A Guide to San Antonio Coffee Shops

CommonWealth Coffeehouse

CommonWealth’s adorable abode nestled within the Alamo Heights neighborhood is a hallmark among San Antonio coffee shops, it showcases a timeless blend of elegance and cozy cottage charm. Once inside, the neat nautical tones, well-manicured nooks, patterned tiles, and convenient amenities for a productive remote workday are sure to keep you there. Feel free to soak up some more lavish sun rays in the garden oasis that makes up the surrounding grounds, which are further complemented by an abundance of seating arrangements and chickens, that’s right, there’s a chicken coup!

Estate Coffee Company

Located on the east side near Dignowity Hill, Estate is a small-batch roaster and java bar offering a full selection of espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, and cocktail-inspired coffee drinks – concerning the latter, they’ve got a phenomenal signature Old Fashioned made with a double espresso base, orange and fig bitters, applewood smoked simple syrup, and a splash of topo chico to top it off. Positioned right behind the front counter, the quaint cafe’s roaster faces an environment speckled with numerous tabletops, cute potted plants, and trendy light fixtures overhead.

PRESS Coffee

Taking up residence inside an open, airy, and very 1970s greenhouse-like structure, PRESS carries a dreamy atmosphere destined to satisfy your hanging out and studying needs. Aside from exceptional coffee, they have Buddha’s Brew kombucha on tap, serve scrumptious pastries delivered daily via C’est La Vie Bakery, and host Taco Riendo, who supplies delicious breakfast tacos in the mornings.

What’s Brewing?

What started as a humble coffee cart at Central Park Mall in 1979 blossomed into one of San Antonio’s first roasting operations by 1981, and these days, What’s Brewing? resides within a massive warehouse underscored by an expansive lounge area complete with ample seating arrangements, numerous pinball machines, and a meticulously curated assortment of specialty coffee.

If you truly love and appreciate the art of java, search no further as you have met your match, the friendly folks here roast to order using a wide variety of 100% arabica bean coffees from around the world, including certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance member farmers. They also participate in the Cup of Excellence programs and are long-time members of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

Brown Coffee Company

The Brown Coffee Company’s neat quarters snuggled amidst buzzy Southtown – a neighborhood known for attracting an eclectic array of people due to its fun vibe and diverse architectural home styles in the King William Historic District – has steadily become a locally beloved haunt among San Antonio coffee shops. It showcases a modern industrial atmosphere, earthy tones set against minimalistic white walls, and an abundance of seating arrangements. Being in fairly close proximity to the Riverwalk, museums, and the Tower of the Americas also makes it a spectacular meet-up point before a big day exploring the area!

Indy Coffee Club

The founders of Indy began their java journey slinging joe out of a mobile truck during the spring of 2014, since then, the company has grown into a stylish brick and mortar store serving crafty coffee beverages as well as made from scratch sweet & savory grub. Inspired by the culture of Texas and the Southwest region, the space displays quality, hand-made in the USA goods that reflect the timeless Americana culture and passion of hard work, durability, and attention to detail.

Folklores Coffee House

Currently located in Government Hill and well on its way to re-establishing a brick and mortar presence in the Southside community, Folklores is different from most San Antonio coffee shops, they offer caffeinated beverages that are inspired by Latin flavors and nostalgia. Take for instance the honey hinted Bexar Latte, Mexican chocolate sweetened Siouxsie, horchata infused Vato Rudo, or classic Chagaccino – which has notes of cocoa, vanilla, and cinnamon. Though intimately sized, the respite is adorned with cool trinkets and amazing artwork.

Poetic Republic Coffee

Poetic Republic flourishes at the vivacious intersection of three worlds: coffee, literature, and wine. The cafe’s hardwood floors, warm earthy tones, white walls, and earnestly stocked bookshelves lend creatives an exceptional environment to connect, engage, and enjoy memorable experiences. Be sure to drop by during the next pop-up brunch, jazz, or poetry event!

Bright Coffee

Outfitted with comfy couches, artwork on the walls, the occasional touch of cute potted plant life, natural lighting, and hints of pink and olive green, Bright transforms from a soul-stirring coffee shop by day into a lively Lindy Hop haven by evening. Popular during the swing era (1930s and early 1940s), the high-energy dance style was born among African-American communities in Harlem, New York City. For those adventurous spirits who appreciate an intentional cup of joe and are ever on the prowl for exciting new activities to try, you may have just stumbled upon your next fix.

San Antonio Gold

Marked only by a big sign reading “GOLD” and adjoined to Freight – an art gallery and studio space housed within a historic building featuring rotating modern art exhibits – this hidden gem among San Antonio coffee shops treats visitors to an intimate space underscored by gold and emerald green accents, creative expressions, and several seating arrangements.

Shotgun House Coffee Roasters

Nestled inside Warehouse 5 – a longtime sewing factory turned multi-suite creative space – Shotgun House is a roomy getaway complete with aesthetic appeal on San Antonio’s near Westside. Equipped with a San Franciscan SF-6, they proudly roast and package specialty coffee on-site and maintain a thoughtfully curated selection of espresso drinks, craft beer, fine wine, breakfast tacos, and vegan cake donuts.

All of the syrups are handmade in-house, other than the salted caramel sauce (which is crafted by their upstairs neighbor Wildflower Caramel). Customer favorites include the iced horchata latte, salted-caramel latte, chai, cold brew, and a rotating list of pour-over options.

Cafe Azteca

About a block from the Alamo, Travis Park, and the Riverwalk, Cafe Azteca can be found on Jefferson, snuggled in the stunning lobby of the historic Burns Building. Plush armchairs, elegant architectural notes, bookshelves, nautical tones, greenery, high ceilings, and trendy light fixtures provide quite the sophisticated ambiance for visitors to soak in. Using Latin flavors and long-held family recipes, the folks behind the counter here combine coffee and culture to manifest the perfect liquid complement to such an iconic part of the city.

Local Coffee

Local Coffee Founders was indeed started at a local kitchen table and subsequently grew into a roasting company with 11 retail locations in San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. In February 2020, the founders, Robby and Neesha, sold the company but retained full ownership of the Pearl location and added “Founders” to the name to signify it as the only original Local Coffee in San Antonio.

For those curious, Pearl is a vibrant neighborhood set against a backdrop of gorgeous historic buildings and of course, the nearby Riverwalk. With 324 apartments, fifteen restaurants and cafes, thirteen retailers, and eighteen resident businesses as well as a twice-weekly Farmers Market, the community is always full of life and activity.

Merit Coffee

This Texas favorite offers guests a pleasant experience accentuated by an open and industrial environment dappled with seating, communal tables, and light bulbs dangling from above. Merit scours the globe in search of the best coffee beans before ultimately having them delivered to a facility where they roast test batches, cup, taste, adjust, test some more and finally establish the perfect roast for the beans.

Rest assured, the folks here take their java sourcing, roasting, and brewing methods as seriously as they do their cute aesthetic, so whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or coffee date arranger, any of their several San Antonio coffee shops are sure to impress.

Barrio Barista

Near and dear to the heart of the West Side, Barrio Barista provides guests a second home unlike any other with culture and coffee roasting fresh every morning, and some tasty homecooked creations too. Whether you’d like to sink into a booth or armchair and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cup of joe, get some fresh air out on the well-manicured shaded patio, or silently study amidst the familiar charm of a cozy neighborhood gathering space, whatever the case may be, they’ve got you covered.

Clear Light Coffee Co.

A more recent addition to the ever-growing index of San Antonio coffee shops, this adorable abode takes a purist approach to the art of java and utilizes organic farm-direct specialty grade arabica beans to craft coffee beverages in little need of additional flavored syrups or ingredients. Clear Light is located just across the street from scenic, tree-filled Walker Ranch Park.

Amaretti Coffee

Fixed at the base of a four-story downtown apartment building on Broadway, Amaretti specializes in Authentic Indian Chai and the Dirty Chai Latte, for which they use a distinctive organic chai concentrate you’re not gonna find anywhere else. The petite cafe naturally makes for a great grab-and-go stop while in the city, on the other hand, consider taking a brief pause in its relaxing setting, which includes black and white honeycomb tile floors, a picturesque mural of San Antonio’s skyline, and comfy chairs.

Olmos Perk

Dappled with plush sofas, elegant furnishings, and pleasant art pieces, Olmos Perk is a cozy hangout serving worldly coffees, teas, and breakfast dishes and sandwiches.

Summer Moon Coffee

A spark of Texas pioneer spirit led to the wood-fired coffee Summer Moon offers. Having burst onto the scene from their hometown of Austin, this brand, perhaps cherished most for its unique approach to small, hand-roasted batches of the finest beans over seasoned oak, has spread like wildfire throughout the Lonestar state. Rather than basic cream, ask for Moon Milk – a sweet, creamy milk made with seven secret ingredients – with your latte.

Halcyon Southtown

Pop in for a stellar cup of java in the morning, to work away from the office, or for some craft cocktails with friends, no matter the occasion, Halcyon has got you covered seven days a week! Aside from exposed brick walls, ample seating arrangements, plenty of space, and speedy WiFi, they have coffee, espresso, wine, beer, cocktails, grilled paninis, salads, appetizers, and even tableside smores.

If you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee shops in San Antonio, be sure to check out our list of the Top 25 Coffee Shops in Austin!