You may already know about Greater Goods Coffee Roasters, the Dripping Springs-based coffee purveyors who have been roasting since 2015. Their first coffee shop opened in Bee Cave in late 2017, but Austinites have been more focused on the opening of their flagship café, roasting facility and training campus at 5th and Pedernales Streets, which finally started pouring coffee during SXSW.
Designed by Michael Hsu, the space is a stunning, light-filled shop filled with comfortable nooks that feel like your own living room. The focal point of the store is the 360-degree coffee counter, where you can post up and enjoy a cup or hunker down to work. A long bench lines one wall, tables and chairs are comfortably spaced out, and a cozy nook flanked by bookcases and two sofas are offered for those who want a more homey feel. Outside, a spacious patio is perfect for sipping on sunny days. Even better? The expansive parking lot—yes, a legit parking lot—fills part of the property.
Along with their coffee—roasted on-site, just steps away from the café—the menu also includes Greater Goods House Specialties, like a turmeric chai latte, a bourbon latte (using Treaty Oak barrel-aged bourbon syrup), The McGregor (dark rose tea with a bourbon reduction syrup) and more. A selection of teas and hot chocolate is also available, as are pastries for snacking. Want to know more about the drinks that are being made in the store? Greater Goods plans to offer roasting demos once they've settled.
The roastery was started by husband-and-wife team Khanh Trang and Trey Cobb, and their business model is a noble one: a portion of the proceeds from every coffee bean bag sold goes to one of four local charities. Purchase a bag of the Breakfast Blend and you'll be supporting Austin Pets Alive!, or a bag of their Spark espresso and you'll be helping out the Boys & Girls Club of Austin. Rise and Shine, a Columbian French roast, supports the Central Texas Food Bank, while proceeds from the Good Vibes Brazilian coffee goes toward the Autism Society of Central Texas. In short, you're drinking for a cause—and we can all get behind that.
Greater Goods Coffee Roasters is located at 2501 E 5th St, and is open 6:30am-7pm every day.