Coffee & Treats in Missouri City

Himalayan pink salt, almond marzipan, Mexican chipotle, Moroccan mint tea—these are just a few of the exotic ingredients that the chocolatiers at Araya Artisan Chocolate cull from around the world so that they can infuse their Venezuelan chocolates with complex and surprising flavors. They strive to emulate French and Belgian styles, complementing the cocoa bean's naturally bitter taste with honey instead of sugar. They make each chocolate by hand in Katy, using only natural ingredients devoid of preservatives, artificial flavors, or glowing red serums pilfered from mad scientists. They even make vegan options. These experts decorate each of the chocolates with colorful designs, adorning peanut butter–berry with bright stripes and adding an enticing dollop of green atop the margarita option. Due to their insistence on hand crafting unique bites, they've earned attention from foodies at My Table and the River Oaks Examiner.

Smoothies have long been considered the healthier cousins of their milkshake kinsmen. However, even though they typically contain fruit, they’re often filled with things that aren’t good for you. The beverage experts at Smoothie Factory don’t fall into this trap. Their more than 30 smoothie combinations configure fresh fruits such as peach, blueberry, and strawberry with nutritional boosts that include dietary fibers, amino acids, and antioxidants. They also whip up a handful of drinks made especially for kids, and devise athlete-friendly super-smoothies containing bonus protein shots and weight-gain formula.

Bungalow's homey atmosphere extends from the white siding outside to the mismatched couches inside. Retro signage hangs on walls both inside and outside on the patio , and stamped tile surrounds the coffee bar. While surfing the Internet on an iPad borrowed from the store, patrons can sip on coffee drinks made from beans roasted by local purveyor Java Pura. Muffins and sweet biscotti let guests sharpen their teeth without relying on the village grindstone again. Colorful shelves hold a collection of boutique gifts and clothing by local Texas designers.