Welcome to San Antonio, a Texas city steeped in rich history, adorned with the charm of the River Walk, and home to the legendary Alamo. It’s a place where Texan heritage intertwines with a vibrant contemporary culture, creating a unique blend of old and new.
While you are exploring the city’s historical landmarks and lively fiestas you are bound to also notice San Antonio’s growing coffee scene. Nestled within the city’s diverse neighborhoods, from the bustling downtown to the serene Hill Country, you’ll find a world of aromatic delights waiting to be explored.
San Antonio coffee shops aren’t just a place to grab a caffeine fix. They’re vibrant community hubs, quiet havens, and creative spaces where the city’s character is as palpable as the smell of freshly ground beans.
So, whether you’re a San Antonio local, a visitor, or an armchair traveler, strap in for an exciting journey through this city’s coffee landscape. We’ll guide you through the best coffee shops in San Antonio, each with its unique Texan twist.
Here are some of the very best coffee shops San Antonio TX can offer for you to check out next time you’re adventuring in this wide and wonderful part of Texas.
1. Shotgun House Coffee Roasters
The cozy factor of a coffee shop can really make or break the atmosphere for a lot of us, and when it comes to combining a warm and friendly atmosphere with warm and delicious drinks, Shotgun House Coffee Roasters has a very traditional and almost industrial setting along with a wide selection of beverages to choose from.
With coffee beans sourced all over the world including Guatemala, Brazil, and Papa New Guinea, you can be sure each espresso and cappuccino from shotguns is packed full of flavor.
Location: 1333 Buena Vista, San Antonio, TX 78207 (click for map)
2. Halcyon Southtown
Right next to the beautiful San Antonio River, Halcyon is known as a popular San Antonio coffee shop and casual cafe during the day, before turning into a more vibrant wine bar at night.
Along with the downright scrumptious brews that you can order, Halcyon also offers extensive options as part of their breakfast and lunch menu, the only real issue is once you sit down in this incredibly welcoming coffee store, it can be hard to ever want to go home.
Location: 1414 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210 (click for map)
3. Tandem San Antonio
Not only are you guaranteed to have a fun and memorable time when stepping into one of Tandem’s multiple coffee shops dotted around San Antonio with its live music performances and stand-up comedy, but they also use Dark Matter Coffee beans straight out of Chicago that transform each ordinary drip into a sensory drip.
Being stationed right next to a hike-and-bike trail, it’s never a bad idea to stop at a Tandem coffee shop, even if it’s just to check out the exciting live performance on in the day.
Location: 310 Riverside Dr, San Antonio, TX 78210 (click for map)
4. Philo Coffee
Providing the perfect mixture of delightfully warm coffee and light and hearty breakfast and lunch options, each of Philo’s menu items are freshly made and sourced from local eaters, so you can be sure whatever you choose to enjoy from the menu, it’s going to be light and refreshing.
Offering all the traditional drinks including mocha, Americanos, espressos and lattes all with their own vibrant and distinctive taste due to the use of French-style beans, if you want the freshest food possible to go along with a delightful beverage of your choosing, you won’t want to miss out on Philo Coffee.
Location: 606 W French PI, San Antonio, TX 78212 (click for map)
5. Laika Cheesecake & Espresso
While cheesecake lovers will feel right at home in this cafe that serves a multitude of different flavors for you to tuck into, they also have a selective range of espressos that often go underappreciated but are a sheer delight to sip on while watching the world go by through the windows.
From the tasty frothed Cuban coffee to the slightly sweeter Lavazza espresso, when it comes to combining a fan-favorite dessert with an appetizing warm beverage, Laika Cheesecake & Espresso does it better than anyone.
Location: 4718 Broadway, Alamo Heights, San Antonio, TX 78209 (click for map)
6. Estate Coffee Company
Estate Coffee Company is a vibrant and contemporary coffee shop located near the Historical Gardens.
The coffee shop is renowned for its freshly roasted beans that result in a rich and flavorful cup of coffee.
In addition to coffee, it also offers a variety of baked treats and coffee bean bags for customers to purchase.
It is the perfect spot to take a break while exploring the scenic beauty of the River Walk and Historic Gardens.
The interior of Estate Coffee Company is decorated with colorful and modern furnishings, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for customers to enjoy their coffee.
Location: 1320 E Houston St 101, San Antonio, TX 78205 (click for map)
7. What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters
It’s difficult to talk about San Antonio’s best coffee shops without mentioning What’s Brewing, one of the most popular stores in the city which is mainly due to the sheer variety of choices you get when ordering a drink.
With over 20 incredibly unique coffee beans to choose from which can all be ordered as either a pour-over, ground, or brewed, the options really are endless.
What’s Brewing not only functions as a coffee shop that gives you much of the control over your own personal drink, it also offers brewing equipment such as AeroPress and bags of each of their beans, so you can continue experimenting even when you get home.
Location: 138 W Rhapsody, San Antonio, TX 78216 (click for map)
8. Mildfire Coffee Roasters
Offering light and medium roasts that provide a flavorful and aromatic taste along with a few refreshing and light baked goods which are delicious to snack on in the morning or when you’re taking a quick afternoon break, Mildifre Coffee Roasters serve lattes, cappuccinos and espressos but with a mixture of flavors to add a bit of flare to these familiar drinks.
From the Hot Butter Latte which elegantly melts in the mouth with every sip to the incredibly potent flavor of the Aztech Mocha, you really can’t go wrong with any choice from Mildfire’s impressive menu.
Location: 15502 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78248 (click for map)
9. The Brown Coffee Co.
Cozy, stylish and the perfect relaxing spot for when you want to take a break from the busy outside world.
Perhaps you just want some personal space to get on with some work, order one of The Brown Coffee Co’s foam-art cappuccinos or slightly bitter and delicious espressos.
Take a load off in this incredibly friendly and inviting coffee shop that also serves a few sandwiches and cakes for when you get a little peckish.
Location: 812 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205 (click for map)
10. Merit Coffee
Merit Coffee is known for using beans sourced from around the globe including countries such as Ethiopia, Brazil and parts of Europe, which are then self-roasted inside the cozy store itself, making sure your drink is hot and fresh each and every time you visit.
With a selection of other juices and teas to choose from, alongside some mouth-watering baked goods including scones and cakes, fresh coffee has never tasted this good.
Location: 7338 Louis Pasteur, San Antonio, TX 78229 (click for map)
11. Kapej
A cozy coffee shop that delights coffee enthusiasts with its wide range of lattes, including the aromatic lavender latte and the indulgent rose & pistachio latte.
The café exudes a warm and inviting vibe, providing the perfect setting to enjoy these delightful beverages. Alongside their exceptional coffee creations, Kapej offers freshly homemade food options, including delectable vegan choices.
Indulge in the harmonious combination of specialty lattes and homemade treats at this charming café.
Location: 415 Camden St, San Antonio, TX 78215 (click for map)
12. Barrio Barista
First opening its doors in 2014, Barrio Barista has established itself as a warm and inviting coffee shop that feels like a home away from home.
The spacious interior, adorned with decorative accents, is complemented by the incredibly friendly staff, who make customers feel more like friends than patrons.
Be sure to try one of Barrio’s signature drinks, such as the Horchata Latte or Mex Mocha, while taking in the nearby Gilbert Gaza Park.
In addition to its delicious coffee drinks, the coffee shop offers a variety of pastries, breakfast items, and lunch options to satisfy any craving.
Whether you’re looking to catch up on work or unwind with a good book, the free Wi-Fi and relaxing environment make Barrio Barista the perfect spot to do so. So why not stop by and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere for yourself?
Location: 3735 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78228 (click for map)
13. Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery
Commonwealth can only be described as a cafe, coffee shop and bar, all rolled into one.
It provides a scrumptious food selection including crunchy breakfast baguettes and creamy afternoon appetizers, along with a selection of delightful coffee options including an incredibly unique French press coffee that’s bursting with flavor to get you energized for the day ahead with that extra kick of caffeine.
Location: 118 Davis CT, San Antonio, TX 78209 (click for map)
14. Cafe Martinez
Opening its doors back in the 1930s, Cafe Martinez has retained that cozy and traditional aesthetic in its stores while keeping its menu fresh and new for all ages to enjoy.
Cafe Martinez is also a real treat to visit during the holidays since they offer unique coffee flavors for each season, giving you the perfect reason to visit regularly.
Location:1225 S Zarzamora St, San Antonio, TX 78207 (click for map)
15. Indy Coffee Club
The natural, earthy, and rustic design of Indy Coffee Club reflects its unique and slightly more traditional drink options which will have you feeling right at home as you sip on a deliciously creamy espresso while enjoying a warm crumbly pastry.
Don’t forget to try out Indy’s signature ‘cereal’ coffee for a taste like no other.
Location: 7114 UTSA Boulevard Suite, San Antonio, TX 78249 (click for map)
Summary
Remember to take some time to yourself next time you’re in the bustling city of San Antonio and relax at one of these popular cozy, warm and friendly coffee shops dotted around the city.
Check out the best coffee shops in Texas in the other places we cover in the state.
What to see in San Antonio
My name is Dana Dupree and I am an avid coffee lover. Since I began college and realized what a heavy load writing majors took on, I have been a fan of the bean juice.
My job took me all over the US on book tours and press conferences, and my favorite part about the trip was exploring the best places to grab my cup of Joe.
