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    Merit Coffee

    4.3 (263 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Open 6:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Merit Coffee Photos

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    MERIT COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Merit Coffee

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    Edith C.

    Merit has honestly ruined coffee for me... in a good way!!! After trying a Merit latte, cappuccino, or matcha, you can't really ever go back. The quality is top notch and the drinks are always delicious. They always have amazing pastries from Bakery Lorraine fresh every morning. The vibe of the place is chic and lively. The baristas are sweet and curate delicious drinks. Always a must stop anytime we're in San Antonio!!!

    Pistachio dream matcha
    Alex W.

    You know I'm a matcha glazer and Merit does not disappoint. The pistachio dream matcha was extra creamy and was elite. As for the strawberry matcha, I wish it had more strawberries Taking off a star because the prices do seem higher than average so if I were not on a work trip I would definitely not come here as often.

    Carmel latte
    Owen C.

    A good coffee shop to be able to sit and do work on your laptop bc they have charger outlets and free WiFi too. This was good for sure.

    Berry Cobbler Matcha
    Elizabeth D.

    Went here for the first time and was driving around the block trying to figure out the parking situation - there's an actually a decent-sized lot behind the building! Came in the morning to get some work done and loved how the booths along the wall have built-in power outlets, which was a thoughtful touch for the morning study crowd. Ordered a berry cobbler matcha & the only thing that made me hesitate was the price, which was almost $8 a serving. Don't get me wrong, it tasted AMAZING, but it's definitely a "treat yourself" indulgence rather than a daily go-to type of drink. Baristas were friendly and welcoming. Would come again if I wasn't a broke student ;)

    Banana Matcha and Raspberry Matcha
    Matthew L.

    Merit Coffee is a great place to study, especially if you're a UT Health student since it's just a short walk from campus. There's plenty of seating, and while it can get busy around mid-afternoon, it usually stays quiet enough to focus. I recommend bringing a jacket because it tends to get pretty cold inside. The seats aren't the most comfortable for long periods, but they're decent enough if you're settling in for a study session. I tried the raspberry matcha and banana matcha, both seasonal, and they always hit the spot. The matcha isn't ceremonial grade, but it still tastes great without being too grassy. The banana flavor balances it out really well and doesn't taste artificial, though it is definitely on the sweeter side. This is honestly one of the better matcha spots in San Antonio. I also tried a couple of their snacks, and they were just alright, not bad, but nothing too memorable. All in all, Merit is a reliable go-to for good drinks and a productive study environment.

    Seating area
    Amy M.

    I'm a Starbucks girl but love trying locally owned places and merit coffee is on my daily commute. I ordered online and my order was called out just as I walked in. My coffee was beautifully decorated with the steamed milk something that Starbucks lacks. The taste was smooth and velvety. I also ordered a croissant which was absolutely amazing (I believe they come from Bakery Lorraine)! It was a real croissant like from France unlike Starbucks' sad sad microwaved croissant. The coffee shop was clean, warm, and inviting. They had merch which was cute and reasonably priced. I got myself a T-shirt. I also joined their point system and will definitely be returning.

    Golden mylk latte
    Diana G.

    Great coffee shop. It is spacious with plenty of seating. They do have inside and outside seating. I went at 5 PM and it was full of people studying, reading, or just socializing. They do have other beverages besides coffee. They also have food. I decided on the golden mylk latte. it was perfectly sweetened. Staff members are super friendly and sweet. I very much enjoyed my experience. Parking will be the issue here. There's a small parking lot, but it is shared with other businesses. You can find some street parking right adjacent to the coffee shop.

    Large Iced Matcha Latte with Hazelnut (Whole Milk) & Large Iced Matcha Latte with Lavender (Oat Milk)
    Nayra B.

    Overpriced and the food was cold?? Former coffee shop and specialty tea shop barista here. This entire experience was truly disappointing and the only reason I am not giving a one star is because the café was clean and I did not get food poisoning. The barista who took our order said almost nothing and looked like she really REALLY wanted to hurt someone, but the barista making the drinks was much more affable, though I have to say his drink making skills made me very upset. We ordered a large iced Matcha Latte with Hazelnut and Whole Milk, a large iced Matcha Latte with Lavender and Oat Milk, and a Sausage and Cheese Egg Cup. The lattes were atrocious and tasted almost solely like the chemically flavored syrups, almost too much so. If not for the hint of matcha taste, and saying there was a hint of matcha at all is almost too generous, it would have tasted like we were drinking flavored milks. Not to mention, we didn't get the usual energy boost we should have gotten from drinking these, showing us just how little matcha was actually in these drinks. The gross syrup content was way too high, the matcha content was way too low to even critique as a Matcha Latte, but we finished them because we paid way too much for these crappy drinks. We were hoping that our Egg Cup would help us out and cleanse the palate when the Lattes were too much, but it was like pouring salt on an angry wound. It had flavor, but it was all in the sausage and that was all we could really taste. It was way too moist, almost wet from poor defrosting, and would have fallen completely apart when we took it out of the bag had the center not been cold. Over two thirds of this Egg Cup was cold, the outside just warm enough to not raise suspicion upon picking it up, and I actually crunched on some ice crystals dead center. It was disgusting and, again, we spent too much on this tiny little dumpster fire of disappointment. This was the worst food and the worst drinks I've been served at a coffee shop and as an ex-barista I'm offended they thought this was okay to serve to customers. I cannot recommend Merit Coffee and suggest you go elsewhere.

    Caramel latte oatmilk.
    Samantha A.

    I should have looked up my old review before coming still not the foo foo coffee I crave for. Service is quick, not the smiliest peppy bunch, maybe they didn't have their coffee yet. They just get the job done. Prices are steep, $7 for 12oz $8 for 16 oz. I got the shaken maple pecan drink. That was interesting. Good flavor but literally has granulated nuts resting on the bottom. Prepare to chew your coffee. I probably will not get again. Lots of students around studying and was not any seating available for us to enjoy coffee. We sat outside, luckily it was a beautiful day.

    Tyler W.

    It's summer timeeeee so obviously had to get an iced matcha with strawberry!! I also get it with coconut milk and although she is delicious, this drink is about $9 so please don't break your bank to try it haha - Like don't get me wrong, it's a delicious drink but the prices for some of the drinks on their "baristas choice" menu should have a cap in this economy lol

    Table for two anyone? Maybe if you like watching your stuff fall on the floor.

    If you're a med student looking for a cozy spot to cram biochem into your tear-soaked flashcards -- turn back now. I walked in with a laptop, a latte dream, and a desperate need to memorize the Krebs cycle. What I found instead was a seating arrangement straight out of a dollhouse furniture catalog. The new tables are so small I had to choose between setting down my coffee or my computer. The girl at the counter proudly stated that the smaller tables were intentional (not an accidental Temu purchase) to fit more people in. Ma'am. You're a coffee shop. Not the TSA. The intention is clear. Leave your books and work in the car. What kind of coffee shop is this? Their new "business plan" feels like a missed diagnosis. 10/10 for passive-aggressive furniture design. 0/10 for anyone with a spine, a laptop, or dreams of getting any work or studying done. If you like balancing your coffee on your knee while contemplating your life choices, this is the place for you. Plenty of room at the outdoor tables if you enjoy sweat mixed in with your coffee and books.

    Small, square tables replaced the rectangle ones

    Merit has been my go-to study spot for a while now and their food/beverages never disappoint. One of my favorite parts of studying here was the table size, I felt like it was perfect for solo studying but could accommodate two people if i came with a friend. I stopped by today and the tables were so small!! I was here with a friend and we had to pull two tables together just to fit our laptops. In a cafe where space is a valuable commodity this feels like a step backwards for Merit at the medical center :(

    House coffee was bitter youre better getting a pour over or unfiltered coffee

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Really great service, super chill, great place to spend time finishing projects or studying. Oh, and coffee is phenomenal.

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    10 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    They make a perfect iced vanilla latte. I'm still new to the city but after 2yrs of exploring it's still the best I've had

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I ordered the Oatmilk Matcha Latte with Lavender flavor and it was delicious! I'm so excited to have found a good coffee shop near school.

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great coffee. The Mexican hot chocolate cookie is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Love their coffee and my favorite place to study and chill! The baristas are so kind and take into consideration our preferences

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    10 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Tried their latte with caramel flavor. Really enjoyed my coffee. The texture, aroma, flavor everything was so good.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Cool place with affordable coffee. Service was fast and friendly. I'd come to this place again.

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    10 years ago

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    Page 3 of 7

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    The Baked Bird - Pablo Eggscobar with a side of avocado.

    The Baked Bird

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    Wish we could've come sooner! Everything tasted fantastic, from the Sancha Horchata Coffee to the…read moreMunchie Cristo! The service was absolutely fantastic. Everyone was incredibly sweet and attentive, and you could see how genuinely they enjoyed interacting with their customers. It honestly felt like being around family and friends, which is something so rare nowadays. The decor was so fun too! Our eyes kept wandering around because there was always another piece of art or little detail to look and giggle at. If you're thinking about going, please do! I guarantee you'll love it just as much as we did. We're definitely coming back and bringing more friends with us! 10/10!

    The Baked Bird has personality from the moment you walk in. The bright, open dining room, colorful…read moremurals, yellow chairs and waffle-shaped coffee mugs all fit a playful breakfast concept that feels intentional rather than gimmicky. The coffee was smooth, and the staff worked well as a team. They were attentive and knowledgeable about both the menu and the restaurant's history. We learned that the restaurant is run by a chef duo and that their baker starts around 4 a.m. preparing the day's baked goods. We ordered the Yolkster and the Dirty South. The Yolkster showed solid technique. The hollandaise was glossy, properly emulsified and balanced between richness and acidity. The over-easy egg released a perfectly fluid yolk, while the scratch-made English muffin was nicely browned and crisp outside with a tender interior. The bacon was a little overdone for me, but the chicken sausage was a pleasant surprise with a nice balance of acid and salt. The Dirty South looks heavy when it arrives, but the dish comes together surprisingly well. The sausage gravy was one of the better versions I've had in a while. Good consistency, proper color, plenty of sausage and none of the raw or scorched flour taste that can ruin a gravy. The biscuit was dense but fully cooked with visible layers. The potatoes could have used more exterior crispness. The pico brought a welcome freshness and acidity that cut through the richness of the gravy, biscuit, egg and cheese. A little more would have helped maintain that balance throughout the dish. What impressed me most was the technique behind all that personality. Scratch-made breads, properly cooked eggs, a well-made hollandaise and carefully prepared sausage gravy show a kitchen paying attention to the fundamentals. I left curious about the rest of the menu. Next time, I'm trying the pancakes.

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    The Baked Bird - Window to peer into the bakeshop.

    Window to peer into the bakeshop.

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    Purple Haze latte.

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    Summer Moon Coffee - Lemon blueberry pop tart

    Summer Moon Coffee

    4.0(27 reviews)
    0.6 miMedical Center
    $$

    Review Update: The best Summer Moon visit I've had…read more Coffee shop and specialty shop barista here! I've been to a couple of Summer Moon locations and have never really been a fan. My last experience with this one on the other hand was very pleasant. The baristas were super friendly and swift with our order, the cafe itself was clean despite a decent sized crowd, and our order was pretty satisfying. We ordered a Matcha Moon Latte with Lavender, another Matcha Moon Latte with Hazelnut, a Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin, and a Mixed Berry Poptart. Our Matcha Moons were both pretty good; while the lavender was rather subtle and melded well with the moon milk, the hazelnut was in fact a little heavy in flavor. The Poptart was very sweet and yummy, though I admittedly didn't eat all of the crust, and the Muffin was an equal blend of chocolate and banana, rich and moist, and was absolutely delicious overall. If I'm ever in the mood for Summer Moon I will most definitely go out of my way to visit this location. This trip definitely changed my view of Summer Moon in its favor!

    I already love this coffee shop , just another location. This one is often busy inside not leaving…read moremuch room to sit at certain times of the day. I've gotten my favorite drink here which is the full summer moon iced. And I've tried the matcha twice here but the first time was sweeter than the last time I had it recently and now I don't think I get it again cause it wasn't as good as the first time. But I'll continue to come to this location

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    Summer Moon Coffee
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    Coffee bar, register, and dining area

    Archies Coffee Lounge - Our version of a vodka Red Bull the Blue Lightening with 80mg of natural caffeine.

    Archies Coffee Lounge

    4.5(95 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    The vibes are where Archie's shines…read more Former coffee shop and specialty tea shop barista here! Drive by a place enough and your curiosity will be piqued. I FINALLY made the trip in and it was a mixed bag. The interior of this place is super sleek and has two registers: one for coffee, the other for CBD products. The baristas were chill, there's ample room for study groups, and with the quiet atmosphere I think it'd be a great place to focus and get work done. I ordered the Honey Lavender Matcha with Almond Milk, and I can't say I was all that impressed. The matcha was muddied by the other flavors, but even those flavors were indiscernible. I ended up taking off the lid to inspect the drink and sure enough, you could tell by the color of the drink as well that there wasn't enough matcha. There was barely any Lavender flavor, and there was only a hint of Honey at best. Truly it tasted like warm almond milk with a subtle hint of a weird mix of muddled flavors. At least the sweetness of the Honey cut any potential bitterness and it wasn't too grassy? Even if this drink wasn't a hit, this place is too cool for me to just write off. I'd like to return to see about another menu item and hopefully stay for a while longer next time. For now, I'll give Archie's 3 Stars for the drink and 5 Stars for service and establishment.

    This is a fancy coffee shop. Service was excellent but I was not a fan of the drinks. They were…read morekind of watery. I had the horchata and another of the popular drinks but I was not impressed. It's worth trying and maybe it would better for a different kind of coffee drinker. The inside launch area was fancy and a great please to meet people.

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