I was in Houston for a friend’s wedding. It was my first time visiting Houston. Even though I only had a couple hours of free time, I knew I had to check out the coffee scene. There are SO SO SO many coffee shop.
After doing some research and considering where I’d be for the wedding, I chose to visit Un Caffe.
Un Caffe brief background
Un Caffe is a roastery and coffee bar in Midtown Houston. There’s only one location. What caught my eye about this coffee shop was that they offered Korean-Italian fusion coffee drinks.
The owner, Soonkack Kook, is a certified Q Arabica Grader and SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Trainer. Based on my quick research, Q Arabica Grader certification is kind of like a sommelier’s certification in wine but for coffee. SCA Authorized Trainer means you’re able to teach SCA’s skills. This shows he’s really specialized and committed to his coffee craft. Real awesome!
Coffee drinks: 9/10
The menu is classic and simple.
I got a Caramel Latte with oat milk, and it was great! The coffee flavor was really balanced and smooth, making it easy and pleasing to drink.
My coffee was around $6, which I found very reasonable for such a good cup of coffee.
Initially, I wanted to go for their Citrus Iced Americano because the drink was inspired by the owner’s trip to Jeju island in South Korea. But I ultimately opted for a hot Caramel Latte because I was craving something warm.
They also serve a coffee drink called Eispanner coffee, which is a Viennese style coffee. It’s like a creamy latte. I didn’t notice it then, but it’s definitely an interesting drink I want to try the next time I come back! You can see it here on their Insta!
Pastries and breakfast bites to compliment your coffee
They also offer pastries and some breakfast foods. When I went, they were serving empanadas and tacos. My friend got a chorizo empanada while I got a chorizo taco. Both were alright -nothing exceptional.
I am not 100% sure if they continuously serve their breakfast foods throughout the day.
Productivity: N/A
I didn’t study here, so I won’t rate the shop’s environment for productivity, but based on initial impressions, it seems like a good study spot. Other people were studying, which gave this place a productive vibe.
I only have two concerns or icks about studying here.
First, space is limited. Although there are 2 large tables and five or six individual tables, they fill up fast. During my visit, almost all the seating was taken. You really only had the bar area for space. Considering the coffee shop’s popularity, finding a spot might be challenging.
Second, it can get really crowded in there. There’s no designated waiting area for your coffee. The waiting line can stretch into the area between the bar and the individual tables. So you may have people standing around your table while you study.
Décor: 7/10
Very modern décor. Open floor concept. The interior is designed with clean lines and a white, brown, and black color scheme. It definitely felt very inviting.
When you first enter the coffee shop, you can see the coffee bar through a large opening in the wall. When you walk around, you see the big space where all the tables and people are.
They also have a coffee roasting room in the back where you can see their fancy roasting equipment. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see them work in there, but it adds to the authentic artisanal atmosphere that the owner is aiming for.
Parking: 8/10
There’s ample parking around the shop. There’s some street parking right in front, a small parking lot right next to the coffee shop, and a parking garage across the street (though I’m not sure if it’s free).
I hope you enjoyed this Houston coffee shop review! I hope to visit here again so I can see how well this Houston coffee shop is for studying or working.
Let me know what you think and if you want me to review other Houston coffee shops!
