Mozart's Coffee Roasters, Austin's Original Lakeside Coffee Roaster
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Who Is Mozart's Coffee Roasters
Mozart's is a café, bakery and coffee roaster at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, open seven days a week. Since 1993 it has paired small batch, freshly roasted coffee with scratch made pastries, waterfront views and a full calendar of live music and seasonal events.
The roasting is what sets it apart. Every cup served at the café and every bag shipped from the online store is roasted at the same lakeside address. For the wider picture of the café and the venue, see About Us.
A 30+ Year History on Lake Austin
Mozart's opened on a hot Monday in June 1993, next door to Hula Hut. At the time the coffee shop idea was still taking shape on the West Coast, and Austin had no café roasting its own beans. The only local roaster, Anderson's, sold wholesale.
Four couples founded Mozart's, all with backgrounds in hospitality. Ken and Stacey Leonard were the most hands on, alongside Duffy and Tina Oyster and Bill and Katrine Formby. They worked with the US office of Probat, the German roasting equipment firm, to choose and buy the roaster.
Ken Leonard has said the business still runs on its three original tenets, in this order. "Bakery, Coffee, Place."
Mozart's went on to become the first coffee shop in Austin to roast in house, the first to offer free wifi and the first to add a bottomless cup to its menu.
How Mozart's Roasts Its Coffee
The roaster installed in 1993 is still the one roasting on site. Mozart's classic blends follow the Northern European Germanic tradition, with smooth and bold flavors in the medium to dark range. Alongside that line, the team roasts lighter single origin coffees, espressos and newer blends for today's tastes.
Roasting in house means fresher coffee and full control over flavor. Instead of buying coffee already roasted by a wholesaler, the team decides how each bean is developed and can experiment with new blends.
Meet the roaster
Jack Ranstrom, Mozart's Director of Coffee, has roasted on Lake Austin since 1999. He trained under Peter Larsen, a German master roaster from Munich who set up the roasting program at Seattle's Best. In Jack's words, "Larsen taught me the analog way of roasting, how to use human touch and skill by manipulating the roasting machine." He calls it soul roasting. It relies on intuition and knowing exactly when to dry out the beans so the sugars caramelize and the acidity fades.
Roast levels at Mozart's
| Roast | When it's dropped | Final temperature | What you taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Medium | Just before second crack, development just over 20% | 415 to 420°F | Natural acidity balanced with fuller body |
| French | Well into second crack, development over 25% | Not specified | Oils on the surface of the bean, bold and dark |
| Italian | After second crack, longer and slower roast | 440°F and up | Smoky, silky mouthfeel with an intense but smooth finish |
The Blend Lineup
Over three decades Mozart's has created a couple dozen blends, including the classic Lake Austin and Mozart's blends. Current favorites include Espresso D'Oro, El Gato Negro and Mexican Vanilla Bean. Single origins such as Brazil Light Medium and Costa Rica Medium round out the range.
The Festival of Lights blend, Heaven & Nature Sing, has been a seasonal favorite since 1999. It's bold and sweet with cocoa and spice.
Browse the full range in Signature Blends, Single Origin and Flavored Coffee.
Coffee by the Pound and Subscriptions
Mozart's coffee is sold by the bag and through three monthly subscriptions, each with a Standard and a Silver tier.
| Subscription | Standard | Silver | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Blend | $53.97 for 3 lbs a month, free shipping | $89.95 for 5 lbs a month, free shipping and a monthly gift | A rotating mix of classic blends, or pick Mozart's Blend, Lake Austin Blend, Vecchi Amici or El Gato Negro |
| Espresso Blend | From $53.97 | Same tiers | Espresso roasts delivered monthly |
| Customizable | $17.99 a bag | Not applicable | Choose any blend from the full list and add more bags or a second roast |
See every option in Coffee Subscriptions.
The Café, Bakery and Events
The café. Mozart's is quiet and easy by day, with people working and studying on the deck over the lake. After dark it turns into an alcohol free hangout with live bands by the water. Seating is open and first come, first served, and dogs are welcome on the outside patios.
The bakery. Bakery comes first in the founders' list of priorities. Expect croissants, cheesecakes, cakes, tarts, cookies and brownies, plus gluten free and vegan options. In 2019 the Austin American Statesman named Mozart's Best in Coffee and Best in Dessert. See the Bakery & Patisserie page and the full menu.
Live music. Bands play the outdoor stage Thursday through Sunday, and Tuesday nights belong to Late at the Lake, the open mic for songwriters, musicians and poets. See what's on in the Event Calendar and read more in Live Music and Community at Mozart's.
Festival of Lights. Every winter, from late November to early January, millions of lights reflect on Lake Austin for Mozart's biggest event of the year. Each season brings a new theme, live performances and on the water experiences. Get Festival of Lights tickets.
Private events. Mozart's rents its lakeside spaces for parties, meetings, engagements, weddings and more. Rates start at $250 an hour per space on weekdays and $400 on weekends. The lake view room seats 45 with a stage and piano, and the Upper Grotto adds room for 40 more. Plan a private event.
FAQ
Was Mozart's really the first coffee roaster in Austin?
Mozart's was the first coffee shop in Austin to roast in house. Other companies roasted beans, but none did it on site at a café until Mozart's opened in 1993.
Who roasts the coffee at Mozart's?
Director of Coffee Jack Ranstrom, who has roasted at Mozart's since 1999 on the same roaster installed at opening.
Does Mozart's offer a coffee subscription?
Yes. The Signature Blend subscription is $53.97 for 3 lbs a month or $89.95 for 5 lbs a month plus a monthly gift, both with free shipping. Espresso and customizable subscriptions are also available.
Can I make a reservation at Mozart's?
No. Seating is open and first come, first served.
Are dogs allowed at Mozart's?
Yes, on the outside patios.
When is live music at Mozart's?
Thursday through Sunday on the outdoor stage, plus the Late at the Lake open mic on Tuesdays from 8 to 11 p.m. Sign ups open at 7.30 p.m.
Can I rent Mozart's for a private event?
Yes. Rates start at $250 an hour per space on weekdays and $400 on weekends. See Private Events for spaces and holiday pricing.
What is the Festival of Lights?
Mozart's annual holiday light show on Lake Austin, running from late November through early January with themed entertainment and on the water experiences.
More answers on the FAQ page.