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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches
215 S Lamar BvdJoin us in celebrating the wonderful of Tea. Our good friends at Tea Embassy will be selling their unique assorted teas at Lift Cafe.
Announced 3 days agoMon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Hands down, my favorite coffee shop in Austin. It's within walking distance of my apartment, and a great place to chat with friends or get some work done.
The owner is awesome and always makes a point to talk to us when we stop in. My favorite part? Their smoothies are made entirely from real fruit - none of that sugary stuff that most places put in. The Hill Country Runner is simply delish.
I've always avoided Lift because I assumed parking would be a hassle, but a realtor recently set up a meeting there with one of my clients and I and I couldn't be more thankful to become initiated. Parking in the garage was a snap--totally free and you don't even have to deal with getting a ticket validated. The interior is hip but not so hip you had to check your outfit at the door. Coffee was great, furniture's funky. Art from the Austin Art Garage is a total bonus--I'd been eyeing many of the pieces on Lift's walls for weeks on the AAG website, so this was an unexpected opportunity to check that out in person while waiting for the barista to work her magic.
I'll definitely be back.
I've lived across the street for months and never ventured over until today, but I'm so glad I did! I'm a mobile worker, and the outside facade I think scared me into thinking it was just a run in and get your stuff kind of place, but it's super laptop friendly. One of the few places I feel like I could definitely hang out all day. Here are the great things I experienced on my first visit:
* Super friendly staff, as most of the commenters have said so far
* The soup of the day, a tomato bisque, was delicious, and so cute in a little sipping cup
* The Vito Italian sandwich was *great.* The bread especially was the perfect crunchy warm softness. They said they get their bread daily from Sweetish Hill
* It was a little cold inside, so I went outside, and was happy to find a super convenient outlet out there as well
* The bottomless cups of coffee come in unique mugs. They gave me the giraffe! So fun :)
* Great music, I felt like I was listening to my own iPod, with some cool extras thrown in
* Apparently they just recently added couches in the back, they look ultra comfy
I'll definitely be coming back!
I have driven past Lift countless times since moving to Austin and despite my attraction to the giant green sign and my desire to check it out, somehow I always put it off till next time. Last Sunday, I finally made it to Lift. I was heading to the hike and bike with Finian, the greatest dog in the Universe, when I decided I needed a LIFT. And not just a little lift. But a BIG LIFT. I was very happy to see their largest size cup, perfect for the Americano I was seeking. I also noticed the playful camaraderie of the baristas. Although I didn't stay long, I enjoyed my beverage and the atmosphere at LIFT. It was the perfect start to my date with my dog (the greatest dog in the Universe). I will definitely return. Extra star power for the super squeaky cleanness of the entire establishment including the ladies room.
My fiance and I go to Lift weekly - we've done this since it has opened. You never know how long these little places will stay on the map, but I think it's safe to say that Lift is here to stay - and thank God, because I can't live without it.
John is soooo friendly and so is the rest of the staff. They remember your face, they are happy to serve you and always put a smile on my face. Let's face it - I'm going in there to get coffee, if anyone can put a smile on my face before I've had my Lift Blend then they MUST be good.
Lift now has sandwiches, salads, and even wine and beer...my little coffee shop is growing up :)
Oh, want to know what to order...this is what I get:
Medium Lift blend (it's always fresh), and leave enough for cream; small fresh squeezed OJ; blueberry muffin (warmed, please). Perfect order...
I can't say enough good things about Lift - it truly is one of my favorites!
I recently had a smoothie here and it was delicious! Ingredients were fresh, service was good - I… Read more »
Awesome smoothies and coffee! I really like the Antioxidance (pomegranate, mango, and blueberry). I like that they use biodegradable "plastic" cups. I haven't tried the food yet, but it looks really good. I normally come here after a day in the park or on the trail. The inside is full of serious, quiet people on their laptops... so I sit outside and laugh out loud to The Onion.
PS - Employees are really funny and friendly... and just as excited about their awesome, massive juicer as I am! (its really big! and bright orange!)
This place KICKS BUTT. FTW Coffee Bean.
I just had a sandwich from there. I have to say it was the BEST sandwich I have ever had! Very yummy. Turkey and Jack cheese. Awesome. Everyone is very friendly. This is by far my fav coffee shop and now my sandwich shop! EXTREMELY clean!!!
This place is great. The people that work there are awesome. They have great coffee and fresh OJ.… Read more »
You've seen the neon green sign. It screams LIFT. It looks Ikea-ish but with a dash of perk. Don't let the sign fool you--like I would have had I not read your reviews. A concrete floor, crate & barrel-like couch, nice accent furniture, and art you would find in Bed Bath & Beyond --HOWEVER-- this is theeeee original version of what BB&B sells. I bought two paintings right off the bat (still need to sign the check, but ....). Both of which would have strangely sold for just a few bucks less for the BB&B framed photocopies. You also may wonder if you have to pay to park in the attached garage--you don't. And there was plenty of available spaces. The outdoor seating seemed a bit odd since part of it sits between the garage driveway and the cafe, but you almost feel like you're sitting in a garage. Takes me back to my Brooklyn days when I would drink my coffee with a shot of car exhaust on the side. I was able to sit inside with my dog, which is so huge. This means I can take Marcel with me on a rainy day, cold day (if there ever is one), a hurricane or what have you. I do not take my dog everywhere, but I'm still enjoying how dog-friendly Austin is and taking full advantage.
Lift serves wine and beer--a very limited menu, but I had a perfectly nice glass served Parisian style (in a small water glass vs. a fancy wine glass) for less than $5. To me, that's pretty incredible.
I have so much more to explore in Austin, but Lift is definitely someplace I would visit again.
Love the fresh fruits, extensive sandwich/wrap/salad menu, and detail oriented baristas! This shop has great options for someone who is looking for a light option after a run on the trail or looking to fill up while heavy lifting a project on your laptop.
There is a plug at almost every table and the staff is always VERY friendly and walks around to make sure everyone is happy.
It says alot when the employees are happy. It usually means the business take pride in their employees' satisfaction levels. After all, if they are happy, so are the customers.
I will always be here whenever I am working away from the office!
In the back-to-school rush this morning, I forgot to pack my own lunch. Thus was I forced to forage for my sustenance in Central Austin. Lift is where I landed.
I'm usually very reluctant to fork over nearly $4 for a 12 oz. drink but the evil fresh fruit in the bins wouldn't stop talking to me. So, I ordered the "Antioxidance" (pomegranate juice, blueberry, mango). It was so rich that I totally feel like I got my money's worth.
I also had the "Vegtastic" sandwich and had to take half away to finish.
The portion sizes at Lift aren't big, but the food is very filling.
I'll definitely be back to try a salad.
This place is awesome--they have something for everyone: local coffee, super healthy smoothies, kombucha, taco deli breakfast tacos, gluten free treats, amazing sandwiches, and super healthy salads!! They also have the best "margaritas" in town...and you can add whatever fresh fruit you want to them...live music every Saturday. I haven't found a better gluten-free sandwich in Austin! And, you have to try the "pizza-dilla"...its amazing. The staff really aim to please, so if you can't decide on something or don't see what you need, definitely ask and they will get it for you!
One of the things about growing up a little picky when it comes to dining is that you miss out on some of the kaleidoscope combinations that sandwich places tend to offer when you grow older. There are many such eats at work here, from the clever to the straightforward, but in a pinch they'll always let those of us who can't make up our mind settle for a build-your-own number featuring some ingredients that you pick yourself.
Enter Lift Cafe today, where the dessert lover and I stopped in for a mid-day respite among the escalating triple digits and hope for a respite from same. Among the first positive signs? underground parking, replete with cracks in the stone facing that let but a little light in. I mean, it's cool in there, but know where you are. Either way, once we made our way inside and sorted sandwich options my turkey number arrived uber grilled and ready for action...sprouts, cucumber, tomato and the main course were all accounted for and all in harmony. I set it off with a Dr. Brown's Black Cherry soda, cause hey, the sweet's gotta come from somewhere other than just the alternate side of the table.
In a pinch, I know I've found a summer hot spot to grab something healthy and head back on my way. And ultimately? Perhaps more. Besides, we each define ourselves as we grow. Why not do that grinning?
When you learn a thing or two about nutrition, one of the saddest things to discover is that most smoothie joints hide horrific amounts of sugar in their "healthy" drinks. So when I walked into this cute little joint in this awesome location, I was overjoyed to learn that they do smoothies the way they should be. They only use juice as a base (unless you want other stuff in it) and they just add fruit. YAY! Plus, they have a great variety of delicious frozen fruits to add like pineapple, mango, and all sorts of berries! And for those who like traditional smoothies, they still have bananas!
Also, one morning, I dropped my Pineapple Express smoothie with Passion Fruit juice and they were kind enough to replace it for me free of charge when I attempted to buy another one. Service, as always, is a huge plus for me. I now make it a point to go there if I am in the area for work.
So, a couple weeks ago I got a Yelp message from the owner (I think) of this place, recommending I go there because they have a few vegan options on the menu.
I gotta say, I'm really glad I got the memo. I really like this place. I had the veggie sandwich and it was super tasty. It had plenty of veggies (including fresh spinach and not cheap lettuce, which is one of my biggest pet peeves). I really wish they had vegan potato salad because that would have made my heart explode into a thousand bits, but no biggie. The sandwich was good and the dirty chai with soy was delish as well. The staff is super friendly and they seem happy at their job - goofing off and enjoying themselves, but still getting the food out on time, which is nice to see. They have wifi I think. My mom had the pizza dilla and she said it was fantastic!
Overall, I'm very impressed and I'm happy that this place is in my 'hood. I'll go back for sure. And if you guys ever have a need for home made gluten-free sandwich bread or vegan desserts, I'm your go-to girl.
Of course everything at the Yelp party looked totally yummy, but as soon as I saw the spinach salad with cranberries, pecans, and feta cheese, it was love at first site. The guys were extremely nice and friendly and seemed pretty happy to talk about their food. When I actually stopped to pay attention to the table cloth to see who they were, I shouted, "LIFT! I've heard so much about y'all!"
Enter this morning. I wake up, not too hungover. I think I sweated Makers Mark last night. Trying to figure out what I want for lunch before heading into work, the salad was the first thing that came to my mind. And I could also get coffee. Perfect.
Things to know:
1. They have free parking in the garage, so don't let that frighten you. It was actually easier and nicer finding parking there than the Coffee Bean.
2. Dog-friendly. They had water bowls and dog biscuits for any pooches that came in.
3. Pretty calm and relaxing space. Not overly-stimulating at all. Actually, just thinking about it makes me feel pretty laid-back and chill. It's a small space, but there is seating inside and outside. The outside seating is shady thanks to the garage.
I told the guys I decided to come in today for my first time after eating the salad at the yelp party. We chatted a bit and he said he was shocked at how fast their gluten-free sandwiches went. He didn't realize they'd be such a hit, but apparently they disappeared pretty quickly. I ordered a small vanilla latte and the Fricken Schmidt salad (the spinach, cranberries, ect.) and asked if they could add chicken to it. While they were making it I drooled at how tasty the frozen berries and fruit for smoothies looked in the cooler.
I'm not hell bent on local only, but this place is affordable and yummy, with the added cherry being it is local. I'm happy to throw my support behind this place, and I have no doubt this may become an old trusty lunch fall back once a week.
Edit: Changed the name of the salad! Thanks for the correction. :)
Since I wrote my last review LIFT added salads and tasty sandwiches! they are also about to add WINE! hello? this is right near work and right next to my favorite day spa (Viva)....I am in h-e-a-v-e-n.
The fresh squeezed OJ has become a daily addiction!
I give LIFT Cafe 5 stars! great smoothies, great coffee, super clean and super friendly staff! oh,… Read more »
Grabbed a sandwich and a salad here for $13 for a picnic. Awesome deal. I ordered ahead and it was ready upon pick up. I added veggies to both the salad and sammie and there was no extra charge, always nice. the location is really cool and the people there were pretty - I would like to go back and have a coffee or smoothie and sit inside or in the patio area and people watch. They have their own parking which is another plus. And, you can buy booze there to go.
Good value, good food, my only complaints are: I didn't get any dressing with my salad (i had specifically requested it on the side, and given that it had bacon in it I was really excited. bummer) Also, we didn't get any silverware or napkins. given that part of the gig here is that you can get "take away" this seems like an important factor. Were we supposed to pick them up on the way out? If so, it would have been nice to have been told because I ate my salad with my hands. In a trailer park. Hot.
**Was personally contacted by the owner who thanked me and kindly informed me they are working out the kinks in the to-go orders as they just added salads and sandwiches to the menu. What customer service! Definitely going back!
Great options for Smoothies....also appears to have Taco Deli (albeit they were out by the time I got there around 10:30)...and in general the menu looks appetizing...I may have found a new post Town Lake Run retreat...keeping my fingers crossed.
BTW, had the Class Cooler (with Peanut Butter) and Anti-oxidance Smoothies and both were very good!
excellent place, super friendly staff, beats everything that's around it, go for a run around the lake then go to lift and drink coffee and chow down.....also love the logo. Avoid chains....
LIFT is brilliant. As a resident of Bridges on the Park, I probably go there at least five times week. The staff is uber friendly and pretty much know everyone on a first name basis. The coffee is deli-sh. I don't even have to order anymore. The atmosphere is totally chill and laid back with free WI FI. They have also recently added a selection of beer, wine and sandwiches to the menu. My favorite time to go is early Saturday mornings around 8 AM for a smoothie after a long run. It's my Zen time.
AND the best part about LIFT is that they are dog friendly. Everyone knows Rigley on a first name basis and she is usually the welcome wagon for anyone walking through the front door. It's Rigley's FAV spot.
What a gorgeous little spot! The coffee was pretty darn good, must give it another try. The location is great, the staff was friendly and their smoothies look amazing! I love that they post what all the ingredients do for the body as well, quite interesting to read. Hubby was thrilled as they had Taco Deli bfst tacos available as well as a discounted refill. Bravo!
This place will still do well with that darn chain coffee shop going in down the street. Wine/beer license to come!
This place takes smoothies and coffee to the next level- and in some cases, combines them. Lots of fresh (and frozen) ingredients to choose from and a solid ice-brewed coffee, but I think what keeps people coming back is that it is so far from the corporate garbage that keeps popping up in town. The owner is cool and the service is always solid- a classic example of what makes the '04 special.
I'd deliver 5-stars if they would bring a veggie juice menu (they have a very nice juicer going unused). If you build it, they will come.
Smoothies disgust me. I don't know why. I just don't like them. But, Lift has made me a changed woman.
I went there to for the packing party a few weeks ago, and I was in for a surprise. Parking? In the garage? Holy cow. I'm impressed. That alone gets 3 stars. I parked no more than 3 spaces away from the front door.
I brought Baby Mouse with me as we were going to attend the Pecan Street Festival after the packing party. Lift gets another star for being dog friendly. Yay! Not only that, they tables and chairs outside were sturdy enough for me to attach Mouse's leash. For those who have not met Baby Mouse, he's about 125 lbs, and he can pull up to 3300 lbs. Sturdiness is key.
While we were there, the staff had brought out some smoothie samples, and I was singing a new tune. These had strawberry in them, and were delicious. Somewhat creamy, cool, and didn't have that "watery consistency" that I hate. Even Mouse enjoyed some, though he made a bigger mess than I did. Also, I don't typically lick things off the sidewalk. Mouse is less discriminating than I am. One more star for making a damn good smoothie.
Yay for Lift. I now like Lift smoothies. All other smoothies, subject to testing.
I have kind of a crush on Lift.
I stopped in for the first time yesterday, looking for a little lunch. I'd been meaning to check out Lift for a while at Tara M's recommendation, but always thought it'd be a hassle to park here. Not at all - free retail parking in the parking garage for the Bridges. Woo!
So I wander in and start checking out the food selection. And I experienced some of the best service I can remember having in a LONG time. I didn't get the name of the barista who helped me (I just can't compete with Friendliest Guy in Austin, Don P.), but she was perfect - friendly and helpful without being overbearing; sassy without being pretentious; and just nailed the right balance of cheerfulness and attentiveness that literally made me feel better just for having set foot in the place. If I owned a retail establishment, I would have tried my damnedest to hire this woman away from the good folks at Lift.
As far as substantial food goes, Lift offers a nice array of vegetarian wraps and non-vegetarian sandwiches, along with TacoDeli tacos in the mornings. I had a curried chicken salad sandwich ($6), which was quite fresh, despite being pre-made. I love the kick of curry in my chicken salad, and there were raisins and celery in it, too, which gave it just a hint of sweetness (I don't like raisins, but they were good in this context) and a nice, fresh crunch. I have to say...it didn't quite measure up to the chicken salad sandwich at Mambo Berry, I think because Mambo Berry's sandwiches ARE made fresh and their chicken salad has real grapes as opposed to raisins...but still darn tasty.
I wasn't in a sweet-drink mood, so I just had ice water with my sandwich, but I did admire their pretty substantial smoothie selection (many of which include edgy ingredients like pomegranate juice and raw cacao powder) and the interesting menu of "lifted" drinks (The Penguin sounded particularly sinful - cafe mocha with vanilla syrup, oreo pieces, and whipped cream - yum!).
Plenty of room both inside and out on the (dog-friendly) patio, and free wi-fi for those who want to hunker down and work for a while.
If you need a lift to your day, this aptly-named cafe can deliver.
I don't write reviews very often but I want you to know that I have been a Heavy Lifter for quite a while now. My favorite little coffee shop just added sandwiches and salads bringing them up to a FIVE star rating! Now I can get my coffee and OJ in the morning, yummy sandwich with a cute side salad (love the little salad) for lunch and wind down with a glass of wine in the afternoon. By the way ladies, I highly recommend a Quacks chocolate brownie (also a new addition) with your wine on particularly stressful days. It helps!
Love the staff too! Always friendly and consistent.
Cheers to Lift!
You can't miss seeing Lift on South Lamar ~ and so I kept meaning to get back and check it out. I love coffee places and wanted to go, but I didn't have any idea where I'd find parking.
Finally, after a walk around Town Lake (I abhor the new name, don't make me write it!!!) I made the decision to figure this out. Full of trepidation ~that it looked a little too trendy for a sweaty trail walker~ and I was skeptical about parking too...Well, my hesitancy was unwarranted!! The parking is SO COOL! Under cover, garage parking for FREE in Austin??? WOW!
It's really cool inside and the servers are all so friendly without being phony salespeople. I was greeted, yet left alone enough to read the menu and peek around so I could get a feel for the place and order just what I wanted to.
I got a coupon to come back and buy one get one free...so I came back the next day with my son. It was also a good experience.
I've gone a couple of more times since...still good!
The reason this place is a 4 rather than 5 star in my book is my own picky coffee taste buds. The coffee tastes okay to me...but it's not my number one "comfort coffee" type (flavor wise). I'm weird that way, so don't let it cause you any concern...go check them out!
I'm always looking for new coffee places. It was too hot (what? in central Texas in August?!) for a hot cuppa joe.
I usually don't get smoothies. And when I do get smoothies, I usually don't get ones with banana in them. And I usually don't buy the pastries, cookies, whatever that are at the counter.
I must have been eager to try new things because I did all those things yesterday.
I had the Elivs (he had me at peanut butter). It had bananas and nut butter and cocoa powder in it. Unlike most smoothies, the banana flavoring was not over-powering. It was delicious on a hot day. And the straw was really big to suck up all the goodness.
I also got one of the cookies that was at the counter. It, too, was delicious.
The guys behind the counter were very friendly and full of good, positive energy.
There are a million smoothies and add-ins and coffees that I'd love to go back and try.
I did a drive by breakfast taco pick-up this morning at Lift. I pass it every morning on my way to work and am usually in too much of a hurry to stop.
[So I have to preface this review with a disclaimer. I haven't been inside Lift and I haven't tried their coffee. This review is only based on eating two breakfast tacos. I don't even know if they make their breakfast tacos. Therefore, I vow to return to Lift and sample some of their drinks to get a better flavor of the place. At that point, I will review again.]
My rating is really somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. Let's call it, 3.625 stars. I gave it 1.875 stars, just for the easy in/easy out nature of the place. I didn't even shut the scooter off. It's like a drive-thru for scooters. It's a scoot-thru. But even if I had been in a larger vehicle, say, a car, then they have free parking and it's all very pedestrian friendly as well. (Just look out for people in the scoot-thru lane if you're walking.)
These weren't the best b-tacos I've had in Austin. But, these were the best b-tacos that I only paid $1 for. That's right. $1. each. even. not $1.08, just $1.
That's value, Aristotle.
This is my new favorite place near Lady Bird Lake to fuel up before a run or refuel after.
In addition to a HUGE selection of fresh fruits and juices to build your own perfect smoothie, they also serve fresh sandwiches and wraps made in house and bagels and muffins purchased locally. And, they recently started serving Taco Deli breakfast tacos! till 11AM or when sold out:(
If I stop here before a run I like to grab a Refried Black Bean and Monterrey Jack Taco and a fresh squeezed orange juice. After a run I go for a refreshing smoothie. My favorite so far is the strawberries, kiwi and banana blended with orange juice - Yummmy!
They have a large covered out door seating area that wraps around from the front to the back with plenty of room between tables and they are dog friendly or at least don't enforce the rules if they are not. And they have a little stand on the outside that you can get coffee refills at - convenient for those of us with dog in tow.
And they have a large covered parking garage - look for the "Retail Parking" sign just before "Lift" heading N on Lamar.
This place is locally owned and buys local and makes you a little bit healthier every time you visit. So check this place out and return again soon to try something different - I certainly will.
Coffee and smoothies are very good. People are nice. Close to the Hike/Bike trail. Free, working WIFI. I popped open my laptop, and the manager showed me all the tables that had plugs underneath him... so cool.
And they started selling Taco Deli tacos.. which always feel a little flimsy, but are always REALLY good.
They've also just opened up outside seating.. so plenty of room. It's cold today, but I can see this place being packed when the weather's nice. Anyhow.. yeah, dig it.
Lift puts the "oo" back into smoothie...
My eyes were as big as saucers as I glanced in the chilled refrigerator case which housed a plethora of brightly colored fruits of normal and tropical varieties. Mangos! Strawberries! Blueberries! Kiwi! The choices are endless. And these fruits were real, not some slimey puree that other shops serve. Mix it with apple juice, orange juice, any juice you want.
The healthy side of me screamed yes, go for it Kristen. The unhealthy side of me rejoiced in unison ("good fruit tastes like candy anyway") Oh this was win-win. With this 100-degree weather, there is no better get-a-way then this little oasis off of Lamar. Parking is great too - and shaded.
The only downside - careful when you order anything darkly colored (such as my personal fave, strawberries whirled with blueberries). Your smile may show traces of the berry seeds and stains on your teeth. But after such a quenching drink, you'll not really care.
Since I don't drink blended coffee drinks, but stick with regular coffee, I can only speak to the regular, brewed coffee at Lift. And it's fine. Not the best, but not the worst by any means.
I stopped by today for a Taco Deli taco (YUM!) and a cup of coffee on the way to work. The service was friendly, and the taco was awesome. I had forgotten how much I love Taco Deli breakfast tacos.
I've yet to try the smoothies or anything else at Lift, but I like the fact that I can run by on the way to work and grab a taco and a fine cup of coffee for under $5. Actually, I think the taco is a little pricey at 1.99, but that's for all the tacos, no matter the ingredients and there was avocado on mine! Yum!
I wasn't real pleased with my first experience at Lift, but Brad's review and post is really cool.… Read more »
Lift recently opened near my home.
First let me say that Brad the owner, John the manager, Risa, Danny, Andrea and the rest of the team at Lift are terrific. From the the moment I stepped foot in the store, they let me know that they wanted feedback on the smoothies and the new sandwiches they were about to start making (the store has only been open for 2 weeks).
The smoothies are delicious with real fruit you can see behind the counter. They have sandwiches made in the store every morning. I recommend the wraps. The baked goods are made somewhere else (since they don't have the facilities there to make their own) but the bran muffin I had was very good.
Their current cups are styrofoam but are temporary until their logo'd paper cups come in.
Overall I love this place and much of it has to do with the customer-focused and friendly staff. They always welcome me and my dog by name.
I would give them 5 stars but they are having a few issues getting their wi-fi sorted out. And I'm hoping they will switch to loose tea instead of tea bags. (I will update my review if they do : )
UPDATE: I'm bumping up to 5 stars as the wi-fi seems to be fixed now.
This morning I finally had the chance to go check out the new joint called Lift on South Lamar (also learned today that this area is now referred to as SoLa). They refer to themselves as a Beverage Cafe and it's clear, as you walk though the door with the cafe section to the left and the Smoothie section to the right, that liquids rule the day.
I am not sure who the founders of this establishment are yet but I was lucky enough to run into the General Manager, John Voss who was kind enough to give me the lowdown on things. John was super friendly and clearly enthusiastic about Lift and it's mission. A few short minutes with John and you just can't help but want Lift to be wildly (weirdly?) successful.
Lift is located on the ground floor in the new Bridges Condo project nestled conveniently on the corner off the street and next to free covered parking. There is a nice covered outdoor seating area with plenty of chairs and (hope it lasts) no college students with open laptops. I really liked the look and feel of the finish out of the interior. A long narrow space with plenty of light, seating and neat photos of Austin everywhere. Lift is proud of the fact that it is a local Austin establishment, as are all of the other retail shops within the same complex. Overall, I really liked the environment and the vibe of Lift. Friendly faces and a clean, neat presentation go a long way with me.
John and an associate were very helpful in assisting me on my choice and clearly explained all the ingredients of the smoothies on my short list. I ordered a "Cherry Love" from the menu with a bit of a twist. The ingredients consisted of real frozen cherries and banana, almond milk, raw cacao powder and 2 shots of espresso. This hybrid coffee/ fruit smoothie drink merged a couple morning necessities in one delicious 16 oz. cup. In fact, I have renamed this the "Dean Machine" because it gets my motor running in the morning and even protects me from gout (a periodic gift from Dad).
The price of my concoction ended up being close to 7 bucks. Surely the double shot of espresso was the main culprit why this drink doubled my typical morning beverage expenditure- but it was well worth it. The Dean Machine was a hit and I will surely order it again. I might even further customize that puppy with a few other secret ingredients as to make it truly unique.
So please do give Lift a visit and support this fine establishment. I wish them all well and will be putting them into my weekly rotation now to see if the experience holds up. Will definitely be chiming in with updates on Lift and hope to add some pix soon.
Drink up and enjoy!
Been here a few times already and have only had the smoothies. They rock! All the smoothies are made with real fruit, no added sugar, no ice, so you know you are getting the good stuff. The decor inside is nice and the people working there are very helpful and cordial too.
The coffee drink options look real interesting, but I have yet to try them because everytime I go here it is after a workout or run and I need a little something more than caffeine. Unfortunately it is not a place by my work where I can grab coffee to go in the mornings...soon enough though! Only con...is that the smoothies are a little pricey, but it is a small compromise for the quality you are getting!
Unfortunately, a lot of local cafes fail to make a good coffee drink. Lift has been a pleasant surprise to the local coffee scene.
I stopped by a month ago to try a blended coffee drink, and I was not disappointed. Today I tried their much-hailed smoothies, and it felt good! Whatever you're doing with your smoothies, don't change it!
I really wish I could give half stars because it's about as average a coffeehouse they come. The espresso was weak, with no brightness and very mild earthy/chocolate tones. The really snazzy La Marzocco swift is cool from a geek perspective but didn't add the final product.
Smoothies? Food bars? Lift labels itself a "beverage cafe," so maybe I'm wearing the wrong set of spectacles when judging this, but when the first 10 things on the menu are coffee drinks, you've got to deliver. Lift, unfortunately, does not.
Well, I love it when new coffee joints open up that have a fun-loving, "the world is my oyster," pleasantly energetic staff. Common sense might lead one to assume that the energy is a given with people that work at coffee shops bc they have access to free expresso all day. Now, this can be an accurate assumption, but there are various forms of projected energy and sometimes it can be the high-strung, manic kind (you know....sweating, twitching, rushing....like a tweaked-out crackie. Gross....we've all seen it) or, that in this particular scenario, demeanor can be accompanied by a smidgen of pretentiousness....not so cute. I truly hate that and it just makes me want to back-hand the person and walk out, leaving myself to suffer through a morning/afternoon without the much needed coffee to straight jack....me....UP! Well, neither is the case here; very nice, SUPER fun, and delightfully accommodating. :) I've only been here twice and already I'm a fan. The coffee is FABulous and though I haven't tried the "eats" they look /sound super amazing and it's only a matter of time before I go to town on those dank-ass sandwiches. Oh, I haven't tried the smoothies yet, BUT my co-workers are in some deep-ass love, son! Apparently, a girl that works there makes her own special concoction and word on the street, or....in the office, haha, is that it's pretty damn sexual. I also have to give some SERIOUS kudos to the "Free Parking" as well. I work within walking distance, but bc free parking is a rarity in Austin, and generally only provides three spots (friggin' WEAK), this excites me enough to fore-go walking a block (which might make me sound like a lazy ass) to cruise .5 seconds away. Haha.
Lift, you rock my face off. I shall tell the universe!
I've starting brewing coffee at home that makes me happy... Such that, when I go out for coffee I'm often disappointed. But yesterday I visited Lift and realized that I was really enjoying my coffee. The space and location are great. They have creative coffee cup succulents on the tables. I say thumbs up!
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Juice Bars & Smoothies
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Coffee & Tea
Austin, TX
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: University of Texas
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Coffee & Tea
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