Co-authored by Gus Papasan and Ali Dunn

Welcome back to college, fellow pirates! As the new school year begins, if you’re like us Megaphonians, the need for coffee to get through particularly packed weeks in the semester is already teasing your taste buds. Thus, The Megaphone offers its readers a comprehensive coffee crawl of all major Georgetown cafes and hot spots that are a must-visit. I’ve curated this review of nine coffee shops just for you! Rather than go to Starbucks or Dutch Bros, here are some local places to try that support the community we live in. This article addresses the drinks, the food, the costs, and the environment for studying.  For the coffee crawl, I was accompanied by Zaria Renfro (Staff Photographer) and Ali Dunn (Media Manager), who provided additional opinions for this comprehensive review. Disclaimer for this study: all lattes were limited to being iced with oat milk, to limit extraneous variables (or, the author simply dislikes whole milk and hot drinks.) Without further ado: The Megaphone’s Coffee Crawl of Georgetown!

Rose and Dagger

1005 S Rock Street

@roseanddaggercoffeeco

Rose and Dagger is a fire-fighter owned business which recently celebrated their one year anniversary!! Rose and Dagger sells their coffee out of a food truck in the backyard behind Teal Sky Boutique, where there is plenty of comfortable outdoor seating to study or hang out on a sunny day! Owners Jackson and Madison are recently married and met in a coffee shop they both worked at when they were 17 years old. Years later, they wanted to get back to their roots and get into the coffee business themselves.

All of Rose and Dagger’s drinks are named after tattoo flash art, with American traditional tattoo art style  reflected in their theme and decorations. We purchased several coffees at Rose and Dagger, but Jackson gave us a free “Cracken” to try! Jackson and Madison are both super supportive of students, keeping an eye out for us when we visit! They love to hear about what we’re doing at SU, and have recognized particular groups of students that frequent the coffee shop and study outside.

The “Cracken” is one of Rose and Dagger’s most popular menu items, described as a “white chocolate and salty honey butter delight, unlike the monsters of the sea.” We found that the Cracken tastes a lot like a Biscoff cookie! The “Islander” (chocolate and coconut) and the “Sailor Jerry” (cinnamon spice and caramel) are also popular choices. My personal favorite is the “Islander” (the coconut flavor is perfect to combat the Texas heat!), and the “Sailor Jerry” has a very prominent cinnamon flavor but not overpowering. We also tried the “Rose” latte, which contains notes of raspberry and chocolate. The Rose had a very strong and refreshing floral taste that was complimented perfectly by the berry flavor.

It’s worth noting, Rose and Dagger has incredibly competitive prices. A small (16 oz) is $4.50 with 2 shots of espresso, a medium (24 oz) is $5.00 with 2 shots of espresso, and a large (32 oz) is $5.75 with 4 shots of espresso. For students, getting a coffee is already an unnecessary splurge for characteristically tight wallets, making these more affordable prices much more attractive. Rose and Dagger’s iced lattes might just be the crowning jewel of the Megaphone coffee crawl.

Pan Tostado

1107 S Main Street

@pantostadocafe

Pan Tostado is another new coffee shop in Georgetown, and is a Latino owned Mexican café which specializes in brunch, pastries, coffee, crepes, and artisan goods. Pan Tostado as an establishment emphasizes quality time spent with others, and the community that can be built over a cup of coffee and a shared space. Pan Tostado invites you to slow down and enjoy the present moment. A barista told us that since an influencer went viral for visiting the shop, it has brought in a lot more business recently. Pan Tostado lives side by side next to Décor with Amor, a gorgeous home décor, jewelry, and accessory store, selling pieces that speak for themselves, and a focus on storytelling as much as styling. One of our own students, Mia Santoscoy ’26, recently modeled for Décor with Amor. Pan Tostado is a bit hidden away from the main streets of the square, so be sure not to miss it closer to University Avenue!

Pan Tostado also has a food selection that looked delicious as we were waiting for our coffee! The shop was busy during the brunch hour, and Pan Tostado serves both sweet and savory crepes in addition to absolutely gorgeous pastries, such as pumpkin muffins for this fall season.

We ordered the Horchata latte with rice milk, arguably the star latte of the show. It looks so pretty as soon as it’s served! Whole milk and other non-dairy substitutes are also available to order, but horchata is traditionally served with rice milk. The rice milk is just as rich and creamy as whole milk is, and thickened the consistency of the latte considerably. 

The Megaphone staff agreed, we wouldn’t necessarily study at Pan Tostado. The space is intimate, but not cramped. However, the space felt too calming and cozy to even think of getting any work done. That being said, Pan Tostado is the perfect coffee shop to hang out with some friends and catch up, and put productivity aside for a little while to slow down and live in the present moment. It’s the perfect slow Sunday stop for a sweet treat, and browsing Décor with Amor while waiting on your order is like stepping into a living and breathing Pinterest board. 

Lamppost Coffee

809 S Main Street

@lamppost.coffee

Lamppost is directly on the downtown square and is a craft coffee shop that specializes in pour over coffee. There are several locations, including Round Rock and Austin! Lamppost is incredibly large and spacious and the Megaphonians agree that it would be the perfect place to meet for a large group project or group study. Admittedly, the decoration and color scheme makes the space feel a bit colder, and more clean or corporate, rather than homey or boho. However, this kind of environment might just be the perfect distraction-free study space. It’s also worth noting that when we introduced ourselves as staff for The Megaphone, the barista (an SU student herself!) discounted us for being students at Southwestern University! So, it may be worth bringing along and producing your pirate card to try and earn a student discount.

While at Lamppost, we tried the “Lamba” latte, Lamppost’s signature drink. Very sweet and smooth, it tastes like a mix of honey and caramel. The coffee flavor itself has no kind of bitterness, and there’s a deeper undertone to the taste of the Lamba that’s nuttier, almost like hazelnut. We also tried the Cherry Vanilla Sage latte, and ordered it hot for a change of pace along our lengthy coffee crawl. The sage taste is very strong, and the cherry note isn’t overly sweet, but instead more fruity. Overall, Lamppost’s bold flavors and signature drinks cement it as a Georgetown staple.

309

309 S Main Street

@309coffeegeorgetown

Okay, real talk: the amount of times I go to 309 in a single semester is bad. The baristas know my name and face like a mugshot. All that to say, it goes to show how sweet the 309 family is to get to know their regulars! Coming back from summer break to kick off the school year felt like a friendly welcome from those at 309. The décor is incredibly cozy with plenty of natural light indoors. If you prefer the direct sunshine, a spacious patio awaits outside. Overall, 309 is one of Georgetown’s best spots to study and hang. When winter rolls around, I find it hard to get out—or even function. But even when it’s cold outside, I love to go to 309 where the heater is always on, and the warm light lamps are always lit.

All Megaphonians collectively agree: while 309 is still relaxing, it is very productive to study there, especially to kick-start a difficult assignment with some caffeinated motivation! I personally like to read and write at 309 best, but the baristas have definitely seen me crash out while studying for my exams too. (One time, I was even blessed with a pity matcha). If you like to study around others, 309 is the perfect coffee shop because there is never a shortage of customers!

At this stop on the coffee crawl, we ordered a Salted Caramel latte and a Lavender Matcha upon recommendation. At 309, the menu contains a list of homemade syrups that are easily addable to their standard menu items, such as vanilla, lavender, mocha, and more. You can also ask for honey as a sweetener, and they have a sugar free vanilla syrup that doesn’t taste like a fake sugar swap, as sugar-free options often can. The Salted Caramel latte has a strong salty note, rather than simply tasting like sweet caramel, and reminded us of a chocolate covered pretzel minus the cocoa. Overall, the latte tastes very rich. We tried this latte directly after trying the “Lamba” at Lamppost, and though they’re actually quite similar, we found 309’s Salted Caramel latte to be less sweet than the “Lamba”.

The Lavender matcha we ordered outdid itself! It’s very refreshing, with a clean feeling and taste with the strong floral syrup. It does sweeten the matcha considerably, but it doesn’t overpower the taste. Sometimes, matcha can be gritty or grainy if not blended correctly, but at 309, I’ve always found the matcha lattes to be very smooth. I also personally prefer sweetening my matcha with honey! Plus, for the past two years, 309 has released a strawberry matcha for Valentine’s Day that is to die for.

We also tried a lemon tea cake to sample a pastry, which has actual lemon curd chucks in it. Delightfully, it’s not overly sugary or sweet for a pastry while the dough has little air pockets filled with extra lemon tart. 309’s banana bread slices and cinnamon knots are also popular pastry options, and if you arrive early enough in the morning, they serve breakfast tacos.  

309 has officially launched their fall menu, complete with the “Basic Witch” latte (their pumpkin spice latte), and the “Sleepy Hollow”, a pumpkin cream cold brew that is guaranteed to gas you up through your midterms. The cold brew is particularly strong, while the pumpkin flavored cream adds a complimentary sweetness to balance the strength of the brew, and the foamy top keeps the entire beverage light and bright.

August Bev Co:

1204 Williams Drive

@augustbeveragecompany

August Bev Co is a drive through on the other side of I-35 and specializes in cold brew in their drinks. They opened three years ago, and most people that drive through are stopping by early in the morning before work or are coming for the breakfast tacos to accompany their coffee! Their tacos are made fresh and the salsas are made in house. Since August Bev Co is on Williams Drive, it may be worth the stop on the way to or from Chunch.

One of their signature drinks is the White Chocolate and Vanilla, which has a really bright flavor. August Bev Co has an immense number of options on their menu, and basically can make anything, such as a Snickers or Almond Joy themed drink. The Almond Joy we tried tasted just like the candy bar! We also tried an August macchiato with a caramel spin, in addition to a Lavender latte. If you like sweet coffee, this is the place to go! For me personally, I do not like particularly sweet coffee, and the drinks felt overly reliant on the syrups they use. The drinks are also not as creamy or thick at August Bev Co, and the consistency is thinner. For lovers of cold brew, however, the drinks pack that particular punch.

Rivery Coffee Co

1500 Rivery Boulevard Suite 2155

@riverycoffeeandbagels

         Rivery feels like a luxury tower on the opposite side of I-35, hidden in the hills. By the time The Megaphone staff reached this stop on the coffee crawl, all of us were crunched on time and were not able to stay long at Rivery, but their lattes made a very swift, strong impression! The space itself was light and bright, and seems like a great place to meet somebody to hang and chat!

Their most popular drinks are the “Caramel Bliss” latte, and the “Emerald” latte, which mimics the taste of Irish cream. I found that the “Emerald” was not terribly sweet, and it maintains a deep and strong coffee flavor, while the Irish cream helped enhance the espresso instead of breaking it up or covering it up. The “Emerald” tastes really creamy for an oat milk latte, which sometimes runs a thinner consistency compared to whole milk—perhaps that’s the ‘Irish cream’ part of the latte. The “Emerald” still tastes fresh despite how creamy and thick it is, and it has top notes from the cream and bottom notes from the deeper coffee flavor that underpin it, creating overall a great balance.

Now, this is where the Megaphonian opinion diverges: the “Emerald” is admittedly very thick in consistency. Zaria and Ali didn’t like this element as much, and felt like they couldn’t finish this latte in one sitting. However, I personally enjoyed how the flavors are strictly cream and coffee without any other competing notes. It’s not overly sweet or sugary, while the thicker consistency of the Irish cream is what really drew me in and left me wanting more. 

Rivery also boasts delicious bagels, with a customizable range of both savory and sweet bagel and cream cheese options. I doubled down on the savory flavors and ordered an onion bagel with garlic and herb cream cheese, while Zaria ordered a cinnamon raisin bagel with cinnamon sugar cream cheese. We both devoured our bagels with a hunger that rivals a garbage disposal, and in a single moment became the poster children for starved college students.

Rivery is a little farther away from campus, depending on whether you’re looking to feel removed or not. And admittedly, Rivery was the most expensive stop on our coffee crawl. While boasting bold flavors and a truly enjoyable experience, it was not the shop kindest to a college student’s wallet. … it hurt, just a little bit.

Little Lemon at the Library

402 W Eighth St

@littlelemongtx 

An extension of Sweet Lemon on the square, Little Lemon at the Library has been open for three years as of this past summer. A barista told us that last spring, Little Lemon’s Vanilla Chai Matcha won March Matcha Madness as the best matcha latte in Georgetown! So, Little Lemon is clearly an expert in their field.

We ordered from their summer menu, and got a Lemon Vanilla Lavender cold foam latte. That may sound like a lot of flavors all at once, but they balanced each other out very well, and the cold foam made the latte incredibly smooth. As someone who finds lavender to be a bit overpowering sometimes, I thought that the floral taste evenly matched the lemon flavor, which tastes particularly noticeable. The vanilla element really sweetens the deal, blending all the flavors together as an additional bridge between the lemon and lavender notes. While fairly sweet as well, it has more of a sweet cream taste, and does not taste overly sugary.

As for studying…it’s literally a library. Need I say more? Yes, we do have one of those on campus. Yes, one could acquire coffee in the Cove and walk it over to the campus library. However, the Georgetown library is just as spacious, and may offer a nice change of scenery, especially if the campus study rooms are full like usual. Little Lemon also has an extensive food menu, which includes pastries, bagels, sandwiches, frittatas, and more! Little Lemon seems like the perfect place to grab a quick bite and drink for lunch, followed by a campout in the Georgetown library to get some serious studying done!

Lark and Owl: Alouette Bistro

205 W Sixth St

@larkandowlbooksellers 

Lark and Owl is Georgetown’s iconic local bookstore, and the coffee shop within Lark and Owl, Alouette Bistro, has been open for about five years. The bookstore itself is women-owned, independent, and hosts regular community events in addition to its hand-curated selection of books.The barista we spoke to said that Lark and Owl was a “unique environment, and you meet a lot of quality people here.” They also stated that it’s not like a normal coffee shop, and you see a lot of mingling between customers and a lot of groups that come in to share the space. Within the shelves of books sits a little cafe area with tables and chairs. Us Megaphonians recommend a peaceful, self-care day out by going over, buying a new book, and settling in with a nice iced coffee! 

Lark and Owl is a community focused establishment, often hosting open mics, book signings, and weekly activities!, and the perfect place to browse some book titles while you wait for your coffee!

Red Horn

109 W Seventh St

@redhornbrew 

Red Horn had its grand opening on July 25th of this year, and is the brand new stop on the  Georgetown square. With soft rock on the speakers, and craft beer on tap, I can only describe Red Horn as the “most dude” coffee shop. In addition to the craft beer, Red Horn also has cold brew, and of course all of your favorite espresso drinks. All of their coffee is ground and roasted in house before brewing as well. 

I ordered their Bee Gee latte with oat milk and followed it up with a turkey pesto panini and some spinach dip. The Bee Gee latte was honey flavored with a hint of cinnamon, and both it and the latte were excellent. However they paled in comparison to the spinach dip, served with tortilla chips in a share- friendly bowl and let me just say…it was simply to die for. The craft beer, excellent shareables, and collection of board games for customers to use, create much more of a pub-like experience. It’s the perfect spot to hang out and study with a friend group with some members who aren’t as hot on coffee!

If you’ve managed to trawl all the way to the end of this coffee crawl, then you’re prepared to sample Georgetown’s extensive collection of local shops in order to get your caffeine fix. Georgetown is a lovely city and small businesses like these are a big part of its charm, so if any of these locations sounded like they would be up your alley, then go and give them some business and get some homework done while you’re at it!