Coffee is an art.
Good coffee shops revolve around perfecting the art of coffee for their customers. This requires a lot of knowledge and effort — from cultivation to packaging, every step of the coffee production chain influences its final taste profile.
However, coffee shops should do more than create excellent beverages. Great coffee shops provide a relaxing, inviting atmosphere — the best coffee shops are works of art in of themselves.
Baton Rouge is filled with beautiful shops and cafés ready to provide your daily-commute coffee — with more shops opening every year, staying on top of the city’s latest coffee developments can be time-consuming. We’ve compiled this list to help you navigate the thriving world of Baton Rouge coffee, one cup of joe at a time.
With chic lighting, white-tile floors and huge windows, Milford’s on Third provides a bright, cheerful ambiance along with a unique, delicious menu.
Featuring a selection of signature specialty coffees, espresso and coffee drinks, Milford’s is the perfect place to grab a piping-hot cup of java on your way to work or as you explore downtown Baton Rouge. The Milford’s on Third coffee is a must-have during the day. If coffee isn’t your thing, Milford’s also serves a variety of teas, so you can still get your morning hot-drink fix.
Milford’s is ideal for those wanting something to eat along with their joe. While Milford’s is known as a New York-style delicatessen, we offer more than premium, high-stacked sandwiches. Try one of the bagels and schmears for the perfect portable breakfast or filling brunch, or pick up a fresh salad or a bowl of matzo ball soup for an energizing lunch. If you’re in a rush, browse the wall of grab-and-go items ranging from bottled smoothies to yogurt parfaits.
Whether you are looking for a caffeine boost or a cheerful place to spend a few hours studying, Milford’s on Third is the place to go.
Hours: 6:00AM-3:00PM
Rêve is French for “dream,” and it perfectly communicates the intent behind Rêve Coffee Lab — the shop sets out to build a space where people can share their stories.
Located in the White Star Market, Rêve Coffee Lab focuses on quality over quantity. They roast their coffee in their own micro-roaster, and you can enjoy their exceptional brews through a hot cup in-house or by purchasing a bag of whole coffee beans. Rêve Coffee Lab serves a type of beverage for everyone, whether you only drink black coffee or prefer flavored lattes. Try some of the best coffee in Baton Rouge when you visit Rêve Coffee Lab.
At Rêve Coffee Lab, excellent coffee is only part of the equation. Their mission is to bring their neighborhood together, to provide a space where people can share their dreams, hear each other’s stories and taste their heritage. Whether you are looking for the perfect cup of iced coffee, flavorful loose-leaf tea, refreshing kombucha or just a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, Rêve Coffee Lab is a must-visit in Baton Rouge.
Hours: Monday 7:00AM-3:00PM, Tuesday through Friday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00AM-7:00PM
If you have ever explored the coffee scene of New Orleans, you probably noticed a happy yellow building with bright blue doors — or at least, you couldn’t miss the cheerful yellow truck with the bright blue wheels.
French Truck Coffee is a New Orleans staple, and it has migrated to Baton Rouge. French Truck Coffee is dedicated to using the highest-quality coffee beans they can find, roasting them in small batches and getting them to their customers as quickly as possible. Coffee was meant to be served fresh, and the people at French Truck Coffee take their timeliness very seriously.
Now with locations across the South, French Truck Coffee is famous for providing incredible coffee and a positive, uplifting coffee shop ambiance.
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30AM-6:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00AM-6:00PM
CC’s Coffee House is a South Louisiana institution.
Known for its creative and ever-changing menu of specialty coffee drinks, CC’s offers a wide selection of decadent beverages — make sure to try one of the local favorites like the Turtle Mochasippi or the King Cake Latte. If you are in the mood for a simpler drink, you can always order a classic medium or dark roast for an early morning energy boost. CC’s also features a selection of specialty teas for the non-coffee drinker.
At CC’s, you can opt to sit outside or indoors depending on the weather — if you want a place to read or study in the sun, CC’s provides space to sip your coffee while enjoying the fresh air.
Hours: Monday through Friday 5:30AM-9:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:00AM-9:00PM
Bright, open and fresh, Light House Coffee has earned a reputation for being one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shops in Baton Rouge.
If you are looking for an expressive cup of coffee, Light House is the place to go. Featuring a variety of specialty brews along with traditional roasts, Light House has something for every type of coffee lover. If you are hungry for something more than coffee, Light House serves locally baked pastries and other light food items to keep you going all day.
Light House also empowers its community — the shop employs displaced people in Baton Rouge, and they partner with a local company called Hands Producing Hope to support refugees and their families in the area. When you drop by Light House, you know that your purchase is making a difference.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00AM-9:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM-9:00PM, closed Sunday
Effortlessly chic and modern, Magpie Cafe is one of Baton Rouge’s coffee hotspots.
Magpie Cafe is the brainchild of James and Lina Jacobs, who traveled to Italy in 2008 and tasted a life-changing cup of coffee. They brought this new-found passion for good coffee and farm-to-table food to their neighborhood, and the result was Magpie Cafe.
Magpie Cafe has an extensive menu featuring a wide variety of coffees, foods and baked goods. The community flocked to the cafe, and Magpie has been so successful that they have expanded to two other locations within the city. Magpie focuses on organic, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, and the menu changes daily, so you will never get bored with what they have to offer.
Hours: Vary by location
Located at the historic north gates of Louisiana State University, Highland Coffees is beloved by both LSU students and the wider Baton Rouge community.
Although frequented by college students, Highland Coffees is more than your average college coffee shop. With a gorgeous, French-inspired exterior and a charming interior with wood paneling details and arched windows, Highland Coffees is visually stunning. A vine-covered arbor shades an outdoor courtyard, and tropical plants and murals add color to the space between tables. Music pours from outdoor speakers, cultivating a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Highland Coffees is also known for its brews. Specializing in house-roasted coffee and sustainable, imported teas, the shop is continuously filled with enticing aromas. At Highland Coffees, you can buy your favorite whole bean coffees, loose leaf teas and fresh pastries such as cobblers, cheesecakes and fruit tarts.
Highland Coffees is popular for a reason — this shop has everything you need in a coffee shop, from fast Wi-Fi and a lovely environment to phenomenal java.
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30AM-11:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30AM-11:00PM
When you want a high-quality cup of coffee that will bring you joy, visit Coffee Joy, one of the cozy coffee shops in downtown Baton Rouge. The fresh-made coffee, cold drinks and fresh pastries will soothe your cravings on the way to work or after walking around the city.
Coffee Joy also offers non-coffee beverages for people who prefer tea, hot chocolate or lemonade.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday 8AM-5PM
If you have ever wanted to enjoy interesting local art while drinking a cup of high-quality coffee, Brew-Ha-Ha! should be the next Baton Rouge coffee shop on your list.
Brew-Ha-Ha! is famous for its extensive and decadent cake ball selection, but the coffee is just as good as the cake. The Brew-Ha-Ha! menu features a long list of traditional and specialty coffee drinks, so whether you have a strong sweet tooth or prefer a more bitter brew, you can find a drink that fits your preferences. Brew-Ha-Ha! also offers breakfast and lunch items, making it the perfect place to meet a friend for a light meal.
Brew-Ha-Ha! is unashamedly quirky, which has led to a fun and unconventional atmosphere. Enjoy the free Wi-Fi and fun background music, and make sure to drop in for the occasional open mic night.
Hours: 6:30AM-9:00PM
A New Orleans success story, PJ’s Coffee has made its way to the streets of Baton Rouge.
PJ’s believes in serving a strong cup of joe — using only the top one percent of Arabica coffee beans, PJ’s offers gourmet and small-batch roasted coffee to provide customers with the highest-quality brews.
PJ’s also offers plenty of options for non-coffee drinkers. Try one of their fresh smoothies, or sip on a cold beverage like the Green Tea Velvet Ice, which takes jasmine green tea matcha powder and blends it with milk and Monin Melon syrup.
PJ’s has a classic coffee shop vibe, with hardwood floors and a neutral color scheme. With high-quality coffee and a quiet, productive atmosphere, PJ’s is the perfect choice for a day when you need to get work done.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00AM-6:30PM, Saturday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday 7:00AM-5:00PM
If you dream of sipping coffee surrounded by a lush garden, Garden District Coffee could become your next favorite café.
With a large outdoor patio and plenty of seating, this gorgeous coffee shop provides a fresh atmosphere along with good coffee. Garden District rotates its menu daily, allowing you to sample a new coffee roast every day. They are also known for their pastries — from buttery scones to mouth-watering cakes, Garden District is well-stocked with food to keep you going through an all-day work or study session.
If you need an extra boost of energy, try out the X-Treme. Part brewed coffee and part espresso, this drink will give you enough caffeine to get you through the day. Garden District Coffee also offers a wide selection of teas and tea lattes, so if you are not crazy about coffee, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30AM-9:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:00AM-9:00PM
If you want a quick bite to eat with your daily coffee, A&J’s Coffee Bean Cafe is the perfect place to eat and rest. You can drink gourmet coffee while enjoying breakfast or lunch. Choose a meal from their extensive menus, from breakfast burritos and sandwiches to salads and more.
You could also pair your coffee with a sweet pastry, muffin, cheesecake or fresh fruit.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:00AM-4:00PM, Friday 7:00AM-2:30PM
Sometimes, you’re in the mood for good food alongside a quality cup of joe. Fortunately, the extensive menu at Coffee Bean Cafe means it’s impossible to leave feeling hungry.
Whether you’re in the mood for an avocado cheddar burger, a grilled steak omelet or a catfish and shrimp platter, Coffee Bean Cafe serves a wide variety of dishes that will satisfy every morning, brunch, lunch and mid-afternoon craving.
Coffee Bean Cafe also offers a long list of coffee options, ranging from Cafe Au Lait to white mochas. With a friendly atmosphere and carryout options, this coffee shop has developed a devoted local following.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00AM-3:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM-2:00PM, closed Sunday
Merging coffee shop culture with Southern charm, Coffee Call provides everything you need for a successful morning.
Coffee Call offers the standard range of coffee drinks including black, decaf and iced coffee. They also serve flavored coffees and other traditional breakfast beverages such as milk, hot chocolate and orange juice. This no-frills approach to coffee is refreshing, especially when paired with the food.
Biscuits and beignets are the true stars of Coffee Call’s menu. When you walk into the café, you’re greeted by the mouth-watering aromas of coffee beans, powdered sugar and frying dough. The interior of Coffee Call lives up to its impressive menu — with high, open ceilings, a beautiful light-rimmed bar and plenty of windows, the space is as inviting as its food.
Another perk of Coffee Call is its hours — open until midnight most of the week, the cafe operates all day Friday through Sunday, which means you can grab coffee and beignets whenever you need them.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 6:00AM-12:00AM, Friday through Sunday open 24 hours
Rue Beignet can kickstart your morning with fresh, hot beignets and a hot cup of cafe au lait. The dedicated bakers freshly make the beignets every day using authentic and fresh ingredients from local sources.
Rue Beignet is a cozy spot for you to catch up with friends or work on projects. Sit outside to relax while enjoying your treats or spend time inside the comfortable seating area and use the free Wi-Fi.
Hours: Monday 7:00AM-1:00PM, Tuesday through Sunday 7:00AM-7:30PM
Putting a spin on classic coffee, you can try innovative lattes and non-coffee drinks from Social Coffee, a specialty coffee bar. Social Coffee is a popular coffee cart that pops up in several locations throughout Baton Rouge. With its increase in popularity and demand, you will soon be able to visit the new Social Coffee brick-and-mortar coffee shop opening in Baton Rouge.
In the meantime, if you want to indulge in the delicious coffee from Social Coffee, you can book a cart for an event or visit one of their pop-up locations.
Follow Social Coffee’s social media pages to learn when the new coffee shop opens and what events they will pop up at.
When you’re in the heart of Baton Rouge, Troy’s Coffee Shop is a great place to stop for quality coffee. Located on the top floor of the Baton Rouge City Hall, you can quickly get a cup of coffee and lunch during the workday or while walking around the city.
Enjoy a hamburger, chicken tenders or sandwich for a quick takeout lunch alongside your daily coffee.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:00AM-1:30PM, Friday 7:00AM-12-PM
Baton Rouge features a wide variety of coffee shops and cafes, so whether you are looking for a quiet study spot or a new favorite breakfast destination, you’re sure to find a place that you love.
At Milford’s on Third, we are dedicated to excellence in every aspect of our shop. Milford’s on Third brings an authentic, New York-style deli experience to the heart of Baton Rouge, and we are passionate about what we offer our community.
Order a cup of coffee, browse our extensive menu and enjoy our bright and cheerful ambiance — visit us inside the Watermark hotel or call ahead to place your order.
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