southtownWork-friendlyWifi
Halcyon Southtown flips from a coffee shop by day to a cocktail bar by night, where the patio s'mores are the after-dinner move on a Southtown evening.
Signature drink: Espresso by day, s'mores and cocktails by night
Tip: It flips from coffee shop to bar as the evening goes on. The patio s'mores are the after-dinner move.
south-sideWork-friendlyWifi
CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery pairs careful espresso with French-style pastries in a bright South Flores room, a work-friendly cafe with a proper bakery.
Signature drink: Espresso with French pastries
Tip: The pastry case leans French; pair a croissant with a flat white. Plenty of seating for laptop mornings.
pearlWork-friendlyWifi
Local Coffee at the Pearl sits in a historic brewery building, a polished cafe that serves carefully brewed coffee to a steady flow of Pearl shoppers.
Signature drink: Single-origin pour-over
Tip: It gets busy on Saturday market mornings; come early for a seat. The pour-over is the order for the coffee-minded.
tobin-hillWork-friendlyWifi
Press Coffee on West French Place near Monte Vista is a neighbourhood cafe with a comfortable interior and a generous spread of patio tables, a quiet spot.
Signature drink: Espresso and pour-over
Tip: The patio is the draw on a mild morning. A calmer alternative to the busier Pearl and Southtown cafes.
alamo-heightsWifi
Bird Bakery on Broadway, founded by Elizabeth Chambers in 2012, is a cheerful bakery-cafe near Alamo Heights known for from-scratch cupcakes, layer cakes.
Signature drink: Cappuccino with a cupcake
Tip: The cupcakes and layer cakes are the draw; the coffee is a sidekick. Grab a box of sweets to take with you.
west-sideWork-friendlyWifi
Barrio Barista on Culebra Road builds its menu around Mexican flavours, with horchata lattes and cafe de olla, a West Side cafe with its own identity.
Signature drink: Horchata latte and cafe de olla
Tip: The horchata latte and cafe de olla are the orders that set it apart from the third-wave crowd.