The Nook Cafe

Hello! I come to The Nook all the time, even since they had their old location. The coffees have a unique taste that is super great. However, I dislike that they started to close early. The Nook would stay opened until 2AM in the Fall of 2022, and then in 2023, it started to close at 12AM. Now it closes at 10PM. Furthermore, they do not update their hours during breaks. I am at the location now, and it says they are supposed to be opened at 7AM, but I have waited and it is now 8AM and nobody has opened the doors. I understand it is spring break for the students, but please notify individuals of the new hours. The new look is okay, but I preferred the old look of the nook better. Either way, it is a great place to hang out, study, and drink coffee! PS: Again, I went to the nook and it was closed. I understand it is Easter but please notify students and other individuals about when y’all are closing thanks.

We ordered coffee and pastry. Pastries were good . Coffee with oat milk definitely not good. Well we always try drinks with oat milk but I guess that day it was bad? Not sure though. Evenings also it was busy . Hard to find a table . Looks cozy and busy . Probably we will Have to try drinks with regular milk next time. There is seating upstairs too but we found seating below and didn’t go up .Parking is a paid one so will have to make sure not to get towed.

Coffee was ok. Definitely had better. Pastries were ok. Very clean and spacious inside with friendly staff.

What the heck happened to the atmosphere? It feels so weird and cold now. The walls are mostly grey and empty. The charm is gone. The few wall decorations are strange. It's been this way for months now so I guess this is it? Why not hire an artist to paint the other walls? Or have art from the graphic design students for sale like you used to? I have a piece of art I purchased from one of them. I'm sad the Nook looks like this now. I do appreciate the new seating but it's just a strange place now

Went during the day and it was 90% full. According to a cashier, the hours of 10 am-5 pm during the week is the busiest, evenings are less busy and the weekends are empty. They are open till 12 am daily. Ordered the iced latte with caramel. I give it a 4/5. Most of their pastries were sold out. Upstairs is their restaurant and bar. Plenty of power outlets. They sell board games and offer a variety of board games to play. Wifi seems to be a good speed via mobile phone. There is also some outdoor seating. Overall, it seems like a cool place to chill, study, or hang out.

This fun cafe is an interesting spot for morning coffee and pastries on campus. They offer chalkboard walls and board games for the customers as well as a place for local artists to display their artwork or photographs. Recently, The Nook Cafe's menu expanded to include beer and wine. You can also buy UH's signature Cougar blend of coffee beans made by Katz's Coffee here. A large outdoor patio and study spaces inside make Nook Cafe a nice place to spend a few hours studying on campus.

Stopped in for some coffee and a treat this morning. Wonderful place. They have a huge coffee menu, they have adult beverages. This place stays open till midnight. There is a fantastic outdoor seating area, for those not to hot days. And best of all there is a huge selection of board games and enough plugs to satisfy the techies. The staff was super friendly. I will be visiting this place often. Thank you.

This used to be my go-to coffee shop & study spot. Vibe was unmatched. Now, it’s quite the opposite of a “nook”. Whoever spearheaded the remodel must’ve secretly been a competitor. Also, no drip coffee and closing at 4pm on a Saturday? One of my favorite spots in Houston is now just a memory.

As someone who spends a lot of time at the University of Houston (UH), I was excited when a new coffee shop opened nearby. The Nook Cafe, located just steps from the law building, is the perfect place to fuel up before class or catch a break between studying. Coffee is essential for grad students like me, and The Nook delivers with a variety of options to suit any taste. The Nook offers the basics like freshly brewed coffee for around $1.50, but they also get creative with fancy drinks, teas, pastries, and even a limited selection of alcohol. I usually stick to the coffee with free refills, but I tried the "steampunk" coffee for a change. While it was interesting, I didn't find it significantly different from their regular brew. Beyond the coffee, The Nook has a great atmosphere. The decor is quirky and hipster-friendly, with wooden utensils, refurbished door tables, unfinished ceilings, and blackboard walls. There's plenty of seating, including comfortable couches and TVs for relaxation. They also have board games for a bit of fun. The staff is always friendly and helpful, and I appreciate the rewards program that gives you a free drink after 10 purchases. The Nook Cafe is a welcome addition to the UH campus. It provides the cool college vibe we've been missing and takes care of my daily coffee fix. Thanks, Nook!

I can not tell you about the food or drinks, I can only speak to the service. I walked in at 7:25am to an empty restaurant with two white gentlemen at the counter. I walked up to the counter while glancing at the display. I looked up hoping surely I wasn't invisible and someone would speak. The guy turned his face away from mine without a word. So, I said "good morning" and got no response. I must've looked perplexed because the other man said "let me know if you have any questions". Huh? No "Good morning, welcome to the Nook" ? How about a "are you interested in anything in particular? Or maybe even a "hi I'm so & so, can I help you with anything"? None of that and honestly, it's entirely too early to be ugly. I'm going to assume my money wasn't green enough and that the Nook is rolling in so much money that they can be rude and unprofessional. I don't patronize places that don't extend COMMON DECENCY. Never again.

I come here weekly to play board games with my friends and we usually get food and drink as well. Drinks are yummy and they always have a special happening. I often get the hangover breakfast bowl and my one complaint is that the eggs they serve are sunny side up but the white is never cooked enough lately. I first got this a few months ago and I asked for the eggs over easy and they were perfect. Then I got it again about two weeks ago and just got sunny side up and the white was pretty much completely raw. Then the last time I got it i asked for it over easy again bc I didn't want to eat raw egg whites and they were more cooked but still not fully cooked. That's what's shown in the photo. Might have to start ordering something else. Atmosphere is great for games (especially downstairs) but it can get super loud upstairs. Once I asked someone working behind the bar if they could turn the music down and they said no. The lights upstairs also flicker a lot and it can be very distracting. I've never had any issues downstairs though.

No other cafe has better matcha than this place. Their coffees are also really good and reasonably priced. I've been coming here for a little over a year and is my go to spot. Free wifi, great music, cool workers and good hours. I'm sad that they don't close at 12 am anymore, but 10 pm has been sufficient for my studying needs. This place does tend to get busy, but I've always been able to find a seat. The weekends are the slowest and quietest. They recently remodeled their cafe, so the new seating and outlets have been a total updo. There is outdoor seating, so I use that space during my mental break in between study sessions. The outlets don't work outside so I can't actually do any work if my laptop dies. If you're a matcha lover, totally check this place out. Btw, no mirror in their restrooms haha.

Excellent ambience to catch up on work or studying. Power plugs /USB nearby tables. Free parking and easy access.

A great place adjacent to the University of Houston Campus and a short drive from Texas Southern University. Great service, good ambiance. Not too loud. You can always find students studying or just on their computer taking advantage of the WiFi.

Rooftop bar was mid. Got the Cheeseburger with fries and my friend got Chicken Tenders. Fries were great and crunchy, but it's very hard to mess up fries. Burger however was very dry, from the patty to the buns. Burger buns taste like it's been sitting in the counter too long, and patty was small and dense. I tried my friend's Chicken Tenders, and the meat was also.... dry. Overall it is not amazing, but that's what you would expect from food on UH.

This review is for the rooftop bar area. Do better. "Hostess" or bartender seated us. Didn't tell us we had to order at the bar so after a 10 minute wait we were finally instructed to order at the bar. This of course left a bad taste already, and I wanted to leave. Since I wasted 15 minutes of my lunch sitting around I ended ordering just chips and queso with a water. I will say the chips were warm and the queso is large. This actually filled me up strangely. I most likely won't return to the rooftop and will stick to what they do best...coffee on the ground floor.

I recommend this place because they're open late. The Nook is located in University Houston campus. It is a quaint place. We ordered two cappuccinos but then continued to read the menu further and noticed they offer one drink with Bailey's Irish Cream. I then requested them to add it to my cappuccino but they wouldn't do it. It's my drink, I would have paid the extra. I wanted a warm drink not a cold espresso Martin which that's what it ended up being after I canceled my cappuccino and ordered it. I could have made it at home. The menu could have stated it was a cold drink. JS

Overpriced mediocre coffee and cold empty vibes. Feels like the shell of something once good. They will get every dollar out of you.

Love this place. Best coffee on campus by far. Super nice staff. The freeze are also so good. Thanks for getting me thru the school year.

Super sad about the remodeling, the vibe isn't the same as before also the staff isn't as friendly as they were prior. The atmosphere is a little different but the coffee isn't bad.

***** Staff - super friendly and responsive ***** Ambiance - I love it. The name says it all; a lot of little nooks to suck off and get work done, or you can be out in the open if you like. Clean too!!!! ***** Hours/Location - one of the few places in the area upended early on a Sunday. Easy access on the edge of UofH's campus. ....** Espresso - nearly terrible but did the job. One of the worst I had in a while. They have other stuff; I probably tried the wrong thing.

Pretty inconsistent. Sometimes really good, sometimes just ok. It used to be nicer before the remodeling, now it just looks like any other coffee place. Most days you'll have good service, but just a tip, if you see older white guys working the area, better come back later. They do the bare minimum and aren't really friendly. Everyone else is pretty nice though.

tried this place for the first time last week and loved it! it's cozy, perfect for studying and they have plenty of board games and books for sale. I'm not a student but I did not feel out of place. had the jalapeño ham/cheese breakfast croissant and a brown sugar cinnamon latte which was delicious. will definitely be coming back.

Hours are not accurate, I wish this spot was more updated to actually experience it but that's about it

Came here to study after seeing in the reviews. One thing to note is that it is on the UH campus, but don't worry if you're concerned about parking because they have their own lot (free). It's a decent place to study, lots of spots, but it is on the nosier side, which is why I like to go upstairs to the bar area since it's a lot quieter there. The chairs aren't the most comfortable, but not too bad. They also have a nice outdoor patio area upstairs and tons of board games. WiFi is free as well. It's a cute and aesthetic place with lots of students frequenting around. I ordered the chicken strips and those were ok, kind of dry. I'd give them a 4/10. Also ordered their iced tea of the day and latte, which were delicious. Staff was friendly and fast. I believe they also have events in the evening, but I personally haven't experienced those.

The vibe is so cute! The drinks are ok, I still have yet to find my favorite. The workers are super friendly though, and it's a good place to study or lounge on the rooftop.

First. Great spot. Maybe my next spot! Now the ordeal. It's not open on the weekends. What! I traveled through a flood and walked in a huge puddle to get here only to find out they have a parking lot with a rear entrance. My bad for ever doubting you. The inside is dope. Music a little loud but it is a student spot. I'm a D. Min. student from Emory and tried the Cougar blend since they didn't have a dark roast. That made me sad. They had various types of seating and just an absolutely wonderful chill vibe. All they needed was a golden retriever and this would have been a perfect ten. If you in the UH area come check them out and tell them I sent you.

The ambience of the place is relaxing and quiet. Great place to study with friendly staff willing to make a nice accommodations. Highly recommend for anyone not just students.

Very cute little coffee and alcohol stop! The rooftop patio is great on a nice day. Easy parking as well

I just visited and tried to order a drink upstairs. The bartender was much more worried about flirting for 5 minutes with a girl than acknowledging customers. I immediately left and went to The Den 3 mins away for a cocktail. Please do better and respect paying customers.

Cheap prices on coffee and beer (and great selection too) tons of seating and outlets, great hours. Perfect for a study spot but do be aware the wifi can be super spotty and be down for upwards of an hour - see pic. Also the music can be pretty loud, so bring your own earbuds or such to block sound.

What can I say other than I was let down. They re-opened the roof top that was closed. They had the chance to make a mark and they missed it by a mile. They overcharged on drinks and it took 3-5 business days to get one at least. The DJ played songs no one has ever heard, and it felt like I was in a retail store. It says a lot when you turn off your comments on your grand opening post on instagram because of so much bad feed back. Do better, Nook. Don't forsake the rooftop bar that means so much to this campus.

Great little coffee shop next to the University of Houston. Great place to meet friends or get some work done. Coffee is great and the prices can't be beat. Go Coogs!

This review is for the rooftop bar. I ordered fries and after 20 mins they were not ready so I asked an employee when they'd come out and he said it should be a few mins. Another 15 go by and I ask again. He says they don't have fries at the moment so he can offer an alternative or give a refund and I opt for a refund. Then a different employee comes up to me and has my fries! I wonder how they got fries so quickly since they ran out. I say okay never mind with the refund and eat my fries but they're cold and unsalted, without the ranch I asked for. At this point i leave bc I'm frustrated and don't want to waste anymore time.

Management has changed and it's very noticeable. They also got rid of over half the menu.

Great place to study! The place has lots of variety, but I usually go there for only the teas. Was surprised they had alcohol now, need to try soon. It's alright feels like any other cafe.

Super cute place. The staff is so friendly. I've tried a few different things from there and they were all fabulous. Definitely recommend!

Currently visiting Houston from San Antonio & my bf found this place! This cafe is so cute! The guy taking our order was very sweet and easy to talk to, as well as the barista! It's got a cute rustic industrial comfy vibe! I got a latte with mocha and it's so good! Also try the chocolate pie tart, it won't disappoint!

This place is definitely a hidden gem at UH. The decoration and atmosphere here are so nice. They also have many tables and seats and outlets. Definitely a great place for study! Coffee is okay. However, it's just so chilly to sit for a long time to study. Also, as many people complained, the music is way TOO LOUD for study, or even talking to others. I tried but literally, I can't! I don't know why they have not changed yet after getting so many complaints from students who came here. I love the store but if I really need coffee, I might just buy one then go to somewhere else to sit!

I am so incredibly jealous that this wasn't here when I went to UH. Not only is it incredibly homey and charming with chalkboard walls, interesting art, and several nooks to study, read, or play board games, but the coffee is delicious. I got a Cinnamon Toast with half the syrup, and while it's a touch sweeter than I prefer, the flavors were delicious and honestly, what can you expect when you order something called Cinnamon Toast? It takes a bit of maneuvering through campus, but there was ample parking around 1 when I went and is so worth it. Bonus, seeing the growth of UH around it gave me some warm & fuzzy nostalgia.

This place is not living up to it's potential. They are a college bar that used to be a great place before covid, but now it closes at 12 and is over rated and the music is not good at all. Please fix this or you will go out of business.

it was my first time visiting today; i ordered a medium iced chai with almond milk and it was so yummy! price was fair too. the wifi was a tad slow when i went, as there were plenty of other students at the time. nothing too bad to where it was impossible to work though. they take "shasta bucks" from your cougarcard if you're a UH student so that was pretty convenient since i have some free credit on my account. it's also only a 10 min walk away from the law center so now i have my go-to coffee shop!

If this place had been around during my time attending the University of Houston, I probably would have spent a whole lot of time in here. It's kind of like your Starbucks, but it's not Starbucks because the Cafe has designated desks with power outlet for you to study and plug in your laptops or whatever electronic devices you might have. It also offers couches just to lounge around and an outdoor seating area. The drink prices are pretty reasonable and should be pretty affordable by college students. I had the White Macadamia Frappe, I think - I don't remember the name, but honestly, it tasted just like your caramel frappuccino from your local Starbucks. It wasn't bad at all. As for service, the only kind of service you'll get is when you're placing your order. The guy who was helping me was friendly enough. Another plus is that they have a shared parking lot with the other establishments here (Pink's Pizza, Cafe 101), although the spaces are very limited. I came here during summer break and there were quite a few people in here studying or just hanging out with friends. I can only imagine that this place would get super packed during regular semesters though. I'd only go back when school's out because otherwise, ain't nobody got time trying to fight the crowd here.

I came to the Nook Cafe because I was in the area and needed an hour to kill. I didn't realize this coffee shop was on the University of Houston campus! There was some parking on the street out front, but it was limited. When I went in, there were many students studying as there was plenty of desk spaces with electrical outlets. I ordered a Mocha Lattè and chilled on the comfy leather couch inside. I probably wouldn't come back here as I'm not a University student, but it's definitely a place I'd go if I was. What I ordered: -Mocha Lattè ($4.60 for a medium) Pros: -Good place to study or get work done with many outlets and desk spaces Cons: -There is street parking out front, but looks limited. There is a parking lot nearby, but I believe you must have a University parking pass. -If you're not a University student, you will be completely out of place.

I love this place to sit and study, it has good coffee and the vibe is good. Best place near campus

Great experience at The Nook while I was in town for some training. This spot is walking distance from the campus hotel, and not only has great lattes (the Rattlesnake Latte is awesome) but has a variety of pastries AND a happy hour (wine, beer, mimosas). Highly recommend if you're on campus.

Nice campus cafe for students, teachers and whoever needs a little break or work area. Plenty of tables and good friendly baristas to suggest their tea selections. Very cool register person and nice lady in a pink hat that helped me. Definitely will come back when I'm in the area.

Seems a tad pretentious. Near a college I think. Didn't much care for my overpriced drink and didn't finish it.

Kaii was excellent she made me one of the best white hot chocolates ever, even though they don't typically make them.

Cool cafe for students. The latte is not too bad, but it's a student run place, so I wasn't expecting the best ever~ Had a good donut and latte and I was satisfied. Loved the atmosphere and all the available games they had. They even sold cool games too, definitely a place for students and "young hearted" people to hang out at^^

I like this place. Really nice atmosphere, conducive to reading, having intellectual conversations, business meetings or just grabbing a cup of coffee. In my opinion the prices are a bit high, but the coffees here are very decadent. With lots of options, you won't ever leave here coffee less. Due to the richness of their flavored coffees, I opt to visit here every few months. I prefer Dunkin Donuts for my regular coffee fixes. With that said, this place is a must try. Their menus list wines, in addition to coffee and tea selections. They also house really great desserts. Their walls are decorated with chalk boards filled with menu items, daily specials, drawings and quotes. Some areas have arm chairs, while others have study desks, and others tables and chairs. Their back patio has comfortable loveseats and wicker cushioned chairs. Student meets hipster meets Martha Stewart equals the Nook's decor. I had a bad experience once with one of the cashiers, which was ultimately put to bed by having a conversation with the manager, who handled the situation and my complaint with great customer care. In my recent visits, the cashiers are friendlier and more customer service-oriented (so I just upped my star rating from a 3 to a 4). I definitely recommend a visit to this cozy, yet artistic place.

The Nook is a hidden gem right by the University of Houston. I love the vibe here.. they play good music, have a wide selection of games to play including Chess, Catan, Joking Hazard, Giant Jenga and a literal wall-full of more games, there is free wifi and working stations, and the staff is super friendly and inviting. They take covid precautions by wearing masks and gloves were put on when handling my Red Velvet Cupcake, have an outdoor menu so you can call the store and have them bring out your order, and ask that you social distance while in the store. The coffee's are just okay, in my opinion, I am still looking for a drink that really WOWs me.. but even still, this place is worth a visit. As for parking, the lot in front of the shop is a bit small but I've never had to worry about finding somewhere nearby being available.

Great selection of coffee, tea and even wine/beer!! Cute and plenty of spots to chill, study or play board games. They have a fun selection of card games too. However, the music is too loud! I had plugs in my ears and couldn't tune out the hard base in the music they were playing. If coming here to study, bring noise canceling headphones and beware that may not be enough. Also, people working may want to crack a friendly smile on occasion, taking an order shouldn't feel like they are being bothered.

Perfect spot to study but get here early because during peek times there won't be anywhere to sit! If you haven't been here yet I would definitely check it out. The workers are very nice and friendly so even if you're not a coffee connoisseur they will be there to help you out with any questions you might have. Plenty of options for my lactose intolerant peeps and vegan options as well!

It feels like yesterday when the Nook just opened and only had 3 types of coffee to try from Katz coffee. I can't believe it's almost been 4 years! Service: 5 What is nice about the Nook is that the servers are always nice and welcoming! This comes to play because I am an extremely indecisive person but they always patiently wait and even try to give suggestions! It is actually because of the staff here that I was able to become more adventurous with my coffee instead of just drinking chocolate frappes. It's easy to carry a conversation with the cashier and staff which makes it seem homelier. Coffee: 5 There are various types of coffee and different preparation methods so there is a guarantee that you will find something to your liking. My favorites are the Matcha and Chai tea latte! They are both sweet without being overpoweringly sweet and can pair well with desserts! I've never disliked their coffee. Well except for one time when I underestimated how bitter three shots of espresso would be. Study area: 4 There are different sections you can study in. There is a blocked off area in the front which has a coach and circular table. A general area in the main area with desks that are made from recycled woods, ex old doors, which can seat individual studiers comfortably. However the tables are a bit low for some. There is a section in the back which has a couple coaches and desks which can hold up to two people. It is a nice place to study and there is wifi but I took off one star because it can get a bit noisy and you need to blast your music to hear it over the music that they play. Tip: They have an awards program so make sure to sign up if you go often! Once you purchase a certain number of drinks the next drink will be free!

Located near the Law Center and by UH Cafe 101. A cozy place to study on campus. They have various coffees, lattes, and drinks. They also have a few food choices such as croissants. It has nice decors inside, very hip and sort of vintage. They play music in the background which sort of distract me a little. The tables are a little small to me so not much room there.

This is a dope study spot. It has so much study space. Obviously it gets more crowded in the afternoon but what do you expect? They place some good music over the speakers which is a bit loud but with headphones you're good. There's a decent wine menu and beer which I didn't try cuz studying but the option's there lol. And obviously coffee. Is the coffee good? No idea

Love this cafe! My experience dates from pre-COVID times, but it was very spacious and had lots of little nooks to hide in. I never had trouble finding a seat and there were always multiple outlets available. I would rotate through the latte selection and had no complaints about any of them. The bathrooms (two of them!) were large and very clean at all times. The music/conversation could be kind of loud at times, but that's just because not everyone was there to study like I was. I wish the food selection was a bit more robust and that they offered discounts for black iced coffee refills, though.