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

I ordered a birthday cake and was very specific about the writing and few flowers on the cake. In fact, I even spoke directly to the "decorator" about the color of the birthday message. Since it wasn't an unusual request (pink writing and 3 small pink rosebuds), I was assured it was an easy request. When I went to pick up the cake, I was shocked to see the birthday message was totally unreadable since it was so poorly written in a very small space in white writing on a white frosted cake. The requested pink rosebuds were large purple roses with bright green leaves, along with the frosting barely covering the sides of the cake. So skimpy that the cake crumbs were exceedingly noticeable. The kind young lady working the counter agreed it was not the cake I had ordered, even to the point of looking at the original order. Since the decorator had left and the birthday was the same day as they could have it ready, we agreed upon a refund and not accepting the incorrect cake. The young lady could not get into the account to refund me, but assured me the manager would contact me the next day to process my $43.50 refund for a cake not delivered. Needless to say, not one word from Russell's Bakery about my refund or even offering another cake. Thank goodness, I was able to contact my credit card company and it is now a disputed charge. Now, I have discovered I was not refunded for the extra charge for the supposed rosebuds. Avoid this business!!! read more

Russell's has been on my list for a while now. Well, an embarrassingly long while now. So, when I was able to finally give it a try, I believe my expectations go the best of me. It's not that it wasn't delightful and that their house-made egg and bacon breakfast burrito wasn't divine, it's just that I let my wait time anxiously build up to an unrealistic level. The almond milk latte was on par and kept me well caffeinated, and the aforementioned burrito really hit the spot, but the best part...the best part were the pastries. A solid selection without being overwhelming. I walked out, happy as a clam, with my latte, burrito, and croissant with strawberry cream cheese filling. The space is large, which allows for a line of customers to queue up, but it also allows for a decent amount of seating for people to meet up or just to enjoy some quiet solitude with their caffeine. Though the decor is nothing memorable and parking is a tad limited, it's a solid spot. A solid spot indeed. read more

Omg. Two years ago, I had their coconut cake and I've been dreaming about it every since. It's a perfectly dense and moist cake paired with a marshmallow like frosting. It's the perfect pairing with a tall glass of milk. It was so good, I became upset when I thought my boyfriend had eaten some. In actuality, it was all me. Do yourself a favor, and grab a slice or even a whole cake. read more

I'll keep this one short and sweet. The cakes are amazing. However, the cashier had the nerve to ask me for a tip. All you did was put a cake in a box. There was no skill or effort required. The cake wasn't even decorated. It came straight out of the display case. read more

I ordered a cake for my best friend's baby shower and it was sub-par. It looked pretty but it was very dry and lacked flavor. Everyone at the shower was disappointed. read more

I ordered a Black Forest cake for my friends birthday, when I went to pick it up, the outside was plain. Apparently I needed to specify on the order that I wanted the toppings. No where on the website did it specify that and then they proceeded to charge me an extra $10 to add the toppings. Super disappointed in the way they handled the situation, they should make that clear on their online order page. read more

Jeff knows how to dial in a latte and the turkey club is a sandwich and a half... Russells has always focused on its customers, community and quality. Check them out #supportlocalbusinesses read more

oh my goodness, received on Christmas Day a gorgeous pumpkin loaf with a business label that Russell's Bakery, Austin Texas..sliced the following day, I took note of all the raisins and walnuts--it was delicious, sent an immediate text to the gift giver---Thanks Uncle Tom!, family friends in South Texas enjoying what they can before I eat it all...so good Chris, Laredo Texas read more

I come here all the time and have been for years. It's usually a great experience but I was incredibly disappointed today. I got a chai latte and a key lime tart. The chai was grainy and none of the powder was mixed in. It all sank to the bottom but drinkable I guess but I wouldn't get it again. The tart was spoiled 100%. I used to work in a bakery so I know foods get tossed at the end of every day cold products get tossed every other day so how did this happen? Took one bite can't get the taste of sour milk out of my mouth. This isn't a cheap bakery so I really expected better out of them. read more

This bakery is lacking any warmth or character. The cases are disheveled, and don't look like the staff took any care in putting out the baked goods for the day. Also, the last two times I've ordered cakes they messed up the decoration (one time it was misspelled, and the second time they forgot it all together). These problems existed before Covid. I'll be looking for a new bakery to frequent. read more

I've been coming to Russell's almost every weekday morning for the passed 6.5 years and I've never had a bad experience. Spencer, Cathy and Frank are always an absolute pleasure to be around and we have a few laughs every time I'm there. Such a nice place to be early in the morning read more

Ordered a red velvet cake for my daughter's birthday. Was nicely decorated. Everyone raved about how good it tasted and the texture was fantastic! read more

This is a delightful spot for brunch on a weekend. Maybe my opinion is inflated by one too many so-so experiences at Kerbey Lane, which neighbors Russell's, but I'm amazed we didn't stop in here sooner, and I'm fairly certain we'll be back here before we bother with ol' KL again. Our breakfasts were note-perfect, starting with the eggs and going on down to the mimosa for me and his coffee. The menu sounds tasty from top to bottom; dinners seem to be a bit on the pricey side. Friendly service and cute-for-a-coffee-shop atmosphere. They might not hit the perfect note every time, but for us on the muggy, relaxed day we stopped in, it was juuust right. OK, one complaint: wobbly tables. Why is it that so many places have this issue? read more

After a bit of Q&A with some of the coffee houses around town, I found out that many of them get their baked goods from Russell's Bakery. When I discovered this bit of information, I decided to visit the actual storefront to see how one bakery has monopolized the entire cookie+java industry. There was a line of people when we got there. While we waited, I peeked into the display case to pick out the goodies I wanted to try. Ah yes, my favorite part: decision time! Unfortunately, my moment of bliss was quickly obliterated by the presence of four scuzzy and unsightly characters: FLIES. These little unsanitary critters were happily flying around in the display case. In fact, one little guy was enraptured by a cupcake, and by enraptured, I mean stuck in the frosting of said cupcake. I turned to the bf and said, "This is sick shit! I'm out of here!" And I've never been back. read more

My husband orders my birthday cake from Russell's, a red velvet. It is always moist and yummy. I've ordered one for Christmas this year, along with some decorated cookies. I've never had a bad experience with Russell's Bakery, hate to hear that some folks do. You can't please everyone & the foodies in Austin are tough critics. I will continue to enjoy going there. Cindy Todd read more

Neat place! I had a vanilla iced late and it was delicious. The person I met had a tea and a almond croissant that looked to die for! Apparently he is a regular cause they asked him if he wanted to get a free drink. I think they have a rewards program. Either way, great little place to stop and have a bit of coffee or a spot of tea! Check it out! read more

I hate that the sandwiches are fantastic. As are the soups. I mean, fanTAStic. I hate that. Because I cannot stand being in this place. I've taken other people, and sometimes dragged them back, and they say the same: Ugh. No way. Never going back. I have always had impatient counter help -- rude, exasperated. Oh, and there's this really weird thing about when they serve food and when they don't -- CALL BEFOREHAND. It's like "no food on Saturdays after 3p" or something I never understood. Be sure to call, because it isn't pleasant going in and finding out the hard way. The interior is just really generic and kinda country-kitcheny, and the music is bordering on muzak. It's like. The anti-Star Seeds. Or the anti-Epoch. Interpret that as you may. I have tried this place at least a half-dozen times since 2004, and I have finally given up. It's just not for me. But dang, those sandwiches are good. And the tomato bisque, as was mentioned. Dang Russell's and their tomato bisque! read more

I read Chowhound and they have recently been on a quest for a good cupcake in town. It got me a'craving. So I went by Russell's Bakery because they make a darn good tomato soup. But they are a bakery, after all. And cupcakes are a basic bakery staple. So I should expect nothing but moist, light, sublimely sweet cupcakeness, right? Wrong. Dry, dense, tasteless, hard cupcake topped with super sweet crisco icing. Ugh! I'm sticking with the soup. read more

Delicious and fresh! Best carrot cake and Italian Crèam I have eaten. So glad I found them.

Very cute neighborhood coffee shop/ cafe. The baked goods are on point as well as the drinks! The line isn't usually too long and drinks come out quick. Iv moved into the neighborhood a few years back and iv made this my go to morning coffee place. Super friendly staff also! read more

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

We came in on a Saturday afternoon about 15 minutes before they closed. I was worried the staff would be annoyed but they were friendly and took care of us. I got the key lime tart and my fiance got the strawberry vanilla cake. My tart was perfect. No fake bright green key lime in this joint. It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart with fresh whipped cream! I love fresh whipped cream. Fiance's cake was a little dense but good. I'm looking forward to trying out their lunch offerings one day! read more

Only go here if you've got a 2 hour lunch break. 30 mins since I ordered and still nothing. Going to have to get it to go, it better be good! Update.. 40 mins in and still no sign of the soup and half sandwich.. about to leave hungry as I've got to get back to work :-( read more

Love love love the gluten free banana and poppy lemon loaves! Can't get much more homemade, and for those traveling they have an assortment of loaves fresh frozen each day to insure your loaf is as fresh as possible once you get to your destination! read more

Russell's Bakery is a nice little cafe tucked away on west Hancock. They have a delicious selection of baked goods, cakes, pastries, etc. Prices for baked goods are about right. The coffee is better than average but nothing to write home about (but refills are free). I got the half sandwich and soup combo and it was very good but the only reason they didn't 5 stars is because their prices are a tad bit high. Staff is very friendly, helpful, outgoing and hardworking. I will return - their German Chocolate cake very good.....;-) read more

I am a born and raised Austinite. I've been eating at Russel's since I was 15. Each time I eat there this place leaves me happier than before. I love everything this bakery/coffee shop has to offer. You can't go wrong from the morning pastries to the cookies to the cake. My all time favorites have to be the cinnamon roles (they make theirs with cinnamon sugar on top, I am not a fan of icing on my roles so I love this option) and the coconut cake. You won't taste a moisture coconut cake in town. Come in for a coffee, for a dessert, or for a pastry. You won't be disappointed. read more

Russell's provided the grooms cake for our wedding and it turned out perfect. We got the flourless chocolate cake and it was as great as I remember. My older brothers had this same cake at their weddings and I decided to carry on the tradition. My family has been going to Russell's for baked goods since I was little. We highly recommend Russell's! read more

Russell's is...odd. I really want to like it because it's near my house but I'm not sure yet if I do. It reminds me of the peculiar little coffee shop I worked at for two years in college. This is not necessarily a good thing. But...they do seem to have good sandwiches and yummy soups. I think the cupcakes are quite good, but I can see how some people may not agree - they are a little on the dry side and not super sweet (which I like). And they *do* pile the frosting on, which I also like...but that's just me! Oh, and since it's Easter-time, they have little coconut grasses with chocolate eggs on top! Yay! Very fun. All the other baked goodies made me want to drool all over that glass case...but I refrained. They serve Mighty Leaf Tea, which makes me happy. I hate it when I can't get good tea. There were three young guys working behind the counter when I went in and they were exceedingly nice. Bland, but friendly enough. The atmosphere and decor kind of get to me though...and the music. Oh, the music. Muzak-y. Bottom line - it's a place I could take my grandmother, if I had a grandmother in town. read more

Disclaimer: I'm reviewing Russell's as a coffee house more than a bakery. I've heard fine things about the many pastry options at Russell's, but as a coffee house, it's sub-par. There's nothing special about the coffee selection or its presentation. Neither is there anything special about the atmosphere at Russell's. I should have taken a cue from the fire-sale type paintings on the wall that look like someone's grandma painted them in a community college night class and known that I wouldn't really like this joint. I drank my coffee, ate my cinnamon roll, wishing they had at least offered to warm it up, and took off. I had no desire to hang out or have another cup. It's all business at Russell's. It's all bland...much like this review. read more

Russell's Bakery is a nice little cafe tucked away on west Hancock. They have a delicious selection of baked goods, cakes, pastries, etc. The cakes look amazing, I have had my eye on the carrot cake for some time. Their cinnamon rolls and schnicken (sp?) are flaky and delicious. Prices for baked goods are about right. They make a good espresso or cappuccino; the coffee is better than average but nothing to write home about (but refills are free). What stands out for me is the great service, the workers are friendly, helpful, and keep the place clean. The service is what keeps me coming back. The sad truth is that there are not many other options in the area unless you are willing to hold your nose and check out one of the 2-3 Starbucks in the area. Recommended, 4 stars for the pastries! read more

My husband & I stopped here on our anniversary for petit fours. We just moved from California and this is the first bakery we've gone to. Since I was here specifically for petits fours I asked about the small selection in the display. I was told they were "chocolate or vanilla, cake and frosting mixed together." Sounded good enough so I ordered 8 vanilla. I also got 3 of the decorated cookies for the kids; they're cute, but basic. The "petits fours" are huge!(but everything's bigger in Texas right?) I was put off to find a bug in the box upon opening it in the parking lot. We ate them anyway & quickly discovered that they are lemon, not vanilla. Not my flavor, but they were nice and moist nonetheless. I don't regret spending the $40 to support a local business, but I don't believe we will be back. read more

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We took some out of towner friends to Russell's yesterday for a late lunch. This place is calm and quiet and cold--it would be a great place to post up with a laptop as well as enjoy a meal with friends. We opted to sit indoors given the heat. I tried the chicken salad sandwich--a "favorite." It was a favorite of mine for sure. I also had a cup of their chicken tortilla soup on the side. It wasn't spicy at all and had big chunks of avocado and tortilla strips floating in a tomato broth. My chicken salad was pretty delish as well with little chunks of celery for texture. A friend got one of their warm croissants and was raving about how great it was. This same fried almost bought out their dessert cabinet before we left. I am still eating leftover cheesecake at this very moment, savoring the sweet side of Russell's that I had yet to try. I will be back with my sweet tooth in tow next time. The parking situation can be a little hairy...good luck! read more

First time, tried a pastry on the recommendation of a friend. Not two bites in and I overhear the owner /co-owner venting to his acquaintance at the table with him. He's in the middle of this medium sized seating area angrily complaining about everyone from his special needs employees to his coworker family members. The longer I stayed, the angrier the conversation went. After thirty minutes listening to the escalation, I chose to leave. This was on the 27th of January, between 9:00-9:30. read more

I always rely on Russell's for special event cakes and they have never failed me. My wife expects the finest when it comes to celebrating her day. So I've purchased her last 5 birthday cakes from Russell's since I found out about them. Recently my parent's celebrated their 50th wedding anniversay and we called on Russell's to wow us yet again. They succeeded by leaps and bounds. When I presented the cake at the party, the crowd let out a loud "OOOOOOHHHHH." Then they took pictures of the cake before we sliced it up. Alway fresh, rich and made to order. Thank you Russell's Bakery. read more

This place is just okay. The coffee and service is always good and on point. Their baked goods? Some hits, some misses. I usually get iced americanos for coffee, so not much to complain about. The staff here is always friendly and helpful. So that's a plus. I've gotten their hazelnut lattes as well and they are much more flavorful than Starbucks. Most of the cake selection I've tried have been underwhelming however. Only dessert/baked item I've had that is really good would have to be their Apple fritter. Exceptional. But I would skip all of their cakes. They just aren't all that great. Not worth the calories. Lol. All in all, Russell's is a nice, friendly neighborhood coffee shop with a friendly staff and potent coffee. read more

I was running behind after a long weekend and needed to get a gluten free cake for my friends Birthday on short notice. After calling around with no luck I called Russell's Bakery. The man that answered was extremely helpful, he told me that they had a nine inch chocolate gluten free cake available but I was looking for a six inch chocolate cake. The man from Russell's told me that they could make a cake for me and have it ready by yesterday afternoon, not wanting to push my luck I asked if it was possible to have it decorated with some flowers and have my friends name written on the cake, he said it wouldn't be a problem and told me it would be available for when I arrived. When I arrived to pick up the cake I was really impressed with their decorating skills and their attention to detail! My friend and I we're amazed at how great the cake tasted and both agreed that it was probably the best chocolate cake either of us had ever had! I am so very grateful for Russell's Bakery for providing me an amazingly beautiful cake that tasted amazing and it made my friend's Birthday celebration really special. Thank you! Kevin read more

I accidentally stumbled upon this bakery on my way to Mount Bonnell a few years back. Bought a few different samples to try while taking in the sunset on top of the hill. One confectionery stood out and remains a favorite to this day - the Bourbon Ball. It is a small dense chocolate ball infused with bourbon and coated with colored sugary sprinkles. This sinful delight only comes around the xmas time and happily bought 2 dozen home from my last trip! For valentine's my bf decided to order a large heart-shaped Bourbon cake. Mmm it was a lovely sweet surprise! I finished the cake and luckily ended with no cavities! read more

What a sweet place (and I don't mean the baked goods.) Some girlfriends and I celebrated a birthday here and it was lovely. As I've mentioned in other reviews, I'm not a big fan of ordering at a counter. But they are so nice here, they don't rush you and answer questions with a smile. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The Greek salad was HUGE. The massive ham and cheese croissant needed it's own zip code. We didn't order dessert, but was given samples of the black forest cupcake and we all made yummy noises and didn't care who heard us. read more

Let me stress. People talk about this being a "coffee shop", but this is a BAKERY and not a coffee shop. The coffee is not very good. There were hints when I ordered a cappuccino, and I was asked if I wanted a 12 ounce, 16 ounce, or 20 ounce cup. The coffee comes out of an automated machine much that you might find in a Starbucks. The bakery stuff may be excellent, but don't go there for the coffee. Heck, go to Epic or Monkey's Nest. Both have excellent coffee and serve Russell's bakery read more

I love the tarragon chicken salad they have here with crostini's and they have amazing breads. Their pumpkin bread is like no other. Highly recommended read more