4.5 out of 5 stars
Studying and working can often make us feel stuck — both in our heads and our environments. Wayfinder Coffee Co. is a space designed to remind patrons of the world around us, and the food and drink it has to offer.
Located just past Rangewood Drive on Austin Bluffs Parkway, Wayfinder is a travel-themed coffee shop and gathering place that serves a variety of drinks and food. The coffee shop also hosts events such as live music nights and wine tastings. They are open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
The wall to the left of the front door is decorated with giant, old-fashioned maps of the world in the style of a nautical voyage, and the rest of the shop is covered in travel sketches of plants, boats and architecture.
The coffee bar is designed as an unfinished wooden house structure in the middle of the shop, making for a cozy tavern vibe. Seating ranges from small tables to armchairs, with plenty of additional outdoor seating lit by warm lanterns and torches. Eating there feels like stopping at a comfortable inn for the night after a long, tiring journey.
The menu is designed as a sample of different flavors from around the world. The menu features coffee shop classics like espresso, americano and cappuccino, but also include special varieties such as Thai Tea and the Golden Milk, a golden root turmeric latte. The Thai tea is delicious, whether served iced or hot. In addition, they have house-made sodas such as “Enter the Torii Gate,” a mix of yuzu lemon, cherry plum, lemon and basil flavors.
Food options are also meant to resemble a spread of global tastes, from the tapas boards that the menu describes as “perfect for trips with a friend,” to the paninis, soups and salads meant “for solo travelers.”
Their tomato soup is flavorful and creative, and the Londoner panini, made with London port beef, cheddar and green apple made for an unexpectedly appealing combination of tastes.
They have a breakfast menu available until 3 p.m. every day, and a selection of classic bakery items from pastries to quiche.
Their alcoholic menu is expansive and broken up by country, featuring wines, beers and specialty drinks from across Europe to South America, Australia and South Africa. Happy Hour is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, they offer 20% off mimosas all day.
Drink prices for non-alcoholic beverages range from $2.50 for an espresso to $7 for a smoothie. Their Americano costs from $2.75 to $3.25 depending on size. The food is a little more expensive, from a soup and salad combo at $10 to their highest tapas price, the cheese board, at $22.
They host regular jazz nights featuring local bands at no additional charge, which makes the space feel even warmer and more welcoming when experienced with a friend.
Their next wine tasting is on Friday, April 28, with a “five course wine dinner showcasing traditional wines from several regions of France,” according to their website. Additionally, they offer space for private events.
Wayfinder is a cozy, welcoming space that’s perfect for studying, meeting friends or enjoying some flavors from around the world. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere feels like home, whether home is here or elsewhere around the world.
Wayfinder Coffee Co. is located on northern Austin Bluffs Parkway. Photo by Lillian Davis.