About Medici Roasting
Medici Roasting is an Austin, Texas specialty coffee roaster and café operator founded in 2006 by two University of Texas alumni. Its original Clarksville location on West Lynn anchors a multi-location footprint across Austin, with in-house roasting at a Springdale facility in East Austin. Medici lays claim as Austin's original specialty coffee shop.
About
Austin's specialty coffee scene has grown dramatically over the past two decades, but Medici Roasting was there at the start. Founded in 2006 by two friends who met while attending the University of Texas at Austin, Medici opened its first café on West Lynn in the Clarksville neighborhood of Old West Austin — a location that quickly became known as the neighborhood's living room. It laid an early claim as Austin's original specialty coffee shop, built on the conviction that craft coffee and community belong together.
Since then, Medici has grown into a multi-location operation spread across some of Austin's most distinct neighborhoods. West Lynn remains the original anchor in Clarksville. Guadalupe serves the UT campus corridor. South Lamar sits in the Zilker neighborhood. The Domain café in North Austin — housed in a modern space with an intimate atmosphere, where Craftwork Coffee Co. previously operated — rounds out the retail footprint, alongside a presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at Gate 7. The roasting facility is in Springdale in East Austin, the production hub for beans served across every location.
Medici's identity has always been rooted in Austin localism. The brand describes its coffee as Austin-made and in-house roasted, with a philosophy built around specialty coffee and a self-described "tedious and dedicated journey" toward craft. Reviewers have called out the single-origin pour-overs in particular, with one noting the coffee is "on par with top roasters nationally" and praising the expressive character of Peruvian offerings through the pour-over process.
Nearly twenty years in, Medici feels less like a growing chain and more like a constellation of neighborhood institutions scattered across Austin. From students near campus to shoppers in the Domain to travelers catching flights at the airport, Medici has built its presence around the idea that great coffee is inseparable from the communities where it is served. For visitors looking for an Austin coffee experience with genuine local roots, Medici is one of the clearest places to start.
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Coffee & Beans Review
Medici is a verified in-house roaster, operating its roasting facility out of Springdale in East Austin — keeping the supply chain local and the beans Austin-made across all locations. The coffee program centers on specialty coffee with a craft-oriented philosophy, and reviewers point consistently to the single-origin pour-overs as the standout. One noted a Peruvian offering with "breathtakingly beautiful single-origin character, perfectly extracted in the pourover process" and flavors evoking purple fruits — language that suggests a roasting approach favoring expressive, well-defined coffees over heavy or dark profiles.
Across locations, the menu covers espresso drinks, pour-overs, matcha lattes, hot chocolate, and non-coffee options including hibiscus tea. The matcha latte earns consistent mention in reviews — one visitor called it among the best they had ever had — and barista attentiveness draws repeated praise. The Domain location features high ceilings, ample natural light, good WiFi, and outdoor seating, making it a reliable spot for both work sessions and casual visits.
For those looking to take beans home, Medici sells roasted coffee retail at its café locations, and reviewers note that guests regularly ask about purchasing beans at the counter. The full scope of online purchasing options is not confirmed in available sources, so visiting in person or checking the website directly is the most reliable path to a bag.
Coffee at a Glance
- Roaster status
- PR Enriched
- Roasting style
- Specialty in-house roaster; single-origin focused with craft pour-over emphasis
- Best coffee drinks
- Single-Origin Pourover, Matcha Latte, Hot Chocolate
- Best buying path
- In store
- Online beans
- Check availability
- Specialty transparency
- Limited
What regulars say
Real reviews from Google — not ours, not paid.
★★★★★“Officially my new fave spot. My third time in a row and the baristas were again so genuine, it made me hop on here to say so. Great drinks, high ceilings, and lots of sunlight don't hurt either. But it's the warmth of the staff that makes me want to come here when I'm choosing where to go. Cheers to that”
— Mich, via Google
★★★★★“I came to work in the common area on my laptop. This is a great place for that! You can sit inside the coffee shop area, or in the common area, or outside. There are a lot of windows and light, and the staff was very friendly. I had an iced tea and it was freshly brewed just for me. It was very good!”
— MotionMechanic, via Google
★★★★★“This coffee is pretty good. I ordered the vanilla latte with almond milk, and it was the right amount of sweetness for me. They offer different seating options, whether you need to work or just chatting with friends. If you're in the Austin area, you should definitely check out this coffee shop; it's totally with it”
— Ally B., via Google
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Medici Roasting's locations in Austin?+
Medici operates across six Austin locations: West Lynn (Clarksville/Old West Austin), Guadalupe (near the UT campus), Springdale (East Austin, which also houses the roasting facility), South Lamar (Zilker), the Domain in North Austin (10727 Domain Dr, open daily 7am–7pm), and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at Gate 7.
What makes Medici Roasting distinctive in Austin's coffee scene?+
Founded in 2006, Medici is one of Austin's earliest specialty coffee operations and describes itself as the city's original specialty coffee shop. Its roots in the Clarksville neighborhood, its in-house roasting facility in East Austin, and its presence across six distinct Austin neighborhoods give it a depth of local history that few Austin coffee brands can match.
Does Medici roast its own coffee?+
Yes. Medici roasts all its coffee in-house at its Springdale facility in East Austin, positioning the brand as a fully Austin-made operation. The philosophy emphasizes specialty coffee and a meticulous approach to craft — reviewers have specifically praised the single-origin pour-overs for their expressive character and clean extraction.
Can I buy Medici coffee beans to take home?+
Yes. Medici sells roasted coffee beans at its café locations, and retail bean sales are a confirmed part of the business. Guests frequently ask about purchasing beans at the counter. For online purchasing options, check the website directly, as availability may vary.
What drinks are customers most enthusiastic about at Medici?+
Single-origin pour-overs receive the strongest praise in reviews, with customers calling out exceptional flavor clarity and character. The matcha latte is also frequently highlighted — multiple reviewers describe it as among the best they've had. Hot chocolate and espresso drinks round out the most mentioned menu items.
What is the atmosphere like at Medici's locations?+
Medici's spaces are designed to feel welcoming and neighborhood-oriented. The original West Lynn location became known as the neighborhood's living room. The Domain café features high ceilings, open natural light, ample seating, good WiFi, and outdoor space — regulars use it for everything from work sessions to family visits. Each location reflects the character of its neighborhood.
Citations & Press
Third-party coverage and sources for Medici Roasting.
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