Backstory Coffee Roasters - West Side

Great coffee shop!! Chai was so good, it is on the spicier side if you are used to more sweetness, but I thought it was solid flavor! There is a great outdoor seating space with limited but still good seating inside with bar option, 2 two seaters and 2 tables for groups of 5!

Amazing cappuccino. The single source espresso was on the acidic side but not in a bad way. Carmel peach cream cheese pastry was amazing! Not a combination I would have tried but it fit well. The speciality matcha drink was pretty expensive, but the seasonal mochi flavor fit really nicely and you could tell it wasn’t created just as a seasonal gimmick. Not a ton of seating, but cute space where you can see the coffee being roasted.

Such a cute coffee shop! I heard about how good their strawberry shortcake latte was so I had to try it. It definitely lived up to the hype. It was delicious iced and had a great strawberry taste without being too overpowering. I’ve also had their iced lemon bar latte which was delicious as well! Ordering is through their window outside or you can walk in and grab a table too. The best part about Backstory is all their syrups and sauces are house made! Overall loved my drinks and will definitely be coming back!

We stopped in to sit down for coffee but since the seating was full we grabbed coffees to go. I got the iced lavender cardamom latte and it was delicious! The best lavender coffee drink I’ve had. Will definitely be returning and recommending to others!

Totaled my car for the new year and have been taking the bus. Stopped in and now it’s become a really nice staple in my day. The coffee is always fresh and delicious 😋 with the roasting going on in house I can’t lose! #Coffeecake #HamandCheeseCroissants and so much more

The inside is clean with the roasting setup front and center next to the seating area, which is really cool to see! Coffee is amazing with so many pastry choices. The only thing I hope for is more comfy chairs inside. I don’t like sitting outside, and the furniture available inside with the high top chairs is extremely uncomfortable unless you’re lucky enough to get a big table.

2023 update: original review still stands true. Really great coffee, environment, and staff! Original review: This is a fantastic place. They sell much more than delicious drinks and they have a great seating area outside that does have a fire roaring much of the time. The staff has always been so friendly and there is a reward system that gives you points to use. If you like coffee, you need to try this place!

Needed a place to get things done on my to do list and I’m glad I chose Backstory to do so! Ordering inside is open now and there were a few tables to sit at inside and many tables outside. The free wifi even reached to the outdoor tables! I ordered a caramel latte that was made with their house brown sugar caramel sauce and local milk. I asked for it a little less sweet but it wasn’t very sweet at all so next time I wouldn’t ask for that! There were a few pastry options and Mylk Labs oatmeal for food and you can see them roasting the coffee inside and can buy the bags of their coffee. They also have a rewards program for your purchases and they sell growlers of some drinks. Overall cute space and good vibes!

Even though it was a little cold the day I went, I loved the little outdoor patio area. I sat outside, just watching the cars go by as I enjoyed my coffee and chocolate croissant. Got a cold brew and iced latte. The coffee was pretty strong which I appreciated and wasn't bitter at all. The croissant was pretty good too but it was a tad on the dry side. Either way, it was really good with the coffee. I didn't get a chance to sit inside but it's a really cool vibe in there as well. A great place to chill and catch up with people.

This café is stunning when you first walk in. Super open and spacious with lots of seating. However, if you come in during a rush, prepare to wait a while for both seats and service. I visited around noon and it was pretty packed. My friend and I waited for a seat for about 15 minutes. They have paper menus that you can browse while waiting which helped move the ordering queue a little faster. They also have cute merchandise for sale as well. The drinks and pastry we got were delicious and worth the wait. This is a great place to sit and work if you get there early.

Great coffee. Great ambiance. Delicious treats. I wish this was closer to me so I could go more often as it is an enjoyable place to sit and have a coffee

It was a beautiful day to hit up the coffee shop. Today's adventure was Backstory! I did have to drive around a little bit to find a parking spot, but it was mainly due to the nearby construction. Something to note if you visit soon. I enjoyed an iced caramel latte with salt on top. It was exactly what I was hoping for! My kiddos enjoyed their lemonades. I stole a sip, too, and was quite impressed with the flavor! Their space outside is gorgeous and perfect to enjoy a fall day with. I did wish the baristas were a little more welcoming, but it seemed like they were in the middle of dealing with something on the phone so I understand. Can't wait to be back. It was a relaxing experience!

Backstory is a great stop for coffee. This location actually roasts the coffee for both of their locations. They have a small indoor and outdoor seating and they are right across from a brew pub so you can go right from coffee to beer! Backstory roasts and sells their beans as well as various items like shirts and cups, etc. The one thing I want to call Backstory out for is their very friendly service. We had a couple of questions and the barista was happy to answer them and explain some things to us. After getting my cappuccino and taking a sip, I immediately went back and bought the Legend beans so I can have them at home. A must stop for coffee!

Had to wait around the area so stopped in to get some work done and grab an espresso. It's a really small shop so the seating is dependent on if you can/want to use the patio. There are only 4 tables inside and they fill up quick. The service was pretty good and it's got a "hip" atmosphere. It's pretty neat that they've got all their beans and roaster in the back of the shop. They've got some local pastries, tea, and in-house roasted coffee. I grabbed an espresso and drip coffee this time. They both tasted pretty bitter and I'm not sure if that was a result of the roast or the temp on the brew. It was "ok" but not my favorite. Overall I don't think I'd work here again. There aren't a lot of "craft" roasters in the area so would stop by again if I lived/worked in the area.

A cute coffee shop tucked away in a quaint area. Stopped here on our way out of Minneapolis. The baristas were very nice and helpful when we ordered. I tried some sort of matcha, blueberry/lemon latte and wow it was so good. Almost had a subtle fruit loop flavor!

I love stumbling upon the hidden gems of the world. This is one of those. Outstanding Latte and exceptional pasties. A cool vibe inside and out. This is a lovely place to drink really good in-house roasted coffee and be delighted by a creative bite. Highly Recommended the coffee cake and the everything bagel pastry.

So glad we accidentally stopped at this divine gem on our way to see the sites in St Paul. It's right on the corner with plenty of parking on the street in front. The place is clean, trendy and obviously a lot of others think so, too. I ordered a vanilla latte and my SO ordered the Mocha. The foam "art" was gorgeous! Of course it gets altered after the first sip... but the additional attention to detail was appreciated. Decided to enjoy some coffee cake which was a bit crunchy on top (and which I liked) and soo delicious. Very filling. My SO loved the soft blueberry muffin packed with sweet blueberries. It was also large. Went back to the counter to get packaged coffee to go. Most coffees seemed to be mostly "single origin" but with the help of the individual at the counter(manager) who gave me an espresso cup sample of what i was buying, I chose the chocolate Narrator for a gift for my kiddo. It was nice to see that there was a huge machine (coffee roaster) inside but unfortunately they weren't roasting that day. St Paul was a great place to visit.

So me and my mom are visiting St. Paul for the week and we are coffee addicts. So we decided to try this place and honestly did not know what to expect Ambiance: modern, clean, vibrant ambiance with big windows. Coffee: honestly one of the best lattes I've ever had even coming from California. It's so delicious and really put effort into making it pretty Service: everyone has been beyond caring and nice here. Doing the extra mile and starting conversations and even giving us restaurant recommendations since we are visiting! I've been coming here 5 days straight since me and my mom got here in St. Paul HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Perhaps I made a mistake of trying Backstory out in the winter. I arrived 30 minutes after opening on a Saturday morning and snagged the last table (there are only 4 tables and a hightop bar area). The vibe was... kind of sad. This location is definitely not in the business to welcome patrons for a cozy, relaxing sit. Instead it's where they roast their coffee. Now I know - I was looking for a place to squat while I sipped my coffee and powered through some grad school work. My chocolate croissant was clearly thawed from frozen - the chocolate was still cold and hard. But I enjoyed my cafe miel. I will probably get their coffee at other local shops that use their beans instead of visiting this location again. Although I am intrigued by their outdoor seating in the warmer months. Bonus points for having a self-serve water station!

Quick service. Delicious coffee. Clean space. There's both indoor and outdoor seating.

My friend and I biked to Bootstrap Coffee Roasters on a Sunday around noon. When we got there, I realized the indoor part of the coffee shop was closed off. I lily, it was a nice day out and we were able to sit outside but I would have been very upset had it none been a nice day out. My friend and I both ordered the maple syrup coffee. It sounded really great on the menu, like a fun, sweet coffee. When we got the coffee it was a tad bitter for the both of us and we got some extra cream. This made the coffee PERFECT! We were able to enjoy the nice day and our coffees

Such a fun and warming coffee shop! The employees were super nice and helpful when I asked for a suggestion. I ended up get their blood orange iced matcha and it was really really good! The location has plenty of street parking and paths to walk with your coffee. There's also a nice outdoor seating area with chairs and a fireplace! WiFi password was out for easy use and multiple tables to work or visit at. I'd love to try the minneapolis location too.

Came here once when you could only order at the window and after trying their other location in Minneapolis, decided to come back for another try inside. The main reason for our most recent visit was they were partnering with Dine Out For Life. Anyway, I still find the coffee delicious and I especially love the seasonal specials they have (we tried a vanilla rose miel and butterscotch cold brew). They do coffee well here. If you like A LOT of coffee, though, the sizes they carry are pretty small. Prices are a little higher than other coffee shops, too. The inside of this location is also nothing like the one in Minneapolis. The interior space is fairly small and, since they do the roasting here, it is pretty loud. I could see it being nice to sit out on the patio when the Minnesota weather cooperates.

Best thing about Backstory; all their syrups are house made! I love coming back here and trying their seasonal drinks. Today I got their lemon bar latte. It was delicious and a great balance of sweetness. There's some seating available inside now to get work done which is great for the colder weather. Friendly staff and my drink came out quick!

I'll be honest... I don't know what their ACTUAL backstory is here. I just know that they serve an excellent cup... or in our case, cappucino... an excellent cappuccino.

We became aware of this place when they opened their north loop location so decided to try their Saint Paul one and it's super cute! The same great coffee. Most of the building is the roastery so not a great place to come work. 2 4-person tables 2 high top 2-person tables and 4 stools against the window. They do have an order window which I'm sure gets more utilization In the Summer months. Overall a great stop!

This place is pretty mellow, not a huge crowd maybe it's because I came during the week while everyone' is working. I got a mocha ice coffee, it's better then any ice coffees I tasted. It's not to sweet or bitter. Highly recommend.

Even though they're essentially a coffee booth right now, they've kept their outdoor area open which is fairly pleasant. They make a decent cold brew and I'd be willing to vouch for it.

We just went to the new location in North Loop and it is beautiful! Great light, easy study/work vibe, lots of seating. The coffee was yummy too!

Needed a place to get things done on my to do list and I'm glad I chose Backstory to do so! Ordering inside is open now and there were a few tables to sit at inside and many tables outside. The free wifi even reached to the outdoor tables! I ordered a caramel latte that was made with their house brown sugar caramel sauce and local milk. I asked for it a little less sweet but it wasn't very sweet at all so next time I wouldn't ask for that! There were a few pastry options and Mylk Labs oatmeal for food and you can see them roasting the coffee inside and can buy the bags of their coffee. They also have a rewards program for your purchases and they sell growlers of some drinks. Overall cute space and good vibes!

Everything about this place is fantastic. I love all the employees, the coffee is great and sitting outside by the fire pit on a nice cool day. It's a win

Bootstrap Coffee is the official coffee vendor of the Science Museum of MN. While I have not officially had coffee at that location yet (SMM and coffee are now open!), I was able to experience the coffee through a special event hosted by both. In partnership, they hosted the 'Science of Coffee'. Through a zoom call and in-home experiment, we learned about growing, roasting, brewing, and tasting coffee. The Bootstrap rep was very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about coffee. I decided to do my own 'experiments' and ordered some coffee online. Can't wait to start testing.

They truly have some of the most delicious coffee in the area! When it's cold the seating is pretty limited, but the walk up window makes up for it. Staff is super nice, it's a great spot for a quick pick up!

Disclaimer: some of the photos on this listing are of the Minneapolis location. The St Paul location is very small and not filled with plants and comfy couches. I had never heard of Backstory, it's not convenient to me, but some friends wanted to meet there. I went early to get some work done (Sunday at 8:15am) and all the tables were empty, which is convenient because there are not many tables. It was quiet and peaceful and I appreciated that, I think it helps that they have an outdoor window so lots of people ordering to go or for the patio don't end up coming inside. I just ordered drip coffee and they only had enough for half a cup, so the barista said they'd make more and bring it to me. They did and they brought me an entire mug, so I ended up with a lot of coffee. I hate to admit I wasn't able to drink it all, though. The coffee was delicious, it was the Rwanda Rugali which tasted a lot like an Ethiopian to me, a lighter roast, fruity and flowery, not usually my favorite by I thoroughly enjoyed it. It also made me jacked as heck...I only drank around 16oz and felt like I was trippin' haha. So, maybe just 10oz next time. My friends and I sat in the outdoor area once they arrived and it was a fantastic place to be on a nice day! I hope I can check the Minneapolis location out sometime, because it just looks so beautiful and cozy, but I liked the quaintness and low-keyness of this location.

Coffee was fantastic, I got a cortado and it was extraordinary. Vibe is great, there are people roasting the beans right next to you! Small seating area but it has stools set up next to a window and you can sit there and relax. A great place to get coffee on the West Side.

The ambiance here is great: plants everywhere, community style couch seating and decent coffee. Would return.

I've been wanting to try this place back when it was Bootstrap and finally I did! One of my favorite coffee drinks is a miel and they make it! How can you NOT love cinnamon and honey in your coffee? They have two sizes you can choose from which equate to a small and medium IMO. I ordered the largest size and it wasn't NEARLY enough, but that's because I love coffee and need lots of caffeine in the morning. The miel was decent. I will definitely go back and try another drink. Maybe get two.

Love Backstory coffee! I've been there a couple of times and will keep going back! The caramel latte has a perfect butterscotchy flavor (that's not too sweet) and came with cute foam art. The ham and cheese croissant was so good! I wish I could eat one everyday. Also love the patio - with the cute little flower bouquets on every table and bonfire. Highly recommend!

In old St Paul across the River lies a roaster/ coffee house that deserves some love. The beans are simply fantastic and belong in the Twin Cities upper eschaton. They have seasonal blends and a ton of single origin options and make excellent hot and cold drinks. After being accused of being a black coffee snob I invited input from non coffee purists to make sure I covered all angles. They haves fun modern shop in a older section of town that is welcoming and warm. So ditch the reindeer and green angel and get good coffee at a fantastic local gem.

Baristas were extremely helpful, friendly and welcoming. Patio in the back was very nice too. Tried a Businde pour over and it was really good so I grabbed a bag of beans too. 100% recommend and i'll probably be coming back regularly

Great coffee! I also really love that they have a fire pit outside on their patio?? It was such a cool vibe for a coffee shop, I cannot wait to go back.

Support local baby! Open 7am - 3 pm, Bootstrap coffee is pure magic. Since COVID, they primarily use a walk-up window and the service is quick. Serving seasonal rotating drinks that are switched up (IE: lemon lavender miel, strawberries and cream iced mocha, espresso iced tea), I promise no other coffee shop is comparable. This is the real deal and even the donuts are jaw dropping (gluten free - hello). The coffee beans are roasted on-site and therefore, the aroma is always heavenly. There is a newer outside patio to tap into since the inside seating has not returned. I recommend picking a nice sunny day and grabbing a friend or family member to visit with on the patio. Once your drink is made, the barista puts it on a little bench outside to grab. Most recently, I had the seasonal berries and cream iced matcha and it was to die for. Please support this local shop as Saint Paul is so grateful to have this gem. Also - give them a follow on IG which is where I learn about a lot of their seasonal specials.

Why I didn't came here long time ago hahaha? This place is really good I love it I had a strawberry shorecake latte, their specialty. Im sure I will try their other coffees. "Supporting Local Business" iLove it.

First time in this coffee shop and can't wait to go back! The barista/cashier who helped me was SO friendly and recommended me the cran apple latte which is a super unique and yummy drink. I also got a ham and cheese croissant (their pastries come from Viking and Goddess). They have a good outdoor space and some seating indoors. They had a fire going outside which I loved for a chillier fall morning.

Bootstrap is one of my favorite coffee places in the twin cities! Not only are their beans and coffee awesome, but they are constantly rotating their specials and come up with really creative drinks that you absolutely cannot get anywhere else. Highly recommend checking this place out! I come here pretty often, but I most recently got their iced strawberry mocha (Mother's Day weekend special). I was a little apprehensive, but the overall impression was similar to a chocolate covered strawberry and tasted great!

I'd been eagerly waiting for the return of Strawberry Shortcake Season. Never in my life have I been so obsessed with one beverage. I do recommend getting it iced no matter the weather. It's creamy, with a perfect balance of spices and sweetness from the strawberries and oat milk. Other than that, I love: The folks who work at Bootstrap Their coffee beans for home brewing The patio Pretty much any beverage I've ordered The DIY Espresso The cinnamon cigar The laidback vibe but with EXCEPTIONAL execution I love Bootstrap Coffee.

The strawberry shortcake latte was AMAZING. I think it's now my all time favorite latte that I've ordered from anywhere. 10/10 would recommend.

I stumbled on this coffee roaster on a recent visit to MN. My friend told me they had recently changed names, but we didn't realize they had also just relocated to their new location. They were only serving through their outdoor window at the time but the coffee was delicious and the El Divino Nino beans I brought home were absolutely amazing! The interior looked really nice and spacious, but I only got a quick peek at it as they were still getting it ready for a full open. I've heard they are now open for walk-in service. Can't wait to go back the next time I'm in town!

Bootstrap Coffee Roasters is prob my fav coffee bean roaster in Minnesota !! I love their beans, they are sooo good and rival any top place in Seattle they recently opened their new roastery and coffee shop over on the west side of St Paul The new space is sleek and modern, baristas are very friendly. The menu has good offerings, like fun flavored drinks or just plain delicious coffee If you go soon, i HIGHLY recommend their summer blend beans! Try a cup of this coffee and you'll be leavin the store with a bag or two of these beans (like I did!) I LOVE fruity coffees and these beans did not disappoint Also tried their maple cold brew drink, sry can't remember the name, but it was tasty! cool and refreshing on a hot summer day I'm very happy Bootstrap now has a physical location I can stop in and buy beans and a delicious drink as well!!!

The only reason this is not a 1 star review is that we received this coffee in a Gift Box put together buy a local promotional company, as a gift from my GFs company. We are kinda coffee fanatics, so we were excited to drink something new. Our regulars are Starbucks Winterblend and Peets Major Dickasons. And we grind our own beans. When I opened the bag of Blue Collar, I thought it looked a little off. I am used to rich oily beans and these looked like old dried out milk chocolate chips that had spent a few years in an opened bag in the back of a cabinet. When I ground them it was no better. But I thought, you never know. I made up a pot, and we drink it strong and I have to say, she thought it tasted like a bad cup of Sanka. I thought it tasted like dishwater. I hope we got a bad batch, but if we did, you really need to work on your quality control, as this coffee should have never left your business. Especially since it was packaged to go out in a Gift Box and introduce your company to new potential customers. I have included a picture of the packaging and the coffee ground.

It was raining outside so I came in to dry off and try their coffee. I was tempted by their own version of PSL, called STPSL and it tastes like a delicious, warm pumpkin pie but not as sweet! They've been open only for a few months but can tell they know what they're doing. They have their own roaster and have been locally roasting since 2014. They have a few pastries and oatmeal options. The barista is really sweet. She has been in the coffee industry for 10 years and is engaging and friendly. This is a nice place to enjoy coffee while working or studying!

I love the fact that they have a walk up window to order. The coffee is delicious and strong! Highly recommend to give this place some love!

Support local. Very good coffee. I am writing more because Yelp says my review is too short. Simply saying a few words is felt to be not good enough. So I keep typing until the bottom of my review does not say "my review is shorter than most." There. It is now long enough. Go drink some some good coffee.

Oh Bootstrap, you roast amazing beans! Definitely one of my favorite cups of coffee, not just in the twin cities. Super sweet staff. Baked goods by la boulangerie marguerite. We are super big fans of the new patio, such a perfect spot to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee.

Love the vibe here. Affordable prices, you can see where they roast the coffee and excellent menu options. Free WiFi, just ask an employee for the password. I've been looking for a spot to work at since working from home gets lonely. They get fresh pastries in the morning. I'll come back and see if I can replicate my Milan breakfast experience (a croissant with an espresso).

They always read my weird instructions when I order online and the coffee/tea never disappoints. Love all the seasonal stuff, particularly floral/herbal caffeine boosts.

I get the same drink at most coffee shops (decaf latte with oat milk) and this one was super tasty; creamy and not bitter. I love the walk-up window! Service was really friendly and the employee let me wait inside for my drink to be made, because of the cold weather. I'll stop by again when I'm in the neighborhood!