Discover your new favorite cup of joe at one of these unique local coffee shops in San Antonio.
Coffee lovers rejoice: There are so many ways to get your caffeine fix in San Antonio. If you want to steer clear of big-name chains and opt for something artisan, one-of-a-kind, and totally local—well, San Antonio offers that in spades. There are so many coffee shops in San Antonio that are sure to become your new favorites.
From a punk-themed coffee shop (yes, seriously!) to a coffee roaster that serves coffee and offers pinball machines to play, there are plenty of options for a unique coffee experience. Many of these establishments focus on quality and quick service, which is of utmost importance on busy mornings. Others are all about exuding an aesthetic you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Being coffee lovers ourselves, we recommend trying all of the below!
1. Local Coffee Founders
302 Pearl Parkway #118
You can’t get more local than Local Coffee, billed as “San Antonio’s birthplace of specialty coffee.” This coffee shop serves locally roasted brew from Good for Nothing Coffee and TAG Coffee Co; sources milk, almond milk, and more from nearby locations; and serves pastries made fresh daily by the Pullman Market Bakery Team.
They serve a variety of hot and iced coffee, as well as seasonal options and tasty food. Reviewers on Yelp love the “vibe” of Local Coffee, as well as the “amazing ambiance,” with one person calling it “one of the best coffee places in San Antonio.”
2. Coffee Crush
18010 Bulverde Road #109
You only need to listen to one local’s opinion on Coffee Crush to know you’ll love it: “I definitely have a crush on this cute little coffee shop! … Very whimsical, earthy and aesthetically pleasing as soon as you walk in.”
In addition to to-go, Coffee Crush offers dine-in options if you prefer to unwind and relax with your coffee in real mugs. Their food is undeniably a huge draw; their warm coffee cake muffins, huge cinnamon rolls, and flaky Nutella croissants will have you wanting to keep coming back to try everything on the menu.
3. Merit Coffee Co.
Alamo Heights; Sonterra; Medical Center; Shavano Park; Leon Springs
Merit Coffee Co. is a Texas staple, with locations in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Houston. The flagship location is on Sonterra Boulevard in SA, where people love grabbing everything from a traditional drip brew to a specialty drink, like the Cereal Milk Cold Brew infused with Fruity Pebbles. They also have tea, matcha, and delicious pastries.
A Starbucks lover was converted to a Merit Coffee drinker, according to her Yelp review, due to her “smooth and velvety” latte decorated with a steamed milk leaf on the top. Another praised the “good caffeine to sugar ratio” in this coffee.
4. What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters
138 West Rhapsody Drive
Technically a coffee roaster rather than a coffee shop, What’s Brewing still offers delicious signature drinks to the public. You can get a latte, Americano, cappuccino, espresso, cold brew, and more, all while enjoying the unique ambiance or playing from the in-store pinball machines. (How cool is that?) Of course, you can also buy some of their delicious, bagged coffee to enjoy at home, too.
Founded in 1979, What’s Brewing is San Antonio’s longest-running coffee roaster. “What’s Brewing continues to be the place I bring ALL of our visiting guests,” one Yelper wrote. “I let them pick the coffee we will brew during their stay and get to show them a very unique place in San Antonio.”
5. Flowergirl Coffee
909 Broadway Street
With dreamy drink designs and sweet charm, Flowergirl Coffee is a must-stop spot in San Antonio. Order a Campfire Latte, made with house cookie syrup, mocha, marshmallow fluff, and espresso, or the Rose Vanilla Latte, with house rose vanilla syrup with espresso or matcha, then grab a bouquet of fresh flowers before you go. That’s right, Flowergirl is also a florist!
Locals love this unique mobile truck concept, which one person called “a little oasis” and another called “a cute gem in Southtown” on Yelp. Be sure to snap a picture before you leave!
6. Refuge Coffee and Beer
11011 Shaenfield Road
Refuge isn’t just a name—it’s the whole philosophy behind Refuge Coffee and Beer. Come to unwind, first with coffee, then with beer. With locally roasted beans from Legacy Coffee Roasters, organic Texas dairy milk, and hand-crafted drinks, you’ll love every sip.
Order what your heart desires, from a flat white to a cold brew, and trust that it’s going to be good. This spot also has a wide selection of teas, snacks, and a short kids’ menu.
According to one Yelper, this coffee shop “refuses to do poorly.” Another praised the aesthetic, which is located near food trucks and a small farm. “If you’ve ever wanted to sip your latte under big oak trees and pet miniature goats, this is your place,” they wrote. Could there be anything better?!
7. Folklores Coffee House
1943 North New Braunfels Avenue; 106 Michigan Avenue
A standout feature of Folklores Coffee House is that it’s totally punk. Don’t be surprised to see décor inspired by “Beetlejuice” or skateboards signed by locals. It offers House Lattes with unique flavor combinations as well as classic coffee and delicious food.
Local Yelpers praised the coffee shop for being a “very cool and interesting place” and having “delicious” coffee and “the BEST matcha so far in San Antonio.” That’s high praise!
8. Thirty Grind Coffee
17803 La Cantera Terrace #8123
Every month, you can try something new at Thirty Grind, a coffee bar designed to help you unwind and enjoy a delicious drink. The creative specialty drink menus change with the seasons—for example, January’s drinks were based on “a cozy campfire mood,” with options like a S’mores Latte, with toasted marshmallow whip, graham cracker crumble, and a light chocolate drizzle; Salty Maples Latte, which is a honey latte with salty maple cloud cold foam and light cinnamon dust; and the Troop Samoa, with your choice of espresso or matcha and sweetened with house spice syrup and a hint of coconut.
“Exceptional coffees with creative flavors and presentation,” one happy reviewer wrote on Yelp. Someone else called it “top tier,” adding that their drinks “were crafted excellently, were silky smooth, and didn’t have too much ice.”
