This is an adorable neighborhood bakery, so fun to people watch and see life unfold. The regular items are a lot better than the gluten-free selection but I'm glad they cater to gf requirements. read more

It's been awhile since I've visited this old chestnut. I am thrilled to report that it is as good as ever and their prices are quite reasonable. I enjoyed a lunch special of a scoop of well seasoned tuna salad with a creamy tomato bisque (served with flakey croutons and hand grated parmesan cheese) and a slice of GF pumpkin bread for dessert. Unfortunately the pumpkin bread was a let down. It tasted freezer burnt and lacked proper spice. read more

Baked items do not taste "made from scratch". I asked for an extremely hot coffee and no one can seem to make it. I always get warm at best. Oh and to make matters worse......they just purchased my favorite coffee and lunch place Coffee Shark, and changed the menu to theirs!!!! . Hope they are keeping the staff that can make coffee! read more

Please note.. not a review of their products as I haven't had a chance to try. Stopped by Saturday, 2/27 at 315p to pick up a few cookies for a friend who had a rough day. Walked in and waited patiently at the counter. Woman cleaning cases looked at me and kept work. A minute or two later she said "we're closed".. I had checked hours on Yelp and mentioned that to her. I was polite and said "no problem". As I was walking out the door someone else behind the counter said "we're closed". I kind of felt a bit defensive so I mentioned the hours again on Yelp and noted the door was open so that's why I had entered. They both just looked at me. As I was leaving another man walked in the door (hello doors unlocked) so at least I didn't feel like a complete idiot. Completely understand a business can change their hours especially now with Covid, or maybe Yelp listing has just always been wrong, but a little gentle politeness would have had me back another time. Based on this pretty sure will just go to Quacks, or Fat Cats, or any one of the other great places I have tried successfully. read more

I wanted to surprise a friend with something amazing for her tastebuds. I was told Russell's Bakery was a great place for pastries and sweets treats. Today I visited and was greeted with fast and courteous customer service. Bravo and Thank You to the pastry chef and staff at Russell's Bakery. I'll be back for more... read more

Russell's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

i know the cafe was about to close so i gave them grace for not warming up my hardened pastry, but the almond croissants had no filling ?? just encrusted with almonds and topped with sugar, im really appalled at the lack of almond croissants in austin and then when i do get it, it's so sad :/ read more

This place is a Locals Favorite for Sure! Coffee, Espresso and Americanos. Breakfast Croissants, Quiche and All Delicious Delicates! Birthday and Possibly Wedding Cakes. Try the Raisin Bran Carrot Square! It is Absolutely Amazing and Fresh!! Very Friendly Staff. Very Helpful as well. Next time we are in town we'll find a way to stop here again during our stay. read more

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The food was mediocre and there were flies everywhere. They also had really really gross fly traps by the window. I won't be coming back.

Russell's makes the best pumpkin muffins I've ever had. I've tried some of their other baked goods and all are superb, and the coffee is also spot-on. Back to the muffins-they are jumbo sized, and the pumpkin flavor is perfectly enhanced with cinnamon and other spices. The best is that they seem to be topped with large granule baking sugar because there is a hint of crunch and sweetness. I've gone here once to work, and the bakery was a quiet atmosphere with friendly patrons. Decent parking available, too. But my gosh, that pumpkin muffin. I'm grateful Russell's sells these at other coffee shops, too-I buy them pretty much whenever I see them. Best ever. read more

Used to stop here on my way to work a few years ago and always enjoyed their coffee, tea and gluten free muffins and cookies. It's always nice to find bakeries with gluten free options. The staff was also very kind everytime I went in. read more

Russell's exterior may look unassuming, but don't let that stop you! There's definitely bakery goodness on the inside. Ordered a spinach and cheese croissant, which they heated up for me. I was surprised with how big it is and filled me right up. There was plenty of spinach and cheese filling. The croissant part was buttery, and more denser than traditional croissants. Also, picked up two cinnamon rolls from their day-old shelf (a total hidden gem) - also huge and yummy. For the price (around $7 with tip), I think the food quality and quantity matched. Service was friendly and quick, they were patient with me since it was my first time there. There's a handful of parking spots in front of the bakery, so it might be a challenge during busy times. Regarding their COVID precautions, masks are required, bakery capacity is limited, everything is take-out, there's a screen between you and the cashier, and indoor dining is closed (but you sit at their outdoor tables). Definitely would come back to Russell's! read more

I feel like a traitor for not loving this Austin institution but I wonder if it's popularity is based more on longevity than products. I must say I've had Russell's breads at other coffee shops and they're really good. We came here bc it seemed silly that we have been there yet. The staff were really nice. The coffee was middle of the road. I got a banana chocolate chip muffin that I would give a 5.5/6. We also got a blueberry muffin that had a scone like consistency, aka: dry. The final thing was an oatmeal raisin cookie which I would say was also was alright. The baked goods in the window looked so tempting but since I didn't love anything else I did not purchase anything else. I don't anticipate a return. read more

Russell's Bakery - Kiddo at the little table, enjoying the oatmeal raisin. - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

The GF breads are so good! They have 3 options & they all taste amazing! Their coffee is pretty good too, just a little too bitter for me, so add more sweetener if needed. ;) read more

Russell's was recommended to me and I'm glad that I went. I wish that I had been able to hang out and then grab a pastry or cookie. I was in a hurry and picked up lunch to go. They have a small seating area with several tables. It looks like it would be a fun place to meet a friend or two for coffee and pastries. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich that turned out to not be a favorite of mine. It's more savory than sweet so not to my taste but the bread was good and the service very nice. I'd definitely give it another try and order something else. They seem to be a popular lunch spot because a line formed while I was waiting for my order. read more

Russell's Bakery - Chicken Salad Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

Terrible place . They bake all the banana bread, pumpkin bread and cakes and then freeze the whole thing just to pull out during the week. Danish is dry. read more

Yummy food and coffee. Seems like a regular spot for retirees or ladies who lunch. If that's not your jive, take-away and enjoy at your leisure at home or work. My visit may have been poorly tainted by an angry Karen pulling into the parking lot. Staff is nice, though, and the baked goods smell fresh and good. My iced tea and roasted chicken salad was yummy. read more

My wife suggested Russell's, and she was right-excellent selection and service. I'm definitely coming here again. read more

Russell's Bakery - Front of Russell's, an amazing bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

DO NOT ORDER A SPECIAL CAKE from RUSSELL'S !!! if I could give it zero stars I would! My daughter's 50th birthday was the end of September and she was having a special party, so I wanted to provide a special cake. Being new to ordering custo cakes in Austin, I asked friends and was referred to this bakery. My husband and I went there and spent over an hour speaking with the owner about different cakes, sizes etc. He even went to the back to talk to the bakers about whether they could do what we had decided on. We ordered a 10"round cake with a 6" on top. Each cake had 3 layers so we wanted the bigger one to be 2 chocolate layers with an italian cream cake layer in the middle and the reverse for the smaller top cake. we went over the order several times to be sure he understood. Then talking about decorating it, we were told they didn't have what we wanted and we should get it ourselves! Then came the price - $133! we were shocked. Having no choice at that point since the party was in 2 days we went ahead with the order. The event planner picked up the cake so we didn't see it until it was served. Then came the real surprise - it was NOT what we ordered! It was all chocolate to start with - where were the Italian cream layers? Next, it was so dry that virtually no one ate it - nearly as much went back to the kitchen as was served! We were embarras and angry about the money we had wasted! on Monday morning I called the bakery and had to leave a message for the owner. I didn't receive a response until after I called two more times. He said we got what we ordered and would not even consider a refund even though this was not true! Sorry for the lengthy review, but I feel the public needs to know that Russell's doesn't care about giving their customers what they ordered or making up for their mistakes in some way to the unhappy customer. Save yourself a lot of headaches and DO NOT PATRONIZE THIS BUSINESS!!! read more

I needed a great tasting, cake with fun decorating for my daughter's 50th birthday last weekend. I had heard good things about Russell's so my husband and I went there Thursday to order a cake. We worked with Fred, who I've since learned is the owner. After discussing several options, we decided on a two-tiered chocolate cream cake. The cakes come with 3 layers. I said I wanted the top tier two regular Italian cream cake with a chocolate layer in the middle and chocolate cream cheese frosting between the layers. For the larger bottom tier, I wanted 2 chocolate cream cake layers with a regular Italian cream cake layer in the middle and the chocolate cream cheese icing between the layers and then as frosting for the entire cake. Fred went back to talk to the bakers 2 times to make sure they could do it the way I wanted it and was assured they could. The cake came to about $135 plus tax, which we felt was expensive but decided to trust them that it would be perfect. They didn't have the "50 & Fabulous decoration or the long thin candles, which are pretty standard, so we had to go shop for those on our own. A friend picked up the cake for us and took it to the party venue so we didn't see it until it was brought out. It looked ok, but was nothing more special than cakes we have gotten from HEB. When the server brought out the cake slices, it was NOT what I had ordered! All the layers were chocolate, and it was very heavy - not at all like the Italian cream cakes I was used to. Apparently no many guests were impressed either, because most of the plates went back with nearly the entire servings on them. Unfortunately, I feel like we wasted a lot of money on a cake we wanted to be very special! I can't honestly recommend this bakery! read more

I've been coming to Russell's since 1999, soon after they opened--it's always been a happy neighborhood spot with great coffee, pastries, and lunch items. They make my favorite cinnamon roll in town, and it tastes exactly the same today as it did back then. Now, this isn't your average coffee house bakery-case cinnamon roll--no cream cheese icing or simple "swirl" here. This is a true pastry--flakey and crisp on the outside, then, as you work your way in, you approach the slightly moist and buttery cinnamon center. Add a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and you have one of the best morning treats (heck--I get these things in the afternoon often) in Austin. Be patient with the employees. They are genuinely nice people who have to deal with some genuinely not nice people all day. Once the dining room is open again (it's still closed due to Covid) I highly recommend stopping in for a turkey and cheese croissant + a cup of soup for lunch. (Don't take my cinnamon rolls!! ) read more

Every Tuesday I buy a Russell's cookie and it is sooo good exept sometimes they run out of cookies.

Extremely delicious! The chai lattes were great, the fancy cupcakes were delicious, and the peanut butter brownie was fantastic! I would come back here whenever I am in the area. 10/10 would recommend! read more

I have tried this place multiple times. I used to go here alot with my kids when they were going to Crenshaw's. We would get a treat of what looked like delicious cookies. But have you tried them? Perhaps these rave reviews are for coffee and drinks? Maybe other baked items. The case looks delicious. But bite into one and you think you may have taken a bite out of a precious museum piece. This past Friday I stopped in and bought a white chocolate chip chocolate cookie and one of the almond cinnamon ones. I wish I had bought just one! The almond cinnamon was the bomb and the white chocolate chocolate one BOMBED! It was old, dried out and made with stale ingredients. I have a friend who is a chef and I saved it for her. As this was the same taste I would get years ago and why we stopped going. I even said something to the counter staff then because we would eat the cookies there. This time I did not ... sadly. So I asked my friend to taste it and asked, "is it me or this off?" She gagged and said the ingredients are stale. She thought it was the oil or something. It is not rancid but tastes like it has been refrigerated forever. Perhaps they bake cookies daily by pulling from old dough. All I can say is even years later there is still the same problem. I guess they make most of their money on drinks. I cannot believe they are still serving up the same old dough! I really wish it had changed. I like to support local businesses but can't support this one. After all these years...still the same consistent bad tasting basic cookie! read more

I really like this bakery-the croissants and scones are very tasty and the coffee is decent. I also really appreciate that everyone wears masks and they care about keeping the community safe. My only feedback-I wish they had savory baked items as well! read more

Not a bad stop for a quick lunch! Their sandwiches are healthy and delicious, and I like that you can sub half for a soup. Get the tomato bisque- its awesome! When you enter you order at the counter, and you have all those delicious pastries staring back at you. Their cinnamon rolls looked different. I'm no pastry genius but it was all flaky and awesome looking, so I got it, and it blew my mind. read more

Russell's Bakery - Grilled chicken sandwich and tomato bisque soup - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The pastries here are excellent. I had the lemon square and it was incredible. The counter worker added powered sugar to it and that perfect way to indulge. The only reason I am giving this business 4 instead of 5 stars is because indoor dining is closed. During this Austin heatwave, it would be wise to have people indoors when it's pushing 100 and humid, daily. read more

Russell's is one of my favorite bakeries in Austin, and has been for years. I love this place, and this review is definitely overdue. Here are some of the reasons that I'm a big fan. * Russell's provided the food for my baby shower, and I couldn't have been more pleased. The themed cookies, cake and treats (small sandwiches, scones and petit fours) were delicious, and they couldn't have been cuter. * They have the best croissants - savory (I love the ham and cheese), sweet (chocolate, and OMG - strawberry cream cheese) and of course plain. * This is a game changer for me ... the Italian sodas. Maybe Italian sodas are not a southern thing, but they are so often left off of the menu at Austin coffee shops. When I was pregnant, Italian sodas were one of my major cravings, and it was hard to seek out a decent one. Some coffee shops don't add cream, some use cheap syrup (which totally ruins the soda) ... Russell's Italian sodas are seriously perfect. * The people - locally owned and operated, and the staff is very sweet. My friend and I were just in this morning, and the baristas could not have been nicer (it was really busy too!) * Pumpkin! Like pretty much all suburban girls, I have a special place in my heart for pumpkin flavored anything. Russell's has the best pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins ... and get this, they have them year round. read more

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Wish we lived closer; we used to live a short drive, but now it's about 7 miles away. The sandwiches and salads are worth the drive, though. BUT, you'd better be there a bit earlier than their 4:00 "take-out time;" we got there about 7-8 minutes before posted closing time, just to pick up some sandwiches to-go. But we were told at the counter that they were already cleaning the kitchen and couldn't make any more food. WTF? My partner is a chef, and to him it's outrageous that someone would turn away paying customers who just wanted a couple of sandwiches. I'm glad my supermarket doesn't turn me away at the door for that last-minute, "I'm out of milk/bread/whatever." read more

I realized Wednesday afternoon that I wouldn't have time to make my daughter's (gluten free) birthday cake in time for her party on Friday. I thought I was ordering too late but they said they would try. All we told them was the party was a Fiesta theme and asked for some colorful flowers. We had the cake in time for when her friends arrived at 4:30 pm Friday and it was better than we could have ever imagined! We are so grateful to Russell's for making her day special. --- 2017 update Russell's does it again! Thanks for another awesome cake! read more

Russell's Bakery - "Hollywood red carpet" gluten free vanilla cake with chocolate ganache filling, butter cream frosting and fondant silver stars. - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came here with my friend and she announced them having really good latte. She's picky so I trust her. I love how they have artwork displayed along the wall, I enjoy being surrounded by beautiful things. A couple in front of me ordered a gigantic red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, it was a work of art! May want to order from here for my next birthday... We will be back! Wish there were places where I could charge my phone or laptop so we can stay there all day. read more

Honestly, was a bit disappointed with my recent trip here. I paid a visit to this location for lunch with my mom last week. We both got the chicken salad on sourdough, I had a side salad and my mother had a soup. The chicken salad was very good! Great flavor. My side salad was huge, which was great, but I asked for dressing on the side and instead had is slathered all over my salad. Of course, we had to get a treat before leaving from the bakery. I was excited to try the key lime tart and my mother got the Apple fritter per a friends recommendation. First off, the apple fritter barely had any taste of cinnamon apple, which was disappointing. The worst part though was the key lime tart... It had ZERO taste of lime... I'm not quite sure what happened but I suppose no one tasted the custard while baking. Overall, the meal was good and I'd maybe go back for a sandwich and soup, but not sure I'll return for the baked goods sadly. read more

I've tried a few different pastries of theirs and was not impressed. Love their Italian soda and how kind the staff is, so I thought to give their pastries another try. The eclair sounded delicious. Unfortunately it was really hard to eat for how thick the chocolate was around the hard cold pastry. The cream inside was super cold and hard. It did not seem fresh at all. My kids got the cupcakes and they too were cold and hard. Being a culinary major, I expected top quality and taste from a bakery that makes "fresh goods". The hot chocolate was also watered down and the whip cream that I asked for was frothed milk. Might want to look into why your stuff taste old and hard. read more

Russell's Bakery - Watered down hot chocolate, milk froth as whip cream. - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Typically I would rave about this place but because they are a local shop I was disappointed that they don't disclose the freshness of their gluten free pumpkin bread you never know how old and hardened it will be when you get it home. You can't even request fresh loaves even tho they claim they are baked daily. We know they are not ALL sold daily so you never know how fresh they really are !! It's one thing to offer a refund I without contact information or name or email. ???? Or even to offer fresh GT bread as I had requested. And make sure I'm getting the one baked the night before as your staff claims. That would be nicer. read more

Honestly pretty disappointing. Got some key lime tarts that were basically inedible. They tasted like they'd been sitting in a fridge for days, soaking up bad fridge smells in the crust. Not good. The muffins were just ok. The two pieces of bread (pumpkin and lemon) were both hard. Giving 3 stars because I know COVID makes it tough to be at their best- in ordinary times, I'd give less. read more

If you don't know about this little secret amongst Highland Park/Northwest Hills, let me enlighten you! This true bakery has SUGAR, BUTTER, and dare I say, GLUTEN. It is delicious! They have all the various types of pastries and muffins. They have delicious coffees and cappuccinos. Their lunches are affordable sandwiches with soups. And they have cookies for your sweet tooth. Have I mentioned cake?! Yes baby, they have cake! So now that you know, go! Go taste what heaven feels like. read more

Russell's Bakery is one of my favorite coffee shops in Austin. They have a wide variety of baked goods from danishes, cakes, muffins, and a lot more. I got to try a couple of their pastries and wow! All of them were delicious. You can tell that they truly care to make the best product they can. For example, the muffins have this amazing moist texture on the inside which makes it go down smoothly unlike other places that sell dry pastries. My absolute favorite ones are: the strawberry danish, the banana chocolate chip muffin, the pumpkin muffin, and the cinnamon roll. The service here is great, I got to talk to the owner and he is so nice and outgoing. He made me feel at home and you can tell he genuinely cares about the place. All in all, this is a great place for anyone to come visit. I love this place and am highly satisfied. read more

Russell's Bakery - Pumpkin Muffin - Bakeries Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Their gluten-free bread is a hit with my wife. Many different varieties, including lemon poppyseed and pumpkin. She had to ration it to avoid eating in one sitting. read more

This has always been one of my favorite places. But lately the service and quality has waned. Recently I bought a cinnamon role that didn't seem quite cooked all the way through. But the pumpkin muffins still rock and the coffee is great! read more

I have been here twice now--and am hooked, per se! Super delicious muffins (bald cupcakes, according to Jim Gaffigan) and pastries, and the staff are super friendly. I plan to continue to visit and hope to perhaps perform there one day (play acoustic guitar and sing mostly covers). read more

Tuna Fish Sandwiches, oh yea! Tuna Fish Sandwiches, so good! Russell's was the only eatery close to my claustrophobic apartment, and it became sacred to me. I use to get up and my boyfriend would go out for coffee, and I'd talk to him and listen on the high octane fuel of their house coffee. After the half year mark, a Batista put a leaf or a heart of foam in my mocha's. Those were my happiest days in Austin. If I went for lunch this meant that my boyfriend cared about me that day, and I always got Tuna Fish Sandwiches. I enjoyed their art up for sale too. In my one year of living in Austin, Texas, half my photographs are taken at Russell's. It's a wonderful place to take loved ones and enjoy a moment in the busy city. The staff are truly beautiful souls. I miss them a lot. And their coffee. They made me love Austin. read more