Retrospect Coffee Bar image

Retrospect Coffee Bar

Restaurant Cafe Coffee shop

Small venue with locally roasted coffee, craft beer & wine plus crepes, paninis & outdoor seating. People often mention coffee, great, seating, good, Retrospect, outdoor, Great, latte, shop, spot,


Address

3709 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004

Website

retrospectcoffeebar.com

Contact

(713) 993-6600

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (812 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 7 AM to 3 PM
  • Tuesday: 7 AM to 3 PM
  • Wednesday: 7 AM to 3 PM
  • Thursday: 7 AM to 3 PM
  • Friday: 7 AM to 3 PM
  • Saturday: 7 AM to 3 PM
  • Sunday: 7 AM to 3 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: coffee (42) great (15) seating (13) good (10) Retrospect (10) outdoor (9) Great (8) latte (8) shop (7) spot (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Anton S. 5 months ago on Google • 747 reviews
    Great service and cool location. Very urban style and has nice outdoor seating with a roof (great for hot summer days) But I can’t give 5 stars, because coffee was just mediocre… and that’s the main reason I came here.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sara V. 1 year ago on Google
    Good cafe with great outdoor seating. The outdoor patio is where people are studying/working. Ordered coffee and sweet bun which came out good.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joaquin V. 2 years ago on Google
    Cool concept. A gas station converted into a coffee shop. Enormous patio with plenty of space to sit. The staff is eclectic and fun and great. This is my go-to coffee spot! The coffee is always great. If you have a soft for trashy kitties like me, you are in luck!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Miguel S. 4 months ago on Google • 213 reviews
    Retrospect Coffee Bar is a haven for coffee aficionados and those seeking a delightful ambiance for both work and leisure. The abundance of seating ensures that whether you're looking for a quiet corner to focus or a communal space to gather with friends, Retrospect has you covered. The espresso at Retrospect Coffee Bar is nothing short of amazing. The rich, robust flavor and the aromatic experience make it a true delight for those who appreciate the nuances of a well-crafted cup. It's the kind of espresso that elevates your coffee experience to new heights. Adding to the allure are the delectable pastries. A perfect accompaniment to the stellar coffee, the pastries at Retrospect are a testament to their commitment to quality. Each bite is a burst of flavor, making it a challenge to resist trying one of everything. While the coffee and pastries shine, Retrospect goes beyond by offering a variety of food options to explore. The expanded menu caters to a range of tastes, making it a versatile spot for those looking for more than just a caffeine fix. And if you're in the mood for something different, I highly recommend trying their chai latte. The perfect blend of spices and creamy goodness, it adds a flavorful twist to your usual coffee routine. In summary, Retrospect Coffee Bar is a standout destination. From the amazing espresso and tempting pastries to the variety of food options and the delightful chai latte, it's a place that caters to every palate. The inviting ambiance and ample seating make it a go-to spot for both coffee connoisseurs and those seeking a cozy place to unwind.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Connor B. 1 year ago on Google
    Fun little coffee joint, would recommend their drip coffee and crepes. We got their strawberry and nutella crepe, as well as their “I’m a Hog” crepe (ham and cheese) that were both amazing. They’ve also got a cozy heated area in the back with a killer playlist. These guys rock.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Noor 10 months ago on Google • 173 reviews
    Please support small business. They have a unique coffee, taste, and some other café food option. It’s all outdoor seating and it’s amazing in the morning time if you’re trying to catch up morning work, this is a place to be if you like to relax and want to feel like what it’s like like to be back in the days in Houston Texas. A great reminder of the H town city history ❤️❤️❤️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jon P. 10 months ago on Google • 67 reviews
    I've been stopping at Retrospect Coffee Bar as part of a Saturday morning cycling group ride. The ride consists of two groups that arrive separately and have 15-20 people in each. The team at Retrospect has not only executed all of our orders flawlessly but has maintained consistent quality for everyone's drinks. The outside seating has easily accommodated our riders and provided shade for our mid-ride cool down. There's plenty of parking available whether in a car or on the bike.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexandria C. 6 months ago on Google • 17 reviews
    Honestly, I’ve been sitting out here (& still am) for maybe going on 3 hours! it’s been very calming & soothing for me! I ended up ordering a crepe & a matcha latte & they were both very delicious! I showed pictures in my review as well. If you don’t like to be outdoors, or you don’t like noise, unfortunately, I don’t think you’ll care for this location. They do have music playing in the background! Currently, it’s neo soul. The vibes are just very calming. It’s rare that I find a coffee shop that’s small & I want to stay here til they close. Crepe was meaty & big. Matcha latte was perfect & creamy. I will be coming back. N Side by Steve Lacey just started playing, bye!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jennifer G. T. 9 months ago on Google
    Good coffee shop. They had a hard time understanding my order unfortunately. They were kind enough to remake it even though I didn’t tell them it was wrong or ask them to. I think my order got lost in translation. A double shot of espresso with a splash of oat milk steamed and half a pump of flavored syrup. The atmosphere is nice and they offer a wide range of breakfast options such as muffins, tacos and so much more. There is plants of parking in their adjacent gravel lot. If you get the tacos, I recommend the red salsa. It was my favorite. Happy sipping. ☕️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rose P. 1 year ago on Google
    Lots of people working on their laptops. A soft classical rock and maybe some R&B is playing in the back with a water fountain so not great for calls, but great for vibes. There is an outdoor area in the front and the back with lots of shade and solar lights, no inside seating. There’s a bathroom in the back and a fountain and plenty of picnic tables and benches for a groups to sit around and talk. I ordered the Janis Joplin crate which included avocado egg and cheese, pretty standard and slightly sweet, good overall. There’s a water station for everyone to enjoy.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 CC A. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved it! The manager on site was very kind and helpful, staff friendly as well. They carry Cake & Bacon pastries which are my favorite so that's already a win for me. I had the Janis Joplin crepe and OMG it was incredible. And I don't usually say OMG so there you have it. For coffee with did an iced Oat Stoopwaffle Latte and it was pleasantly cinnamon. There is ample parking and seating. They have craft beer as well but we came before lunch time so didn't test out their beer selection.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 バーナード 8 months ago on Google
    Karl greeted me, it was my first time there he gave me a good run down of the menu went with his recommendation, and tried their tea (with peach in it) and everything was flawless I will be returning for another round of that tea! Thank you for the great service !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amanda 2 years ago on Google
    UPDATED REVIEW - Retrospect has now become one of my favorites in Houston. I previously left a review regarding a bad cold brew I had ordered. But I decided to give them another try, since they are so close to my workplace. Maybe it was just a bad day or it was not made correctly I’m not sure. But what I do know is that proper credit is due for this coffee shop! Their customer service has always been friendly and sweet, which makes ordering coffee in the morning even better. They have a great attitude overall and the drinks remind me of my favorite coffee shop in my home state Washington (which I often miss). So thank you for the delicious brews and for giving me my nostalgia of Washington in Houston ❤️ Normally I don’t leave reviews, but I stopped in today to try their coffee before work. People are very friendly which was awesome! But unfortunately the cold brew I ordered was terrible. I am not one to waste food or drinks but I took about 2 sips thinking maybe I’ll be able to drink at least some of it.. I could not, it just made me nauseous. I’m an avid coffee drinker and I’ve had my fill of okay coffee but this one was not good. :(
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tolka k. 2 years ago on Google
    The best espresso I have ever had, period. I had been searching for a good espresso bar for years now, just moved to Houston and discovered this place. I was served a bright, central-american single origin coffee and it was amazing. Plus I didn't have to pay a premium for genuinely good food. Their home-made savory pastry was amazing too - and it tastes like it was scratch made. Made my day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kevin L. 1 year ago on Google • 205 reviews
    Love this place. The hours aren't the best but I try to stop by whenever my wife has a doctor's appointment at the med center. Their stroopwafel latte is amazing and they also give you a free cup if you buy a bag of local coffee beans! Also the vibe and ambience of the outdoor seating is nice. Update: did their cups get smaller as of late November? Gonna have to dock a star for that.

  • 5/5 J K. 3 months ago on Google • 6 reviews New
    We were the first customers on Saturday morning, and the owner fired up the patio heaters for us right away. Then we were surprised by the exceptional quality of their coffee! Try the Lavender Honey Latte! It was extraordinary! The staff was really kind. Thank you for the burrito on the house!

  • 5/5 Luis Diego P. 2 years ago on Google
    The food is delicious! I had the Janis Joplin, best crepe ever!

  • 5/5 Isaac R. 6 months ago on Google
    Coffee flavor is great! There’s no much area where to stay and enjoy it

  • 4/5 Jazmin 11 months ago on Google
    Location: midtown area/ labranch Staff: friendly, helpful, nice Time wait: none Seating: outdoor, there is a closed area to protect from rain/wind Price: average Taste: stroopwael oat milk latte/ hot It was very tasty and full to the size of the cup Food: muffin asked to be warmed and I loved the crispy top Parking: lots Great relaxed spot, lots of available seating and parking.

  • 5/5 Denise T. 1 year ago on Google
    Whenever I travel I make a point to find local/small business coffee shops and Retrospect did not disappoint! My oat milk latte was so good I drank it before I could snap a picture,but this place is a whole vibe!

  • 5/5 Dorian G. 2 years ago on Google
    I’ve been working in this neighborhood for years but had no idea about this little gem of a coffee shop just next-door to Axelrad. I swung by on a rainy overcast morning and had, no joke, the best latte of my life. And incredible service (maybe their name was Drew?). Very friendly and very attentive. Just totally blown away that I didn’t know about this place and hope that this review makes you go. Because it’s worth it. I’ll be a mega regular.

  • 5/5 Marissa M. 1 year ago on Google
    Stopped here on our way out of the city and it was delicious. We got a crepe and didn’t anticipate it being the portion that it was, it was a lot! The Archie hall is so good, comes with syrup on the side. Coffee was just as good!

  • 4/5 _ 2 years ago on Google
    First see the badge on the wall, then order a coffee and enjoy a nice crepe. Parking available on site. WC also presented, no WiFi thou. Crepe was good, coffee nothing special but also not bad. I had lunch there, made a selfie with a badge on the wall as a history place and moved on.

  • 5/5 Coach S. 2 years ago on Google
    Great coffee, Great crêpes, and great staff. First time there for the outdoor feel and fell in love with the food. I definitely recommend if you just want an espresso drink or looking for a quick breakfast. I definitely will recommend their crêpes just be mindful you may have to wait as it is made fresh.

  • 5/5 Qimar A. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place for a casual meeting. Plenty of seating in the back. Very cozy. Good service. Nice variety of breakfast options, pastries and Barista type Coffee. The coffee was 4.9 out of 5 for me. I have a high standard for coffee. Regardless, I will be coming back. I really enjoyed.

  • 5/5 Ivan R. 2 years ago on Google
    New to the area. Wife and I rode our OneWheels to Whole Foods. Coming back towards Museum District we spotted this coffee bar. Perfect opportunity to top off the battery for our boards. It’s sort of a modified shipping container converted for kitchen with an enclosed tent on the back with lots of sitting area. I had a cortado coffee (it was perfect), while wife tried their Chai. For snack, we both had danishes. She had a cheese and spinach savory one. Mine was a sweet one with chopped pecans on it. Absolutely scrumptious!!!! I think they usually serve beer but when we asked they told us they weren’t serving beer anymore. Not sure if that’s a permanent change. Great place for coffee and a snack!

  • 5/5 John B. 3 years ago on Google
    An absolutely gorgeous spot to have a morning coffee. It's quiet and pleasant with plenty of outdoor seating, the coffee and food are both delicious, and the service is super friendly.

  • 5/5 Kristen C. 4 years ago on Google
    Such a cute place! The managers are super friendly & really get you what you want! Pictured is a hot mocha and an iced mocha with caramel both were very rich & the paninis hit the spot! Plenty of chairs and space to sit and work or socialize

  • 5/5 Jolie L. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was great, and the employees very kind. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I'll definitely come here for my future coffee needs. There's only outside seating but it's kept clean and neat. Even on a hot sunny day it's a cute spot with great shade and there's plenty of parking.

  • 4/5 Joshua K. 4 years ago on Google
    Great shop with a unique build (old gas station) I believe was I was upcharged for a splash of coconut milk in my cold brew. Nice guys working as baristas. Nice location! No pour over availability. Cold brew was tasty. Milk based drinks are made correctly.

  • 5/5 prudhvi s. 2 years ago on Google
    This old gas station turned café is 🙌 awesome. Loved the laid back... Calm and chill place.

  • 5/5 Alexia E. 2 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    Great atmosphere and great people! I come here multiple times a week because it’s my favorite coffee in all of Houston- and trust me, I’ve done my research! They really care about making great coffee and making sure everyone is served!


Call (713) 993-6600 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed outside
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Prepared foods
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
    • ✓️ Good for working on laptop
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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