Cafe Astoria is a top-reviewed coffee shop in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
With 1,200+ positive Google reviews, Cafe Astoria is known for its photogenic latte art. Be sure to order something off the Secret Menu to see what I mean. These drinks deliver rainbow latte art, vibrant matcha, and even edible 4k gold.
Besides the specialty coffee and matcha, Cafe Astoria is also home to an extensive food menu. This includes baked goods, loaded oatmeal, sweet and savory crepes, and stunning smoothie bowls.
Checkout the cafe’s extended Stella Belle menu, which hosts a nice selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options,
You’ll certainly see photos of these lattes splashed across almost every top coffee shop article when it comes to Saint Paul, MN.
I’m a fan.
Cafe Astoria Location
Cafe Astoria is located at: 180 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Conveniently located, Cafe Astoria is an excellent starting point for shopping and running errands any day of the week.
The shop is located near a busy (and also extremely aesthetic) breakfast spot Hope Breakfast Bar – St. Paul: 1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102.
Both spots are typically overflowing during the weekend and often spill out into the courtyard during the summer.
There’s also a chance you’ll get to enjoy a pop up vintage booth in the courtyard when weather permits. Think vintage shirts, shorts, and dresses.
While the parking situation surrounding the shop could be better, you will be at a great starting point once you settle in.
I had to park a couple of blocks away both visits, since most of the readily available parking is meant for locals tenants who rent spaces in the historic buildings near the cafe.
Hours
Cafe Astoria is open 7:00 am – 3:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday.
So, no late afternoon coffee stops here. If you’re an evening studier or prefer to enjoy your baked goodies at 3:00 pm, you may want to check out Spyhouse Coffee located at: 420 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55105.
Spyhouse is only an 8 minute drive away from Café Astoria and is open 6:00 am – 9:00 pm Monday – Friday. And 7:00 am – 9:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Cafe Astoria Menu
The menu at Cafe Astoria ranges from hot to blended or iced coffee and from matcha to espresso-filled macchiatos. At Café Astoria, the creativity is flowing right along with the caffeine, so you can expect to find a pick-me-up that will suit most anyone.
Order your drink with regular milk, or enjoy almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk instead.
Aside from regular iced coffee or tea, Cafe Astoria also serves a full list of specialty drinks and of course the show-stopping latte art from the not-so-secret Secret Menu.
The 8 items on the secret menu focus on delivering latte art that demands a photo op–plus excellent flavor of course. Meanwhile, the 6 signature latte items focus on delivering a new taste or flavor.
What to Order
For my coffee lovers who want an Insta-worthy latte the: Rainbow Latte or 24K Latte is the choice.
For my Matcha lovers who want a picture-perfect cup: Rainbow Matcha or Matcha 2.0 is the way to go.
I can vouch for the Rainbow Latte, specifically. It’s picture perfect and a slight mix of peppermint and mocha.
I also tried a regular vanilla latte and enjoyed the nuttiness of the brew.
Overall, I appreciated that the flavor wasn’t too overbearing with either option.
Food at Cafe Astoria
Food options are rather extensive with the main Café Astoria menu offering decorated smoothie bowls, oatmeal bowls, and a selection of sweet and savory crepes.
There are also regular smoothies and pastries available, as well as almost too many salads, sandwiches, and wraps to choose from.
I split a chicken caesar wrap the time I went and was pleasantly surprised, it also came with a healthy serving a fruit on the side.
Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free Options
The extended Stella Belle menu at Cafe Astoria has a selection of fare that can be ordered as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free.
Sandwiches can be made with gluten free bread on request, and all the salads can be made vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free as well. Same with the avocado toast.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Cafe Astoria is mainly a transient one. This is likely due to both my visits happening on a Saturday, when the crowd is primarily made up of brunchers looking to catch up, or families stopping in for a quick bite.
While you’ll always have the odd digital nomad propped up in a corner here or there, the amount of indoor seating isn’t the most spacious or plentiful for the level of weekend traffic, so it gives guests the feeling that it’s time to go after not too long a stay.
The colorful palette at Cafe Astoria doesn’t stop at the latte art, but also extends to the main back wall, which is covered in a beautifully crisp and vibrant mural. A nice contrast to the wood floors and an excellent backdrop for pictures. Not to mention a childlike juxtaposition to those who choose to work with heads bent and headphones on in the fray of the space.
While I didn’t attempt to work remotely in this particular coffee shop, I will say the hours (7-3 pm) and foot traffic wouldn’t lend to a focused workday.
One of the window seats facing 7th Street would be the spot to grab, in my opinion.
Thrift Shops Near Cafe Astoria
Cafe Astoria is also conveniently located near some shopping just a quick 5-6 minute walk down 7th Street.
For my thrift store lovers, I’d recommend the very affordable St. Vincent De Paul thrift store.
- Location: 461 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
- ETA: 5 – 7 minute walk from Café Astoria
Be prepared to sift through St. Vincent De Paul’s shop to find gems, but you’ll also get to enjoy cheap prices. I found a beachy vintage short-sleeved Bahamas button up shirt in the men’s section for $3 during my visit.
For my boutique and curated vintage lovers, head to the Style Society Shop near St. Vincent De Paul.
- Located: 7th Street West, Saint Paul, MN
- ETA: The same 7 minute walk from Cafe Astoria
You’ll find unique home décor, furniture, and fresh paper products too. I picked up a vintage pair of slightly acid washed Lee jeans for $45. Definitely higher than I normally pay for clothes, but when a vintage jean fits right, it’s a little easier for me to justify.
