Best Coffeehouse Trifecta

Progress Coffee

Our fair burg sports its share of good politics, great nosh, and stylish environs, but few dare to dream of the hat trick upstarts Joshua and Sarah Bingaman of Progress Coffee have pulled off: the harmonic convergence of all three. Located in a developing area but conscientiously occupying a revamped warehouse rather than gobbling up any of the neighborhood’s precious housing, Progress serves fair-trade, shade-grown organic coffee; the food – fresh, mostly local, organic – walks a tasty line between deli standards and gourmet innovation; they tirelessly co-sponsor events and projects with local nonprofits; and some of Austin’s best artwork can be found in their carefully curated, superbly lit, gallery-worthy space, which is airy and sophisticated without being pretentious. They’ve recently introduced some early music shows and film events, and there’s no reason to doubt Progress will continue to live up to its definition of “continual betterment,” every day in every way.

Progress Coffee, 500 San Marcos (on Fifth, two blocks east of I-35), 493-0963