Vela Coffee

Vela is a hidden gem of coffee in downtown San Antonio. The service is amazing, friendly, prompt, and skilled in crafting delicious espresso drinks. I visited twice and the foam on my latte and chai were perfectly smooth. I loved that Vela offers Turkish coffee in addition to the typical fare, so fun to try yet another unique coffee brewing method. Also distinctive was the offering of house made syrups and alt-milks. I’d recommend Vela to anyone visiting the San Antonio area who loves good, quality coffee.

Today I find myself in historic San Antonio Texas. A first for me. Making my way to the Alamo, RIP Ozzy, I’ve stumbled upon Vela Coffee. The vibe at Vela is a subtle blend of neighborhood and Posch. The music as on point, not too loud, good vibes. I’ve ordered my usual, a cappuccino, a bit dry, in a mug. Yes, I hate the fact that I must stipulate the mug. Had they asked me “what size” dare say I would have walked out. However, upon seeing a traditional sand heater it dawned on me Vela serves traditional Turkish coffee. For those who are not enthusiasts, the term Turkish is a catch all. In practice there are subtle differences. In this case Palestinian, which brings a touch of Cardamom. Firstly, the cappuccino was spot on. Flavor forward, the roast was rich, dark, and smooth. The roast is compliments of Proud Mary Roasting out of Austin. What I really appreciate is the craft the barista took to perfect the foam. Thus, it complimented the espresso like well practiced duet. Perfect. The Turkish coffee was equally delicious. I prefer mine with a bit of sugar, but today I wanted the full expression without the dilution of any sweetener. If you find yourself in San Antonio, and you appreciate a well brewed cappuccino, I highly recommend you flag Vela Coffee as a must stop. You certainly won’t leave disappointed. Enjoy.

Coffee Shop No. 517 Vela Coffee San Antonio, CA June 13, 2025 Vela Coffee serves a solid cortado. The space is bright and spotless, with plenty of natural light pouring in. The baristas were warm and welcoming, and I especially loved the wood fixture above the coffee bar—it added a nice touch of character. I lingered with my cortado, enjoying the view of people passing by. Enjoying life one cortado at a time!

Small cafe in downtown San Antonio. Friendly server and great coffee. I got a flat whit and it’s a 10000 times better than Starbucks. There’s a nice seating area and the atmosphere is great. They play music but not too loud so can hear yourself think and hold a conversation.

Got a Turkish coffee with a strawberry and chocolate tart, everything tasted great, and the place is good, nice and clean. There was nkt a big crowd when I stop by but I can imagine they'd need kore space on pak hours because coffee and pastry was good it would bring a lot of folks in

Found this little coffee shop on a mini outing today, and it was honestly reeeally cute! It was very decently priced and I was able to get 3 things under $20. They gave seasonal drinks and they also have a great selection of bakery items too! I got their seasonal Blueberry Matcha and it was so good! The flavors blended together wonderfully and the matcha was just sweet enough!🍵 I also got a turkey and cheese croissant and a biscoff cheesecake that was the perfect amount of sweetness! Everything came out super quick and we didn’t have to wait too long, which was good since they unfortunately didn’t have free parking. But I only paid $5 parking next door to it. I spoke briefly to the baristas and turns out they have only been open for 10 months! They’re coming up to their year, they have a super friendly atmosphere and would be a great place to get some extra work/school/studying done!

My husband and I try a new coffee shop every weekend and this was one of our favorite ones this far! The vibe, coffee, and service were all top tier! My husband is very honed in to what good coffee actually is, and they passed the test. As for me, I always get a caramel latte and it was the perfect amount of sweet, creamy tastefulness. They even do amazing coffee art! The baristas' were attentive and super nice, We didn't feel rushed or an annoyance to them. This is a must try coffee spot! But by all means, DO NOT PARK IN THE PARKING LOT NEXT DOOR, they are a scam, charging $24 for an hour of parking. Find street parking by all means.

Definitely better than the hotel machine but not particularly memorable. A place to go when you just want a decent latte, which is appreciated when I'm in a new town for work. The selling point is definitely the trendy space situated right next to the Alamo.

found this great coffee shop while visiting San Antonio. They brew proud Mary Coffey. Tried the cappuccino, Americano and almond milk latte. All were very delicious. Small selection of Mediterranean suites as well. Friendly baristas

8/10 Hojicha Matcha Latte with Brown Sugar - It wasn't quite sweet enough for me, so I asked for extra brown sugar to add. Just a heads up, I usually prefer my drinks on the sweeter side. Overall, it wasn't bad, not the best I've had, but definitely not the worst either. 3/10 Cost - $7.31 in total. This drink felt way overpriced for how small it was.

Decided to go here to do some work on the computer and enjoy a nice coffee. I parked on Broadway and paid the metered parking. There were a couple other guests there, but it wasn't too busy overall. I was greeted immediately and ordered a shaken espresso. Initially, I wasn't going to get any syrup added, but the barista informed me that it probably wouldn't foam the same, so I added brown sugar (half sweet). The beverage was quite delicious. I really enjoyed the vibe there. They played nice relaxing music without being too distracting. Loved being able to support a local business.

Been seeing this place online. Was finally In The area to try it.It seems to have some Turkish influence on top of all the great things from a trendy coffee shop.The coffee itself had great flavor. If you stay to drink coffee they will put it in a glass or ceramic for you.

I think the quality of the espresso used at Vela is very high. I have gotten an iced americano and a quad shot latte from this location, and both drinks were delicious. They weren't overly iced and the coffee was delicious. This is always my first stop for coffee in downtown San Antonio.

On the third day of this coffee shop being open I stopped by! Today I went back and had another great experience. There's no failing when coming here! First off, they use weathered hands beans if I'm correct, super good coffee and unlike most places, they don't burn their espresso or use any weak beans! Super flavorful notes Usually I ask for an extra shot in my latte anywhere else to get more of a caffeine spike, but here I can skip that extra shot as these shots come out super smooth and potent. The owner is nice and the employees are super attentive when he is not around. Very great customer service!! Ambience is chill setting while plenty there of seats for busy hours. Pro tip: sign up for their rewards! The guy in front of me regretted it after not receiving the 10% off you get for signing up! I will be back many more times!

Another day, another matcha. lol this time I stopped in while passing downtown. The lovely barista suggested what was her favorite matcha flavor and I went with it. LOVED IT!! The salted caramel with the oat milk made it super tasty and creamy. So much so I turned around and ordered a blue berry matcha that was just as good. I would come back and chop it up with the workers, they seem friendly. You could definitely come in and study,read, or work.

Amazing coffee shop a short walk away from most downtown hotels in San Antonio. It's not on the riverwalk, but worth the trip if you're really into coffee. I stepped inside Vela Coffee thinking it was just an ordinary coffee shop with a unique name, but I was surprised to learn that they offered pour overs, a rarity in today's world of coffee. I had the choice of Ethiopian washed, Kenyan Natural, and a Colombian washed beans for my pour overs; I opted for the Colombian as the barista mentioned it was the most popular. I then saw him carefully prepare my pour over using a dedicated setup. I can tell he's passionate about his craft. I also ordered an iced latte with lavender syrup. I originally asked if they had any sugar-free syrups, but they said that all the ones they've tried didn't make the coffee taste the same, so they don't offer them. They also asked if I wanted to get the latte with a half shot to reduce the amount of sugar in the drink since I had asked about the sugar-free options, which I agreed. Then upon trying it out and realizing that the flavor wasn't the same, the barista added another half shot of syrup (one full shot total) to sweeten the drink. I found both baristas to be knowledgeable and detailed with the highest customer service. I'll be sure to return if I'm ever in the area again!

Another Day, Another Coffee NEW VIBRANT SPECIALTY COFFEE IN SAN ANTONIO Wow! Guys, if you're in the downtown area, you have to take a visit to Vela Coffee! This beautiful coffee shop pays attention to detail, both in atmosphere and food & drink! They serve locally sourced brews ( from Weathered Hands Coffee) and pastries ( Crumbs ), and make some bites in-house as well (like their delicious lotus biscoff cheesecake!). They also have a seasonal menu, which had a delish lemon vanilla matcha (10/10) Staff is so friendly and helped me choose my order! The serene downtown spot opened its doors in October and is a great place for when you're in the area and wanting to get work done. If you're in the area all day, use one of the paid parking lots, or try to grab some street parking a few blocks away if it's only for an hour or two! Open Every Day 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

My partner and I always look to try new coffee places in every city we go too. We decided to come here and check it out. When I walked in the place was super clean and well lit. The smell inside smelled like eggs. This was the only issue we had. Other than that the staff and service was exceptional. They were friendly and I asked for recommendation for flavored coffee. They did an amazing job making it not too sweet. I loved my coffee and it was perfect. No complaints. If you want coffee check this place out.

Tucked away a short walk from Travis Park is the delightful coffee shop with a contemporary comfort vibe. I recommend. Details below. First visit, party of one, on the Friday after Thanksgiving. My tasty cappuccino was elegantly presented in a coordinating cup that complimented the decor. Outstanding service. Overhead music very uplifting. Large windows to see pedestrian traffic walk by is fun. Limited seating outside but plenty of seating inside. Be sure to stop by and have a tasty beverage.

Just a short stroll from the Alamo, this charming shop is an espresso haven that also serves pastries (Poptarts!) from a local bakery. A lot of love and detail went into the design and the wonderful service made this the perfect place to escape a little rain shower. My brown sugar latte had a deep quality to it that put other coffee I've had from fast food chains to shame. Phenomenal all around.

Vela lives up to the amazing reviews. Stopped in this morning about 7:20 am and there were 13 people ahead of me. Service was quick and had an amazing brown sugar latte!! Highly recommend!

Brown sugar latte was fantastic! I opted for almond milk for the dairy free girls (if you know you know) -- they were super friendly and offered suggestions to try their baristas choice of drinks/pastries! They did note they do not do sugar free syrups since it changes the flavor profile of the drinks so just a heads up if that is something you're looking for specifically. Will definitely be back for more local coffeeeee!

If you know me you know I was searching for quality, local coffee shops long before the plane landed in San Antonio. And this one checks all the boxes! Local, new (less than two weeks since opening), meaning behind the name (just ask the owner what it means), and of course great beans. But wait, there are pastry options via a local bakery. In downtown and just off the beaten path, I knew this would be one of my first stops. What I didn't know is it would be a stop every day I was in San Anintino. Or that I would be flying back with a bag of beans from there. But that's what makes this pleasant experience a surprise. Every cup of coffee, Americano, and latte was a work of art for my eyes and palette to take in. Friendly team and the ambiance is second to none. The way the sunlight pours in (lazy pun intended) through the windows makes you question whether or not to just clear your schedule and stay there all day. Or at least until closing time. And I would be remiss if I left out they were the ones who recommended I visit La Panadería for lunch. But that's a review for another day.

Very tasty cortado. Environment is great and causal. Very modern. The staff are really nice. Only downside about this place is that it's downtown and we had to pay for parking.

Vela Coffee isn't just a coffee spot--it's a vibe. From the moment you walk in, the minimal aesthetic and calming neutral tones set the mood. But the real star of my visit? The iced matcha latte. Both times I've visited I have ordered the seasonal Matchas lemon poppyseed and mango, and they were everything I wanted--smooth, earthy, and perfectly balanced. Not overly sweet, which I appreciate, and the quality of the matcha powder really came through. You can tell they're using premium ceremonial-grade matcha, not the chalky green stuff some places try to pass off. The baristas were super friendly, and the service was quick even during the mid-morning rush. We sat by the window with my drink and felt like I was in a peaceful little pocket of the city.

Opened just a month ago and located near the Alamo, this is a great coffee place to drink coffee and study as well - free WiFi and at the bar seating plenty of outlets to plug your laptop top in. Seats are also very comfortable and well cushioned, not the cheap hard seats so you could spend hours working comfortably if you needed to. My husband who is a coffee aficionado (think coffee snob) loved his pour over and definitely a "third wave" coffee shop. They also have pastries (handmade pop tarts by bakery near by) and interesting coffee like Turkish coffee made traditionally and blueberry matcha. Prices on par with most coffee places. Baristas were very friendly. They also sell coffee bags made by Weathered Hands Farmhouse coffee. Parking is classic downtown parking - paid parking lots and metered parking. Highly recommend.

I ordered an Iced Lavender Vanilla Latte and it was pretty good. I like that the syrups are made in house. Overall the coffee shop was a nice place to go and do some work. Staff was friendly and coffee was prepared fairly quick.

Had a good time eating and drinking at Vela Cafe. I had the chai tea latte. Spicy and sweet, just like I like it. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. And the mood is so zen. Very chic and welcoming. The music, the coffee....all I'm missing is my dog. And my husband.

Coffee was great! On our trip to San Antonio we went here every morning. They had great coffee, homemade syrups, homemade pastries and wonderful service. Truly a unique coffee experience.

We visited for the first time today. I had a latte and a cinnamon roll. Both were delicious! Also, the service was outstanding -- quick and friendly! When we walked out, the wind blew the sign and it fell, hitting the coffee out of my husband's hand. The staff quickly replaced it. I will be back soon!

A locally owned coffee shop with extremely nice staff. I loved that they sell merch and have Turkish coffee on the shelves. Their croissant was delicious, and the coffee was perfect. A great spot to check out if you're in downtown!

Vela is so amazingly good! The coffee is the best in San Antonio. I have tried alot if new Coffee places and this by fat the best coffee and pastries. Everone mush come to see calm environment and great tasting coffee.

This coffee shop was just around the corner from where we were staying for a weekend wedding in SA, and it was well worth the 5 stars! I got a sugar cookie latte and my partner and I split an almond croissant and a brown sugar pop tart, which were both made perfectly and were absolutely delicious. The coffee was definitely sweet given the flavor but not too sweet! The baristas were very friendly and the interior was clean, modern, and well-maintained. I definitely recommend if you are into quality coffee - I'll return next time I'm here!

Went there a few times during a recent business trip. Good coffee and prices. Nice staff.

baristas were so sweet :) gave amazing recommendations, lots of comfy seating options. beautiful lighting & shop.

This place is absolutely amazing!!! the coffee is always on point and they offer a variety of homemade syrups along with pastry's. the owner Adam is super sweet and is always ready to meet your coffee needs. this place is small and cozy and a great place to read a book, meet frnds or get some work done which makes it the perfect little spot!.. best of all they offer Turkish coffee(IYKYK) ;). MUST TRY: Maple brown sugar latte or spiced orange cold brew Yuuuuum!

Great people, amazing space and proper coffee! Easy walk from Riverwalk hotels and fun shops to visit along the way

Great new addition to the SA coffee scene! The coffee was wonderful and they have beautiful ceramic dishes which is always a plus:) Also big windows, free WiFi, chill music, and great service. Definitely will be back!

the ambiance of the cafe is pretty quiet and calm, and i'm able to focus well inside. the seats are comfy, and the plates and mugs they use are absolutely beautiful. i could tell it's a newly opened small business with assumingely family members coming in. the service was great as the employee brought our beverages and kolache to where we sat. there's free wifi too, so nice to get studying done. i got the blueberry matcha which was pretty good. i wish the flavors were slightly stronger, but it was still delicious. my bf got the chai and he absolutely enjoyed it. he said the kolache was okay and probably wouldn't get again mainly because of the texture of the puff pastry. regardless, the experience was amazing and we'll definitely be visiting next time we are downtown!

Excellent coffee in a relaxing environment! We enjoyed a Pumpkin Latte and Espresso while taking a break from the hustle and bustle.

Very impressed all around, 10/10 would recommend! Great Coffee, Great Matcha, Great Staff, Great ambiance, Great location

Amazing service, the latte I had was amazing! very clean place and overall a nice experience