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Protagonist Cafe

4.7 (186 reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Protagonist Cafe Coffee & Tea Photos

PROTAGONIST CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Protagonist Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Michael D.

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!

Iris G.

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.

Outside
Shauncei G.

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!!!

Meshelle B.

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!!

Greg S.

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.

Cerabeth G.

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.

Interior
Austin S.

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.

Blind date with a book
Kelse S.

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!

Megan M.

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!

Outside
Bella S.

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.

Ami A.

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!

Cute stickers
Jade H.

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.

Matcha!! I got this drink around Mardi Gras. I can't remember exactly what it was, but I was here for the Mardi Gras theme!
Sadie K.

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.

Bookshelves!

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2 years ago

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Love the friendly vibe. The dish was savory and delicious. Yelp can not add my photos! When did this happen?

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Obsessed with this place. Literary themed coffee?? My two favorite things combined. I'll have to stop by every time I'm in St. Louis.

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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.

View All 6 Questions

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4.3(6 reviews)
1.5 mi•Midtown

I live in Los Angeles and was looking to send a sweet treat to a dear friend of mine in St Louis…read more Having never been there, I thought I could just postmate, doordash or ubereats her a surprise. The task proved to be quite difficult and I soon realized I was going to have to google some bakeries and make some phone calls. After being told no delivery and that the address was "difficult" or out of the range I found Coco on the third try. I told her my story and she was immediately involved and HELPFUL! She explained to me that the address was a little farther out and they would ask for a little more for delivery which was no problem and I totally understood. She made everything fresh (I ordered some cupcakes and cookies) and assured me that we would have delivery the next day! In the conversation I discovered that shes black owned and that made all the difference as well! The delivery went well even after I called her last minute to make a change and she was charming and accommodating throughout the entire exchange! If you're ordering something for someone in St Louis and you're out of town, look no further. The competitors didnt even TRY to help me. They just said no, sorry and hung up. My friend loved her treats. Everything was amazing. Ill be ordering from them again. Well done Coco!!!!

Wow Coco's is the best! My mom ordered from this bakery for my graduation celebration. Ordering was…read moresuper easy, Coco was so nice and helpful. We got the fudge cake and lemon cake, both were absolutely delicious. I loved that the lemon cake is made with real lemon and isn't too sweet. The fudge cake was so yummy and not too rich. Pickup was smooth and easy. Would absolutely recommend this place!

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Coco's Desserts - And lemon cake

And lemon cake

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Butler's Boardroom - Desert Spiced Shrimp

Butler's Boardroom

4.7(6 reviews)
0.4 mi•Peabody/Darst/Webbe

My company had catered lunch from Butler's Boardroom and I had a caesar salad. The presentation is…read morevisually pleasant. The lettuce was very fresh. It wasn't cheap bag lettuce. The cheese was real aged cheese. The fruit was fresh. The delicious brownie did not taste store bought. All around it felt like a gourmet lunch.

We had a big meeting yesterday, didn't want to cart everybody out to a restaurant for lunch, so…read moredecided on Butler's Boardroom. I'd had a Butler's Boardroom lunch in January at a working lunch, and it was refreshingly delightful for a "box" lunch. We fed 8 people for $129, which included a $25 delivery charge. Not bad. Each box lunch ($11) comes with fruit cup, deli-style potato chips and chef's choice dessert (cookies, lemon square, pecan brownie, raspberry bar or gooey butter bar). For $1.25 extra, you can also get a salad: Sicilian pasta salad, dill red potato salad, Thai sesame noodles or Mediterranean salad. Many items were ordered, including: tuna salad on wheat with a dill red potato salad veggie wrap (no avocado) with added provolone Butler's club of smoked turkey, bacon, lettuce and lorraine Swiss on herb ciabatta Cape Cod salad with chicken (cranberry viniagrette on the side) Thai chicken wrap (no carrots, no snow peas) beef tenderloin wrap with a Sicilian pasta salad baby spinach salad (special request for the pecan brownie) You can see the special requests of these orders . . . no avocado, viniagrette on the side, no carrots, no snow peas, pecan brownie. Every order was absolutely perfect per the diner's request. I got the butcher block, smoked turkey, roast top round, ham, salami, Cheddar jack cheese on herb brioche with a Mediterranean salad. This was an incredibly wonderful, huge, fresh sandwich. It came with stone-ground mustard, that was unique . . . couldn't have too much of it. The Mediterranean salad was Kalamata olives, pasta, tomatoes and artichoke hearts in a vinaigrette. Absolutely delicious! I saved my fruit cup and potato chips for later, and gave my dessert away. It was an incredible amount of food. Everybody enjoyed their selections. There was a time when no conversation was occurring . . . that's when everybody was diving into their food! This was a great option!! Every box was clearly labeled, and the ordered salads were in a separate box. Delivery was right on time. Everything was packaged in fabulous recyclable vessels!!

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Butler's Boardroom - Petite Bistro Sandwiches

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Butler's Boardroom - BBQ Chicken Wrap in our newly packaged box lunch.

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Diana's Bakery - No tamales (it was very late)

Diana's Bakery

4.3(158 reviews)
1.9 mi•Benton Park West
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Diana's Bakery on Cherokee Street -- ¡qué delicia! A true St. Louis treasure with beautiful Latin…read moreflavor. The moment you step into Diana's, you're wrapped in the warm, sweet aroma of a traditional panadería -- fresh breads, sugar-topped pastries, and that unmistakable feeling that everything here is made con amor. The pastry cases are a celebration of color and flavor -- pillowy conchas, golden empanadas, trays of vibrant pan dulce, and fresh breads like bolillos and telera rolls that practically beg to come home with you. Every bite feels authentic, comforting, and joyful -- the kind of baking that carries tradition in every crumb. The conchas are especially spectacular -- soft, lightly sweet, with that perfect sugary shell. Pair one with a cup of coffee and suddenly the whole morning feels like a little fiesta. I especially love popping in and picking up fresh bread for Sunday brunch. There's something about bringing home warm bolillos or sweet pastries that instantly turns brunch into a celebration. But what really makes Diana's shine is the spirit of the place. There's warmth, laughter, and that welcoming neighborhood energy that makes you want to linger just a little longer. The staff are so gracious and kind -- the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like familia. Diana's Bakery is more than a bakery. It's flavor, tradition, culture, and alegría all in one beautiful little spot on Cherokee Street. Auténtico. Delicioso. Puro sabor latino. -- Big Daddy Tedd Energy

Unfortunately I think I just don't like a lot of Mexican pastries. My friend that is more familiar…read morewith these types of sweets told me that dry and crumbly is the style, and that's just not for me. I tried several different things and didn't really like any of them. The sugar cookie with sprinkles, the almond cookie with powdered sugar, and the frosted chocolate sugar cookie were all no-go for me. I wanted to buy the wagon wheels (not sure if that's what they're actually called?) but they were plain! No cinnamon sugar on them. The service was pretty good! We didn't chat with anyone as we shopped but once we got to the counter, they were friendly and helpful. The line went by quickly and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. My compatriots also got several things and I'll add their reviews too! Cannoli - the filling had a gap in the middle and it was little disappointing. The filling was good. The shell was a bit thick. Pretty good overall. Cheesecake - not my favorite. Tasted good and the texture was perfect but not cream cheese-y enough for my liking. The chocolate version might be better. Giant meringue - really good! Nice and crumbly with a great taste. Wedding cookies - didn't taste like anything and they were super dry. Literally no almond flavor at all.

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Diana's Bakery - Pasty rack

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Diana's Bakery - Cuerno

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Protagonist Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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