The roasters writing the coffee scene in San Antonio: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in San Antonio. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Theory Coffee is an Alamo Heights roaster-cafe that has ranked among Yelp's top US coffee shops, known for a rotating single origin and a dialled-in espresso.
Tip: Theory ranks among Yelp's top US coffee shops. Buy a bag of the rotating single origin; the espresso is the in-house order.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Merit Coffee, founded in San Antonio and now across Texas, is the most widely available local roaster, with cafes around town and a bean subscription at home.
Tip: The most widely available local roaster, with cafes across town. The subscription is the easy way to keep beans at home.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Honduras
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription
Estate Coffee roasts downtown with the roaster in full view of the espresso bar; ask what is fresh. A rare specialty roaster-cafe in the heart of the city.
Tip: Roasting happens in full view of the counter; ask what is fresh. A rare downtown specialty roaster.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Shotgun House Coffee Roasters roasts on the near West Side inside a former sewing factory, brewing single-origin coffee in a stripped-back warehouse cafe.
Tip: The roastery hides inside a converted factory; look for Warehouse 5. Buy a bag of the single origin to take home.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Fierro Coffee is a bicultural roastery split between Guadalajara and San Antonio, specialising in traceable small-batch Mexican single-origin beans.
Tip: Buy a bag of single-origin Mexican beans, the rare local specialty here. The far-north-west cafe sits off I-10 near La Cantera.
Sources from: Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Indy Coffee Club roasts in house near UTSA and pulls dialled-in espresso in a punk-leaning room; the student crowd packs the north-side cafe during exams.
Tip: House-roasted and dialled in; the espresso is the order. The UTSA crowd packs it during exams.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Peru
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Folklores Coffee House is a Beacon Hill roaster-cafe whose Latin-flavoured signature drinks are the draw, with house-roasted beans to take home.
Tip: The Latin-flavoured signature drinks are the draw. Buy a bag of the house-roasted beans on the way out.
Sources from: Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Akhanay Coffee Roasters imports Southeast Asian beans from Thailand and Laos, a small downtown cafe known for Hanoi egg coffee and Thai milk teas.
Tip: The Hanoi egg coffee and Thai milk teas are the differentiators. A rare Southeast Asian specialty roaster in town.
Sources from: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Barrio Barista on Culebra Road builds Mexican-flavoured coffee, from horchata lattes to cafe de olla, a West Side cafe and roaster worth the trip.
Tip: The horchata latte and cafe de olla are what set it apart. A West Side cafe worth the trip for the flavours alone.
Sources from: Mexico, Colombia
How they serve: Espresso, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Local Coffee is one of San Antonio's early specialty-coffee names, well placed at the Pearl for an espresso before the Saturday-market rush.
Tip: An early San Antonio specialty name, well placed at the Pearl. Come before the Saturday-market rush for a seat.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Berry to Bean Coffee House on Broadway is an ethically sourced roaster-cafe leaning on Kenyan and Colombian beans, a healthier-leaning Alamo Heights stop.
Tip: The ethical sourcing and Kenyan beans are the draw. A Broadway cafe with healthier food options alongside the coffee.
Sources from: Kenya, Colombia, Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail