I love this place. The coffee is good (and I’m picky about my coffee) & the employees are always so nice and making conversation with you. It’s a great place to go just enjoy the day with GOOD coffee. In the back, there is plenty of seating with a lovely little outdoor ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph Negrete
Loved the chai and all but when ordering the screen to sign off to pay and tip is inside and the cashier asks “if you would like to tip the team”. As an introvert i really hate this type of confrontation because the “team” literally all look at you as you choose what tipping option.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
This is not a bot
Great local coffee shop; great management. Will absolutely come back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Damon Russell
It is with sadness and absolute disgust that I write this review after being a customer for roughly three years. What I witnessed today crossed a line of basic humanity.
After ordering my own coffee, I was waiting nearby when I noticed a man a few feet behind me counting dollar bills and loose change, clearly trying to see if he had enough money to buy something. I asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee, and he said yes. I walked with him to the window and told him to order whatever he wanted—I would pay for it.
The employee poured him a small cup of drip coffee. I politely asked if he could give the man a large cup instead and that I would cover the cost. The employee refused and said, “We don’t do that here.” The customer walked away with the small coffee, and I was left completely confused—especially because this is not the first time I’ve purchased coffee for someone else at this location.
When I asked the employee what he meant by “we don’t do that here,” he asked to explain. His explanation was shocking: he said it was because the man was homeless. Those were his exact words. He went on to say that not serving homeless people—or allowing others to purchase items for them—was a management decision.
I asked whether there was a specific issue with this individual, and he said no—just that he was homeless. The employee then began speaking loudly, and when I asked him to lower his voice, he claimed it was because he was “passionate” about the subject.
I told him they should be more concerned about people who take issue with others showing basic decency and humanity to someone who may be experiencing hardship. He continued trying to justify a policy that, in my opinion, has no justification whatsoever—especially when applied to someone who caused no disturbance and was simply receiving a coffee someone else was paying for.
I told him plainly that I would never return to Retro again because refusing to allow me to buy a coffee for someone based solely on the assumption that they are homeless is unacceptable. His response was, “We can start right now. I’ll refund your money and you can leave.”
I declined the refund, took the coffee I had already paid for, and left knowing I will never return.
This was not just poor customer service—it was a complete failure of compassion, dignity, and basic human decency.
Service: 1
Christy G
Great coffee, tacos and service.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ray Connell
I’ve been going to Retrospect since before the pandemic and I’ve always enjoyed it.
I went yesterday afternoon and when I ordered a cortado and pastry there must have been a misunderstanding because the barista only charged me for the pastry. So I was waiting a while for the cortado and after a while I went to ask about it, the barista said oh I thought you only wanted the pastry. I was prepared to pay for a cortado after I actually ordered it but the barista told me don’t worry about it.
I really appreciate your barista’s hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cris
Best coffee and crepes in town. HANDS downnnn!! Chris, the owner, is very knowledgeable and super passionate about coffee. Our drinks and food are always consistent and we love the ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chase
Extremely unfriendly service, disappointing coffee, and zero warmth all around. When neither the staff nor the espresso seems happy to be there, it’s probably time for a reset. Houston has way better coffee spots.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fahim Ahmed
Loved the ambience of the place. Natural, cozy and very friendly behavior.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Calvin Reedy
A gem! The lattes have some great and strong flavor, and their crepes were fluffy, light and they had a variety of sweet and savory.
Finally the staff were wonderful, fast and kind despite rush. A must try!
Best coffee in Houston. Fall flavors were amazing. Adorable, relaxing outdoor atmosphere! Kind staff. 💜
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jayla Mcbride
So friendly ! Great way to start my morning. TRY A SWAMP WATER WITH 1 pump strawberry, 1 vanilla !!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shane
Spectacular! I drove 17 min just to go here and it was 100% worth it as they’ve got their coffee dialed in! They’ve changed from the slayer espresso machine to the more classic La Marzocco but haven’t missed a beat. The cappuccino was perfection with the correct amount of foam (too many places just give you a latte no matter what now) and a great bean matched to the milk. Also had a small americano with some Amaya beans they had and it was close to a long black in size and it came out great too. Lots of flavor. The real icing on the cake is the crepes… not just filler secondary to the amazing espresso, these crepes were awesome. Highly recommended. Can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
krena c
Lady at the window when it comes time to pick up your order was just awful. No customer service skills, rude, tone was giving annoyed and entitled vibes. Shame as it was my first visit and she ruined it! The cashier on the other hand was bubbly and lovely. I might return if in the area but eh...
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
George Kellas
The coffee here is excellent - so good we came back the next day. Unfortunately, our second visit was cut short when a man not affiliated with the business started aggressively panhandling near the to-go window, used a racial slur, and threatened violence.
We left and later learned from police that they’ve had multiple reports about the same individual. It’s clearly an ongoing problem in the area, not the staff’s fault, but it did make the visit unsafe enough that we couldn’t even get our order.
Hopefully management or local authorities can get this situation handled, because the coffee and service were otherwise great.
I love this place. The coffee is good (and I’m picky about my coffee) & the employees are always so nice and making conversation with you. It’s a great place to go just enjoy the day with GOOD coffee. In the back, there is plenty of seating with a lovely little outdoor ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved the chai and all but when ordering the screen to sign off to pay and tip is inside and the cashier asks “if you would like to tip the team”. As an introvert i really hate this type of confrontation because the “team” literally all look at you as you choose what tipping option.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Great local coffee shop; great management. Will absolutely come back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is with sadness and absolute disgust that I write this review after being a customer for roughly three years. What I witnessed today crossed a line of basic humanity.
After ordering my own coffee, I was waiting nearby when I noticed a man a few feet behind me counting dollar bills and loose change, clearly trying to see if he had enough money to buy something. I asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee, and he said yes. I walked with him to the window and told him to order whatever he wanted—I would pay for it.
The employee poured him a small cup of drip coffee. I politely asked if he could give the man a large cup instead and that I would cover the cost. The employee refused and said, “We don’t do that here.” The customer walked away with the small coffee, and I was left completely confused—especially because this is not the first time I’ve purchased coffee for someone else at this location.
When I asked the employee what he meant by “we don’t do that here,” he asked to explain. His explanation was shocking: he said it was because the man was homeless. Those were his exact words. He went on to say that not serving homeless people—or allowing others to purchase items for them—was a management decision.
I asked whether there was a specific issue with this individual, and he said no—just that he was homeless. The employee then began speaking loudly, and when I asked him to lower his voice, he claimed it was because he was “passionate” about the subject.
I told him they should be more concerned about people who take issue with others showing basic decency and humanity to someone who may be experiencing hardship. He continued trying to justify a policy that, in my opinion, has no justification whatsoever—especially when applied to someone who caused no disturbance and was simply receiving a coffee someone else was paying for.
I told him plainly that I would never return to Retro again because refusing to allow me to buy a coffee for someone based solely on the assumption that they are homeless is unacceptable. His response was, “We can start right now. I’ll refund your money and you can leave.”
I declined the refund, took the coffee I had already paid for, and left knowing I will never return.
This was not just poor customer service—it was a complete failure of compassion, dignity, and basic human decency.
Service: 1
Great coffee, tacos and service.
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been going to Retrospect since before the pandemic and I’ve always enjoyed it.
I went yesterday afternoon and when I ordered a cortado and pastry there must have been a misunderstanding because the barista only charged me for the pastry. So I was waiting a while for the cortado and after a while I went to ask about it, the barista said oh I thought you only wanted the pastry. I was prepared to pay for a cortado after I actually ordered it but the barista told me don’t worry about it.
I really appreciate your barista’s hospitality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best coffee and crepes in town. HANDS downnnn!! Chris, the owner, is very knowledgeable and super passionate about coffee. Our drinks and food are always consistent and we love the ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Extremely unfriendly service, disappointing coffee, and zero warmth all around. When neither the staff nor the espresso seems happy to be there, it’s probably time for a reset. Houston has way better coffee spots.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Loved the ambience of the place. Natural, cozy and very friendly behavior.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
A gem! The lattes have some great and strong flavor, and their crepes were fluffy, light and they had a variety of sweet and savory.
Finally the staff were wonderful, fast and kind despite rush. A must try!
Restaurantji Recommends
Best coffee in Houston. Fall flavors were amazing. Adorable, relaxing outdoor atmosphere! Kind staff. 💜
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So friendly ! Great way to start my morning. TRY A SWAMP WATER WITH 1 pump strawberry, 1 vanilla !!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spectacular! I drove 17 min just to go here and it was 100% worth it as they’ve got their coffee dialed in! They’ve changed from the slayer espresso machine to the more classic La Marzocco but haven’t missed a beat. The cappuccino was perfection with the correct amount of foam (too many places just give you a latte no matter what now) and a great bean matched to the milk. Also had a small americano with some Amaya beans they had and it was close to a long black in size and it came out great too. Lots of flavor. The real icing on the cake is the crepes… not just filler secondary to the amazing espresso, these crepes were awesome. Highly recommended. Can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lady at the window when it comes time to pick up your order was just awful. No customer service skills, rude, tone was giving annoyed and entitled vibes. Shame as it was my first visit and she ruined it! The cashier on the other hand was bubbly and lovely. I might return if in the area but eh...
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
The coffee here is excellent - so good we came back the next day. Unfortunately, our second visit was cut short when a man not affiliated with the business started aggressively panhandling near the to-go window, used a racial slur, and threatened violence.
We left and later learned from police that they’ve had multiple reports about the same individual. It’s clearly an ongoing problem in the area, not the staff’s fault, but it did make the visit unsafe enough that we couldn’t even get our order.
Hopefully management or local authorities can get this situation handled, because the coffee and service were otherwise great.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
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