Best Specialty Coffee Shops in San Antonio
I'm a bit of a specialty coffee nerd (like, I'll specifically book a hotel if it's near Merit Coffee in SATX or Bird Rock in San Diego or Tandem in Portland Maine.) So if you're looking for the best coffee shops in San Antonio, I'm your girl. I've literally visited dozens (no, really) and here are the San Antonio specialty coffee shops worth visiting.
Check out the map below if you want to find one near you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelsey Kennedy is a local Texas author, photographer, blogger, and native Texan who is fully obsessed with all things local San Antonio. She has written on her travel sites for more than 12 million readers across 38 countries who are looking for cool things to do in the hottest cities in Texas.
TL;DR
Don't have time to scroll but want some ideas and quickly? Here are my 3 absolute favorite coffee shops in San Antonio:
- CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery - Ultra-cozy and multiple locations for better access.
- Vela Coffee - a really great specialty coffee shop in downtown that uses Proud Mary coffee and has excellent coffee and skilled baristas...plus it's the prettiest light-filled space.
- Merit Coffee Co. - a mini coffee chain that started in SATX and expanded around Texas. They consistently have some of the best coffee + pastries + shops in San Antonio.
For more information on these coffee shops or for the full list, read on!
The Best Coffee Shops in San Antonio
1. Local Coffee Founders
Regarded as the original specialty coffee shop in San Antonio, Local Coffee Founders is a beautiful space in the historic Pearl District.
I love stopping by in the morning for an expertly poured cappuccino and a yummy pastry and then bringing it outside and enjoying it on the lawn at The Pearl District.
There are a few tables outside on the sidewalk patio where you can watch the hustle and bustle of shoppers, or sit indoors (there are just a few tables!) and enjoy the bright space. Love the tall ceilings in the pretty coffee shop!
WEBSITE | 302 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
2. Vela Coffee
Vela is hands-down the BEST specialty coffee shop in downtown San Antonio right now.
Not only is it light-filled and a beautiful place to work, study, or enjoy a conversation, it's also above and beyond one of the best places in San Antonio to get an excellent cup of coffee.
They use Proud Mary Coffee Roasters and the baristas seem to really know their stuff. (I had one of the best cappuccinos I've ever found in SA during my visit.)
WEBSITE | 505 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
3. Merit Coffee
Merit Coffee started in San Antonio under the same ownership as Local Coffee Founders (the first place you read about on this list), but they're now separate companies. And separate or not, Merit Coffee is a REALLY solid option.
They have beautiful cafés, highly skilled baristas, and excellent coffee. Oh, and some of the best pastries you'll find ANYWHERE.
There are several Merit locations in San Antonio. They source and roast their own coffee, and each location is a nice place to with a friend or enjoy a solo coffee date.
Highly recommend Merit for those of use who like to work in coffee shops. I've found that Merit cafés aren't super loud, and you'll typically find lots of space for a workspace setup.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
4. Stranded Coffee
Ahhh this one is SO cute! Stranded Coffee is a tiny coffee shop in Southtown. It used to be a popular coffee trailer and then they opened an adorable brick-and-mortar while still keeping their darling trailer open down the street.
They excel in the classics, so this is a safe spot to get a phenomenal cortaodo, cappuccino, or shot of espresso.
Or, if you like sweet coffee bevs, try their most popular drink, the Maribel: cinnamon vanilla syrup, oat milk, cinnamon dust, and espresso. (Try it iced!)
WEBSITE | 1203 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78210
5. Newstand Coffee & Sandwiches
Newsstand is more than a coffee shop! It's also a full-blown sandwich shop with plenty of bites for breakfast and lunch. Tall ceilings, a vintage store in the back, and friendly baristas round this place out as one of the best coffee shops in SA.
And the coffee program? Phenomenal! They use Proud Mary beans from Austin Texas, and whether you're getting a simple iced latte or a specialty pour-over prepared right in front of you, Newstand is one of my favorites.
WEBSITE | 1900 Broadway Suite 106, San Antonio, TX 78215
6. Mural Coffee Roasters
Here's another great option if you're looking for a specialty coffee shop in San Antonio: Mural Coffee Roasters (previously Shotgun House) has an excellent coffee program, which starts with their in-house roasted coffee beans.
The roaster is literally a few feet from the counter where you order your coffee, so you might get to see it being roasted right in front of you! They bag it up and sell it within a day or two of it being roasted. Super fresh!
I think this place is so unique and fun because Mural is located inside Warehouse 5, a longtime sewing factory-turned-coworking space.
There's a cozy indoor space with tables and couches and wifi, as well as an outdoor garden where you can bring your coffee and get some work done outdoors on a pretty day.
1333 Buena Vista St, San Antonio, TX 78207
7. Estate Coffee Company
Located near downtown, this small-batch coffee roaster and espresso bar is one of the best coffee shops in San Antonio. They work with family-owned importers to source the best coffee beans possible. Estate Coffee Company roasts in-house and has a wholesale coffee program (order local beans here!!)
The shop itself is an adorable space to stop by for a latte. Not super fancy, but it's simple and hip and a nice place to enjoy a capp. And most importantly (for this particular guide to SA coffee shops!), the coffee program here is really top quality.
WEBSITE | 1320 E Houston St., A101, San Antonio, TX 78205
8. El Tigre
El Tigre Coffee shop has as really cool location in SA! It's on the first floor of a building at St Paul Square, an historic district with shopping and restaurants.
They roast their own coffee, sourced from organic producers around the world.
Not tons of seating here, but this historic building feels very ooooold (haha, which is rare for Texas!) and it's a fun spot to swing by for a quick matcha or iced latte.
WEBSITE | 123 Heiman St. San Antonio, Texas
9. San Antonio Gold
This super hip coffee shop is located near King William District in south San Antonio. San Antonio Gold shares a space with a studio/gallery, a motorcycle clothing store, and a barber shop. And somehow...it just all works.
It's a funky/inviting vibe (the barista literally went out of his way to welcome me and chat, which I love!) and the specialty drinks are fun. I tried a drink called "A Holiday in Cambodia" which was a blend of chai cold brew, oat milk, and proprietary spices. It was totally delicious.
WEBSITE | 1913 S. Flores St., #A, San Antonio, TX 78204
10. CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery
CommonWealth is one of the CUTEST, coziest, most adorable coffee shops in San Antonio!
Breakfast tacos, brunch, and a lovely rustic/chic vibe. If you're going for a cozy coffee shop in San Antonio, this is definitely the place.
Psst: Commonwealth has 5 locations! If you're at Hemisfair with kids, they have a coffee shop that's right by the splash pad/playground area. You can get a latte to enjoy while watching the kids play!
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
11. Niche Coffee
Niche Coffee is easily one of the best downtown San Antonio coffee shops.
Actually, Niche and Vela (previously. mentioned) are a tie for me as far as quality of coffee...but I just think that Vela is a tiny bit cuter inside than Niche.
However, Niche has a wonderful coffee program! They use San Antonio's own Quantum Coffee Roasters for their coffee beans and I had an excellent cappuccino when I stopped by.
WEBSITE | 108 Villita St., San Antonio, Texas 78205
12. Poetic Republic
The Poetic Republic is a VIBE! It's about “making connections between strangers, friends, and generations,” and the entire Southtown coffee shop is set up with that intention.
Walk in and you’ll be greeted by a friendly barista at the window-facing coffee bar who’s ready to take your order. This shop just has a really calm environment - perfect for reading, chatting, or just sitting and enjoying your latte.
Psst: this is a full-service coffee shop as well as one of the best San Antonio wine bars with Texas natural wines available.
WEBSITE | 2330 S Presa St., San Antonio, TX 78210
13. Halcyon - Southtown
Coffee drinks by day, cocktails by night… Halcyon has one of the coolest vibes in San Antonio. It’s located in the Blue Star Arts District, so it has that industrial feel with brick walls, exposed ceilings, and lots of bright colors.
If you need a place to grab a cup of joe in the morning, grab an iced coffee and enjoy their free wifi and energizing environment.
But they also have a great afternoon happy hour ($6 mango chile margaritas, anyone?), and a big weekend brunch menu.
WEBSITE | 1414 S Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78210
14. Mila Coffee
Mila Coffee started as an awesome little coffee trailer near Brackenridge Park. But it now has a second brick and mortar location at the Make Ready Market (one of San Antonio's best new restaurants).
Mila is a pretty casual place (there’s no official website and they sometimes open and close on a whim), but they have a loyal customer base and some great cold brew. They use Tweed coffee roasters, based out of Dallas.
The little coffee trailer is the OG. The hours are sometimes a bit wonky here. The brick-and-mortar at Make Ready Market is a bit more polished. Either one is a nice place to grab a cup of coffee! I
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
15. PRESS Coffee
PRESS Coffee shop also just expanded to a second location. But the original is still my favorite because it feels like you’re in a little treehouse!
The multi-level shop has lots of greenery, tons of windows, and a multi-level seating area. Stop by for coffee and tea, homemade pastries, and free wifi.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
16. Southbound Coffee
Ok honestly, with Southbound Coffee’s tiny pink trailer we're kind of crossing over into most instagrammable coffee shop in San Antonio rather than specialty coffee, so if that's your vibe, go here!
It’s an adorable, bright pink trailer in Southtown that serves fun, photo-worthy coffee drinks. They offer mobile ordering so you can place your order ahead and pick it up right when you arrive.
WEBSITE | 246 E Cevallos St, San Antonio, TX 78204
17. What’s Brewing? Coffee and Pinball
This local San Antonio coffee roaster is known for its OG shop (they’ve been around since 1979!), pinball machines, and a quality coffee roasting program.
I mean...coffee + pinball? That's about as weird a combination as you can get, but what I love about this place it's how long it's been around! San Antonia's really love it, and it's a staple in the community.
WEBSITE | 138 W Rhapsody Dr, San Antonio, TX 78216
18. Theory Coffee
This tiny coffee trailer is small yet mighty!
Theory Coffee owner Mark Vollmer has a culinary degree from the Le Cordon Bleu program in Austin, TX and loves to pay attention to the care and quality of every single cup they prepare. So while it may be a standard menu, the coffee is anything but standard.
Theory Coffee gets their beans from Wild Gift Coffee Roasters in Austin, TX.
WEBSITE | 2347 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209
19. Bright Coffee
Open since early 2022 at the Blanco Center in Beacon Hill, Bright Coffee has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. Bright Coffee has managed to combine three loves of its owners (java, art, and swing dancing) into one outstanding experience.
From the beans they source (downtown’s Estate Coffee Company), to the warm and inviting seating area, to the works of local artists they display around the café, everything they do is meant to bring people together while promoting local businesses and the arts. Biiiiig fan of that!
Bright’s menu has all the traditional coffeehouse standards as well as a few unconventional coffee options inspired by the owner’s Korean heritage including a banana milk latte (highly recommend!), a melon milk latte, and a black sesame latte.
WEBSITE | 1705 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78212
20. Nofi Slow Bar
Wait...no wifi???!!!
Yes! If your soul is craving a slow down and you love practicing presence and being still, please check out this really cool San Antonio coffee shop!
NoFi slow house delivers on its name: no wifi, no to-go orders, and slow pour-overs that are expertly crafted and made to be enjoyed over conversation, a book, or just...stillness. *Exhale.*
819 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201
21. Folklores Coffee House
This one is for all the military members! Folklores Coffee House is a quirky coffee shop located near Fort Sam Houston.
Folklores give discounts to service members, first responders, and teachers. It's no wonder that this coffee shop is super popular with the military members and families who are stationed at Fort Sam Houston.
Overall, the shop feels a bit irreverent and fun. Maybe not the best place to come and get some work done, but a great place to come with friends, coworkers, or other service people while on a break.
WEBSITE | 1943 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio, TX 78209
22. Philo Çoffee
Calling all college students! This one is a quintessential neighborhood coffee house.
Located just a few blocks away from San Antonio College in a quiet neighborhood, Philo is housed in an old home with vintage charm and gorgeous wooden floors.
The whole place just feels intimate and is obviously quite popular with college students attending the nearby school.
Philo Çoffee serves a variety of coffees and teas and is a great place to try something new and different. Each barista has a favorite drink that is written on a board near the register and will eagerly prepare his or her favorite for thirsty guests. I recommend coming with an open mind and taking a chance on something unusual - you might just discover YOUR new favorite.
Philo also have a decent sized menu of food and snacks as well as beer and wine.
WEBSITE | 606 W. French Pl., San Antonio, TX 78212
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