Houstonia Magazine 2799 Katy Freeway, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77007 Phone: 713-862-4570 • Fax: 713-862-4606

By Courtney Klashman and Daniel Renfrow

Get things done at one of these coffeehouses with the perfect setting for work.

If you’re looking to caffeinate for some late-night cramming, settle in somewhere quiet to catch up on all those work emails, or find a spot suitable for meeting with a client, these Houston coffee shops have you covered. With plenty of electrical outlets, abundant Wi-Fi, and a variety of gourmet food and drink options, these hangouts offer all you’ll need to keep your productivity on point. As an added bonus, some of them even serve alcohol, meaning you'll be able to have a seamless switch from work to happy hour—just don't tell your boss!

A post shared by Agora Cafe (@agorahoustonofficial)

This popular spot on Westheimer boasts an old-world Greek theme with artwork and European delicacies to match. A quaint and cozy study space with many individual-size tables and couches, Agora also has a bar to enjoy a beer or espresso. Or, grab a Greek yogurt and settle into your work on the secluded second floor.

A post shared by Antidote Coffee (@antidotecoffee)

This Heights hangout provides all the soft jazz, homey furniture, and light bites you’ll need to get some serious work done. If you’re looking for a truly great cup of coffee and some hipster vibes, fully equipped with outlets and Wi-Fi, Antidote is the place for your late-night or weekday grind. Antidote comes with a painfully cute side patio decked out in cheerful-looking furniture, so consider posting yourself up outdoors to enjoy the rays. While there, try the cajeta latte, made with goat's milk caramel—you won't be disappointed!  

A post shared by A 2nd Cup (@a2ndcup)

If you want to feel good about your late-night caffeine fix while getting some work done, the spacious A 2nd Cup provides gourmet coffee, with all proceeds going toward efforts aimed at ending human trafficking. If you're hungry, it offers pastries, quinoa bowls, soups, salads, and sandwiches.

A post shared by Black Hole Coffee House (@blackholecoffee)

This Montrose favorite welcomes the community’s most studious residents with large tables, eccentric artwork, and comfy couches. If you don’t mind a bit of mellow music, Black Hole is the perfect spot to make up for all that procrastination—and you’ll always have company. The coffee shop has been home to a mini-market selling food essentials since the start of the pandemic, so consider picking up some goods while you're there. 

A post shared by Brasil (@brasilhouston)

If you don’t mind some pick-me-up music while you work, this lively cafe offers a full menu—from salads to pizzas to one of the best hamburgers you can find in Houston—to fuel your late-night grind. Not a late worker? Grab breakfast and relax into your work on Brasil’s expansive outdoor patio; it’s even equipped with fans to beat back warmer weather. Just make sure you keep ordering food and drinks while you're doing your work—if you know, you know.

A post shared by Cafeza Houston (@cafezahouston)

A cafe, churrería, taqueria, and vinoteca, this First Ward favorite offers so much more than a great study space. Whether you’re looking to relax to some easy rhythms with a fresh glass of sangria or get some serious work done with a signature espresso Cubano, Cafeza is the cafe for you.

A post shared by Campesino Coffee House Houston (@campesinocoffeehouse)

Though this Montrose gem isn’t open as late as some of its brethren, the especially quiet and cozy atmosphere makes it one of the best places to be productive in Houston. The coffee shop is housed in a charming building that used to be a residence; while there are plenty of other coffee shops in Houston that are housed inside former homes, it's worth mentioning that Campesino is the homiest of the bunch. Working inside Campesino feels akin to working inside an older relative's house (one with good style), due in no small part to the shop's cheerily colored walls, its vintage furniture, and its cool retro art. So grab a horchata iced latte and maybe even a Salvadoran-style tamale, and settle right in.

A post shared by Coral Sword (@coralsword)

Coral sword is the East End’s reigning game cafe, but if you’re not in the mood to play a game of Magic: The Gathering or get your Dungeons & Dragons on, the spot is also a great place to crush some work. Coral Sword is usually pretty quiet during weekdays, making it a great place to “work from home.” As an added bonus, the shop’s baristas are quite knowledgeable about coffee and are meticulous in their craft, meaning your cup of joe will always be A+.

A post shared by Double Trouble • Caffeine & Cocktails (@doubletroublehtx)

This Mid Main coffee shop and cocktail bar, located in Houston’s Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District, is a great spot for people looking for a relaxed place in which to do their work. Double Trouble’s patio has always been a great spot to post up at, and that’s especially true now that the bar has undergone a renovation that substantially increased its patio’s size. If you’re wanting to keep your workload light, there are always tempting cocktails you can order from the bar’s extensive drink list—just remember to send an email every 30 minutes so your boss still thinks you’re working.

A post shared by EQ Heights (@eqheights)

Also known as Equilibrium Social House, EQ offers a variety of seating options in a mellow, vintage cafe in the heart of the Heights. The coffee shop is housed inside an old home, meaning it has an exceedingly charming vibe to it. With its quiet and friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for some midday studying or remote working. If you're looking to do your work outside, you're in luck, because EQ Heights also has an expansive patio (with fans, too!). 

A post shared by ☕️ Segundo Coffee Lab ☕️ (@segundocoffeelab)

Located inside the Ironworks building in the East End, Segundo Coffee Lab, which brands itself as Houston’s “ungentrified coffee shop,” is the only coffee shop in the city housed inside a shipping container. The warehouse space it calls home has ample seating as well as other shops you can visit if you need a quick break from your work. Segundo has an expansive (and creative) list of caffeinated beverages, but if you’re looking for something caffeine-free, the coffee shop also has options like the taro con leche and the melon de miel that are refreshing enough to keep your ideas fresh as you work.

A post shared by Retrospect Coffee Bar (@retrospectcoffeebar)

The tiny building in which Third Ward coffee shop Retrospect is located started its life all the way back in 1920 as one of the city’s first gas stations. After sitting vacant for decades, the building now houses one of the coolest coffee shops in the city. Although there is no indoor seating at Retrospect (the structure is less than 300 square feet), the coffee shop has two expansive and covered outdoor patios that are equipped with fans in the summer and space heaters in the winter. With all of that outdoor space, there is plenty of room for you and a few friends to spread out while getting your work done. Retrospect also has the only fully manual espresso machine in all of Houston, so it is basically guaranteed that every shot you get at the coffee shop will be perfectly pulled.

A post shared by The Nook Cafe (@thenookcafe)

This cozy University of Houston hangout provides plenty of space for students and studious Houstonians alike. With a variety of study locations, from comfy couches to more-secluded desks, you can find the spot you need to be most productive late into the night.

A post shared by TOUT SUITE (@toutsuitehtx)

This trendy EaDo spot offers sweets, coffees, and even a full menu until 11 p.m. With a wide-open floor plan and huge tables, Tout Suite is perfect for late-night study groups or even midweek lunch meetings. And if you want to reward yourself—or can’t resist—grab some of those unbeatable macarons on your way out.