The Hive — Restaurant in Buda

The Hive’s become one of my favorite go-to spots in South Austin. It’s laid-back and weird in a good way—like someone decided to open a coffee shop in their backyard and somehow made it work for everyone: parents, remote workers, weirdos, creatives, and people just passing through.

Their espresso’s solid. Not mind-blowing, but it’s consistent—smooth, balanced, and hits well in a cortado or iced latte. They know what they’re doing without being snobby about it.

Inside, it’s cozy without trying too hard. They’ve got this little library nook with a bunch of random books and board games, and it’s actually kind of perfect if you want a quiet moment or just don’t feel like being on your phone. The chairs are mismatched, the lighting’s warm—it feels lived in.

The outside space is where The Hive really shines. Big shaded yard, lots of picnic tables, a play area for kids, and plenty of space to just exist. It’s super dog-friendly and has a good mix of people—some working, some just vibing.

The coffee cakes are dense as hell in the best way. Not some dry, airy thing you regret ordering. It’s legit heavy, sweet, and filling. Perfect with espresso if you need a little pick-me-up or something to soak up the caffeine.

And yeah—they’ve got a full bar in the back, which is kind of a game-changer. Craft cocktails, local beer, cider, wine—you name it. Makes it easy to slide from work mode to hang mode without switching venues.

Overall: It’s casual, it’s got character, and it doesn’t...

The Hive Review

The Hive is a coffee shop primarily designed with parents and young children in mind. The outdoor area is massive, featuring a large playground with slides, toys, and plenty of space for kids to run around. Parents can relax, drink coffee, and socialize while their children play freely, making it a great community spot.

Beyond the play area, there’s even a vegetable garden outside, which I hope is used for their kitchen. The indoor space is also quite large, divided into different sections that serve various purposes—some areas are great for working, while others are more suited for casual conversations. One particularly interesting feature is a dedicated conference-style room with a large table and chairs, something I haven’t seen in other cafés. It seems like a great option for small meetings or gatherings.

The menu is simple, offering a few variations of croissants and other light options. The coffee is average—not bad, but not the main focus here. This place is more about the experience and atmosphere rather than gourmet food or specialty coffee.

The furniture is older, and the design isn’t modern at all, but that fits the laid-back nature of the café. The real highlight is the variety of spaces and the unique setup for families, making it stand out from other coffee shops. If you’re a parent looking for a place to enjoy coffee while your kids stay entertained, The Hive is a...

I came at a slow time of day (2:30 pm) and was able to walk around and fully enjoy the outdoor area.

There is a wide selection of beverages to choose from besides coffee like canned beer, lemonade and tea options. There is also a moderate selection of pastries, muffins, sandwiches and other snacks. I opted for the iced caramel macchiato, hot cappuccino and a warmed up slice of the three berry cake.

The ambience outside is exceptional with many different seating areas and arrangements and lots of wildflowers and even a water feature. From what I saw indoors, there was ample seating as well.

I'm generally wary of "kid-friendly' when it comes to spaces like a coffee shops or breweries because it often results in bored children running around underfoot and disrupting the peace and quiet of other patrons. However, this place does it right with a dedicated play area for children with many toys and activities to engage and entertain them. I also really appreciated the hand sanitizer stations and mosquito spray made available.

In the outdoor area, there are accomodations for dogs such as metal bowls of water and a poopy bag station. ( I don't own a dog so I have no idea what y'all call them). There also seems to be ample parking as well which is always a plus.

Overall, this is a bee-friendly, small business with a focus on family enjoyment and that is a...