Radio Coffee & Beer: The Classic Austin Afternoon You've Been Looking For

There's a version of Austin that people move here chasing — big shaded patio, live oaks overhead, good coffee in the morning, cold beer when the afternoon rolls in, food trucks on the property, no dress code, no urgency. Radio Coffee & Beer on Menchaca Road is that version of Austin. And it's been that version since 2014, which in Austin terms makes it practically historical.

One of the Best Patios in the City

The patio at Radio South is the main event. Huge live oaks provide the shade, string lights handle the ambience after dark, and the layout has enough room that it never feels claustrophobic even when it's busy — which it usually is, because Austin figured out Radio a long time ago. They've been voted Austin's best coffee shop eight years in a row for a reason.

Coffee and Beer, Actually

Most places that call themselves a "coffee and beer" spot lean hard one way or the other. Radio genuinely does both. The espresso bar opens at 7 AM with a proper coffee program — cold brew, lattes, the works. By afternoon the taps are pouring local craft beers, and the crowd shifts from laptop workers to friends catching up. The food trucks out front rotate and have consistently been worth checking out.

Kids Early, Date Night Later

One of the things I appreciate about Radio is the range. Early morning it's a coffee shop. Mid-morning it's a work spot. Afternoon it's a social patio. Evening it fills with the kind of crowd that's here for the vibe and the beer. It's kids-friendly in the afternoon and a proper hangout spot after dark. Not many places pull that off.

Radio is one of my favorite places to just sit and exist for an hour. If you're staying at one of our South Austin properties, this is practically your neighborhood spot.

Radio Coffee & Beer · 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · radiocoffeeandbeer.com · Mon–Sat 7 AM–Midnight, Sun 7 AM–11 PM