First it was Cafe Mundi. Then it was Little City. My two favorite coffee shops, one where they actually knew my order when I walked in, have closed. When I heard the news that Little City was closing, I literally got all teary-eyed.
I call myself a coffee shop junkie, even though I don’t get to hang out at them as often as I would like to now that I have kids and all. And so what’s a junkie to do when her two favorite spots have closed? Go in search of a new one.
Austin has changed quite a bit since I moved here over 14 years ago. One very noticeable change is the amount of coffee shops that have sprouted up in all areas of town. There are tons of ’em! They’re everywhere! To get my fix, I plan to visit and review at least one a month until I find my new favorite spot. To make it easy on you and on me, the reviews will be in bullet points with lots of photos to free up more time to people watch– an essential when you are at a good coffee shop.
This month, Shannan Riemer and I met up at Monkey Nest Coffee on Burnet Road. It had been recommended to me by a couple of different folks, so I decided to make it my first stop in the Bullet Point Coffee Shop Reviews.
Let me lay out the pros to you first:
- Lots of windows= nice natural light coming in (would be nice on a rainy day- if we ever have another rainy day in Texas!)
- Delicious, organic coffee– always a plus!
- Open space layout allowing you to keep an eye on the kids while still enjoying conversation, people watching, lounging, etc.
- Private room available in the back of the shop
- Small amount of toys and books to keep the little ones happy
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Central location, easy to get to
- Great menu selection (note: I did not eat there so I can’t say the food tastes great but it all looked yummy)
- Employees are very nice and accommodating
- It’s Austin owned!
- Fireplace; could be extra cozy in the winter!
- Very clean
- Nice bathrooms with plenty of stalls so there is no need to worry about making a toddler who has to go wait.
- Good family atmosphere. A mom with her two kids were there (I think she was homeschooling them because they were working on school-like materials). There was a dad there with his little daughter sitting on his lap. I felt comfortable walking in with my four year old in tow… no strange looks.
- It gets crowded; could be hard to find a seat on a really busy day
- Background music is a too elevator/grocery store-ish and not enough Indie
- My first impression on arriving was that it is a chain coffee shop. It could use a bit more Austin funk (Shannan’s words) although it is an Austin-owned original business.
- It’s a tad bit small which is fine if it’s not so crowded
Check it out and let us know what you think.
Austin, TX 78756-2002
(512) 505-8033
Have a favorite coffee spot you’d like us to visit? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Written by Catherine Prystup
Sounds great! I’ll have to check it out the next time I have my evening coffee/work date with myself. DId they have free wifi?
Yep, there is free wifi. Should have mentioned that in a bullet point!
Actually, Cafe Mundi opened a coffee trailer (yes, not the same), but….
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mundi-coffee-truck-austin
Nicole, I’ve driven by the trailer before but haven’t stopped yet. I’m sure the coffee is great but I like to sit insode when it’s 100 outside! Will try it in the cooler months!
i can’t wait to follow along on this coffee house journey…and then to try ’em all out this winter!!