Eyewear can be a great way to show off one's personality. If you're looking for a pair of peepers that are funky, cool, quirky, and/or unique, Santa Fe Optical has you covered! My parents both own glasses from Santa Fe. They have some really cool frames that you wouldn't normally find in a typical eye doctor's office or eyewear store. If funky and unique isn't your style, they do offer more toned down options. The majority of the frames that I saw had cool colors and/or shapes. One of the brands that they carry is called Vinylize. The frames are made from old vinyl records. How awesome is that? The staff was super friendly and helpful! Sara, Stacy, and a third woman whose name I can't remember were working and all three of them were so nice! My jaw dropped when my mom told me how much she paid for her glasses. You won't find any price tags in store or online, so be prepared to spend. read more

See all

The best selection of frames! I went to many places in Austin and they definitely have the funkiest selection. I'll be back!

So many unique styles. They are also an excellent repair/restoration source. You need to submit to insurance yourself. But would highly recommend read more

What an amazing variety of really cool glasses. I went in to order maybe two pair and I walked out having ordered four! Style and uniqueness rule here. I fell in love with Theo glasses a few years ago and managed to break the temple off my very favorite pair. Sante Fe is able to fix them under warranty no less! Every time I go in now, I find a new pair. I like a variety from Steampunk goth sorta things to cateye colorful . I think glasses are not only helpful but they are jewelry and should enhance your style and mood. They can deliver on that here! read more

Santa Fe Optical - They changed the awnings! - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Austin, Texas

Easily the most exciting, unusual, and beautiful frames available in Austin. Employees are friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful. I love Santa Fe! read more

This is my favorite place to get new glasses and every time have a great experience. They stock a full wide range of designer frames keeping up with the latest trend and are experts in matching your face with the right pair. They provide you with choices and let you decide on frames and color. The lenses are perfectly made where over the years had no issues with them. It may take a while to wait for them but will not be disappointed. The cost may be higher but it's all about the service and quality. read more

Santa Fe Optical - Signage - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Austin, Texas

I dig this place, the selection of high quality and quirky frames is unrivaled. I have received great service from Jesse and the other staff have been very friendly. I bought my last few pairs of glasses here. They aren't cheap, but as they say "you get what you pay for". I've had my fill of national chains and their overpriced / low quality frames. They dont take insurance but my FSA card works just fine, honestly my vision insurance isn't worth much more than an eye exam anyway. I understand some local rockstars and artist types shop here and with the funky styles they serve up I'm not surprised. read more

I found out I am invisible today. I've bought several very expensive pairs of glasses from SFO and because I wear distinctive glasses, I get lots of compliments on my eyewear. I have often recommended SFO. Not anymore. I went into the store on this slow Saturday afternoon. One customer was being helped and another came in right ahead of me and got the second salesperson's attention. No problem, I started trying on glasses and thought I'd be helped ASAP. Nope. The first customer left and both salesladies got to talking to the only other customer in the store beside me. I walked around the small group as I tried on different glasses. I was in the store at least 10 minutes when the second customer left and the two sales ladies continued a conversation and went into the back of the store, behind a door. I then realized I was invisible and left. On my way out, the front door chimed. A saleslady came outside and exclaimed, "Oh, my dear!" Clearly apologetic, but if I want no customer service I'll buy online. read more

In have used Santa Fe Optical for years and years. Lately, every time I go in the staff seems short and not very helpful. Almost condescending. Unsure what has happen, I like getting compliments on my eyeware but thinking that I may have to go elsewhere. It's a shame after spending much there over the years.. read more

I really enjoyed my experience at Santa Fe Optical. They have a huge selection of frames. Lisa helped me and she was able to pretty quickly round up quite a few frames that I liked. And she had the patience of a saint helping me decide on my favorite. She gave me a call when they were ready and I've been enjoying my new glasses ever since. A lovely place to do business! Fred Wilbur read more

The first time i used Santa Fe Optical was around 1996. And over all these years the good people there have taken very good care of me. Recently i had to get a new set of readers. I am a Lunor fan. They always get it right with frameless/rimless glasses. So a shout out to the folks who recently helped me out with care, Sarah, Lisa and Lucas were all terrific. And my overall experience continues to be wonderful. Keep up the good work! read more

Great eye wear store if care more about snobbery than customer service and money. Oh, and bring your high-powered magnifying glass if you want to learn the prices because, in a funny twist of irony for an eye glass store, they don't want you to be able to see the prices - ha! Of course, that's because they're overpriced... You can't see the model numbers either to prevent you from price shopping. And don't ask about either - the price or model. Nothing is negotiable like at virtually every other eye glass store on the planet. The penalty for asking is immediate dismissal as a legitimate customer with a big dose of attitude. Lots of other great eye wear store to chose from. Avoid these folks. read more

This place is more like a glass frame company than an optical company. Being promised that we would get the glasses within a week before we traveled out of town for a long time, my bf picked up his favorite frame and paid the amount in full. 2 days later, he got a call from the salesperson saying that the lens will not fit into the frame because it will be too thick. "why don't you pick the other one?" the sales woman said. Well, that's because we were promised the world when we paid for the first frame! In the end, we went out of town without new glasses and went back to the store in a month again. Since we cannot ask for return, we had to pick a new frame. When we asked her about the different lens they offer, she said the lens they used "have everything in it". She couldn't really offer any suggestion on the lens offered and simply told us to use the default one. At the end, we compromised with a new frame and a mysterious lens that the store uses for every customer. This kind of service should be at Wal-Mart and not at this upscale neighborhood. Granted, the sales woman is really nice and polite. But the fact that they have no clue what they are selling just pissed us off big time. read more

Somehow I twisted one arm of my almost new SFO glasses getting ready for work. After unsuccessfully dismantling the arm to find twisted metal on both pieces I dropped by SFO late morning. After advising me the frames could be compromised in the repair process I said go ahead and 10 minutes later my glasses came out in perfect shape. A special shout out to Lauren for the way-above-average customer service. read more

I've had nothing but great experiences at Santa Fe. I first visited the Arboretum store. After picking out a few frames, I had them sent to the other store, since I could not make it over there before closing that day. After visiting the main store a few times, I decided on two frames (I had to use up that flex account), one for regular prescription and one for sunglasses. They were not cheap, but the results were great. Not only that, but after having problems with the lenses on the non-sunglasses, they took them back and recut with a different glass. Very helpful and accommodating staff. They have moderately priced frames up to over $1K for frames. It is too tempting to go in there and look around and try things out. read more

Love, love, love buying my glasses here! I am not happy about having to wear glasses but this place makes me look cool and in style. I have been buying my glasses and sunglasses here for a number of years and today just cemented my appreciation for Sante Fe even more. I have to wear bifocals and when I am at the computer they are not very functional and I am having to tilt my head in funny ways to see the computer screen and then read documents on my desk. So when I had my annual eye exam my Optometrist suggested single vision glasses just for me to use at my desk. So because I didn't need a fancy pair I have to be honest and say I went to one of those cheap glasses in an hour places. Oh my gosh what was I thinking! Not helpful and have not a clue so I ran to the nearest Santa fe Optical! I walk in, describe what I want and they immediately go shuffling around the entire store bringing me different pairs that would not only fit my face but look good on me. Boom, in and out in about 30 minutes. It was serve yourself at the one hour place and no one offered to help me pick out glasses or direct me to where the smaller frames were since I have a small face. I cannot say enough great things about Sante fe! They are a little more expensive but seriously do you want to be cheap and look like it or do you want to spend a little more and look like a million bucks! read more

This was the 6th optical store I visited, so I have some experience in this category. In short, it's perfect. The selection is fab...all the best eyewear brands and none of that Chanel and D&G crap that is being peddled out of Lenscrafters these days. The decorating is really cute, with the glasses displayed on little desks and dressing tables, etc. While I was there it got really busy, but I didn't feel like the sales associate ignored me or got flustered at all. I was in and out in a much shorter time than I spent at any of the other places, and the bonus is that here I actually bought something! They don't take insurance so you'll have to get the itemized receipt and submit it if that's your thing. But they do take the TexFlex card. read more

Glasses ordered12/7/18. Glasses received 1/5/19. When I put them on I said I thought there was a problem. I was informed to give them 2 weeks. There is no return policy unless the prescription is wrong. Distance has a shadow. I cannot read in them. They are bifocals and I am having trouble with computer distance as well. There is no easy spot to see out of in these glasses. Glasses are a tool. These are not useful. I have been wearing glasses for at least 10 years. In my experience, adjustments could have been made at that time. They do not take my insurance so I have spent $1,240 out of pocket. I had my ophthalmologist check the prescription and it seemed off, but her machine was not working. I went to Vision Works at Arbor Walk and they read and compared my prescription and tried to make adjustments, tilt, fixing the burr on the nose piece and treated me like their own customer. Sante Fe Optical has been terrific for my husband and treated him well, but I will take my business elsewhere. read more

Keeping this simple: The staff picked out an awesome pair of sunglasses for me! They have lasted forever, and I like them so much I haven't lost 'em. Which I usually do. All the sales people there are great, and it's obviously the best place in Austin to buy a pair (or two) of glasses. Cheers! read more

My daughter had been looking for some new glasses. We had been to several optical stores, boutiques to discount shops. What we found at Santa Fe Optical was a professional, courteous staff who are very knowledgeable about their selection of glasses. If you wear glasses, and care about how they fit, feel, and look, this is the place to go! read more

Rachele and the rest of the staff are all very knowledgeable about the frames, what glasses would work with my prescription and pros and cons of different fit. I highly recommend this place. I also love that it's the same staff each time I go in and they keep excellent notes in their computer system so that whoever help you know exactly where we are at in the process from the notes. I would love to see more businesses run like this. read more

The good: Still undeniably the best selection of cool, hip, chic frames in Austin from the world's best designers. Breathtakingly wide range of options. Five stars. The not-so-good: The prices are astronomical. For my latest frames, I paid about 10 percent over what shops in more competitive markets charge, which are already marked up 100 percent. You're going to pay for those cool frames. A lot. Four stars. The bad: Customer service is uneven and at times indifferent. This just seems to be part of the Santa Fe experience, and it's been that way at least since I was in college 30 years ago. The store, at least the central location, is tightly packed and very crowded, especially on weekends. Too easy to go unnoticed. Once you get someone's attention, things improve. Three stars. Bottom line: If you want frames you're not going to see many other places, if you're willing to pay more than typical retail and if you're patient or know exactly what you want, Santa Fe Optical is your best choice in Austin. Four stars. read more

I love Santa Fe Optical! It's been a delightful place to go even if I'm just speculating about a new style of glasses frame. Their skill for selecting a flattering and good fitting style is a really big help. Selection is wide with very current styles from the best of frame designers like Lindberg. Glasses are like jewelry and I think choosing well matters!! read more

I have been buying my eyeglasses and sunglasses at Santa Fe Optical. for many years. I love the uniqueness of their frames. I am constantly getting compliments on my glasses. Great Service read more

Still coming here and LOVE LOVE everything. The best customer service and amazing frames!! Here are a few pics including my latest ORANGE pair that I cannot wait to wear. Stacy is just incredible. Love her! read more

Santa Fe Optical - Red with a hint of purple Anne et Valentin pair - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Austin, Texas

The very helpful staff has always cheerfully adjusted my glasses and replaced parts as needed (w/o charge), which I greatly appreciate, but last month they miraculously fixed the frames after I dropped my glasses in a parking lot where they got run over by a car. Despite having been run over, the staff was able to get them back in shape so I could wear them while the new lenses were being manufactured and fitted into a new frame. Of course, this is a testament to the durability of the frames but the staff's willingness and ability to bring my glasses back to useable condition spared me from not being able to read without great effort while I wait for the new glasses. And, again, they did all this without charge. Needless to say, I will continue to be a loyal and happy customer. read more

Not only does Sante Fe Optical have a wide selection of totally chic eye glasses, they have exceptional customer service. Recently, I took in a pair of glasses purchased several years ago to have a minor repair. No questions about how long it had been, they just replaced the part rather than putting on a spot of glue for a repair. Local business. Shop there. read more

Need: Custom clipons for my eyeglasses. Got: Fantastic service from Sharon Confident: That when my super custom clip ins come in I will be super thrilled. Advice: Go here, be happy with your specs! read more

The best place in town to get new glasses! Lauren helped me to find exactly what I was looking for. She was very intuitive and listened to what I'd described before making suggestions based on what I was looking for and what would best suit my face. She will tell you when something does not work for you which was fantastic because I truly believed her when she said a pair looked good. Their COVID protocol was great and I felt very safe while shopping. Can't recommend this shop enough. Thank you, Lauren!! read more

Don't listen to all the whiners on here. These are the highest quality frames and lenses you can buy anywhere. Expertly fitted, fantastic service. I have purchased at least 15 pairs of glasses from them over the last 20y. Have there been minor issues? Yes. But these things were immediately addressed and fixed. They aren't cheap, but they are worth it. read more

Santa Fe Optical is very simply the best place in Austin to get cool Frames and excellent service. Lisa in particular is so helpful. I have been going there for at least twenty years and rate them A+. Tom M. Austin native read more

Hey, you like my glasses? I got them at Santa Fe Optical, the only optical boutique in town that carries this brand, Theo, and the only Austin shop I know of to feature a wide and varied selection of other fashionable lines like Face a Face and Alain Mikli. Santa Fe is truly THE place to go if you're serious about buying unique eyewear, or even stylish conservative frames, for that matter. They did an incredible job on my lenses, too. I've been wearing glasses for 22 years, and these are the highest-quality lenses I've ever had. I went to several other boutiques recently looking for prescription sunglasses, and every optician I talked to commented on the thinness and fit of the lens. And that's saying something because my vision is awful; the diopter for my left eye is twice as bad as the diopter my right. It takes a real artist to make the lenses look light and even. read more

On 6/15/2012 I bought a pair of Alain Mikli frames and very expensive lens. The total price was over $1,000. I was not happy with my vision after the new glasses arrived and I first tried them on. I was told that I needed to allow at least two weeks to adjust to them. I wore them for longer than 2 weeks and was never happy with the lens. I put the glasses in the case and stored them and returned to wearing my old pair of glasses which were infinitely better (they came from CostCo). I take responsibility for the fact that I didn't return to Santa Fe Optical and complain about the problem. I forgot that I had stuck the glasses in a drawer. So that part of the issue was my fault. However, I can't believe that as much as I paid for the glasses that they couldn't do a job even close to the quality of CostCo. The bottom line is they have lost a customer for life because they did such a poor job the first time. I just had my annual eye exam and I took the Santa Fe glasses to my optometrist. He said they were not right. I just got back from CostCo where I had the lens replaced in the Santa Fe frames for a fraction of the cost. My total lens cost at CostCo was $179 as opposed to the astronomical price of $600+ at Santa Fe Optical. Of course Santa Fe Optical will try to tell you they have far superior lens but I'm here to tell you that my CostCo lens are perfect in comparison to what I got from Santa Fe. Do yourself a BIG favor and shop elsewhere and save some money. Santa Fe's products have a ridiculous markup for what you're getting. read more

I used to purchase frames from Santa Fe. The last time i did, I bought a pair of wire-rims that were exactly what I wanted and enjoyed them for a little over a year. One day, they simply fell apart at the nosepiece. I was baffled, since they hadn't been dropped or abused. I kept the pieces in the hopes that the lenses, which had been expensive, could be taken out and put into new frames of the same model. When I took the old pair in to Santa Fe Optical and told the clerk my plan, she told me I wouldn't be able to do that, as Santa Fe had stopped carrying that model. She went on to tell me that the reason they no longer carried it was because the frames were made with an experimental alloy (which was news to me), and there had been too many instances of the metal crumbling. Upon checking my history, she told me that the frames had come with a one-year warranty, but since I had made the purchase thirteen months ago, there was nothing to be done for me. I was told they'd be happy to sell me new frames and new lenses, but I think it's understandable that I prefer to take that business elsewhere. read more

This place is amazing! I have a very petite face with petite features and have always struggled to find chic frames that fit my face. Everyone tries to put me in kid's glasses or old lady readers! (No offense to kids or old ladies, but I am neither.) I was overjoyed to find out that Santa Fe does bespoke (custom) frames from the Tom Davies line. They don't take insurance, but they have a wonderful selection and amazing customer service. I have been helped by Rachel and Stacy and they are both so helpful and friendly. read more

I've worn glasses most of my life, and never been fitted for my new frames so precisely. I love them so much, that I'll likely order some sunglasses next time I'm in town. read more

When I pay $1200 for a sunglass frame & prescription I have high expectations. I bought myself designer unusual frames filled with my new prescription...their inventory was high end with a lot to choose from. I never found the staff friendly or accommodating. The arms of these expensive glasses constantly came off and the lenses popped out though annoyed I just kept taking the glasses into which ever Santa Fe Optical was convenient to be put back together & whomever repaired the glasses always cleaned them. I noticed I had a vertical scratch down the center of both lenses...strange I could not imagine what I did. This went on for several years & I was going into Santa Fe Optical every 2-3 months. I went elsewhere to buy new reading glasses same ones i found @'Santa Fe @ reduced price. The gentleman helping me offered to clean my Santa Fe sun glasses & showed me the faulty design that had caused the annoying scratches down the center of the lens. The following year I decided to replace my sun glasses vowing not to go back to Santa Fe Optical, but after considerable thought I decided to go to Santa Fe, tell them about my aggravating experience & give them the chance to make some kind of correction, maybe offering me a discount on my new glasses or replacing the scratched lenses. The manager in Westlake suggested I go back to the Jefferson Square location where I made the purchase...I don't have extra time to run around & asked if he could handle this...he took my name & information. The Westlake manager did follow through with a phone call informing me it had been too long for them to take any responsibility. To be fair by then it was 5 years, but I brought the glasses back immediately with problems & over the years of the arms falling off or lenses popping out no one at Santa Fe Optical ever commented on the scratches which were seen by every employee that fixed the glasses over the years. Austin has many more stores to choose from & I prefer to spend my money elsewhere. Santa Fe Optical has definitely lost me as a customer. ( this is the 1st negative review I have written). read more

Fantastic service. Wonderful staff. If you are looking for something unique Sante Fe will take good care of you.

If you live in central Austin, make this a place to go for all your optical needs. They have a wide selection of styles and frames. The best part is the customer service and attention. They repaired a pair of sunglasses for me and didn't charge for the repair. Minor as it was, it was an important repair to me. Highly qualified and customer oriented! A super combination that got noticed. 5 out of 5! read more

I was never a glasses person until I went to Santa Fe optical. I love my glasses and get complimented on them almost EVERY single time I wear them! The selection of frames is unbelievable, ranging from colorful and funky to simple and sophisticated...all of them are high quality and very unique. I wore contacts for 8 years, but needed eyeglasses when my allergies started irritating my eyes. I figured I'd just buy a cheap pair at Costco or Eyemasters, but I have a small face and nothing I tried looked right. a friend recommended Santa Fe so I decided to give it a shot. The sales staff was really helpful and most importantly, they are not pushy! I actually found a pair I loved on my first visit, but wasn't sure how much I wanted to spend on glasses. They did not pressure me to buy right away and I left the store to see if I could find something better.. I couldn't, and went back the next week to buy the glasses. Totally worth it and a great experience! Looking forward to going back to find new sunglasses :) read more