Cool weather is just around the corner here in Waco, making it the perfect time to grab a hot drink to warm up with. Try all of the coffee shops downtown to find your favorite!

Dichotomy Coffee and Spirits, 508 Austin Ave.

Dichotomy’s calm atmosphere and variety of tables make it an excellent place to crank out some work. Need a break? Get a breath of fresh air at Dichotomy’s rooftop seating area. As for their beverages, Dichotomy just recently released their fall coffee and cocktails. Some of these beverages include the Spiced Gourd, the Chocolate Covered Orange, the Peach Old Fashioned, and the Fall Spiced Irish Coffee. Feel free to either grab a beverage to drink in-house, or grab it to go (yes, they have to-go cocktails!). Want to become your very own bartender? Grab one of their cocktail recipe books on your way out. If you need something to chew on while you’re there, no worries. Dichotomy serves pastries as well as breakfast tacos from one of Waco’s best food trucks: Sergio’s. They are open every day of the week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., with an hour break each evening to clean due to COVID-19 precautions.

One Day, 618 Columbus Ave.

One Day is all about crafting cocktails and coffee with creativity and intentionality. They have a variety of fall beverages that just launched this October, including Elm Street, which features a marshmallow on fire! The atmosphere of One Day is largely dependent upon the time of day. By day, it is a great, quiet place to read, study, or work; by night, it is a social hub—the perfect place to catch up with friends and have some fun after a long day. They have indoor couches and tables, as well as outdoor seating underneath some gorgeous string lights. One Day is open to all ages; not only those over the age of 21. Their hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Lighthouse Coffee and Wine, 624 Washington Ave.

Whether you’re looking for a freshly brewed cup of coffee, some spirits, or a tasty bite to eat, Lighthouse has got you covered. With natural light pouring through their wall-to-wall windows,  it is the perfect spot to study, read your favorite book, or grab brunch with friends. You can also take the party outside to their picnic tables. Looking for something fun to do on a Friday evening? Lighthouse offers specialty dinners each Friday at 7 p.m. They also offer dinner one Thursday a month with a guest professional chef. These dinners require a reservation, which is super simple to make on their website, https://www.lighthousewaco.com/. Lighthouse is open Sunday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

BRÛ, 601 Franklin Ave.

Brû has a setup like none other; they serve downtown in the Praetorian Building, which is over 100 years old. Their coffee is crafted in a renovated elevator, contributing to their one-of-a-kind and enjoyable atmosphere. Their seating area features a lot of natural light as well as a variety of socially-distanced tables and couches, making it the perfect place to get work done or to relax, whichever you are in need of. They’ve got a couple of yummy fall beverages on the menu, including a spiced latte—inspired by traditional Moroccan spiced coffee—swirling with flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Additionally, they have their Café Bon Bon, a cortado featuring sweetened condensed milk layered on top of espresso. Brû also prides itself in having the highest variety of loose leaf teas in Waco, serving over 20 different flavors. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Kurbside Coffee, 720 Franklin Ave.

If you’re looking for somewhere unique, grab a cup from Kurbside Coffee. Kurbside is known for having a Latin American flavor to its menu, with customer favorites like the Dirty Horchata (horchata + espresso) or their conchas (a Mexican sweet bread). Additionally, Kurbside is offering Pumpkin Spice flavors to celebrate the fall. Located in Union Hall food hall, Kurbside is the perfect place to grab your morning coffee or afternoon pick-me-up. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the week.

Magnolia Press Coffee Co., 418 S. 8^th St.

With a variety of booths, tables, and couches, Magnolia Press is an excellent place to set up shop to study, work, connect with others, or relax. And as one of the newer additions to the Magnolia campus, it can be a respite from shopping. Their service, coffee and pastries are equally excellent quality. Their fall menu includes the Apple Cider Steamer, the Snickerdoodle Latte, and a Pumpkin Spice Latte, all of which pair very well with their baked goods. You can also grab your drink to go and explore the Silos or the rest of Downtown Waco! Their hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

Common Grounds, 1123 S. 8^th St.

Common Grounds serves as a great study spot, a concert venue, and everything in between! Inside, one can find a variety of couches and comfortable seating, with enjoyable music gently playing throughout the shop, tying the atmosphere together. Outdoors, there is an array of seating options as well as a stage which hosts a multitude of artists each year. In the past, Common Grounds has hosted bands such as Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Colony House, and Tow’rs. And let’s not forget about the coffee! This fall, Common Grounds is serving specialty drinks such as the Pumpkin Patch, the Mudslide, or the 2-5-Fall. Common Grounds is open and ready to serve you from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day of the week.

Z’s Brew Coffee and Crêpes, 611 Washington Ave.

Z’s is the newest coffee spot on the block, so to speak. Craving a crêpe to go with your coffee? They’ve got those too, an assortment including lemon, blueberry and the monte cristo. There’s even a fall crêpe—pumpkin pie! Make sure to grab a cup of coffee while you’re there to really get the full experience, maybe the seasonal pumpkin caramel latte or something more classic. After you order, pick a spot and take up space in their outdoor seating, enjoying a view of the ALICO building. Their hours are from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Downtown Waco is yours to explore! We hope you enjoy these coffee shops as much as we do.

-Emmy Johnson, Baylor University, City Center Waco intern