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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Nightlife, Arts & Entertainment [Edit]
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)Mon-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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Good coffee shop - the music (at least when I was in) was not too loud or obtrusive, the guy behind the counter was very friendly, and the coffee was great.
There's not much seating inside, but they have an absolutely wonderful back patio - it's roomy, secluded and if it weren't for the sounds of the nearby traffic, you'd never know you were a few feet from a busy intersection.
I haven't tried any of the food - they have small menu with sandwiches, etc. and a VERY limited selection of baked goods (when I was in there were cookies, a muffin and some brownies), but I'd think twice about ordering when they are very busy as they seem to only have one person running the shop at any given time.
The Rose Lemonade is definitely worth checking out - it manages to both taste good and taste like roses!
Definitely one of the better coffee shops in South Austin... oh yeah - and they serve alcohol too.
Hard to find this place at first because there's no sign on the building, just a small piece of paper on the front door that has Green Muse on it. The parking lot is very small, but not many people were here when we went during the day.
Me and a friend ordered turkey paninis after finding out that they ran out of soup, orange syrup, and one of their sandwiches. And their credit card machine and internet were not working today. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and just chalk this up to being a bad day, but it was my first time here and it still leaves a bad impression. It took a while for the food to come out, which is fine because I was chatting with a friend the whole time, but I can see this annoying some people.
Our paninis tasted good and came with a pickle slice, but they do seem overpriced. My italian soda made with my second choice of syrup was expensive (to me at least) at $2.75 and it was just okay. My friend had coffee and didn't mention anything about it so I assume it's good, but nothing to write home about.
Interior looked nice despite the shanty look from the outside. It's a lot more spacious than I expected too. There's a front and back room, along with a covered outdoor seating area. The weather was cool so we sat outside, which would've great except there were flies and mosquitos everywhere.
I'm not a coffee shop person at all, but if I were to suddenly start going to one regularly, this would not be my first choice. Nor would it be my first choice for lunch. This is the kind of place that if I didn't have a good reason to come here, I probably wouldn't come back.
After 1/2 day of flying and getting stuck with crappy airport food choices, I felt right at home at the Green Muse. Conveniently located near my friend's house in South Austin area, this cafe has a warm, inviting vibe with a relaxing outside patio to boot.
Since it was muggy outside, I opted for a mint flavored Italian soda and paired it with a prosciutto panini. Warm toasted focaccia with thin slices of salty prosciutto, creamy mozzarella, sweet red onions and fresh sliced tomatoes served with a pickle on the side. The perfect panini to grub on while reconnecting with an old friend and meeting new ones.
Their paninis range from $4.50 to $8 and includes a few vegetarian options. Their adorable latte art will surely put a smile to your face. Be patient when ordering, the day I came in, this cafe was running on a one-man operation.
Here at Green Muse Cafe on a Friday evening. It's raining outside so everyone is crowded indoors playing chess, reading, typing, and saving their livers from an otherwise damaging week's end. A relaxing trumpet and snare jazz album is giving the few quiet conversations a romantic soundtrack. Aside from the one black leather couch, the hard wooden bench seats attached to the wall give you a reason to leave sooner than you planned. The mocha I ordered was served in regular glass rather than in a mug, which I noticed I drank much quicker than I normally would have out of a mug. Very smart, Green Muse. Very smart. I might just order a few of your beers now to take my mind off the spine damage I've received from sitting on a plank of wood for the last hour. You win, I suppose, but I'm not overly happy about it.
Another place I really WANT TO love. Not too sure I don't love them. Close to my house, food offered, alcohol too. They even have open mics and bands play!
The vibe just isn't for me. However, if you like dark and cozy-type coffee houses, this might be the one for you. I, however, love more natural lighting and a happy and positive energy from a coffee house.
This is my favorite coffee shop, though I only recently started going on a regular basis, since I live on the other side of town. Now that I work down south, it's become a fixture for me.
The coffee is great, I love the back patio, the music never annoys me, and Annie is the best.
I really have nothing else to offer that hasn't been said.
I've been here 3 times now and I live NOWHERE near it. Seriously, I'm way on the other end of town. But I love their back porch. It is tranquil and gorgeous and there's not blaring music to distract me from conversation.
The first time I went, I got a triple iced mocha and it was really quite good. The next time I went, a week later, the same barista from the week before took one look at me and said "Triple iced mocha, right?"
Blew my mind. You rock, lady.
My girlfriend tried the salami panini and said it was great. A perfect yummy snack. I tried a friend's Vietnamese iced coffee and fell in love. I'm hooked, and I'll definitely be making the trek again soon, if only to have a great place to study or hang out.
It's easy to miss this place if you don't know what you're looking for. No real sign, but it's next to Pizza Patron.
You want to go here in the late morning. Get a table to yourself, order a blueberry muffin, use the wifi.
The music selection is phenomenal, the atmosphere very relaxed. Employees are kind and calming.
I love it when Austin doesn't try to be too hip.
This is a good, non-pretentious place you can go to for good coffee. Crazy idea, right?
I almost want to give it a bad review to scare you and everyone else away.
I am upgrading them to 5 stars due to heir bangin' toddy iced coffees. I don't even care about the (sometimes difficult to find) parking anymore. This place is worth it.
Also, they show movies out back now. Fridays I think... good movies. Like City of Lost Children, and all of the Wes Anderson films.
5 stars. Huzzah!
First of all, let me start by saying I love this place. If they had more parking and more seating I… Read more »
Many moons ago this place used to be the 503 Coffee Bar. I liked it then. I like it now. It's not set up to be a home away from home. The interior isn't cooler than you are. It's a place that hovers between trendy and messy, between pretentious and run-of-the-mill. It's an odd dynamic. You can be a broke-ass student or one of those busy, new implants from elsewhere that's "revitalizing" (not to be confused with "gentrifying") the neighborhoods of central Austin and you won't feel out of place. It exists for the caffeine addicted. It may have an agenda, it might be thinly disguised as a status symbol, but at least it doesn't create a logo and stick it on every cup of coffee you buy.
It's a good, quiet place to have some coffee. A coffee shop.
Ever since I learned about this place, I can't stop going. Like every day.
I'm a person that has a hard time doing my homework at home because of all the distractions so instead I go to the Green Muse. And I have a lot of homework. So that is a lot of Green Muse.
Apparently one of the owners has a thing for absinthe, hence the name, "Green Muse". The place has a nice feel, a wide variety of music, and lots of seats. The outside area is really nice but lately its been way to hot to use it so I mostly stay inside.
I have never had a problem with finding a seat or parking but then again, I've never gone during a spring or fall semester. I think they are open til 12.
They frequently ask me if I want to leave a tab open too, so I end up spending way too much money here. I always get the chai tea. Its not very sweet as far as chai teas go but it hits the spot on a humid Austin summer day. The other teas are really good too, I'm not much of a coffee fan. Oh and the prosciutto panini definitely deserves mentioning. They also have bagels which is a huge plus for a Jew like me.
I love this place a lot.
Green Muse is usually the place to go for late night studying/hanging out. The vibe is very nice and I can relax when I am here. It can get REALLY busy at night so I think more tables out back would be convenient. I haven't really done coffee here, but their tea selection hasn't failed me. The different baristas play their own music while on shift, so it is a nice mix up of different songs every night.
The only real issues are limited seating (when they are busy, they are BUSY) and parking- careful about parking in the next door business' spots- they tend to tow sometimes.
Whenever I tell people I'm going to my 'secret coffee shop' to crank out some work, this is the place that I'm talking about. There, I said it. To the whole cyber world.
Although this place does have the potential to be, yet, another loud, social, hangout coffee bar, I LOVE the fact that it's not! I can stay here for hours and I always feel SO focused. And NO one bothers me. I don't know what they're putting in their coffee that makes me stay motivated, but it does. They also always have the best Pandora selections playing.
Wine is a little over priced. But their sandwiches are delicious. And I also love that they have plenty of places to plug in! I do wish they had breakfast tacos though... but that's just me.
Received a note from part owner, in response to the incident mentioned in my initial review. He is def 4 stars+ in my book, and I will continue to support The Green Muse. This spot is a-ok in my book.
Recently, stopped in to The Muse again...random weekday afternoon. It is essentially as I remember… Read more »
The Green Muse kills me. It should be so awesome. Such a great space. Especially the outside, with the movie screen etc.. Great location.
So, it all seems to fall apart right when you pull into the parking lot. First off, no parking... ever... idiot business next to it always tows everyone. You'd think they could simply work out an financial agreement? a percentage of profits for shared parking? something.
Then you get inside... and instead of a lively neighborhood coffee shop, with good music and conversation, you're greeted with dead silence... and awkward stares from the 12 or so people on HP laptops that you just disturbed. I guess they were hard at work... studying... far from UT... trying to figure out how to get on the wireless network?
Then you walk up to the bar to order a coffee. Totally understaffed. Never more than one employee. So it takes about 15 minutes to get espresso drinks for 3 people. And the coffee is unfortunately about as uninspired as the clientele in the front room.
Then you walk outside (cause you can't tolerate the stuffy, quiet, pretentious atmosphere inside) only to discover that there are about 12 seats in a space that could hold 30. Why are there so few seats?
This place has such great potential to be a really unique, wonderful coffee shop. They need to flush out the zombies with some music inside, Maybe try something with an Absinthe angle? BYOB Absinthe? Provide the accessories. Address the parking situation, and redesign the seating in the outside area.
Very zenful patio, a decent variety of places to sit on the inside. Friendly staff as far as my experience so far. SUPER quiet and nice place to work or lightly chat -- most places are a bit less pleasant.
A nice little South Austin coffee house.
I used to hang out at Green Muse, but had to stop when I started spending way too much money. If you use a card they require a minimum and they do not have bottomless cups on the menu = me having to find a new joint for my bank account's sake.
However, I do recommend this coffee house - and for more than just studying or getting some work done! I LOVE their outdoor patio and am thrilled when they have music performers (except when I am trying to study or get some work done).
If Green Muse didn't require a minimum for cards and had a bottomless cup of coffee added to their menu I would be forever grateful.
Just came for the first time today and i like the environment, prices are good, food looks good, i like the art, free wifi of course and friendly service. I had the blue lady- black tea with grapefruit and blue mallow flowers, quite tasty.
The Green Muse is one of my favorite coffee shops in Austin to spend a couple of hours. The outdoor area is awesome, highly recommended if you're wanting to relax or get something done. The Wi-Fi is free, as it should be in a decent coffee house, and the staff is always pleasant.
Parking can be a problem, but this is Austin. Ride your bike, walk, or take the bus and you won't regret it.
Good food and coffee/drinks. Outdoor seating. Wi-fi. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. One of the best places in South Austin for meeting, in my opinion.
And a great place to just hang out, drink coffee and surf the web.
A diamond in the rough is how I would describe this place. It is like a peaceful oasis in the midst of a torrent of activity.
The back patio area is like a zen garden - calm and subdued and the inside feels relaxing, almost like the interior of an acupuncture clinic.
The coffee/espresso is very good and the baristas are skilled and attentive.
Anytime you want to chill, contemplate, read, or catch up with a friend over coffee this is the place to go.
When CC's Coffee House left The Drag I cried a little inside because I thought I'd have to say goodbye to my Chai soy latte addiction. And then I met the Green Muse and the crackie inside me was happy once again.
The muse also has an interesting beer selection that I've gotten to enjoy while sitting on their spacious back patio. On a brisk fall evening, it's nice to chat it up with friends out there where you won't get scowled at for being too loud (not the case on the inside). And my friend liked their panini.
No Absinthe offerrings, though. So you don't have to worry about hallucinating café dwellers when visiting. I'd say that's a plus!
I am not a coffee snob, so I can't say if this is the best coffee in the world, but I certainly have enjoyed it every time I have been there. It's location sucks, but the atmosphere easily makes up for it.
The people that work there are consistently nice and easy to talk to. I (one who generally dislikes strangers and prefers to avoid them) had a long conversation with the man working about early 90's east coast music whilst he served several customers.
I also love the bouncy chairs in front of the oven/undersea portal art installment; they are the best place to sit. Always easy to park, and always worth the drive.
I tried Green Muse for the first time this evening, hoping to find a hip and comfortable place to go read and enjoy a good dessert. I found it.
They had a nice selection of coffees, teas, beer, and wine. The indoor areas were all decorated with funky industrial hardware art. They played good music. I didn't have to listen to anyone on a cell phone. It's the sort of place that seems to be frequented by dedicated regulars. I may become one of those regulars.
A number of the other South First area coffeeshops close at 7 or so most nights. Green Muse fills the void for those looking for a casual hang with local flavor.
Why would anyone go to a starbucks? Beats me...
It's refreshing to be at a coffee joint in Austin where you are just as likely to encounter poets as you are students. That's the Green Muse.
One of my current favorites in all of Austin because of it's versatility. Great atmosphere- in or out, coffee drinks, teas, food (love the Mediterranean Plate), plenty of seating options and very laptop friendly- if that's your mode.
Wether I want to write in my journal, bang out some emails, blog or read a book, it's an ideal spot to expand horizons.
Enjoy!
http://www.nineten.net
I basically worked here for a whole day, and it was perfect. Sure, I contributed to the library-like atmosphere some people complained about, but I don't think anyone really expects quiet when they're working outside of an office or library. Grab the big table in the back corner if you're looking to work with a group of people. The place doesn't really have a sign that I could see from the street, but it's in the same building as the ACE Cash Express. Predatory lending and coffee all in one building. How convenient.
Coffee was good, and the middle eastern plate was quality. Pita bread and hummus make me happy.
I don't know what it is that they put in their chocolate chips cookies but they are amazing! Yummy. The atmosphere is comfortable and the decor is cool. The ouside patio is great! Free wi-fi, nice big tables which are perfect for studying or using the computer.
My hangout for sure. Whenever I have massive amounts of computer work - prefer to do it there. I love how a lot of people choose to work there - and respect that other people are working there - so even when I see my friends or even regulars, I don't need to worry about having to have a long conversation if I'm in the heat of a deadline ;`)
Oh the coffee?? I rate it 2nd best in town. Thats good!! The food is good too, and my sandwich is the prosciutto panini with turkey instead of prosciutto.. yum!!
Great place to hang out, caffeinate, and work. There's a cool little computer bar in the back room with a pretty view and a power strip for your laptop. They have good panini sandwiches, and the coffee drinks are great. Also the back patio is really nice, kind of modern and Zen.
The parking situation can be a little dire, so I try and hit it in off hours.
I went to Green Muse with my boyfriend the other afternoon and it was a decent experience. The food was OK, but a bit pricey. Also, I don't like olives or bell peppers and almost each menu item was full of them. Ick. The moroccan mint tea was delicious, but the coffee was just OK. I'm no coffee expert, but there was something just slightly off about it.
The best thing about the place was the really neat wall art in the front room. The submarine door over the couch is to-die-for cool. The whole place has a neat mix of art noveau and steampunk styling that totally works with the lighting and space.
When we were there, a very loud man was there with his family and a strange man came in and talked loudly to the owner about his personal problems. It was kinda desperate and depressing and detracted from my experience, but not the shop's fault at all. We were also there for a really long time and noticed that the service was really variable depending on which guy was behind the counter.
We eventually moved to the back room that looks out on a really neat patio area. We sat in a large L-shaped booth that was super comfy. The art back there was really garish and annoying though. Also, the music being piped back there was stopping and starting a lot, which was kinda distracting.
Overall, I'd say it's a decent place to go if you can find a quiet corner and don't plan to stay more than an hour or so. Try the tea and check out the cool steampunk wall decor.
I love this place. I love that the owner is kind of a snob, though in my mind I imagine that he's just a tortured, abandoned artist type with social issues... The coffee is always coffeelicous and I like that there is no seat in the house that does not have a place to plug a computer in w/in leaning distance. The free wifi rocks, the paintings range from gorgeous to unnecessarily weird. They have wine! They have beer! They'll toast a bagel and come find you to give it to you! Even though many of the kids who work here are a tad on the cranky side, I have always found that a sincere "Thank you" , or a "how are YOU today?" temporarily snaps them out of it. Or, they spit in my americano and i'm too dumb to know.
Also, the ham sandwich is spectacular.
I was waffling between 3 and 4 stars, but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm not going to gush over the place, because it definitely has some flaws- parking, staffing, and inside seating have all previously mentioned, as well as the sandwiches being a tad pricier than what I'd like to pay for the portion (though still decent). However, if it is a decent day outside and you want to get some work or studying or reading time in, this place is pretty great. It definitely has a mellow and subdued vibe, at least all the times I came here, that is very conducive to me getting work done. The back porch is spacious and bright but well shaded with more outlets than you can shake a stick at, and the wifi has never crapped out on me. Oh yes, and the chai is unsweetened _as it should be_. Put some honey in it if you want it sweeter, people. Also, they use a tab system which is great if you plan on being there for a while (I usually do).
If you want someplace to hang out and talk and laugh and be boisterous with a bunch of friends, you might be better off going to Bouldin Creek or Cafe Mundi or something, but if you need someplace chill and relaxed, Green Muse does the job quite well.
This is the second greatest place for coffee in south Austin. The prices are right on and the seating and laptop plugs are comfortable and plenty.
The only con to this place at all is that for some reason it has the environment of a library. I feel like I'm going to get scolded if I talk above a dull whisper.
Other then that this place rocks my face off!
OK, my experiences here have been at the two opposing ends of the spectrum: awful and great.
If you walk in there at night and there's some apathetic male 20something at the counter...
...turn around and walk out.
He makes shitty drinks and gets your food order wrong EVERY TIME. It's especially angering when he mixes up my vegetarian order with a meat order (which he has done EVERY TIME). I always forget to check if he got it right until I get home - at which point I just give it to my boyfriend and make myself something else.
So why the four stars if I just reported the bad experiences above?
Because this place can be really good.
If you are served by anyone else than That Guy, you will love it. He's the only pretentious, crappy-coffee-making barista I've encountered there. With all other baristas: good tasting food (small portions, though - not really worth the price) and great coffee/tea. I actually haven't seen him in a while, so maybe he's been fired.
They also serve beer here. It's not a big selection, but its definitely a good selection.
It's a pretty studious environment, so don't expect it to get rowdy or anything. Its more like a library with coffee. They sometimes have live music on the back patio. The patio is sweet, by the way. A great place to go chill out and read.
Parking can be a pain. Their neighbours are pretty psychotic about not letting Green Muse customers park in their space - and they DO tow.
The sign is small and unlit, but I had no trouble spotting it - I guess other people have, though. I live near there so I've always seen the sign while driving on Oltorf.
Also, they make a killer Iced Chai (when made by someone other than That Guy). It was nice going there during the summer, sitting on the patio with the iced chai - too cold for that now, but keep it in mind. A very mellow, quiet place.
I like this little coffee shop. Another reviewer mused about its name...I believe it refers to the cloudy, green intoxicant absinthe; the inspiration of Baudelaire and so many others.
The Green Muse has an urban, adult feel. People go there to do "something" or even "nothing", but I find they typically go alone or in pairs.
The coffee is very good. It's from Cafe Moto, a coffee roaster I am familiar with, having lived in its hometown of San Diego. The barista working the last time I went in was quite knowledgeable (I overheard him describing the differences in beans to another customer).
I'm turning into a regular there...
It has become habit to go coffee shop hunting on the weekends. I don't know when or why we started this, but Corinne and I always go a-searching for brightly lit patios with strong coffee and good wi-fi.
I've only been to Green Muse once, so it's entirely possible that my appraisal is unfair, but I'm not in love. Green Muse has a strange layout and a quiet, concentrated vibe. One medium-sized room in the front, a narrow back room that reminds me of a slightly unfriendly breakfast nook, and an expansive back patio. Shady, but big. Sometimes the wind will throw a fit and rustle your papers, but otherwise, pretty chill.
My Green Muse ham sandwich was tasty (a bit greasy) and Corinne had some very flavorful hummus that she talked about for a good twenty minutes. The iced tea was cold and appealing, but I left thinking this little place (near Oltorf and South First) is missing something. I think I'll go back to try and find it.
Not my muse, but inspiring for others. Worth a visit.
This used to be the 503 Coffee Bar.
Webster's Dictionary defines muse as "a musing; a deep meditation". Is a Green Muse a jealous meditation? Can anybody really meditate after downing a bunch of coffee? Is it some sort of inspiration? Maybe of the financial kind?
Despite the fact that I've never liked the name of this place, that hasn't prevented me from enjoying myself here. I love the outdoor patio they have, and (surprise) they often have live music in the evenings.
All five of these stars go directly to the outdoor deck without passin' Go. Whoa. I had NO idea it could be that rad. Seriousree. I even forgot whether or not I enjoyed the coffee. For real. I'll dock stars if I try it in the future and it sucks, but for now this shall remain in the realm of holiest of awesome.
Oh, the fountain. It's all about the fountain.
I've always have a hard time finding it on the Oltorf and 1st sign extravaganza.
Have met up with clients here, and never connected at the same time due to miscommunication about the back.
It's ALL ABOUT the back.
Beautiful back, all peacefull an' shit, SERIOUSLY....
On those stressful days. On those days we reach a breaking point where we say fuck this noise.
I pull into the Green Muse parking lot and hope I can make it to the back...in time....
And there, with a draft beer (yes, during the day), the fountain trickling and patrons being good about cel phone ettiquette....seriously, a life saver.
Thank you, Green Muse.
Tea Embassy now at Lift Cafe!
Austin, TX
this week only
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Coffee & Tea
Austin, TX
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Coffee & Tea
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