Be Kind Coffee Review in Waco
Be Kind Coffee is an adorable coffee shop in downtown Waco. It’s pretty small - just a little corner shop with floor-to-ceiling windows and a side parking lot - but it’s constantly buzzing with caffeinated energy. I’m on a mission to explore every single coffee shop in Waco (here are 15 coffee shops worth visiting!) so I obviously had to stop in and see what makes Be Kind one of the most popular coffee shops in Waco.
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!
Be Kind Coffee Shop Review
Be Kind was founded in 2021 by two guys who know Waco really well. One of them is an artist and branding expert, the other is a former food photographer and entrepreneur. They both genuinely wanted to promote kindness, which is the brand’s primary goal…and they just so happen to sell really good coffee and baked goods, too.
*All The Pretty Coffee Shop Vibes*
When you think of “inspiring coffee shops,” you’re probably thinking of something like Be Kind! It’s flooded with natural light thanks to giant windows. There are a few large tables in the middle (great for group projects!) and a smattering of bar-height seating at the windows in case you want to look out over downtown.
Granted, this is downtown Waco so there’s not a lot going on. But still, it’s nice to sit by natural light.
The coffee shop was nearly completely full when I stopped by on a weekday morning, so I snagged a single bar stool that was still available before ordering my latte and hunkering down to work for an hour. (The space started emptying out closer to lunch time).
Here’s what I noticed about the ambiance: nothing.
(In a good way!)
The music wasn’t too loud or distracting. It was just kind of that perfect background ambient noise. The natural light wasn’t too bright or sunny, but instead provided the perfect pick-me-up to boost my mood. Everything about this place is lovely and comfortable, which is probably why it’s such a popular place for Baylor students to study.
Note that Be Kind really is an indoor coffee shop. They have a handful of tables in the parking lot, directly against the side wall of the building. But it’s not a very inviting patio - those tables mostly look like they’re there for overflow.
Be Kind: Coffee + Bakery
Be Kind roasts their own coffee, which you can buy in whole-bean bags directly from their website. It’s available as drip or a specialty pour-over in the store, or you can get pretty much any espresso beverage (latte, cappuccino, cortado, americano, etc.)
But where Be Kind really shines (and what I overheard most people ordering at the bar!) is their specialty lattes. Their signature drink is called the Be Kind Latte, which is essentially a honey latte made with espresso, oat milk, and honey.
It was poured so beautifully, and the honey taste was subtle and caramel-ly. Yum. Definitely not a “coffee snob” sort of a drink, but if you just want something warm and cozy and a little bit sweet to caffeinate you while you work or study, this drink is delicious.
They have a variety of other specialty lattes, too, like the Do Good Latte (lavender latte), the Churro Latte (brown sugar/cinnamon latte), and the Butter Cup Latte (a peanut butter mocha).
Be kind is also a mostly vegan bakery, because it’s their goal to spread as much kindness as possible, so being inclusive of vegan lifestyles helps them reach more people. They have bagels, various vegan-based bread like banana or pumpkin, and house made chocolate chip cookies on the menu.
Extra Kind Staff Members
The customer service here is honestly just…full of kindness! I know that folks in the service industry have to work really hard (it’s a hard job to have!) and don’t always want to greet a customer with a smile. It’s clear that Be Kind has “kindness” baked into their core values, because everyone I interacted with was so friendly, smiley, and helpful.
The guy who took my order was happy to walk me through the menu, offer recommendations, tell me customer’s favorite drinks, etc. And after I ordered, I went back to my seat to start working while I waited for my latte, and I looked up and he had brought my drink order all the way across the coffee shop instead of just calling my name and having me pick it up. So kind.
Another thing I noticed about the baristas: at least on the day that I was there, they poured a beautiful latte. I noticed this especially after coming from another Waco coffee shop (not going to mention the name, but there’s a celebrity component to it hint hint) that served me a cappuccino made with these stiff, over-steamed “peaks” of milk instead of the smooth, velvety texture that milk-based drinks should have. (And bonus: this guy at Be Kind made this beautiful latte using oat milk, which is more challenging than a classic whole milk latte.)
The Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies At Be Kind
Ok, truth be told: I didn’t order one of these cookies.
That’s because I stopped by fairly early in the morning and I wasn’t ready to get my Waco cookie fix yet. But I noticed that there was a big basket of them at the register, and I asked if they were made in-house and the barista said, “yes, and they’re so good.”
Later in the day, I stopped by Pinewood Coffee (my very favorite coffee shop in Waco) and saw another big basket of these Be Kind chocolate chip cookies at their coffee shop.
So….these Be Kind chocolate chip cookies are a big deal, I suppose! They’re popping up all over Waco, so if you see one, make sure to snag one.
Be Kind Is Perfect For Baylor Students
Be Kind has a young, energizing atmosphere. It’s not quite as sophisticated as something like Bru or Pinewood, and it doesn’t cater to the Magnolia Market tourists like Magnolia Press. It feels like a fun and inviting space that caters to 20-somethings.
That’s not to say that you won’t enjoy this Waco coffee shop if you’re not in that demographic. I’m far from the college age crowd, and I still found it an adorable place to sit and get some work done on a cold winter morning.
I loved this little shop, and I highly recommend that sweet Be Kind Latte. Oh, and next time I go back? I’m getting one of those chocolate chip cookies
WEBSITE | 1534 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701, United States
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