The 20+ Best Study Spots in Houston

Lay claim to your corner at 20+ picks for some of the best places to study and get work done at coffee shops, parks and more in Houston.

Whether you’re looking to cram for finals or in need of a place to get work done on that big project, Houston is full of nooks and plenty of cozy places to settle in for a long study session.

We’ve gathered several ways that you can track down a place to crack open textbooks, put finishing touches on those papers and get studying done in Houston.

Best 20+ Places to Study & Remote Work in Houston

Hit up the coffee shops of Montrose

Not far from any of the three major college campuses in Houston (that is, Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston), the Montrose neighborhood is home to an eclectic array of coffee slingers that also make for great places to camp out with a laptop.

Arrive early for a prime spot at the two-tiered Greek coffeehouse on Westheimer, Agora; spread out with like-minded patrons at the spacious Mercantile on Stanford; catch a stylish vibe and specially brewed cups at Siphon Coffee on West Alabama; take to the cozy couches or outdoor patio at Black Hole on Graustark; find a quiet nook and grub on Latino-centric fare at Campesino on Waugh Drive; or take to the back booths with boba at The Teahouse at Westheimer and Shepherd.

Some of these locations do have time limits on things like wi-fi codes, so plan ahead if you’ve got a marathon cramming session.

Enjoy the midday calm of Houston’s breweries

If you’re planning to get some work done during daylight hours, then many of the breweries in Houston tend to have weekday lulls where you can find plenty of space, with the added benefit of a post-sesh brew or two.

We recommend the brainy and bold True Anomaly Brewing Company in EaDo (open at 2pm on weekdays); the supersized flagship brewery of H-Town, Saint Arnold Brewing Company (open at 11am daily); the pup-friendly Holler Brewing that’s nestled in Sawyer Yards (open at noon daily); and the laid-back Second Ward staple, Equal Parts Brewing on Harrisburg Blvd (open at 1pm on weekdays).

Study outside on Houston’s best days

So this won’t be a great year-round option—for nine months of the year, anyway—but if you’re in the midst of winter finals or an early spring semester, then getting some work done outside in Houston can be tough to beat. The trick here is finding outlets, but there are several outdoor spots that provide them or have a nearby cafe that can serve as a home base to rejuice.

Stop by Levy Park in the Greenway Plaza area, where you can find outlets scattered throughout seating and pavilion areas—or set up shop at the nearby Slowpoke’s when you need to refuel; take in stunning skyline views of Downtown from the covered seating area known as The Water Works atop the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park; settle into the Museum District at Centennial Gardens near Hermann Park with patio seating next to relaxing fountains; or stake your spot outside with a cup of coffee at Retrospect in Midtown (closes at 3pm daily).

Explore the coffees & cafes of East End

Across I-45, just a few minutes from the main campuses of UH and TSU, one of Houston’s historic regions is home to unique coffee shops and relaxed environments that can help you get some work done.

Closest to Downtown, you’ll find Tout Suite on Commerce doling out pastries, coffees and small dishes in a spacious (but occasionally busy) dining area; a stone’s throw from PNC Stadium is Brass Tacks, a roomy coffeehouse that features a wide array of comfy seating, several nooks to claim, an overlooking balcony and late hours; Segundo Coffee Lab sits at the Ironworks building on the edge of Second Ward and offers a quiet, chill environment for studying and work; and in Eastwood, Coral Sword on Telephone Road offers coffee and light bites in a bright and colorful spot that also provides a chance to take a break and bust out board games.

Set up at other low-key spots around town

If you’re still on the hunt for a corner to cram, we’ve got a few other options to consider.

In Third Ward, Doshi House on Emancipation offers a robust vegan menu alongside coffee, teas, infusions and smoothies in cozy digs; the Ion, a collaborative business and tech-oriented building on Wheeler in Midtown offers open-to-the-public access on patios and lower floors (upper floors include a Common Desk co-working location); and finally Understory, a food court and business hub that connects into the Downtown tunnels and provides an uncrowded and quiet environment outside of weekday lunch hours.