Halcyon Southtown — Restaurant in San Antonio

If you’re looking for a place that combines coffee, brunch, a bar, and a unique atmosphere in San Antonio, Halcyon Southtown is an absolute gem. Located within the Blue Star Arts Complex in the historic Southtown district, this spot offers much more than just a drink or a meal—it’s a cultural and culinary experience.

History & Context: Halcyon opened its doors in 2013, occupying a space that was part of an industrial complex transformed into a hub for art, galleries, and dining. The name “Halcyon” means a calm and happy period, perfectly reflecting its concept: a place where you can relax, work, socialize, or simply enjoy a quality coffee while soaking in the artistic design of the space. Halcyon is part of the revitalization of Southtown, a neighborhood with 19th-century historic architecture that has gone through decades of change and is now a gathering point for artists, locals, and tourists.

Atmosphere & Experience: The venue is spacious, with comfortable lounge areas, natural lighting, a terrace, and access to the walkable Riverwalk trail. The vibe changes throughout the day: in the morning, it’s a quiet coffee spot for work or reading; brunch time brings families and friends; and at night, it transforms into a bar with creative cocktails and live music.

Food & Drinks: The menu is versatile: artisanal coffee, waffles, sandwiches, vegetarian/vegan options, and a wide selection of cocktails and alcoholic beverages. The quality of the coffee and food is consistent, though it may take a little longer during peak hours. The service is friendly and attentive—staff guide you through the menu and provide excellent recommendations.

Fun Facts: • Halcyon shares the complex with Stella Public House, allowing you to go from morning coffee to artisanal pizza and beer in the evening without leaving the building. • The Blue Star Arts Complex was originally an industrial warehouse space transformed into a cultural, artistic, and culinary destination, redefining the neighborhood. • Southtown is known for its murals, galleries, and historic architecture; Halcyon is one of the businesses that helped drive the area’s revitalization. • It’s ideal for a variety of visitors: students working on laptops, families enjoying brunch, groups of friends in the afternoon, and couples having cocktails at night.

What I Love: Every visit to Halcyon feels different, but always leaves a positive impression. You can start with morning coffee and spend hours exploring art, enjoying delicious food, and ending the night with a cocktail on the terrace. The passion behind creating a space that works for everyone is evident.

Tips for Visiting: • Arrive early if you want a quiet table; weekends can get very busy. • Ask staff for recommendations—they know the best dishes and drinks of the day. • Perfect for those who enjoy combining gastronomy with...

I went to Halcyon this past weekend for brunch with one of my friends. This was my first time ever going to this restaurant so I wasn't really sure what to expect.

When we arrived, the place was crowded. Absolutely no room to park in the small parking lot behind Halcyon. Eventually, we parked on the street in a nearby neighborhood and just walked over. It wasn't a terrible walk so we honestly didn't mind. There wasn't a line at the front so someone was immediately able to seat us. The only available place for us to sit was outside at the tiny bar, which we settled for. Eventually, when one of the tables freed up my friend and I migrated over to it and took a seat there. We still ended up sitting outside but neither of us minded since the weather was just PERFECT.

We were quickly served our drinks after we sat down. I ordered the cappuccino and my friend ordered the Long Island Iced Coffee. The cappuccino was honestly one of the best that I've had in a while. The flavor was good and intense. I also loved how they put a bear on top of my drink. It looked almost too pretty to drink! The Long Island Iced Coffee was also great! It was pretty strong but the flavor was so nice that it didn't really matter.

The food took an oddly long time to arrive after we ordered it but it was so busy that we kind of understood. Luckily, we brought a card game to play while we waited so it didn't feel like forever. Eventually, our food arrived. I ordered the Overnight French Toast and my friend ordered the Eggs Benedict. The Overnight French Toast was not what I was expecting it to be, it was honestly better than what I was expecting. It was fresh, and well-presented. The cream cheese on top was amazing. It wasn't too sweet, but just perfect. The fruit on tp paired perfectly with the cream cheese topping. The chocolate on top was hidden beneath the cream cheese so it surprised me but it was an amazing addition to the dish.

The staff at Halcyon were friendly but not exceptional. I liked their atmosphere and the DJ that they had playing music during their brunch hours. I am also a huge fan of their dog-friendly atmosphere. I just wasn't a fan of their small parking lot, and their prices are a bit high for what they're offering.

Overall, I would highly recommend Halcyon to anyone looking for a cute place to go for brunch. You might have to splurge a bit but it is...

I really like it here. I study quite frequently here simply because they close really late. The workers are very nice and they make you feel really comfy. I’m just gonna go through how this place works since I know how it feels to walk into a place that works just a tad bit differently than one is used to. On Monday-Fridays they don’t have brunch. Walk in sit wherever you want. If you want food or a drink go to the counter. There is a menu there with food in the front and drinks in the back. The coffee and stuff is on the blackboard behind the cash register. I personally love the way that the Iced Chai is made by one of the workers who’s name I don’t know but she calls everyone babe so if it’s her get the Iced Chai! When you are done eating and want to leave you can leave your plate on the table. Someone will come get it. You can take it to the counter and just leave it there. I don’t know if they like it or not but I’m not the only one that does it. If you get the s’mores don’t forget to tell them to turn it off! DON’T TRY TO BLOW IT OUT! 😂 I’ve seen too many people think they can turn it off and suddenly there’s a flame going into the other person’s face. Sunday: Brunch. It ends at 2. There will be someone to seat you in the front. If you are just studying and not eating then seat yourself. 👍 I like the chicken and waffles. Trivia Tuesday starts at 8 pm. He says it runs to like 45 minutes but if you’re in it to win it it’s more like an hour. The second part starts at 9. He sits by the water so if you don’t want to be too distracted head to the back!

They offer water and you can walk in with your dog to order nobody is gonna kick you out. Most people with dogs just order inside and then head to the outside seating area. It is crowded at night so if you got a nipper or an anxious dog maybe don’t do that.

WiFi: There’s two: Halcyon Welcome 2.4 Ghz. That’s the good one but it gives the most trouble when it comes to connecting. If you’re computer doesn’t want to connect then try #Halcyon Guest WiFi. It’s slow AF but it gets the job done. Try restarting your computer. That works for me 75% of the time.

Enjoy Halcyon! Parking is a P.I.T.A. Honestly if you come after 6 on a weekend you might as well Uber or Lyft. After 9 is not too bad but still...