good coffee
I fell in love with coffee in 2009 after my first experience at Catalina Coffee. I had no idea that coffee could taste like that! If forever changed my world and started my obsession with quality coffee.
When I was a wine rep I was always out about visiting restaurants, wine bars, and coffee shops who often times offer a few cool select wines. This is how my coffee love affair grew into what it is now today.
Houston houses many amazing coffee shops today. Get out there to try them for yourselves to find your new favorites.
best houston coffee shops
Here are Houston’s top coffee hot spots. The list is updated periodically. This by all means not an extensive list nor does it include the amazing coffee shops in the surrounding Houston areas. Enjoy!
Catalina Coffee started the coffee revolution in Houston. Established in 2007, Catalina is the first quality coffee house in Houston. Max Gonzalez, the owner also roasts his own beans via Catalina’s sister company, Amaya Coffee. This coffee is life changing hence the dozens of micro coffee shops that have opened in the following 15 years. You can find Amaya Roasting Company’s beans all over town. Buy a bag. You’ll be happy you did.
Warning! Once you do you won’t be able to drink the rough, burned stuff anymore (unless it’s life or death and you need caffeine to exist). Even then it will be a challenge after you’ve tasted the good stuff.
Hours: M-F: 6:30 am – 7 pm
Sat – Sun: 7:30 am – 7 pm
"Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort."
This new coffee shop on Milam and Elgin is light, airy, and delicious! Un Caffe was founded by Soonkack Kook, coffee specialist. The menu features light bites. If you’re on the go, order your coffee to go with curbside pick up.
It features plenty of outlets and a cozy spot to meet with friends, spend some solo time or be productive.
Hours: Monday -Sunday: 7 am – 5 pm
Enjoy fabulous coffee and learn more about the process of creating the coffee that is in your cup. BlendIn offers classes to the public free of charges as well as paid certified coffee courses.
Hours: Monday- Sunday: 7 am – 5:30 pm
Boomtown Coffee has a location in the Heights off of 19th Street.They feature local artwork on the walls with plenty of outlets for you chronic coffee dwellers.
If you are a breakfast taco fan, then consider trying the Boomtown breakfast taco. The food menu is great and has something for everyone.
Confession: I had a serious addiction to their milk and honey latte for a while.
Hours: 7 am – 7 pm
Brass Tacks opened in EaDo in August of 2020. It has an open-air atmosphere where patrons can enjoy the natural light streaming in from the ten foot tall windows. Green plants decorating the interior space soaking in the sun’s rays with the coffee lovers. Many imbibers nestle into the semi-private partitioned cubbies on their laptops.
If you venture to Brass tacks with your fur-baby, you can easily order your coffee, tea or food through the outdoor window. There is plentiful picnic tables accompanied with umbrellas for shade, fire pits for the evenings and a laid back atmosphere.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7 am – 8 pm
Friday: 7 am – 9 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8 am – 9 pm
Coffee Trend opened to the public a little less than two months ago in May of 2023. They are located on the Brays Bayou Greenway bike trail. They discount for any medical professional who walks in the door. They have bright colorful art on the walls inside and out. Simply lovely!
Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:30 am – 7 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 7 p
Retrospect is located in an old 1920’s gas station in EaDo, next to Axelrad Beef Garden. It’s across the street from the downtown Houston Community College (HCC). Retrospect was a life saver during the pandemic thanks to their outdoor ordering and delivery window. It’s dog friendly with ample covered seating in the front and back.
Their sweet and savory crepes are full-flavored. The Janis Joplin is a must-try drizzled with both sriracha and the balsamic. If crepes aren’t your thing, you can find the usual pastries or breakfast tacos.
Bonus: You receive a discount for walking or biking to their location.
Monday: Monday – Thursday: 6:30 am – 10 pm
Friday: 6:30 am -12 am
Saturday: 7:30 am – 12 am
Sunday: 7:30 am – 10 pm
it's more than coffee
My favorite coffee shops listed here “made the cut” because of the feel of the place. The people are warm, welcoming and make the coffee taste that much better. It’s about the vibe. It doesn’t mean that you have to hang out for 8+ hours a day. In fact, my number one go to is a place doesn’t offer free wifi so it’s not intended for people to stay and hang out to work.
If you are not a coffee fanatic but prefer loose leaf tea instead then you must try Tea Sip! Find amazing, delicious, aromatic loose leaf teas in the Heights. Tea Sip only uses all-natural, certified organic ingredients. They also supply many of the local coffee shops with their yummy tea.
Hours: Sun – Sat: 10 am – 6 pm
why is my coffee so small?
Are you familiar with the saying, “Big things come in small packages” ? This is true in the case of quality coffee. The flavor is intense, the texture is creamy, the temperature is just right.
But, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” you say. Yes this is true in many cases. When it comes to food or drink, often times bigger means diluted or mass produced. It’s difficult to maintain quality as quantity increases beyond its natural capacity.
Have you noticed the difference in flavor intensity between biting into a giant red apple versus a small crispy red apple? The smaller apple packs all of the punch! If not, next time you go grocery shopping, experiment with the different sizes of the fruits and veggies you bring home.
order online
Of course you can order coffee beans from all of these coffee houses online. Many of them offer subscriptions to make it convenient to drink amazing coffee and tea at home.
ever evolving
As new comers hit the scene and oldies close their doors, I will continue to update this post periodically with more of the awesome coffee spots around town. Give them a try and let us know what you think!