Houston has had a flurry of new craft brews, wine bars and cocktail joints in recent months. But what about those who love the caffeine concoction? With two fresh new neighboring coffeehouses on lower Westheimer, we were inspired to put together a little list of some of Houston’s most notable casas de cafe au lait.
Montrose
Blacksmith Coffee Bar The only morning delicacy that can compete with Blacksmith’s Valrhona mocha might be the spot’s own freshly baked biscuits served with crème fraîche and marmalade. Thanks to its carefully selected, nationally sourced staff, this Montrose newcomer offers a menu of delicious fresh bites that stand up to the high-quality Greenway Coffee in your cup. For lighter breakfast fare, don’t miss the vegan cereal and almond milk, both made in-house. The city’s gourmands who frequent this spot can attest to the quality served up in this little industrial shop. Take your out-of-town guests if you want to showcase Houston’s standard for gourmet breakfast, coffee and frame-worthy latte art. For what it’s worth, this isn’t a late-night coffeehouse, but you can score breakfast during all hours of operation, 7 am to 5 pm.
Southside Espresso For the crunch-time deadlines that turn into post-work celebrations, don’t miss the tiny coffee bar next door to Uchi. While Southside Espresso is small, it packs an impressive selection of international coffee brewed in a highly exclusive La Marzocco Strada — Florence’s finest barista-customized espresso machine. Don’t be surprised if you visit and find that the owner is in Guatemala buying coffee beans — this spot is as serious about its coffee as its neighbor is about sushi. As soon as you’re done with work, take advantage of a 4 to 7 pm happy hour featuring discounted wine and beer sold in bottles or poured from four taps of local craft beer. The hours are pretty hard to beat, too. Southside opens at 7 am and closes at midnight — now that is dedication to our city’s work-hard, play-hard mantra.
Agora Houston went into widespread mourning when Agora bured down in the Halloween fire of 2010. Less than a year later, the coffeehouse rose from the ashes largely the same and with a fan base more passionate than ever. On sunny days, groups of older Greek men and scruffy artsy types sprawl on the patio while in the cool, dim interior, individuals type up their novels or latest business plan. The creaky converted house is full of “perfect spots” — one next to an upstairs window with a view of the bustling Montrose neighborhood, another with a backgammon board. Aside from the usual lineup of caffeinated beverages, Agora stocks a generous variety of foreign, craft and obscure beers and wines. If you like sweets, try the granitas. Post-fire bonus: easier parking and you can often find a food truck parked next door. Open nearly 24 hours a day.
Black Hole (Montrose) & Antidote (The Heights) Purveyors of arguably the best bourbon and Scotch selections in the city, the owners of Poison Girl also own these two java hotspots that flank the area between Montrose and The Heights. Black Hole in Montrose is affectionately dubbed a hipster hangout, but the crowd is actually surprisingly diverse. At any given moment you’ll find professionals, students and local artists and musicians working or socializing. Antidote in The Heights usually hosts a similar crowd that sometimes weighs more on the couples-and-family end of the spectrum. Both locations serve beer, wine, gourmet sandwiches and baked goods. Served hot or cold, the indulgent cajeta latte is a caffeinated dessert-like cup of joe that will keep you awake until closing time at midnight.
The Heights
Catalina Coffee Who says Washington Avenue is only for rowdy night owls? Just east of Montrose you’ll find this tiny gem of a coffeehouse. Another contender for most photographable latte art, Catalina is a tiny, quaint cafe focused completely on coffee and tea rather than food or décor. Go there if you’re a coffee lover who considers Starbucks burnt and unpalatable or one who wants to sample this season’s loose leaf teas and partake of pastries delivered just this morning. This is where you’ll find the city’s most discriminating java drinkers sipping on Houston’s own Amaya Roasting coffee. Hours vary.
Revival Market Not everyone would call Revival Market a coffeehouse but we found it worth including simply because of the excellent coffee bar located just to the left once you enter the storefront. The baristas are smiling and friendly and will banter back and forth with one another when you ask them to suggest a beverage. The staff takes their coffee seriously as if the primary purpose of the space is to get customers their caffeine fix, not just their local meats, produce, chocolate and lunch. Selling and serving Houston’s own Greenway Coffee, their “flat white” is a smaller version of a latte but with a higher coffee-to-milk ratio. It is the small things in life — such as the pretty latte art even in the to-go cup — that make Mondays bearable. Hours vary.
By Darla Guillen & Taylor Byrne Dodge