Emerald City Press
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Newspapers & Magazines, Flowers & Gifts [Edit]
Neighborhood: Downtown915 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78798 (512) 970-3100
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
53 Reviews for Emerald City Press
I came up to this joint as bitter as I expected my iced coffee to be.
No one batted an eye lash when I asked for the non-dairy options available, no looks of scorn crossed the barista's face when I questioned which sugar-free syrups I could choose...
In fact, these people were dancing. Literally, dancing to the music they had going behind the counter. Not just one or two, but the entire staff, prior to 8 in the morning was feeling the beat. I must say, from having the option of almond milk instead of soy... to tearing my bleary. hung-over eyes open to see smiling, dancing people - Emerald City, perhaps Israel and Palestine should start their mornings with you. I know my iced coffee and I left a little more sweet and totally unbitter.
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This place is badass. The staff is friendly and talkative. Both people who served me were nice. The beverages are unique and delicious. It's slightly expensive, but they use compostable cups and silverware, so it's reasonable.
It's such an original layout and building. Everything makes up for a great experience, which is exactly what getting coffee should be.
Here is the love. What a great place. Walk up. Supper kind folks with insights to the city and neighborhood. Many thanks to them for making my Austin visit a super caffeinated fest.
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Their spinach mushroom pot pie is heaven.
5 stars for a friendly welcome and delicious food! Even though there is no seating I just hang out there. Besides coffee, I like the pot pies (curry or spinach mushroom) - the pastry is unusually flaky and rich.
Dear Emerald City Press -
Not everyone likes lemon in their iced tea. There was enough lemon flavor to make me believe you squeezed the lemon so aggressively that there was nothing left of it, thus no actual lemon slice laying at the bottom of the cup.
Three stars for being a friendly, cool, dog-friendly place. Next time, please ask if I want lemon or not or I'll knock you down to two stars.
Thanks in advance.
p.s. If I was a fan of 2,000 calorie iced coffee drinks, I would totally try one of yours. They look beautiful.
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The most awesome girl helped me and my cousin, who had no idea what to try. She recommended the Soft Serve with a shot of espresso. THANK GOD she did. YUM. Best coffee "drink" i have ever tasted. But it was the girl who made our stop memorable! I will definitely be back to try the other yummy things.
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You guys don't need any more love. Seriously, 45 reviews and 4.5 stars, you don't need it. I do, however, want to say thank you. Thank you for letting me eat the entire sample bowl of donut holes. I was having not only the worst morning ever, I was also majorly hungover and insanely hungry. Thank you for that. But I don't want to stop there.
Thank you for the samosa thingy, you know, the warm, delicious, and spinach and feta-y goodness thing. And yes people, they gave me this warm sample of heaven 2 seconds after I ate all the donut hole samples. I was a lot less grumpy after that. The agave limeade was delicious too. And no people, I paid for that one. I'm not a complete free loader.
FYI - they have awesome coffee and the friendliest staff ever.
Oh, I'll be back for the donut holes and samosa thingy, but you know, as a paying customer. Moo cow out.
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Awesome Austin is in full force here. They have great coffee and feature Tacodeli breakfast tacos as well as other rad local eats. The most special item on the menu is the amazing all-natural soft serve ice cream - yum yum yum! The staff is always very friendly. I wish it was more amenable to "hanging out" (the parking is limited to 15 minutes, I think, and the last time I looked they had to remove their few tables), but the illusive quality of time spent there makes it even more special.
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The coffee is great but the touch-of-sweetness soft serve is what I crave. Fan-fuggin-tastic soft serve with espresso poured over the top. It's expensive but worth saving and splurging for since it's just the perfect combination of frozen and airy and not-sticky-sweet to cool you down super fast on a hot day.
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It was a Sunday morning and I should have been in Church. Instead I went for a hike with Kimberly K. and afterward I needed some frozen cold rejuvenating goodness. I heard about Emerald City Press the previous day via Michelle C. and decided to stop by...
I ordered a yummy blend of Good Flo OJ and soft serve vanilla ice cream.......
Can I get an Amen for a blended Dreamscicle?
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Cool place. I am not a coffee expert, what I can detect is a lot of loving care in this place. I arrived at 8.15 on a Saturday morning, and the barrista, she looked like maybe the owner??.. was extremely nice and fun. I was severely hung over, and she got me to smile, while she removed a big platter of donut holes laughing all the way. Oh.. she asked me first if I wanted one, I patted my belly and said, I think 14 schlitzengruben is my limit.. and she got it! Anywho..Nice experience, and I drop by again when I have more time.
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I pulled into this place a few weeks ago after a particularly heavy lunch (=sleepy Misti) for an iced coffee. The drive through was a bit...confusing? Scary? Like driving on the lunar surface?
But the barista was fun and happy and pleasant. She asked me to taste my drink to make sure it was right (and Oh! It was!) and was only too happy to rattle off their current desserts.
The music playing was fun and happy and I just adore their color scheme. I really hope this place makes it. I'll certainly be doing my part!
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Love this place. They are very nice and the coffee is great. They have almond milk! :-) The little veggie pies are good....spinach and mushroom...yum, yum!! :-)
They have a drive thru and always give a doggy treat if you ask! Love it....right down the street from me. Oh and they have taco deli tacos...Migas!!!
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What a great experience on my first try. Was driving up Lamar and saw it for the first time today. Pulled one of my patented u turns (perfected in the mean streets of Boston) and gave the drive thru a try. Really hard to come to grips that this location used to be an uninspiring Ritz camera location. I did not have to wait long before a cheery girl appeared in the window and took my order with a smile. She gave me a recommendation that the cold pressed iced coffee was "a specialty" and I took her for her word. Glad I did cause it was great, and as always, everything tastes better when it's served with care and a smile. Thanks Emerald City, I will be back for more.
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I was not sure what this place in the former Back in a Flash was. I got the newsstand, but had no idea what else. Hungover on my birthday, I needed caffeine and food, so on a lark I pulled into the driveway. I ordered a large latte, and two taco deli breakfast tacos, with the crack green sauce. I was in heaven. What a concept! Awesome.
Not much can be said about ECP that others have not said.
It is pretty much amazing.
Highlights-
1. Best iced coffee in the downtown area.
2. Tons of delicious treats.
3. Tacodeli tacos!!!!!
4. Soft serve w/ a shot of espresso and chocolate syrup on top. That stuff is like crack.
5. They give a neighbor discount if you work around there. They know my coworkers and I so well now that they always give us little treats and fake roses with our coffee order.
Best place ever. All the employees rock and they are super fun.
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Great iced vanilla latte! The espresso has a great flavor, strong but not overly bitter.
They were a little slow the morning I went (I was the only one at the walk-up stand, and there was only one car in the drivethru) but it was definitely worth the wait!
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My office had run out of (good) coffee and I was in dire need of a cup and a taco yesterday.
I knew Emerald City was the closest to my office, but was still a bit hesitant. My previous experiences at other local coffee spots around town had been service with a scowl and/or weak, lackluster coffee...it had driven me to be a Starbucks regular...while I prefer to buy local, at least I knew what I was getting at Starbucks and I generally got it from a server with a good attitude.
I drove through Emerald City and was greeted with a smile! I ordered an iced coffee and a Migas taco from Tacodeli. The server was helpful, friendly and got the half and half level on my coffee just right, even asking if I needed more or less. Without even trying the coffee, they were already one step above the rest.
The iced coffee was perfect....strong, but not bitter and the flavor stood up to the melting ice over the next hour or so. It looks like I have finally found my Starbucks alternative!
My only problem is that, while close to the office, it is not a convenient stop on my way to work...not ECP's fault, but it does mean I have to make a bit of a special trip to get my morning joe.
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No need to write much, as you will KNOW how great this place is once you visit, even just once. Bravo to the excellent coffee, unique schtick, beee-you-tiful Italian green tile and drive thru service. And magazine selection. And local flavor, and free samples of really yummy stuff, and gift cards, and friendly staff and nice flowers......Tip Tops!
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Awsome non-corporate coffee stand, with a drive through, on my way to school? Im there! These chicks were smart, it was just what that area needed.
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My battery died in their drive through. A barista helped me push it back, and they blocked off the entrance while the wrecker grabbed my truck to run it up to the dealer, because they wouldn't send someone to me with a new battery.
Also: best coffee I've had in town.
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We drove through here the other day to see if it lived up to the hype. I'm pleased to say that it did. I sampled some of my husband's iced coffee and it was spectacular. I never thought I'd say that about a plain old iced coffee, but it was freakin' GOOD.
Love the location, the decor, the whole shebang and I'm looking forward to going back to try some of their other offerings.
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Early Warning System: DefCom 5 crush alert.
Emily is awesome. Pretty sure she's stalking me.
The way to my heart involves a complicated combination of TacoDeli migas taco with the legendary sauce of green, good coffee in a corn cup, everything bagels, upper crust treats, photo hut conversions, and hot curly-haired vintage-skirt-wearin' java hippies.
Stalk on oh great* one, stalk on.
*Legal Disclaimer: "Great" refers to prestige and is not in any way intended to represent mass.
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I drive north on Lamar every day on the way to UT and had seen that this place was now open. Based on the reviews here, I stopped there Friday morning. It was everything good that the previous reviewers noted.
I had hoped for a sausage kolache or bacon & egg taco, but their vegetarian varieties are probably much better for me. When I have time to stop and dawdle on a weekend morning, I'll try out their back yard.
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You have to try this thing they custom made on the spot:
they mixed together Good-Flo orange juice and soft-serve ice-cream! YUMMMMM! What an amazing treat from amazing people?
TRY THE BOOMERANG PIES WITH AWESOME SAUCE. WOW, are they ever good.
And, their back patio is a great spot. I've been on some very hot days, and yet it is always shady and cool back there.
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I love this place! My husband and I went here after seeing it on Yelp, and we weren't disappointed. The iced tea is amazing (best I've had in Austin so far), and they're the first coffee shop I've seen have almond milk.
The first time we went here they were having a contest to guess the number of cheeseballs in a big container. My husband ended up winning, and they made good on a gift certificate.
Definitely a fun place to go, and dog friendly as well. (I haven't brought my dog yet, but there's usually a nice random dog I can pet.)
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Let me confess something upfront: I don't drink coffee. I probably would't have ever gone here, but I was prompted to by a coffee drinker, so I acquiesed. I ordered a chai latte with 2%, and guess what: they didn't screw it up!! In fact, it was quite fantastic! Everytime I've gotten a chai at Whole Foods, it has sucked. Starbucks has been almost as bad. Apparently, it's an easy item to eff up, but not the pros at Emeral City.
And they get bonus points for a) being a local joint, b) drive thru, c) cute, funny drive thru window attendants, d) speed of getting your order to you, and e) stealing their lids from the 7-11 next door.
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Everything about this place is totally cute, right down to the kid-sized tables and chairs on their patio.
As soon as I saw Jaye J's review, I bookmarked it and went right there on Saturday morning for breakfast. A small Mocha and a toasted bagel with cream cheese to be exact. They went overboard with the whipped cream and chocolate sauce, which pleased me even more. It looks like the items on their menu come from a variety of local restaurants and are designed for you veg lovers.
Emerald City Press has got it goin' on!
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I came seeking the Wizard but found, oh so much more. What a perfect place for coffee and breakfast or juice and a snack. I stopped by after reading Allison P's review (who read Jaye J's review) and discovered delicious coffee, Tacodeli breakfast tacos and a newsstand with an international flair.
I always judge my coffee stops by the barista's attitude and helpfulness. The barista serving me rated an A+. Helpful. Friendly. Smiling. Impressive to find they use a compostable "to go" coffee container.
After fixing my coffee, I sat at a table with fresh flowers in the covered outdoor seating area. It was then I discovered that Emerald City Press has a drive through window! Wow. They have it all. Right here. So click your ruby slippers together and get here quick. "There's no place like Emerald City Press..."
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What a way to convert a moto-foto. Since drive-thru photo processing has gone down the digital toilet (where are my prints?) maybe they'll all be replaced with hip, airy coffee joints. We can only hope!
This spot has it all: friendly barristas, magazines (and flowers!) for sale, breakfast treats, outdoor (covered) seating, and free wi-fi. So why the four-star review? My latte was bitter. Hopefully it was just a bad pull because otherwise Emerald City Press is the complete package.
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Oh, yes.
This wonderful new stop on Lamar is a coffee house, news stand, and flower stand all rolled up into one charming little place. It channels part of what I love about San Francisco, where the sheer number of pedestrians encourages the proliferation of inviting little spots like these where people can purchase a bit of brightness for their lives.
The Emerald City Press is definitely a spot of brightness for Austin. It has convenient drive-through coffee service, plus a walk-up window for those of us who need a break from their cars. I was glad to read David G's comment about the back yard patio, as I somehow missed that - only saw one small table sitting out front.
In addition to a good selection of coffee and tea drinks and Goodflow juices, Emerald City carries an amazing selection of fabulous treats from Upper Crust Bakery, The Big Kolache, Tacodeli (INCLUDING Tacodeli's own salsa, which is key, IMO), Ken's Donuts, Boomerang Pies, Hot Jumbo Bagels, Sweetish Hill, Cipollina, Austinuts, and Vosges candy bars. They also carry a wide selection of both national and international newspapers, 28 magazines, and a selection of lovely and fresh-looking flowers and plants.
Service is super warm and Austin-friendly. That, combined with the emerald green tile and the welcoming, open feel of the walk-up counter truly do make you feel like you've stumbled upon a little oasis of bliss.
Move over, Jo's. These ruby slippers are on their way to Emerald City.
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I've been looking forward to trying out Emerald City Press for awhile, and yesterday morning proved a perfect opportunity. Armed with a big fat novel, I planned on spending the morning sipping coffee on their patio.
The coffee is good, and they have a nice selection of food options from local vendors. I opted for a breakfast taco (note: they only have veggie tacos). I also appreciate that they sell magazines and newspapers, for those of us who are uncomfortable eating alone in public without reading material.
That being said, I'm not in love. While you have a lovely view of the park and Shoal Creek on one side, you have to deal with traffic noise from Lamar on the other. I don't think I stayed an hour because I just wasn't feeling the atmosphere. If I lived or worked in the neighborhood, I could definitely see myself nipping in here for a quick cup of coffee or breakfast, but I'd probably take my business elsewhere if I wanted to linger.
I noticed that they applied for a liquor license, and that they have a really good looking cheese plate, so I'll probably be back to see if the ambiance is any different in the PM.
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OK I feel a little dirty about this 5 star review. Why you might ask. I know the owner of Emerald City Press and just by association I feel like I should be disqualified from rating her establishment, but I always try to be fair and impartial. I gave my own mother only 4 stars, my cat gets a paltry 3.
But as much as I want to give it a lukewarm review, I gotta say this place is great. The service is fast and friendly and the coffee is awesome. I mean really awesome, easily the best coffee shop in the downtown area. I'm also really impressed with what they did with that old building.
Great job Emily ;)
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For the second time, I stopped in here on the way to work this morning. Actually, let's back that up...I drove past work, came here, got coffee, and went back to work.
Seriously, it's good coffee! Worth going out of my way for, and we have established how lazy I am, so this is high praise indeed.
In addition to coffee, they have Taco Deli tacos, Lone Star Kolaches, and more. I have only been through the drive through, but it looks like they have magazines too. And someone said they now have Affogato, which I really would like to try. As soon as this whole Yelp Biggest Loser thing is over. Dammit.
But seriously, the people here are so nice and the coffee is really good and the cups are compostable. So yay! Check it out.
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On my way to work every morning I make a stop at Emerald City Press.
I roll up to the drive through at about 7:05ish, baseball cap pulled real low and roll down my window.
My cheerful coffee guy (we have built up a rapport. I need to ask his name.) slides open the glass between us and says good morning..-insert friendly morning speak-. I smile and struggle to
coherently get out "americano, bagel and orange juice please." He, with a smile confirms that I want 3 shots of espresso (sometimes it is 4), no room for cream and my bagel toasted and then gets to work! He is always so happy and chipper and makes me smile just as much as the coffee and the goodflow OJ.
I can't be the chipper until 10am. no way, no how.
One day last week he brought me my coffee shot of espresso in hand and we cheers the impending day.... through a drive through!
When is the last time a starbuck drone did that? Not that I don't like SB, they have kick ass, not made by human hands (seriously, and not in a necessarily good way) cinnamon swirl coffee cake. But they have gotten my very simple order of espresso and water with no room for cream no sugar no nothing wrong a surprising number of times. And it is not fun to open the bag ready for moist low fat cinnamon goodness to fine fucking blueberry coffee cake. Blueberry's don't belong in coffee cake.
And the coffee at Emerald City Press tastes good. Not burnt. Not frou frou or prentecious. Just good coffee. 4 shots of bad espresso can really screw up a girls stomach. But not this stuff, this stuff is awesome.
And 8$ is not bad for a breakfast of coffee, bagel and juice.
Soooo I look forward to seeing my soon to be named coffee guy tomorrow morning.... grrr at 7am, unless I am late.
peace out.
k
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Very cool place with delicious, super tart lemonade (it was far to warm to drink coffee this afternoon). Bonus star for using 100-percent compostable cups, straws, utensils, etc. I heart spudware. Didn't try any of the food, but looks like they have goodies from a lot of other local places that I like (Upper Crust bakery, for one).
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Clarity of vision: it's not an impossible aspiration, and it can be (and often is) the difference between a place doing reasonably well despite obvious flaws, and a place really taking off. Emerald City Press is really taking off (witness the reviews here, for one thing), and there's a very real reason why. Clarity of vision.
Equal parts comfortable vision and seemingly effortless delivery, Emerald City does a terrific job of not (pardon the pun) biting off more than they can chew: they feature a smallish if cool selection of publications, loads of veggie options like the soy latte they offered the dessert lover (she declined), and the back patio (which overlooks Shoal Creek) comes ready with flowered vases, patio seating, and several kid-sized tables for the rug rats.
It's a two story building that's been made over into a fully functioning coffee, tea and pastry bar, and the italian soda and toasted bagel I attacked this morning were just what I needed. Go on a day when the sun is shining and the shadows are in all the right places. You'll hope most folks starting something get it as right as this.
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...what can I say? The coffee is outstanding, place is cool, and the people are friendly-ish. Not annoyingly friendly .... juuust right. Here's the breakdown....
First Time (Walk-up): Coffee/Excellent, Service/Good (it was their 2nd day)
Second Time (Drive-thru): Coffee/Excellent, Service/Great
Third Time (Walk-up): Coffee/Excellent, Service/Excellent, Overall/Excellent
Today I sat in the new little underhung patio with fuzz above me threatening to fall into my open cup of coffee. I don't really think it's asbestos, but my friend did. It was an awesome day .. i wonder how user-friendly that place will be in the heat of summer?
I also embarrassed myself today by grabbing a magazine at the counter, thinking it was a 'reader' versus being for sale .. busted.
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I am a HUGE food snob. That includes coffee. And emerald City has GREAT coffee! it's never burned, or left on or in some machine for too long, and their signature soft serve/coffee drink is fantastico!!!!
the service is top- notch. Everyone who works there is cute, happy and on the ball. What a treasure.
And finally Austin has an International News Stand. Well done, I say. Haven't tried the hot chocolate - but the boomerang pies (yummy veggie pot pies) are great.
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