Is it just me, or have there been so many cute new coffee trucks popping up around Austin lately? I decided to overdose on caffeine and visit several that have been peaking my interest. If you’re looking for a new coffee spot, check out one of these!
Later Gator
6328 S Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78744 (at Drinks Backyard) // NEWLY OPENED at 2116 S Congress Ave (at The Lawn)
The cutest branding award goes to… Later Gator Coffee! (@latergatorcoffee on instagram)
Seriously, the second I saw this adorable alligator on my feed, I knew I had to visit. Jenna, the owner of Later Gator Coffee, said she wanted to start a mobile coffee trailer that shared the story of her roots in Louisiana and honored her beloved grandma.
Get yourself a basket of beignets, a delicious drink, and enjoy! There’s always a great seasonal menu to enjoy, so check out whatever she’s got on special when you happen to visit! I visited during the fall and I got the Apple-Gator. The caramel cinnamon apple matcha tasted just like those caramel apple lollipops I used to eat as a kid.
Later Gator Coffee is located at Drinks Backyard and it is such a cool spot! I’d never been to Drinks Backyard, but it’s a huge, covered outdoor space with a bar, other food trucks, and a huge big screen tv. It’s a super cool and nice place! And don’t worry, the address is off a busy road, but there’s plenty of parking around the back!
Jenna also just opened a second truck on South Congress at The Lawn! I haven’t been to that location yet, but I’m sure it’s just as delicious as the original.
Dhaba Cafe
7221 McNeil Dr. Austin TX 78729 (at Pink Flamingo Food Court, previously Pink Flamingo Plant Co.)
No hyperbole, just honesty – I had one of the best coffees I’ve had in a long time at the Dhaba Cafe coffee truck (@dhabacafeatx on instagram). When you visit, chat with barista Aly and owner Amar first. They are both so kind and welcoming!
Then, order the Shaken & Unrefined. It’s an iced shaken espresso with milk and date palm jaggery. Jaggery is a traditional South Asian unrefined date palm sugar. It creates the perfect sweetness level!
Dhaba Cafe is located at the Pink Flamingo Food Court. This up-and-coming spot has several trucks! They’ve also got occasional live music and small farmers markets. I’ve got my eye on this space for sure!
Freewheelin’
1917 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 and 603 W Live Oak St, Austin, Texas
Freewheelin’ serves up adventurous coffee and small bites out of an adorable airstream trailer (@Freewheelinatx on instagram). What’s so impressive about Freewheelin’ is they may everything in house, from their miso caramel to their rose-cardamom.
If you’re needing some a bit more substantial food menu, check out their brunch every Friday-Sunday at their Live Oak location! I haven’t been yet (it’s new!) but I certainly plan to.
Heads up: they recently moved across the street! These photos are from their spot at Coral Snake, but they’re now located at the food truck park at 1917 E. Cesar Chavez next to Drinks Lounge (a stones throw from where they were before)
Ghoul Coffee Company
2324 E Cesar Chavez St #A, Austin, TX 78702 (at the Vegan Nom Food Truck Park)
I went to Ghoul Coffee Company in the The Vegan Nom food truck park on E. Cesar Chavez to see what all the hype is about (@ghoulcoffeecompany on instagram). It was really popping’ off there for a while!
I got one of their fall specials – the Maple Boo Butter with house made brown sugar and maple syrup. It was a bit sweet for me, but I heard someone order “half sweet” after me, so I should have just done that! Still, very tasty. I need to go back and try their winter specials!
Honestly, getting photos of their truck is worth the visit 💀and the staff was super nice.
Side note: For all my peeps with parking anxiety (🙋🏼♀️), The Vegan Nom food truck park has an excellent parking lot that can be easily accessed from 2nd street.
Desnudo
2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702 (pictured) and 111 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 (at the Fareground)
Ok, Desnudo isn’t new, but it was new to me! I was always turned off by the huge lines I would see on the weekend. Honestly though, as long as you avoid the Run Club that comes through Thursday mornings, you’ll be ok.
Desnudo is crafting some truly incredible coffees. Like, culinary works of art. I would highly recommend following them on Instagram (@desnudocoffee) to see when they drop special concoctions, like the CHOCOCLOUD, their twist on a mocha latte.
Just listen to this: We start with rich black sesame paste lending its beautiful umami, mingling with single-estate espresso, and indulgent Colombian chocolate sourced exclusively by Desnudo. Topped with a dreamy cloud of mascarpone cream and the delightful contrast of Italian biscotti.
I mean, come on! I got their classic brown sugar miso and it was perfection.
