Roots Cafe

A hidden gem in East St. Paul, Roots Cafe offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional coffee. This local cafe is committed to bringing the community together, regularly hosting events and showcasing work by diverse local artists. As a regular, I can attest to the inviting vibe and friendly, attentive baristas. Whether you need a quiet workspace or want to support a community-focused business, Roots Cafe is worth a visit.

So I’m walking past Metro State and the Dayton’s Bluff library, looking for somewhere to kill time that doesn’t involve fluorescent lights and despair. Found this place tucked into a corner like it was hiding from the world. Roots Cafe, indigenous roots, not the trendy plant kind, though they’ve got plenty of those too. I walk in and immediately know this isn’t corporate coffee theater. The community wall is actually messy and alive, covered in real stuff from real people. Artwork rotates through like it matters. The merch looks like someone with taste designed it instead of a committee. I’m scanning the menu and see coffee. I see boba. But no coffee boba situation. So I ask the barista if she can make something happen. She lights up and suggests this brown sugar latte with boba combo that

They don't offer food. They will soon have bakery again. The coffee was great and the space was the best. Lots of art on the walls and lots of wall plugs. The bathrooms were clean and so we're the tables. They had a poster wall with lots of resources on it.

Nice place with good service, but it was dead quiet when I was there which made conversation feel a bit awkward. I'm not sure if that was a one time thing but still. Felt like talking in a library. Otherwise like I said the service and beverages themselves were definitely good 🫡

Came here for a market and stopped at the cafe! The prices are reasonable and what they make tastes amazing! The people working there are also very kind.