New Austin Bakery Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop Opens in East Austin

Nadia Chaudhury is an editor for Eater Northeast and Eater New York and was the former Eater Austin editor, who often writes about food and pop culture.

One of Austin’s best pastry chefs is opening her very own bakery this week. Amanda Rockman’s Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop is opening in the Holly neighborhood at 2400 East Cesar Chavez Street, Suite 200 starting on Friday, October 11.

Rockman the bakery’s motto is “caffeine, gluten, sugar, butter, and booze,” all of which are available. There are so many croissants both sweet and savory. The former includes the churro croissant, where the chocolate baked good is filled with dulce de leche cream and chocolate fudge, covered with cinnamon sugar; and the lemon meringue, with a lemon-cured filling and covered in flamed meringue. Savory ones include the ham-cheese-mustard. And in a similar vein, there are Rockman’s classic kouign amanns. Other baked goods include cookies like the halva chocolate chip and an oat flour chip with white chocolate; cakes; pecan bars; brownie-cookies called brookies; and so many other sweets.

A tray with halved bagels and clumps of cream cheeses. — The rip-and-dip bagels.

Halved croissants on a checkered paper. — Filled halved croissants .

Non-sweets include bagels and schmears, where the carb is meant to be ripped and dipped into said-condiments, which include New York City cheesecake-blueberry lavender compote or the lox-green onions. Then there will be focaccia sandwiches, such as the ricotta, tomatoes, and olives.

The bakery’s weekend hours will have special items available, including the strawberry cheesecake croissant stuffed with cheesecake (yes) and covered in strawberry glaze, strawberry bits, and chocolate pearls. Then there’s the spiced pecan kouign amann

For drinks, there are cocktails available by the glass or carafe. Options include the Rockman Shandy made with beer from Live Oak Brewing and house-made lemonade; and the Sammy Sunrise with freshly squeezed orange juice, pineapple juice, and sparkling wine. Then there’s a selection of vermouths as well as beers from Zilker Brewing Co. and Meanwhile Brewing Co. and wines. Nonalcoholic drinks are also available, including coffee and teas.

A tray and table full of baked goods. — So many baked goods.

A tray of baked goods covered in torched meringue. — Torching the lemon meringue croissants.

A pile of cookies with sesame seeds on half of them. — Halva cookies.

The counter-service physical space was designed by Rockman and architect Bengie Daniels from the Latitude Architects firm. There’s indoor seating with tables, bar stools, high-tops, and a lounge; plus a window into the kitchen to watch the baking magic happen.

For Rockman the bakery’s first week of service, it’ll be open from Friday, October 11 through Monday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’ll reopen on Wednesday, October 16. Weekday hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A pickup window on East Cesar Chavez will open in two weeks. Takeout orders can be placed in person or online; there are indoor dine-in areas.