Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits

Love this spot! Have been several times, and continued to be impressed with the creative and bespoke drinks, and the inviting service (especially at the bar). The Stinger was so great, we went back 3 or 4 times! Extremely knowledgeable with cocktails, and I love the inventive coffee choices! A must visit and return to try another drink! Thanks for John, Jordan and Cassidy!

I get the 1885 here which is one of the weirdest but greatest coffee drinks I’ve had. It’s a Dr Pepper with a shot of espresso. It is absolutely insane but so good at the same time. The team here also is so friendly so excited to be there and that I had just popped in to grab grab a drink and they were so nice and just really really friendly. I really felt like they enjoyed being there and it honestly made the experience of just dropping by and grab grabbing the drink 100 times better.

Recently been exploring more into both coffee and spirits, so to be able to find both in one is amazing! The atmosphere is calm, relaxing and quiet so whether you’re needing a place to unwind, study or have a nice conversation, this is the place to go! Plenty of sitting space and convenient free parking nearby. Both times I’ve visited, I’ve had the Wineberry Rose Latte along with a cinnamon coffee cake and cinnamon roll. Being rather new to coffees, the menu is really simple and limited which is a bit of a downside if you’re wanting to expand your palette based on flavors you know you’ll like. I also had the Dichotomy Old Fashioned and it didn’t disappoint!

I was visiting Waco for a school-related reason and knew I HAD to try this coffee shop. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible! The interior design of this place is pretty cool with lots of seating, murals, and even a bar! There is Wi-Fi connection for those who may be wanting to get some work in (although it can get a bit loud, which I didn't personally mind). The staff member who attended me was incredibly sweet and was able to guide me through the menu- I ended up loving the drink! 😊 I believe it was the wineberry rose iced latte. Whether you're a local or driving through Waco, I would recommend Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits to you!

highly professional bartender Mr. Chris serves an excellent old-fashioned. quite a stocked bar - with excellent craft drinks and house-made infused syrups, alcohols, and individual offerings... fantastic service and attention, would absolutely recommend!

First off, some of the best coffee in Waco. Seriously 5 stars for coffee. But the service, not great. Ordered 2 drinks iced but one came out hot. My mom asked to make it iced and the girl barista with curly hair behind the bar snapped and was not very kind about remaking it. Then we asked for a box for a pastry and she was extremely rude about it… we never got our box. She was cursing under breath and seriously stressing out. As a barista I know the struggle of a bad day and an understaffed shift - especially on a Saturday morning. But there is never a reason to be rude, passive aggressive or make the customer feel like a burden. The guy working did try to make up for her lack of kindness, which we appreciated. Great coffee, really wanted to love this place!! Not meant to be mean, just constructive feedback. But will most likely not be coming back because of the rude service!

My wife takes the credit for this one. She said “Dicotomy is a vibe” so we went and mannnnnn was she right. I can study like a college student then drink like an adult if I want! The whole coffee shop is huge and even had a rooftop area. As you walk in you’ll notice you’ll hit the coffee bar first and then past that is the bar and more seating areas. Toward the back are the restrooms. I order a mocha which isn’t usually what I get but It tasted good. The service was attentive and the employees very friendly as I walked in. Pro tip* if you hungry and want a full meal… across the street is a taco truck called Sergio’s… if they are open go and eat there.*

The staff were super friendly and very knowledgeable. My wife and I were visiting from California and searching for a good coffee house. Well, we didn’t have to look far. Fantastic espresso and the relaxing rooftop lounge made for a perfect first morning in Waco. Highly recommend!

This is a gorgeous venue. Did you know a local TX gal for all of the walls custom?! They shut down for a month to create this beauty. I was greeted by Lee (who also recommended the farmer's market which was a hit) and had an oat latte which was made to perfection by Steph. Jami was also helpful and gave great tips for my museum tour. Ladies your spirits are so welcoming, your professionalism on point, and your effectiveness was excellent. Definitely stop by!!

The upstairs patio was nice. Lots of seating areas. We arrived at 8 pm on a rare warm November evening and were by ourselves for a bit. We just sat and listened to all the activity going by below. Service was slow. I waited for three bartenders to finish telling stories before co.ing over to take my order. It took equally as long to cash out the tab. Indoor area is nice. Tables were dirty but we sat outside. There is a small patio on the front of the place by the front door as well. It had a good vibe just need more aware of your customer bartenders.

Cool place in downtown Waco. It's coffee in the morning and during the day but transitions to a bar in the evening. Cool concept. I went for coffee. Overall it was just meh. The space is a cool, traditional coffee house setting, chairs tables, with a retro style and feel. I walked in and there were a couple people on a Sunday morning but definitely not busy. There were two young ladies working and it wasn't immediately clear where you order...I was expecting a counter of bakery items or something to eat and there wasn't any display at the counter. I was also not greeted ...until I looked around, clearly a bit lost...and one lady said she'd be right with me...there was no one at the counter but I guess both were preparing drinks. I looked behind me and did find a refrigerator with a couple bakery items...not a great display...think convenience store set up. But I grabbed a kolache and cinnamon roll. I took the items to the counter and ordered a coffee...and requested the items be heated up....it wasn't clear that they'd automatically do it....and communication from the young lady was bare minimum. The lady taking my order had to ask for my drink order twice...coffee...and she asked me to repeat it like I was speaking another language. But whatever. I sat down and waited...I get that they were preparing the fancy drinks but in all other coffee shops they usually pour a cup of plain coffee immediately...it's a cup of coffee...It would have satisfied me while I waited for them to heat up my items. I admit I didn't time it but it was longer than 5 minutes and less than 10....but again 6 minutes to pour coffee and throw items in a microwave...seemed off to me for the small crowd. The coffee was ok, nothing amazing...it wasn't clear where they sourced the coffee. The bakery items were fine. While I consumed my items...I noticed the two staff were very quiet...other than calling the drinks out...no real greetings to customers, not even chatting between each other. Essentially this was an ok coffee place...perhaps it's better as a bar....or maybe this was a slightly off day for staff. I wouldn't avoid it but the vibe could be better...it's a coffee shop...we could all easily get coffee at home or at a drive through...we come for the vibe...and the vibe was missing in this place.

Such a cute place! Super sweet baristas working today when we wandered in. I wanted something special and asked for their recommendations. Absolutely love the little details. The cup holders are stamped with cute little designs and you can pick which one you like.

Wandered here while visiting Silobration weekend looking for some great coffee. I ordered their drip coffee (black.) It was their Nicaraugan coffee and it was pretty bitter with a sour aftertaste. I ended up adding a little half & half and a pinch of sweetener, but I still did not like it. I was not a fan. Husband ordered their vanilla latte and while it was a beautiful sight, it was just lacking in a full flavor. Service was OK, nothing too warm or inviting. It is a beautiful coffee shop with beautiful decor and lovely painted art on the walls. Not sure I would return though.

They are a good coffee shop next to a bar, hence the dichotomy. The scone was doughy. Most of the scones I've had in Texas are doughy, so maybe that's their thing. This is the first time I tried it though have been here several times for cappuccinos. The espresso is good.

So excited to visit Waco! When walking in the staff did not look up and acted like we were a bother. Upon leaving, said thank you and received no response. This place kinda took some wind out of my sail. Not friendly staff.

Had a blast hanging here with family. I love the array of seating options. We opted for the couch because we had a baby. It was the perfect environment to hangout, catch up and talk. Not too loud or quiet! The coffee was really wonderful. My latte was perfect and the pour over was also. Great work!

I had a hemp milk latte- they didn't have Almond milk. It was delicious and the espresso beans were fruity and distinctive. The hemp was similar to oatmilk. It wasn't bad at all. I think it's pricy for the size. It came to 6.5 or something. I travel for work and get my morning latte from caffès in downtown areas all the time and I think this was a little too pricy. Overall I enjoyed my coffee and might be back for convenience when I'm in town again. The service was pleasant but I ended up waiting I want to say about 15 min from ordering till I left.

I was initially attracted to this place because of their seasonal specialty lattes and for good reason...amazingly delicious! The wineberry rose latte was a sweetly smooth latte with hints of berry, rose and white chocolate. Fantastic combination! Service was good- took the order and called my order when ready. The place is downtown Waco, trendy and plenty of places to sit.

This coffee shop is one of my favorite places in all of Waco. Not only is it modern, and has great drinks, but the vibe is immaculate. On Saturdays, I would look forward to going to the farmers market nearby and then heading to Dichotomy for a treat. In the photo, I had the cappuccino which was tasty, but typically I go for the honey lavender latte. It is a great combination of not too sweet, but sweet coffee that hits the spot. My favorite part of dichotomy is the rooftop. Wi-Fi is accessible from the rooftop and has a killer view of the downtown courthouse. My only critique is that the tables are very small and can be challenging to find during peak Baylor University study weekends.

The MOST aesthetically pleasing coffee and Bar ever. It's a vibe. Had to look up the def of dichotomy. It's perfect. They'll fill your personal cup if you bring one. Very small issue of no TP in the bathrooms and you think the bathroom is clean until you look up.

A friend of mine recommended this place and it did not disappoint! staff was friendly and welcoming. There are so many tables for studying and catching up with friends!

Cool bar with friendly staff. Good spot to have a few drinks. They have a nice variety of drinks to tickle your palate

Very cool shop with a great concept - coffee by day and cocktails at night. Love it! Great location in the heart of downtown inside a very neat old brick building. We went twice during our stay and both drinks were great.

this is a really cool coffee shop right in the heart of downtown. We stopped by early Sunday morning, as we were making our way to DFW. It's a little ways off 35 but not too far especially if you're traveling up or down the corridor. inside, the space is really welcoming and clearly designed for some working or lounging. My husband really enjoyed their drip and their London fog was decent. My biggest complaint is those dang coffee lids. every time I pick up my drink to take a sip it was literally drip all over me. I also wound up with a good size puddle of London fog in my cupholder. Not something they have a lot of control over, but something to know, especially if you're getting a Coffee to go. .

Such a great spot! So glad I stopped by on my day trip to Waco and will be back if I'm in the area again. The artwork on the walls and the overall great vibes are so awesome. Service was patient and friendly. I ordered one of the specialty lattes, and a friend ordered the surprise drink which is such a great concept. Both were great!

This coffee house is outrageously gorgeous. Maybe the most beautiful one I have ever seen. Love that they have all the bikes hanging around. If we lived closer I would be a permanent fixture here, it's really that cool. The best part, they make incredible cappuccinos with love. Great espresso also. Whenever we are in Waco it's a must visit. Will return. Highest Recommendations.

Such a cute atmosphere! The housemaid syrups!!! And the baristas know what they are doing! I said make whatever you want and she delivered!

Loved the coffee. Love the mimosas. Loved the atmosphere. Loved the service. Definitely recommend this place!

Solid coffee shop! The coffee is good. I just got black coffee so I can't speak for the espresso and what not. Workers are friendly and personable. This is definitely a coffee shop to talk and not to study or work in. Music is very loud so it can be hard to focus and you have to talk loud. It's a good atmosphere for hanging out and catching up with friends!

We stopped in for Sunday morning coffee and ordered 2 vanilla lattes and a cup of regular coffee. Appearance was cozy but not busy. We were greeted by a friendly server. Cost of small latte was $5.50. Only getting 2 stars because all 3 drinks were barely warm and not great tasting. Truly disappointed with this visit.

The coffee is always amazing, the vibes are always the best, and if you ever have the opportunity to come during the holiday season to try their holiday drinks *chef's kiss*

Yummy drinks, a lot of fun options! Chill vibes and a few different types of seating to choose from

Cool seating. Fantastic espresso martini. Yummy Irish coffee. Other enjoyable coffees and teas. Professional, friendly service. Convenient downtown location. Will go back again and again.

Coffee to price ratio is horrible. A coffee that size with that little amount of ingredients should NEVER be 7 dollars. Do not go here if you want to get a good coffee.

We lover everything about this place. Every cocktail was inspired and executed perfectly. No, we did not plan on having every cocktail but we did, they were that good. The cafe portion of the venue is delicious too. And kolaches were a surprising hit. What a gem this place is.

Delicious coffee and charming atmosphere. There are many different places to sit and relax inside and outside. The server created flavors of lattes were amazing!

Really appreciated my service w no smile and my thimble of a latte for $5+. It was so small, I felt like I paid for the air vs the actual product. Didn't really make the latte w any extra attention either. Would definitely avoid this place. Little arrogance can be sensed

Great food and service! Super fun place to hang with friends and get an amazing cocktail or amazing coffee.

I loved this place! The blueberry latte was fantastic. I've been back twice now and tried something different each time.

Delicious coffee, welcoming staff, and cozy environment! The seasonal drinks are rather intriguing and the fact that it's a cocktail lounge in the evening made me excited to come back eventually!

Super disappointed with the service we received coming here. Coffee was decent but the barista seemed to not care about fixing our drink when it was made and it's regular milk. We made a special trip to come on our trip and ended up having to wait for forever.

Coffee was great. The barista taking orders was sweet but the lady making them was SO mean. She messed up my order and made it iced which wasn't a big deal but she was acting like I was the biggest inconvenience on the planet to get it hot. Wild... and super unnecessary. She messed up mine and the girl behind me & watched her do the same attitude with the next lady! Woulda been 5 stars had it not been for her.

Super cool place to hang out. Really has the college town type vibes where you might meet friends or do your studies. Totally would come here again- and they are open late!

I used to love coming to this coffee shop to study because their coffee was so delicious. But now, the prices are crazy high. They charge extra for everything. There's an up-charge to add syrup flavor, an up-charge to get your coffee iced, and of course an up-charge to get a non-dairy milk. The up-charge for the non-dairy milk is typical for most coffee shops, but the fact they charge extra for a flavor to be added to the coffee is insane. I end up paying $8 for an iced coffee that's finished in 2 sips because they put so much ice. Now, let's talk about the environment. This coffee shop is so stingy that they put a sticker on every table for people to order before they sit down. It gives off such an unwelcoming vibe. Sometimes I like go get settled into my work space and then order my drink. So reading this note made me want to get up and go support another local business. Overall, I would not come here again. I used to come here everyday a couple of years ago, and now I never want to support their unwelcoming business again. At this point, I can take my $8 to Starbucks and get a large coffee that I'd enjoy and still have some change left over.

Great coffee offerings, friendly staff, and just the right ambiance to make you want to chill with a good book or school project for a few hours.

Coffee is good and it's conveniently located next to a co-working space so that's great, but the size of the to-go cups and the limited syrup choices is disappointing. Management should consider adding more sizes and a few new syrup and/or sauce options to the menu.

This has to be one the coolest bars I've seen in Texas, you'd never guess from the outside but it has a 1920's cocktail lounge in the back. Soft jazz, full bar, and comfy arm chairs. I ordered the 1885 (animal style) which is the (Dr. Pepper with espresso) + house made vanilla syrup and half & half. I never thought of this combo being something I'd like but I figured I'd give it a try. WOW! It's a match made in heaven highly recommend it. My dining partner ordered the hibiscus lemonade which is also made with a house made syrup. It was very refreshing and lightly sweet. This place has an amazing atmosphere perfect for anytime you're looking for coffee or a cocktail!

I love this place, coffee is amazing the spirits are amazing! The staff and everyone there is so happy and fun and want to make your night out enjoyable! The atmosphere is exciting and quaint at the same time! You won't regret stopping here on a night out!

Great place for cocktails! The staff was very knowledgeable as well and had great suggestions.

Such a funky, fun, and laid back spot. Love that the coffee shop is in the front and the bar is in the back; and that they have happy hour on the weekends. I grabbed a quick peppermint latte here with almond milk. Super smooth and easy to just sip on. The top was made into a heart and sprinkled with real peppermint flakes that made me so happy! I love that everything is handmade and time is really taken to craft each drink. The staff were super nice and made me feel welcome, so I definitely will be back when I am in Waco again!

Fantastic little shop. I love good coffee and it took some searching via Google to find GOOD coffee when I came to visit. I was then told this was definitely the place to go by a friend who had previously lived in this area. The employees were very nice and very knowledgeable about the coffees, where they came from, even info about their importers. (My travel mates could not understand why I didn't just get hotel lobby coffee this morning. If you know, you know.) One other shout out for having a couple of gluten free food options. I got an apology for only having two things -- gluten free folks also know how hard that can be to come by!

I gave Dichotomy a 5 star review a few years ago but today's visit was disappointing. The gentleman taking our order was somewhat aloof. The coffee, although it had a nice flavor, was not hot. And the toilet was broken. Hopefully it was just a bad day.

Definitely a college spot (given that it's across the highway from a college, well, duh). Very artisan-like, very hip. One half of the shop is for coffee, and the other is for spirits. Given it was 10 AM, we stuck to the coffee side. We stopped here on our drive back from Dallas back to San Antonio. My coworker had a cookie butter latte and I had a spiced pear cappuccino and a sausage and egg taco. Alright. Tacos have me spoiled. I'm a south Texan, and while it was delicious, it didn't wow me. I should have added salsa to it. However, the cappuccino was fantastic! And I was so glad I broke my snobby "No cappuccinos after 10AM" rule because that perked me up with enough caffeine to finish my drive. It felt so very warm and comforting, like a big hug and pat on the back you need every so often to get you going. Staff? Bruh. Some of the nicest folks I ever encountered. They were so polite and friendly, and even when the line just kept getting longer and longer they were all still smiles. If I find myself driving up to Dallas again, I'll have to stop by here for my mid-point brew. Excellent stuff!

We really enjoyed our visit to the rooftop patio. There's an enchanting little patio that overlooks Waco. It's really beautiful sitting up there! The coffee was very good and we had a very delicious & moist chocolate cake. I can't wait to go back there again.

Wow!. Amazing place. The coffee here is out of this world delicious. You need to come and support this place. Waco needs great coffee places like this.

It used to be a nice place, until they demanded that we finish or dispose of our outside drinks immediately. (We had never had problems bringing in our own drinks) Furthermore, they asked my sister-in-law and me to order something from their menu, which we didn't like. (We had tried some of their drinks before when we visited the place to study and do homework). Being new to Waco and seeing this fairly rated place I was not expecting them to treat us this way. As a result, we have decided not to return to this place again.

Nice place inside, wanted to try out a different coffee shop than magnolia, however I asked for mocha iced latte and got chocolate milk. Barrista wasn't much help in helping me choose and unfortunately won't be coming back regretting getting coffee here.