Wonderful place to sit and have a warm drink on a chilly day. The coffee was good, the muffin and Somoa coffee were yummy. I'd be here alot if I lived in the area. read more

Finally got a chance to check this place out. It's my kind of cafe, with the variety of seating options, very lived in and cozy without feeling dirty. Not pretentious, variety of people. I stopped in on a Sunday morning to catch up on some work for a few hours. I just caught the last "table" which was more like a desk against the wall. I pulled the desk out so I was able to sit facing the room - I have a thing about having my back to the room! It was a perfect, cozy spot to work. I get a little anxious trying new spots until I get the hang of how things work. A few points: - this place is popular and busy. I arrived a little before 10am on a Sunday. It got busy very quickly - you can order using QR code at your table. They will not call your name though, just your order, so listen - the cafe au lait was delicious and reasonably priced - best croissant ever (Parmesan leek) - after a couple hours,I tried the oatmeal cream pie, it was good but so rich, saved half for the next day - burrito bar smelled good but I couldn't easily figure out how to order one so just gave up. Yea, I could have gone up and asked, but I told you I get anxious so forgive me, I was just trying to stay cool - plenty of outlets, no issues with wifi - restroom was super cute, spacious and clean feeling - the owners obviously love Gilmore Girls. I didn't feel the love for it but appreciate that it wasn't shoved down my throat - after the burritos shut down, no food options except super sweets (croissants seemed to be gone by 11am) but I saw people being sandwiches from nearby shops in. I'd love to see more savory lunch-like items like traditional croissants or bagels but at least what they had seems to be made in-house - you may not find a seat. Yes, I was there for like 4 hours. If there was a time limit, I would have respected it. I also purchased a few items and did not take up a table larger than what I needed - what I loved to see was people sharing tables, everyone seemed very kind about it - recycle bin - I wasn't sure what was recyclable or not...so I put my cup in the trash, which seemed like everyone was doing In conclusion, I can't wait to go back - especially when it's nice out, and not to work, but to catch up on reading. A true, community-feel coffee shop UPDATE I am adding a few more pics since I've been back a few times. The scones are amazing, make sure you get them warm! One quasi-complaint: there is one giant step to get from the lobby area into the main seating area. Like, a foot high. The edge of the step has been finished with a piece of moulding that sticks out and causes a major trip hazard. I have seen people trip going down the step. There is no obvious signage or marking to warn anyone. I wonder if this could be made into a ramp to make the seating area and restroom a little accessible. I worry that I'm going to trip every single time. read more

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This place is the best coffee shop in soulard for so many reasons. Reason #1 is that they allow dogs inside! I loved coming to study here and wouldn't feel bad about being gone so long because I could bring Olive (my black lab fur baby) with me! The other reasons are it is so cute inside and the staff is so friendly. It reminds me of the "Friends" apartment. The staff is great at making drinks that are extremely tasty. They have milk alternatives for my fellow lactose intolerant people. In the mornings on the weekends, they make super good breakfast burritos - you can order them without the shell if you want. They also have wine and other liquor there. They have tons of little pastries that are delicious! Parking is on the street so if you're going during the soulard market time, you may have to walk a little. Another thing that's so great about this place is that they support local businesses and sell their products in the store. They also have a small library that you can read books from while enjoying coffee and/or wine. It's truly a hidden gem. If you cannot tell already, I highly recommend going! You definitely won't regret it! read more

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Wow! Wow, wow, wow, wow, WOW! This place has such a good breakfast burrito - maybe the best I've ever had! The Protagonist Cafe is a coffee shop, but on Saturday and Sunday mornings, they sell breakfast burritos. (They also sell booze and some small gifts.) I ordered a breakfast burrito with chorizo. They took a while to cook it bc they made it with love. It was outstanding, and it was huge! You can get two meals out of the burrito. I recommend getting the burrito to go bc after all that chorizo, eggs and cheese, it's time for a trip to the hopper, know what I'm saying? :) Plus, there was no room to sit inside or outside that Sunday morning. The place was packed. (Lots of cute ladies in there. :)) The staff was incredibly nice. They couldn't have been any nicer. read more

I noticed this spot at the beginning of the Pandemic, and they had weird hours implemented, so I've been waiting for a good chance to check it out. It's right by the farmers market, so it's super convenient for Saturday morning shopping. I walked in and was instantly in love. It's SO CUTE. When I read "Protagonist" I imagined a sweet little European coffee shop, and this was it. Books lining walls, homemade stationary, very antique furniture, and comfy spots to sit and chat with friends or read a book yourself. Very welcoming and comfortable. They had tons of coffee, pastry, and breakfast options, including vegetarian options. Their staff all wore masks, which was awesome as we're seeing less and less of that, I felt extremely comfortable. They were pretty quick getting orders out, and prices were competitive for the area. We just had a couple coffees and they were awesome. The honey latte was so good. My dad got the chai, and it was very unique and herbal, great flavor. We will absolutely be back, this place is so cute. read more

Absolutely looooove coming here! Such a cozy place and they allow dogs inside. Coffee is delicious and so are the pastries! read more

Protagonist Cafe - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Stepped in briefly to get a coffee today and so glad I did! A very spacious but cozy place. Another reviewer mentioned it looks like the living room from the tv show Friends and it really does! Also was able to find street parking close by which is convenient. I ordered an iced truffle latte which was a recommendation from the barista as I told her I prefer sweet, chocolate tasting drinks! I got mine with oat milk and it tasted pretty good and strong too! The small size coffee is pretty big, so I'd recommend only getting the larger one if you know you're going to have a long day :) I also heard they allow pets inside which is SO cool considering most places only allow patio. Will definitely be back next time with my pup! read more

Adorable! Such a quaint corner establishment. Sit, relax, read, study, unwind. Also homemade baked goods and yummy drinks. Very knowledgeable and accommodating staff assist in ordering. Would give this a 5-star rating if their outdoor seating was more than picnic benches. read more

Protagonist Cafe - Truffle latte ! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

My friends and I are doing a purple drink series! So we had to come to try the cosmic cowboy (ube latte). It was delicious! Tasted like fruity pebbles. I'd say it was an 8.5/10. The lemon Bundt cake I got, I was not a huge fan of, but my friend got the cinnamon roll and it was a better choice-still not my favorite. Books everywhere and the decor is super fun. I can't wait to go back to get a drink and read. Service was fast, but not super bubbly. read more

Protagonist Cafe - Pastries, cakes and savory croissants - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

This is my absolute fav coffeeshop. It's a great vibe for studying with great coffee and seating. The staff is always nice and friendly.

First time in to Protagonist and wow! Adorable little coffee shop next to the Soulard Market. We were here on a recent Saturday morning. Service was friendly , 5-star! I ordered a lavender honey latte and my daughter got one of their breakfast burritos. My latte was lovely and unique. The breakfast burrito was substantial- they weren't skimping! It was so filling my daughter shared a few scrumptious bites with me and was full though dinner. The interior was adorable with tons of cute sayings and art on walls and windows. For now, we're mostly eating outside so we didn't linger. There were 4 nice-sized tables outside for us to choose from. This is an amazing coffee spot! read more

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Great stop for a good cup of coffee. We really enjoyed browsing the unique gifts that were available from local artisans as well! read more

Protagonist Cafe - Caramel Delight - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Not sure what else can be said, delightfully sweet inside, to surround yourself with pages of stories while sipping on the most wonderful Americano, a true gem find today. I always try an Iced Americano to see what the espresso tastes like when trying any coffee shop and this was one of my very favorites for sure. No bitterness, a smooth coffee experience! You would think espresso is not that hard to do, but most coffee houses leaves the shot too long and it's bitter. This place did not disappoint. The hand made gifts inside, the comfy chairs, the whimsical colors, I LOVE IT!! can't wait to come back read more

Protagonist Cafe - Iced Americano and I opened the blueberry muffin so you can see how many blueberries were baked into this lovely!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

This is my kind of one-stop-shop: books, coffee, real baked goods, burrito bar, and apparently alcohol available after the breakfast hours are wrapped up. Hilarious books, delicious whole milk lattes, warm muffins... I could live here. The service was friendly, and the woman at the register even indulged me as I read a passage to her from my newly acquired book so she, too, could know life answers from Always Ask A Man. The coffee shop is airy, spacious, bright, and charmingly whimsical. If I lived here, I would be a regular. read more

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Came here a lot when I lived in Soulard, they are pet friendly which is awesome! Kinda has a "friends" coffee shop vibe. Love it! Great pastries and coffee. read more

Beautiful layout, friendly staff, great Cappuccino and lots to read. read more

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Nutshell: decent prices, friendly staff, awesome coffee and pastries. Worth hitting up to get that java buzz going. Love, love, love. I used their online order for pick up on a Sunday morning. Orange glazed scone with a 16oz drip coffee, room for milk. I had a 15 minute drive to get there and it was of course ready by the time I arrived. Literally walked in, barista greeted me, my stuff was waiting on the wooden rack with my name, and I was off and running. I had to wait for my scone, but I snuck some sips of coffee on the drive home. Their coffee is just the right amount of richness, a great mild roast. Once I set up on my city stoop, I cracked open the scone. Ohhhhhh my goodness. I believe all their pastries are vegan, but I couldn't tell. The flavor was amazing. The dough was just moist enough and the glaze had that bright pleasant, orange goodness. Ten out of ten, would do it again! My total came up to $7. Its worth every penny. read more

Protagonist Cafe - 16oz drip coffee and an orange glazed scone to go. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

The Protagonist Cafe provides Soulard with that fun, friendly coffee shop vibe you see in 90's TV sitcoms. In contrast to many other coffee shops that can often feel dauntingly intimidating with hip baristas who balk at the mere suggestion of putting pumpkin or spice in a latte, Protagonist is a place where everyone is welcome. I wouldn't call myself a regular, but I have been in the space at all times of the day and have utilized the cafe for everything from a quick caffeine fix, to business meetings, to nestling in to grind out some overdue work. Every time I go to Protagonist, I always leave with a smile on my face. It's such a playful atmosphere and their products are so high quality that there's nothing to really get down about. Their coffee is top notch! In non-COVID times, I love getting the regular drip coffee because they offer a wacky assortment of mugs and you get to pick which one you want to drink from. I know that sounds nerdy, but it's such a fun feature to see if the mug you used the last time was there, and remember the fun times you had meeting with friends. The pastries offered by Protagonist are great too! Be warned though. They are stored in a cooling case, and some are served chilled. Usually if you are staying in the cafe, the barista will offer to warm your pastry. This particular trip I purchased a samoa cookie because I had to hit the road, and it was definitely chilled. I let it warm to room (car) temperature before chomping into it. Obviously the other incredibly unique aspect of Protagonist are the books. They have a vast library that you can easily get lost in. Such a cool concept to have a library in a cafe. While I have never "checked out" a book from their library, I have participated in their lending library! Recently I had two books that I no longer wanted, so I donated them to the lending library. Looking forward to finding a title I'd like to take home and read sometime soon. Right now during COVID, Protagonist's main table in the cafe that typically has the drip coffee and mugs has been converted into a small to-go booze shop. What an awesome use of space!! They also offered a number of small cards for purchase. Buy a card and support the Post Office! Gosh love the social responsibility of this joint. read more

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Came here on a Bumble date and got a Thai iced coffee (coffee, condensed milk) with half of the condense milk. It was lovely. There was ample parking and outdoor seating options. I didn't get a chance to look around inside, but it was quaint and eclectic. I can't wait to come back. read more

came in before work for a quick latte, I've heard such good things! the space was pretty cozy, didn't have time to poke around but it looks great. the barista seemed very upset that I ordered a latte (she couldve been tired, I get it) and reluctantly rang me up. now the coffee. I get it if she's not having a great day, but my coffee tasted burnt and watered down. really disappointing. maybe a better spot for a midday pick-me-up and not the drink that your day's productivity hinges on. read more

Such a cute space!! Plenty of room and good amount of outlets available if you're looking for a study space. Very very friendly staff and great coffee, this is one of my new stl favorites!! read more

Protagonist Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Went with my mom and it was amazing! It was a little crowded, but we were able to snag a table. We had gotten coffee, a cinnamon roll, and a pumpkin muffin. It was all delicious. We had sat and read for an hour. We both really enjoyed our time there. read more

Coffee is pretty solid, feels dependent on which barista is working on a given day, fun laid back atmosphere, but still a solid choice if you're in the area read more

3 stars only because the ambience is so fun. 2 stars for the coffee. I have tried three different beverages there and have been underwhelmed each time. Solid "meh". Oat milk + cold brew was a little weak. Pumpkin spice latte had ZERO pumpkin flavor. It just tasted like a non descriptive sweet drink (I ordered half sweet but it was still SO sweet). Chai latte was ok but warm at best, def not hot. Major pro: Allllll the milk options read more

This cafe and bookshop is adorable! It's a perfect place to grab a coffee with a friend, curl up with a good book, or connect to their Wi-Fi and get some work done. The woman working the counter was very friendly and helpful. They had a great assortment of standard cafe drinks, but also a list of festive holidays drinks as well. I chose The Polar Espresso drink and the Samoa cookie and both were so delicious! I loved the vibe of the place, their book selection and the cute trinkets they sell. I will definitely be back. read more

Protagonist Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

The Protagonist Cafe has got to be one of the friendliest, fun, and most relaxing cafes St Louis has to offer! Located in Soulard (and one of the only coffee places there), the Protagonist Cafe is brought to by the same brilliant duo that opened Pieces in St. Louis. They offer their own roasted java, a variety of teas, vegan pastries from the Pieces kitchen, and even boozy coffee drinks. My top favs are their London Fog (a light, semi-sweet Earl Grey latte) and their Chai Tea Latte which packs a nice spicy punch. The Protagonist Cafe also offers a simply stunning place to relax and enjoy anything you may happen to order. Want to read a book while sipping your latte? Just browse the Protagonist's 27-foot long custom bookcase brimming with books. The books are all organized by the Dewey Decimal System and can also be looked up online. Want to save your spot in the book you're reading for your next visit here? Simply put in a bookmark with your name and you can pick up right where you started. So cool! If books aren't your jam, you can certainly entertain yourself with the many games the Protagonist Cafe has to offer its guest. Bringing along the kiddos? Make sure to check out their little kid's book in the back of the cafe for special kids books. Overall, I can't sing the Protagonist Cafe's praises enough. The staff are all so friendly and helpful, and the space owners Laura and Jim have created is one for the books! I'll be back again. And again. read more

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Came here for the yelp event! DRINKS: - The iced caramel macchiato was refreshing, albeit slightly bitter. I didn't mind, it still tasted very nice, it's just not a very sweet drink. I still enjoyed drinking it and would get it again. - I unfortunately did not try the cake or cookies but there are vegan options. The people who tried the cake said it was very soft and not overbearingly sweet. - They also have some alcoholic options! - Not sure where to put this but I love how friendly this place is to local businesses. They go out of their way to promote local authors, local grocery stores etc. What a fantastic work ethic. Hats off to you guys AMBIENCE: - This is an adorable little coffee shop lined with book shelves. It would be a nice cozy place to get some work or studying done, while enjoying a sip of coffee. It seems like it is relatively quiet, so definitely a nice contrast compared to the rowdy bars Soulard is more commonly known for. I think something like this was definitely needed in the area! - Attire is pretty casual, like a comfy casual. - Dogs are welcome YAAAAY!!!! Seriously any place that does this is such a winner in my book. - Family friendly but i have a feeling young adults and working adults will just be more drawn to a place like this, kids will probably be a little bored. - What else is cool is in the summer they will open all their doors so the inside and outside will mesh together. I LOVE when places have the accommodations to do this. Can't wait! SERVICE: - The staff was very kind, gave great suggestions and can adjust your drink order to accommodate all your dietary needs (almond milk vs regular vs soy vs other). - Drinks were served pretty quickly. I think this is exactly the kind of place needed in Soulard. Gives me a very FRIENDS (TV show) vibe. and honestly what could top that? read more

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Being a writer, how could I not check out a place called The Protagonist Cafe? Especially when it bills itself as a "literary cafe." I was truly hoping I wouldn't be let down. My expectations often get a bit too high. I was not let down at all. As soon as I walked in I was met by a very friendly person behind the counter. They had plenty of options for coffee drinks, as well as several milk choices and sugar free flavoring. I ordered an oat milk sugar free vanilla latte. It was excellent. The space is fantastic. While it feels like one bright open room, it's actually broken up into four different areas - all with either comfy chairs and sofas, or good size tables for working. The WiFi was easy and fast. The vibe is super chill. But my favorite part is that 70% of the walls are filled with books. And what's more is they are actually labeled by category, then in alphabetical order by author's name. Really impressive. It's a wonderful little indie library where you're free to pull any book off the shelf while you're there. And the selection runs from fiction to religion to culinary arts. My only criticism is that it's about a 15-minute drive for me. Located just fifty yards or so from the Soulard Farmers Market, the neighborhood is cool, I just wish I could walk to the Protagonist! But I'll most definitely be back, and next time I'll bring my laptop and setup shop. Writing always seems to come easy when you're surrounded by the inspiration of other scribes. read more

Protagonist Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Located on the northern end of Soulard, near Soulard Market, the Protagonist Cafe serves a variety of hot drinks including drip coffee, espresso drinks, hot teas and sweet and savory bakery items. On my first visit I tried a hot turmeric and ginger tea latte with soy milk. It's nice to have a wide variety of milks including 2%, non-fat, half & half, almond, oat, soy and coconut. I also got a blueberry muffin, and the bonus was that it was vegan. You wouldn't know it though. Actually, I think all the bakery items are vegan, and they all look so delicious, like the German Chocolate Cake and the Salted Chocolate Pecan Cake Donut. On my second visit, I just stopped in for a drip coffee with oat milk and a power muffin to go. Next time, I'm going to try the London Fog Tea Latte or Chai Tea Latte. And maybe that cake donut. The atmosphere of this place is very spacious and relaxing. With over 3,000 books on the shelves, its a great place to kick back, relax and read a book. You can even search their book list online. I'm looking forward to return visits. read more

Protagonist Cafe - Blueberry muffin (vegan) and ginger & turmeric tea latte made with soy milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Book themed vegan cafe from the same owner as Pieces. Have an impressive library of more than 2,000 books that reside in custom-made 27-foot floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Books are organized by category and last name of authors, and are also labeled by their dewey decimal designation. Food wise they have a solid selection of tasty house-made pastries. I got the "power muffin" and it was very tasty. Drink wise they are killing it. From flavored coffee drinks, to tea, to hot chocolate, juice, and kombucha, this place has every type of drink imaginable. Coffee is also bottomless and you can choose your own mug. There is both table and couches for seating read more

THIS. This is the coffee shop I've been searching for since I moved to STL two years ago. Pros: - LOTS of seating - Not just lots of seating but lots of comfy seating (which is a big plus for me) - So many books!! - The place has a great sense of humor - The staff are so helpful and patient - Has lots of unique bakery items - Including Gluten-Free options! - Has a good amount of plugs for those needing to charge - free Wifi - An amazingly beautiful & eclectic design & decor - Has unique art (no mass production) - Good chill background music - Not too loud - Huge space - Looks like tables can be reserved - Has board games as well as their books that can be borrowed - Has adorable mug options - They have wines & spirits as well as coffee and tea - Good, broad hours - I'm sure there is more I'm forgetting Cons: - Haven't found any thus far! read more

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Soulard has a new spot for coffee and it does not disappoint! Located just adjacent to the famous farmer's market, this large, but cozy, coffee joint has a "Friends" vibe and takes you back to a time when coffee shops were gathering places where you shared java and good stories. When we visited there were a few internet browsers, but most tables were playing board games or catching up. Enjoy each other's company and a great cup of joe. Go here for a great espresso drink, but don't skip the pastry case. I had the "Samoa" that was a fresh and even more delicious version of the Girl Scout's cookie. And the cinnamon roll was served warm, covered in house made icing. The walls are lined with books, making up a library of literature at your fingertips. Great for making conversation or having quiet time while people watching! Very happy to welcome Protagonist to Soulard! read more

Protagonist Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Love this place, a bookstore, coffee, and wine. Such a great atmosphere. We had coffee and delicious pastries. You won't be disappointed. Staff is also friendly. read more

Absolutely a lovely space to grab coffee, read , or do some work. The ambience is a feeling that promotes getting tasks done. I ordered an ice truffle mocha today and loved it! The baristas are very friendly. I'm looking forward to stopping in during my summer coffee shop working remote days. read more

Orange scone was delicious. Atmosphere has a unique library vibe. Great place to unwind, meet up with friends or just chill.

The lattes are delicious and the ambiance is very cool. Loved all the little reading books. The service was great and they went above and beyond and gave me an extra cup when they heard me tell my 2 kiddos they were sharing the chai latte. Well done!! read more

Wonderful coffee shop! Beautifully decorated, comfortable space. Great beverages, food! Great space to work and chat. Charming! read more

Protagonist Cafe - Comfortable space, charming decor, doggies can come in! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Very nice place! Their espresso was delicious in flavor and I really enjoyed the signature drinks menu. Lots of cute home made cards for sale read more

This place is so cute! I never even knew that it was in this area but so happy that Yelp helped me find it. We got two cookies and two lattes. They took their time and the drinks tasted delicious! There is a feel of the friends kind of scene here which was really cute people had dogs inside, eating and drinking while chatting it up or working; definitely will be back read more

I still like the place but may not be back for some time. Why not? I like to breathe. I struggled with that when at Protagonist Cafe on Saturday. 1. An aerosol can of Clorox disinfectant was on a coffee table for customers to use to spray down a giant checkers game. It caused me some distress. This is awful to breathe in, even from the next table. I've dined out often during the pandemic and never have I seen a restaurant with an aerosol can of chemicals to be used where people are eating and drinking. Request: Please, just get rid of the board or invest in Clorox wipes. We're more likely to get covid just being unmasked in the same space than we are from checkers. 2. The clientele changed in that it went from 0 to a good 6 or more dogs in the hour or so I was in there. I know people love to bring their dogs everywhere in 2021, but, as I said in the lead, I like to breathe. When people bring their dogs and various dog accessories, like large cow bones to gnaw and blankets that the people will spread in the air and refold over and over because the dog keeps messing it up, that spreads the allergens. To some of us, that's gross. It made me grosser than I already was (got my sinuses a-flowin'). I like to feel not gross when I eat, drink, and read. So I left earlier than I thought I would. Request: Have a dog-friendly section and a people who have allergies and/or a fear of dogs section. There is plenty of space for this, as you have two rooms. Dogs in front room so they don't have to walk through the whole place, perhaps? Please help me to love you again, Protagonist! (And, for what it's worth, I didn't go in unprotected. I was on about 5 different allergy medications.) read more