The PhD student lifestyle often means finding inspiration for your research in all kinds of places. For some, that might mean visiting other labs and experimenting with new equipment. I’ve found that I am the most inspired when it comes to discussing my work with a friend or fellow labmate over a cup of coffee. While I’m not a coffee expert, I do love finding my next favorite place to get some work done. To this effect, my exploration of Houston over the past year has mostly been through the vast collection of coffee shops in the area. After all, a city is only as great as their coffee shops (and their Wifi)!
Siphon Coffee: 701 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006
This was one of the first coffee shops I went to in Houston and I keep coming back because of the amazing food selection (partial to the chicken empanadas) and the new drink menus. They have great outdoor seating along with no shortage of tables and couches indoors. I would come here for a quick bite with a friend or to do some reading in their outdoor area!
Un Caffe: 3217 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006
A recent favorite of mine has been Un Caffe! Every drink on the menu is worth trying, my current favorite is the Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte but would also highly recommend their most popular drink, the Einspänner. They host espresso making workshops and other events for the community. It’s a small coffee shop in Midtown but with an outlet at every table and fast WiFi, it’s one of my best spots to get some writing done!
Croissant-Brioche: 2435 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
This is a small cafe tucked away in Rice Village, easy to miss on the corner of Rice Boulevard but I hope you give it a try. This is a French bakery boasting every pastry you can imagine with an extensive lunch menu as well. With big tables and great WiFi, I love bringing my laptop and notebooks to work on my research with a side of an Iced Vanilla Latte and a mini brioche, one of their most known pastries.
Slowpokes: 2925 Richmond Ave. #120, Houston, TX 77098
I love coming to Slowpokes if I really need to focus and work on some homework because it is packed full of other students motivating me! This coffee shop overlooks Levy Park which is a welcome and beautiful distraction when stuck on a problem. This is a Houston classic with locations all over the city, but my favorite location is definitely the one in Kirby Grove. My order here changes frequently as they have a very large menu, but recently I’ve been stuck on the Lazy Latte (an iced lavender and honey latte).
Coffeehouse on West End: 802 Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Trying to find a coffee shop with enough room for you and all your friends? Look no further than this coffee shop. With three floors, there’s a floor and table for any of your needs. Order your favorite coffee (or tea in my case) on the first floor where it is the most social and vibrant and check out the other floors to find what fits your needs. I’d describe the second floor to be perfect for the solo student, with many tables and outlets tucked away to give you the perfect space for concentration. The third floor has large tables in a big space, perfect to have a group work session!
Campesino Coffeehouse: 2602 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77006
You might miss this coffee shop when you drive past because it is located in a converted house! It boasts an unique menu consisting of many Salvadoran classics, my current favorites being the Horchata Iced Latte and the Black Bean Pisque Tamales. Every room in this coffee shop has a different vibe and seating styles (along with ample outlets), allowing you to find the perfect spot. I love to bring my work here to hunker down on the couch for an all-day work session!
These are only a few of the many coffee shops I’ve explored in the area, but I hope that you’ll find at least one from this list that becomes your new favorite! Whether you love the variety of pastries at Croissant-Brioche, the view at Slowpokes, or the unique seating at Campesino Coffeehouse, there really is a coffee shop for everyone!
About the author:
Isha Chakraborty is from Chandler, Arizona and Cupertino, California and is a current MS/PhD Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering. She got her B.S. in Computer Science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2023. Read more.
Further Reading:
A One-Woman Adventure: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream