Baldwin & Co. coffee + bookstore

This was the cutest little local bookstore & coffee shop to slip into to escape the heat. We got the lemonades, which were super refreshing, and perused the store while we cooled off. There was plenty of seating and such a great selection of books. The baristas were also super friendly and helpful.

One of our favorite places while on our girls trip. We all LOVE books and this place is so unique and cozy. Staff was friendly and the Vanilla brown sugar latte was the BEST coffee drink I have ever tasted 😋

This was a cute surprise! We were walking to Lorettas (great beignets) and saw thus place. When I say this was an amazing coffee shop with a great selection uts an understatement. They host storyline with kids and have a podcast booth in the back. If you love to read good coffee and amazing vibe, please stop by!

Baldwin and Co. is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a vibrant hub dedicated to preserving African American heritage through the power of literature and community connection. As patrons savor delicious coffee concoctions, from rich espressos to unique seasonal blends, they are surrounded by a carefully curated selection of insightful literary works that celebrate the diverse voices and stories of the African American experience. The cozy ambiance invites everyone—regardless of background—to engage in meaningful conversations, discover new authors, and appreciate the cultural richness that literature offers. Baldwin and Co. embodies the spirit of unity, fostering appreciation for heritage while providing a welcoming space for an integrated community to enjoy both coffee and culture.

Smallish bookstore and cafe, I finally made myself come through for a visit. While not a coffee fan, they were busy on a early Monday afternoon with people enjoying their drinks and food. I just came to check out their collection and to purchase a Baldwin book. They have a limited selection of books, but I found several interesting titles to add to my list. It being a James Baldwin themed store, they had most of his collection of novels, short stories and other writings. I hopefully bought a novel I haven't read before. I've read several of his books, but don't actually own any(until now) so I never remember which titles I've read. I received a GC as a gift, so no harm if I end up rereading one of his excellent works. They're all new prints and priced accordingly. I'll definitely have to make more of an effort to visit in the future. They're constantly having authors and speakers along with their book events. I was lucky enough to catch an excellent Ta-Nehisi Coates event they hosted at Xavier several months back. I'm glad I finally got to check this place off my bookstore tour list.

Love this bookstore! Great place to find something to read,grab a coffee or tea, and enjoy! They have a selection of books for all ages and 6 reasonably priced. My most recent visit, they offered brown paper wrapped books and labeled them "blind dates with a book", so cute!

I instantly fell in love with this place. A sucker for coffee shops and bookstores, this small, minority-owned business created and perfected what is considered, individually, to be typical concepts and created a uniquely beautiful establishment. A delicious iced-coffee along with the purchase of an unearthed book was absolute magic thanks to Baldwin & Co. I reserved the in-house private meeting space for my work team, which delivered our need for a remote team meeting. Customer service is top notch as well :). Will definitely patronize this business each and every time I visit NoLa. Thanks for an amazing experience. Such a vibe.

Lovely cafe. Great staff, drinks, and book selection. Go there and try their custom drinks. I got their drink titled “The Color Purple” (that’s what the pic’s of.) The Rose Matcha’s delicious too. 10/10 recommend. 😋

Beautiful bookstore that is spacious, bright and even has a cute little cafe. Great selection of new books. If you're in the Marigny area check it out!

During our most recent trip to NOLA, we stayed just down the street from this place and decided to stop by in the morning on our way out. I hadn't done any research beforehand, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was also a bookstore! Their selection is fantastic with a strong focus on books by Black authors. Even better, they have a dedicated room you can rent to record podcasts. How cool is that? Everyone in my family loved their coffee, but since I'm not a coffee drinker, I went for the chai and it was delicious. One of my favorite details was their menu. It included descriptions of each tea's health benefits. As an avid tea drinker, I even learned a few things I didn't know. Thank you for educating me! I love supporting small, local businesses, and this spot is definitely worth a visit!!

I finally made it to Baldwin & Co. this place is so perfect! I've been here for book tours and the patio area is nice and a great place to socialize. The cafe is so warm and inviting. I ordered the rose matcha latte hot and it's so good! Got the flavors of both perfectly. I also ordered the egg and cheese croissant it was tasty. Both came to about $14. There's was light music playing Anderson Paak, sza etc playing in the background against the espresso machine. Beautiful artwork. This is def a place to chill! Parking can be tricky, there's street parking so keep that in mind. But if you're visiting it's a quick uber ride from the quarter. Hope you check out this black owned business and support!

Everything about this bookstore is superb. I hate I missed their recent book signing, but I've added a few events to 2025 calendar. The store is beautifully decorated and inviting. I love that there are multiple spaces for working/reading/enjoying the day, including the garden (with fresh lavender?). Their literature selection is vast; from nationally known authors to local gems. I enjoyed the welcoming vibe and Black cultural depictions throughout. I'll be back during every Nola visit.

Favorite coffee in New Orleans by far! Plus an excellent bookstore. I love supporting Black owned businesses.

A beautiful tribute to black literature. When you enter, the sweet and decadent aromas of the coffee shop greet you at the door. There is seating in the front windows and throughout the space. There are a vast number of books, many by black authors. I enjoyed 'If Beale Street Could Talk' drink. It was amazing. This is another reason why I wish I lived on NOLA.

I visited the bookstore to attend Tamron Hall's book talk. I've heard great things about it and was happy to finally see what the fuss was all about. This beautifully decorated book store is so inviting. The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive. Before leaving, I ordered a drink from the coffee bar. The barista was sweet and gave me a great recommendation that I thoroughly enjoyed. The calendar of events has my attention and has given me every reason to come back. Until next time...

After countless NOLA trips, I couldn't tell you why it took me so long to visit this place?! Well, it certainly won't be my last, because the bookshop coffee shop concept is alive and thriving (plus it's within walking distance of one of best beignet spots in the city...don't @ me, I'm from Houston, and I said what I said!) This spot offers so many activities and opportunities to explore and cultivate community connection. Need a caffeine boost, try the coffee. We tried a few coffee based drinks, apart from the coffee lemonade combo, you're in for a treat. If you're a bibliophile, check out their selection of books. It was incredibly refreshing to see the plethora of Black authors, and while they do not carry self-published authors, you're able to order a book for store pickup. If you love books and community, check out the book club or one of their events. As a bonus, they also have a rentable podcast booth. While parking can be challenging, it's certainly worth the visit!

Baldwin is hands down my favorite coffee shop to stop at! Everything from the literature, monthly events, and of course the brew!! Such a lovely + chill spot to get work done or just hang. This spot is black owned, located on Elysian Fields off of St Claude. Customer service has always been so lovely here. Most definitely a 10/10 recommendation!

LOVE LOVE LOVE ! This is what I think of when I think of a modern day café. Everyone inside has their own thing going on but with respect for each other the cashiers / baristas were friendly and helpful. we got to look around at the book selection which a lot of them seemed to POC focused. I loved that each genre was in its own little nook. I also really appreciate the fact that they have a podcast type of room that still lets people look inside. I'm not sure if they do live tapings. I came on a day that it was raining and didn't expect so many people to be inside, but I loved the liveliness of the place, the mural inside is amazing and everybody should see it! Just want to say thank you for giving a semi quiet and mutual respectable place to the community and to travelers. I'm so glad that we found this place walking back from breakfast.

I had the berry bread and the brown sugar Latte. I loved them both and the atmosphere was spectacular, it almost feel like a library with all of the books in there. I think we need more places here in New Orleans with a vibe such as that one. I will definitely become a regular.

Well, my credit card statement says I've been here over 35 times... sooo I believe it to be TRUE! We love Baldwin & Co... I love Baldwin! Go visit for yourself and feel the vibe. Read a book, buy a book, enjoy the unique coffee offerings, sit inside or outside.. Catch a vibe. I love bookstores that meet coffee shop... There's just something about them that feel so homey, inviting, and also stimulating for the mind. Working at Baldwin is a vibe. Coffee chats are a vibe. Meeting up with friends outside is a vibe! All around, always a great experience. Also, The staff is always super kind! Oh! Did I mention? It's Blacked-owned! Come support! p.s. My photo is of "The Color Purple" aka my regular!

Community vibe with lots of locals and definitely off the beaten path (and worth it and better for it). The book selection is outstanding and there is a booth for recording a podcast? What? The coffee was great--the Beale Street was delicious and that kick of cayenne was great in an iced drink. Support local and small!

A cafe inside a bookstore for the community. It's perfect! The front shop sells a full coffee menu and the Brown Sugar latte was very refreshing. In the back are all types of books, including many James Baldwin numbers. There's a courtyard with public art and seats in the back. If you're a paying customer, there are two clean restrooms. Afterwards, explore the nearby murals.

Loved this Black owned coffee shop and I'll definitely be back. The coffee was great and we love a rewards card. A safe place for black people. I think they should lower the music a tad bit for the people who use the coffee shop to study.

Baldwin & Co. makes me so happy! After living in NYC for a few years and coming back home to NOLA, I was desperately searching for cute coffee shops in the city, and this place truly fits the bill. It's extremely cute, cozy, and I love that there is a podcast recording studio available here as well. And the bathrooms are nice and always clean. Also, the staff is always super friendly. My ONLY gripe about this place are the hi-boy chairs they have. They are so uncomfortable (they are not wide hip friendly lol) and squeak SO LOUDLY lmao. But other than that, I truly love this spot, and it's my go-to for remote working in the city.

Baldwin & Co. is my kind of coffee shop. It's Black-owned with a modern flair and deliciously creative drink names that taste just as good as they sound. The rose matcha opened up my palate to a flavor combination I never knew I needed and will never forget! The prices are on the higher side for coffee, so I go here when I want to treat myself. As a lover of black authors, I'm a fan of Baldwin's literary offerings whenever it come times to find my next read. The there are spaces for working, reading and even podcasting. I'm no podcaster so I'm not sure how well the space functions but it looks really cool. I high recommend a visit to Baldwin & Co.! You'll be pleasantly pleased.

What a fantastic coffee shop and bookstore combo! I could probably spend hours in this small, indie, Black-owned bookstore. They are a bit on the smaller size, but they still have a fantastic selection - with an emphasis on Black and BIPOC authors. We also grabbed coffee while browsing and it was delicious - I loved all their unique names! Additionally, it looks like they have a cool working/podcasting space in the back - if I were local, I would definitely look into how the community utilizes that!

The cutest coffee shop book store combo. Excellent friendly service. And a great selection of coffee and pastry. The vanilla brown sugar latte was perfectly pulled espresso and flavoring. Also treated myself to the turkey and cheese croissant- yum! The girls joining me also all enjoyed their coffees and said the blueberry muffin was delish!

Just so amazing! The service is above amazing, the baristas are very sweet, and the cafe overall is very welcoming. The vibes and the coffee are great. I will always return

Visited this location during the first week of its grand opening, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and my what a mighty feat it was to get inside. Who knew that the popularity of this establishment would be so great... I did, I knew it would be. Happy to see a young black entrepreneur doing some thing for the community from whence he hails. My understanding is there is a rich story behind the reason he opened this bookstore... And I'm here for it. I love the decor. It is a bookstore combined with a coffee shop, and it looks exactly as such. I love the fact that you can purchase books by Black Authors. Additionally, if there's a book, you can't find, the owner is more than apt to order it for you. I further love that there is an outdoor patio as well as a podcasting studio that can be rented out. I found the pricing of the items in the store to be fair and comparable for the area. I know this won't be the last time that I visit. My prayer is just that I can find a parking spot next time.

All I can say is OMG! This place is so freaking cute and relaxing, service is amazing, and they use French truck coffee so it's good! This place you need to go to if you like a cute coffee shop and would like to check out a new book! Just go and thank me later!

The best coffee! Coolest ambiance, great music, great books. Baristas we're so kind! I had to come 3 times on my trip and each coffee was out of this world! I fell in love with the brown sugar iced latte and got it everytime! It was so delicious and not too sweet in my opinion!

I was visiting New Orleans last week and stopped at the Black-owned bookstore. It was a nice chill spot, the staff was cool, and I liked their selection of titles.

From the warm service to the amazing drinks to the variety of Black-centered authored books, and just the general vibe and scenery of the place...makes me want to return over and over again. I'm from Los Angeles and visit my daughter who is a college student in NOLA and this is one of my favorite places to visit. I can't wait to return again.

Easy walk from the Hop on Hop Off bus stop at the back of the French Quarter. Friendly helpful staff with books galore. Nice quiet atmosphere with courtyard to sip a beverage and read .

I know Baldwin & Co has seen a major spike in people since I visited, and I can't blame them! I visited for the 4th time with a matcha and lemonade in tow...and they never fail to impress me. The staff is truly so sweet and attentive to your needs, and the books spark curiosity for sure. Please continue to promote them!!

Amazing coffee and an even more amazing staff and bookstore. I absolutely loved this place and will recommend anyone to visit. Great selection of coffee and espresso and great assortment of non-caffeine drinks. Wonderful books to choose from and a great amount of seating. Loved loved loved.

The baristas suggested I try a matcha LAVENDER latte and it might be the best decision I made the whole weekend. This Black-owned bookstore is so cute! For a small location, they had a pretty good selection of both old and new books. I even found a James Baldwin essay compilation that I'd never seen before!

A bookstore that has a great atmosphere, fun deco, and an all around comfy place to hang out. Parking wasn't too bad, we actually parked across street at Robért's. I met with 4 others for a meeting and it was quite and calm enough for us to talk and hear each other. But lively enough that we didn't have to whisper. There is a good selection of coffee, drinks and bakery treats available. Everything we tried was good and we will definitely return.

Love supporting this business. A great space to relax and browse books while having a latte.

It's hard to imagine a cooler spot: wonderful coffee, helpful baristas, a wide array of wonderful books by Black authors and about the African American experience. Lots of places to tuck and get a little work done (including some spots where you can charge). A podcast studio, fully encased in glass, so you'd be able to witness the recordings. But it doesn't stop there: a large patio with umbrellas and lights connects to a cocktail bar. I will never miss visiting Baldwin & Co when I'm in town. I was in town for work, and was training the loveliest human. We were chatting, sharing screens, going over the nitty gritty, and the whole time we felt comfortable, relaxed, and we never felt like a bother. We started with coffees and moved onto tea. I would love to do an event here someday because, as DeAndre J said: It's a whole vibe.

I love this place. The workers are friendly and helpful. If you like books, it's the place for you. They have a cozy space to study or do work while you have your coffee. The flavors of their drinks are unique and delicious. I've been wanting to go back ever since I visited in February. We literally went every day while we were in new orleans.

I love this space. A coffee shop as you enter and a fine selection of books to nurture your intellect. There's a courtyard for events where you'll enjoy readings and other fun activities, just sign up for their newsletter to stay informed.

Gorgeous bookstore with a chill friendly vibe. I will definitely be coming back when I'm in New Orleans!

This place is really cute and has a great selection. The employees are friendly, and there are comfy places to sit and enjoy a coffee. The art on the walls is super cool, and they have a nice patio. Great place to get a book or a drink!

This James Baldwin-inspired coffeeshop and bookstore is a charming, cozy space to get work done or just relax with a drink or book. From the looks of it, most customers here were settled in and working on their laptops. Plenty of tables are arranged from the front door all the way to the back of the store, where there is even a podcast studio. If the weather is nice, you can even take a seat outside in their adjacent courtyard. Baldwin & Co offers a variety of coffee, teas, and other drinks plus pastries. Their drinks are made with oat milk. I love how their signature drinks have literary names (The Color Purple, If Beale Street Could Talk, etc.). I decided to try something new and got an iced Go Tell It on the Mountain, which comes with 2 espresso shots, oat milk, and vanilla cardamom syrup. This was my first time tasting cardamom and boy was it strong! You can definitely tell their drinks are of high quality. I also noticed they have a frequent customer stamp card too, so if you buy 10 drinks you can redeem your card for a free drink, which is cool! They also frequently host community events which I was told they advertise on their website, so that's something to be on the look out for. The display of books they have on sale is a beautifully curated selection of books ranging from fiction and children's books to religion and cookbooks. While I recognized some best-sellers, I also loved looking through the shelves and discovering new titles that I otherwise would not have heard about. I also saw a stack of board games that you are welcome to play in the store. Overall, this was a charming spot with friendly staff. It seems to be a buzzing community hub as well. The only down sides that I can think of is that parking can be a pain since it's street parking only, and they are only open in the morning and afternoon.

Complete bookstore, specializing on promoting and supporting African-American authors. Cozy hybrid setting of bookstore and coffee shop. Large space for author talks. Relaxing, collegial vibe. A destination in itself!

So y'all. IF YOU LOVE BOOKS, GET HERE!!! IF YOU LOVE AN AMBIANCE, GET HERE!!! IF YOU LOVE TOP NOTCH COFFEE & PASTRIES, GET HERE!!! I love any old reason to be in NOLA and this place is pulling me back!! The ladies that were behind the counter were sweet and accommodating. The young man working the floor was reading and helping customers... imagine this being your first job in life... yoooo, I just love that idea!!! Baldwin & Co. you guys are the embodiment of what I want my community to see and experience; I wish that there was more exposure for you all cause your place, the vibe, the vittles, the music and selection of BOOKS AND MERCH are simply unmatched. I spend all my money for other things with names/brands that don't mean a hill-of-beans to my culture so why not get the Baldwin & Co jawns?!?! Thank you all for fighting for what you believe in, staying focused on what matters most and for sharing such a needed and stunning space with not only the community but the world !!! As long as you all are here, I plan to visit and contribute to the ongoing efforts that you all employ!!! I am empowered even the more now to begin my plans on my future bookstore one that will service my community and beyond!!! Thank you, thank you & THANK YOU FOR EXISTING, SHARING AND EXPANDING US!!!

Their selection of books is impressive and expansive, some very interesting maybe lesser known titles as well. Coffee is amazing, also enjoyed the lavender lemonade. Such a good vibe and staff are all very friendly and welcoming. Also gender neutral bathrooms are very clean, good soap. Definitely recommend.

This little gem is a super chill spot. I was impressed the minute that I walked in. I enjoyed browsing the book selection that they have on hand. I enjoyed the coffee and most importantly the atmosphere. Parking is a little bit of an adventure, but outside of that I love it here. I'm coming back in the near future for sure.

Lovely Black owned bookstore in Marigny neighborhood. Perfect work space or chill spot to sip coffee/tea & enjoy good company. The atmosphere is homey and quaint. Not too busy when we went. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Spacious area for business meetings or interviews as well. Love the greenery throughout. There's a wide selection of books by black and brown authors. You have to try the Lavender Matcha!!!!

Two things I'm always willing to travel for: books and food. And that's exactly what I experienced at Baldwin & Company. I finished my work day at this cozy coffee shop on Elysian Fields and fell in love. In addition to workspace, good coffee and books, they even have a podcast studio! Being able to work remotely is perfect when you can occupy spaces like this one.

Food: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Comments: A vibe. A whole vibe. I wish I could've spent more time here. The Go Tell It On The Mountain was PHENOMENAL!!!! The best coffee I've probably ever had. And they were playing Emily King! Must do if in the city

Baldwin & Co. is like one of those incredible neighborhood bookstores that you see in movies brought to life. Incredible space -- comfortable and artistic -- delicious drinks you could sip on all day, and such a great selection of titles. Order your drink/pastry (while they last) near the entrance, grab a book and head outside to the spacious patio or take a seat inside at one of the tables or seating areas and get comfy. The espresso and cappuccinos are excellent, but if you want an extra treat, try one of their specialty drinks -- Go Tell It on the Mountain has a not-too-sweet blend of cardamom and vanilla, and If Beale Street Could Talk has cinnamon, cocoa, and a little hit of cayenne. In the back of the store is a sound booth where folks record podcasts. It's decked out with some pretty high tech equipment and we enjoyed watching the artists while we enjoyed our coffee. You can check their website for details on how to reserve and use the space yourself!

Just needed coffee and B & Co popped up as the closest coffee shop. Was not expecting it to be a coffee shop and AMAZING bookstore, primarily representing Black voices. Beautiful murals throughout. Wonderful selection of books, and kind service. I left with a copy of Caste and read it on the plane back home to Seattle.

wowowowow I recently watched a segment on GMA highlighting a Black-owned coffee shop featuring Black artists and authors to bring representation and resources to the community in DC. As a queer Hispanic myself, it's really fantastic to see Baldwin & Co. come to New Orleans and provide such a space not only for the neighborhood but a safe space within the city. With ample amount of free parking throughout Elysian Avenue, it's accessible for everyone and is bike friendly outside. Upon walking in you'll be whisked into a space full of warmth, ample space, beautiful displays, and eye candy for all my fellow book lovers. The coffee itself is provided by French Truck Co. and with their digital menu at the forefront, you'll be able to find coffee, non-caffeine options, and some baked goods. Make sure to grab one of their signature note journals that supports the shop to continue their community endeavors and they go for $15 but are hella hella cute. There are multiple tables spatially set throughout the indoor and outdoor space. For those of y'all who are into podcasting or wanting to get into podcasts, take advantage of their reservation accessible podcast space that is literally a plug-n-play moment with all equipment provided. The rate goes for $135 an hour with a two hour minimum. The permanent art installation inside is beautiful but make sure to take time to understand the bigger issue Baldwin & Co. is addressing and acknowledging by supporting Black artists, authors, BIPOC community and providing an open to all and safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. I can't wait to add Baldwin to my rotation of coffee spots and meeting spaces. Representation is key and the power of young readers and individuals seeing themselves in music, art, literature, podcasts, and any sort of media medium is crucial within one's life. PS- the outdoor space is beautiful and has about 12+ tables in the midst of the pandemic; however, the real gem is the abundance of photo ops and the large space ideal for private event space. #BlackOwned

I am so happy that there is another local, independent bookstore in town!!! I was there opening day and felt so welcomed in the space. It is very brightly lit and felt airy. I had some iced tea and a frittata to snack on while browsing books. They have a great selection of books. A mix of classics, some favorites I've read, and new books. Just the right amount. They also have a podcast studio, I believe the public can rent. I think that's an incredible community amenity to have that option. They have a very large courtyard which is perfect to enjoy coffee and a chance to read that new book you got. I also did pick up a book and it happened to be signed by the author, a perk! Please support local, independent bookstores! When you have a great option like this, it is so easy.

Go visit! It's in a central location, with a great and friendly staff, indoor and outdoor seating, tables, chairs, and sofas to do your work! I typically work 8-4pm m-f and they close at 3pm. That's my only problem with them. The coffee is good the tea is great! Stop by, step in, and enjoy this cute location.