Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea offers indulgent, real ingredient focused drinks with a global influence inspired by our founder's love of food & beverages and driven by their creativity. Enjoy a fresh-pressed Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte or Mocha from our classic coffee menu. Or a unique, signature drink like Creme Caramel, Dreamy Cold Brew, French Vietnamese Au Lait, Thai Iced Tea or Frozen Strawberry Bliss. Our extensive premium tea selection includes Pomegranate Green, Oolong, Chai, Imperial Black, Matcha, and herbal teas. Try our fresh, classic café fare of decadent pastries & desserts, delicious sandwiches, frozen drinks & more. Join us at the cafe to relax, work or meet with others in our warm, inviting neighborhood coffeehouse.
Customers consistently praised the coffee for its great taste and quality, with specific recommendations for the Dreamy Cold Brew and Créme Caramel.
Staff Friendliness
The staff received numerous compliments for being friendly, helpful, and attentive, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Cleanliness
The cafe is noted for its clean environment, including well-maintained bathrooms and a tidy interior.
Atmosphere
The cafe offers a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with plenty of seating and natural light, making it a good spot for relaxation or work.
Menu Variety
Customers appreciated the extensive menu, which includes a wide selection of coffee, teas, and food options, although some found certain items overpriced.
KJ
Kelly James
Nov 5, 2025
5.0
I love the vibe & my favorite barista servers Kendal & Lila💕
TK
Tiffany Kovacs
Nov 4, 2025
5.0
Came across Sweetwater by chance as the local downtown Starbucks had an electrical fire and was closed. NOW this will be our daily go to for the week while visiting Austin. So many choices and lots of food options! I mean where can you walk in and get a hash brown to go with your pumpkin cold brew? YUM!
They had a cool vibe inside and a lovely outdoor eating space with lots of room and umbrellas. This location was right at the Texas Teaches Association building.
Clean, eclectic and so many drink and food choices. They were ready to serve at 7am sharp!
KB
Kathryn Blodgett
Oct 30, 2025
4.0
The caramel creme was very good iced. And the large is massive. I was still able to taste the coffee besides it being a very dressed up drink which I enjoyed. I purchased a pretzel roll sandwich which was around $8 alone and a hash brown which is $1 when a sandwich is purchased. The food was good but I downrate for price gouging which of course is common just unfortunate.
The staff were very nice and quick.
KR
Kane Russi
Oct 7, 2025
5.0
This is an unbiased review.
I've been going to this cafe for nearly three years.
The short of it: the coffee is great, as is the service. Even during their peak hours, the consistency never falls off.
The cafe is always clean, and their bathrooms are well kept. The cafe gets a great deal of natural light with plenty of seating, so it’s easy to get comfortable for a while.
If there's anything i need to critique, it’s the lack of identity. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, and they always host local art, but don’t expect a photo-op. Yet, the cafe is tucked away in its own corner, which in itself is charming.
Regarding the coffee, they have a medium and a mix blend. The roast always comes through in any of their drinks.
Above all, this place excels at being consistent. In my experience, nothing is worse than starting your day out with a $7 cup of melted, muddy espresso. I never have that worry here.
The Dreamy Cold Brew is my go to. Half sweet, with the light roast. Highly recommended.
AC
Alice @ Abba HVAC - Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Oct 1, 2025
5.0
Great little spot with cute outdoor area close to the Capitol. I always love cafes with community boards! It really creates a community-feel.
The AC can be very cold though. Bring a jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
Where does Sweetwaters' coffees and teas come from?
Sweetwaters coffees are grown around the world from Latin America to Asia. We only use the highest quality arabica beans which are custom blended & roasted to bring out the best in the beans' flavor, body, & acidity. Our founders, Wei & Lisa, grew up with many wonderful teas and used their knowledge & Asian heritage to select unique & exquisite-tasting teas from as far as China, Japan, India, S. Africa & Egypt.
Is Sweetwaters coffee and tea fair trade and/or organic?
Sweetwaters offers several Fair Trade and organic coffees such as our Midnight Blend, Arbor Ypsi Blend, Red Moon, and various seasonal coffees. Our teas are whole-leaf teas. We use premium real ingredients for specialty teas such as Matcha, Chai, Thai Iced Tea, Ginger Lemon Tea, & Ginger Raspberry Tea
Can you order Sweetwaters’ coffee or tea online?
Download the Sweetwaters app at the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Many options for online ordering; Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea website, DoorDash, Grubhub, UberEats, Postmates, and eZcater.
What types of pastries and desserts are available at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Blueberry Scones, Cinnamon Scones, CranOrange Scones, Chocolate Croissants, Butter Croissants, Bagels, Lemon Bars, Mini French Donuts, Macarons, Joy Nut Bars, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Charlie Brownies, Carrot Cake, OMG Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu.
What kind of specialty coffee and tea drinks can you get at Sweetwaters?
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is located at 316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701, near the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas.
What are the operating hours of Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They also have special holiday hours.
What types of coffee and tea does Sweetwaters offer?
They offer a variety of specialty coffees including Espresso, Latte, Mocha, and unique drinks such as Creme Caramel and French Vietnamese Au Lait. Their tea selection includes whole-leaf teas like Matcha, Chai, and Pomegranate Green.
Does Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea provide online ordering or delivery?
Yes, you can order online via the Sweetwaters app, their website, or delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, UberEats, and Postmates.
What payment options are accepted at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Sweetwaters accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards. They also support mobile NFC payments and debit cards.
Are there pastry and dessert options available at Sweetwaters?
Yes, they serve a variety of pastries and desserts including scones, croissants, macarons, brownies, and cakes such as Carrot Cake and Tiramisu.
Is Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Sweetwaters has wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms.
What nearby professional services and amenities can customers find around Sweetwaters?
Nearby, customers can find professional services like Westview event planning, Volt Realty, and Walters Gilbreath, PLLC legal services, as well as coworking spaces like WeWork and SPACES.
How can I use nearby transit and landmarks to find Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Sweetwaters is located near the Texas Capitol, making it easy to find this Austin coffee shop. Nearby landmarks and professional offices can help you navigate to 316 West 12th Street in Austin.
What other food and drink options are available near Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea?
Nearby food options include Louisiana Wild Crawfish & Catering for Cajun cuisine and Austin Luby’s Café - Granger for cafeteria-style meals, offering variety before or after your visit to Sweetwaters.