Retrospect Coffee Bar

Hidden gem in Houston!!! Great vibes, friendly staff, and some of the best coffee I’ve had in the city. The espresso was smooth, and the crepes were fresh and delicious. Loved the historic gas station setting — it adds so much character. Perfect spot to relax, catch up with friends, or get some work done. Can’t wait to visit again!

I normally get an iced latte no flavors so the coffee has to be really good for me to really like a place. Retrospect is serving just that- delicious coffee and good food. Not a fan of the tacos at no fault to them as they source them from Tacos A Go Go and the muffin was good but a tad dry. My husband got a savory crepe and loved it so much he didn't offer me any -_-. Outdoor seating is super cute and covered which is a must with the Houston heat! Parking is sufficient and gravel but I believe is shared. Even so, parking send abundant enough.

Genuinely a must visit in Houston! Wow, the coffee was excellent, but the service and atmosphere are everything! The barista was so welcoming. His hospitality was exceptional. The coffee bar itself is a historic landmark and they’ve created a beautiful outdoor seating patio that is covered and comfortable. Cannot wait to revisit!

I recently discovered this spot because it's close to my work. I've come here three times over the past several days to order coffee - this morning I decided to order a crepe. It was delicious until a few bites in, when I discovered a receipt wadded up in my crepe - which they do make in-house. Gross, and definitely not worth my money. Sad to say I won't be back.

One of the best in Houston. Has a great atmosphere, wonderful coffee, and delicious crepes! I’ve had a few of the crepes here and each time they surprise me with the outstanding flavor and textures! Also, the breakfast tacos are very tasty!

My friends and I ordered some pastries and pancakes. Overall, they weren't bad, but I really enjoyed the crepe. It was thin, delicate, and had just the right amount of sweetness, with scallions adding a unique and flavorful twist.

Love the vibe of this place! Enjoyed a great cup of coffee and a delicious savory crepe in an open air bar seat not far feom the order & picknup windows. Staff know regulars by name and recommend new options based on history. Locals have an awesome spot here & visitors should seek it!

This place is incredibly inviting! Chris and Jasmine have done a phenomenal job making this beautiful coffee bar like home! The coffee is delicious! The muffins are to die for! My husband and I just moved here from SoCal and it’s people and places like Retrospect Coffee Bar that makes Houston home!! Good morning Houston!☕️ AND how can it be legal to have a cashless business? Well, we’re in Texas baby, that’s how!!!! 🥰💜 ☕️

The last time we visited this spot we ended up going somewhere else since they don't have indoor seating and it was super hot. It's an "order at the window" spot. Saturday morning around 8:30 it was pouring -so quiet and no wait. Ordered my usual Cappuccino with Oat Milk. The Muffin (house baked) of the day was Banana Chocolate Chip. Tasty coffee and the Muffin had more chocolate vs banana flavors-just the way I like it. On my next visit. Blueberry with Lemon Icing was also excellent. They also offer Breakfast Tacos and Crêpes. Friendly and engaged people made for an excellent service experience. Historic Building with a spacious outdoor area delivers a unique coffee/breakfast experience.

This coffee shop is great for both studying/working AND catching up with friends! There's a large covered outdoor portion as well as an open outdoor portion so you can choose your seating based on what you're looking for in your coffee shop visit. The workers are super nice and the ambiance is quite nice as well - there's a little fountain on the side. The coffee is very good, they serve vegan pastries as well (which were delicious!) They also have breakfast tacos but they run out quickly, and crepes which are made fresh. The only complaint I have is that there were many mosquitoes and I was bit many times, even in the middle of the day in winter (November) which was odd. Perhaps they could use some more mosquito control to improve their shop even more!

Let me just get this out of the way - the tipping scheme is new to me. It's awkward enough that most places turn an iPad to you and have it ask for "a question", but over here, the cashier directly asks you if you want to add a tip. You aren't provided a paper receipt or screen to privately decide at your own pace because the cashier pushes the buttons for you. The three options that are presented on their screen are $1, $2, or $3 (not percent). I'm all for tipping at coffee shops, but this style makes me feel uncomfortable and more obligated to tip more than I want. Makes me question if this is intentional to increase revenue. In a slight panic, I chose $2 for an Americano and Croissant. Legends have it that I'm still questioning my decision to this day. The cashier is very knowledgeable when it comes to coffee. And although they don't roast their own beans here, they source their beans from well known roasters around, such as Blendin Coffee. My Americano was great! Surprisingly, the croissant was really good too. My son wanted a "white croissant", but what he really meant was the almond croissant covered with white sugar powder. It was delicious and I would recommend. I think this used to be an old gas station, so you can expect the type of seating arrangement - it's all outside. This limits the opportunities to sit for coffee because of the Houston weather, but when it's nice, it sure is enjoyable! They do offer indoor restroom with running water. I heard parking is a pain, but we didn't experience any issues. Perhaps it's because we came on a weekday morning. Overall, good coffee but uncomfortable tipping scheme. Great place to grab a quick cup or enjoy your coffee/pastry outdoors when the weather is nice.

I love this coffee bar! It's just refreshing and I always meet new people and have these long conversations about pets and whatever is going on in the world. It also has a little hidden garden off to the side. Plenty of parking too

Good coffee, even though they were out of my dark roast, Americano was a good alternative. Appreciated the vegan options; vegan taco flavored kolache was good. Appreciated the free parking availability at their building location, especially on this cold morning.

I live walking distance to this place and it really has become my go to spot. I am new to the coffee world so I am not sure if my opinion is worth much when it comes to this but they have my favorite espresso ever! They only have outdoor seating which I know is rough during Texas summers but their back patio is shaded and has fans! And also is just so cute out there and they always play great music. Additionally, they offer discounts when you walk and treat the pups so so nicely! The workers here are overall great which just adds to the great vibe of the place. I'll come back and update my review once I try the food!

Needed a tranquil place to do therapy but that also offered liquid gold..coffee!! Retrospect is the perfect place for me today. It's mostly an outdoor spot where you order coffee from a window. Even being outside, there are plenty of open spaces in front and in the back of the property. I was also surprised to see they have a restroom for customers as well considering they are an outside location. The ambience is nice for working, catching up with a friend or perhaps doing an online therapy session like me. The back patio area is shaded and has rustic water fountains that add a nice touch for a serene sound. I highly recommend this place for sure. The coffee is also very tasty. Try the iced vanilla latte if you're up for something semi sweet and comforting. Happy Yelping!

Great savory crepes! Love the ambiance. Perfect coffee shop with lots of outdoor space. Will be back!

I was excited to try the coffee here based on the reviews, but I was slightly let down. I got the stroopwaffel oat milk latte with 50% sweetness and a potato, egg, and cheese taco. The 50% sweetness was definitely a good call because it was sweet at that level. The issue was that the espresso had a sour taste at the end, which I didn't like. I'll have to try an americano in the future to see if it was just the pull of the espresso shot today. The taco was ok. It was stuffed, but the potato was bland. The green salsa accompanying the taco however was delicious. Overall, not a bad spot but slightly pricy for coffee, especially for a dairy alternative

I tried the latte with Stroopwaffle syrup. I was excited to try a unique syrup flavor, but it tasted like normal syrup to me. It was still good though! The store is a small barn/shed where you order at the window. There is only outdoor seating--a few picnic tables and chairs. There also seemed to be a concert/stage area behind the house because we heard a band practicing. I'm not sure where to get the live music schedule, but it would be really cool to come back when there is a concert!

We went to this place and it was absolutely one of the best coffee spot we've found in Houston! We just ordered americanos and crepes this time, but we are definitely going back to try lattes or cappuccinos. Their crepe was absolutely perfect! They ran out of the pastries, so we were very disappointed. But next time, we will definitely go there early to grab a bite of pastries they have!

What a cool, historic neighborhood spot! We have enjoyed spending our mornings getting great espresso and food from this little coffee shop. While the space in the front can be limited, they have a covered area in the back that keeps you cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. It's handicap accessible, for the most part...; ramps head into both dining areas but there's gravel and a small metal railing that some may have trouble getting wheels over. The crepe, muffin, and croissant we tried here were all really nice - the crepes especially are very filling. Also, the espresso is delicious! We've seen people of every background and style come through and get their morning fix. Cyclists, families on foot, businessmen and businesswomen, and of course, us!

Good food but run out way too fast then you stand in a long line only to find that out. Wait yo order is about 15-20 min. Need a better system.

A very fun neighborhood coffee breakfast place. Food takes a bit to come out but at least it's because you know it's from them cooking it on the spot, their coffee is always very tasty and quick to come out. Everyone brings their puppies, so it's fun entertainment watching them! A consistent favorite

Plenty of parking. The service is amazing! The man at the window had an amazing energy & attitude- the type that leaves an impression & you'd want to go back!! It's actually the reason I'm writing this review now. The drinks were also super good. The matcha in the swamp water is very strong, which I was surprised by at an American coffee shop. The caramel latte was also super good. There's lots of tables outside to sit at, and covered seating around the back. Lots of people studying and reading books. They have music playing & free wifi as well. Would definitely come back!

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.

Good coffee, espresso, etc. Good, friendly and fast service. that's all that is needed to say, but yelp demands more, so you have to read this bs too. Just go there.

The best coffee I have enjoyed tasting and consuming is at Retrospect Coffee Bar. Chris and his wife are the owners of this exquisite cafe. They know their coffee and how to serve it. They are two of the most generous and amicable people the public will meet when visiting their quaint coffee shop and partaking in their delicious coffee. Ask Chris about the coffee he and his wife prepare and serve, and he will oblige you with the pertinent information and then some. Incidentally, the Retrospect Coffee Bar building was originally a Gulf Oil Company gasoline station and became a historical marker in April of 2015. Lalo de Pilar

This is such a cute place to chill or study. I loved their coffee it is so good and cheap. The people are super nice and it is overall a great coffee place with good vibes. I definitely need to go back for their sweet treats

Delicious coffee and delicious crepes - what more could one want. I was in town for the Houston rodeo and came here based on the many great reviews. I ordered the stroopwaffel latte which was INCREDIBLE - I would order this everywhere if they had it! And the ima Hogg crepe was so good. It was oozing with fillings and a great breakfast option! Hopefully I'll find my way back here soon, but in the meantime if you're reading this - go!

Checked this place out on a whim, but definitely did not regret it! From the moment I walked up to the window, the service was friendly and helpful. I asked the worker for a recommendation and it did not disappoint! Loved her recommendation for the coffee I bought and it was only $4.75! Surprisingly cheap to me! But the quality was not lacking! Drinks came out very quickly! Now onto the aesthetic and ambiance of the place, loved that it's so open and there is plenty of seating. I loved being in the tent, because it was shaded and they have these running water stations that provide such a calming atmosphere. I loved to see the birds flying in for some water. Wifi was strong and I had no connection issues. Everyone seemed so chill. I loved the vibe here. Definitely will be returning and highly recommend this coffee shop to anyone! They have crepes here too, I'll have to try next time I come back!

The staff was super friendly and helpful, and were happy to tell me about some of their drink options. Despite how good they all sounded, I still went with the old go-to because I wanted to try their in-house made vanilla. So I had that with an iced latte with oat milk. It was creamy and delicious. My husband had a house drip and said it was perfect. Bonus is they ARE open on Sunday! Negative would be no drive-thru. But that wouldn't stop me from returning. Next time I'm trying the snickerdoodle.

the service was amazing, the cashier was so nice and really patient with all my questions and even gave me recommendations. the turmeric latte was perfect i got it with oat milk. i also got the janice joplin crepe and it was actually decent, im not a crepe fan but the green onions really was a nice touch. i got the vegan texas kolache as well, it was alright. the food wasn't anything special but i would come back for something quick.

I wanted to try the savory crêpes for lunch. I saw the good reviews. There's plenty of free parking. You order through a window. There is no indoor seating. I ordered the smoked salmon crêpe. It was a bit salty. $12 is a bit steep. They have plenty of electrical outlets for electronics. The young man who waited on me was very friendly. Food is brought to the table. It looks like they have heating lamps for the winter. Water fountains provide a soothing sound. They were playing different types of music that ranged from bachata to Prince and Michael Jackson. There were flies when I was eating. I don't know if that's normal for the place or just a bad day. Perhaps I should try a coffee next time and I'll like it more than my crêpe.

Beautiful decor and lots of seating. My iced chai latte tasted, unfortunately, like watery milk. Great place to post up for a while.

The coffee is super high quality and crepes are so delicious! I love the owners and it's a great spot to meet clients. This has quickly become my favorite coffee spot in town

Easy to find, plenty of parking, friendly staffs and tons of seating in front and in the back. I love the outdoor covered environment. Good selection of coffee and crepe . Stroopwafale latte (4/5) Ann Richard crepe (3.5/5) I can't wait to come back and try their other coffee drinks.

Great spot to get great coffee. My wife and I stopped by Saturday and received beautiful service from one of the owners. We smelled gardenias during our short wait for our coffee. I will be making sure to stop by more often!

First visit and I arrived to early for crepes. I would definitely visit again to try them. Servers were helpful in providing information on menu choices. The seating area in the back is pretty chill as well. Would love to see it later in the day.

Hands down my favorite coffee spot in all of Houston. The only negative is that the hours are limited, it oftentimes closes at 3-4 pm. Outdoor seating fully but there is a tent available with heaters on cold days. Perfect if you're trying to social distance! The coffee quality is phenomenal and the staff is friendly and talented. I enjoy the stroopwaffle latte with oat milk but I always ask for it to be a touch sweeter than they make it at baseline. For reference, I like a regular ole caramel macchiato with no adjustment from starbies. (don't judge!) The crepes are served folded into a quarter for on-the-go, so they're not as sharable in that way but if you wanted to share, I'm sure that you could ask them to keep it in a semicircle instead. No complaints on the flavor and quality. The vegan kolaches have to be my favorite. They're sourced from a local bakery and I have to say, wow. I didn't know that vegan cheese could taste so good and get so melty. Inside was a vegan sausage with vegan cheese and a sort of potato cutlet. A fancy kolache + my latte = $10 worth every penny

Second time stopping at Retrospect Coffee Bar, each time the service has been great. This coffee bar is close to the job so they get a 10 for convenience! The beverages are made well also. I love the walk-up and order concept. There is a patio area where you can wait for your order or sit and enjoy the weather. I really, really appreciate how kind the staff is. That alone will always keep me returning.

The coffee was mediocre. The crepes, however, were pretty good. They need to stop serving everything in single use plastic. They are friendly and the ambiance in the backyard is nice.

Really amazing midtown coffee spot with ample parking and seating. That's a care find in these parts. They made the outdoor area work well in their favor. Their cortado is pretty good, smooth, and nothing to complain about. Not the best I've had in Houston, but a solid find. Clean restrooms and despite everything else being an outdoor covered area, this was indoors in an old converted boxcar(?). Service wise, they were friendly. You order at the window and they call it - not much interaction or view into their operations. Fairly decent speed of service. Overall a solid place to do work while getting in lots of natural sunlight! I probably wouldn't come here in the middle of the summer, but in June, still wasn't too bad.

Although I didn't order any food the coffee was great! I ordered a flat white that was both smooth with a hint of being strong. The coffee cup was easy access and lid was smooth. Their parking lot has ample space but no pavement. The service was superior and friendly! Since Houston was under a heat advisory they had ice cold water in the back and I am sure in the fall the scenery in the back would be enjoyable! The ambiance was nice even though it's mostly outside and has some spots to sit in. I would recommend this place for anyone serious about coffee!

What a cute spot to have spent time with friends on the Memorial Day. The food was good, service was nice but not in your face. It's was quiet when we're there but we were the last people to be able to order crepes that day. Loved being able to sit outside. Wish they had more food offerings that they had today.

Hip coffee joint on the south side of downtown/Midtown near the HCC campus. Plenty of parking, which is great. It's outside seating only but luckily they have a covered patio and a nice shaded outside seating area in the back. We got the stroopwaffle drink, which was pretty solid. Tasted like oat milk and cinnamon toned in there but not too sweet and it's pretty easy to chug down. The outside area is nice considering the location.

This is one of my favorite coffee places in all of downtown. The coffee itself is great but what makes this place stand out is everything else. The location is wonderful and the crepes are 10/10

I forgot which latte I ordered but the consensus from our group was the coffee tasted sour for our taste. I did appreciate that they offered non-dairy alternative creamers. It was a bit awkward to be asked by the cashier how much I wanted to tip though because their device was a located a few feet away from the barred windows. No indoor seating but the outdoor was cute on a sunny day.

Chris is amazing. Excellent coffee. Best in the area for coffee. Dog friendly and they have a cute patio. Love it

Little hidden gem in Midtown. Its order at the window only so be prepared to sit outside, but the seating options were great. Tons of coffee choices along with crepes. I got the Willie Nelson Crepe (Hazlenut Spread & Strawberry). It was massive & delicious! It was a little pricey but totally worth it for a cool local business.

This is one of my favorite coffee places in Houston! The staff is super friendly and the coffee (usually but not limited to Amaya) is really good. They also have delicious scones with vegan alternatives. I haven't try their craft beers yet. The building is part of Houston Historical Landmarks from 1920s and they preserve it very well.

This is a great outdoor spot to bring your dog! They've had heaters during the colder months, and they have a HUGE parking lot. There is also covered space to sit! The food (crepes) are AMAZING. The Janis Joplin crepe is so yummy, super light but filling. They also have super smart packaging where they wrap up the crepes in aluminum foil, and if you get a sweet crepe, the syrup is in the side in a little container! The Stroop waffle latte had been my go to drink here. I get it iced with some caramel added, definitely recommend adding the caramel if you like a sweeter drink. The people who work there have always been really nice and patient. I brought a group (6 of us) and we all got coffee and food. They were so nice and helpful and didn't get annoyed with there being a lot of us. Overall 10/10!

I had a breakfast taco/burrito and Almond Croissant with an iced coffee thsf I asked the barista surprise me with. The food was tasty. It was an outdoor window service. Super adorable and nice. I saw lots of people with dogs stop by because of this reason! The seating was also outdoor benches, tables and seems to have a tent as well in the back with running springs. It was a great experience

Love the coffee here, let me repeat, the COFFEE IS AMAZING, but in the last few moths the morning service has really gone down. This review is for service. The shop opens at 7, but they are not ready to serve customers at 7am. I work downtown and stopping here makes me late to work, but I take that hit every week or two for the quality of the coffee. This morning I ordered a latte and daily brew. At 7:15 they did. It have any brewed coffee. I offered to wait 15min for a fresh cup instead of the offered americano. When my order was called, I was given an americano. I again asked about the brewed coffee and offered to wait, but the barista wasn't having it. I asked for a stopper but they didn't have that either so by the time I drive through downtown the americano spilt all over the car. Please take this as constructive feedback bc I do love this place... be ready to serve customers and have a good attitude when you open the doors at 7am. Also, please consider opening a little earlier even if only on certain days.

Crepe, muffins and breakfast taco (although they don't make their own) is all decent. If you need to grab something quick I recommend. Taco sells out very fast tho. Gotta be there at 7am.

This is a cute coffee shop and work-study-read place. It's come a long way since I first saw it on a Caffeine Crawl 3 years ago. It's a converted gas station, so it has some neat structural features. The area to place orders is actually quite small, but their service is top notch. Three years ago, there was barely anything behind the shop except for a small covered area and mostly open-air area with benches. When I was there last month, I noticed that there is now an almost entirely covered area with heat-lamps (for those handful of cold days in Houston) as well as plenty of outlets to plug in devices. Their seating is quite creative now too (benches are no longer your only option). Their coffee is always really bright, flavorful, and it often has a good story - just ask any of the baristas to tell you about what they're serving that day (it varies quite a bit). Food wise, I've only had their crepes, but I remember them being quite good with fresh ingredients. Their black coffees, espressos (no "x" in espresso btw), and cortado are always a treat plus they offer non-dairy milk alternatives! Hope to return soon!

Decent coffee with a lot of parking around. Seems like a really great place if you're a student around here.I didn't order any food but the crepes sounded good.

Great little neighborhood coffee shop! I ordered a chai latte and it was delicious! It was spiced just perfectly! We also had an almond croissant that was so buttery and flaky... so tasty! We can't wait to go back and try some of their other offerings!

I definitely agree with all the 5 star reviews this place has. Ample parking, great food. I ordered an iced latte and a Janis Joplin, which is one of the savory breakfast crepes they have. They offered a side of sriracha and balsamic. I recommend the sriracha. The coffee was really good too. I do wish this place had indoor seating because I would love to come here and get work done. They have a lot of patio seating but I just prefer working indoors.