Austin’s Buzzy Coffee Scene Gets Another High-Profile New Java Mecca — Watch Out Seattle?

Austin’s coffee scene is already on par with the country’s major players —  I’m looking at you, Seattle and New York.

One of Austin’s java mainstays is Houndstooth Coffee, equally known for its baristas’ dapper dress and its beverages with Texas roots. Now, Houndstooth has opened its seventh location at Rock Rose in North Austin. The Austin-founded brand now has coffee shops across Austin and Dallas.

The new space at 11501 Rock Rose Avenue  sits inside the upscale outdoor mall, Domain Northside. It pays homage to its Dallas-based sister cocktail bar, Jettison, to create a bold addition to the scene.

Houndstooth’s newest location will serve up their signature menu of coffee, teas, espresso drinks, wines and local Austin beers, alongside pastries and Tacodeli breakfast tacos.

This new cafe will also introduce cocktails inspired by Jettison, which are slated to be on tap in early February. Expect favorites such as the Red Headed Oaxacan, made with mezcal and ginger-honey syrup, along with coffee cocktails — including the BLVD, made with rye whiskey, Campari, Amaro and coffee vermouth — and the Red-Eyed Reviver, a refreshing take on a Corpse Reviver, made with rye whiskey, lemon, coffee vermouth and cocchi Americano.

The full beverage program launches next month, but for the time being, Houndstooth has beers and wine on tap as well as a smattering of cocktails. Once the cocktail program is fully in place, the hours will be extended at this new Houndstooth.

As with all of Houndstooth’s locations, this cafe is design-forward, featuring design nods and elements similar to ones at its other coffee shops. These include the slogan “The Pattern of Coffee and People” displayed prominently, as well as rainbow tile, wood paneling and a cloud ceiling fixture over the bar.

A warm environment, community tables and patio seating allows the shop’s coffee denizens to be friendly with their neighbors, or hide out with a good book.

“As with all our previous locations, the new shop at Rock Rose provided both design challenges and opportunities,” Houndstooth coffee founder and owner Sean Henry says. “We saw similarities in layout with our first Dallas cafe on Henderson Avenue and were inspired to enliven the space with modern elements that quote and depart from what we’ve designed before.

“Rock Rose is a unique place for food and drink in Austin, and we hope our guests find this spot warm, inviting and fun.”

Even better, Houndstooth’s newest location is located right next to locally lauded Sway, perfect for grabbing a pick-me-up after dinner at the beloved Thai restaurant featuring Australian-style Thai food, and a day of shopping at Domain Northside.