A second location near Gregory Gym
Kriya Cafe now has two Austin locations. Its original food truck operates at 2512 Rio Grande Street in West Campus, according to The Austin Chronicle. The founders told The Daily Texan that the second location, which opened on Speedway near Gregory Gym on Aug. 24, was intended to bring the business closer to the UT Austin community.
The campus setting
The location is aimed at a large and active student community. According to the University of Texas at Austin’s Student Involvement page, the university has more than 1,000 student organizations and hundreds of intramural and club sports teams and leagues. The Speedway corridor has also been part of the university’s physical development. UT News reported in 2019 that the 184,000-square-foot Gary L. Thomas Energy Engineering Building was under construction at Speedway and 24th Street as a hub for energy-related education, research and innovation. That report provides context for development near the cafe but does not establish specific pedestrian improvements or quantify how construction changed access for nearby businesses.
A menu built around flavored matcha
The cafe serves ceremonial-grade matcha in drinks including rose, pistachio and saffron flower lattes. The Austin Chronicle recognized Kriya as its 2026 Best Matcha Origin Story on Wheels, describing the West Campus truck as a destination for UT students and local customers. The award listing identifies Nina DeFrancisco as a co-founder and gives the truck’s Rio Grande Street location.
The founders’ account of Kriya’s beginnings
The Daily Texan reported that the business grew from a matcha routine DeFrancisco developed during thyroid cancer treatment. She said the practice helped her remain focused. The couple later created online wellness content and opened a matcha truck, making that experience part of the cafe’s stated mission. Kumar, who studied computer science at UT Austin, and DeFrancisco have described the business as an effort to share a sense of stillness and presence with students.
The Daily Texan also reported the founders’ explanation that the menu reflects Kumar’s Indian heritage and DeFrancisco’s Sicilian background, including the use of pistachio and other flavors. The same account says the name Kriya refers to inner work. Those cultural and branding explanations come from the couple’s statements as reported by the newspaper, rather than from independent reporting in this article.
