Green Muse Café

It makes me oh-so-sad to leave this review now, as the last time I came by, I saw the doors were locked and closed up, and The Muse is no more. Makes me sad I've only just started yelping!

The Green Muse was my favorite coffee shop in Austin, with so many to choose from, none ever compared for me. Super wonderful staff, my favorite mocha, no pretention  and about the coolest interior ever. It breaks my heart because I feel that business probably suffered so much from when they had a fire on their beautiful patio, and they were never able to recover. I wish it wasn't so.

Goodbye Green Muse, and thanks for all that you did. I'll miss you!

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.

I went here twice in one day. Seriously. Who knew that there lived a little garden oasis on Oltof and South First?  

The inside of this place has lots of great space, outlets and stained concrete. Its cool, clean with a decent menu and coffee written on this huge blackboard.  The back is a zen, tiered area with big tables, a garden pool, turtles and folks chillin' with laptops. We had an incredible proscuitto sammy and an iced coffee.

It;s just a nice spot to grab a snack and some wifi. I'll be back to try the Mediterranean plate -- gotta keep populating that hummus list!

Hands-down my favorite coffee shop in South Austin.

Green Muse Cafe has been the most friendly, welcoming, and habit-forming coffee shop I've visited in a long time.

My first visit was a bright Saturday morning. The place was filled with patrons, all unique and there for different reasons (reading, laptopping - yes, i just made up my own verb - thinking, or just chatting with friends). I was really looking for a place to feel comfortable and at home, and the atmosphere did just that. Classic soul and '40s music floated through the air and the frappe I ordered was absolutely delicious. I felt the front room was large enough for me, but when I wandered back to find the restrooms, I was pleasantly surprised to see even more tables and a huge outside patio area.

I've also tried the place out during a late-night (it's open until midnight, which is a great plus) and it's a different, but equally cool vibe. The lighting is intimate and dim, but table lamps are placed on each table for use if needed. Games such as Trivial Pursuit and Chess line the shelves - and I anxiously await the day I get to play with a stranger.

Usually there is only one person working, but they have always been kind, humorous, and let's be honest - cute, in that trendy barista way. So waiting a little extra for your drink to be made isn't a big deal - they can even bring it to your table if you want.

Did I mention it has free wi-fi?

Let the Green Muse inspire you. She's captivated me.

They have one of the best coffeehouse patios in the back with several different areas to sit, and a relaxing fountain.  There are usually a lot of Wi-Fi'ers sitting inside, so it's nice to be able to get away from the computers.

If you're in the mood for something other than coffee or tea, they usually have a couple of beers on draught, and their selection of bottled beer is notable.  I first discovered Left Hand Milk Stout here on a fine night when Paige Moore was having her art opening, amidst the glow of candlelight and good friends.

I like their prosciutto sandwich, too, but make sure they slice it thin.

STAY AWAY!!

The most unprofessional encounter I have ever had in my entire life.

The proprietor was rude and yelling. And drove several customers out.

I am blown away by the amount of disrespect.

While I would normally award The Green Muse with a bitchin review because it is my hangout spot at night where I can get some work done i recently had a rather cocky run in with the guy behind the counter.

I went in for my refill of coffee to find no one behind the bar and other customers waiting; I poked my head around and into the back and saw no one; the girl sitting down near the counter said "he left" so I gathered a dollar for my refill and helped myself to a fresh refill of coffee only to be interrupted as he rushed out of the bathroom to belittle me and tell me "to never do that again" and tell me how "not cool" it was that I was grabbing a cup of coffee.

It would be one thing if he apologized and said he was sorry for not being there because he was taking a shit but to grab the dollar out of my hand, throw it in the register and shake his head at me kind of put me over the top.

I attempted to explain myself and he ignored me; what a prick!

So screw you Green Muse, enjoy your dollar!

Dear Green Muse:

I love you, but .... That 'but' says it all, doesn't it? I gave you a few days to work out your internet issues. It just wasn't that important to you, I suppose. I could be a great customer. I buy drinks and snacks, I come often, I recommend you to friends. But you're like a boyfriend who just doesn't give a shit. I ask myself: Do I deserve free wifi? Am I entitled to free wifi? Well, maybe I'm not. But whenever I read about you, I'm told you offer free wifi. If I read that you serve pizza and I show up, order pizza and you say 'well, we don't really have pizza,' am I allowed to feel slighted? I think I am.

Your wifi worked beautifully the first week or two that I started our love affair. But you quickly lost interest in satisfying me. You have a 'take me or leave me' attitude. My happiness couldn't concern you in the least.

I can take hint. Even though you're not even hinting. You're screaming: Scram! Get Lost! Go elsewhere!

I will, my darling. There are plenty of coffee/boozy/free wifi-y establishments her in Austin that would love to have me as a customer.

Goodbye.

I walked in, the man behind the counter who seemed to be the owner had a douchey attitude and gave the whole place a shitty vibe.
I ordered nothing and left.

Torture. Seriously. I get that one of the few perks of a barista is to choose the music but 1+hours of 60's and 70's style Indian, middle-eastern, and Romanian music? It's HORRIBLE and honestly, I think it's crap that screechy, dissonant music isn't on the "unallowed" music list. I asked nicely if she'd consider changing music for us and got a negative. She said it was was what "she" was listening to right now. Well, as long as "she"s happy.  I wrote that the service had gotten better here as of late - guess that's not entirely true.

The other issue has been really slow wi-fi and getting disconnected.
Okay, I've gotten this out of my system.