The Best Coffee Shops in St. Paul

1. Coffee News Cafe

A cool student hang-out on Grand Avenue. The coffee is good, the food is very tasty, the baked goods are fabulous. One of the better coffee shops to sip a latte and get some work done.

Coffee News Cafe, 1662 Grand Avenue.

2. Fresh Grounds

The coffee is Starbucks. But the reason it's on the list is that this not-for-profit coffee shop employs at-risk youth and young adults from Seventh Landing, a supported housing project for homeless and transient people. The kids get employment training, work experience, and the proceeds from the shop support Seventh Landing. $2 latte days are Tuesday and Thursday for budget joe-lovers.

Fresh Grounds, 1362 West 7th Street.

3. Brewberry's

Brewberry's suffered perhaps the worst thing that could happen to an independent coffee shop: A Caribou Coffee opened directly across from them. But Brewberry's didn't give up in the face of corporate competition. They raised their game, redecorating, renovating, and for sure, this is one of the brightest, lightest, friendliest places to hang out in Mac-Groveland. Their hot chocolate is particularly great.

Brewberry's, 475 South Fairview Avenue.

4. Java Train

A fantastic play-train inside and a sandbox and water tower outside are great fun for tots. The coffee is great and they sell wonderful Izzy's ice cream as well as breakfast and lunch items. Java Train is my favorite haunt for lunch after visiting Como zoo for kids who weren't tired out enough after running around seeing the animals. The coffee shop is in two halves, separating the kids in one half, so grown-ups can drink their coffee in peace.

Java Train, 1341 Pascal Avenue.

5. Cafe Juliana

Eco friendly and delicious coffee at Cafe Juliana. Their coffee is organic, shade grown, and roasted by a solar-powered roaster. Add organic menu items and this is probably the greenest place to get your java.

Cafe Juliana, 879 South Smith Avenue.

6. Amore Cafe

This Grand Avenue coffee shop is a higgledy-piggledy space with mismatched chairs, shelves overflowing with games and books, old-school video games, local art, and it's as homely and as welcoming as can be. The coffee is some of the best in the city, and the food is great too, including organic, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Cafe Amore, 917 Grand Avenue.

7. Mad Hatter's Coffee Cafe & Teahouse

As eccentric inside as you might expect from the name, the walls are covered with art and the cakes look like they are baked for a literary tea party. And because nothing goes better with a good cup of coffee or tea than a good book, they run a book exchange. Mad Hatter's hosts a conversational salon every week, and welcome groups and community organizations for cake, tea and discussions.

Mad Hatter's Coffee Cafe & Teahouse, 943 West Seventh 7th Street.

8. Dunn Bros, Grand Avenue

Dunn Bros Coffee may be a national chain, but it started with one coffee shop on Grand Avenue. The original store has great atmosphere, good coffee, and free live music almost every evening.

Dunn Bros, 1569 Grand Avenue

9. Artist's Grind

A cosy, comfortable atmosphere, organic coffee, wonderful food, and local artist's work on the walls. A great place to relax, to have a conference, or work at.

Artist's Grind, 2399 West University Avenue.

10. Nina's Coffee Cafe

In the first floor of a one-time Cathedral Hill hotel frequented by the F. Scott Fitzgerald family, it's a gorgeous space, and the coffee is great too. My favorite place to get coffee and do some work at.

Nina's Coffee Cafe, 165 North Western Avenue.