A Cup of Joe: Local Coffee in Louisiana
With a history as complex as its flavor profile, this jet-black drink is here to stay.
If you’re over the age of 25, you probably savor at least one cup of coffee a day. The bitter beverage might lend consumers a sharper edge, sure, but it also serves a more monastic purpose: The very act of holding a mug, of sipping a drink, is ritual. And whatever a cup of coffee means, the coffee shop means more. These sacred spaces are college study halls, lunch break stomping grounds and community rallying points.
Louisiana knows this better than anyone: Consider the chicory-spiced lattes at Café Du Monde in New Orleans, which have graced international bucket lists; the state’s booming Folger’s roastery, which supplies the morning mercy to millions of Americans; and the whopping 530,000 annual tons of beans delivered through the Port of New Orleans, which make being over-caffeinated wonderfully possible.
Looking for Louisiana’s best brews? Grab a mug and read on.
Enjoy the sleek design of Rêve Coffee Lab.
Sip velvety cappuccinos at Lighthouse Coffee.
Need a jolt of color? Venture to French Truck Coffee in New Orleans.
Find sweet seasonal specials at Tamp & Grind.
North Louisiana
Corner Coffee + Provisions | Monroe
Go Here: for its minimalistic vibe. Natural light trickles through floor-to-ceiling windows in this neutral-toned, third-wave coffee house. Working remotely? You’ll appreciate the outlet-laden, bench-style seating.
Order the: breve. Enjoy the smooth, nutty taste of espresso poured into sweet half-and-half.
Try more coffee in Monroe: Dreux Coffee, Seventh Square
Rhino Coffee | Shreveport
Go Here: to spot Shreveport’s hipster enclave. This premium café features single-origin beans roasted in town. A snug, ivy-studded courtyard sits behind the shop, complete with wrought-iron bistro sets and festoon lighting.
Order the: undertow. Espresso shots layered over a splash of cream and vanilla? C'est bon.
Try more coffee in Shreveport: B&T Coffee, Coffee on the Red
Relax at City Roots Coffee in Baton Rouge.
Church Alley sells its famous cold brew by the half gallon.
Central Louisiana
Tamp & Grind | Alexandria
Go Here: for a jolt of color. Local art lines the walls of this eclectic shop, which opened to help creatives cultivate community.
Order the: macchiato. Medium-thick milk foam graces caramelly espresso.
Try more coffee in Alexandria: Le Bistreaux Coffee and Waffle Bar
StoryBrew Coffee Cafe| Natchitoches
Go Here: for one-of-a-kind flavor pairings, like the nutty French Toast Shaken Espresso or sweet Butterfly Pea Tea Latte.
Order the: Lavender Truffle. Bitter dark chocolate mellows lavender's minty, floral notes. Topped with cold foam, this iced drink is as unique as it is refreshing.
Try more coffee in Natchitoches: Legacy Cafe
South Louisiana
Lighthouse Coffee | Baton Rouge
Go Here: for a darling, airy atmosphere. Float through all-white interiors to the pastry-stocked counter, where matte farmhouse sconces put Joanna Gaines to shame.
Order the: coffee flight. Taste an array of single-origin drip brews, whose notes range from sweet stone fruit to milk chocolate.
Try more coffee in Baton Rouge: Brew Ha-Ha, City Roots Coffee Bar
Rêve Coffee Lab | Lafayette
Go Here: if you love sleek design. Rêve’s downtown location features a slat wood paneled coffee bar, cozy dinettes and draping, jungly plants.
Order the: dirty chai latte, where cardamom-spiced tea pairs well with earthy espresso.
Try more coffee in Lafayette: Carpe Diem Café and Wine Bar
French Truck Coffee | New Orleans
Go Here: if you love the sunshine. This pop-art presenting coffee house has locations all along the Big Easy, each sporting its signature marigold paint.
Order the: Big River, a drip brew with notes of toffee and green grape.
Try more coffee in New Orleans: Cherry Coffee Roasters, Church Alley Coffee Bar
Did You Know?
Louisiana’s history with joe runs deeper than the coffee trade. Meet Rose Nicaud, a New Orleanian born into slavery. In the early 19th century, Nicaud roasted and brewed her own coffee, which she’d sell at the French Market. At 28 years old, she purchased her freedom and advocated for the independence of other enslaved women. Learn more about Rose’s legacy at the Historic New Orleans Collection and explore other important stories with the African American Heritage Trail.
