Austin just got a new spot to slow down. Moment of Tea, a Japanese-inspired tea lounge, opened this week on the grounds of Casa de Luz Village in Zilker, serving loose-leaf matcha, cold brews and a small, low-key retreat for hanging out. Owner Tran Nguyen, who spent more than a decade working in healthcare before launching the shop, created the space to be less about rigid tea ceremony and more about building community.
Where to find it and when
Moment of Tea is tucked onto the second floor of Casa de Luz Village at 1701 Toomey Rd., with access from the shared internal courtyard. According to Moment of Tea's website, the lounge is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Menu and atmosphere
The menu leans Japanese, with hot loose-leaf teas and powdered matcha, plus cold brews, tea-with-milk options and a rotating lineup of "wandering teas" sourced from outside Japan. As reported by CultureMap Austin, nothing on the menu uses processed sugar, and guests can examine and smell dried tea leaves before their brew is prepared.
Owner's approach and upcoming events
"Tea is just a bridge to get there," Nguyen told CultureMap Austin, explaining that she wants people to relax and "play with tea rather than follow strict rules." As the lounge settles in, it plans to host traditional chado matcha services and ikebana flower-arranging sessions as part of its programming.
In the Casa de Luz Village
Moment of Tea joins a cluster of wellness-focused tenants at Casa de Luz, which describes itself as an educational community center pairing nourishment with connection. According to Casa de Luz, the Village hosts shared meals, classes and events, a backdrop Nguyen says aligned with the centering feeling she wanted for her tea lounge.
