Backstory Coffee Roasters - North Loop

It was hard choice to rate a 3. But the pastries alone drag it down. If you are a pastry lover, this is not the place. The space itself is really cool. The atmosphere is a young hipster vibe. The coffee is really good. The light in here is amazing, why the plastic plants?

This place is so cute! I found it on TikTok after searching “cutest coffee shop Minneapolis” and Backstory did not disappoint. My chai latte was delicious. The atmosphere was stunning. It is very spacious with lots of seating for lounging, catching up with friends, or getting individual work done. I’d love to come back to this place soon!

Atmosphere is 5/5. Beautiful high ceilings encompassed with plants and remains of old industrial equipment to reflect the buildings old life. Whether you’re looking to get some work done, enjoy a slow morning, or reconnect over coffee, this is a great choice. Although the coffee (in my personal opinion) seems a bit over priced, the atmosphere itself makes up for it. My go to order is a Miel, or rotating through their different latte speciality offerings. Parking- paid street parking is available. Depending on the time of day you go, you may have to park a couple blocks away.

Fantastic vibe here. Something different and interesting. Lots of greenery with a mod library atmosphere. Perfect for catching up with a friend or working remote. Very high ceilings and fun decor. We had a gluten free donut that totally hit the spot. The Miel Chocolat was a treat. I ordered it hot and would definitely recommend it. My daughter had an iced chai and unfortunately it didn’t have a whole lot of flavor but it is worth ordering again just in case it was the mix that day. If you like to try local coffee houses then I would definitely check this one out.

The atmosphere is wonderful for reading and remote work. I got a chai tea latte with almond milk and it was delightful. Overall it was a very nice space. Only thing to note is it’s street parking so it can be hard to find parking and when you do, be ready to pay. The bathrooms were clean and very nice as well.

The cortado was beautifully velvety, and the latte hit that sweet spot between rich milk and a solid espresso. Both drinks showed care in execution without unnecessary fluff. Food-wise, the spinach artichoke roll is genuinely crave‑able. Savory, with just the right amount of filling. We also tried gluten‑free pastry from Sift. It wasn’t exceptional, but it’s great to see thoughtful options for dietary restrictions. The baristas were very attentive. Even at peak times, they were prompt, friendly, and happy to answer questions about the menu. The space itself walks a fine line between grand and cozy. High ceilings and art installations give it an open, historic vibe, while the clever sound‑dampening keeps noise at a comfortable level. Subtle nods to the building’s paper‑company past add character without feeling kitschy. Backstory Coffee combines thoughtful design, solid coffee, and conversational service. Definitely worth a visit.

The coffee is so good I will go out of my way to go here again. Ordered a Cappuccino and it was a perfect velvety balance of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. The service the baristas provided was great, and they were very friendly and knowledgeable. The atmosphere has a very chill vibe in an industrial chic space which is perfect for catching up with friends, reading a book or working remotely.

This is a gorgeous coffee spot with very friendly staff. I got a seasonal latte (Miel Chocolat), expecting an intense sweet flavor. While that's not exactly what I got, I was by no means disappointed! It was a subtle flavor that complimented the coffee well. My partner's drink (cold brew with cherry-maple cold foam) was a stronger flavor though, so my problem could just be with the particular drink I ordered.

Ok this is one of the grandest and most visually engaging coffee shops I've ever been in. Truly, it's a work of art. High ceilings, a mesh of earth and industrial with both independent work and group spaces. My friend's latte was a typical price of a latte in MN. The 'fall' menu prices were ridiculous. $8.54 before tipping...that beats NYC coffee prices and there is just no reason. I had the carrot cake cold brew and it was delicious, truly. But after paying $6 for parking and $9 for my drink, things had escalated quickly. I still have to give this place 5 stars because service, taste and aesthetic were top notch.

Environment is a 10/10 if you're coming here to Recoup, study or work I think you'll find it's perfect for all the above. I ordered a regular latte with whole milk and was told I couldn't have it in a for here glass because they were understaffed... Not sure about this because it didn't seem overwhelming packed in my opinion. Coffee: 7/10 - it's not memorable or anything I'd run back to but it's solid and it's what you need a coffee to be. Just nothing special. Seating is vast and the leather couches are quite comfortable

THE COFFEE. THE SERVICE. THE AMBIANCE. A solid 10/10 Backstory makes exceptional coffee and provides a great assortment of pastries. Would love to see more seasonal pastries on their menu for the upcoming fall and winter holidays. My husband and I are obsessed with ambiance, especially their fireplace area with all their plants. We're huge plant people! The only downer of this place is that it is almost always, even during the week. However, you may have more luck on a weekday to grab a more desirable spot to sit at. In the weekends it's pretty packed, but 100% worth the wait and simply taking in the beauty of the building. Great place to work at during the weekday and a great pick-me up during the weekend!

Plenty of space for a lot of customers but surprisingly cozy due to the seating options. I ordered a flat white which was good but not great. I am a home barista with a commercial espresso machine at home so I have high standards. Would definitely go again if I find myself in the area.

The most gorgeous coffee shop and it's huge! There's so many areas to sit and hang with friends, work, or just enjoy some really good coffee. I wish I'd found this place sooner! There's fun decorations all over to just explore while you sip on the coffee. The oat milk latte with maple was so delicious. I got the 16oz and am happy I did! They also had a lot of yummy bakery items that we didn't try this time. They even offer some gluten free items from sift bakery!

Another winner coffee shop in my MSP book. It is located in a stunning industrial space that used to be a manufacturing site with super tall ceilings and gorgeous chandelier. There is good amount of natural lighting. Backstory is busy on a Saturday morning, line wait is about 10 mins. I enjoy my latte and pain au chocolat - it was delicious. Overall lovely place, good for work/study and reading.

Come for the atmosphere, stay for the totally decent coffee! This cavernous installation in the lobby of a North Loop residential complex is long on vibes, enough that even though I have a cozy office just around the corner from here, I sometimes like to haul my laptop down here and try blending in with the millenials and the zoomers and their high-energy remote-work antics. It does fill up as the morning progresses, but if you can carve out a corner somewhere, you may even find the end of an extention cord hiding handily between the couch cushions. Every coffee drink I've had has been perfectly lovely. I'm increasingly a latte guy, and they seem to have a different special available each time I come in. They prepare them quickly and serve them up with a smile and some friendly conversation. The coffee really is good enough to bring you in, but with the walls covered with decor that is both historical and arty, it's just a nifty place that you will very likely feel like hanging out for a while.

I've been to their St. Paul location many times and wanted to check out their Minneapolis one! It's so beautiful inside and the perfect spot to get work done. They had mn state fair drink specials so I tried the blueberry vanilla latte which came with a sweet corn whipped cream. It was so delicious and sweet! I could seriously stay here for hours it was the perfect ambiance to go with my coffee.

Such a cute coffee shop! I really love the trend of these larger more open coffee shops with plants and tons of seating. Got a pourover and a brown butter blueberry muffin Both delicious!

This place wows you from the moment you walk in. It is in the lobby area of one of the newer apartments on Washington, but such a large space with lots of different seating. From what I can tell, it is a popular place, so get there early for the best seating. Coffee menu appears somewhat pretentious, but there are so many fun combos. The pastries are also rotating and never seem to disappoint. Drinks are always made quickly and staff are happy to make recommendations if you are having trouble deciding.

Really great and amazing wookie cookies. Coffee is fresh and awesome. I recommend the matcha iced.

Thank you Yelp for the complimentary drink and for allowing us to review this place! Great customer service! Location isn't ideal, hard to find parking. Busy area. Inside is impressive. The decor is lovely and the atmosphere is peaceful. Big and open space with plenty of seating. The drink itself was made beautifully. The taste was not as sweet as I thought it would be. Tasted a little bitter and the orange flavor stood out more than I would prefer. But overall it wasn't bad. Place is a little pricey for a small drink but this place was a breath of fresh air from other coffee places. Recommend a try.

This place is my favorite place to get coffee. The shop itself is beyond gorgeous and I love the high ceilings and plants and overall vibe. So much seating as well! Seems like a great place to get some work done. The staff is super friendly and always compliments me when I come in! They seem super cool. I love their fun drinks ESPECIALLY their brown butter sage. I wish they would make it permanent. They brought it back for a weekend and it only lasted one day. I was so bummed. Their pastries are great and I love that they support other small businesses! They have gluten free options as well! I drive 15 min just to come here usually once a week!

FOOD/DRINK: Backstory has my favorite coffee drink, the maple standard cold brew! I'm usually not a cold brew fan, but the flavor is so good!! I have not gotten the chance to try any pastries yet, but the coffee menu is great. SERVICE: The line is always pretty long, but the drinks come out fast. AMBIANCE: The coolest ambiance out of any coffee shop in Minneapolis. Really tall ceilings with massive book shelves full of plants, Knick knacks, and decor. Great space to work remotely as well. LOCATION/PARKING: Cool location in the North Loop, connected to the Duffey Lofts. Parking might be difficult to find on the streets.

Trying the seasonal flavors at Backstory is literally a highlight for us every few months. Matcha not pictured, but the best flavored matcha lattes I've had! And love that it's dog friendly and beautiful inside

Coffee was great service was quick. A lot of people working so we have to wait a few minutes for seats.

So I think I discovered the place where all the hip mid 20s to early 30 year olds hang out from the bougie condos in this area... Backstory coffee is such a vibe. You're going to pay for said vibe, but it's delicious. The baristas are on point with customer service, and being someone who hasn't visited downtown in a looong time she could have been snippy with my ability to choose promptly from the menu. Asking her what was popular, she delivered some delicious - however very sweet, seasonal items. No hate in it! - I just needed someone to share with. So if you're looking for your newest instagram corner, a non-alcoholic alternative to hang with your date / friends, or somewhere to get your post work pick me up before you head home - give them a try. It's not your corner gas station prices, so come and stay a minute and actually enjoy your snack from backstory.

Sometimes the appeal of a coffee shop is the coffee. Sometimes it's the friendly baristas who knows remember your order every time. Other times, it's the space. Backstory Coffee definitely falls into the third category. While the service and the coffee are excellent, the space is what I remembered when I left. It embodies a quintessential Minneapolis vibe-- it's set in a renovated warehouse with lofty ceilings and plants everywhere. There's charming clutter on the shelves and several huge mirrors around. It was quite busy on the weekday that I went, to the point where it was difficult to find a place to sit down and set up shop. It's easy to see why.

This place gets 5/5 for the ambiance. High ceilings, plenty of comfortable seats, and absolutely gorgeous greenery- I almost wish I was in college again so I could go here on a Saturday to do work. The baristas are super nice as well, and the coffee is good! I got the dark chocolate orange miso cappuccino which was salty and sweet, yet not overpowering. I will say this place is a bit pricey, I wouldn't takeout coffee here but if you're sitting and staying it's so worth it. Make sure to get there at a good time to grab a spot!

This little gem is lovely! The interior provides a spacious coffee shop vibe with plenty of seating options. I loved all the industrial parts and plants. I ordered a chai latte with almond milk and vanilla. The service was so friendly and the background music was a nice touch. It definitely gets busy and seats fill up quick so I'd recommend coming earlier. Street parking isn't the best but you'll have some options.

Coffee - "ok" it's on the acid side Food - "ok" nothing special Ambiance - Best part of the visit

Another coffee shop located inside another office complex or hotel. Large lobby/seating area with an open setup for the cafe. Decided on an Iced Latte and Almond Croissant (total $12). Coffee comes out pretty quickly, as well as the heated up pastry. The coffee is pretty good, not overly bitter or sweet. Almond croissant is certainly sticky on the outside (making it difficult to eat on the go). Inside has decent flavor, was helped by being heated up. Service was quick and the ambiance is nice if you can stay. Fine enough fast breakfast if working in the neighborhood.

Yea, this place is amazing for every thing. I love the coffee here.. it is amazing. Every type of person hangs out here.. studying, working, meeting to talk, just hanging out, reading.. whatever, you name it, people are there. It is awesome because there are so many different seating arrangements that you can choose from, there always seems to be enough space for everyone. Huge vibe! I have been here multiple times to just sit on the couch and study. Perfect for that. Ambiance 10 outta 10.

I cannot say enough good things about Backstory. I got the orange dreamsicle matcha and it was DELICIOUS! I also loved the vibe and interior of this place, would highly recommend stopping by here for a good quality matcha!

Space is huge and the coffee is Artisanal. Highly recommend getting kne of their special coffees

This is an instagram dream post. I ate at a local restaurant for breakfast and the coffee was not great. The server recommended this spot! It was magical and while it is open and full of plants, light and people. It felt cozy and welcoming. The coffee was more of a 4, but the everything hand pie hugged my soul. Beautiful spot. Enjoy.

I think this might be the most beautiful coffee shop I've stepped foot in. And the drinks were delicious. Service was great. I ordered an iced miel with almond milk. Liked that they didn't charge extra for alternative milk. Paid street parking in the north loop. Pretty crowded because it's popular so it might be tough to get a table at certain hours. However I thought there was a good amount of seating and mixed options of type of seating too- tables and soft seating.

I've seen pictures of this beautiful coffee shop online so I snuck away on a Saturday to go check it out. I almost didn't get in - the parking situation isn't fun. It's all street parking and was packed on the day of my visit: I drove around for 10 minutes and found a spot just before I was about to bail. I made it inside and found a long line (sigh). Fortunately, the line moved quickly and I ordered a sandwich and caramel latte. The turkey sandwich was made on homemade bread and very tasty and filling. The caramel latte was the best I've ever had. Wow. Homemade caramel sauce for the win! Now let's talk about the decor and environment- wow again: amazing and beautiful. I could have just gazed at the walls for hours. Comfy seating, an amazing vibe, and fantastic coffee made for a wonderful morning and I'm so glad I came!!! Can't wait to come back!

Great coffee in a unique space, although it can actually get too sunny and at times the noise level is high.

The parking isn't great but once inside the ambiance is really nice. High ceiling and very open. Service was good. I didn't get coffee, I had their savory pastries. Ham and cheese croissant with shredded parm on top. I warmed it up and it was ooey gooey good! The other was a yummy cream cheese situation with egg scrambled and asparagus. I would definitely go back again, and maybe get some coffee. No pics, I forgot. Just ate!

Vibe was really nice, coffee was excellent Love trying new places whenever I'm from out of town. Definitely lived up to expectations

The Salted Caramel Iced Latte is one of my favorite in the twin cities! I've been here multiple times for coworking as well as just to hangout and enjoy the space. It is truly beautiful with all the plants and decor. There is ample seating for hanging out, reading, or working. The baristas are very friendly and make a great latte! I would definitely recommend this shop for the coffee as well as for a place to sit and enjoy!

Great place to hang out and get some work done in the morning. Welcoming staff and dog friendly inside. There were people chatting but it's big enough I wasn't bothered at all by it. The espresso was excellent. Very smooth and slightly floral; not too bitter. Their pastries look really good so I'll be back to try them.

The ambience is just unbeatable. If you are a matcha person their seasonal matcha drinks are amazing.

I absolutely adore Backstory! Living in North Loop it's the perfect walkable spot to cozy up in for an afternoon and get some work done. The design is impeccable and is so inviting and well-lit with their skylights. The downside of how great Backstory is is how busy it can be - sometimes it is tough to find a spot to sit, but they have all kinds of couch nooks for lounging and a large communal table in the center with outlets if you need to buckle down and truly work. Their coffee is amazing and I love their seasonal options. I recently got the butternut almond miel with real butternut squash purée, honey, and cardamom and it was complex and tasted like fall in a cup. Their ham & cheese croissant is also fantastic (pro tips: get the croissant heated up, and if the line is very long you can also order online!)

The high ceiling that set the standards for high ceilings. The most gorgeous live plant wall. Amazing decor and the perfect aesthetic for a WFH day or coffee date with your bestie. Plus the coffee and bakery items are delicious. Staff is efficient and good at what they do. A must visit for anyone.

Backstory Coffee Roasters is a gem of a coffee shop! I love the ambiance, with high ceilings, an industrial style, and shelves filled with vintage objects and plants. It has a really cozy feel. It's a perfect spot for studying, working, or hanging out with friends. I ordered one of their summer specials, a Peaches & Cream Oat Latte. Peaches and coffee seems like it would be an odd combo, but this Latte was delicious! It had an authentic peach flavor, and the balance of peach and coffee was spot on. The staff was also really friendly and helpful!

Such a cute spot! This has become one of my fav study spots. I enjoy the ambiance and the coffee is delicious. I like how they have seating of all types for people to utilize space as they prefer. Definitely, a must-visit spot! The service was all right as it was busy. I'm hoping to go back on not such a busy day.

I saw Backstory all over Instagram when it opened, so I hopped on the chance to visit! Located in the heart of North Loop, this is the perfect young hang-out spot - whether it's for remote work or a weekend coffee chat. I visited around 10am on a Wednesday, and the place was packed with remote workers. Luckily, I had some friends that snagged a seat earlier, but I wouldn't have had a seat otherwise. The spot is located right inside the Duffy lofts, and there's no outdoor signage. The inside is a cozy plant-lovers paradise. It gives off very dark-academia vibes, and I love the tranquility it brings even when packed with visitors. There was a small line for ordering, but with only 2 others in front of me it went quickly. The staff are extremely efficient, helpful and friendly. I'm not one to tip at coffee shops, but I tipped here since the staff was so pleasant on a busy day. I ordered a hot vanilla latte, 16oz, and it was about $7 with tip - I'd say it's pretty average for a small business. I don't say this lightly when I say I think this is my favorite Vanilla latte I've tried so far in the Twin Cities. It was rich, creamy and tangy - plus their Vanilla bean homemade syrup made it a unique sweet flavor. The 16 oz was too big for me but I couldn't stop drinking it. Next time I'm back I also want to try their baked goods - the pastries all looked so flaky and delicious, plus they have a variety of oatmeals I saw a lot of other people munching on. Overall, will definitely be back to try more items and would love to stop by on a non-work day.

Perfect neighborhood coffee shop with great coffee, service and atmosphere. It gets a little busy on weekends. I love coming here to work and meet up with friends.

Excellent coffee, awesome decor and vibe, lots of flexible seating, good power options for working. Strong recommend.

Beautiful and spacious! Cozy and comfy with a homey feel. Lots of natural lighting. Drinks and food were also top notch quality.

I'm a sucker for cute coffee shops but more importantly companies with a wholesome mission & are environmentally conscious. I went to check out Backstory and it was amazing. Vibe: Absolutely stunning! The high ceilings, wall art, spacious floor, modern, I love it. Drinks: They have a fair amount of food & drink options for coffee and non-coffee drinkers. I wanted to try something new, and the baristas really did their thing. They recommended an iced chai latte with egg nog (I'm not an egg nog fan, but let me tell you) it was so delicious! It is more on the sweet side, but so so good. It is a holiday special, so you must get before it's gone.

I love anything that surrounds around coffee..because i fricken love coffee!! Like A LOT! Just like pizza around the Twin Cities I look for amazing coffee around TC! This spot has such an amazing vibe and atmosphere to just hang out sip on some yummy and chat! I tried the Valentine's special Stroopwafel Latte and talk about the smoothest cup of coffee ive ever had in my life! Even Nate who is a coffee snob and only drinks straight espresso (cause he's macho or something) couldn't stop sipping on it while we snuggled up into a corner chair together! We also scored the lemon poppyseed danish, the last one!! Perfect flavor combo and what i was expecting and how it tasted not crazy sweet and really really good! I'll be sneaking in here as much as i can to get a cup of love from this place! Keep doing what you all do! By the line circling the place its clear we all love what you all are roasting!

How do I even begin to describe the vibe and energy of this specialty coffee establishment. Cross between a Hogwarts wizardry and vintage brooding speakeasy decor with a splash of boho Balinese jungle accent. Yet it works and the coffee is amazing too. Saturday is packed with the line winding back but everyone is happily chatting away. While plenty of plush seatings, we had to covertly scope out for seating. Metered street parking which can be tough during Saturday morning brunch hours. Ordered the lavender cardamom latte and Meyer lemon danish. The latte was very smooth and creamy with a hint of cardamom, very good. The danish was ok. Will definitely be back to try other coffee flavors.

Love love love this place!! My friend brought me here and it was love at first sight. The space itself is gorgeous and so welcoming. There's tons of seating which is always a worry I have when going to coffee shops and the place is super bright and lively. I ordered a chai tea latte and it was super delicious and well served. I also ordered a savory pastry and I LOVED it. Definitely a place I could see my self working/studying/hanging out for long hours!! I definitely recommend.

Probably the best coffee shop ambiance especially for working remotely in the Northloop. They have plenty of workspace. Sometimes the music is loud but their wifi is fantastic. The staff is also always nice and there are some outlets if you need to charge your laptop. I've ordered the chocolate croissant here which tasted delicious. I had it heated.

I've been looking forward to trying out this spot for awhile for the social media reviews have been very good and the pictures looked amazing. Backstory coffee roaster in north loop has a stunning interior with tall ceilings which makes the place feel huge. It has live plants and the place overall has a trendy industrial vibe. The staff was super friendly and very helpful. We ordered the ice vanilla latte and a light roast pour over which were both good. The one downside was that we arrived on Friday morning around 10:30am and wow was it crowded! The coffee bar is on ground level which is directly connected to apartments/flats. Not sure if the residents of the flats use the coffee bar as a work space (about everyone had laptops) but we weren't able to find a place to sit unfortunately on this day for the two of us. So we decided to get our coffees to go. It overall the atmosphere and coffee were very good!

Checked this place out this morning and it was very busy! The coffee was good and so was the mini pie. Parking: all metered street parking. Seating options: there are many seating options. However, they were all taken today. Therefore, my friend and I couldn't stay to work since nothing was available.