Cuvee Coffee Bar exterior
Cuvee Coffee has long been in the hearts of Texans and Austinites alike, and visiting their new location in East Austin is an experience you’ll want to have again and again.
The company, founded over a decade and a half ago, has taken their time opening a cafe for customers and fans, and it shows. Everything from the modern, stripped down decor to the individualized ordering process makes it obvious that a lot of thought and hard work were put into opening the operation.
I recently stopped by their new place (2000 E 6th) and was immediately greeted with smiles and genuine warmth, something you won’t find at every coffee shop in Austin.
Having never been there, I asked for a recommendation and was astounded by the knowledge and passion of the staff. I nodded for a good two to three minutes while I happily learned about all things coffee. Their ordering process is reversed and more personalized than your typical coffee shop. You walk through each step of the creation of your drink with your barista and pay once it’s ready.
Inside Cuvee Coffee Bar
I decided on the Black & Blue, a drink they’ve become known for. It’s the world’s first variable temperature brewed, cold craft coffee on nitro. It was nothing short of incredible. Poured with a beautiful head and what looked like a waterfall inside the glass, the brew went down unbelievably creamy and smooth. I enjoyed every rich and savory sip.
Black & Blue = YUM
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Cuvee Coffee founder Mike McKim about the business and the city. I asked him why he chose East Austin and what he loved about running a business here. “There’s a certain energy that I wanted for our space, and after spending several days and nights on the East Side, it became obvious that this was the perfect place,” McKim shared. “Austin is one of the most hyper-local cities in the United States. Every big, national coffee roaster has spent years trying to break into this market, but the people keep proving that if the product is local and great, they will choose local every time.”
Conversation at the bar
We also touched on what McKim thought about the sprawling local coffee scene. “The coffee landscape in general has changed a lot in the past fifteen years, but the thing I love most is that new, young roasters will be able to achieve success so much faster than I did, which means the consumer will be able to find way more great coffee,” said McKim. “This makes me feel like we have truly had a positive impact on the coffee scene.”
Knowing its clientele on the East Side and displaying its versatility, the cafe also boasts nine craft beer taps and two wine taps, making it a great spot for any crowd to relax. If you get hungry, Cuvee has snacks and pastries from local artisans around the city.
Cuvee Coffee Bar is welcoming, the music is well selected and the overall ambiance is wonderful. There’s a reason this company has been around as long as it has. With this new cafe, I have a feeling Cuvee will be around in East Austin for many years to come.
@mattchampionatx asks:
Have you stopped by the new Cuvee Coffee yet?
The coffee is good, but the customer service on the other hand has been hit or miss for me. The first time I decided to try out this place the employees came off as kind of snobbish and standoffish. I love coffee and enjoy trying new ones but when I came in they immediately asked what I wanted and I had no idea, as this was my first time there. When i said I wasn’t sure they looked at me funny and rattled off some different choices and then just stared at me like I was supposed to know what they were talking about. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. My 2nd trip there was much better. They had 2 different employees behind the counter and they were much more helpful and pleasant.