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Houston’s 5 Best Coffee Shops (Worth the Risk of Acid Reflux)

coffee-shops-houston
  • Quality of coffee: We assessed the flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the coffee. It's important for us that their coffee is rich, and that they create well-balanced brews made from freshly roasted beans.
  • Ambiance: We checked the coffee shop's decor, lighting, and even their music. We assessed the coffee shop's welcoming and comfortable environment, if it provides an enjoyable coffee experience to their customers.
  • Food options: It's great if the coffee shops also offer food varieties to complement a good cup of coffee. With that, we considered the availability and quality of food items, such as pastries, sandwiches, and snacks.
  • Amenities: It's a great addition to coffee shops if they offer good Wi-Fi connection. We also checked if they provide ample power outlets and restrooms, great for those who need to stay longer to work or study.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles with acid reflux but can’t bear the thought of missing out on a caffeine kick.  We coffee lovers know that a perfect cup of joe can be irresistible, even if it means occasionally battling a bit of heartburn. 

So, if you’re going to take the risk anyway, you might as well choose the best coffee spots in town to make it totally worth it!

Join me as I go over Houston’s top 5 coffee shops that will give you the best caffeine fix in town—just don’t forget to bring your antacids with you! 

1. Agora

agora

Products: Coffee, Matcha, Vietnamese Coffee, Smoothies, Pastries

Website: https://www.agorahouston.com/ 

Address: 1712 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, United States

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Google reviews score4.5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Quality of coffee4.8/5
    Good roasting process    4.8/5
    Brewing techniques    4.8/5
Ambiance4.8/5
    Decor & interior design    4.8/5
    Low noise level     4.8/5
Food options4/5
Amenities4.9/5

We love how close Agora is to the various thrift shops in Westheimer, making it a great pitstop while shopping in the area.

What’s great about Agora is customers can find a cozy nook to read a book or study, or find a quiet corner to catch up on some work. Because of this, we’re not surprised to see that the place fills up easily.

Nonetheless, it’s still relatively easy to find a spot as Agora has a second-floor and outdoor seating.

For those who love seeing antiques, Agora’s interiors are furnished with old decor, complete with ornamental replica art pieces. 

When it comes to their coffee, Agora offers different varieties of coffee and tea. On top of that, they also have alcoholic beverages like beer.

Another thing we like about Agora is that they offer a wide selection of wines, including Greek wines. This makes them a convenient shop to catch up with friends after a long day.

While they offer good beverage choices apart from coffee, Agora can still improve on providing more snacks and pastries.

We also find it a bit challenging to secure parking, and we heard this has always been the case at any given time around Agora. So if this could be an issue, then it’s best to opt for ride-sharing or public transport options.

Pros

  • Ample seating capacity
  • Decent selection of loose-leaf teas
  • Extensive operating hours

Cons

  • Limited parking
  • Low variety of pastries

Relaxing ambiance

Very cute ambience, well decorated with 2 floors of seating.

Parking was difficult when we went, there was nowhere to sit and the wait was very long to order. The ladies were not very welcoming. We asked about the Greek frappe before ordering and got a very vague answer, the coffee was instant powder with water and not did not taste good. When we asked for something else or to have some milk to at least make it taste better, we were told that it’s supposed to taste watery 😕 neither lady wanted to help us with getting something we would enjoy. It was a very cute shop, but we left very disappointed in the service and quality and would not return.

Katelyn Pennington, Google Review

Plays great music in the background

“Such a great coffee shop! The atmosphere is very pleasant- they have soft/smooth music playing in the background, the coffee aroma is lovely, and the people who fill the shop are from all walks of life. We arrived around 1PM but be aware it fills fast and stays full.. they have outdoor seating so that’s an option if the inside isn’t available.”

Carrie Broussard, Google Review

2. Wolfsmiths Heights

wolfsmiths-heights

Products: Coffee, Coffee Beans, Coffee Shop Merchandise

Services: Motorcycle Storage

Website: http://wolfsmithsheights.com/ 

Address: 636 W 26th St, Houston, TX 77008, United States

Contact Details: +1 832-433-3283

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Google reviews score4.9/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Quality of coffee4/5
    Good roasting process    4/5
    Brewing techniques    4/5
Ambiance4/5
    Decor & interior design    4/5
    Low noise level    4/5
Food options4/5
Amenities4.4/5

Apart from being a coffee shop, Wolfsmiths Heights is also a go-to shop for motorcycle-enthusiasts. In fact, Wolfsmiths Heights is a motorcycle repair shop that offers great coffee in town.

Even better, the owner will even take his time to take his clients around, happily seeing the people admiring the cafe and motorcycle shop.

What we like about Wolfmiths Coffee is that they offer signature blends such as Wolf Chai and Smiths Matcha, allowing customers to enjoy their typical coffee with a different blend.

We also appreciate that they offer coffee bottles on the go, great for those who need to keep a stash at home.

Another thing we like about Wolfsmiths Heights is that they serve great tacos too! This allows customers for a quick refuel before heading out to their next destination.

It’s quite commendable that dogs are welcome at Wolfsmiths Heights. Here, customers can enjoy the shaded cool spot outdoors with their furry pals.

No need to worry about the heat outside, Wolfsmith Heights provides cooling fans outside allowing clients to enjoy a breezy afternoon.

However, since it’s a motorcycle repair shop, expect the coffee shop to become dusty from time to time, especially the spot nearest the main repair corner. 

Pros

  • Various motorcycles around for motorcycling community
  • Custom bike shop & motorcycle repair
  • Shaded outdoor patio
  • Offers coffee bottles on the go

Cons

  • Place can get quite dusty
  • Limited operating hours during weekends

Pet-friendly coffee shop

“The space is super cool. Loved the laid back vibe and motorcycles everywhere. It’s a cool space to hang out. Service was great. My iced matcha latte was fine. Dog and stroller friendly, which is a plus for me! Kid-friendliness: Lots of space, so very stroller friendly. If your kiddo is mobile, you’d need to watch them carefully, but they would probably love looking at the motorcycles on display.”

Kate L, Google Review

Nice shade and lots of fans to keep a cooler ambiance

“Such a cool spot. Their outdoor space is awesome for hanging out. They have shade and nice fans to keep you cool. The people are super nice too. The kicker is you get to look at so many nice motorcycles.”

Amy Quinn, Google Review

3. Black Hole Coffee

black-hole-coffee

Products: Coffee, Coffee Shop Merchandise

Website: https://m.facebook.com/blackhole.coffeehouse/ 

Address: 4504 Graustark St, Houston, TX 77006, United States

Contact Details: +1 713-528-0653

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Google reviews score4.3/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency5/5
Quality of coffee4.4/5
    Good roasting process    4.4/5
    Brewing techniques    4.4/5
Ambiance4.5/5
    Decor & interior design    4.5/5
    Low noise level     4.5/5
Food options4/5
Amenities4.7/5

Located near the Museum of Fine Art, Black Hole Coffee is a great spot for a caffeine fix before strolling around this part of Houston.

What we like about Black Hole Coffee is that they provide homemade syrups, allowing customers to enjoy the coffee shop’s unique take on sweeteners.

Since the place has an outdoor seating, Black Hole Coffee allows customers to enjoy a cup of coffee while observing the surroundings.

Meanwhile, those who prefer to be away from the outdoor noise can enjoy the artistic and colorful interior.

However, there are some reports that some corners are a bit dirty, with some spots on furniture. 

Black Hole Coffee can also get filled with remote workers and students, so it’s probably best to visit early in the morning to secure a spot.

What we like about Black Hole Coffee is that they’re known to provide swift service. Because of this, customers don’t have to wait to be served too long, even when the volume of customers is high.

While the coffee shop’s food selection is quite limited, food trucks are just around every night. This allows their customers to enjoy Black Hole’s coffee selections and likewise choose from different food merchants outside.

Pros

  • Vegetarian food options are available
  • Ample parking, with free street parking
  • Food trucks at night 

Cons

  • Some reports of needing to improve store cleanliness
  • Limited food selections

Swift service

“Good coffee. Service is fast despite long line. Staffs were friendly and experienced. Which explains the fast service. Place an enough parking space, if not street parkings are available since the place is very secluded. Great place to chill or get some work done.”

Bayu Ark, Google Review

Offers fresh coffee everyday

“This place is not too big, but quiet and relaxing. The coffee is always fresh and delicious. It is better than Starbucks!

Jessy Teriyam, Google Review

4. Segundo Coffee Lab

segundo-coffee-lab

Products: Coffee, Coffee Beans, Tacos, Pastries

Website: http://segundocoffee.com/ 

Address: 711 Milby St #35, Houston, TX 77023, United States

Contact Details: +1 346-240-3032

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Google reviews score4.4/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency5/5
Quality of coffee4.8/5
    Good roasting process    4.8/5
    Brewing techniques    4.8/5
Ambiance4.8/5
    Decor & interior design    4.8/5
    Low noise level     4.8/5
Food options4/5
Amenities4.7/5

What’s great about Segundo Coffee Lab is that their beans are roasted in house. This tells us that their coffee beans remain fresh daily, which is a plus in our books.

Segundo Coffee Lab has been known for its wide selection of well-curated and eccentric coffee such as Delta 8 and and Harry Potter-inspired drinks, making it more interesting for customers to try.

Customers also love ordering La Mexicana, perfect for those who like a honey vanilla latte with a cinnamon twist.

Apart from their curated coffee selection, customers can also order beers and wines at Segundo Coffee Lab, making them a great coffee shop to go to even at night.

Even better, their beer offerings are discounted every Tuesday, from five in the afternoon until nine in the evening, allowing customers to order more without breaking the bank.

Here, customers also enjoy some great food selections. Aside from snacks like tamales and empanadas, visitors can also get their breakfast and lunch fix at Segundo Coffee Lab.

However, it’s worth noting that Segundo Coffee Lab’s prices are a bit premium. Because of this, those who may be on a budget or those who plan to treat a big bunch could find other coffee shops.

Pros

  • Beans are roasted in-house
  • Great variety of pastries
  • Well curated coffee selection

Cons

  • Prices are a bit on the premium side
  • Coffee place is a bit cramped

Ample comfortable seating space

“Neat coffee shop inside the open concept Ironworks, Segundo Coffee House serves up great coffee and offered plenty of comfy seating. The service here is spectacular!”

Kevin Wang, Google Review

Good place to study and work

“I love this place so much and I come here with my partner all the time. I think it is great for dates, families, work, studying, and anything in between. I also have painted here and my boyfriend has done his podcast here. The staff is so sweet and generous, and I always appreciate them and our conversations that we have. I always want to tell them that I love them and that they have amazing style with all of the accessories and just the way that they are so cool. I really like their drinks and also their food menu but I will admit that this place is quite expensive and so the other restaurants and places here so it’s pretty difficult to come here often. I would recommend this coffee shop to anyone who is looking to try an awesome place though. As always, much love from Houston and the universe Ɛ>”

Pleiades Talukder, Google Review

5. Sycamore Grounds Coffee

sycamore-grounds-coffee

Products: Coffee, Coffee Beans, Tea Sampler, Muffins, Brownies

Website: http://www.sycamoregrounds.com/ 

Address: 2502 Pansy St, Pasadena, TX 77503, United States

Contact Details: +1 281-978-6307

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM; Saturday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM; Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Google reviews score4.6/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Quality of coffee4.8/5
    Good roasting process    4.8/5
    Brewing techniques    4.8/5
Ambiance4.8/5
    Decor & interior design    4.8/5
    Low noise level     4.8/5
Food options4/5
Amenities4.7/5

What we like about Sycamore Grounds Coffee is that they offer seasonal lattes, giving customers more latte options during certain holidays and seasons.

Some of the crowd favorites are Pumpkin Spice Latte during Halloween, and Toffee Nut Latte during Christmas season.

Those who would like to taste more from their menu can opt for tea and coffee samplers. We love that customers can get to try more drinks without having to consume too much caffeine.

Another thing we like about Sycamore Grounds Coffee is that they offer pastries which are made in-house. This allows customers to complement their coffee with freshly-made bars and breads.

What’s great about this coffee shop is that they offer drive thru service. It’s a convenient option for those who are in a rush and are on the go, which is a plus in our books.

It’s quite impressive that customers can even select their own glass from Sycamore Grounds Coffee’s wall of mugs. This feature adds to their overall warmth and vibe, which we love.

However, due to the popularity of Sycamore Grounds Coffee, high volume of customers are expected daily. Because of this, parking can get quite limited.

It’s recommended to get in the place early or opt for public transport and ride-sharing services for more convenience.

Pros

  • Seasonal lattes on rotation
  • Offers drive-thru sevice
  • Offers tea samplers

Cons

  • Some reports of needing to reorganize outdoor area
  • Parking can get quite limited, especially during busier hours

Reasonably-priced coffee and pastries

“This is a wonderful coffee shop, with such a quaint atmosphere! We ordered the lavender latte, mocha latte and “latte latte”, all of which were delicious: with the rich coffee notes in each blended perfectly with the very flavorful add-ins. The pastries we ordered were fresh and mouth-watering as well, and the prices were very reasonable. We highly recommend Sycamore Grounds!

Yvonne Collins, Google Review

Proactive, attentive, and helpful staff

“II’m currently visiting Pasadena with my husband who is on a work trip. I always look for local coffee shops to visit when I’m in other towns.  I found this place on Google and decided to give it a try.  There is a lot of atmosphere inside and outside of the building.  The barista was friendly and helped me as soon as I walked in.  I ordered a white chocolate peppermint mocha with two extra shots and a slice of coffee cake. There are a few little tables and a couch area for sitting. It’s not a huge place inside but they do have several tables outside for sitting during nice weather days. My coffee and food came out quickly. It was delicious! Not overwhelmingly sweet which I loved! Today is day two of my trip and I’ve been looking for another coffee shop to visit but I may just return to Sycamore Grounds!”

Jackie Simmons, Google Review

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