Y'all would not believe the amount of time I spend thinking about coffee, searching for good coffee, making my own coffee, and—you would really, really be shocked—complaining about bad coffee. I am beyond picky. There are just so many ways to ruin coffee: the temperature, the roast, the brew strength, the freshness, the body, adding flavors, adding foams, reheating it—oh, the humanity. I cannot stress enough that almost all coffee you buy prepared is trash.
But to my cohort of fellow coffee grinches, today I bear glad tidings of great joy! I have spent countless hours roaming the coffee shops of Magazine Street near our apartment, and I can report that there are many that pass the test.
Where to drink good coffee on Magazine Street
In the sitcom of life, French Truck plays the fresh-faced cutie next door you've been friends with since childhood, upon whom you can utterly depend. French Truck will never fail. It's straightforward, cheerful, and simple. I came for the bright yellow branding and stayed for Le Grande Coq Rouge, the quintessential medium roast. French Truck has outposts on both ends of Magazine, plus in Uptown, Mid-City, and the French Quarter. Warning: I have found the French Truck "locations" inside other establishments (like Whole Foods) to be consistently terrible, so avoid those. Also, some branches have oddly early closing hours, so it's not always the ideal place to work in the afternoon. Great merch!
This shop is a cool converted basement that specializes in nitro brews. I can't recommend the hot coffees here, but the iced and cold brews shine. It's on the intersection of Magazine and Napoleon, but very quiet, so it's a great spot to work for a few hours and then head out to browse the shops.
Get the espresso drinks here and plan to be patient: the baristas behind the gorgeous mahogany bar are in no hurry. I love working in this converted shotgun double with salvaged church pews, vintage chandeliers, and antique fireplaces. Trumpet and Drum offers a huge main room with a pleasant hum of activity (although it's a tad crowded on Sundays) and several back rooms with leather couches and velvet chairs. Tucked outside is a beautiful brick patio with a fountain and bistro tables. It's a great date spot—and one of the rare coffee shops open later than 5 pm (usually until 7 pm).
Coast Roast is my most-frequented coffee shop for writing and work. Most people in here are deep in their laptops, headphones, and studying. They offer reliably good coffee, plus some creative blended drinks and sweet drinks (not my thing, but just fyi); this is why I usually come to CR when I'm with my tween and teen. It's pretty small inside, but there's lots of outside space, including a street-facing porch bar that's wonderful in good weather. Like Trumpet and Drum, CR is open later than the others (usually 7 pm).
This pretty lady is worth walking a few extra few blocks off Magazine. Vibe: warehouse-y with exposed brick and giant arched windows, frequented by cool people who have remote jobs and read real newspapers and secondhand copies of bestsellers. You can enjoy free refills on the regular brewed coffee. The food is good, too.
A funky, artsy coffee shop with lots of seating and counter space, where friends meet up for chats and breakfast. There's a strong vegan/wellness vibe. The building looks like a mid-century concept of futurism with oval porthole windows, bubble lights, and cracked terrazzo floors. Tons of original art on the walls and excellent sandwiches.
Tolerable if you're in a rush because it's a zombie apocalypse
I actually love this little French café for incredible crepes and biscuit sandwiches, and I work often in the charming bright-teal enclave. But the coffee here is only mediocre at best. I'm happy to send you here to hang out over brunch or for a delicious light supper; expect the coffee to be subpar. LPB is attached to the venerable Commander's Palace across from one of the public cemeteries, so I've often had long, wonderful chats with eccentric tour guides hanging around waiting for their groups.
I hate to disparage a local chain, but meh. See above: if PJ's is the only place nearby and the zombies are closing in, I'll allow it. But the frozen granita may be the sole thing here that I consistently enjoy.
No. You are made for greatness
Somebody gave Starbucks permits for at least two monstrous locations on Magazine. Don't go to either. Yes, it's convenient and comfortable, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.
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