Ruta Maya Importing Co

Not really set up for visitors - there's few tables, loud music, and it's too big and dark inside. The ""porchies"" outside usually smell like non-tobacco smoke, too. more

Do not take lessons from this instructor. She is rude, arrogant and a major diva. She does not allow socializing of any kind during her lesson. She uses tactics of verbal abuse, humiliation and embarrassment to get people to conform. Instead of being professional and setting clear expectations, she reacts with aggressive attacks. She is a terrible instructor who contradicts what she says. I will never go back to her class! Don't put yourself through the punishment! Pros: food, drinks, ecletic crowd Cons: salsa instructor more

Ruta Maya is awesome! Service has been friendly every time and they're really nice to talk to! My drinks are always delicious - their chai is my favorite, spicy and yummy! They also sell wheat free cookies (not made there) that are the best I have ever had, mmmm!! It is so relaxing to go in and pick up a drink there, the music is always good and the people there are from vastly different backgrounds. Ruta Maya's my favorite coffee shop in Austin! \r Pros: Ambiance, Chai Tea Cons: can be slow service at times if the line is long more

I go to Ruta Maya at least once a week. The staff are like family. Their hibiscus mint iced tea is very, very good. Lots of good parking and really cool events almost every night of the week. Everyone there is friendly. You feel comfortable there if you go alone or if you are with a group of friends. more

Ruta Maya is one of a kind and Austin is fortunate to have such an eclectic, diverse space! They support the community and serve fair trade organic coffee, they offer varies classes from yoga to ti chi-have a kids show every Sunday morning it's great! Finding the place is a bit difficult-maybe a bigger sign in the Penn Field area. Food is limited and inconsistent ,not all places are perfect. Check it out! Pros: spacious-parking-neat music Cons: slow/unfriendly service (depending on barista) more

Let me start off by saying that I am a highly educated professional who is currently pursuing her Master's degree at a nearby university - so this review is coming from an individual who is enlightened intellectually. Politically, I am a moderate, but do not judge others for being far left liberal, or far right conservative. Both ideologies are interesting in analyzing. Of course, it is evident that Ruta Maya is a leftist, environmentalist establishment (good for them, more power to them) who preaches to the far leftist Peta-swearing, communist groups. For me, that is the beauty of the establishment - it has an artsy, intellectual, hippie-vibe. Being an open-minded person, I embrace difference.\r \r I have been going to Ruta Maya for years. As an undergrad, I pursued my Political Science degree, now holding a B.A. in Political Science and am working on my Master's in Liberal Arts. I've frequented Ruta Maya for years, and always leave a dollar in their tip jar - even for coffee!\r \r Well, one day, I decided to frequent the establishment to purchase coffee and visit a cigar merchant within the coffee house when all of the sudden this morbidly obese woman from ""Austin Daze"" treated me unfairly. Of course, she looks directly at my authentic Louis Vuitton leather purse, my perfectly manicured white-tipped nails, my professional attire, and geez - I guess according to her, I just didn't fit in! She kept looking at me up and down and discriminated against me based on her dirty looks and attempts to kick me out. When I consulted Ruta Maya counter attendants about my unfair treatment, they didn't seem to care.\r \r I don't know - I've decided to boycott their establishment, although I do sneak in through the back to purchase cigars from Habana House (separate from them). At the end of the day, I have my college degree(s), my internal/external beauty, my intellect - and I am certain that the large woman who could lose a few pounds will be working Austin Daze forever Pros: decent coffee Cons: Judgemental leftist communists who treat their kind like gold, but others like garbage more

I remember when Ruta Maya first opened years ago, I was one of their first employees. It is amazing to see how much it has changed, but they remain true to that eclectic, independent spirit that they first opened with. Yeah, and the coffee is great. more

Too bad for y'all Ruta Maya changed. Lets focus on now. I prefer the newer location. Sweating in the summer was a really big DRAG! It is in a great location, run by folks who care about indigenous people and do something about it. They have all kinds of activities and music from Salsa dancing to break-dancing. They have a porch or inside. Toys for and a computer for kids-downright Kid Friendly. It still gets an ecletic group of folks. Try several nights and events and you'll see. Pros: community, parking, aura more

This place is not a thing like the original. It's very commercial in a cheapened way. The people that frequent are not the same as the old dowtown location, they are a bit blander and less interesting. Also, they are not as outwardly friendly as the old crowd. I have gone a few times and think nothing of it. Service is bland. Coffee is good. Selection is mediochre, but small in comparison to the size of the place. Pros: newer building, parking Cons: , not like old place more

Ruta Maya, may she rest in peace, was a wonderful place to hang out, people watch, drink decent coffee, and gaze at the downtown skyline. Such a shame. more