I ordered the cold brew. It was quite good. I stayed there for around two and a half hours to do some work. There's no indoor seating but the front of the store has some tables and the back of the store has a tent with benches. When it's cold they have heaters so it's actually pretty nice to sit outside. Lots of people come to do some work here in the morning so it kind of motivates you. It's not too loud either so not that distracting. They have a lot of vegan-friendly options that I want to try the next time I come here. I really want to try their vegan panini and cashew milk mocha. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Flat white and cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is most definitely a great coffee shop to hit up on a sunny day in Houston!! The coffee is really good and fairly priced! It's only outdoor seatings with picnic tables and small tables but they have fans and heaters for when it's hot or cold out! Great place to study and work on your laptop. Even tho it's only outdoor seating they have outdoor outlets! We even got free pastries and muffins when they were closing up for the day! Parking is also not an issue with a big parking lot providing free parking! read more

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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. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Willie Nelson - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

This was my first time to stop by there and it definitely did not disappoint. Even though there was only window service, the staff was super engaging and kind. I opted for a savory crêpe called the Janice Joplin and it did not disappoint. It had so much flavor and yet the crêpe was very light! I actually took 1/2 home because I couldn't let that flavor go to waste. Great crepe and latte and I like the vibe on that corner. Will be back! read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Janis Joplin crepe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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After a nice little bike ride in the Houston heat/humidity, this was the perfect spot to relax and read. Sound of rushing water blocks out other conversations extremely well and let me focus on what I was reading. Fans placed around back get the air moving to make sure things are as comfortable as possible. Love the rough, rustic aspect of the the decor. As far as food I got the spinach and mozzarella panini and thought it was delicious. Light and flavorful with the tomato paste. Only ate half because I'll be biking back but looking forward to that second half later. Cold brew was right on point as well. All-in-all, for a random drop by, this is a great spot to enjoy a piece of your day. Outside seating so beware. But if you aren't acclimated to the weather by now, you may want to rethink your plans. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ambiance/Location: 5/5. With a quaint and rustic vibe, Retrospect Coffee Bar is unassuming from the outside. There is a small indoor section where you order, and there is both a front and a back patio to allow ample seating. Located adjacent to Axelrad, so go and hang out there afterwards if you have the time. Food: 5/5. I got the Lady Bird Johnson--turkey, goat cheese, and peppers. I was given a choice of sauces, and I selected the spicy sriracha. Delicious, and in particular I enjoyed the creaminess and flavor of the goat cheese. Good portion size. The coffee was also good. Next time I will try one of the espresso selections! Service: 4/5. The service was good, and they seemed knowledgeable when prompted with questions. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Lady Bird Johnson - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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What a quaint, little coffee bar. Awesome to learn they offer a variety of locally roasted coffee such as Boomtown Coffee and Pearland Coffee Roasters. I'm more of a tea drinker and they carry Camellia Tea (H-town based, woohoo) and they use 100% Organic tea leaves and all natural ingredients. I absolutely LOVE that. If you're not in the mood for coffee or tea, they also have craft beer, wines, and mimosas. If you're hungry, they serve paninis, crepes, muffins, and pastries and there are vegetarian and vegan options too! I ordered the Martin Zindler crepe and the Free Spirit tea which is a green tea with Jasmine blossoms, orange peel, and rose hips. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch as I was working on my laptop. They have several outlets outside on their front patio and there is also a tent in the back if you want an enclosed area. And oh yeah, you get a discount if you biked/walked there or if you're a teacher! How neato! read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - The Marvin Zindler Crepe with a cup of Free Spirit tea from Camellia Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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

No no. NO! One of our brothers said that this was a great spot and when we pulled up on Sunday morning, it did look promising. Really cute converted old station house with plenty of outdoor seating. It's a MIRAGE, people, run away! First of all, they only have ONE person working. On a Sunday morning, which will always be busy. That's ONE person to take the orders, make the food, get other food, and serve. Needless to say, nobody was bussing and tables were filthy. The poor guy was running around nonstop in there and at one point the line was snaking out to the parking lot. TERRIBLE MANAGEMENT. If you're having trouble hiring people in this job market, then CLOSE SHOP: better to have no service than god awful service. The banana chocolate chip muffin we ordered was just banana and walnuts; the Nutella/strawberry crepe had a rubber-like consistency (also, why are you putting strawberries IN the crepe? Just to get soggy and mushy? Put them ON TOP); the vegan kolache was a lumpy, dry hot mess. Coffee managed to be miraculously bitter and watery at the same time. All of which is to say that the food and drink here are not very good. We went to the back patio area because there were some cool fountain tubs that we thought our daughter would enjoy exploring, but as soon as we sat down, something started smelling...and...yes...wouldn't you know! Three massive piles of dog shit right there in the middle of the patio! That's just what you enjoy being seated next to while eating. Needless to say, we adjourned back to the front. So, summing it all up: terrible food/drink, filthy atmosphere, and terrible service (but not that guy's fault/blame management!). Two stars, and that's generous. What the hell was the brother thinking? Maybe on a better well-staffed, cleanly day, things might be different, but we will never return to find out. read more

Enjoyed this retro and trendy spot. Went on a cold morning which made my experience a bit more difficult to fully enjoy since all seating is outdoors. Looked like they were working on pulling out some heat lamps so I will need to give it another try. This place seems perfect for catching up with friend(s) on a beautiful day. Atmosphere was peaceful, everyone minding their own business. Loved the bird bath, bird watching and trees that surround back patio. Being that it was so cold outside, my hot coffee cooled off pretty quick. Friendly staff! I did not try food so will need to return for that, too. Very neat place and will be back! read more

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Showed up the bald lady was having a full blown convo with a customer for 5 while I stood there in like, finally they wrap up and I order and they completely messed up my order! No half and half, I asked her to use raw sugar and she put stevia.... Maybe if they put as much focus on their coffee instead of talk about dead bodies it would help the business read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Bad coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

I stopped here to get some work accomplished ans patronize the establishment. The location and ambiance was cool. The only reason I gave this place a two star rating was due to the sour attitude of one of the staff members. She was very rude and sarcastic in her responses when I would ask her. I don't know if she was having a bad day, but she definitely took it out on me and I didn't appreciate it. What establishments fail to realize today is that we have social media and are able to put these types of occurrences on blast. Select the right people for the job or you will be affected monetarily. read more

Great place with awesome coffee. This is the perfect community gathering spot. People from all walks of life and backgrounds congregate to enjoy the good coffee and are very friendly to boot. I highly recommend and will be back again! read more

So I was working near here and I'm so happy that this was the closest coffee shop, according to my maps. I'm really happy that I randomly found Retrospect coffee. The ladies working were so genuinely friendly (one named Nikki and I can't remember the other gal) I would go back for their Customer Service and delicious coffee. Can I tell you that I haven't had a croissant this delicious and flaky in a long time. I wish I would have asked where they came from. Thank you ladies! I'll see you soon read more

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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 read more

If only I'd lived nearby If only I'd chosen a different career If only I'd turned left instead of right If only I'd listened to my mother To the campfire songs of my father If only I'd learned to use a compass Or some other Texas Instrument If only I'd taken that one piece advice from that blind guy If only.... Then Then I could enjoy this awesome Port Its Flat White wormhole Its kind and ebullient baristas Only if then So only occasionally when My stead takes me and Sancho Allows me to lay down my lance Will I lift one tired Limb after another Onto a chosen bench Sip the Ambrosia And glance at yonder Slumbering dragons read more

Places that offer student discounts will always hold a special place in my heart! Yes. Please. And thank you. Although, this place isn't all that great for studying unless you're a fan of the Houston humidity and the bugs and the flies associated with outdoor seating, which is all they have. Though, this will be a Great hangout place at night with the super cute patio. They sell crepes (sweet + savory), pastries that looked incredibly delicious, beer and wine, and of course, coffee. The single origin cold brew was a bit on the acidic side, if that's your cup of tea. Their staff are all super friendly and have a great taste in music. I got the first savory crepe listed, and it was way too salty for my liking. Not sure if it was the cheese they used or just the seasoning.. The consistency of the crepe, thin and slightly crisp, I enjoyed. If only they had indoor seating, I will def be a regular. Oh and they have a private lot for parking (with big parking spots)! Always a nice bonus. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Janis Joplin + cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

One of my favorite cafes in Houston. The only thing that stops it from being my favorite is that I can only visit when there's good weather - seating is entirely outdoors. Service: What immediately struck me about Retrospect was the staff. As soon as I stepped inside they chatted me up and wanted to learn all about their newest customer. They didn't keep me for too long either - they knew I came to get work done. But they're so kind! Truly the kind of folks you want as friends. Food + drink: The drinks are great! Loved their flat white and chai tea latte. What I wasn't expecting was for the food to be just as good. Loved the janis joplin crepe and am glad I asked for the added bacon. Ambiance: Trendy, fun. There's a cool bird fountain and some corn holes. Limitations: WiFi is definitely spotty. You can only sit so far from the main entrance before getting work done is simply no longer an option. The more obvious limitation is that there's no indoor seating. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Flat white - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My wife and I heard about this place and decided to try it. It was a long wait for basic coffee and the bathrooms are terrible. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Basic coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

Went for coffee in the early afternoon at Retrospect Coffee Bar and was completely blown away. This establishment, which is a restoration of a building that has been here since the 1920s, is a cute/modern spot that is great for a casual coffee as well as an intensive study session (they have outlets outside!!). I ordered a mocha and the Janis Joplin, which is a crepe that contains egg, avocado, and cheddar/jack cheese. Like all savory crepes offered off their menu, you have an option of adding bacon (100% recommend doing so) and a choice of either sriracha or their balsamic sauce. I went with balsamic! The mocha (pictured) was beautifully presented and tasted amazing and the crepe (unfortunately not pictured) was amazing!! 11/10 on my food rating. The more I ate, the better it got. All flavors, including the added bacon and balsamic sauce, worked so well together. It was served street-style so it will be great to take on the go, but you also have the option to sit down and eat it with some cutlery. Overall had a wonderful experience and will be coming back in the near future. Added note: Discounts! If you are a student (need to bring ID for proof), you get a discount! If you walk, take a bike, or bus (must show bus ticket) as mode of transport to Retrospect, you also get a discount!! It's those little things that'll put a smile on your face. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

I had a great experience we left another coffee shop to come here. The customer service was awesome they are so friendly! He even brought our coffee and pastries to us. Thank you for having great customer service! read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I don't know my way around Houston, and my friend took me here after a big lunch. It is a really cute, comfortable atmosphere with a decent amount of outdoor seating. There were people doing work, socializing, and hanging out with their dogs. The staff are really friendly. I got to try a sip of my friend's ice mocha, and it tasted like chocolate milk with a hue of coffee: sweet and delicious. It wasn't a terribly hot day, so it was very pleasant to sit outside and hang out. But I could see it could get more uncomfortable (with more bugs) on a hotter day. read more

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Pretty cool place located in a historic building. I don't know if it's Covid related but only food options was breakfast burritos, which I scarfed down although overly priced for what you get. More like a 1.5 not 3. The cold brew was great in flavor. I will definitely try them out again. read more

Went here for the first time on Sunday morning and we were pleasantly surprised. First off, let me begin this review by saying the service that Stephen provided was exceptional. He let us know that the menu had changed a bit since COVID had hit, recommended items and even included a coffee on the house. Stephen, you are a breath of fresh air. We got the Janis joplin & willie nelson crepes. Delicious and flavorful. Their coffee was great too, we got a caramel latte and a chai tea latte. It was not too expensive, maybe like $7 average per item which is arguably what you'd pay anywhere else. They have a lot of open space to sit, so you dont have to worry about being crowded into one place. They have outdoor dining as well as a little heated tent area with several tables/benches. Overall, an awesome place to have breakfast or brunch. 100% recommended. Support this business!! read more

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! read more

We went out on a rainy day to do brunch. The place looks like it was previously a house that was turned into a restaurant. When you walk inside to order it is a small area with seating outside. It's a small place but they have a good menu. There are a number of coffees with lots of good crepes. Going out to the back you will see an open area with picnic benches and large tubs with circulating water. After talking with the employees the running water helps to reduce the sound of passing cars as well as repelling mosquitos. Thought that was pretty cool. The guys here are great. They like what they do and are always willing to talk and share. You can tell they like what they do. The food was really good. Loved both savory and sweet crepes. I would definitely come back again! read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Dark chocolate cashew milk mocha. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Blown away by the hospitality, service, coffee and atmosphere of this coffee shop! I ordered a small iced oat milk latte that was SO darn great, and worked on my laptop in their courtyard next to their heaters for an hour. Loved the entire experience! Can't wait to come back! read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Iced Oat Milk Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

Amazing crepes and great coffee! We were super impressed with this little place! Cute outdoor space!

Just a warning, this cafe does not have any indoor seating, but that was perfectly fine when I went because the weather was so nice outside! They do have some standing heaters outside that I'm sure they turn on when its chillier outside. SO, this place is really cool because it use to be a gas station! No worries though, nothing but the building infrastructure remains from those times. I ordered a chai latte and it was pretty good! Not super "spicy" or overly sweet, although I could've had it creamier. I also ordered a crepe and let me tell you - they did not skimp on the filling! I didn't think I'd get full from it but I was stuffed lol I haven't been back since then but I really want to! Such a cool vibe. Only problem is the parking since they share it with Axelrad and Luigi's but it was easy for me since I went around 12 on a Sunday. read more

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. read more

Super cute coffee shop. Inside, you just have the counter to order at and all the seating is outdoors. There are seats in the front patio and then benches/games, etc in the back. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and it was really good. The weather wasn't crazy hot, so sitting outside was nice. I've passed by this place when I was at Axelrad and coming in the evening sounds like a nice idea. They had croissants and baked items as well. That day, we were informed they were 50% off, and you also get a discount if you're a teacher, student, came on bike or drive an eco-friendly vehicle. Nice! read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Very cute coffee spot. I went on a Saturday afternoon and sat on the front patio. There isn't seating inside and they only take orders at the window. I wasn't sure what I wanted but I told the barista what I like and she recommended the perfect drink for me. read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

I totally get that it was a busy Sunday morning right at their opening time... But I found that it took waaay too long to get our coffees out to us which was a bad start. Then both myself and my boyfriend found our drinks not worth the wait - he said his hot mocha wasn't good and my chai latte was definitely not up to par. Very unfortunate because this is a cute, completely outdoor coffee shop! Maybe it was a bad day for the staff members but I'm not sure if it would be worth trying again. read more

Love it. Their cold brew is complex and doesn't need any flavoring to make it complete. I also got the Janis Joplin crepe - savory, sweet, and well-balanced with the optional balsamic glaze inside. There's an option to add sriracha too if you want a kick. The staff is super nice. It's only open for outdoor seating right now, but there's plenty of space and a cute little running water installation in the back. I highly recommend Retrospect for a quick bite or a relaxing afternoon! read more

This place was great....the atmosphere, the staff, the charming front and back patio areas. Was visiting Houston and needed a place to have a small bfast and do some work. They had a small market type thing happening out front as well. Very cute. For coffee and food, Im simple and usually get a cold brew when I go places - they had two options. One was slightly sweet and one was a little more acidic. I also ordered a croissant and was informed they had multiple options!... Went with the ham and cheese and they heated it up in an oven and it was delicious. Would definitely come back here! read more

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Great place to walk up and get coffee and breakfast! They've been really thoughtful about COVID requirements and the walk-up window allows for no contact at all besides grabbing your food. They serve breakfast tacos from Tacos-A-Gogo so I couldn't resist for my first time there. Definitely want to try the crepes soon. Their coffee is delicious too! read more

This place was a cute/ small coffee place that had nice baristas and a tasty crepe. The location is great for people watching. It's nice to see coffee shops in that area that you can relax. We did just that and had a grand time. The place doesn't look fancy, but it's comfortable and homey. read more

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Nice coffee shop in my area of town... Price points a little higher than Starbucks... Lots of outdoor seating... Dog friendly... A nice selection of pastries, crepes savory or sweet to choose from... I selected the Americana and a ham and cheese croissant... I was asked if I would like my crossant heated and I reponded yes... I was warmed but the inside still cold... I didn't ask to have it heated more becauae I bite it... Since COVID-19 is ramped I thought to just keep it and warm it at home... read more

Retrospect Coffee Bar - Ham and cheese croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is a very cute spot but unfortunately they are always out of food. I've been here 4 times and every time they are out of all their food and each time before 11am. I wish they would work on stocking more option's. They also take 20 min to pour cold brew In a cup. read more

Blueberry Danish was delicious. Iced Latte had me raved up. Also great Dog watching location. read more