Protagonist Cafe
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This was my first visit here and I am impressed with the menu offering tea, coffees, ice cream, pastries and options to spike your drink. Excellent touch! A hot, caramel latte with a shot of whiskey is my language! I also LOVE when shops have signature drinks. It lets me know it is carefully crafted and the establishment is confident in their product. I ordered the Tragedy which is a raspberry, white chocolate latte! The raspberry is very light and adds the perfect sweetness and aromatic to the drink. The prices are great, the staff is lovely and there's plenty of comfortable seating.
I've been wanting to go here since it opened. I just love the name. This place is cozy, yet big, quiet but loud and old and new. My dirty chai was AMAZING! The service was good. The ambiance was spectacular. But then again I like quirky decorating and books ..so many books. The prices were a little high but honestly, I plan on going back over and over. I loved the ambiance that much.
I was able to meet up with a friend here that I hadn't seen since 2019 (7 years ago)! Great spot, comfy seating and the kids played chess while the adults talked. I had a lemon bundt cake because I'm gluten free. It was good, but I think you should heat them up in the microwave because that would have improved the flavor. I also got a chai tea latte with coconut milk and it was great. The cafe had a cool vibe and so did the area around it. Thanks!
I'd been wanting to check out this local cafe for a while and finally made it out, except I made the mistake of coming on a weekend morning to study with a friend. It was absolutely packed. The line was super long and there was no seating anywhere, so that study session did not happen the way I planned. That said, the space itself is really cute. There are little things you can buy like stationery, and they even have a mini library tucked in there next to the ice cream. The staff was super efficient and clearly know how to keep the line moving even when it's slammed. I got their signature latte "The Protagonist" and it was so good. Their seasonal lattes also looked amazing and I already know I need to try those next time. Overall a great spot, I just know to come back on a weekday during off peak hours if I actually want to sit down and get some work done. Lesson learned!
Second time back here and I love the bookstore study space vibe. Truly a great place to just chill or grad a quick coffee. I got a checkmate chai and it was so good but I think it's only seasonal :( . The baristas were super nice and I want waiting for long, I also had a chocolate chip cookie and a double chocolate chip cookie I did like the chocolate chip more but I also may think it's just preference. Love this place.
Popped in while i visiting STL, super cutesy super friendly and fast on the service! They have books, wine, local art, lots of seating options as well! I had the save a horse matcha lemonade it was so refreshing! And the spinach artichoke croissant was so yummy as well! LGBTQ+ friendly which i LOVEE!!!
Stopped in for coffee this morning and we had a great visit. The Edgar Allen Poe Iced coffee is delicious. I also had the spinach and feta croissant. The atmosphere is welcoming. The space is comfortable and fun! Service is fast and the staff are kind!!
Red and I decided to try Protagonist cafe in Soulard right across the street from soulard market. Red had an iced Carmel latte and I a coffee we also enjoyed a raspberry thumbprint cookie and a cinnamon roll. Total with tip 29 dollars. The cookie and cinnamon roll were very tasty. The drinks were quite good. The thing with this cafe is all the books located inside the interior is an eclectic array of books and different items very cool in its own way.
If you are in St. Louis, you have to check out The Protagonist. We stopped in on a Sunday morning before 9:00 AM and managed to beat the rush, which was perfect because the atmosphere is incredibly cool--it doubles as a bookstore, making it the ultimate spot to relax. I ordered a 16 oz latte with an extra espresso shot, and it was exactly what I was looking for. It was great to actually taste the high-quality coffee without it being over-powered by creaminess. My brother tried one of their signatures, The Tragedy, and really enjoyed it. He mentioned it tasted a bit like Crunch Berries; while that's a little too sweet for my personal preference, it seemed like a hit for anyone who loves a nostalgic, flavorful latte. The staff was super friendly and made the whole experience even better. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town!
A staple in soulard for a reason. Protagonist is an awesome spot to cozy up, study, and enjoy some coffee. Or, just go catch up with an old friend They have tons of great housemade flavors that are pretty adventurous as well. My favorite was the tragedy. It was a white-chocolate cranberry. Super creamy, smooth, and just a bit of tart from the cranberry. An excellent drink. The workers are wonderful, super nice, patient, and absolutely fantastic at making a dang good cup of coffee. They have a solid selection of pastries also. All in all, an amazing spot to kick back, relax, and just be still.
Always one of my favorite spots to grab coffee! It's so quaint and open, well lit, tons of books, and lots of room to work. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find a table to yourself, but it's never been an issue for others if we share a table. They have a variety of baked options and coffee drinks, as well as beer and wine. Whether you're there to get some work done, read, socialize, or just relax, you definitely won't be disappointed. It kind of gives a cozy library feel. One side of the street outside is paid parking and the other isn't, so pay attention. Parking directly outside is free!
My favorite neighborhood coffee spot! I love the aesthetic of the cafe, it's so cozy and welcoming. The kind of place you want to stay for hours. Their drinks and bakery items definitely help add to that. This is a must try place in my book!
My latte was perfectly made and they were able to make it decaf. Loved the cinnamon roll, served warm. Space felt welcoming and comfortable. The service was awesome.
26 days ago
Amazing place to do work. Amazing coffee and just in general a cozy place to read or do work read more
I have been wanting to visit Protagonist for quite some time now. We always pass by it and have visited their sister cafe (Antagonist) several times. We had a wonderful visit! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the baristas. I received a compliment on the shirt I was wearing and then we placed our order. He immediately asked if Kylie would like a pup cup which she happily accepted. The layout of the space reminds me of an online library - rows of books, couches, board games, etc. they even had a kids library area which was so cute! Their menu offers more than just coffee too, which was awesome! They also have specialty lattes available. Kylie made herself at home and got tons of attention from all the sweet customers. Can't wait to go back! read more
I'm so glad I stopped by while I was in the area. The first thing I noticed when I entered, is that I felt like I had stepped into a cozy library that truly welcomed everyone. I love supporting local businesses that share my values. I was admiring some of the stickers for sale at the front counter, and I was told that the owner makes them. There were some fun designs. The staff here was outstanding. 5/5 stars for customer service. I had misplaced my credit card and they reminded me I could do tap to pay from my IPhone. Problem solved. On this visit, I only ordered a cold brew coffee and it was a smooth, mellow blend. It was perfect. They made it exactly the way I ordered it. There is street parking out front and in the surrounding area. This is the perfect coffee shop to gather with friends, read a book alone, or to savor a rainy or cold day. read more
This was my first visit here and I am impressed with the menu offering tea, coffees, ice cream, pastries and options to spike your drink. Excellent touch! A hot, caramel latte with a shot of whiskey is my language! I also LOVE when shops have signature drinks. It lets me know it is carefully crafted and the establishment is confident in their product. I ordered the Tragedy which is a raspberry, white chocolate latte! The raspberry is very light and adds the perfect sweetness and aromatic to the drink. The prices are great, the staff is lovely and there's plenty of comfortable seating. read more
I've been wanting to go here since it opened. I just love the name. This place is cozy, yet big, quiet but loud and old and new. My dirty chai was AMAZING! The service was good. The ambiance was spectacular. But then again I like quirky decorating and books ..so many books. The prices were a little high but honestly, I plan on going back over and over. I loved the ambiance that much. read more
I was able to meet up with a friend here that I hadn't seen since 2019 (7 years ago)! Great spot, comfy seating and the kids played chess while the adults talked. I had a lemon bundt cake because I'm gluten free. It was good, but I think you should heat them up in the microwave because that would have improved the flavor. I also got a chai tea latte with coconut milk and it was great. The cafe had a cool vibe and so did the area around it. Thanks! read more
I'd been wanting to check out this local cafe for a while and finally made it out, except I made the mistake of coming on a weekend morning to study with a friend. It was absolutely packed. The line was super long and there was no seating anywhere, so that study session did not happen the way I planned. That said, the space itself is really cute. There are little things you can buy like stationery, and they even have a mini library tucked in there next to the ice cream. The staff was super efficient and clearly know how to keep the line moving even when it's slammed. I got their signature latte "The Protagonist" and it was so good. Their seasonal lattes also looked amazing and I already know I need to try those next time. Overall a great spot, I just know to come back on a weekday during off peak hours if I actually want to sit down and get some work done. Lesson learned! read more
Second time back here and I love the bookstore study space vibe. Truly a great place to just chill or grad a quick coffee. I got a checkmate chai and it was so good but I think it's only seasonal :( . The baristas were super nice and I want waiting for long, I also had a chocolate chip cookie and a double chocolate chip cookie I did like the chocolate chip more but I also may think it's just preference. Love this place. read more
3 months ago
Popped in while i visiting STL, super cutesy super friendly and fast on the service! They have books, wine, local art, lots of seating options as well! I had the save a horse matcha lemonade it was so refreshing! And the spinach artichoke croissant was so yummy as well! LGBTQ+ friendly which i LOVEE!!! read more
5 months ago
Stopped in for coffee this morning and we had a great visit. The Edgar Allen Poe Iced coffee is delicious. I also had the spinach and feta croissant. The atmosphere is welcoming. The space is comfortable and fun! Service is fast and the staff are kind!! read more
8 days ago
Red and I decided to try Protagonist cafe in Soulard right across the street from soulard market. Red had an iced Carmel latte and I a coffee we also enjoyed a raspberry thumbprint cookie and a cinnamon roll. Total with tip 29 dollars. The cookie and cinnamon roll were very tasty. The drinks were quite good. The thing with this cafe is all the books located inside the interior is an eclectic array of books and different items very cool in its own way. read more
4 months ago
If you are in St. Louis, you have to check out The Protagonist. We stopped in on a Sunday morning before 9:00 AM and managed to beat the rush, which was perfect because the atmosphere is incredibly cool--it doubles as a bookstore, making it the ultimate spot to relax. I ordered a 16 oz latte with an extra espresso shot, and it was exactly what I was looking for. It was great to actually taste the high-quality coffee without it being over-powered by creaminess. My brother tried one of their signatures, The Tragedy, and really enjoyed it. He mentioned it tasted a bit like Crunch Berries; while that's a little too sweet for my personal preference, it seemed like a hit for anyone who loves a nostalgic, flavorful latte. The staff was super friendly and made the whole experience even better. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town! read more
A staple in soulard for a reason. Protagonist is an awesome spot to cozy up, study, and enjoy some coffee. Or, just go catch up with an old friend They have tons of great housemade flavors that are pretty adventurous as well. My favorite was the tragedy. It was a white-chocolate cranberry. Super creamy, smooth, and just a bit of tart from the cranberry. An excellent drink. The workers are wonderful, super nice, patient, and absolutely fantastic at making a dang good cup of coffee. They have a solid selection of pastries also. All in all, an amazing spot to kick back, relax, and just be still. read more
Always one of my favorite spots to grab coffee! It's so quaint and open, well lit, tons of books, and lots of room to work. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find a table to yourself, but it's never been an issue for others if we share a table. They have a variety of baked options and coffee drinks, as well as beer and wine. Whether you're there to get some work done, read, socialize, or just relax, you definitely won't be disappointed. It kind of gives a cozy library feel. One side of the street outside is paid parking and the other isn't, so pay attention. Parking directly outside is free! read more
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
We can't thank you enough for writing such a kind review, Kelse!…
My favorite neighborhood coffee spot! I love the aesthetic of the cafe, it's so cozy and welcoming. The kind of place you want to stay for hours. Their drinks and bakery items definitely help add to that. This is a must try place in my book! read more
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
Thank you so much, Megan! This review made our day!
1 month ago
4 months ago
My latte was perfectly made and they were able to make it decaf. Loved the cinnamon roll, served warm. Space felt welcoming and comfortable. The service was awesome. read more
4 months ago
The Wentworth is the best latte I have ever had, hands down! The cafe had such a chill atmosphere, and even though they were quite busy when we came in, the staff was very quick and friendly. We will definitely be back! read more
Quaint, quirky, and quiet--The Protagonist is the perfect spot to curl up with a book or hunker down to study. Seating can be limited since it's often one person per table, but it's worth the hunt. Their pastry case may be small, but the quality makes up for it--I had the Parmesan leek croissant and blueberry muffin, both tasty and far from anything you'd grab at the grocery store. The coffee itself is fine, but the seasonal Great Pumpkin is a must-try for peak fall vibes. They even serve beer, wine, and ice cream, all reasons for me to come back again. read more
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
Thank you, Bella!! We can't thank you enough for your review!
Loved everything about this coffee shop! The play on words, the extensive library inside, the coffee and the baked treats! We ordered one savory and one sweet baked good. Delicious coffee and a great place to relax, catch up with friends, work remote, or read a book. Great neighborhood too! read more
Always a treat going to Protagonist. Tried out their seasonal fit latte (with oat milk) with a blueberry muffin. It's so nice they can warm up the muffin! Made for a very cozy day. Also the latte was delicious. The service is always great. I'm glad they communicate honest wait times and are so very kind about it. They're a delight and make the experience better. read more
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
Thank you so much for this awesome review, Jade! It means the world…
I love this spot! So quirky, so unique. So Soulard. The staff is super friendly and everyone is so welcoming. It's such a warm place if you know what I mean. Very cozy, very much like home. It's always super busy. I can hardly ever find a spot to sit! That's how you know how great it is! Coffee is great, and they have great pastries and snacks as well. There is plenty of seating... If it's not full of people! But definitely stop in if you like a unique coffee shop. read more
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
Best way to describe us: "So Soulard"!!! Love it!! Thank you so much…
5 months ago
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
Hello Suzee Q. We're so sorry you felt like you had a 3-star average…
1 year ago
I've been wanting to grab coffee here for so long, and finally went with a friend. The atmosphere is amazing from the moment you walk in the door. I love eclectic decor and books, so I felt right at home. The purple and green motifs reminded us of Friends, so if you're a fan of the 90s sitcom you might also enjoy stopping in. The baristas were friendly and helpful, and we were surprised to see how extensive the drink menu was. I also got some baked goods and was really pleased with the croissant, but the muffin was just okay. There's also tons of seating, making it a great place to stay and hang out for a while. read more
2 years ago
Protagonist cafe is a staple in Soulard and is always booming and a place I love to visit. From the selection of coffee and drinks to the homemade treats. Protagonist not only has fantastic food/drinks but great vibes. The purposeful combination of colors, furniture and books create a space that inspires readers alike. The service does not disappoint! read more
One of the cutest coffeeshop-wine store-book combos! The thumbprint cookie was delicious and the ice latte hit the stop! They've got plenty of fun flavors, teas, and pastries to make this a one-stop shop! Although busy on a Saturday morning, we got our coffee & pastry quickly and enjoyed sitting in the cozy environment in the meantime! read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
2 years ago
Chic Cafe! It has its own Library! It has a number of unique coffee and tea options. My London Fog was hot fresh and delicious. The furniture was worn-in but comfortable. The bookshelves held many genres and the music was pleasant and eclectic Order the cinnamon rolls! read more
Business owner information
Protagonist C.
Thank you so much for this awesome review! We are just so happy to…
1 year ago
You still have time to get a ghost art latte from Protagonist Cafe.., This neighborhood spot is a classic! The building was erected pre-civil war so instead of ruining the integrity of the building with a commercial kitchen, a coffee shop and sweet treat spot was born. The moment you step in, you're greeted by 5,000 pre-loved books. They're thoughtfully organized by subject and author's last name so you can unleash your inner book worm! The added touch of Dewey Decimal labels adds to the charm without invoking school nightmares. And don't forgot to challenge your friends at a board game at their sister spot...Pieces: Board Game Bar and Restaurant, just two blocks away. read more
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More info about Protagonist Cafe
1700 S 9th St
St. Louis, MO 63104
Soulard
Directions
(314) 833-3085
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Visit Website
https://www.protagonistcafe.com
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Ask the Community - Protagonist Cafe
Do you have wifi?
They do! It's Gilmore Girls themed (Lorelei-Guest) and the password is from Alice in Wonderland (Cheshire_Cat)!
Do you guys have board games?
Hi there! We have a few located next to our back bookshelf, but we allow Pieces (the board game bar and cafe) located two blocks from us to be the real showstopper for board games!
Do you have any gluten free pastry options?
Hello there! Currently in our case we have a gluten-free chocolate cake donut!
Are dogs allowed outside only?
Hello Keira, we allow well-mannered pups inside the shop! We simply ask that all pup patrons remain leashed at all times and refrain from sitting on our couches or chairs.
Are most the food items here vegan?
Hello Ari. All of the baked goods are vegan.
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Protagonist Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026
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