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
46 Reviews for Emerald City Press
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
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?
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
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!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
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!!!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
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!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
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!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (2)
I really like the staff and the atmosphere, and most importantly the coffee. I'm not really a big fan of iced coffee, but I gave them a shot and it may very well be the best iced I've ever had.
-1 star for the wait for the drivethru. There was only one car in front of me and it took 20 minutes for me to get to the front. Next time I'll go inside, or at least I'll be mentally prepared for a long wait.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (7)
Cool (7)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (15)
Cool (8)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
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.)
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (5)
Cool (4)
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..."
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Funny (2)
Cool (5)
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!
People thought this was:
Useful (9)
Funny (2)
Cool (6)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (15)
Funny (8)
Cool (11)
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 ;)
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
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
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Used to be loyal to SBUX for the consistency factor, but this joint has quickly earned my devoted loyalty. Every base of my particular taste is covered. I think I'm in love!!
PS--Emily is awesome.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
mitch and i both had the day off on the 4th of July and decided with our free time to go try out a new coffee shop. after riding around for a while finding that most places we ended up were closed for the holiday, we finally came across this place! The girl who helped us was awesome, we told her we had never been before and she suggested some of her favorites and even gave us samples of their soft serve to try- mine with cinnamon on top and mitch's with chocolate, you could also get fruit which sounded delicious. She was so kind and friendly, especially for someone who had to be at work on the 4th. i probably would have been kindof grumpy. Anyways i got an iced mocha with whipped cream on top and it was delicious! the place is very very cute, and you can buy flowers or magazines or the newspaper. the only problem was that there was no seating but i suppose most of the people who are going there just get coffee to go anyway.
to the girl who helped us: if you read this i just want you to know mitch and i were blown away by how sweet you were! we will definitely be back! thanks for the soft serve!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
This place deserves its good reviews. Service is fast, sweet, informative, and super-friendly. Agave lemonade--yum! They'll also give you a punch card that gets you a free drink after only $10 of spending. Nice.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (3)
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).
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (4)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
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.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
...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.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
what an awesome little coffee drive-thru place. i didn't use the drive thru as i had ventured into 7-11 for water. something kept pulling me away from the green bananas that almost became my breakfast. i ventured next door instead.
they really have a great selection of coffee, eats and reads. i am not a coffee fan and asked for a suggestion. one of the lovely girls recommended the agave lemonade. i was sold!
i left with a bean and cheese breakfast burrito from taco deli and my lemonade. perfect way to start out my morning.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (4)
Cool (6)
I love Emily, Shanti and all their awesome - high-energy - staff members. They carry our stuff, Rio's Brazilian foods and sauces, and have been nothing but totally supportive!
I hope all Austinites have a chance to pass by Emerald City and enjoy all they have to offer in local products - and happiness!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Drive-through coffee shop & news stand. Awesome. They officially opened yesterday. We've been driving by for months, not knowing what the hell this place was. Publishing house? Dry cleaner? Nope, coffee place.
They said that they hope to have the outdoor seating and back yard patio open by this weekend. And they're gonna have shows going on during SXSW.
First review. Gimme money.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (4)
yup. My little slice of south austin north of the river.
Thanks Emily!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I found this place on accident on my way to meditation. I found the service way above par and the coffee fantastic! I can't wait until I can go back next Sunday!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Aptly named, Emerald City Press conjures visions of OZ. They have a drive through but the walk-up counter is worth visiting. The sunlight sparkles off the green wall and there are tons of fresh flowers, turns out the flowers are for sale. You can get a hot chocolate, a pastry AND a tulip! They have pastries, kolaches and bagels all from local places.
The hot chocolate was good. not great, but solid. No whip cream but I'm starting to think that whip cream isn't the given it used to be. I always grab and go but it looks like a good spot to stay and sip for awhile.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Related Lists
-
Hot Chocolate
For those of use that love coffee shops but don't… -
Lunching it, Work style!
Since I am too lazy to make my lunch, I have… -
Some Austin Breakfast
They say it's the most important meal of the day.… -
Gimme Coffee NOW!
I'm addicted to the bean! These are my favorite… -
The Family Dog
If I could drive myself, here's where I would… -
Breakfast of Champions
I love breakfast food, and love going out to…
Hot and New
- Longbranch Inn
54 reviews
Neighborhood: East Austin
- Mars Restaurant & Bar
79 reviews
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
- FoodHeads
55 reviews
Neighborhood: University of Texas
- South Congress Cafe
114 reviews
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)