Intelligentsia Coffee Shoal Creek Coffeebar — Restaurant in Austin

Having known Intelligentsia Coffee from California, we had high expectations for this location. We used to visit their Pasadena shop regularly—whether for a weekend coffee break while strolling around or as a cozy spot to work on weekdays. It had a warm, inviting atmosphere that made you want to stay.

Unfortunately, this location has none of that. It feels more like a quick-service coffee counter tucked inside an office building—just a place to grab a coffee and leave. There’s no inviting ambiance, no character, nothing that makes you want to sit and enjoy your time.

Maybe it’s a different part of the chain, maybe it’s a franchise, but whatever the reason, this spot lacks the soul that made the California locations special. As for the coffee… I won’t even bother reviewing it....

AMEN TO THE BEST COFFEE SHOP OPENING IN AUSTIN! I loved walking over to this shop back in Silverlake. I feel like I won the coffee jackpot having it so close to work! This location is nestled in quaint little street across from Polvos and Happy Chick. They have the best darn nitro brew that I have ever tasted! It has the perfect creamy top. I also snagged a bag of beans -Summer Solstice. Made with blood orange, melon, and turbinado Sugar. They have pastries from Easy Tiger and Odd Duck. I picked up the mushroom and goat cheese puff pastry from Odd Duck today. The perfect amount of sweet, savory, and flaky! Current seasonal drink that I will have to try is the Limelight, made with cold brew, lime, and seltzer. Until...

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of intelligentsia and have been ordering their coffee for years now. Since I was driving through Austin, I was really excited to stop by one of their physical locations! They didn’t have the summer drink on the seasonal menu, but the barista gave me a sample of their carbonated grapefruit nitro that they have on tap. It was absolutely fantastic and a very refreshing drink for a hot day! We also got the avena latte and it was also very good! Overall I’m very happy and I’m excited to come again for a pour over when I visit...