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Houston’s 14 Best Coffee Shops For Getting Work Done

The WiFi is fast, and the coffee is hot

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Houston is far from lacking in places to enjoy a quality cup of joe. But not all coffee shops are created equal. From freelancers on deadline to students gearing up for late-night study sessions, some coffee shops are just better suited to plopping down with a laptop and settling in for the long haul.

What makes for a great work or study spot? Aside from copious amounts of caffeine, it should have quality WiFi, plenty of seating, flexible hours, a few outlets, and the right atmosphere. These spots range from art-filled spaces that will get the creative juices flowing to quiet, cozy dens that feel like home.

These coffee shops cater to hardworking Houstonians, and (bonus!) many have beer for those times when work turns into play.

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Slowpokes

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If you’re on the north side of town, look no further than Slowpokes in Oak Forest. The hip outpost is part-coffee shop, part-bar, with communal tables and a sizable outdoor patio. The vibe is social without being noisy, and the decor accentuates the “slow” theme with paintings of turtles, sloths, and snails.

Alex Vickery/EHOU

Boomtown Coffee

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This esteemed Heights craft coffee shop makes small-batch roasts in house. Local art adorns the recently remodeled modern white interior, populated by remote workers and young professionals. Come for the brews, stay for the relaxed vibe.

Antidote Coffee

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Settle into a 1970s-inspired living room at Antidote. Between the vintage couches and colorful patio furniture, there’s plenty of places to set up shop. If you’re in need of serious caffeination, order its namesake: The Antidote, a coffee with a shot of espresso.

Antidote Coffee
Antidote Coffee

Paper Co.

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This friendly cafe is tucked away in a warehouse just outside of Downtown. The big, loft-like space features community tables, minimal decor, and perhaps best of all, plenty of parking. Classic cafe fare and smooth coffee combine to work toward Paper Co.’s mission to be “a cafe for all.”

Tout Suite

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What sets this East Downtown joint apart is its food menu. Spanning from sweet to savory, highlights include hand-made macarons, avocado toast, and basically anything in their dessert case. The large industrial space has plenty of tables to spread out on, and the trendy decor makes a study session suddenly Instagram-worthy.

AHH Coffee!

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This East Downtown coffee house is praised for serving locally roasted, inexpensive coffee. The unassuming spot has more than enough tables and comfy couches to plop down on. It’s a wonder why it’s flying under the radar with speedy wi-ifi, outlets galore, and an easygoing ambience.

Inversion Coffee House

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Inversion is a peaceful respite from a hot Houston day. Art sprinkles the walls of the bright modern space, creating a quiet atmosphere catering to students and workers. Sip on tea or coffee and enjoy light bites in a distraction-free environment.

Campesino Coffee House

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This relaxed coffee shop housed in a stylish bungalow features a Latin-inspired menu. Snack on an empanada, sip a Café de Olla, and choose a seat in one of the colorfully painted rooms. Plenty of windows, outlets, and comfy chairs—why would you ever leave?

Alex Vickery/EHOU

Blacksmith

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Blacksmith is a go-to for Houston coffee enthusiasts due to its skilled baristas that take pride in their roasts. If cozy nooks tempt you to nap rather than read, then Blacksmith is the spot for you, where bar seating and wooden tables take priority. Pair some latte art with a warm biscuit or breakfast sandwich for a winning combination.

Alex Vickery/EHOU

Sink into a couch with a bottomless cup of coffee at this inviting Montrose staple. In addition to a cozy seating area downstairs, the Greek-themed house has a quiet second-floor with small tables surrounded by tree-facing windows. Grab a large pastry or muffin to keep you going until as late as 2 a.m.

Mercantile Montrose

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This spacious Montrose coffee shop is a calming spot to read and work. The soft, unintrusive indie music creates a low-key ambience, with enough room between seating areas to give patrons ample personal space. When you get the munchies, step outside to order tacos from the El Rojos food truck.

Bebidas

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This Upper Kirby space offers more than just your regular coffee shop fare; they boast a large selection of fresh juices, smoothies, and healthy bites. While the trendy interior is a bit compact, come here on a nice day and work on their expansive patio under shady oak trees.

Siphon Coffee

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Siphon Coffee is known for the unique way it brews its joe: it uses halogen burners to create a bolder, tastier cup of coffee. Add housemade pastries and funky decor to the mix and you’ve got the recipe for a beloved coffee shop. An eclectic mix of people flock to this lively joint, making it a standout among a sea of coffee shops in Montrose.

Black Hole

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Need to get work done on a Saturday? This popular Montrose hangout is always bustling with remote workers, students, and creatives. Black Hole’s interior is filled with an eclectic mix of furniture, inviting a laidback working crowd. Need a break? Grab a beer and socialize on the patio.

Slowpokes

If you’re on the north side of town, look no further than Slowpokes in Oak Forest. The hip outpost is part-coffee shop, part-bar, with communal tables and a sizable outdoor patio. The vibe is social without being noisy, and the decor accentuates the “slow” theme with paintings of turtles, sloths, and snails.

Alex Vickery/EHOU

Boomtown Coffee

This esteemed Heights craft coffee shop makes small-batch roasts in house. Local art adorns the recently remodeled modern white interior, populated by remote workers and young professionals. Come for the brews, stay for the relaxed vibe.

Antidote Coffee

Settle into a 1970s-inspired living room at Antidote. Between the vintage couches and colorful patio furniture, there’s plenty of places to set up shop. If you’re in need of serious caffeination, order its namesake: The Antidote, a coffee with a shot of espresso.

Antidote Coffee
Antidote Coffee

Paper Co.

This friendly cafe is tucked away in a warehouse just outside of Downtown. The big, loft-like space features community tables, minimal decor, and perhaps best of all, plenty of parking. Classic cafe fare and smooth coffee combine to work toward Paper Co.’s mission to be “a cafe for all.”

Tout Suite

What sets this East Downtown joint apart is its food menu. Spanning from sweet to savory, highlights include hand-made macarons, avocado toast, and basically anything in their dessert case. The large industrial space has plenty of tables to spread out on, and the trendy decor makes a study session suddenly Instagram-worthy.

AHH Coffee!

This East Downtown coffee house is praised for serving locally roasted, inexpensive coffee. The unassuming spot has more than enough tables and comfy couches to plop down on. It’s a wonder why it’s flying under the radar with speedy wi-ifi, outlets galore, and an easygoing ambience.

Inversion Coffee House

Inversion is a peaceful respite from a hot Houston day. Art sprinkles the walls of the bright modern space, creating a quiet atmosphere catering to students and workers. Sip on tea or coffee and enjoy light bites in a distraction-free environment.

Campesino Coffee House

This relaxed coffee shop housed in a stylish bungalow features a Latin-inspired menu. Snack on an empanada, sip a Café de Olla, and choose a seat in one of the colorfully painted rooms. Plenty of windows, outlets, and comfy chairs—why would you ever leave?

Alex Vickery/EHOU

Blacksmith

Blacksmith is a go-to for Houston coffee enthusiasts due to its skilled baristas that take pride in their roasts. If cozy nooks tempt you to nap rather than read, then Blacksmith is the spot for you, where bar seating and wooden tables take priority. Pair some latte art with a warm biscuit or breakfast sandwich for a winning combination.

Alex Vickery/EHOU

Agora

Sink into a couch with a bottomless cup of coffee at this inviting Montrose staple. In addition to a cozy seating area downstairs, the Greek-themed house has a quiet second-floor with small tables surrounded by tree-facing windows. Grab a large pastry or muffin to keep you going until as late as 2 a.m.

Mercantile Montrose

This spacious Montrose coffee shop is a calming spot to read and work. The soft, unintrusive indie music creates a low-key ambience, with enough room between seating areas to give patrons ample personal space. When you get the munchies, step outside to order tacos from the El Rojos food truck.

Bebidas

This Upper Kirby space offers more than just your regular coffee shop fare; they boast a large selection of fresh juices, smoothies, and healthy bites. While the trendy interior is a bit compact, come here on a nice day and work on their expansive patio under shady oak trees.

Siphon Coffee

Siphon Coffee is known for the unique way it brews its joe: it uses halogen burners to create a bolder, tastier cup of coffee. Add housemade pastries and funky decor to the mix and you’ve got the recipe for a beloved coffee shop. An eclectic mix of people flock to this lively joint, making it a standout among a sea of coffee shops in Montrose.

Black Hole

Need to get work done on a Saturday? This popular Montrose hangout is always bustling with remote workers, students, and creatives. Black Hole’s interior is filled with an eclectic mix of furniture, inviting a laidback working crowd. Need a break? Grab a beer and socialize on the patio.

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