Houston is hardly known for its array for quaint coffeehouses - most Houstonians have probably only set foot in a Starbucks, if that. So it's kind of a miracle that a place like Agora has managed to survive there for so long - perhaps it helps that it's located on Westheimer, one of the few parts of the city without a Starbucks or Seattle's Best on every other corner. For those more inclined to linger for hours over a book, the mezzanine is the perfect hiding place for the recluse or people-watcher.

Agora aims to bring back the spirit of the Greek Agora (an open "place of assembly"), not so much in style as in spirit. Here, students from the nearby Rice campus mingle with artists and musicians and yuppies from the Westheimer/Montrose area over above-average cups of coffee and glasses of port or imported beers. Chessboards are always available, and the jukebox's selection of 60s classics is impressive.

4.3 / 5

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