A Guide to Houston Coffee Shops
Boomtown Coffee
Opened on 19th Street back in 2012, Boomtown is a small batch roaster and beloved hallmark among coffee shops in Houston. Their welcoming abode was designed to be a place where you can sit at the bar and chat with the baristas or plop down on the couch to unwind, study, work, or have a meeting; that being said, the energetic environment features bright modern elements, art-adorned white walls, and an abundance of chic seating arrangements. As a 1% for the Planet Partner, Boomtown has committed to donating 1% of all roasted coffee sales to charities in the 1% network.
Antidote
Antidote’s interior carries warm vintage vibes underscored by exposed brick walls, comfy couches, vinyl album covers, delicate little creative expressions strung together, and a wonderous verdure-wrapped outdoor patio area speckled with colorful furnishings, umbrellas, and light bulbs overhead. The retro decor serves as an accomplice to thoughtfully crafted, rewardingly delicious coffee beverages, as well as a tantalizing assortment of craft beer, fine wine, and baked goods.
Siphon Coffee
Nestled down at the end of an unassuming strip mall, Siphon has a cozy yet modern ambiance with plenty of wooden accents, colorful neon signage, brown leather couches, and a shaded, comfortably furnished, and very well-manicured outdoor patio. When it comes to java, they partner with premier roasters from around the country in an effort to consistently showcase a variety of flavors that are savored by a myriad of palettes daily. That’s not to mention their unique Siphon brewing method, which utilizes halogen burners to create a precise cup that puts the tasting notes of the beans at the forefront.
Throughgood Coffee
Whether you’d like to sink into a corner and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cup of joe, silently work amidst the tranquil charm of a room where the warm sounds of vinyl and the beauty of visual art gently intersect, or read a book at a picnic table outside, whatever the case may be, Throughgood has got you covered. Furthermore, their baristas can deliver tasty takes on your usual favorites with a variety of brewing methods, including cold brew, espresso, pour-over, V60, drip, and plunger.
Black Hole Coffee House
An independently owned artsy enclave just off I-69, Black Hole’s funky allure is destined to satisfy remote workers and coffee date arrangers alike. The accommodating haunt features an eclectic range of comfy couches, creative expressions, futuristic light fixtures, and generally darker tones combated by natural daylight pouring through the windows – quite cosmic, indeed.
Campesino Coffee House
This adorable abode exudes wholesome energy accentuated by wooden floorboards, homey furnishings, a fireplace, and several earnestly stocked bookshelves. Inspired by Latin flavors, Campesino offers a Latino-centric menu with tamales and delicious specialty amalgamations such as the Horchata Iced Latte and Maya Mocha Latte, which has hints of cayenne, cinnamon, nutmeg, and paprika.
The Coffee House at West End
Built in 1930, the gorgeous three-story brick building that is the Coffee House at West End sat mostly dormant for the two decades leading up to a miraculous redesign process spurred on by the merging of two local churches in 2015 – together, they formed West End Church. Part of the original second floor was transformed into a mezzanine to provide additional space for people to connect, a rooftop deck was constructed for special events and showcases beautiful views of the Houston skyline, and acoustic improvements were made so the building could host music events.
While a better environment for productivity would be difficult to imagine, aside from optimum functionality, the attention to detail that has gone into designing this space with a delightful balance of charm and utility makes it an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues, long overdue coffee dates, or solo study sessions
Join West End’s ministry on Thursday Nights at 7:00 pm for a church service inside The Coffee House, come as you are and expect free drip coffee, live music, and an encouraging message.
Retrospect Coffee Bar
In May of 2017, a small piece of Houston history from the 1920s reopened to the public as Retrospect Coffee Bar. The little structure (297 square feet to be exact) that began life as one of the city’s first neighborhood gas stations, is now fueling the community forward by serving lattes and craft beers at the corner of La Branch and Alabama, directly across from the Houston Community College’s central campus.
On top of scrumptious paninis and pastries (vegetarian and vegan options available), the friendly folks here maintain a limited but thoughtful menu of sweet and savory crepes, each named after a different icon of Texas history – including the Lady Bird Johnson with sliced turkey and goat cheese, and the all-veggie Janice Joplin.
Blacksmith
The rustic brick building flanked by an umbrella-dappled patio on the corner of Westheimer and Waugh belongs to Blacksmith. Stepping through the front door reveals an interior with walls adorned by countless works of art, ample seating arrangements, and amenities for a productive cafe day. Venturing beyond the call of exceptional service and thoughtfully crafted caffeinated beverages, they also maintain a tantalizing food menu with health-conscious items (gluten-free and vegetarian options available) as well as Mexican-inspired dishes like the silver platter chilaquiles.
Paper Co. Cafe
Named after the first occupants of their downtown home at 1100 Elder St. – the Phillips Paper Company – Paper Co. Cafe honors the city’s history and tradition while stamping its own unique fingerprint upon the First Ward arts district. Placed atop the lengthy workbenches speckled about the spacious interior with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and natural sunlight, one will notice pastries, brunch fare, and handcrafted beverages ranging from classic lattes to traditional pour-overs.
Catalina Coffee
A step through the white windowpane-wrapped front door of this cute brick coffee house situated on the corner of Washington and Hemphill reveals a worn, grungy, yet comfortable atmosphere underscored by exposed brick walls, wooden furnishings, an earnestly stocked bookshelf, metallic light fixtures overhead, and the righteous sounds of rock and punk music playing in the background. The lack of WiFi and charging outlets is intended to foster genuine one-on-one interactions between baristas and other folks who so fatefully stumbled in at just the same hour you did.
Tenfold Coffee Company
Founded by a Houston native who after graduating from Texas A&M went to live in Costa Rica for eight years, Tenfold provides guests with intimately sourced and intentionally roasted coffee. Rest assured, the team here takes great care in ensuring that every step of their process – from procurement to production to presentation – is sustainable and beautiful. Conveniently located just off I-610, the spacious store boasts visual appeal thanks to its lush tropical plants, wooden tables, high ceilings, and metallic light fixtures.
Tout Suite
Near and dear to the heart of the burgeoning, up-and-coming Houston neighborhood of East Downtown, commonly referred to as EADO, Tout Suite embodies the collaborative outcome of world travels to create an exciting, lively cafe where one can enjoy simple, fine foods, baked goods, great coffee, and an exceptional environment to get some work done. Oh, it’s pronounced “Toot Sweet,” derived from the French “Tout de Suite,” which means right away, with all haste. And don’t miss out on the daily specials either, from Happy Hour craft cocktails to Macaron Monday to Taco Tuesday and Wine + Cake Wednesday, there’s a little something for everybody.
Day 6 Coffee Co.
Just a block or so from historic Market Square Park, Day 6’s Prairie Street storefront is a gorgeous standout among downtown Houston coffee shops, by way of its eye-catching red exterior, elegant design details, and graceful old-world charm. Venturing through the front door transports visitors to an enchanting realm accentuated by exposed brick surfaces, a stunning wooden coffee bar, the occasional touch of plant life, and trinket-adorned, title-topped bookshelves. On a creative note, Day 6 functions as a haven for local artists and entrepreneurs, so while enjoying your premium cup of morning joe, feel free to peruse about the one-of-a-kind masterpieces adorning their walls.
Agora
Open through the late-night hours and taking up residence within an abundantly furnished two-story java palace on Westheimer, Agora serves gourmet coffees, imported ales & beers, and a wide selection of wines in a charming old-world setting. Choose your favorite songs from the jukebox while you sit back, sip on a soul-stirring cup of coffee, and draw design inspo from the collection of replica ancient art pieces dotting the venue’s warmly lit walls and nooks.
Luce Coffee Roasters
If you truly love and appreciate the art of java, search no further than Luce, which is passionate about intimately roasting the world’s finest coffee beans on-site. The main location on 34th Street has an expansive two-story lounge area complete with exposed brick walls, an abundance of seating, and gorgeous centerpiece light fixtures. When you’re not busy savoring flavorful specialties like the Hazelnut Machiatto and Spanish Latte, consider signing up for one of their educational classes on cupping, latte art, and barista skillsets.
Cavo Coffee
The ultimate combination of modern professional beauty and cozy rustic charm, Cavo treats guests to expert slow brew methods such as Aeropress, V60, and Siphon, delicious house-made syrups, locally roasted coffee, great espressos, craft beer, fine wine, and tasty breakfast, lunch, and lite bites. All things considered, both of their Houston coffee shops are fantastic destinations worth adding to your daily routine.
FIX Coffeebar
What may just be the best-kept secret among Houston coffee shops, FIX is a family-owned operation serving quality ground coffee and cafe fare amidst a chic but relaxed environment that also displays local art. Should your taste buds be craving a flavorful deviation from your usual early morning ritual, keep in mind, the friendly folks here have on hand award-winning Nitro Cold Brew as well as famous signature drinks like the Honey Lavender Latte and the Smoked Rosemary Cortado.
Segundo Coffee Lab
Segundo Coffee Lab can be found nestled within the Ironworks building – a 60,000-square-foot historic structure re-purposed to feature converted shipping containers with both workspace and retail pop-up appeal – in Houston’s Second Ward. The picturesque industrial ambiance serves as an accomplice to diligently crafted, rewardingly delicious coffee beverages, as well as chorizo breakfast tacos, empanadas, tortas, baked goods, beer, and wine.
XELA Coffee Roasters
What originally started as an exclusively wholesale operation has since added a mural-encircled pick-up window where passersby can gain access to high-quality coffee that’s been directly traded, carefully roasted, and prepared in new and exciting ways. Concerning the latter and in addition to your traditional favorites made just how you love them, they sell creatively labeled specialty coffee drinks by the togo bottle and cold brew by the prescription pint.
Giant Leap Coffee
A stone’s throw from scenic Memorial Park and snuggled amidst the trendy boutiques lining the Uptown Park shopping center, Giant Leap is a pretty and petite java outpost featuring pink outdoor patio seating speckled amidst a lush, sun-soaked garden setting. In addition to stellar coffee, they serve local kombucha and a wide variety of teas sourced from all over the planet. Pastries from Cake & Bacon are delivered fresh every day to satiate hunger of all sizes.
Fellini Caffe
Inspired by the sidewalk cafes of Italy, Fellini brings an authentic taste of Europe to Rice Village, along with decor and furnishings imported directly from Italy to give the cafe an elegant, contemporary European look and feel. They serve classic drinks such as cappuccino, latte, and espressos and more specialty niche’ drinks like nocciolato (hazelnut and espresso topped with in-house whipped cream) and Fellini classica thick Italian style sipping chocolate. The food menu includes paninis, homemade pastries, and other lite bites.
Mercantile
Mercantile is a neat and casual hangout with ample tabletops, bright neon signage reading “Thinking of a Master Plan,” and a stage. Whether you’d like to sink into a corner and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cup of joe, groove to the tunes of a local musician, or study amidst the subtle charm of a cozy neighborhood gathering space, whatever the case may be, this faithful retreat has got you covered.
The Nook Cafe
Conveniently located directly across the street from the University of Houston, The Nook Cafe has been a reliable late-night haunt for aspiring scholars since opening over a decade ago. Immerse yourself in the downtempo atmosphere, overstuffed couches, student art proudly displayed on the walls, and lively evening performances of poets and musicians.
The UH alums behind the counter are proud to offer the official house coffee blend of the University of Houston and Coogs everywhere, Cougar Blend. Aside from your favorite espresso drinks and frappes, they also serve locally-sourced desserts, pastries, beer, and wine.
A 2nd Cup
Answering a higher calling, A 2nd Cup is Houston’s only nonprofit coffee shop working to fight human trafficking. They partner with local roasters and hand-make their own fair trade syrups, to ensure you get a great cup of ethically sourced morning joe.
The Doshi House
Located in the Historic Third Ward, The Doshi House specializes in combining unique locally roasted coffee beans with plant-based alternative milks, as well as serving a robust vegan menu and food offering that includes tacos, quinoa, and pastries. That’s not to mention the selection of teas, tonics, and herbal infusions that would compliment an evening on the outdoor patio or any morning pick-me-up. The interior boasts a homey feel, comfy seating, and numerous tabletops for getting some work done.
Urban Brew
This quaint, recently opened hidden gem among Houston coffee shops can be discovered at the end of an unassuming strip mall just south of Midtown, near where Interstate 69 and Highway 288 intersect. Urban Brew’s adorable atmosphere features grey honeycomb tile floors that allow the soft pink tones, light wooden accents, and well-cared-for tropical plant life to pop. In addition to exceptional lattes graced with photo-worthy art, you may notice other amazing creations dappled throughout the room; case in point, the Hibiscus Lavender Fizz, which has Raft’s natural Hibiscus Lavender syrup over TopoChico with seasonal fruit and mint; then there are the sweet crepes too!
Secret Garden Coffee
A love letter to those Instagram connoisseurs of cuteness ever on the prowl for all things pretty and an escape from the surrounding concrete jungle that is downtown, Secret Garden happens to be the enchanting oasis you’ve been hoping to stumble upon since arriving. Its verdure-wrapped greenhouse digs are tucked inside Bravery Chef Hall – a highly anticipated culinary experience highlighted by several chef-driven concepts in a beautifully-manicured platform. Keep in mind, Secret Garden stops serving coffee around 2:00 pm, at which point, they focus on concocting stupendous cocktails.
DUO Coffee & Pilates
Coffee lovers and pilates enthusiasts unite! Concerning the former, DUO’s aesthetically gifted environment showcases warm earthy tones set against creamy white walls, potted plants, several seating arrangements, and a variety of specialty coffee drinks, artisan pastries, breakfast tacos, and overnight oats. When it comes to pilates, they offer a wide variety of reformer fitness classes, including Flow, Power, Jumpboard, and Restorative.
Grinder’s Coffee Bar
Grinder’s is a cute hangout with minimalistic off-white walls, soft green accents, a handful of woven bistro chairs, and beautifully textured surfaces; the staff similarly maintains a tempting selection of signature coffee beverages like the Honey Lavender and Matcha Lattes. That’s not to mention, they’re uniquely capable of infusing drinks with CBD – which has been said to have health benefits such as anxiety relief, pain management, and sleep aid – making this stop a truly one-of-a-kind experience among Houston coffee shops.
If you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee shops in Houston, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in The Heights!