There are coffee shops you go to because the drinks are incredible, and then there are coffee shops you go to because they’re just plain pretty. Mañana, tucked inside the South Congress Hotel, is firmly in the second category—though to be fair, the drinks don’t disappoint either. Walking in feels like stepping into a Pinterest board: white walls, pops of turquoise, marble counters, pastries displayed like jewelry. It’s basically screaming, “Take a picture of me,” and honestly? Guilty.

And if you’ve been recently, you know the real star: the Matcha Mango Sticky Rice Latte. Yes, it sounds like a dessert. Yes, it kind of is a dessert. And yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds. Sweet mango, creamy rice notes, earthy matcha—it’s a wild combo that somehow works. It’s the kind of drink you order “just to try” and then find yourself craving at 9 am the next morning. More on that in a second.

☕ Coffee: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

The coffee is smooth and balanced, but let’s be real—the drinks are the reason people line up here. Their seasonal specials are works of art, and the matcha mango sticky rice latte deserves its own fan club. It’s not just a drink; it’s a full sensory event. That said, if you strip away the creativity, the basic espresso drinks are good but not necessarily life-changing compared to shops like Merit or Houndstooth.

🥐 Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

The pastry case alone is worth a stop. Perfectly flaky croissants, glossy tarts, gooey cinnamon rolls—it’s like a French bakery and a chic boutique had a baby. They also lean into lighter options like chia pudding and avocado toast, which makes sense given the hotel setting. Pricey, yes, but high quality.

💻 Study-ability: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)

This is not your study bunker. Seating is limited, outlets are rare, and the vibe is more “sip and socialize” than “camp out with a laptop.” It’s also South Congress, so you’ll have tourists wandering in, snapping pics, and generally making concentration impossible. Bring a friend, not your APUSH notes.

🌿 Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Atmosphere is Mañana’s flex. Bright, airy, Instagram-perfect. It’s curated down to the detail: turquoise tiles, minimal furniture, sunlight streaming through big windows. It feels less like a coffee shop and more like a lifestyle photoshoot, which honestly is kind of the fun of it.

👥 People & Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

The staff is efficient (they have to be with the constant line) and friendly, though not always chatty—it’s too busy for that. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests, South Congress wanderers, and locals who don’t mind paying $7 for a latte that photographs well. People-watching here is half the entertainment.

💸 Price & Value: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Mañana is expensive. Drinks are $6–$7 minimum, pastries $5–$7, and that’s before you’ve justified the $8 sticky rice latte. It’s a splurge, not an everyday thing. But if you’re paying for the experience (and the photo op), it can feel worth it once in a while.

📍 Location: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Prime South Congress. You’re surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, murals, and music—it’s basically the heartbeat of Austin tourism. Parking is, of course, a nightmare, but if you’re already walking SoCo, this is a perfect pit stop.

✨ X-Factor – The Specials

The Matcha Mango Sticky Rice latte. Enough said. Mañana’s strength is their creative seasonal drinks—they lean all the way into innovation, and it pays off. Whether it’s lavender honey lattes, horchata cold brews, or the sticky rice moment, they keep things fun, unexpected, and buzzworthy.

Final Verdict: Mañana is not where you go to grind out a study session or grab a cheap caffeine fix. It’s where you go for an experience—to try something wild and creative, indulge in a gorgeous pastry, and soak up the South Congress energy. Is it overpriced? Yes. But is it also kind of magical in its own curated, hotel-lobby-chic way? Absolutely.