MEET THE TASTEMAKERS

Houston's 9 best coffee shops brew strong drinks and good vibes

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards highlight leaders in the culinary industry within specific categories — but every year, CultureMap’s editors add a twist with the introduction of a wildcard. For 2025, the twist is Best Coffee Shop.

In a city where each neighborhood has its own flavor, these coffee spots offer more than just a caffeine fix. The range of coffee shops highlighted utilizes science, sustainability, and craftsmanship to create consistently delicious sips. In addition, many of them take their food offerings as seriously as their drinks, with award-winning bites that have earned national recognition.

From neighborhood cafés that have redefined the art of brewing to vibrant community hubs that double as meeting spots, our picks showcase the very best of the city’s coffee scene while offering a taste of Houston’s vibrant culture.

Find out which shop rises about the rest at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony April 3 at Silver Street Studios. Dine on bites from this year’s nominees, sip cocktails from our sponsors, and witness as we reveal the winners. Buy your tickets now before they sell out.

Blacksmith
Since opening its first Montrose location in 2012, Blacksmith has carved out a reputation for its artisanal brews and being a favorite of Houston hospitality workers, who frequent the shop before heading to their jobs at some of the city's best restaurants. Patrons enjoy expertly brewed coffees crafted from beans sourced at Blacksmith’s affiliated Greenway Coffee roastery, enriched with hand-crafted syrups and house-made almond milk. Blacksmith’s second location, recently unveiled in the Memorial City area, showcases the same commitment. Not to mention, pastry chef Christina Au snagged Pastry Chef of the Year at the 2022 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

BlendIn Coffee Club
Coffee is a science at BlendIn; after all, owner Weihong Zhang has a Ph.D. in biochemistry. The coffee shop aims to be a “tree-to-cup expert,” in that they can trace each bean back to its origin before being freshly roasted in-store. With two locations — one in Sugar Land and another on Allen Parkway — the club offers everything from nitro cold brew to single-origin espresso and artful pour-overs, all served in bright, modern space that reflects the shop’s meticulous methods.

Brass Tacks
Brass Tacks isn’t just a coffee shop — it’s a vibrant hub that blends a café, bar, lounge, boardroom, and event space under one expansive roof. Whether you’re after a rich French press or a lavender latte, there’s a seating option for every mood — from plush couches and intimate booths to expansive community tables and snug nooks. With a menu ranging from indulgent Nutella crepes and hearty breakfast tacos to a robust Cuban sandwich, it’s the ideal spot for a casual catch-up or a quick break between meetings in EaDo or downtown.

Catalina Coffee
Stepping into Catalina Coffee is like taking a nostalgic journey back to a simpler time, which reflects the shop's status as one of Houston's oldest "Third Wave" coffee shops. With an emphasis on consistency and quality, this laid-back spot ditches the distractions — there is no Wi-Fi or outlets here — inviting patrons to savor the moment or at least hold a conversation. Exposed brick walls and the art (available for purchase) hanging on them lend a vintage charm to the space.

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Koffeteria
For those who appreciate a side of sweet (or savory) with their coffee, Koffeteria is the destination. Coming soon to Spring Branch, its menu features a creative mix of sweet and savory breads that honor Houston’s immigrant culinary traditions. Signature items like the beef pho kolache and pistachio baklava croissant celebrate both local and Cambodian influences and pair well with coffees like the Salty Cambodian (a latte with sweetened condensed milk and a pinch of Maldon salt) or the Tiger Uppercut, a Thai iced tea with a shot of espresso that's named for the legendary knock out punch in the Street Fighter video game series. Chef-owner Vanarin Kuch’s accolades include a Pastry Chef of the Year win at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, two James Beard Award semifinalist nods, and a spot on the New York Times list of America's best bakeries.

Slowpokes
Slowpokes has carved out a loyal fanbase with its fun and eclectic concept. It focuses on coffee, beer, and wine, each represented by adorable mascots (a sloth for coffee, a turtle for beer, and a snail for wine). Alongside a menu featuring everything from a breakfast bagel with crispy bacon and spinach to a prosciutto and fig flatbread, rotating coffee specials and collaborations with local vendors keep the experience fresh — helping the brand expand to six locations across the Houston area.

Tenfold Coffee
Coffee education meets exquisite brews at Tenfold Coffee. Owner Jacob Ibarra has traveled the globe learning about coffee, and he has brought that knowledge back to his hometown. With two locations (plus its coffee served in other local shops), you can catch a refreshing cold brew or an expertly crafted espresso drink and even watch the roasting process in action at their soon-to-open roastery. Tenfold focuses its sourcing on seven key origins, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Colombia, ensuring that every cup tells a story of origin and expertise.

Un Caffè
For those who appreciate the art of coffee-making as a performance, Un Caffè in Midtown delivers a front-row experience. Founder Soonkack Kook adds a personal touch, greeting each guest and occasionally surprising them with a special drink. Highlights include the popular Einspänner, a beloved Korean coffee drink. Kook pays homage to the birthplace of espresso, Italy, through the shop’s colorful decor and dedication to dark roasting.

Xela Coffee Roasters
Founders Benji Aguilar and Kaitlin O’Brien source direct-trade coffees and brew them into handcrafted beverages at this Second Ward roastery and coffee shop. The labels wrapped around the beverages boast designs by Benji, adding a personal touch. Xela’s pre-made coffee goods, served in convenient and quirky cold medicine bottles, are perfect for enjoying right away in their outdoor-only seating area or taking home to be savored later.

Courtesy of BlendIn Coffee Club

BlendIn Coffee Club's design emphasizes its scientific approach to coffee.

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The Tastemaker Awards program is brought to you by Stella Artois, PicMe Events, and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

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Oh, Donna

New Houston cocktail bar serves up a house party fueled by music and martinis

Courtesy of Donna's

People are flocking to Donna's.

It hasn’t taken long for Houston cocktail fans to discover Donna’s. Ever since it opened Thanksgiving weekend, the new cocktail bar in the Heights has been packed with people eager to check out the new project from Anvil owner Bobby Heugel and veteran Houston bartender Jacki Schromm.

Named for Schromm’s grandmother, both partners use the word “house party” to describe the kind of atmosphere they want to create at Donna’s. That party can be very energetic on busy weekend nights and a little quieter and more intimate during the week — allowing patrons to choose what kind of experience they want to have.

Heugel and Schromm worked with collaborators on the design, music, and art for Donna’s. So far, people seem to be enjoying themselves.

“It’s really f---ing awesome,” Schromm tells CultureMap. “It has been really remarkable to have people in this building. To see the room full is a rewarding experience. The feedback we’ve received has just been really positive.”

To transform the former Ready Room into Donna’s, the partners collaborated with Brittany Vaughn of Garnish Design. Known for her work at establishments such as Tiny Champions, Maximo, and Milton’s, Vaughn helped divide the retro-styled cocktail bar into two distinct interior spaces. The main bar area is defined by high-top, organically-shaped tables that allow large groups to congregate or smaller groups to share without being on top of each other. The more intimate living room section features a large couch and a spacious booth.

“There’s a lot of smart utility in the space,” Heugel explains. “We kept talking about how it’s a small space. We want to find a seat for everybody as much as possible.”

To honor the space’s history of hosting live music, the partners worked with Chicago-based firm Uncanned on a powerful vintage stereo that includes both a reel-to-reel tape deck and a turntable. Known locally for their work at restaurants such as Nancy’s Hustle and Nobie’s, the Uncanned team gave Donna’s the ability to kick out the jams with ultra-clear sound while not being so loud that people can’t talk to each other. It also opens up the possibility of people playing their favorite albums on select nights.

“Jacki and I both had the bold opinion when we started talking about Donna’s that cocktail bars were boring. We wanted to add more layers to the onion,” Heugel says. “Having music be here as an additional component to the bar makes the room feel really good. That’s important to us, and we’ll have some programming related to that.”

Keli Hogsett of Austin’s CoCollect helped Schromm and Heugel select the room’s distinctive art on its walls. Heugel describes the works as museum-quality, contemporary pieces from regional artists that are a cut above what’s usually seen in bars. Hogsett will also source the art for the new restaurant Heugel and chef Justin Yu are opening next year in the former Vibrant space.

Schromm, who partnered with Heugel after working at Anvil and Reserve 101, created the opening cocktail menu herself. One highlight is the Jacki’s Martini, a nod to the “Bobby’s Martini” served at Refuge and the “Terry’s Martini” served at Squable. It’s a 50-50 mix of gin with Cocchi Americano and Dolin Blanc vermouth. She describes it as more “sessionable” than a traditional martini.

“I think this cocktail menu has a lot of personality,” she says. “Some of my flair, whether it’s a spirit I chose or a flavor I like.”

Although parking on the property is limited, Heugel notes that street parking on White Oak is relatively plentiful. A nearby pay lot is available, or people can skip the issue altogether by using their favorite rideshare service.

Of course, the adjacent restaurant space won’t stay empty for long. As CultureMap has previously reported, Austin-based pizzeria Home Slice has claimed the building for its second Houston location that will open in fall 2026.

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Donna's, 2626 White Oak Drive. Open daily from 2 pm-2 am

Courtesy of Donna's

People are flocking to Donna's.

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