5 Cafes in South Congress, Austin TX for Great Desserts
Updated 29 September 2026 · 5 cafes in South Congress, Austin TX considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide rounds up five places in and around South Congress in Austin that Google tags for great dessert. It is for anyone planning a meal, a coffee stop or a late-night bite who wants something sweet at the end. We considered 5 qualifying businesses with that tag and ordered them by Google rating weighted by review count. Each entry lists hours, address, the attributes Google shows and what reviewers mention most often.
#1
Aba Austin
★ 4.7 (8,823 Google reviews)Mediterranean restaurant$30–80 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Aba Austin is a Mediterranean restaurant at 1011 S Congress Ave, open daily from late morning into the evening, until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Google tags it for great dessert, cocktails, coffee and wine, and it has outdoor seating plus a separate outdoor bar. Reviewers mention shaded patio tables on hot days and strong drinks, and several recommend making a reservation because walk-ins may wait for bar seats.
Best for: Date night dinner with dessert
- Address
- 1011 S Congress Ave Bldg 2 Suite 180, Austin, TX 78704, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–11 pm; Mon 11 am–10 pm; Sat 10 am–11 pm; Sun 10 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–10 pm; Tue 11 am–10 pm; Wed 11 am–10 pm
#2
Magnolia Cafe
★ 4.5 (7,345 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Magnolia Cafe is at 1920 S Congress Ave and runs around the clock from Thursday through Sunday, opening at 7 am the rest of the week. Google tags it for great dessert, coffee and tea, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour. Reviewers mention the gingerbread and cornmeal pancakes, a steak omelet, plenty of vegetarian options, a cozy room and friendly staff, though popular times can mean a wait.
Best for: Late-night pancakes and comfort food
- Address
- 1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, United States
- Hours
- Fri Open 24 hours; Mon 7 am–12 am; Sat Open 24 hours; Sun Open 24 hours; Thu Open 24 hours; Tue 7 am–12 am; Wed 7 am–12 am
#3
Maaribu Cafe & Gifts
★ 4.6 (157 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Maaribu Cafe & Gifts is a women-owned coffee shop and gift shop at 1413 S 1st St, open 7 am to 6 pm most days and 8 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Reviewers single out its gluten-free baked goods, along with a calm interior, a patio and a backyard with a large oak tree and grassy area. They also mention free dog treats and unique gifts, and Google lists vegan and organic options.
Best for: Gluten-free pastries on a quiet patio
- Address
- 1413 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6 pm; Mon 7 am–6 pm; Sat 7 am–6 pm; Sun 8 am–5 pm; Thu 7 am–6 pm; Tue 7 am–6 pm; Wed 7 am–6 pm
#4
Two Hands
★ 4.4 (1,115 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Two Hands is at 1011 S Congress Ave, Suite 170, open from 7 am every day and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. It combines a takeaway coffee bar with a sit-down restaurant, and Google tags it for great dessert, cocktails and coffee, with live music listed. Reviewers mention crispy Brussels sprouts, a kale bowl with chicken and a Viet rice bowl, plus pleasant indoor and outdoor seating.
Best for: Brunch with coffee and dessert
- Address
- 1011 S Congress Ave Ste 170, Austin, TX 78704, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–10 pm; Mon 7 am–9 pm; Sat 7 am–10 pm; Sun 7 am–9 pm; Thu 7 am–9 pm; Tue 7 am–9 pm; Wed 7 am–9 pm
#5
Ovenbird
★ 4.3 (527 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Ovenbird is a women-owned restaurant at 6501 S Congress Ave, open from 7 am and closing mid-afternoon, closed Mondays. Google tags it for great dessert, coffee and tea, and ordering is done through an app. Reviewers praise carefully plated breakfast dishes and pastries, and some drove across town after reading reviews. Others describe slow service when an item ran out, so a quieter time may work better.
Best for: Plated breakfast and pastries
- Address
- 6501 S Congress Ave Unit 211, Austin, TX 78745, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–5 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 7 am–5 pm; Sun 7 am–3 pm; Thu 7 am–5 pm; Tue 7 am–3 pm; Wed 7 am–3 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 cafes in South Congress, Austin TX with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Great dessert”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Aba Austin and Two Hands take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- Magnolia Cafe is listed as open 24 hours, so it works for a very early or very late visit.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Aba Austin ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 8,823 reviews. Magnolia Cafe is second at 4.5 from 7,345 reviews.
Which cafes in South Congress, Austin TX are open late?
Magnolia Cafe is listed as open 24 hours.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Aba Austin $30–80; Magnolia Cafe $10–20; Maaribu Cafe & Gifts $10–20; Two Hands $20–30; Ovenbird $10–20.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Magnolia Cafe, Maaribu Cafe & Gifts and Ovenbird.
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