Siphon Coffee

First off, I’m a Mexican girl from south Texas so I know a good breakfast taco when I taste one. These breakfast tacos are the best! I hate to say it, but the potato and egg tacos rival any little grandma’s I know! I know this is a coffee place, not a taco place, but I just had to say!
Their siphoned coffee is excellent. It is not only great to try something new, but the coffee is actually super delicious and hot and piping. I think the price is worth it. A lot of people are here studying, getting together, etc, so it might be a little too packed. I’ve always found room though.
Also, even though there is this industrial thing going on and the vibe might seem very studyish etc, they are still totally toddler and kid friendly, which is so lovely.
On top of that they have those super delish cookies and treats from the Fluff bake bar. Oh gosh. I am salivating just thinking of it.
I really can’t wait to go back.

This place used to be one of my favorite coffee shops in Montrose until I started having issues with their wi-​fi on two consecutive visits. I will say, though, that I haven’t been here in over several months, so maybe the issue has been addressed. It’s a solid study spot otherwise, and I can’t stress the ample parking space enough in Montrose as somebody who has been towed and ticketed twice in the past year. It gets pretty busy at times, but I have always been able to find seating even during peak hours.
Great service, cool coffee, decent food. Paninis are sometimes a little greasy for my taste, but good for the most part (grilled zucchini and roasted mushroom is my favorite). Food menu is good enough for a quick bite for your study munchies. Very artisan and super hipster (so much so that I’m probably not able to fully appreciate how good their coffee is).

The Highlights… and Lowlights: Great Cappuccinos! Good food! Limited outlets for computers (boo!). Speedy wifi. Gets pretty packed but I always find somewhere to sit (indoors or outdoors). Car parking is limited but there’s bike parking. Friendly staff and customers.

Siphon is where I go to get coffee when I want to pretend that I’m not a broke college student who should be watching how much they spend. Tucked into a nice little shopping center on West Alabama, Siphon looks pretty much like you’d expect an artisanal coffee shop in this part of town to look. The décor is all reclaimed-​style wood and coffee-​making machinery being used as decorations. It’s quite charming if you’re into the nouveau riche hipster aesthetic (which I, perhaps sadly, am). While Siphon clearly wants to be a place where people can come and work, in my opinion, this desire is slightly hampered by the fact that their store is small and quite popular. i’ve come here with the intention to work before, but it’s usually too hard to find anywhere to sit (a lot of the seating also isn’t especially comfortable either).
That’s enough about the space itself though. The important thing about a coffee shop is, at the end of the day, the coffee. I will be the first to say that Siphon does have good coffee. It’s good in an indistinct way (as in, I can’t really explain to you *why* it’s good) but it tastes great and it puts caffeine in your veins, so I’m not complaining. Actually, I’m pretty partial to their Chai latte, which is wonderfully milky and redolent with cinnamon and other spices. Their drinks are a bit on the pricey side though (with tax, an iced coffee will put you back $ 4, which can be a little hard for me to justify on a day-​to-​day basis).
As for the food, I haven’t tried a great deal of it, but it all looks good. I’ve tried the cheddar and green onion scone, which is a nice light lunch though it’s also a bit pricey. The variety of cookies and pastries they have behind the counter all look absolutely delicious and I’ve never heard anyone complain about one of them.
Their staff is also great. They’re almost always incredibly friendly and attentive, even when the store is busy. On one occasion, I’d forgotten to ask for my Chai latte iced, and the barista made me a hot one. When I asked if I could get an iced one (or just some ice to pour my hot one over), the barista said they’d make me a brand new one on ice for no charge AND I could keep the hot once, since they would have to just throw it out anyways. That’s the kind of laissez-​faire attitude I love seeing in these sort of roles.

One of my favorite/​go to spots for getting some coffee, getting work done, relaxing, or just hanging out with friends. Service always on point and they have a decent amount of seating (inside or out). It does get packed here since Siphon is legit, but you will get a seat fairly quick. I personally have lucked out when it comes to parking (I do go there a bit later during the day) since the parking lot is tiny.
I personally love their lattes (all flavors are approved) and they are known for their siphon coffee (which I still have not tried since their lattes work for me). They also have some really delicious baked goods! Their brownie is absolutely amazing! A bit pricey but oh man it’s really amazing!
Overall, Siphon is one of my favorite Houston hang out spots! I would highly recommend Siphon Coffee!

What a place — I’d like to say that it is a hidden gem among coffee shops in the area, but I’d be lying; it seems like everyone else knows how great it is too, and this place is always packed to the brim with customers.
But the baristas are super friendly — great in customer service!
Try the herbal iced tea if you dont need that caffeine kick, or go for the daily drip coffee.
Seating is limited, as is the parking, so if you really need to do work, this might not be the best to camp. It’s much more open during late hours, such as after dinner. If you manage to get a seat near a plug, then you’ve made people!
Highly recommend

After a month of trying to get to Siphon my boyfriend, his sister and I finally had the pleasure of having a delicious breakfast from Siphon. The banana bread and muffins were fresh, the hot tea and lattes were perfect sides to the chorizo breakfast tacos. The 1 inch brownie was also quite heavenly!

LOVE this place! My husband comes here often for business meetings and thought I would enjoy it. He was right! We came here on a Sunday morning but it wasn’t too packed. We found a spot against the back wall which was perfect for people watching.
I ordered a cappuccino and the breakfast panini. It was probably the best breakfast I’ve had in a loooong time. It’s amazing how something so simple can be so damn delicious! Hubs ordered a cappuccino and his usual breakfast taco with chorizo and potato. He said their tacos are some of the best he has had but after trying my panini, he may be switching up his go-​to order here.
Sipping down a delightful cappuccino at a local coffee shop while people watching has become one of my favorite ways to spend a morning. I must be Parisian at heart!

Love the ambiance of this place. Because the coffee is so good and the interior so cozy, it fills up quickly! Definitely a great place to catch up with a friend or do some studying. Not too many great spots for outlets, however, so come early if you want to snag a good spot!

I ordered a dirty chai latte that was so spicy and bold, it wasn’t drinkable. I always order this drink so I knew it just wasn’t made correctly. I decided to ask for it to be remade, considering it was ~$ 8. As I approached the guy at the counter to explain, he stared blankly at me like I was asking too much and the proceeded to tell me that it’s made in-​house. To make things easy, I asked for drip coffee as I handed the latte back to him.
It should’ve ended here, but then the guy tried to charge me again. I told him I already paid $ 8 for the drink I gave back to him, charging me again for drip coffee wasn’t necessary. He then asked to look up my order, which was fine, except I awkwardly stood there for 5 minutes while he scrolled on an iPad. When I noticed that there was a line of people behind me, I told him not to worry about it, and went to hand him my card. He then told me, «it was on him» and he would give me a drink ticket to make up for the difference. He didn’t ever actually give me the drink ticket, which was also fine because I don’t plan on coming back.
My sister also waited over 25 minutes for a pre-​made parfait that was supposed to be put into a bowl. What a joke.

Siphon Coffee is definitely one of the most hipster spots in Houston! Maybe it is too mainstream now because its popularity also makes it one of most crowded coffee shops, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying out their caffeinated concoctions that helps to create its massive fanbase if you never tried it before!
Just the coffee menu alone has some interesting choices with different takes on classic coffee drinks like chai latte or reinvented ways of coffee brewing such as its namesake siphon coffee. You will definitely find something that fits your drink preference… or perhaps discover a new favorite!
Good coffee deserves a good atmosphere to savor or converse over, and Siphon Coffee offers that. Despite the constantly large crowd hyped on caffeine, the atmosphere remains surprisingly pleasant and not overwhelming. Whether you are going to meet up with people or spending alone time studying, this coffee shop has the right vibe for you.
The bottom line is you have to see what makes Siphon Coffee so popular despite being in the midst of heavy coffee shop competitions! Is it the hipster coffee or the hipster atmosphere? Different people have different answers, so it’s up for you to find out if or how this place will strike your chord.
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tl;dr version:
1) One of Houston’s most popular and hipster joints
2) Unique coffee menu with interesting takes on conventional choices
3) Great pleasant crowd vibe for group and solo visits

Back at this coffee shop thanks to no parking at Campesino. I don’t think I quite processed how wonderful Siphon’s parking. Anything that doesn’t involve parallel parking is a gift from God.
Anyway, I didn’t get a coffee this time. I got a huge lemon tart all for myself (this is major news because I’ve kept myself away from processed sugar for like three weeks) and omg, it was divine.
The lemon curd was sweet, tart and creamy all at the same time and the crust was even more delicious. My only compliant – softer crust please. I know I sound prissy but I hate eating certain desserts with my hands when I know I’ve been touching stuff all day. I attempted to cut into the tart but it almost flew across the coffee shop AND made a terrifying sound. Also, the tart cost around $ 4.

Am I spoiled by the San Diego coffee scene or is this place overhyped?
That being said, this place is aight, and it seems like Houston hasn’t quite caught hold of the beloved third wave, so this seems to be the spot for specialty coffee, if it can be called that (I have to do more research).
Anyway, a siphon coffee is $ 7. What the what? If it’s not some dang good beans, that is overpriced. I got the drip because…$ 7 for coffee where the flavor profile isn’t even LISTED for all to see is super weird. Maybe I missed the list, but it definitely wasn’t right up there.
It’s pretty crowded here and is clearly quite popular, for good reason I suppose since I think they’re about the only ones doing craft coffee in the area, but it seems like communication gets caught in the crossfire. I was a little pressured to just get in and out, not overtly so maybe it’s just me, but there is a definite «move it along» feel to the place.
The drip (I never even found out its region, which is JUST WEIRD to me, so I had to guess) was fine. It was something I wouldn’t be mad about drinking everyday, but would never have a coffee revelation or serious moment with it.
I would say this: If you live in Houston, I guess this is the best you can find. If you live somewhere that is a little more advanced on the coffee scene, this place is underwhelming. BUT if you are not an annoying snob like I am, this place will be a treat and it is super cute and hip and open, with an abundance of rather pleasant coffee. Four stars due to Houston’s current status as a non-​coffee city – if it was in a different city I am not sure it could keep up.

Pretentious is absolutely the best word for this place. I cannot begin to fathom why this would get more than three stars. To each his or her own, I guess. My partner in crime went with the fancy siphon coffee and her conclusion was: not good. Me? I ordered a regular coffee. As I did so, I got the most hilarious look. Yes, ordering a regular coffee is borderline treason. I honestly wondered from their reaction if they even knew how to make a regular coffee. It was okay…
Overall: way overrated. There are so many better coffee places you could go to… so many! This should not be it.
Parking is easy.
Service is friendly and helpful. Just beware if you order a regular coffee but if you want a good laugh, that’s the item to order. Black coffee. Comedy commences.
Need alternatives?
— Black Hole
— Catalina
— Antidote
— Boomtown

Close to the Montrose/​Westheimer melting pot, Siphon was next on my target list of coffee places to try. It was a bit tough finding parking around there, but it wasn’t that bad. I walked in and the place was jam packed and loud. I had a few moments to look at their menu and I ordered an iced coffee with a shot of vanilla flavoring and a cappuccino.
I was lucky enough to find a spot to sit at the window bar. Seriously, it was that busy lol! Finally my order was ready and I added a little cream to my iced coffee before sitting down. The iced coffee was pretty good as far as iced coffees are concerned. I liked the vanilla notes in it. The cappuccino was also pretty good as well. But I didn’t get to really enjoy them the way I had liked to because it was so loud and busy. This isn’t their fault of course and it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
If you’re a student looking for a spot to work on school projects and don’t mind the crowd then this place is great. But if you’re looking for a more laid back kinda place then you may or may not like it, or if you don’t like crowded places.
Service was good and the drinks were good. I’d definitely stop by to order something to go next time I am around here.

My first time trying siphoned coffee. It had more of a burnt flavor, but is super fresh because they ground the beans before making it. A siphoned coffee for one person is $ 7, but is enough to share with someone. You order at the counter and they call you when your order is ready. They have baked goods too. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with wifi.
It is a very comfy and cozy atmosphere. There is bike parking and a car lot out front. Staff was friendly and efficient with orders. You can buy the coffee beans to take home.

I don’t know if there is a non-​busy hour for this place! I’ve been here in the early morning (8am) and in the afternoon/​evening (4:30pm), and it’s always busy! It’s a good sign that a coffee shop has survived in Houston in Montrose where there is competition.
The busyness may appear overwhelming, but in the morning it is ephemeral. By the time I parked my car, got my things, and made it to the door, I saw about 5 people leave the place with to-​go orders. When I made it insider, I was only 3^rd in line! Their service is fast and on point. I ordered my almond milk latte, found a place to sit, began to set up my laptop, and before i knew it, my name was called (my latte was ready)! For a busy place, the service is impeccable.
Their coffee is tasty too! It doesn’t taste burnt or look gross. Since I’m lactose intolerant, I tend to order soy or almond milk in my coffee. At other cafes, my latte with either of these milks appears as if the two liquids have separated and created a funky solution that I’m supposed to drink. I am more than pleased that my latte today looks and tastes just scrumptious.
The additional treat is 90s music on their radio/​pandora/​whatever they’re using. Currently, I’m enjoying «Escapade» by Janet Jackson. Thank you, Siphon.
I hope to return since this is a nice, low key place with lots of patronage but plenty of seats to do work or just disconnect from the world.

Stopped in on a Monday afternoon. It was surprisingly crowded, not a single table inside was available and it was pretty loud. There was one table outside so we sat there, but I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke so I kept peeking inside to see if anyone was vacating. Most people looked camped out with computers, chargers, books, etc…
I got an iced tea, my companion had the siphon coffee for one. The siphon coffee was super cool looking and fun to watch them make. Unfortunately, in her words, it was not worth $ 7 and the 10 minute wait. My iced tea was good so no complaints about that.
Overall, an ok place to grab something quick to go. Wouldn’t recommend trying to sit/​work there.

It’s an inspiring thing when a shop can perfectly pull off food, drink, personnel and atmosphere. Siphon is one of those shops.
There are plenty of fresh baked goods, desserts, snacks and a drink cooler with some off the beaten path beverages. If you’re really hungry, they serve breakfast/​lunch/​dinner with an impressive menu of tacos/​sandwiches/​salads and more. On top of all that, a full coffee + tea menu awaits your selection.
I am NOT one to enjoy coffee. I’ll drink it, and I’ll try many types, but it’s not something I am passionate about. However, I enjoyed a straight black Siphon For Two. My wife thought it was too bitter, but there’s something pure and unique that caught my taste buds, and I thoroughly enjoyed it by myself.
From banana bread to moon pies, I haven’t been disappointed with their baked goods. In fact, the lemon tart was right up there with Grandma Bucher’s infamous lemon treats. A taste of home, for sure.
1 thing I love about Siphon:
There is a feeling of excellence in everything they do here. Everything in this shop is made and maintained with the utmost care and creativity. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s inspiring.
1 thing I dislike about Siphon:
There are never enough places to sit. All three visits have resulted in squeezing onto the bar stools (stylish, but not comfortable in the least). Couches and booths are ALWAYS full.
In the heart of a Montrose neighborhood, this coffee shop is definitely a crucial artery of said heart. The meer fact of the existence of Siphon beckons my wife and I to move into the area. But since we live in the Sugar Land area, we are hoping for a satellite shop to open up near us instead!

I love coffee. This place has yummy coffee and they even make it interesting by siphoning it with the coolest contraption.
Their cold brew is also remarkable.
They serve fluff bakery items, and they r super tasty!

Siphon scheint mir ein bisschen zu teuer. Das Gerät war ein übertriebenes Spielzeug, das (vielleicht) bessere Kaffee produzieren kann. Ich hab’s probiert, aber war nichts besonderes. Für $ 11 zur zweit ist ein Vermögen für zwei Tassen. Mir ist viel lieber (und auch günstiger) Espresso.
Das Essen habe ich noch nicht probiert (bis jetzt).
Das Café ist einfach, gemütlich und sehr modern. Die Möbel ist chic. Die Angestellten sind freundlich und begeistert.
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Siphon me parece algo caro. Café del aparato cuesta $ 11 para dos tasas con ningún mejoramiento en sabor. Mi preferencia es espresso; tal vez no soy dispuesto para dar un recomendación como experto.
Todavía no ha probado la comida (hasta la fecha)
El lugar es limpio, sencillo y moderno. Los muebles son cómodos. Los empleados son amigables y disfrutan su trabajo.
Nada mal pero nada superior.
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A nice spot to have a fancy cup of joe. The Siphon seems to be a bit overpriced for a coffee shop. The siphon apparatus struck me as a pricey gimmick that may (or may not) produce superior coffee. I tried a siphon for two but much prefer espresso.
I cannot qualify their food offerings since I have not tried any (yet).
The location is clean, spare and modern. The furniture is comfortable and chic. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic.