Wide Bottom Travel Mugs Stainless Steel

We call it a cup of coffee, or “java,” or “jo.” We drink it straight or blended, everywhere from “mud,” to strong, weak or “watered down.” It can be chilled or steaming hot, with cream and sugar, or black. The brew even has its own idioms, such as “That’s not my cup of coffee.” Some of us drink it while pacing around in frustration, or poring over the books. Others sip it soothingly, while relaxing on a couch. Then there’s the old cowpoke who hunkered down by his campfire, pulled his weathered pot off the coals, then settled back to gaze at the stars and listen to the lowing of the herd.

Whatever you choose to call it, and however you prefer to drink it, coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the United States (unlike the rest of the world, where tea comes in second after water). Making the perfect cup of coffee, to suit the most discreet palate, has become an art in St. Paul. All that’s left is finding the right atmosphere.

This is a comprehensive guide listing St. Paul coffee shops, grouped by location. Descriptions include if they have Wi-Fi (wireless connection—free at the independent coffee venues below), live music, fair-trade coffee, and outdoor seating summers. 

Coffee chains are covered separately at the end.  Enjoy!

COFFEE HOUSES in WEST ST. PAUL & DOWNTOWN:

Old Man River Café 879 Smith Ave. S., W. St. Paul (651) 450-7070 
Mark Twain-themed coffeehouse and gift shop. Has Wi-Fi and fresh-roasted Flyway Coffee. Live music every Friday and Saturday night. Sometimes has movies, either indoors or in the parking/picnic area outside. Just a short walk to the riverbluffs, fossil-hunting, bird-watching, bike paths and other river attractions.  http://www.oldmanriver.com/

Rudie’s Coffee House 1169 W. 7th St., W. St. Paul (651) 291-1963 
Has Wi-Fi, live live music, fair-trade coffee and outdoor seating.  http://rudiescoffeehouse.com/

Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar 308 Prince St. Downtown (651) 228-9274 
In a Lowertown warehouse space, with exposed wooden beams, high ceilings and natural wood floors. Entertainment includes storytellers, poets and musicians, and Tango Nights.Has locally roasted coffee. Displays works by local artists. Also has Wi-Fi, fair-trade coffee and outdoor seating.  http://www.blackdogstpaul.com/

COFFEE HOUSES IN THE MIDWAY, COMO AREA, HIGHLAND PARK, CATHEDRAL DISTRICT and RICE STREET:

Amore Coffee 917 Grand Ave. (651) 222-6770 
Has Wi-Fi, jazz Sunday nights, also scrabble nights and other events, has fair-trade coffee, outdoor seating.

Artists’ Grind 2399 University Ave. W. (651) 641-1656 
Also features soothing bulk teas. Run by artists, art is the décor. All coffee is fair-trade, organic and pure filtered. Has Wi-Fi, live music Sat. nights, including bluegrass and outdoor seating.

The Bean Counter Coffee Co. 769 Cleveland Ave. S. (651) 699-5448 
They have it all: Wi-Fi, live music every Sat. night, fair-trade coffee, and outdoor seating.  http://www.betterbeans.com/feature0403.html

The Bean Factory 1518 Randolph Ave. (651) 699-7788 
Beans roasted on-site. Has Wi-Fi, live music, fair-trade coffee. Outdoor seating is available year-round in their covered patio out back. 

Black Bear Crossings Coffee House on the Lake 1360 Lexington Pkwy. N. (651) 487-3796 
In the Como Pavilion overlooking—you guessed it, Lake Como. Live music the 3rd Monday of every month, including winters. http://www.blackbearcrossings.com/ 

Blondies Café 454 Snelling Ave. S. (651) 204-0152 
Cozy gathering place with various coffees, specializing in homemade granola and hand-crafted hot soups. Has 
Wi-Fi. http://www.blondiescafe.com/

Brewberry’s Coffee Place 475 Fairview Ave. S. (651) 699-1117 
Cozy neighborhood coffee shop with bright, cheery atmosphere. Uses Alekef coffee, and serves a wide variety of espresso drinks. Serves simple sandwiches using Great Harvest bread. Winner of the City Pages “Best Of” in 1997 for their Egg Nog Lattes. Has Wi-Fi, fair-trade coffee, and outdoor seating.

Cahoots Coffee Bar 1562 Selby Ave. (651) 644-6778 
Casual, cozy neighborhood spot with Wi-Fi, fair trade coffee, and outdoor seating.

The Coffee Grounds 1579 Hamline Ave. N. (651) 644-9959 
Storytelling, live music including jazz night, and more featured at this neighborhood coffee shop. Open 7 days a week. Has a patio and stage, Wi-Fi, fair-trade coffee, and outdoor seating. http://www.thecoffeegrounds.net/

Coffee News Café 1662 Grand Ave. (651) 698-3324 
Voted “Best Coffee House 2003/2004” by City Pages magazine. Coffee roasted on-site by their own roaster who has won international awards for his work. Has fair-trade coffee and outdoor seating. 

Cosmic Charlie’s Coffee House 189 Snelling Ave. N. (651) 645-0106 
You’ll mostly hear acoustic music here. Has Wi-Fi, organic coffee and outdoor seating.

Dar’s Double Scoop Ice Cream & Coffee Shop 1046 Rice St. (651) 487-4073 Call to see if they have Wi-Fi yet. Patio for outdoor seating.

Dino’s Gyros 1700 Snelling Ave. N. (651) 645-8800 
Not your traditional coffee shop setting; they specialize in Greek foods, but they serve good coffee and have Wi-Fi.  http://www.dinosgyros.com/

A Fine Grind Café 2038 Marshall Ave. (651) 645-9700 
Cozy, intimate atmosphere, has Wi-Fi, fair-trade coffee, occasional music, and outdoor seating. http://afgcoffee.com/ 

Ginkgo Coffeehouse 721 Snelling Ave. N. (651) 645-2647 
Intimate neighborhood shop displays works by local artists, has Wi-Fi, live music every Thurs., Fri., Sat. night (ranging from bluegrass, jazz, Celtic and traditional), fair-trade coffee and outdoor seating.  http://ginkgocoffee.com/

Ginkgo in the Park 2300 Como Ave., (651) 644-7699  SUMMERS ONLY.
 An offshoot of Ginkgo’s on Snelling Ave., with performing artists in St. Anthony Park.

Golden Thymes Coffee Café 921 Selby Avenue (651) 645-1340 
Special drinks named after jazz legends, “Home of the Selby Ave. Jazz Festival.” Jazz décor, has Wi-Fi and outdoor seating.  http://www.goldenthymescoffeelounge.com/

Home Video 80 Snelling Ave. N. (651) 646-4771 
A cool video shop that has Wi-Fi, sells Dunn Brothers coffee and baked goods, and has a separate, cool “lounge.” Live music Friday and Saturday nights.

Lori’s Coffee House 1441 Cleveland Ave. N. 647-9007 
Has both organic “farmer-first” coffee he buys from local growers, and fair-trade coffee. Owner sometimes strums his guitar; open to performers. Has ample outdoor seating.

Nina’s Coffee Café 165 Western Ave. N. (651) 292-9816 
In the historical Blair Building in the Cathedral Hill district, specializes in organic food and coffee. Open 365 days a year. Has Wi-Fi, fair-trade coffee, and outdoor seating. 

The Tea Garden 1692 Grand Ave. (651) 690-3495 Specialty teas. 
Displays works by local artists. Has Wi-Fi, live DJ and jazz weekend nights, and outdoor eating. http://www.teagardeninc.com/

Trotter’s Café and Bakery, 232 Cleveland Ave. N. (651) 645-8950 
Homemade food made on the premises with low-fat and organic ingredients as much as possible. White and wheat flours come from Minnesota farmers. Uses locally-produced free range eggs, and Minnesota honey. (Call to see if they have Wi-Fi yet.) Has fair-trade coffee and outdoor seating.  http://www.trotters-stpaul.com/

White Rock Coffee Roasters 769 Cleveland Ave. S., 699-5448 
They have it all: Wi-Fi, live music every Sat. night, fair-trade coffee, and outdoor seating.  http://www.whiterockcoffee.com/

COFFEE CHAINS IN ST. PAUL:

Dunn Brothers Coffee Each store is independently owned and operated. They have repeatedly won recognition throughout the years, such as during 2005: Best Coffee (by the pound) City Pages, City’s Best 2005 Coffeehouses, and readers’ poll #1 ranked coffee house in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine. Coffee is roasted fresh daily, they all have free Wi-Fi , some have live music, and there’s always outdoor seating. You can find a location near you, and what each has to offer, by going to http://www.dunnbros.com/

Caribou Coffee Originated in1993 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They do have Wi-Fi, but it’s not free. To find a location near you, go to  http://www.cariboucoffee.com/

Starbucks Coffee Company Has Wi-Fi, but it’s subscription-based. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1