Bennu Coffee

The scoop

Bennu Coffee East is an independently owned, 24-hour neighborhood coffeehouse on East MLK Boulevard known for literary-themed signature mochas, fair-trade organic coffee, and an eclectic mix of thrifted furniture. It's one of Austin's last true round-the-clock gathering spots, drawing students, night-shift workers, and creatives at every hour.

Married couple Stephanie Hogue and Steve Williams opened Bennu Coffee East in 2009 in a former antique shop, naming it after the Bennu bird of Egyptian mythology, a symbol of rebirth. During its first year, Steve's 16-hour cold brew recipe became so popular he partnered with Chris Campbell to bottle it commercially, launching the now-national brand Chameleon Cold Brew. In 2017 the Williams bought the former Dominican Joe's space at South Congress and Riverside, flipping it into a second Bennu location in just 10 days and keeping a tribute drink, the Dominican Joe's Honey Latte, on the menu. A third location opened in the Highland neighborhood in 2020.