A Guide to San Marcos's Most Instagram-Worthy Coffee Shops

San Marcos, Texas, packs a photogenic punch, offering a variety of coffee shops with unique aesthetics perfect for your next Instagram post. From pastel-pink lattes and gothic oddities to rustic decor and modern designs, these cafés combine good light, distinct character, and solid coffee. This guide details the most photogenic spots in town, so you can leave with both a great drink and a post-worthy shot.

Quick Links

• The Coffee Bar
• Wake The Dead Coffee House
• Tantra Coffeehouse
• Triple Six Social
• Summer Moon Coffee
• Lamppost Coffee
• The Sweet Spot
• Kahvie Cafe
• Jo's Cafe
• Urban Sweet Cafe
• Redbud Roasters
• Mochas & Javas

The Coffee Bar

Housed in a historic 1920s storefront on the downtown square, The Coffee Bar offers a cozy, vintage, and rustic setting. The interior features exposed brick and rock walls, hardwood floors, large leaded-glass windows that provide ample natural light, and a retro television set. Outside, sidewalk bistro tables are perfect for people-watching and capturing street-style reels with the courthouse in the background.

Photo-Worthy Features:

• The texture of the old brick walls as a backdrop for a portrait.
• Candid shots on the outdoor patio with the historic square behind you.
• Flat-lays featuring detailed latte art.

Popular Menu Items:

• The "Blondie" (honey, vanilla, and cinnamon)
• Mayan Mocha (chocolate with a hint of cinnamon)
• Fair-trade coffee pours and seasonal scones

Address: 142 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Daily

Wake The Dead Coffee House

With a distinctive, "funky Tim Burton-esque" theme, Wake The Dead is set in a black-and-red painted cottage. The quirky and eclectic interior is filled with unique art, skull figurines, and eclectic furniture, creating a slightly spooky decor that makes for memorable photos. The venue hosts monthly exhibits for local artists, and the landscaped courtyard with string lights offers a moody backdrop, especially at dusk or during their live music nights.

Photo-Worthy Features:

• The black-and-red striped façade and unique exterior.
• The art-filled interior with its quirky and spooky decor.
• The landscaped courtyard, especially under the string lights during an event.

Popular Menu Items:

• Iced Toddy (Cold Brew)
• Specialty mochas (Dark, Milk, or White Chocolate) and gourmet bagels
• A wide variety of coffee and tea, plus over 55 imported and domestic beers

Address: 1432 Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily

Tantra Coffeehouse

Located in a distinctive purple house, Tantra Coffeehouse is known for its bohemian, artsy, and relaxed community atmosphere. The interior walls are artfully curated, displaying work from local artists. The main draw is the expansive, dog-friendly outdoor patio and garden area, featuring picnic tables, a hand-painted fence, and an outdoor stage for frequent live music events like their Bluegrass Nights. The vibrant, communal vibe provides endless photo opportunities, especially at sunset when the light sets warm tones.

Photo-Worthy Features:

• The memorable purple exterior of the house.
• The lively, colorful outdoor patio and hand-painted fence.
• Candid shots during a live music performance on the outdoor stage.

Popular Menu Items:

• Signature chai made with authentic Indian spices
• Lavender Mate Sour
• Tantric Banh Mi Sandwich, breakfast tacos, and vegetarian options
• A variety of craft beers on tap

Address: 217 W Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily (closes at 11:00 PM on show nights)

Triple Six Social

For those with a darker aesthetic, Triple Six Social is a gothic-themed art cafe offering a unique and spooky atmosphere. The dramatic interior features gothic chandeliers, a neon pentagram sign, and a "haunted museum" corner with oddities like a human skull and horror novels. The space, which also hosts a tarot reader and an oddities shop, is filled with works from local artists, delivering dramatic frames perfect for photos. The dark interior makes it suitable for shooting anytime.

Photo-Worthy Features:

• The neon pentagram sign for a dramatic, moody shot.
• The "haunted museum" and oddities shelf for unique macro shots.
• Portraits set against the gothic chandeliers and dark decor.

Popular Menu Items:

• Gothic-themed coffee
• Pastries from local bakers

Summer Moon Coffee

Known for its unique wood-fired coffee roasting process over Texas oak, Summer Moon offers a rustic and modern atmosphere. The interior has a clean design with warm-wood beams, creating a welcoming space. Their signature "Moon Milk" sweet cream is a must-try and creates beautiful, distinct swirls and rings in drinks like the "Half-Moon," which photograph very well. The shop also features a pet-friendly patio.

Photo-Worthy Features:

• The distinct swirls of Moon Milk in a latte.
• The clean, modern interior with warm-wood beams.
• Photos on the pet-friendly patio.

Popular Menu Items:

• A "Half-Moon" or "Quarter-Moon" latte with their signature Moon Milk
• Oak-roasted espresso and coffee

Lamppost Coffee

Lamppost Coffee features a minimalistic design with white-brick walls, mid-century chairs, and warm wooden furnishings. A glass storefront lets in reliable, natural window light, making it a great spot for flat-lays, especially in the late morning. Baristas are known for their latte art, so ordering a cappuccino is recommended for a great "pour shot."

Photo-Worthy Features:

• Clean, bright flat-lays in the excellent window light.
• Detailed latte art on cappuccinos.
• The contrast of coffee against the white and teal brick walls.

Popular Menu Items:

• Signature Lamba Latte
• Cappuccino

The Sweet Spot

For a pop of vibrant color, The Sweet Spot is a must-visit. Its bubble-gum-pink counter, pastel cakes, and a "Mean Girls" mural guarantee a splashy, colorful photo. The aesthetic is bright, fun, and perfectly tailored for a vibrant social media feed. For an easy hero shot, try photographing the "Pink Vanilla" latte against the mural.

Photo-Worthy Features:

• The bright pink counter and decor.
• The "Mean Girls" mural as a backdrop.
• Colorful pastel cakes and specialty lattes.

Popular Menu Items:

• "Pink Vanilla" latte
• Pastel mini cakes

Other Noteworthy Cafes

Kahvie Cafe

Kahvie Cafe has a bright, bohemian atmosphere with warm, earthy tones and minimalistic white walls. The space is filled with natural sunlight, patterned tile floors, wooden furnishings, and abundant plant life. A notable feature for a quintessential San Marcos photo is the striking San Marcos mural located right outside. Their menu is inspired by coffee styles from around the world, including Italian, Australian, and Cuban influences.

• Recommended Drink: Hot Blueberry Muffin Latte

Jo's Cafe

Situated in a charming blue house, Jo's Cafe provides a cozy, homely, and welcoming atmosphere. It features an outdoor patio and a comfortable living room area with a comfy couch, creating a relaxed setting for pictures. The cafe serves a full breakfast and lunch menu alongside its specialty coffee.

• Recommended Drinks: The Overdrive, Chai Charger

Urban Sweet Cafe

A newer addition to the San Marcos coffee scene, Urban Sweet Cafe offers top-notch decor, including plush velvet chairs and a cherry blossom tree. The space has several lounge areas, bar seating, and a large mirror perfect for selfies, making it an elegant and stylish spot for photos.

Redbud Roasters

Redbud Roasters provides an industrial-chic vibe with its visible roaster, burlap coffee sacks, and an earthy color palette. The setting is perfect for photos with an industrial texture. The golden-hour light streaming through the garage door is known to soften the metal tones, making late afternoon the best time to shoot.

Mochas & Javas

With multiple locations, the Mochas & Javas on North LBJ Drive is a popular spot for students and locals. It offers a comfortable and spacious interior with plenty of seating and large windows for ample natural light, making it suitable for classic study-session scenes or group photos on one of their couches.

• Recommended Drink: Dirty Blonde (White Chocolate & Caramel Latte)
• Address: 700 North LBJ Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666
• Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat-Sun: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Please note: Stellar Coffee Co., a formerly popular shop, has been reported as permanently closed as of September 2023.

At a Glance: San Marcos Coffee Shops

Works Cited

1. Visit San Marcos – Best Coffee Shops
2. The Coffee Bar | San Marcos, TX | Coffee, Tea, Scones
3. Wake The Dead Coffee House
4. Live Music | Tantra San Marcos | United States
5. Mochas & Javas - Texas-Based Coffee Shops in San Marcos & Frisco
6. Yelp – Lamppost Coffee
7. Yelp – The Coffee Bar
8. Yelp – Wake The Dead
9. Yelp – Summer Moon Coffee
10. Yelp – The Sweet Spot
11. Yelp – Triple Six Social
12. Instagram – Sweet Spot mural
13. Visit San Marcos – Triple Six Social
14. Instagram – Triple Six Social
15. Axios – Weekend Guide
16. Wanderlog – 17 Best Coffee Shops
17. Reddit – Local Recommendations
18. Triple Six Social art cafe now open in San Marcos | Community Impact
19. Top 10 Coffee Shops in San Marcos, Texas - Brooksy Society
20. Triple Six Social art cafe brings spooky vibes year-round to San Marcos - MySA
21. New cafe unveils gothic scenery - The University Star
22. Stellar Coffee Co. closes its doors after more than decade-long history - The University Star
23. It's time to check out a new cafe in San Marcos... | TikTok