Coffee Box
Coffee Box is located within a food truck on Bunton Creek Road in Kyle, and owner Joshua Olabarrieta describes it as a takeout cafe where customers can also get breakfast or lunch by walking up or driving through.
What to try: Olabarrieta said the MOTM, or Milk of the Mexican, is a homemade Horchata with two espresso shots, and he also recommended the 2.0, which is the cold brew version of the MOTM.
Recent updates: A couple of new menu items have been added, including a cheeseburger made with lean ground chuck, house aioli and all the fixins’.
1101 Bunton Creek Road, Kyle
512-850-1530
http://coffeebox512.business.site
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Kahvie Café
Kahvie Café is a coffee shop that focuses on specialty coffee and supporting local businesses. Sarah Nicotra, co-owner at Kahvie, said the shop is also all about promoting a healthy lifestyle for its patrons.
What to try: Nicotra said the made-to-order avocado bacon garlic sandwich is popular among customers as well as the blueberry muffin latte.
Recent updates: Kahvie Café just became a vendor for Gainz Bakery, which is based out of New Braunfels, and recently extended shop hours to open an hour earlier every day.
817 Chestnut St., Ste. 221, San Marcos
512-749-1003
www.kahvie.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lazydaze+ San Marcos=
Emma Wilson, manager at Lazydaze, said the establishment is a unique shop that offers a variety of teas and coffees as well as infusions for drinks. The shop is also an events venue and serves as a nice place to study and hang out with an ample patio and backyard, Wilson said.
What to try: The cold brew and the leafy brew are the two best sellers, and Wilson said the most popular tea is the Tokin’ Potion, which is a blend of the hibiscus, blueberry and mango teas.
Recent updates: Wilson said the menu has recently been updated with a couple of new items, and events such as live music shows have returned in October after a temporary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
718 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos
737-213-4018
www.lazydazesm.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Mochas & Javas
Marketing Director Grace Mills said the shop strives to provide customers with a one-of-a-kind experience with high-quality food and beverages as well as great service and reasonable prices.
What to try: Mills said the seasonal pumpkin spice is made from scratch with pumpkin puree and spices, and it will be offered through the end of December. The espresso has beans roasted by Texas Coffee Traders in Austin, and Mills highly recommends it.
Recent updates: Mills said the shop just implemented online ordering at the LBJ Drive location and has curbside ordering at both locations.
700 N. LBJ Drive, Ste. 100, San Marcos
512-396-5282
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
102 Wonder World Drive, Ste. 406, San Marcos
512-353-5282
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
642 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos,
(inside H-E-B)
512-392-2521
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
www.mochasandjavas.com
Stellar Coffee Co.
Tyler Almanza, general manager, said Stellar Coffee Co. is a locally owned shop with baristas who care about high-quality coffee, which in turn means the best quality product is delivered to their customers.
What to try: Seasonal drinks are always a go-to, Almanza said, and the most popular drink is the White Chocolate Mocha, which is sweet and creamy and can be hot or iced.
Recent updates: The shop began selling beer again in October after stopping temporarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almanza said their sole beer distributor is San Marcos-based Roughhouse Brewing.
232 N. LBJ Drive, Ste. 101, San Marcos
512-749-1024
www.stellarcoffeecotx.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Summer Moon Coffee
Bekah Tansey, a barista at the Buda location, said Summer Moon is essentially a local, cozy shop that features a local roaster.
What to try: Tansey said Summer Moon is known for its Moon Milk, which is an in-house sweet cream that pairs well with the shop’s signature drinks. All of Summer Moon’s beans are roasted over Texas oak, which is a
more traditional method versus oven roasting.
Recent updates: Through the winter season Summer Moon is offering a Peppermint Mocha Moon, a seasonal latte that features the shop’s signature Moon Milk.
316 S. Main St., Buda
512-312-4901
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
4217 Benner Road, Ste. 400, Kyle
512-504-3039
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
1180 Thorpe Lane, San Marcos
512-392-2191
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-8 p.m.,
www.summermooncoffee.com
Texas Bean & Brew House
A representative of the establishment said Texas Bean & Brew House is a craft coffee and craft beer establishment with a full menu that features breakfast and lunch served all day.
What to try: The Tiramisu Breve made with creamy half-and-half is a popular item as well as the Lavender Latte, which is a mix of lavender syrup and espresso.
Recent updates: The pumpkin pie and cream cold brew is a recent addition to the menu and is made with smooth, organic cold brew.
1328 S. I-35, San Marcos
512-214-8101
www.texasbeanandbrewhouse.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 p.m.-9 p.m.
Wake the Dead Coffee House
Owner Julie Balkman describes Wake the Dead as a funky, Tim Burton-esque house with a variety of more than 55 imported and domestic beer, wine and specialty espresso drinks. The shop also offers smoothies, breakfast and lunch choices, pastries and treats, a spacious landscaped courtyard and, of course, coffee. Wake the Dead uses beans from Katz Coffee that Balkman said are organic and fair trade.
What to try: Balkman said hungry customers should try the LOX, which is an Einstein bagel toasted to preference that comes with cream cheese and capers, red onion, tomato and 4 ounces of smoked salmon. Another big recommendation is the Iced Toddy, which is an iced coffee made from the Katz Jumping Mouse blend that Balkman said is a hit in San Marcos, even in the cooler months.
Recent updates: Wake the Dead recently added a walk-up window in the courtyard and outdoor seating at its patio. The indoor seating remains closed at this time.
1432 Old RR 12, San Marcos
512-754-9253
www.wakethedeadcoffeehouse.net
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
