Medici Roasting

Long before Austin's specialty coffee scene filled every corner of the city, Medici Roasting opened in 2006 with a single shop on West Lynn in Clarksville — founded by two University of Texas alumni who turned a neighborhood café into one of Austin's most enduring independent coffee brands. The company traces its roots to the West Campus stretch of Guadalupe, where the founders first connected over coffee, and has since grown into a multi-location operation spanning West Austin, East Austin, North Austin, and even the airport. Medici claims the title of Austin's original specialty coffee shop, and two decades of continued presence in the city make that claim hard to dispute.

The South Lamar location, which opened in June 2015, sits along one of Austin's most active corridors in the Zilker neighborhood. Inside, the space is defined by high ceilings, an open concept layout, and abundant natural light — reviewers consistently describe it as spacious and airy. On weekend mornings, the patio fills with families and their dogs, giving the café the kind of lived-in, neighborhood feel that Medici has cultivated across all its locations.

Medici's identity rests on two consistent pillars: serious in-house roasting and genuine community anchoring. The company operates its own roasting facility in East Austin's Springdale neighborhood, which underpins its locally-made, vertically integrated specialty coffee program. The pour-over program draws particular praise, and the single-origin offerings have earned comparisons to top roasters nationally. At the same time, the cafés function as neighborhood gathering places — warm, welcoming, and designed for long stays as much as quick stops.

For Austin visitors looking for a café that has been part of the city's fabric for nearly twenty years, South Lamar delivers: in-house roasted specialty coffee, a spacious and sun-lit room, a family-friendly patio, and staff that regulars return for as much as the drinks.