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. read more

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I had some business to attend to downtown so I decided to break my "no coffee after 12 pm" rule and check out Vela Coffee. It's a very cute shop with minimalist decor. Think - doctor's office, but a smidge more botanical. Also you'd think you were in Austin in 2016 with how many male patrons had fully grown out beards. Anyhoo, I ordered a cortado, latte with brown sugar syrup, and a vegetarian quiche. Scratch Kitchen gets around, don't they? Not that I'm complaining. They make the best quiche in town and this one was no exception. The cortado looked nice and creamy, devoid of yeasty looking foamy bubbles. The 1st sip was very pleasant. Light, toasty flavor and good crema. It didn't feel watery/watered down. The brown sugar latte was a delight. It may have been my imagination but I thought I tasted rum. It was definitely my imagination. But it was the perfect sipping beverage for the kind of day. Cold, but sunny. This was THE drink to warm you right up. The folks running this place are very nice, and there are quite a few of them flitting to and fro, so you won't be waiting too long for your order. While I wouldn't go out of my way to drive from my home to this spot, if I ever find myself in this neck of the woods, I know Vela's a solid pick. read more

Vela Coffee - Vegetarian Quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Solid matcha spot! I loved the matcha with the vanilla cold foam and I think they make all of their matchas in house. Their desserts were also to die for. They had a lavender blueberry pop tart and a London Fog scone, both were amazing. read more

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If you love pistachio this is the way to go! Unfortunately by the time you read this review they will have changed their delicious menu. If you get a chance to try it tell me how amazing it is! Pistachio notes come thru perfectly while complementing their smooth black coffee. Definitely coming back. Barista was amazing guiding me right where I needed to be. This is also an amazing place to sit and do work or study. read more

Vela Coffee - Pistachio Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Your average modern coffee shop. Brightly lit with millennial aesthetic. White with accents of brown and gold. Comfortable but limited seating. I can imagine during peak hours there's not many places to sit if you're with more than one other. But the bulk of my review always hinges on the coffee. And this was good. Iced americano with a splash of cream. These tend to be either way to milky or way to bitter. This was neither. Excellent. I'll Have to try it black to get a sense of the quality of the coffee roast itself. read more

Vela Coffee - The syrup menu for the day - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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. read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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It was okay. The matcha tasted bitter. But the vibe is nice in there plenty of seating options and walkable. I would like to go back to try the coffee. The service was great as well and staff was very attentive! read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Cute and cozy little cafe in downtown. I've been here twice and have tried their matcha and chai. Both were tasty and made with care. The staff is always kind. read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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 read more

Vela Coffee - americano, cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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. read more

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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. read more

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I had a wonderful pistachio latte with homemade syrup! Great service and place to sit and enjoy your coffee. read more

Vela Coffee - Pistachio latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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. read more

Vela Coffee - Quad shot latte- pretty good price for 4 shots! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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! read more

Vela Coffee - Mocha oat milk latte extra shot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Came for a quick visit. My Americano was very good as was my wife's chai. Plenty of seating.

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! read more

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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 read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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. read more

Vela Coffee - Blueberry matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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. read more

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First, if you like cortados,... second if you like red velvet cake! Just that part! Wonderful pairing in a quiet, comfortable space... cortado was flavorful and very bold...red velvet was moist with a cream cheese filling... drop mic.. yea id come back...bajistas sweet and efficient... vibe of coffeeshop quiet with comfy seating, stools if you wanted and lots of sunlight filtering thru. I drank, ate...and contemplated the universe.. cool lil spot read more

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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. read more

Vela Coffee - Cappuccino in a contemporary styled coffee shop. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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. read more

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It was another early morning stop. The barista was very friendly and had a great smile. Like many coffee places in the area, the coffee felt a little pricey. I didn't notice a strong coffee aroma when I walked in, but I ordered a London Fog, which wasn't bad. My coworker thought it tasted a bit too light. Overall, it was a good experience, and there's plenty of nice seating inside. However, the breakfast options were pretty limited. read more

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! read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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. read more

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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. read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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. read more

Vela Coffee - Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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! read more

Vela Coffee - Half of an almond croissant and brown sugar pop tart, sugar cookie latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

This is my favorite spot to come when I'm in San Antonio. The coffee is delicious but Andrea truly makes the experience wonderful and welcoming. read more

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. read more

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Amazing coffee and service!! I wish this was closer to wheee I live. Spent 2 mornings here this week and accomplished a ton in their cozy friendly space. Looking forward to trying their food next. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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! read more

Vela Coffee - Turkish coffee for sale - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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. read more

Vela Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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! read more

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. read more

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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.

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! read more