I went right when they opened at 8 am on a Sunday's morning. Small parking lot, but plenty of…read morestreet options. We got our order to go and were in and out in less than 10 minutes. Food 4/5: we got the breakfast sandwich (sausage,egg,cheese,spinach on a croissant) and plain bagels. The breakfast sandwich was well seasoned and flavor balanced and I'd absolutely come back for! The bagel didn't seem the most fresh, but they did have other pasties I'd try. I also got the cold brew with maple syrup and a splash of milk and would absolutely come back for! Service 5/5: the ladies that helped me were so nice and helped answer all of my questions. The food/drink was made quickly. Ambiance 5/5: this place has plenty of seating inside and out and has a more cozy aesthetic. Definitely worth a try if you're on the neighborhood! I love that they have more than just pastry options for breakfast and we will definitely be back.

I went to try this cafe because of the coffee passport I purchased for 2026z…read more Cafe with all organic coffee and creative drinks. There is plenty of seating inside and outside. The cafe has some gluten free and vegan backed food options too. Service was fast and my iced americano was average- I prefer it a little stronger. Price point for drinks is a bit higher but I assume it is because they are organic.

Such a cute coffee shop in Lake Elmo! The shop was small but super cute and cozy! They have quite a…read morevariety of drinks available and some delicious baked goods as well. I'm excited to come back in warmer weather to sit outside. I got the amaretto mocha and it was sooooo good! The barista was super friendly and I felt very welcome from the minute I walked in!

What a cute little coffee shop in downtown lake Elmo! My boyfriend and I came by to have a coffee…read moreand study, it was a great experience overall. The matcha I got was delicious and he loved his maple coffee, it was a bit expensive at nearly $7 for a 10 oz matcha though. The barista was friendly and our drinks came out quickly though! Also they have street parking right out front that's free which was perfect. We chose to sit outside to get some sun, there is a bit limited seating inside especially since we came to do work. Overall a great experience though!

We stayed near by, saw this from an Uber, and had to check it out. It's in an autograph collection…read morehotel, so you know it's unique. I loved my Spygirl latte, and my hubby loved his refreshing beer from the next counter. There is a lot space to chill, work, gather, and just be. Highly recommend!

I like the atmosphere and ambiance of this location Bright…read moreairy with greenery and lots of plants They have a ton of seating available Wasn't a fan of the breakfast sandwich- too many sweet onions and the coffee was just mid Small size was very expensive They were dog friendly and gave my pup a treat so she was happy It's always busy no matter what time of day with hotel and non hotel guests

Mini-review because I just stopped in for a quick coffee to go -IMHO but Roots continues to have…read morethe highest quality coffee in MacGroveland - and there's a lot of coffee shops in our neighborhood. They roast their own beans to perfection. Efficient, kind service. But I want to give their New Orleans iced coffee a special shout out. Cold brew, hickory, simple syrup and a splash of milk. So freaking good! They made my morning.

Stopped in this morning and I'm so glad I did! There was free street parking available, which made…read morevisiting super convenient. The line wasn't too long when I arrived, so I didn't have to wait long to place my order or receive my drink. I ordered the rose water latte with oat milk, and it was absolutely delicious! beautifully made, subtly sweet, and perfectly balanced. I also tried the almond croissant, which was incredibly flaky on the outside and soft and buttery in the middle. The customer service was friendly, the space was clean and welcoming, and overall it was such a good experience. I'll definitely be stopping in more often!

Backstory may have the most beautiful coffee shop interior I've ever been in…read more The second I walked in, I actually laughed because it felt way too gorgeous to be "just" a coffee shop. The soaring industrial ceilings, massive windows pouring in natural light, dark wood shelving, plants everywhere, books, artwork, vintage decor, and incredible lighting somehow make the whole place feel both grand and peaceful. It's the kind of space where you immediately want to cancel your plans and spend the entire afternoon reading, working, or simply existing. Every direction you look feels thoughtfully designed. One thing I couldn't find online beforehand was whether there would be places to plug in my laptop. Thankfully, there are plenty of outlets, making it a fantastic place to work. Even better, despite its size, the atmosphere stays calm and quiet. It never felt loud or chaotic. The drinks were excellent. I tried the Lime Creamsicle Iced Matcha and later ordered a hot matcha, complete with a beautiful heart poured into the milk. I especially appreciated that they use what tasted like genuine, high-quality matcha rather than the overly sweet, filler-heavy mixes that so many coffee shops rely on. You can absolutely taste the difference. I also picked up two pastries: an artichoke and cheese croissant (I think it was Gouda?) and the coffee cake. Both were delicious, but that coffee cake deserves its own paragraph. It was huge, incredibly moist and rich, and served in a large paper liner almost like an oversized cupcake. I'd happily go back just for that. If I had one wish, it would simply be for the menu to match the creativity of the space. The coffee, tea, and espresso selections felt a bit limited considering how unique everything else is. This seems like the perfect place to experiment with fun specialty drinks and elevated touches. Imagine pink peppercorn on a cortado, mint dust on a cappuccino, unique flavored cold foams, rotating seasonal teas, or other creative finishes. The environment practically begs for a menu that's just as imaginative. The staff interaction was fine but didn't really stand out. When I asked whether they recommended the Lime Creamsicle Matcha, the response was basically, "I mean... it tastes like a lime creamsicle." It wasn't unfriendly, just not especially engaging. The prices are definitely on the higher end, but between the stunning atmosphere, quality ingredients, and excellent pastries, I'd happily return. Backstory isn't just somewhere to grab coffee. It's somewhere you want to linger. If you're looking for one of the most beautiful, calming coffee shops in Minneapolis, this belongs at the top of your list.

Cute spot for coffee and hanging out! The line went fairly quickly, and the barista was patient and…read morethorough when taking my order! The Americano I ordered was ready quickly and very hot! I would come back with friends and/or to hang out to get work done! FYI: There's free parking on the road behind Backstory, parallel to Washington.

A small but mighty coffee shop on the west side of Saint Paul. The menu is nice with a little bit…read morefor everyone. I tried the Lemon Bar Latte and it was AMAZINGLY good! It was smooth and not overly sweet. I also tried the French Toast Breakfast Sandwich and it was quite good. Total was a little over $$22 for the two items and a 20% tip. Free street parking available. They are also doing great things for the community and that is worth so much more than great coffee and breakfast sandwiches.

Totally forgot how close I live to this spot! Backstory Coffee was the perfect little stop before…read moreheading to the MN Yacht Club Music Festival with my bestie. We rolled in a little before 1:00 PM and had no trouble finding easy street parking (huge win!). The vibe inside? Mixed. While the space was cute, relaxed and inviting, the service was... not so much. The guy at the front counter barely looked up from his screen, and let's just say, enthusiasm wasn't on the menu. Definitely not the warm welcome we hoped for and very unfortunate. BUT--shoutout to my bestie for treating us to a coffee date, because the drinks were solid. I had the piña colada cold brew, which was super sweet at first, but after a quick stir, it hit just right. My bestie went with the strawberries & cream cold brew and a matcha lemonade. Both were surprisingly good, but the matcha lemonade really stood out to me; so refreshing and unique. All in all, Backstory was a convenient and tasty pre-concert stop. If the service matched the drinks, this would've easily been a 5-star visit.

We have used their product exclusively for several years and enjoy the variety of rich, wonderfully…read moretasting coffee.

I only drink decaf and finding good decaf is a chore. Thankfully, my sister told me about Jeremy at…read morethe Roastery! Best decaf ever. Moved to Seattle (yes, the coffee mecca) and still have coffee shipped in every month.