What’s sweet like honey, dark as midnight, strong as gas, and hot as Houston? It’ll help you lift the moon, fight the night, and rid the work pile that’s been stacking on your back. The java, the joe, the brew, the black nectar ambrosia. Coffee. It’s everywhere, fueling the president and the average commuter the same. According to a February 2024 Statista report, 73% of Americans drink coffee every day—almost everyone loves the stuff! It’s no secret then that coffee is an immensely popular thing, so much so that it’s become larger than itself: cafes, coffee houses, and coffee shops have become beacons for personal consolidation and social interaction. It offers coffee lovers a place to do what they love. In Italy the café is hailed as a peace-place, calling customers to embrace a dolce far niente, or sweetness of doing nothing. While graduate school may make it difficult for us to fully embrace this sentiment, it doesn’t hurt to try! But before diving into the craziness of caffeine, or the rabbit hole of espresso, let’s take a step back and understand the goal of this blog post: what’s the coffee shop scene of Houston? Where can I get a good cup of joe? Where should I bother a barista to bring my dream concoction of sugar and spice to life?
Having spent four years in Austin, I grew a huge appreciation for independent cafes. I knew Houston was a large city so finding them wouldn’t be difficult; but I craved specific pretty places with modern approaches, gothic taverns with dirty old tables, and coffee houses with congregations of college kids. Houston definitely showcases expansive options of cafes, but having been a graduate student for almost a year, I can say with certainty that Houston-exploration time gets cut short; so having favorite cafes that offer consistency and good quality coffee is preferred. Whether you’re looking for a little personal Rice campus retreat, getaway from your office, or fun catch-up with friend(s), here are a few coffee shops I believe will make the most of your off-campus coffee runs. While the quality of the coffee varies from place to place, I think they each offer their own unique atmosphere making them worth visiting.
Rice Village:
Rice village has a great collection of coffee shops that is only expected to grow, and with probably the shortest walk on the list; you can expect to repeat a visit to these shops (especially if you fall in love with one!).
Bluestone Lane
2414 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
An Australian-inspired coffee shop in the heart of Rice Village; artisanal coffee is served with an Aussie-spirit and a mission to “change people’s perspectives on coffee”. The first-class service and pretty presentation of the various dishes and coffees are indicative of this mission. Bluestone Lane is surrounded by aluminum outside seating—perfect for early spring and late fall lunch or studying! Inside you’ll find a white-palette modern diner, where you can order fresh takes on classic breakfast plates. With only a walk away, Bluestone Lane is sure to make your coffee brain sane.
Bitty and Beau’s
2367 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
A statement to able-inclusivity, Bitty and Beau’s deserves as much attention to its story as its coffee. Ben and Amy Wright originally opened the first Bitty & Beaus Coffee in 2016, naming it after their two youngest children, who both have Down Syndrome. It has a mission to promote the employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and has since become a testament to how a coffee shop can become a place of transformation, uniting people with disability and non-disability over a cup of coffee. Offering a unique and perspective-changing experience, if you are looking to make new friends, Bitty and Beau’s is the place to be!
Croissant Brioche French Bakery & Café
2435 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
Craving a French experience but the ticket to Paris is too expensive? Croissant Brioche has got you covered! They got real baguettes and French bread so good it’ll make you say “oui, oui”. It’s homey with an unorganized aesthetic reminiscent of a genuine café you would find on the streets of Paris, but it’s on Rice Blvd.! The bread is baked fresh and there’s always a chance to try new pastries, with an extensive selection you’re also sure to have plenty to explore.
Sweet Paris
2420 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
There’s another French café, only here you can create the crepe of your dreams. Although Sweet Paris may feel less authentic in its approach, its pastries and capabilities of coffee drinks don’t slack. With over 50 variations in how to craft your crepe, whether it be for dessert, breakfast, or dinner; there is plenty of thin pancakes to enjoy. Rice students will also occasionally receive special deals— who doesn’t free crepes?
Within walking distance:
These are a few coffee shops that I have visited within walking distance (~1 mile) from Rice. Perfect for a quick walk with a friend (when Houston isn’t too hot) or a little pick-me-up after a long day in the lab or office!
The Podium
4007B Greenbriar Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Promised as a place for the Houston community to gather after being purchased from a popular lumber tycoon, The Podium off Highway 69 is an amazing upscaled lumber barn turned café/bar. It feels like a millionaire’s man cave from the 1950’s, complete with worn-in orange leather furniture, warm ambient lighting, and Porshe decor along the carbon grey walls. The baristas/ bartenders will cater to you the way you’d expect Porsche salesmen would, and can craft you a mean cappuccino. The menu features vehicular named cocktails like The Motorhead and The Chicane. If you’re feeling particularly fancy or chic, this most definitely is the place for you.
Agne’s Café and Provisions
2132 Bissonnet St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77005
So close to campus it only takes two steps (not literally), Aga’s is a cozy corner cafe found off Bissonnet and Greenbriar (conveniently close to the Rice Graduate Apartments). Serving “loosely based” Mediterranean food inspired by “good times to be had over good food and drink”, there’s always Italian espresso to be shared. While seated the closest to campus in this category, you might find it difficult to find space to sit down during lunch and dinner time as it becomes quite busy. However, the ambiance is very relaxing, as the tinted windows let in just the right amount of light for you to not feel sleepy, and maybe do some research.
Grinders
5410 Kirby Dr Suite B, Houston, TX 77005
If what you’re seeking is a more chill environment, Grinder’s café and dispensary can calm those nerves! While the café is very small, its collection of coffees (and cbd products) is very large. Inside you’ll find beautiful wooden accents and lots of natural lighting, with groovy baristas to accommodate. The natural and freshly made syrups add a unique flavor profile to the various milk and oat-based coffee drinks. Looking for something more unique? You can opt to add some 5mg of cbd to calm those anxious working stretches and weed-out some tasks from that long to-do list.
Outside rice:
As research hits hotspots, a quick breather away from campus to remind yourself that there’s life “out there” is especially important. These locations require you to take a short drive, or uber, but offer plenty of character to make up for the precious minutes you could have spent reading.
Black Hole Café
4504 Graustark St, Houston, TX 77006
Open late and filled with dedicated customers, Black Hole Café is a well-known Houston staple. Sprawling with second-hand furniture comfortable enough to sleep on and board games to transform casual dates with friends into hour-long monopoly matches, Black Hole Café is a great place for cheap coffee and nice memories. While other places on the list might miss out on offering too-sweet tooth-decaying iced drinks, Black Hole has you covered. If what you seek is something more down-to-earth, the space-themed coffee spot might be your saving grace.
Agoras
1712 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
A Houston favorite for those living near the university district, this place gets packed with freelance writers, 9-5 husbands, remote workers, and college students. If you get there early, expect all the seats taken, if you stay there late, you should still expect all the seats taken. While nice during the day, night is a whole different thing since its enthusiastic characters appear equipped with guitars, loud conversations, and trancing stares. Agoras appears outside as a simple two-story house, but fine dark-stained oak supports and worn wooden furniture beautifully equip its interior. They serve Greek and Middle-Eastern pastries, wine, and of course… coffee!
Campesino Coffee House
2602 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77006
As biased as I may be, you can never beat authentic café de olla with pan dulce. Located farther than Montrose, this little café plays cool movies in the living room of the Mexican grandmother you didn’t know you had. The outside matches the inside: a cute cozy family home outside and a colorful and roomy interior showcasing mismatching couches and two-chair tables. The baristas are inviting and welcome any questions about the bread or drinks. Note: The Honduran tamales are a great snack for when your two hours of work become three and you start getting hungry!
Retrospect
3709 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004
Close to the center of Houston, and entering midtown is a historic coffee connoisseur favorite—Retrospect. Unlike other cafes on this list, this coffee spot is outside, making it a great place to visit during the more forgiving temperatures Houston offers, and let you sip a hot drink without melting into the Houston city streets. There are also great opportunities to enjoy live music and attend community events here. If the day is particularly beautiful a drive to Retrospect is one you won't regret!
Blendin
3201 Allen Pkwy, Suite 170, Houston, TX 77019
What happens when a PhD biochemist decides to make coffee: Blendin, a small office-space coffee bar. As a one-of-a-kind café it sells well-thought curated coffee drinks and small batch third-wave arabica/robusta from South America, Africa, and other isolated farms around the world. While it can be a bit intimidating, the baristas are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, so you can be sure they’ll guide you to something you’ll enjoy. Everything here has been delicately thought out, from the exact temperature of your latte to the amount of chai in your cookie. A truly unique and special experience for those looking to “science” their coffee, Blendin is one-of-a-kind.
As a graduate student, coffee shops are your friends: they help you get work done and relax. It’s a great way to be productive without feeling stuck in the office or lab spaces of Rice (as wonderful as they may be). They offer solace, a change from the regular schedule, and can provide relief to the overwhelmed, adventure-seeking academic. Rice University has a great advantage of being stationed in the museum district of Houston, an intellectual hub for the city, so it was difficult picking which cafes to review. However, I believe I chose a select few I can personally vouch for; showcasing the awesome diversity of cafes the city that houses Rice has to offer. It’s a great way to scope the café scene that Houston has built and will continue to elucidate. Happy coffee days!
About the author:
Rodolfo Cantu Jr. is from Edinburg, Texas and is a current Ph.D. student in Materials and NanoEngineering. He received his Bachelors/Masters at The University of Texas at Austin in 2023. He enjoys road trips, guitar, and coffee! Read more.
Further Reading:
Where to find delicious food in HTX!
Expanding Horizons Fellowship - Coffee Production in Colombia