Simona’s Coffee Review – South Congress at Colton House

Simona’s Coffee at the Colton House Hotel feels like one of those places that manages to be stylish and comfortable at the same time. We visited on a Sunday morning, and while it was decently packed, there were two baristas working, so we still only waited about 10 minutes for one of them to take our order. There is plenty of seating inside and outside, and the upstairs level is especially beautiful, with a gorgeously decorated room that makes the whole space feel a little more elevated. Free parking is also a huge plus.

What stood out most to me about Simona’s is how inviting the atmosphere feels. It has that relaxed café energy where you could just as easily stop in for a quick coffee as settle in and stay awhile. The outdoor space is especially enjoyable, with fun music playing and a laid-back vibe that makes it feel like a great place to hang out on a weekend morning. They also offer $5 mimosas on Saturdays and Sundays all day, which adds a fun little bonus if you are in the mood for something festive. 

The coffee at Simona’s

For coffee, we ordered a drip and a double-shot espresso. The coffee beans are from Proud Mary Coffee, which is a nice detail for coffee lovers. The drip uses Ghost Rider beans, which have notes of milk chocolate and tropical fruit, and it was delicious—smooth, approachable, and just fruity enough to keep it interesting. The espresso uses the Humbler beans, with notes of fudge, caramel, and date, and it was pleasantly fruity with a nice boldness that gave it a satisfying little punch without being harsh.

The food truck

Another nice touch is the cute little La Taquicardia food truck attached outside, which makes it easy to grab something to eat along with your coffee. Simona’s itself describes the menu as coffee, tea, cocktails, wine, beer, and grab-and-go snacks, so it really does feel like more than just a coffee stop. 

Worth a visit?

Between the spacious seating, stylish design, upbeat outdoor atmosphere, and thoughtful extras, Simona’s feels like a really lovely South Austin coffee spot. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a slow Sunday morning as it does for meeting a friend or settling in for a while.

What’s changed since our visit

Still the café at Colton House, 2510 South Congress Avenue, open 7am until 10 or 11pm.

• The one thing we would take back: parking is only free for a short stay. It is complimentary with validation up to two hours, then $10 to six hours and $40 beyond that. Not the open-ended perk this review suggests.
• The $5 weekend mimosas are real, and there is a weekday deal we missed.
• Both coffees are still Proud Mary, and those tasting notes are the roaster’s words rather than ours.
• La Taquicardia is still parked out there, and it really is a truck. It keeps shorter hours than the café — breakfast 8am–12pm on weekdays, brunch 8am–2pm on weekends.

Last checked 12 August 2026.

More on the words used here: how to taste coffee, what a house blend actually is and the difference between coffee and a latte.

More Austin coffee shops

More of our Austin coffee-shop reviews: Café Medici (South Lamar), Funky Sol (South Lamar), Radio Coffee & Beer (South Austin), Spokesman Coffee (St. Elmo), Doxa Coffee Roasters (South Austin) and Bougie’s Donuts & Coffee (South Austin).

Disclosure

This review is our own visit. We have no commercial relationship with the shop, and this page carries no affiliate links and earns this site nothing.