Illuminate Coffee Bar image

Illuminate Coffee Bar

Cafe Bar Coffee shop Espresso bar

😠 I went in yesterday around 4 pm. The team there found it completely acceptable practice to reheat drip coffee from the morning. First they tried steaming it. Which is course watered it down. Call me old fashioned but when I go into a coffee shop I expect fresh coffee at that price. Not streamed or... People often mention coffee, good, shop, great, latte, small, friendly, work, espresso, time,


Address

12129 N FM 620 #102, Austin, TX 78750, United States

Website

illuminatecoffeebar.com

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (495 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 7 am to 6:30 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 6:30 pm
  • Friday: 7 am to 6:30 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am to 6:30 pm
  • Sunday: 8 am to 6:30 pm
  • Monday: 7 am to 6:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 7 am to 6:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: coffee (36) good (13) shop (11) great (7) latte (7) small (6) friendly (6) work (6) espresso (6) time (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Jeff S. 1 year ago on Google
    I went in yesterday around 4 pm. The team there found it completely acceptable practice to reheat drip coffee from the morning. First they tried steaming it. Which is course watered it down. Call me old fashioned but when I go into a coffee shop I expect fresh coffee at that price. Not streamed or nuked left over. You're a coffee shop. It's what you do.
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Anya B. 1 year ago on Google
    I love the food and coffee here but when I opened my sandwich I didn’t realize there was a small wood chip inside the cheese within my sandwich. Before I realized this I had already ate a bit of the sandwich which was also covered in small splinters. I only noticed whenever my friend pointed it out to me and I most likely already had swallowed several small splinters. Not the best start to my morning. :(
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael B. 11 months ago on Google
    Illuminate has everything you'd need in a corner coffee shop. There is a spacious interior with tons of seating perfect for studying, catching up with friends, or generally passing the day. The owners are great and very friendly to customers. The prices are fair and the drinks are made very well.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Violet H. 1 year ago on Google
    I’ve never felt the need to ever put a bad review on a food or beverage place before because I’ve worked in the industry. But when I tell you - I had the NASTIEST COFFEE - I bought two of the same ones and they were both MOLDED OR SOUR milk in them. I literally couldn’t drink more than sip without needing to puke. I’m so disgusted I’ll never order from here again - I used to get their coffee every morning but I feel traumatized ewww
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 jacob k. 1 year ago on Google
    Came because it was close to work and saw their La Marzocco espresso machine in some of their photos. Unfortunately that machine is no longer at the shop. Coffee was alright, above average for a neighborhood place but not a specialty shop. If I go back I’ll try something not espresso based Staff was really nice, lots of food selection, and seemed like a good place to come and get some work done
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Brigitte B. 2 years ago on Google
    I've come here a couple times out of convenience and each time I've been disappointed. This time was particularly bad. This time I ordered a Danish heated up. In a normal coffee shop my Danish would have been heated up on a plate or paper bag. Here they heated up the Danish in the plastic wrap. So after it was heated up the icing was adhered to the Danish. I unwrapped it and it was a huge mess. The plastic wrap was gooey and icing got all over my hands. Then after washing my hands. I googled if it was safe to eat, and the general consensus on Google was no. Do not heat up your food in plastic. I then threw away my Danish and left . Then I tasted my hot chocolate and it was mediocre
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Zachery C. 1 year ago on Google
    Been here a few times and never really loved it, but today was especially poor. The milk for our lattes was steamed very poorly to the point of burnt. The staff was friendly enough, though. Wouldn’t recommend someone go here for quality specialty coffee…
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alan P. 1 year ago on Google
    I live 5 minutes away from this coffee shop and I am SO glad that I do. The service is great, and the coffee is even better. My wife and I always get the 16oz cappuccino and it never disappoints. The flavor of the coffee itself is much more enjoyable than other places that are popular chains. If you are undecided don’t think about it any longer. You won’t regret it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ryan G. 1 year ago on Google
    One strange policy I’ve never encountered at a coffee shop before. They don’t put out cream or sugar for you to add yourself, and instead say they’ll add it for you. Just strange. That’s such a personal preference on amounts, not to allow customer to do it themselves doesn’t make sense to me.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Erfan D. 1 year ago on Google
    I got a spiced chai latte which was overall pretty good except it was a bit too sweet for my taste. Atmosphere is super chill and the staff are very nice and professional. My main concern is the internet. It's 2022 and a business with bad Internet like here basically reflects how little the owner cares about customers. The baristas told me they're having network issues for a week now despite restarting the router multiple times a day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lauren L. 1 year ago on Google
    Their coconut honey latte is my absolute favorite. Can't remember what they call it but its awesome. The place is very cozy and good for a laptop work spot.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carolyn G. 5 years ago on Google
    I had a lovely time at Illuminate Coffee Bar. People seemed to be working, studying, relaxing, and meeting up there. The music is loud enough to keep it hard to hear details of conversation but soft enough not to invade your headspace. I had a white gold and enjoyed it's creamy, sweet flavor. The decor is tasteful; the natural light is refreshing; and there is a bike out front. I'm eager to go again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 caleb k. 2 years ago on Google
    Not a great cup of joe. Got a cortado and it had way to much milk and the milk was steamed so hot that it was burned. Most of the roasted coffee bags for sale were from end of January or first week of February. So the coffee wasn’t fresh anymore. They didn’t have any single origin espressos available at the brew bar and only one darker roast on brew. If you are a dedicated local coffee shop/roaster things should be fresh and have multiple options.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Harika V. 6 years ago on Google
    This place is aweosme. I tried the Walter white it has coconut oil, white choclate, caramel, espresso shots. It was one of the best coffee I have had. And the Sugar free vanilla latte is also good. It has a really pleasant ambience. Would recommend people to go there and I would go there again for sure. They have different flavoured frozen yogurts as well. It's good place to take kids too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Barista S. 8 months ago on Google
    After looking at the reviews and pictures online, I finally made it to Illuminate Coffee. I had high hopes that it just couldn't meet. As a huge coffee nerd, this place is a no. The coffee is mid at best. People behind bar served up a 6 or 7 ounce cortado with dreadful microfoam. Maybe if you're just looking for a quick fix and you're okay with a little less than a craft experience, it would work. Overall what I'm trying to say is, My experience here was a pretty sizable let down and I've been to over a hundred shops just in the past year.

  • 5/5 Maggie A. 7 months ago on Google
    The vibes in this place are exceptional! Coffee was also great! I wish it was open later so I could plan evening meetups here

  • 5/5 Alice M. 6 months ago on Google
    I visited yesterday and had a very pleasant experience. The coffee was good. The service was friendly. The environment was comfortable... that of a coffee shop. I look forward to visiting again!

  • 5/5 Ward D. 8 months ago on Google
    This place is great! One of the better breakfast sandwiches I have had, it was seasoned and delicious. The coffee was also very good and strong. No complaints!

  • 4/5 IrishChris0521 10 months ago on Google
    Great place to get a coffee. Brewed well, not bitter and they have a wide selection. They also have beers on tap if you are looking for a place to hang at night.

  • 5/5 James T. 1 year ago on Google
    They have very good coffee products and the absolute best breads, harvest and pumpkin. I love the vibe here really homey and relaxing. I go to many coffee shops and this is my fave. Also, breakfast sandwichs are pretty good too. Tacos are too expensive and not quality but acceptable. Bonus are Aussie bites if you just want a quick treat that is healthy with your coffee. Great friendly staff and owners.

  • 5/5 Kim C. 1 year ago on Google
    Giving the place a solid 5 across the board for the warm and welcoming atmosphere, amd good coffee. I come here to work from time to time, and their cappuccinos are exactly what I need to kick off my day. Give this place a try!

  • 5/5 Jake H. 1 year ago on Google
    Been coming here for years - since the Cafe Yolly days! I'm not going to lie to ya. It's not a life changing coffee experience. But I've never had a bad experience and I've been here tons of times. I will say their lattes are very creative and taste great! However I'm mostly just a drip black coffee guy when I go to spots like this and it does the job just fine.

  • 5/5 Sylvia B. 1 year ago on Google
    Cute little place was surprisingly busy. We ordered a butter coffee and a drip. All was fresh and quick. I also enjoyed a small egg sandwich and it was simple and very tasty. Good for a quick morning snack and a good coffee.

  • 5/5 Anders N. 2 years ago on Google
    Great Iced Mocha here which is my favorite! They appear to use a mocha powder instead of syrup which gives the coffee a much more balanced flavor. Their tamales are awesome too!

  • 5/5 Sejal A. 2 years ago on Google
    I had mocha and breakfast taco this morning and let me tell you, this was the best mocha of my life. It was perfect amount of bitterness from expresso and sweetness from chocolate! Potato egg and cheese taco was pretty darn good. And talking about customer service- very friendly staff. Definitely stop by if you already have not.

  • 4/5 Talj 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to work or bring a book. There's lots of tables and good natural light. Coffee is a little on the weak side for my taste, but not bad. They also have a nice selection of teas.

  • 4/5 Chelsy C. 2 years ago on Google
    I love this coffee shop. I have been coming here when it was once Cafe yolly (even when it was once on Avery ranch!) It's always been a cozy space with friendly staff and yummy coffee. The only thing I mark off on this review is their large latte has the same amount of espresso as a small latte. It's just more milk.. not coffee or espresso, which is unlike most coffee shops. I have decided to write this review in hopes that they will adjust their ratios. A large latte should essentially have more espresso than the small latte. Otherwise everything is great.


Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed inside
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed outside
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Prepared foods
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
    • ✓️ Good for working on laptop
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Kerbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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