Caffeine & Confections
Like Waco’s restaurant scene, this city boasts many coffee shops with a wide range of beverage options — for those with a sweet tooth to those who just need a quality cup of black coffee. And who knows? You may find your favorite future study spot!
If caffeine isn’t your thing but you still need a bit of a sugar rush, there are many places to satisfy your sweet tooth while you’re in our beautiful city. If it’s a warmer day, snag some ice cream, lemonade or a smoothie bowl. For those cooler Waco days, why not warm up with a cookie fresh out of the oven?
Caffeinate
Serving up craft coffee and vegan and gluten-free treats, Be Kind Coffee aims to make the Waco community a kinder place, one cup at a time. With fun signature drinks, classic café favorites and mini pancakes, you’re guaranteed to leave Be Kind Coffee with a smile on your face.
Address: 1534 Washington Avenue (downtown location), Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-224-6129
Self-described as a “human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop,” one of Bitty & Beau’s main goals is to change the way people accept, include, respect, value and love others. Run by people with disabilities, you can expect an excellent latte and fantastic service. They also offer bakery items like cake pops and gluten-free brownies.
Address: 110 Franklin Avenue, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-315-9284
Cha Community offers premium boba tea, dumplings and bao buns and is easily Waco’s one-stop shop for all things milk tea. Pro tip: If you’re new to boba tea and aren’t sure where to begin, try the Wacoco!
Address: 1001 Franklin Avenue, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-307-8917
Located steps away from the southwest corner of the Baylor campus, Common Grounds is an incredibly popular study and hang-out spot. They’re known for their Cowboy Coffee, but they sling some delicious teas and Italian sodas. Check out their website and see if they’re hosting a concert when you’ll be in Waco! You can find Common Grounds’ second location in Woodway.
Address: 1123 South 8th Street, Waco TX 76706
Phone: 254-757-2957
Dichotomy serves up classic cafe drinks like cortados, lattes and chai. Once you step inside this vintage-chic space, you’re surrounded by local art. Pro tip: On nice days, head upstairs to snag a seat on their rooftop patio!
Address: 508 Austin Avenue, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-717-3226
With house-made, seasonal syrups and coffee from roasters around the world, Pinewood takes coffee seriously. Grab a seat at the bar and watch baristas sling drinks or cozy up in a sunlit booth while sipping on your drink of choice. Pro tip: If you can’t snag an open seat on the “coffee side,” head across the courtyard to Pinewood’s additional seating area.
Address: 2223 Austin Avenue B, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-262-6130
This local bakery and coffee shop, nestled in the heart of East Waco, is passionate about three things: coffee, sweets and dogs (in no particular order). Street Dog’s mission is to help dogs get foster placements or adopted into their forever families. They partner with local agencies to sponsor a dog every week. Expect a delightful array of homemade treats baked fresh each day and a full espresso bar. Pro-tip: The parmesan herb biscuits, baked oatmeal and peanut butter pie are absolutely worth trying.
Address: 406 Elm Ave, Waco, TX 76704
THRST Coffee Shop aims to bring the third space to Waco through a comfortable atmosphere of home and belonging. Try their fan-favorite brown sugar latte or matcha lemonade for a refreshing thirst quencher!
Address: 1500 Colcord Avenue, Suite C, Waco TX 76707
Phone: 254-732-0419
Sweet Treats
Splendid Oaks provides world-class sweet treats to the Waco community. Each piece of chocolate is handmade and crafted in small batches. Pick out a box of bonbons or grab a scoop (or two!) of ice cream.
Address: 1020 Franklin Avenue, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-235-0792
Milk Bottle Cookies offers homemade cookies in a variety of flavors, including caramel apple, their signature chocolate chip, Funfetti and S’mores. Milk Bottle Cookies also offers a small range of espresso drinks.
Address: 218 South 11th Street, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 801-921-0313
Offering a wide assortment of flavored lemonades and teas, Pop’s is sure to bring the refreshment — especially on a warm Waco day! Pop’s also offers a small menu of salads and sweet treats for when you need something a bit more substantial.
Address: 3428 Franklin Avenue, Waco TX 76710
Phone: 254-224-8081
Heritage Creamery is proud to be “grown here” in Waco. They offer a wide range of ice cream and their famous chocolate chip cookies (which taste great in an ice-cream sandwich, by the way). Heritage has standard flavors as well as a seasonal menu. Classics like sweet cream stracciatella and brown butter Texas pecan are very popular. Pro-tip: Can’t decide on just one flavor? Try a flight.
Address: 1125 South 8th Street, Waco TX 76706
Phone: 254-537-1352
Specializing in cold-pressed juices and acai bowls, OMJ’s mission is to make healthy food taste good. When you’re craving something sweet, refreshing and good-for-you, look no further than OMJ!
Address: 116 Mary Avenue #2, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: 254-732-0516
Hey Sugar offers their guests ice cream, candy by the pound and retro sodas and candies sure to make you reminisce on the “good ol’ days.” Hey Sugar’s Waco location is just a block away from the Magnolia Silos, so make sure to get your candy fix on your way to or from your Magnolia visit.
Address: 324 South 6th Street, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-424-9010