This Garden Oaks gem has a drive-thru for to-go orders. Still, taking a step inside is essential to experience the aesthetically pleasing space, where cushion-lined banquettes and plush white furniture pepper the room. Go for the coffee and beverages, and stay for its inventive menu of coffee house bites like the Japanese egg salad sandwich, PB&J overnight oats, and the viral croissant swirl in five different flavors.

At Tenfold Coffee, the roastery isn’t just for show — this bar roasts its own brew and offers a fine atmosphere in which to enjoy it. The industrial-style space is softened with the addition of tall, leafy plants. Likewise, floor-to-ceiling windows that illuminate the interior with morning light make it a hot spot for the work-from-home crowd.

This quintessential Heights coffee shop is the archetype for fellow craft coffee shops in Houston when it comes to roasting artisanal beans in small batches. Drinks can be as simple and fanciful as you like. The Milk and Honey latte, sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon, is a favorite, along with crowd-pleasers such as the Shakerato, a shaken cold mix of espresso, agave, citrus zest, and bitters, and the Mayan mocha latte, made with dark chocolate, vanilla, and cayenne.

Looking for a change of scenery or a working space with a view? This beautiful, bustling coffee shop, housed in a former church, offers three floors of seating and a charming rooftop with patio seating and couches. The drink offerings also won’t disappoint, with traditional espresso options, drip coffee, teas, and specialty coffee and tea combos.

Housed in a church west of Downtown, this recently opened coffee shop is a restaurant industry favorite. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Paper Co. offers a hit list of coffee drinks like lattes, cortados, cold brew, teas, and chai, all of which can be tweaked with homemade syrups and alternative milks like pistachio and oat to create the perfect cup. Food items include croissants, empanadas, sandwiches, breakfast plates filled with French toast, and a selection of to-go snacks created by Top Chef: Houston finalist Evelyn Garcia, including grilled chicken quinoa salads with soy marinade and chile-marinated grilled steak served with farrow salad. Paper Co. also offers fun events weekly, including coffee-fueled car meetups, plant workshops, chess club meet

Located next to the University of Houston’s Downtown campus, this vibrant coffee shop offers students a respite from the hustle and bustle. Its bright exterior, large windows, and airy interior make it an inviting spot to settle in with a laptop or a book. Order one of the house specialties, like the Texas Blossom, a cardamon and honey latte, or the Bonito, a sweet milk latte made with vanilla and cinnamon.

One of Houston’s most beloved coffee spots, which doubles as a plant nursery, has recently relocated to POST Houston. Now, there is even more serene space to study, relax, or be among plant friends. Sip on a cold brew, espresso, macchiato, or cortado while soaking in the peaceful, oasis-like atmosphere. The space also hosts special events such as live music and dance performances.

Iced coffee drinks and the frappe-style Drip-a-ccinos are this Downtown spot’s forte. Dip into the sleek shop for a taste of oat milk coffee concoctions flavored with combinations of brown sugar, honey, vanilla, or cinnamon, and watch as the coffee is freshly dripped before it’s poured over or blended with ice. Though the Brown Sugar Oat Milk coffee is the most popular, the menu includes seasonal coffee flavors, like Mint Cocoa Oat, and an assortment of breakfast tacos, pastries, and teas. In a hurry? Slow Drip also provides its coffee drinks in premade, grab-and-go bottles for your convenience.

This two-time James Beard Award semifinalist is best known for its first-come, first-serve rotating lineup of pastries, which often includes chef-owner Vanarin Kuch’s iconic beef pho kolache (and on special occasions, the chef’s viral Hot Cheetos croissant). Its coffee offerings are also top-notch, starting with the Salty Cambodian latte, best enjoyed hot, which is a warming mix of sweetened condensed milk and housemade sourdough butter, with a sprinkling of Maldon salt on top. Be on the lookout for its second mini-location, Lil’ Koffeteria, which is set to open in the Spring Branch in the spring.

Evolved from a roaster, this straightforward, funky Second Ward coffee shop stays on the grind. Through its walk-up window, it offers warm and iced beverages, plus bottled cold teas and coffee mixes. When the weather is nice, stay a while — savor a cortado in its outdoor seating area.

Housed in a charming converted bungalow in Montrose, this coffee spot is one of the best places in the city to work while also enjoying Latin-inspired food and coffee. Campesino offers a variety of empanadas and tamales served with plantain chips and its must-try café de olla, a traditional Mexican coffee brewed with ground coffee, cinnamon, and piloncillo (a traditional brown sugar-like candy), served in a clay mug. For those seeking a non-caffeinated option, the horchata is a refreshing alternative.

Open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays (and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends), this East End shop boasts excellent coffee and comfortable seating in a warehouse-like setting, ideal for working or unwinding. Try its variety of specialty coffees, including its monthly featured drinks. Need a brain break? Grab your drink to-go and browse the nearby shops.

Bobby Huegel and Steve Flippo brought coffee back to this little corner on Westheimer. Formerly Penny Quarter, Refuge stays local with craft coffee from roaster Tenfold and pastries from Love Croissants. Those looking for a little more buzz with their caffeine can check out the cocktail menu, which features coffee-based drinks such as Irish coffee, espresso martinis, and carajillos.

Aiming to be the new “Cheers” of coffee shops, this come-as-you-are coffee spot is perfect for meeting a new face, finishing some work, or grabbing a serious cup of coffee. The owner, Soonkack Kook, is a coffee connoisseur and roaster who imports beans from around the world and roasts them in-house. The iced citrus Americano latte, inspired by his trip to the Korean island of Jeju-si, has become a recognizable signature not only for its citrus slush but also for the frozen bear made of coffee that sits on top, making sure the drink stays cold but not diluted.

Housed in one of the Third Ward’s first gas stations dating back to the 1920s, this teensy coffee joint only has outdoor seating. The quaint shop is complemented by a spacious patio and covered backyard, perfect for savoring an espresso or a rose matcha on ice and vegan pastry on sunny days. If you’ve worked up an appetite, try the ever-popular Janis Joplin Crepe, loaded with scrambled egg, cheddar-jack cheese, sliced avocado, and fresh green onion.

This pristine Japanese-style coffee house in Sugar Land is a destination for coffee enthusiasts. Top sellers include the Moshi Moshi, an iced combination of banana, brown sugar, espresso, and a dash of matcha for bitterness. The Okinawa latte is another standout, combining black sesame with rich, smoky Okinawan brown sugar for a balance of savory and sweet. Matcha here is offered in multiple ways, including traditional, Americano, or in a latte made with housemade syrups. Pair your drink with treats like doughnuts, cookies, bundt cakes, and other pastries from local Filipino bakery Jambeto’s for a delightful experience.