy Saturday morning I visited. I told them it was my first time, and they said to take my time and that they could answer questions. The almond croissant I ordered was large with plentiful almonds and filling. I also had a blackberry lemonade. They were both wonderful, but the drink has a fatal flaw. The crushed blackberries sink to the bottom and stay stuck under ice. Straw can get to many, but that's just a fruit treat. As for service, my croissant was handed to me in a bag as soon as I paid, so I only had to wait for my drink. I was informed the plates are opposite the counter, with silverware and napkins. There were many people working on laptops; however, there were also many people simply socializing. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
The strawberry matcha latte was so good. Missing one star as the place was small and packed, but besides that it's a good coffee spot. read more
1 year ago
Recently relocated to Austin and hadn't tried this coffee shop yet. My go to is an almond milk latte and wow! It did not disappoint. Quick friendly service. Delicious well balanced coffee with the right ratio of almond milk over ice on a hot Austin day. Couldn't have been better. Will definitely be back. Thank you Merit coffee! read more
I've tried various merit coffees throughout Texas including in Austin and Dallas. This is my favorite one, the baristas make the espresso to milk ratio perfect. I really get disappointed when I get handed a white coffee and get told there is two shots of expresso in there, (coffee lovers know it has to be the perfect shade of brown) and here they always get it right! Their fall drinks are amazing, I got one simple latte with almond milk and my bf got the shaken maple pecan latte which is perfect for fall! read more
4 years ago
Great vibe, great coffee. I ordered the iced latte with whole milk and it was delightful. (SUMMERTIME) Around 8 AM it's not incredibly crowded, but it surely packs up around 11 AM. The wifi is great and I would come here again! Cheers read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Ordered an iced Chai latte with almond milk and sat for a couple hours to do work. The iced chai was tasty and slightly cheaper than some other shops since they didn't charge extra for milk substitutions. Usually I get their cold brew which I'm a big fan of but I decided to switch it up and wasn't disappointed. The shop itself is so pretty on the inside. It's housed in a Texas historic building and the interior has lots of natural lighting and cute window seating. It does get really busy though so most individual tables (and outlets) were full. I didn't order anything from the case but I was impressed at how well stocked it still was in the late afternoon considering how busy it was. read more
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More info about Merit Coffee
1105 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
Bouldin Creek, South Lamar District, 78704 (South Austin)
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(512) 906-0010
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https://meritcoffee.com
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1 year ago
Merit Coffee - coffee - Updated August 2026
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