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Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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What you need to know:
a.) Summermoon fire-roasts their beans right here in Austin, TX (up near Dripping Springs, actually, done all by hand in a tiny roasting hut on their ranch)!
b.) Summermoon is a family owned establishment, wherein when they're not making the finest fair-trade coffee and espresso drinks in town, they're down in South America helping communities build better living situations with funds invested by the cafe's earnings.
c.) Summermoon sells bags of their coffee beans at other locally owned business franchises throughout Austin.
d.) Summermoon's indoor atmosphere is cozy and intimate (plus they play good music!) and they also afford outdoor seating on the front deck for you sun-worshippers.
e.) Justin & Co. are some of the nicest darned people you'll ever meet here in Austin. Period.
Parking situation be damned ~ just go there and see/taste for yourself!
I stopped by with a friend to get some fire roasted coffee to-go for the first time and I was really impressed. Tasted so great that I went back for a refill after I dropped my friend off.
Inside atmosphere was quite nice (loved the colors), the guy behind the counter had a great attitude and was really informative about the place. Thanks Summermoon!
Annoying loud babies should not be taken to coffee shops. And certainly not two of them.
For fire roasted coffee, it was pretty bland. I found the coffee at Thunderbird much better and flavorful...
I have only been here once but I look forward to my next trip. They are the closest coffee house to my house and I love the art scattered about inside.
STRONG COFFEE! That adds a star on that fact alone.
They have tasty breakfast snacks too, which always brings a smile to my face. Add to the fact some very friendly and happy people work there, and I can't wait to go back!
Showed up on a late weekday afternoon with parched mouth and a killer sweet tooth craving. I was hoping they would have one of those Russell's/Quack's/Upper Crust cinnamon rolls..you know those gigantore sinfully evil layers of flaky,cinnamony sugar..almost croissant like rolls? Those things are my weakness and I would never want to know the nutritional information on one of those bad boys because it would just ruin me to pieces to know the damage, but I digress..
The baked goods department was sparse, but I can't blame them since I rolled in around 6PM. I opted for a frothy, creamy, and cool Wintermoon drink. The guy kept saying it was made of some milk mixture with 8 different secret ingredients. I kept eyeing the "Heath Mocha" something or other frap like drink, but got persuaded to get the Wintermoon and boy was I happy with it. I don't know what the ingredients are, but they must put crack in it or something because it was damn good. Another item I do not want to know the nutritional value of, and just enjoy. The closest thing I could relate to the taste of this little gem of a drink is maybe an espresso flavored ice cream that melted in my cup, topped with some ice cubes. Absolutely nothing wrong with that in my book.
The only issue I had was trying to get out of the parking lot and onto 1st street. It was a complete death trap getting out, but with Wintermoon in hand, things didn't seem so bad. Next time I'll for sure check this place out earlier in the day and sample the rest of the goodies.
I am in fact sipping a quarter moon latte as I type this review...
This coffee is a life and job saver. Woke up 30 minutes late with my head still pounding from the music and beers at Mohawks last night. I instantly had the feeling it was going to be one of those days. Ugh. As I lay in bed contemplating the last time I called in "sick" to work, inspiration struck like lightning! I was suddenly surged with energy that could only come from the anticipation of Summermoon. I enthusiastically hopped out of bed and into the shower knowing that I would soon be in coffee heaven...
My close proximity to this adorable little coffee house will most certainly take its toll on my piggy bank, but I just can't resist the lure of their wood-fired roast and dangerously addictive "moon milk". 10 minutes later I am sitting at my desk and with every sip I take I can feel the lifeblood returning to my body. If only your magical powers included a cup that automatically refilled itself when empty. No worries, there is always tomorrow morning!
Bonus: They have Torchy's tacos on their bfast menu which is also contributing to my recovery :-)
** The only reason for me knocking off a star is for their waffles. They have such potential, however they are served plain jane (no fruit, no whipped cream, no fancy syrup).**
I still pledge my undying love to you, Summermoon!! xoxo
Best coffee I've had in Austin. Done.
What? You want more? Well, I'm no coffee connoisseur, so I can't say why exactly. My guess is the wood-fired roasting takes out the bitterness. It's just really good coffee, ok? Trust me.
The interior...cute and kitschy.
The parking...stinks.
And if there weren't 9, yes NINE, coffee shops within walking distance from where I live, I would be at Summermoon more often. (Seriously my neighborhood must be on a 24/7 caffeine high!) However, I have bought the Summermoon coffee beans (Sweet Hearth) and its great brewed at home too!
Still great coffee, but possibly the worst parking lot in the world.
Only been here once, but it's how a coffee shop should be. There's comfy chairs and tall tables and… Read more »
Why in Hell do people keep this place in business? Easily one of the worst cappuccinos I've ever had. Cappuccinos should not be 12 ounces of milk and 200 degrees.
Add to this, the barista took about 5 minutes to get to us because she was arguing with her mom on the phone. WTF....
Coffee is decent and I definitely agree about the parking can be a bit troublesome. The employee behind the counter was too busy talking about having a toothache to her friends than serving coffee. The decor is really nice.
Summermoon closes early. So if you are looking to get coffee late night...you can scratch that off your list...
Great Ambiance. parking isn't the best. I would come back here again one day in the future.
I'll start by saying I really want to give this place 3.5 stars, but alas, no such option. So, the rating A-OK will have to stand, as I'm closer to that than Yay! I'm a fan. But it's not as though I'm NOT a fan...aye the age old yelp-ilemma (that was me trying to juxtapose yelp and dilemma, not nearly as successful as I'd hoped). Be that as it may, this joint has got pretty good coffee, a relaxing atmosphere, and an absolutely horrifying parking lot. I exaggerate the parking lot situation to make a point. If you drive anything bigger than a Honda Fit, be prepared to have your parking/backing up skills tested. It's just kind of a small lot and the opposing rows of spaces are not really adequately distant (at least in Texas standards).
The last few times I've gone in I've done so to study, like most other people who are in there, which is always helpful in setting up the right vibe and keeps the house quiet. The staff haven't always been stellar... they really encompass the stereotypical i-don't-give-a-shit-about-you-because-you-just-wan t-caffeine-in-any-form-and-don't-want-conversation attitude...ya dig? On several occasions I've walked in and had to wait on the person behind the counter to finish their cell phone conversation or finish a long conversation with a customer, and, you know, I'm all about getting to know the people who work at your regular coffee shop, but I also allow the baristas i'm talking with to serve other customers when they walk in the door...so they lose a few points with that. But, since I am there to get my coffee, put on my music, and study for hours on end, the lower-end customer service is not a huge factor in my rating of this place. So, to highlight: be aware that parking may be a bit of a pain, don't interrupt whatever vibe is going on in there, because you'll get some mean eyes from everyone around you, and try the iced coffee!
It's the age-old Yelp dilemma: Do I tell people that this place is nice and risk not finding a plug on my next visit? Well, my admiration for entrepreneurs overrides my selfish instincts this time. This is a very mellow and comfortable place to hang. And great snacks (breakfast tacos and empanadas) if you hang long enough to get the munchies.
My favorite coffee in Austin.
One word: Wintermoon. The single greatest sweet, iced coffee drink. It's absolutely amazing with full milk. I highly recommend you try one or you'll be missing out on a fantastic opportunity to thrill your taste buds.
They close a bit early for my taste, but the tables are huge, the power hookups are a plenty, and their chairs are sized and built to accommodate humans greater than 80lbs. It's quiet enough to work or talk (versus yell), but not awkwardly quiet, which is awesome.
Their coffee drinks are priced average, but their food is a bit expensive for what it is (all pre-made). There is outdoor seating, but there is minimal shade...I never see anybody out there. The parking situation sucks. It's a private lot, but there are only a few parking spots out front. There are more behind the building, though.
NOTE: They close at 4PM on Sundays. We showed up at 3:30 and there were 2 other people that came in between then and 3:50 that weren't aware either.
Good coffee, free wifi, and nice people. Can't ask for much more in a coffee shop. You can taste the wood fire-roasted-ness in the coffee, which makes it unique. I wouldn't say it's the best coffee I've had around town, but it is good. The inside is much larger than the tiny parking lot would suggest. I might venture so far as to say it is quite roomy. They have a wifi password, but are eager to give it to patrons. I wonder if neighbors were previously taking advantage :)
Hands down my favorite coffee joint, and now open on Sundays, too. And they started carrying breakfast tacos from Bess Bistro. Yum. They had a pesto one briefly that was so amazingly good, but must've gotten rid of it because it was messy. Oh, but so good! The sausage and bacon ones are pretty decent.
A huge pro, they will get you in and out in a couple minutes flat during the week. Service is attentive during the weekend but with a lazier feel in general. I love a lazy weekend morning here, or a quick jaunt in during the week as a pick-me-up.
The vanilla chai here is some of the best I've ever had. I'm a huge chai fan, and they do it up… Read more »
I'm personally a Flips fan, but Summermoon is closer to home and I didn't feel like taking the bus up to Barton Springs.
I only had iced coffee, but it was arguably the best iced coffee I've ever had -- and the barista (female, closing shift...tattoos?) was hilarious and fun.
Nice place -- awesome for a sit and read. Another South First favorite.
This should be 4 1/2 stars, not just 4.
In my previous review I came during the week when things were low key and quiet. I recently went back during the weekend and the music was louder as were the patrons and baristas. Still a great place, but something to keep in mind if you're trying to get work done or read.
Whoa...
I completely agree with Jessica S. that this is what a coffee shop should be. Since I moved…
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I didn't get to explore this place as much as I wanted to but my first impression was great. Ample seating, free wi-fi, and a wide variety of coffee and pastries. I'm a cheap arse and hate wasting food so I thought the day old muffin bin was a genius idea.
Mmmm...delicious thriftiness...
Grrr...wish I would have read about the half moon latte before coming here. Sounds great and gives me an excuse to come by again to try it.
I heart you, SummerMoon. The only thing that I would change is turning down the AC maybe 5 degrees. Other than that, this is my new favorite coffee joint.
I am now completely and TOTALLY hooked!
This is my FAVORITE coffee in Austin...actually...correct that...this is, hands down, the BEST coffee I've ever tasted.
I dream of double half-moon lattes every night...wow...wow...wow
**5/3/09 ~ I keep going back! LOVE this place!!
I took my children and ate breakfast there today! The chocolate croissant, cinnamon roll, Rockstar Bagel and sausage breakfast taco along with our drinks - triple half moon latte and frozen hot chocolate were *****+
I've known about Summermoon a long time, but never got myself in there. I've been twice now :)
Poor…
Read more »
I figured I should check this place out after all the great reviews, despite not being a coffee person. Taking the advice of others I tried the halfmoon, and it really was great. Easily some of the best coffee I've ever had (which isn't terribly much, I'll admit that). Empanada was pretty good, but not not worth gushing over. The menu also seemed to be slightly different from what was currently on the site (bah I wanted soup). Well either that or I couldn't read, could be either.
Decor was a bit classier, or dare I say yuppier, than what I prefer in my dank haunts, but it was still cozy in a fashion. However, the wifi was down or otherwise inaccessible, and the only place left to sit didn't have access to an outlet, so a few points off for that.
Overall this seemed like a great place for coffee fans to swing by on their break to get a quality drink, and that's how I'll be treating it. If I need to set up shop for the afternoon to get some work done, it will probably be somewhere else.
Yum. These folks have easily the best coffee I've had in a while. Their half-moon is the perfect treat for folks who don't usually like their coffee sweet but are thinking of a little something extra. Every drink I've had there has been fantastic. The food is decent for a coffee shop, particularly the baked goods they get from local bakeries (yum - Butter's Brownies).
The atmosphere there is usually pretty laid-back, devoid of the local film scenesters loudly discussing their upcoming opus. It's fantastic if you just want to get work done.
The music can sometimes be a little hokey - they seem to play an XM jazz radio station that's a little on the stereotypical coffee shop side, but if you're there to work, you've probably got headphones on anyway.
Great coffee, great atmosphere, friendly people. Best coffee shop in Austin.
You can't ask for more in a coffee shop.
Really nice coffee shop! The coffee tastes just fine (I'm not too discerning so I can't tell an okay cup from a good one), the seating is nice, and apparently they have breakfast tacos in the morning (I went in the afternoon). They also have free wi-fi, but password protected so you'll have to ask for that.
But also quirky.
The restrooms are in the outside hallway, and you have to get the key to use them. The music situation on the day I went was. . . strange. I mean, the tunes were fine (all were the acoustic singer-songwriter stuff), but it kept cutting out every couple of seconds. Not sure what was up with that. Finally, the parking is pretty bad. The lot is small, and there are multiple businesses in the little shopping center there. I had to park on the side street and walk on over.
But all in all, it's a nice shop and I'll come back again if I'm down South 1st again
Summermoon is now open on Sundays. Awesome!
Now if only they were open a little later...
Maybe I'm biased because it's in my neighborhood, but Summermoon is actually a pretty sweet… Read more »
My good luck coffee place! Every time I have an important meeting, I stop by on my way to work. During cold weather, it's a double, halfmoon latte, extra hot! (not so sweet, just right for me). Mmmm, moonmilk...
During warmer weather, it's all about the wintermoon! However, I can't manage to just sip, and I drink it down like water. Sinfully delicious!
Best chai lattes I've had in a long time, too.
Service - baristas are knowledgeable about their stuff. Tia gives you a warm greeting all the time, and she's become my barista/therapist when she's there! (Props for not being moody/snooty like other places)
Food is decent, but I keep the five stars because I don't go for the food. The samosa empanada is tasty, and when they're out, I get turkey curry. They're cheap and pretty good.
I haven't tried the breakfast tacos, but Torchy's is down the street so I'm not tempted to. Now that they're open Sundays, I get my tacos to go, and go up to Summermoon to get my coffee after my Saturday nights. Perfect!
I only wish I lived in the funky apartments above so I could have easy access all the time...
I truly heart Summermoon! (I mistakenly thought the name was a reference to lyrics in Led Zeppelin's Kashmir. The owner cleared that up.)
Despite my coaches request to drink lots of water after today's long run, my friend and I chose to drink coffee. Glad that we did. I had the Wintermoon Iced Latte (triple shot) and it was delicious. They are serving Belgian waffles now too. I imagine they were good but my friend was unwilling to share.... bummer... Worth the trip to South First.
This is really good coffee, really.
Summermoon is a good hang out coffee shop because there is plenty of seating and everytime I have gone it hasn't been very crowded. I've never had the food here but I can honestly say this is damn good coffee.
minus one star just because 3 of the 4 times I have visited this place the baristas seemed apathetic and it wasn't the best/friendliest service around. But who cares when the coffee is this good
So I had passed by this place many a times during lunchtime excursions with coworkers, and every time commented that "I should really go there." Perhaps it was the Kerbey Lane knockoff sign, perhaps it was the giant billboard-sized marquee which proclaimed "Austin's Only Wood Fired Coffee!" in letters the size of midgets, but something was drawing me towards this place. Well, this past weekend I was out walking about S. 1st for the Art Walk, and made the decision to just go for the gusto and walk down to Summermoon. So I grabbed a cupcake (from a newly-opened cupcake bakery on S. 1st) to fortify myself for the walk and started heading up the hill. Would it be worth it, or would the coffee just be a toasty mess?
I am glad to say that the coffee was not the typical overroasted french roast that people seem to fawn over as some form of classy coffee. While there is a time and a place for a french roast (or even an italian espresso roast), I've found that I can find more fruity notes in a city roast (dark or light...depending on the bean). Sure, this probably makes me sound like a coffee snob, but dammit I knows what I likes! Well, Summermoon has not let this fact slip under their radar, as they feature several city roasts in their blends. The coffee was so good, I had to buy a pound of it for our work coffee club...
As for the seating area/ambiance, it was your typical coffeeshop. Some high tables, some upholstered seating, the Chronicle and Onion, lots of flyers and some kitsch strewn about for good measure. It's somewhat small, but that's nice so long as the place isn't jam packed. Of course when I'm there, the vast majority of people in the shop are glued to their laptop screens. There wasn't a riot, so I'm assuming their Wi-Fi works. Didn't peruse the food selection, I was solely on a mission for caffeine. Mission accomplished. Now if only I could find a place that will draw a real Italian espresso....
This place has some seriously good coffee and a really neat story. I went in there the other day to get an Americano and was really expecting an average cup of espresso and water, but was very pleasantly surprised. I started asking the guy behind the counter questions about the place and come to find out, they roast their coffee in southwest Austin in a hand-built and HAND-CRANKED roaster. I haven't tried the regular coffee, but I plan to. The people seem very down-to-earth and not robotic like the big chains. This is as local and original as the spirit of Austin gets! Come out and support them.
Pros: REAL local people, nicely balanced flavor espresso, Great price.
Cons: Parking is tricky ...that's it!
Chalk this up as my 2nd favorite work-from-cafe place. They have a great atmosphere inside: need a nook & a comfy chair for reading? Check... need a workspace with a window seat? Check... need a group table, or outdoor patio to chat with friends? Check, and check.
Great empanadas, and I favor the 'quarter moon'. Yum...
Gotta love their most popular drink the Summermoon latte or the wintermoon, made with their secret moon milk. Its the perfect latte you never have to add sugar or anything. Delicious! The atmosphere is great and the staff is always really friendly.
Absolutely love this place! It is a smaller coffee shop that has roughly 10-12 tables/seating areas. Very cute decor and feels very warm and home-y, especially in the daytime (only time they are open anyway...) since the sunlight shines in through the windows. Haven't tried many drinks and I'm not a coffee connoisseur, but one of their blended drinks with Heath chocolate bar is absolutely amazing! Kind of tastes like graham cracker.
All coffee tastes the same, right?
WRONG. Wrong, you Plebian FOOL! I suppose I can forgive you though, seeing as how you have not yet experienced the wonder that is Summermoon's coffee. I was like you; ignorant, naive, confused. Then I tried the Summermoon Latte . . . Mmmm. It was like stuffing my face into a piece of vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting, it was so rich and tasty. Every drink that I try at Summermoon is better than the last, and I have to deduce that it comes down to just damn good coffee. I don't care if they wood-fire it or roast it over a burning effigy of Rick Perry, if they can make a coffee bean taste like THAT they should be hailed as masters of their craft.
All that being said, the interior is nice - the usual cafe "vaguely modern, vaguely retro" design - and the music is expected - the blend of indie with 40s swing. Only bad thing is that it's usually a little quiet... I tend to get sleepy when I'm there, even with the coffee. Upside is, great place to study/work!
I'm going to admit right off the bat here that, like many coffeehouse reviews, this one may not seem complete to everyone. I don't live for the brown bean (like it, don't seek it out), so occasionally my take on coffee houses and coffee bars is more of the alternate beverages and ambiance variety.
Nonetheless.
I can see why folks might rotate to this place. Even exempting the minor (but pleasant) aroma of the room, the appointments (natural soaps and other organic fare), forgetting for a moment the easy deck out front, and the way that the place appears to be laid out to encourage careful, muted conversation when possible, I was struck most by the decent variety of beverage options, the local flair, the reasonably quick turn of my (in this case) italian soda. Like a few others, I can't rightly say that I'm over the (summer) moon for this place, but it's worth giving it another shot. At least to see if first impressions were correct.
So this was my first visit to Summermoon, and while it was pleasant, I was not impressed. I went with a friend, he ordered an espresso and a coffee, I ordered a cappuccino and a coffee.
Let's start with the good . . . the drip coffee. While not amazing, it was drinkable and pleasant. Nothing I couldn't find anywhere else. The fire roasted seems like more of a gimmick to me, as nothing really stood out in the cup (it was their Costa Rican). I finished about 3/4 of my cup, but my friend, who is a little more finicky than I, didn't make it half way. Again, not bad, but nothing to write home about.
Now, the espresso and cappuccino. I will start by saying the Barista was VERY friendly and chatted with us for a bit about their business and roasting . . . but the drinks didn't stand up. The espresso had crema (something I'm beginning to notice is a rarity in town), but the shot as thin and flat with a bitter, ashy finish. Where is the sweetness, where is the flavor?? The cappuccino (by the way, the steam wand had milk caked all over it, and not even a semblance of an effort was made to wipe it off before or after the barista steamed my milk) was about the level of drinks I have come to expect from Starbucks.
Bottom line: If i'm in the neighboorhood again, I might be talked into some drip coffee, but as far as espresso drinks go, I'm going to steer clear. The barista was exceptionally nice and the room seems like a decent place to have a quiet meeting or study for an evening.
In terms of coffee deliciousness, this is my favorite coffee place. Atmosphere....eh. The furniture is nice and they do have a game table, but I feel like I'm in a library. Shhhh..... Since I'm not a student or a writer this wasn't so great for me. I've only gotten good service once but the interactions are brief enough for me not to care too much. I had a very delicious Obama brownie and that made me smile. So, when I need a pick me up I go here and enjoy the creamy yumminess that is the half moon.
So the husband and I ventured south this morning to try a new coffee bar. Summermoon was on the "to try" list and we ended up there. I immediately liked the decor that features mid-century modern furnishings and separate seating areas allowing for a more intimate feel. Eclectic art and posters decorate the walls and music plays while you sip.
The breakfast tacos were not good--small with limp bacon--I did not finish mine. The cup of brewed coffee smelled and tasted smoky and delicious but after only a few sips, I was buzzing wildly. I like my buzzes to come on gradually so I have time to adjust! Ah--perhaps this characteristic of their coffee appeals to the St. Ed students who live nearby. The mister's drink was a half summermoon--sweet and delicious.
I was torn on how to rate this cute place and would have given it 3 1/2 stars but yelp allows only whole numbers. If I was in the neighborhood, I would come back for a half summermoon.
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