north-sidePublic cafe
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
north-sidePublic cafe
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
alamo-heightsPublic cafe
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
downtownPublic cafe
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
west-sidePublic cafe
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
pearlPublic cafe
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