22 Coffee Shops You Should Visit in San Antonio That Aren't Starbucks

By San Antonio Current Staff

        
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Sure, Starbucks is one of the largest and most well-known moguls in the corporate world today. However, San Antonio has so many locally-owned coffee shops that really step up the game when it comes to quality. Here we've found 22 places with the best brews in town to help you explore the finer notes of caffeinated beverages.

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Summermoon Coffee Bar
3233 N. St. Mary's St., Suite 102, (210) 320-1773, woodfiredcoffee.com.
So what is this mysterious Moon Milk all about? It’s basically a combination of seven secret, all-natural, all-organic, sweet ingredients they add to your milk (or any non-dairy alternatives) to create a magical flavor that can only be explained as … heavenly. Their most popular drinks are their Moon Milk lattes, which they call Wintermoon for iced and Summermoon for hot. Getting a latte with a Full Moon (full strength of Moon Milk) might be more sweetness than you’re ready for but you can adjust that by asking for Half Moon (think vanilla latte on the sweetness scale) or even a Quarter Moon.
Photo via Instagram, maryamwaris

Barrio Barista
3735 Culebra Road, (210) 519-5403, barriobarista.wixsite.com.
Part-community center, part-café and part-java emporium, this self-proclaimed coffee house is bringing San Antonio Coffee Roasters’ beans to the West Side. Owned by father and son team Gilbert De Hoyos (Jr. and Sr.), the former meat market is a haven for poetry nights, barbacoa grilled cheese sandwiches and Mexican American studies. Don’t miss the horchata iced latte.
Photo via Instagram, barriobarista

CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery
118 Davis Ct. (210) 560-2955, commonwealthcoffeehouse.com.
Tucked right off Broadway, Commonwealth Coffee has quite the homey feel — probably because the building is a recent convert from an Alamo Heights bungalow. With King Louis and crooner standards on the stereo, a delightful shaded patio and iced coffee served in Mason jars, Commonwealth favors the cute without ever going overboard. France is an inspiration, with a pâtisserie and Francophile lunch menu. But fear not, they know they’re in SA — they serve breakfast tacos until 11 a.m.
Photo via Instagram, commonwealth_coffeehouse

Theory Coffee
2347 Nacogdoches Road, (512) 507-3025, theorycoffeeco.com.
Manned solely by a man with beard enough for two, Mark Vollmer’s coffee trailer offers quality coffee and pastries to cappuccino-craving commuters at 410 and Nacogdoches. Grip an iced latte (there’s house-made almond milk for vegans, too) and admire one of the classic muscle cars that frequently stop by.
Photo via Instagram, theorycoffee

White Elephant Coffee Company
110 W Carolina St., (210) 465-9478, wecoffeecompany.com.
Opening in Southtown San Antonio over two years ago, this minimalist coffee shop has a loft-like feel you can really relax in. Here, you’ll find all the coffee classics to sip on-site (cappucino, latte, Americano, etc.), or you can buy wholesale to brew on your own time. Either way, you’re gonna want to explore their expansive drink menu, which includes fruit-based ‘Elephant Waters’ and loads of delicious pastries.
Photo via Instagram, wecoffeecompany

Mildfire Coffee Roasters
15502 Huebner Rd. Ste. 101, (210) 492-9544, facebook.com/mildfire.
Can we call Mildfire Coffee Roasters the OG of coffee roasting in SA? Don't mind if we do. The original location at 15502 Huebner Road first opened in 2005, and has been thriving ever since. Stop by when you have a little time to enjoy a nice atmosphere with a quality cup o’ joe.
Photo via Instagram, mildfirecoffee

Revolucion Coffee + Juice
7959 Broadway, (210) 701-0725, revolucioncoffee.com.
Sure, there are many coffee shops in SA that can accommodate their drinks to health-focused diets, but how many can say the same for their pastries, treats and eats? At Revolucion, their entire menu is designed to serve those who are focused on overall wellness. However, this doesn’t mean their food is dry or bland at all. On the contrary, with menu items like Breakfast Molletes and fresh smoothie bowls, you won’t even realize how healthy you’re eating.
Photo via Instagram, revolucionsa

Halcyon Southtown
1414 S. Alamo St., Suite 101 (210) 277-7045, halcyonsouthtown.com.
Halcyon Southtown is so much more than a coffee shop. Of course they serve every classic you can think of, but from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they also serve brunch. That’s right, brunch. If you happen to pop in on a Saturday or Sunday during these hours, you can grab some Benito Eggs Benedict with hash browns along with your morning coffee. Oh, you’re feeling a pastry too? Don’t worry, Halcyon’s got you covered.
Photo via Instagram, dreammieeee

Rosella Coffee Company
203 E. Jones Ave., (210) 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com.
Rosella’s chill two-story loft space is the perfect setting to go solo, or to meet up with a group of friends. Not only is it a great place to get coffee, but it’s an ideal spot to grab lunch, dinner and maybe even a couple of drinks. They host live music, and it’s located right by the scenic San Antonio Museum of Art, so you can take soak in the sights whenever you’re done sipping on your brew. What’s not to love?
Photo via Instagram, beforewefinish

Bakery Lorraine
Multiple locations, bakerylorraine.com
Besides having some of the most elegantly delicious sweets you’ll ever taste in San Antonio, Bakery Lorraine also serves a mean cup o’ joe. While it may seem like black coffee would play second-fiddle to their sumptuous Opera Cakes or delicate boxes of macarons, Bakery Lorraine’s brewing method hits all the right notes. No cream? No sugar? No problem.
Photo via Instagram, bakery_lorraine

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5 Points Local
1017 N Flores St, (210) 267-2652, 5pointslocal.com
Okay okay, so 5 Points local isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s a restaurant, a yoga studio, and a vegan bakery. The masterpiece you’re looking at is a Hazelnut Toffee Tort Cake. Isn’t it lovely? While all bakery items come gluten and soy free as a standard, you can receive vegan-made options upon request. With more and more restaurants accommodating their menus to specialized diets, it’s simpler now than ever before to live your best life. Even if that means gaining your sole sustenance from vegan sweets. Hey, you do you. We’re not here to judge.
Photo via Instagram, 5pointslocal

Paramour Coffee Bar
102 9th St., Suite 400, (210) 307-8740, paramourbar.com.
Paramour Coffee Bar is a psychedelic lounge where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy your coffee with a killer view. Wait, did we say coffee? Well sure, you can get a steaming cup during the day, but at night...well, that’s a whole other story. During the evenings, this sophisticated spot blossoms into a seductive cocktail bar straight out of a film noir. Want to enjoy the best of both worlds? Go find your passions at Paramour.
Photo via Instagram, def210

Bird Bakery
5912 Broadway St., (210) 804-2473, birdbakery.com.
Trust us when we say that pretty much everything you’ll find here is absolutely adorable and delicious. They serve custom-made gourmet cakes and cupcakes, as well as--you guessed it, scrumptiously foamy caffeinated drinks. But it doesn’t end there. You can stop by for breakfast or lunch, where you’ll find delicious dishes like spinach-parmesan quiche and tarragon chicken salad. And while you’re at it, why not go crazy and have a slice of their spiced buttermilk pie for dessert? Better yet, have two slices. We’re rooting for you.
Photo via Instagram, keizahh

Mila Coffee
2202 Broadway, (210) 929-3678, facebook.com/milacoffeesat.
While this mobile food truck may be tiny, it’s packing some big flavors. Parked next to Richter Goods in the Broadway News parking lot, Mila Coffee serves up some of most delicious brews you’ll ever taste. Try the horchata cold brew or vanilla latte made using Mexican vanilla beans.
Photo via Instagram, milacoffeesa

Indy Coffee Co.
7114 UTSA Blvd., Suite 103, (210) 233-9203, indycoffeeco.com.
This coffee shop has an industrial atmosphere that’s perfect to kick back in. Their classic brews hit all the right notes, and they’re not afraid to venture into the wild side with their cereal milk lattes. Located right by UTSA, it’s a perfect place for weary college students to get caffeinated before school begins.
Photo via Instagram, indy_cc

Cuppencake
22211 W. I-10, Ste. 111, (210) 892-3010, cuppencake.com.
With a name like Cuppencake, you can expect some serious dessert deliciousness. Filled with natural light, and most importantly a full espresso menu, this adorable shop is sure to be a delightful place for a quick brew and a tasty bite.
Photo via Instagram, the_cuppencake

Local Coffee
Multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com.
Since it first opened in San Antonio, Local Coffee has experienced huge success. Now, it’s got several running locations across the city, so you can grab a cup of their crisp coffee no matter where you are. It’s a go-to staple for San Antonians, and definitely worth more than a couple of visits.
Photo via Instagram, wearelocalcoffee

Brown Coffee Company
Multiple locations, browncoffeeco.com.
Calling all coffee snobs: Walk into Brown Coffee Co. (either their roasting operation on Kings Hwy., second shop at 1800 Broadway or the latest location inside Methodist Stone Oak Hospital) and you will immediately understand that this place is serious about its beans. The minimalist design is sleek and clean, providing few distractions from the main point of focus. What’s even more minimalistic than the décor is the actual coffee menu itself. Brown’s knowledgeable baristas craft coffee and espresso beverages from their in-house roasted beans. Walk in a coffee novice and leave a neophyte connoisseur.
Photo via Instagram, browncoffeeco

Cafe Martinez
7302 Louis Pasteur Drive, (210) 231-0095, usa.cafemartinez.com.
At Cafe Martinez off Louis Pasteur, the 2,000-square-foot space is chic, airy and features plenty of bar and table seating along with a living room space decked out in mid-century modern furnishings. Along with the usual espresso menu, this shop serves a full breakfast menu of granola with fruit, fruit cups, toast, croissants, focaccia, muffins; and a line of sweets including cake of the day, cheesecake, apple crumbles, Danishes, sweet bars, cinnamon rolls, cookies and macarons. Can you stay away for very long? Probably not.
Photo via Instagram, cafemartinezsanantonio

Sip Brew Bar & Eatery
160 E. Houston St., facebook.com/sipbrewbar.
The chef Andrew Weissman-owned coffee shop packs in delicious breakfast sandwiches, juices, salads and pastries, but they focus on keeping the downtown area caffeinated—and they’re directly across a Starbucks to boot. Try the nitro Cuvee on tap.
Photo via Instagram, theartsresidencies

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Candlelight Coffee House
3011 N. St. Mary's St., (210) 738-0099, candlelightsa.com.
Candlelight Coffee House is a sweet little spot with full lunch, dinner, and wine menus. Oh, and did we mention they serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.? They’ve got plenty of tasty dishes to choose from, including a Croque Monsieur, fluffy waffles, and even Chilaquiles. What more could you ask for?
Photo via Facebook

La Taza
15066 San Pedro Ave, (210) 494-8292.
There is no place better to enjoy a nice cup of coffee than at home, but La Taza Coffee House sure comes close. The coffeehouse comes complete with puzzles, paintings of horses, and, of course, plenty of coffee — all brewed from local Kiva Coffee Roasters in Fair Oaks Ranch.
Photo via Instagram, angel_4_you_from_tx