- Q: How does Houston compare to Austin in terms of craft coffee?
- A: While Austin has long been a hub for craft coffee in Texas, Houston boasts its own excellent third-wave coffee roasters and eclectic cafes.
- Q: Which Houston neighborhood is known as a hub for coffee shops?
- A: The offbeat arts district Montrose has become a hub for coffee shops over the past few decades and is home to longtime favorites.
- Q: Where else can coffee shops be found in Houston?
- A: Clever internationally-styled coffee shops are located throughout the city's emerging EaDo neighborhood and lively downtown district.
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1. Siphon Coffee
Siphon Coffee is a unique coffee shop in Houston's Montrose neighborhood, named after its signature halogen siphon brewing method, an historic coffee brewing method similar to the process of steeping tea. The cafe is one of Montrose's most popular spots for coffee, attracting frequent crowds on the weekends. Beans from local Houston roasters Boomtown Coffee and Amaya Coffee are used in siphon coffees, traditional drip coffees, and espresso-based beverages, including lattes with housemade syrups. A full menu of breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack fare is served up throughout the day, featuring locally-sourced ingredients such as breads from regional bakers Kraftsmen Baking and pasture-raised eggs from nearby Vital Farms. Favorite delicacies include daily quiche specials, oversized breakfast tacos, and Mexican-style caprese prepared with oaxaca cheese and housemade basil pesto.
701 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006, Phone: 832-282-0142
2. Tout Suite
Tout Suite is a favorite coffee staple within Houston's emerging East Downtown, or EaDo, neighborhood, serving up delicious cafe beverages concocted with brews from Greenway Coffee. The cafe is named after the French expression tout de suite, or "right away with haste," a nod to the cafe's sister bakery SWEET, which is located within City Centre. Upscale cafe beverages include classics such as cortados, flat whites, and cappuccinos served up alongside unique beverages such as matcha sua das. Full cafe breakfast and lunch menus are served up throughout the week, offering hip dishes such as breakfast tacos, avocado toasts, and acai and pitaya bowls.
2001 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: 713-277-8688
3. Boomtown Coffee
Boomtown Coffee is one of Houston's most acclaimed independent coffee shops, located within the city's Houston Heights neighborhood. The cafe, which is helmed by roaster Matthew Toomey and opened its first location in 2012, is known for its gourmet small-batch artisanal coffee roasts, which are served up in unique beverages such as spicy Mayan mochas, milk and honey lattes, and classic beverages such as slow brews and flat whites. Delectable cafe fare is available to complement beverages, including overeasy fried egg tacos, Grafton cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches, and avocado toast with sunflower seeds. The cafe's second downtown location, Boomtown Coffee Main Street Cafe and Bar, also served up a menu of caffeinated cocktails alongside draft beer and fine wine offerings.
242 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008, Phone: 713-862-7018
4. Catalina Coffee
Catalina Coffee is a charming cafe near Houston's First Ward arts district, helmed by Amaya Roasting Company owner Max Gonzalez. The cafe, which is known as a popular spot for laptop workers within the district, serves up a delicious variety of craft espresso beverages, ranging from simple and elegant cortados to lattes concocted with seasonal ingredients. Loose-leaf teas by Amaya are also served, along with a selection of gourmet pastries that are delivered daily from popular Midtown bakery and restaurant Weights + Measures. Art by regional artisans is displayed at the cafe on a rotating basis, incorporated into the cafe's chic industrial decor.
2201 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007, Phone: 713-861-8448
5. Paper Co.
Paper Co. is a popular coffee spot within Houston's downtown district, deriving its name from its building's former use as a paper factory facility. The coffee shop, which shares its space with the Ecclesia Church, strives to enact social change through its coffee sales, devoting a portion of all profits to facilitate daily common meals for homeless North Downtown and First Ward residents. Coffee beverages such as white mochas, Vietnamese iced coffees, and cafe au laits feature beans from in-house roasters Mueva Coffee, with all cafe fare prepared fresh in house daily. Breakfast menu options include huevos rancheros, ancient grains oatmeal, and mushroom and spinach eggs Benedict, while lunch fare ranges from slow-smoked carnitas and pollo el diablo to pastrami sandwiches and bean patty burgers.
1100 Elder St, Houston, TX 77007, Phone: 713-522-3533
6. Agora
Agora is one of Montrose's most beloved coffee spots, named for the Greek word for "gathering place" as a nod to owner Petros Vamvakas' heritage. The two-story cafe, which was opened to the public in 2001, serves up delicious international coffees and espresso-based beverages, ranging from standard coffee shop favorites such as mochas and cold brews to Greek-style favorites such as freddo cappuccinos. Artwork and decor pay homage to Greek philosophers, while an old-school jukebox blends classic rock hits with works by Greek composers. A fine wine selection is also offered, along with Greek pastry delicacies such as baklava.
1712 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, Phone: 713-526-7212
7. The Doshi House
The Doshi House is a community-focused coffee shop in Houston's Third Ward district, owned and operated by its namesake, Deepak Doshi. The cafe strives to be a spot for area writers, musicians, artists, freelance workers, and neighborhood groups to meet up in a relaxing, laid-back environment, serving up delicious coffees and espresso-based beverages prepared with beans from regional roasters Greenway Coffee. Homemade syrups are infused into a wide variety of customizable beverages, with full-leaf loose leaf teas also available for purchase. A light selection of paninis is served at lunchtime alongside superfood tonics and smoothies, with vegan favorites such as butter chick'n, pozole, and three-bean chili available at dinnertime.
3419 Dowling St, Houston, TX 77004, Phone: 713-528-0060
8. Fellini Caffe
Fellini Caffè is a charming Italian-style cafe offering three locations throughout the greater Houston area in CityCentre, Rice Village, and the Plaza at the Park. The cafe, which strives to recreate the atmosphere of elegant sidewalk cafes throughout Europe, serves up first-class espresso beverages prepared with Lavazza Top Class coffee, prepared on the cafe's Italian-manufactured La-Cimbali M100 espresso machine system. Traditional Italian drinks such as crema di caffe and crema di mascarpone are served alongside a selection of light cafe fare, including paninis, smoothies, and freshly-baked Italian pastries. A carefully-cultivated list of imported wines, beers, and spritz cocktails are also available throughout the day, along with housemade gelato flavors.
5211 Kelvin Dr, Houston, TX 77005, Phone: 281-888-6654
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