Bennu Coffee — Restaurant in Austin

After nearly an entire decade of regularly doing business with this coffee shop, I will never come here again. I was sick, and a passenger in my friend's car, when we unfortunately got a flat tire in front of this fraudulent business, and pulled into a legal parking spot in front of their store to change the tire. Despite the fact that we purchased 2 drinks and left a large tip with both purchases, the employees came out to us multiple times and were insistent that we move the car off their property, even as the tire was in the process of being changed by a representative from AAA. Bennu coffee contacted the police and tried to have me incarcerated, because we refused to move the car until the tire was changed. They claimed to authorities that I was driving the vehicle when the tire went flat, whilst I was extremely ill and just out of the doctor for a chronic genetic condition and my friend was driving me home from the hospital. Anyone knows that you cannot move a car with a flat tire without damaging the rim on the tire, which can lead to hundreds more in unnecessary repair costs. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand this, everyone gets a flat tire from time to time. AAA arrived on the scene to repair the car in under 20 minutes and we vacated the property as soon as the work was completed less than 30 mins after it occurred. After spending money on 2 drinks at the time of this incident and doing business here since the day it opened, this was one of the most demoralizing and humiliating experiences of my entire life, especially so to happen to me while I was extremely ill. I was treated this way by the employees on staff at the time for no rational reason that I can prescribe, other than outright homophobia and discrimination. After years and years of happily doing business at this coffee shop and spending my money here, this is how I was repaid by Bennu coffee over getting a flat tire in front of their store, that took less than 30 minutes to fix. As a seventh generation Austinite, I have never experienced or been treated with the level of disrespect, discrimination and homophobia as I was by the employees of this company over the fact that a car got a flat tire in their poorly maintained parking lot, and that I was ill with an inherited disease at the same time. Nothing about the way I was treated by the employees of this company represents the City of Austin or it's founder's. The manager of the store insisted to authorities to have me charged for driving under the influence, when I was so sick that I was totally incapable of driving, which is why my friend was taking me home from the hospital in the first place! After spending 10 minutes vomiting in a brown bag inside the car between the hospital and this establishment, to then be the passenger in a car that gets a flat tire on my way home from a medical procedure, and have the police called on me for a DUI because the vehicle I was in got a flat and they wanted us to move the car, it's absolutely devastating and recklessly embarrassing. I will never spend $ here again and my 30+ relatives in Travis County will continue to spread bad word of mouth about this business in the community until it's doors are permanently shuttered. If you respect the sick, minorities, or anyone who's ever been in the unfortunate crisis of an unexpected automobile issue, do not ever spend your money here. Though I still think their mochas are wonderful, I was treated as less than a citizen by the staff here in a shocking and brazenly aggressive...

I successfully ordered my steamed cold brew coffee and scone after carefully studying their lengthy instructions at the door. After a few minutes at my table, I see a seat by the window and decide to move so I can read more easily because the lighting in the place is rather dim. I pick up my bag, book, and the rest of my stuff and walk over there. The guy behind the counter gestures towards me to wear my mask by covering his face with his hand as he flails his other arm in the air in frustration. There is no one within 20 ft of me and I've been fully vaccinated against covid. The baristas are both behind plexiglass and I have my hands full as I finish my 10 ft walk to my new table. As I sit down, the other barista prepares to express her dissatisfaction with my behavior. As she begins to speak, I can't help but feel that she enjoys this type of thing. "Sir, you need to wear your mask. You are welcome to take it off when seated but when you stand, I need you to wear it." I began to mumble to explain that I've been vaccinated but it occured to me that explaining would get me nowhere. I decided to say nothing further.

It got even worse. Their next victim was a man who was placing an order. He pulled his mask down to help the barista understand him. "Sir there is no need for you to pull your mask down." The barista said sharply behind the plexiglass.

If they didn't do this to people, I might have enjoyed the scone and steamed cold brew more. Its an interesting idea but it also kind of tasted like play-dough. I'm a first-time visitor to Austin so who knows. Maybe this is what people do around here? Maybe these baristas are not aware that a few blocks away there are thousands of people gathering inside and outside at local bars without any masks whatsoever. Maybe they are not aware of the latest covid case counts, CDC guidance, or plummeting death rates. To each their own, it's their business and based on this experience I would prefer to not participate in it. If this type of environment is appealing to you, then have at it. The line will be shorter if people like...

Bennu Coffee is a rare find - a true 24-hour coffee shop. While I’m sure there are others out there, this was my first time visiting one, and the concept is definitely interesting. Unlike places that transition from coffee to alcohol later in the day, this is purely a coffee shop, through and through. No wine, no beer- just coffee and a quiet, focused atmosphere.

The moment we walked in, the silence was striking. It’s not a loud, social café -it’s a workspace. People are deep in concentration, and music is barely noticeable, only playing quietly over the bar area. The entire setup caters to productivity, with power outlets at every table, making it an ideal spot for working late, waiting out a long night, or meeting friends without resorting to a bar.

The interior has a lot of character - vintage furniture, dim lighting, and a cozy feel. Every coffee mug is different, like they were collected from a vintage shop, adding to the charm. The massive bar stools stand out as well, giving the space even more personality.

The menu includes pizza, sandwiches, pastries, and, of course, coffee. Unfortunately, when we visited, the espresso machine was broken, so we ordered matcha lattes. They turned out to be overly sweet for our taste, and it would have been nice if they had asked about sweetness preference before serving.

That said, the 24-hour operation alone makes this place stand out. It’s rare to find a café that offers this kind of cozy, low-lit, quiet environment around the clock. If you ever need a late-night coffee spot or a peaceful place to work, Bennu Coffee is a...