Halcyon Coffee Lounge - San Marcos

Their signature offering is the Vaquero, a matcha espresso latte made with oat milk, which can be sweetened with agave nectar. The stoneware cups, saucers, and little succulent plants create a lovely atmosphere, and the playlist they have is fantastic! The café is quite large for a coffee shop, and they provide excellent Wi-Fi, clearly designed with students in mind. It’s an ideal spot for getting work done. They have water available at the bar, so there’s no need for disposable cups if you plan to settle in and work on a paper. In short, I’ve fallen completely in love with this place from the very first moment!

This is a great little coffee shop. The menu is simple and the baristas are very skilled. WiFi is available and generally fast, though it can be congested at time. Seating indoors is great, but the benches are a little low compared to the tables. Better to sit on the chairs. Overall, it's a great addition to North City and a solid choice for an excellent cup of coffee.

**Food/Drinks:** My wife and I visited Grit Coffee on a Saturday morning after enjoying a walk in our neighborhood. We both opted for the Vaquero, a delightful blend of oat milk, matcha, and espresso served over ice. What can I say? It was an exceptionally smooth and refreshing iced coffee, and we were pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Overall, the coffee really impressed us. **Decor/Service:** I’d rate the decor and open seating area a solid 4.5 out of 5. The indoor and outdoor seating blend seamlessly and create a very inviting environment. The modern art and overall ambiance give off a downtown vibe. I only deducted half a point because the server was working alone; while it wasn't her fault, I felt that having more staff on a busy Saturday would have improved the experience. Despite that, we had a wonderful time and will certainly return for more coffee. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by and check it out—they even have live music on Thursdays!

The staff here is awesome and talented, and of course the coffee is fantastic. Always love the vibe and the live music. My friends and I have made this a common trip even though San Marcos is a ways away from us. Well worth the drive every time!

This is a charming spot with a lot of potential. The coffee was good, but mine was served lukewarm. During my morning visit, the service was a bit slow; there was only one barista on duty, and it seemed he was also handling the food orders. Despite the busyness, the space felt spacious and not overcrowded. I really like this place, and I'm hopeful they'll hire more staff in the future.