Workhorse Coffee Bar

Lovely little queer-owned coffee shop on University Ave. The coffee is great! We also got the Thai tea (iced) and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin, which were both delicious! The service was prompt and friendly. Simple, chill atmosphere. The space is well lit but not too bright, with a combination of light fixtures and natural light from the large front windows. The music is a quiet comfortable volume for casual conversation. The various machines for making beverages(coffee grinder, blender, etc.) were a bit loud, but that’s to be expected. For a coffee shop, I feel like it’s pretty sensory-friendly. There is one single-stall all gender restroom. Overall, we had a great experience!

My favorite coffee shop in the Twin Cities, just off University and Raymond. Queer and woman-owned and super welcoming to everyone. Ty is a joy to banter with when she's working the counter. The coffee at Workhorse is rich and flavorful. Beans come from Backstory Roasters (formerly Bootstrap). The price on all items is super reasonable, dare I say competitive, so be sure to tip. These are veterans of the coffee business and their expertise in espresso and hospitality alike is unmatched the region. The location is easy to get to by light rail, but parking is limited to further up Raymond with all the new housing developments.

Incredibly kind staff and a cute vibey space. They gave a great recommendation for a drink that was fantastically delicious. Also had a phenomenal gf cookie which is always a bonus for me.

Place seemed nice overall. Associates were nice. Coffee itself wasn't great. Maybe I got unlucky. Lastly, I don't like politics mixed in business. I want to get a sandwich or coffee or an oil change without politics shoved in my face. Having "this machine kills fascists" on the coffee machine is tacky and very unprofessional when we all know who it's directed at. I don't want to see hate no matter who it's directed at especially early in the morning at a coffee shop.

Some of our favorite neighbors! We love trying different things here, but a nice oat latte with one of their yummy syrups is always a hit. Quite a bit of seating inside, they always have interesting food options, and the baristas are all super fun and kind!

Here’s an odd review. Cappuccinos served in paper cups usually don’t taste very good…. but mine was surprisingly good. Creamy and delicious. I’ll be back for another. Not your every day coffee shop. It has a strong current of natural character running through it without seeming to try too hard. It just is. Parking is on the street, and is a little less than easy in the winter.

Excellent place to do some remote work. Tasty bagels, delicious coffee, and incredibly friendly service! The furniture is comfy enough for a medium duration of time, and the outlets are relatively easy to access. (Hopefully in the future they will have bike parking right out front, instead of down around the corner.)

Cold Brew coffee was tasty! I’d give it a 9/10 - smooth throughout! Do not add creamer! There’s no need! Everything bagel was perfectly toasted. Friendly and welcoming customer service! I didn’t stay very long, but the atmosphere is inviting and it seems like a great place to read a book or catch up on some work!

Lately I've made it my business to try every coffee shop I can find in my area and this week we landed at Workhorse Coffee Bar after seeing a Tik Tok about them! We popped in late on a Sunday morning and the shop was busy, but we found seating. Parking was decent but I could see it being difficult and the space is small, unassuming. I wasn't blown away by the ambience when I walked in, but the thing that stood out was the customer service. Our barista was patient with us and helped me to determine what I wanted to order. She even offered to switch it up if it wasn't sweet enough for me. Additionally, she brought our coffee to the table when it was ready, so we didn't have to get up to grab it, which was a small act, but impactful. You can tell she enjoys working there which I love to see! I ordered an iced raspberry mocha, and my boyfriend got a hibiscus tea. After trying them we almost switched but decided against it. For me, the coffee was great but a bit on the grainy side. For him, the tea was a bit too sweet although I barely tasted anything at all (he drinks tea all the time and I do not). I would come back here for the amazing baristas and to try the food, but would lean towards becoming a regular in a space with a more unique ambience and a little less grit in the coffee (:

Found this one and it was open!!! :) Great service and our coffees were very delicious. Great looking store and ambiance. Thank you!!!

Workhorse is one of my favorite local coffee shops. There's plenty of seating & they have a nice selection of bakery items & quiches, along with a large drink menu. Today I got an oat milk peppermint latte, which was really tasty. It was perfectly balanced between the coffee, peppermint, & oaty flavors. I also had a slice of veggie quiche, which was the perfect breakfast bite. In all, I love this spot!

I was near this coffee shop and decided to head in for a pick-me-up. The coffee bar was smaller, but felt spacious and had plenty of seating. It wasn't too busy at 2:30p afternoon. There were two baristas, both were enjoying the day and happily served coffee to the customers. I asked for a mocha and let them make whatever flavor. They made a delicious festive hot mocha! I'm glad I stopped in! I think the only "gripe" I would have, and this is always personal preference, is that it wasn't as hot as I thought it would be. But the taste made up for the lack of extra heat. Great place!

I loveeeeee trying out coffee places in the town, this place caught my eyes, and the baristas was incredibly sweeeeeet. So, their drink menu did got some interestinggg fun drinks so I went with raspberry mocha coffee.. I wasn't unsure if I liked it or liked it. There's some good drinks, hot and miss but lovely local atmosphere!! Coffee is easily adjusted, come and give out ur feedbacks maybe?! (: Hope to have small businesses to BOOM! (:

I was excited to try Workhorse as I have never been before and enjoy trying new coffee spots. I had a tough time finding parking as it is right on University. The environment of Workhorse was dark and made me want to sit down and read a book. I think it would be a great spot to hole up in the winter. There is not an abundance of seating but there was enough on this particular Saturday morning. I ordered an iced 16 oz latte and my bf ordered a hot latte. We both enjoyed our drinks and the price was fair as it came to a total of $13. In addition, the service was speedy and we received our coffee quickly as there were not many other customers.

It's a nice enough space, though you'll need to make sure you can get parking nearby and be willing to ignore the politicization of your favorite beverage.

Came in early Sunday morning to get some work done. Lovely space and very friendly and kind baristas. The hot Thai iced tea was great! Loved my toasty bagel too. A great coffee shop to check out.

Always fun to find new coffeeshops, and after working at the U for so long, I'm surprised it took me this long to find this spot! Parking is rough in this area...I had to drive around a while to find a spot, and ended up on Territorial Ave with a decent walk to get to the spot. Not really "a grab a coffee and go" spot unless you're travelling on foot. The space itself was okay...nothing too special but there's some seating available for yourself or a small group. Service was really friendly during my stay. Now this spot has decent coffee but when paired with the highest pricetags I've seen in the area, it makes it a bit harder to swallow. A bagel and a latte came out to $14 after tip. Good spot, but high prices and parking troubles make it a bit challenging to recommend.

Just stopped in for a caffeine pick-me-up while I was in the area. I'm usually a pretty friendly, outgoing person but today was feeling very lackluster. The barista working was still so lovely to me! Idk if she could tell I was feeling a bit off but her kindness was noticed :). Ordered the iced miel with almond milk. 10/10 for both service and coffee!

I should've taken pictures but there's truly no way to show you how great my drink was, yum! I stopped in on a whim to grab my sister a tea when she wasn't feeling well and I fell in love with this cute shop. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, they greeted me and said goodbye - which really goes a long way in making your clientele feel appreciated. They had a long list of teas with some unique blends I haven't had before which is so fun. I got a large hot green tea with extra honey which they accommodated immediately. The barista also asked how long I'd like my tea to steep and offered a drink carrier. I additionally had a large Thai tea latte which I'd never tried before (I'm a lover of Thai milk tea on its own so I was curious) and it was sooooo good. Amazingly sweet and creamy with the perfect amount of foam on top. It came out hot but just barely drinkable which is the perfect temperature in my opinion so it had plenty of time to cool. The ambience was so cute too with lots of tables looking out towards the street and plenty of study/work place. Bonus points for having a wall for local media and postings in the back, I love reading what's happening in my community while I wait for my drink. This was a fantastic experience and their staff and beverages both surpassed my expectations for what was just supposed to be a quick stop. I will definitely be returning and telling my friends about this place!

Good coffee, good service and friendly baristas. Basic coffee bar. Lattes fine, but not exceptional.

#18 in my TWIN CITIES COFFEE SHOP SERIES A small little coffee shop nestle in the St. Anthony Park area. Their service is always wonderful and their drinks are delicious. Having come here multiple times, I always enjoy talking to the everyone working there. They always suggest some great drinks plus are super funny. This past time, I decided to get a dirty chai ($5.75). It wasn't super strong on the spices or espresso, but nonetheless still tasted good. Is this the best coffee I have had in the cities? No, but can definitely hit the spot. Their space is pretty small with a few tables, but feels very intimate and warm. They have an all gender bathroom and wi-fi. They still require masks for entry (which is actually very nice) and folks can take them off when sitting, drinking, and working.

I really like this place. The barista's are very friendly and fast with their preparation of drinks. They're obviously well trained. I've gotten two drinks from here that I've really liked. An ice coffee and the chai latte. The only points off are for the atmosphere. It needs a bit more funk, art.

Cute little coffee shop with an industrial feel. They make their own chai tea as opposed to out of a jug which I appreciated limited interaction with the staff, but they were friendly. I also really enjoyed the chocolate chip banana muffin!

This is a cute little hole in the wall coffee shop. They have a great variety of both tea and coffee. As a tea drinker I love the variety of freshly brewed hot, iced, and tea latte drinks available. They also get extra stars for properly brewing their tea. The space is nice and the staff are great. They also have a few pastry selection if you're looking for food. The only thing I would like to see is more comfortable seating options. I would love to come here and study or work, but I'm not the biggest fan of metal chairs for that kind of stuff. It's still a great place to grab a good cup of tea and chat with friends.

I came by workhorse on my way to work because a nearby retail store worker had recommend it to me and I came in wanting some coffee which I don't have very often but they gave me some lovely sounding recommendations for what to get (they have gf and df drink and food options!). I ended up getting their raspberry mocha and it was DELICIOUS, highly recommend. The people where kind and patient, the place had a low key vibe, overall a great place to go.

This is your typical free-wifi-and-various-creative-types-of-coffee place. It's missing a star because I regretted the hummingbird coffee I ordered. It was meant to be cold brew with hibiscus but I had imagined it being coffee with a hint of fruitiness. Instead what I got was a cup of bright pink sweet juice. Maybe if I had known what I was getting into I would have enjoyed it more! The bagel was pretty good, no complaints there. I did feel like the pastry/breakfast items were a little lacking, but this was at 12:30 pm on a Sunday so maybe some items had run out. Overall I liked the vibe, wifi, number of outlets, and that my coffee was served in a mason jar!

The urban Cosmopolitan Setting, interior design and Customer Service are the soft factors that added a little more flavor to my cold brew.

Couldn't be a nicer crew working there. Got a cappuccino, and it was well made - enjoyed the choice of espresso. Great ambiance for the shop as well.

Great coffee spot! Solid coffee and the best window menus that I've seen in COVID; ordering at a door can be hard. Normally you see a scribbled menu plastered in a window. But workhorse's and their clipboards make ordering 10 million times easier! Sadly, there are no seats to let you 'sit and sip,' but it's in a great walkable block of shops that you'll love exploring. Friendly helpful staff that will answer any questions you have. Definitely make this one of your coffee stops in Minni!

Literally the best service I've ever had at a coffee shop. Coffee is delicious also. Barista let me taste it to make sure it was good for me. Will be going back.

Stopped in for the first time today, the coffee was really good and the service was extremely friendly. It seems like a great place to work on projects with friends or coworkers, as there are nice long tables and a lot of places to plug in devices. I had to deduct one star because they only had disposable cups available- I hate drinking awesome coffee out of a throwaway cup

Visited Workhorse unintentionally because the nearby Dogwood was full, this is a great place to study and work in. The space was small but quite cozy, there are outlets available and good wifi. I ordered a London Fog, my first time trying the drink and it was underwhelming. I felt like it was too sweet and a bit watered down. Didn't finish half of my drink, my friend ordered the Dark Clark and she said it was average. Workhorse also has baked goods and bagels too but those didn't look too enticing either. Is this a good place to study? Yes Does it have the best drinks and food? Probably not

I've been here twice and must say I would always come back for more [coffee], of course. **Drinks**: I have only ordered ice latte here so I cannot say much about other drinks, but judging from the espresso alone, I really like the taste of it. It has a balanced bitterness which blends very nicely with the whole milk. The coffee beans that they use have a distinctive taste, which I enjoy greatly. Reasonable price as well. **Atmosphere**: Clean, industrial-looking, has this hippie vibe to it. I like how creative they are with the menu, by hanging it with clipboards on the wall. **Service**: friendly staff, self-serve water in cool glass cups **Would I recommend it?**: 100% yes **Why minus (-) 1 star?**: no parking

I've been here a bunch of times and LOVE it. It's got a nice homey vibe and a wonderful selection of teas that go beyond the normal options (puer tea and thai tea hot drinks?!). The food is reasonably priced and solidly good for a coffee house. Free water (which is not always the case). Only one bathroom. The main challenge is that many others enjoy it too. So it depends on when you arrive, sometimes there's plenty of seating and other times -- it's pretty crowded. There's three large group tables and people are pretty cool about sharing if you need to grab a space there. Otherwise there's about six small (two-person) tables, one panel in the back that fits 3 people, and an odd kiddie section up front with three tiny chairs. Free parking if you're willing to walk about two blocks, otherwise, there's metered street parking on the side. I don't believe there is any lots available.

This is a smaller coffee shop but well worth the stop. The coffee is high quality. The cold press hit the spot on a hot day. The coffee has been very consistently amazing.

I am always looking for new coffee shops to write and get some work done. This coffee shop allured me by the name and location. It is right on University ave and 280 along close to a light rail stop. Overall it was a decent place to get work done but there are so many better options in the twin cities and it was a little too dark for my liking. Vibe: kinda small, dark and old. Not my style. Coffee: seems solid. They had two brewed coffees to chose from. I had the dark roast which was average. Food: I really like when coffee shops have lunch items. The food selection seems pretty good. I had the Greek salad which I liked. On the plus side - the chairs were comfortable!

I got the matcha latte since it was late in the evening and I didn't need any more caffeine. The drink was very smooth and well brewed. The space is a little bit compact but cozy.

Overall, my experience didn't quite live up to what I expected. The highlight of my trip in here was the coffee. My vanilla almond milk lattes was one of the best I've had recently - sweet and foamy!! The prices here are slightly higher than chain stores, but nothing ridiculous. I really enjoyed the bright, urban rustic environment and the friendly staff. My biggest issue was they forgot about my drink, even though the friends I came with got their's right away. They did give me a token with a coupon for the next time I come in, which was nice of them. Solid coffee shop, would consider returning.

My friend and I came here and had an amazing experience. Right when you open the doors, a breeze of strong and smooth coffee smells hits you immediately. The woman who took our order was incredibly kind and asked us all about what we were doing for the day. As she made our drinks she kept the conversation going and had a really joyful attitude. The espresso milkshake is by far the best milkshake I have ever had. I also got a cortado to try the coffee. This had very good taste and resembles the smells you have right when you walk in. Definitely give this place a try.

It's got some affectations, but it does have great coffee with decent (but not great) baked goods. Very industrial inside (Workhorse, get it), with uncomfortable stools and steel tables (those 1950 types, not your Ikea Stainless). Really fine coffee. Baked goods are good, but not awesome. Free wifi.

The staff is exceptional & their coffee is amazing! I loved their vintage style of advertisement & lounge, so cozy. And also their willingness to customize ur preference...baristas are so patient, kind, genuine & professional. Love this spot!

Stopped in for my first time today as I'm new to the area. Upon entry I was mandated to put on a mask provided by them. Even though everyone in there sitting at a table didn't have one on but while you order in line you have to wear one. Where is the logic? You just touched my card, you just exchanged my coffee with me. Bunch of virtue signaling weirdos. Coffee was average, definitely not worth having a mask shoved down your face by ignorant liberal shrills.

I just got a bag of their dark roast as a move-in gift from my apartment across the street! WOW. So good. I'm glad I live 20ft from this place. I think I'll need to visit more often

The miel latte was delicious. This is a great place to people watch and to get work done. The coffee selection is varied and preparation is perfected. The baristas are knowledgeable and helpful. Such a welcoming place.

Love this spot and I will be coming back! Lots of places to sit and work or sit and relax. They have a large menu with many options. I got the Hummingbird - cold brew with hibiscus, simple syrup, and coconut cream. Not only is it pretty, but it tastes soooo good and perfect for a hot summer day. I'll need to try their food next time I come!

Best coffee shop in the Twin Cities. And this is coming from a medical student who has studied at a myriad of various locations to get her caffeine fix. Definitely a little bit on the smaller side but they have nice big tables for spreading out your work or meeting up with other people. Right off the Raymond green line stop which is convenient for those who use public transportation; otherwise there is metered parking nearby but if you don't mind a short walk then you can find free street parking. The owner is awesome...super nice, very friendly. Same with everyone on staff! You can tell that they have built up a great community that also includes the regular costumers. I have been here so many times I've lost count but I do recommend going earlier in the morning when its quieter and you can get a seat (it gets especially crazy on the weekends). Ok onto the food/drink. I am more of a tea person but on rough mornings I will not hesitate to get their locally-made coffee. Will definitely keep you energized for the day. As far as tea, they hands down have the best iced tea I've ever had in my life. Get it and you will not be disappointed. They also have other cool drink concoctions if you are feeling adventurous- a coffee/ice cream drink is one of my favorites. Their London fog is also amazing. I have also been known to stop by early before work to grab one of their tasty ham & cheese croissants or currant scones :) Their personal sized pizzas are addicting as all heck. Honestly, they could do no wrong. Love this spot.

Super friendly staff and customers. Not too far from the rail so it was a nice walk. Good place for me to get work done and only like a block and a half from the light rail to go back to campus for class. Nice easy trek. I did have trouble accessing my school email things from here though, but my friend did not, so it must have been some security block thing on my macbook? I came this time in the early morning. This place has its ups and downs on crowd where it can get really crowded about 9am-10am then die down then another wave of people. Coffee - Miel again, but I do want to try their vanilla, i overheard it was really good. I also tried the spinach and feta croissant because it was 8am and I needed food to be productive. It was amazing. I devoured it. I sat at the tall tables they have and the tables are so big I could spread easily but not take up too much room to share with other people.

If you are craving a cozy place for a great cup of coffee, Workhorse is your spot! Workhorse is close to the light rail and has very friendly staff. If you are unsure of what to get, I highly recommend anything vanilla. They have the BEST homemade vanilla bean syrup! I personally have not tried any of their food, but I have heard great things. The only reason I deducted a star is due to the small space, making it hard to find a spot.

Have been curious about Workhorse ever since it opened. I went last week and had the absolute best experience. The workers were incredibly friendly- it's clear they've already made an impact on the community and have some regulars- for good reason! I got the iced vanilla latte subbed with oat milk. It was incredible. Even my non-coffee loving mom adored it and kept taking sips! Beyond coffee, Workhorse makes their space safe for everyone in the community. A+ in my book!

My partner and I absolutely adore this coffee shop. The drinks are consistently good, the workers are cheerful and helpful, and the quiche... oh goodness the quiche! I always look forward to my weekly coffee from here, certainly a perk of living in the neighborhood!

This little coffee shop is so cute! And the coffee is amazing. Most importantly the staff is super friendly and amazing. Highly recommend

Went here for coffee and a light breakfast. Their cappuccino is made properly in a 5.5 oz glass with less milk than the chain shops use. If you'd prefer more milk, order the latte. Their homemade granola is super delicious; crunchy and full of cinnamon.

Love this place. Just up the street from my mother's. We stop in every morning we are in town. This time we also had a savory quiche, it was delicious as well.

Great coffee. Super friendly. Good set up with outside window to get coffee safely in this COVID-19 age. Got a cold brew red eye and it's perfect. Like the barista said it's gonna give me a kickstart. Totally agree.

This is a great spot to get work done in a cool environment - and in STP to boot! And yes, let me preface again that I am a tea, not a coffee drinker. Just accept it - or I can tell you my G.E.R.D. symptoms after drinking coffee. Moving on... Workhorse is kind of small but has enough room to fit tables of different sizes - 2 seaters to long group tables, and even an area for children to sit and play. The wood paneling is reminiscent of a barn ("workhorse", duh), and I like the black subway tiling and ornate ceiling. I love their logo/brand because it reminds me of the days I was obsessed with Black Beauty (I had horses and a pony named Merrylegs), and hey - I went from owning some workhorses to growing up into one! Heyo! Segway into their free wifi and surprisingly super-comfy seating - such a great place to plop down and get to work. And service is wonderful! I like that they have a variety of tea, including the ginger green tea I enjoyed in an oversized mug. I also got a $5 four-cheese pizza sprinkled with olive oil and herbs - what a deal! As you know, you cannot park on University, and there is some street meters that only accept quarters. But I found a free unlimited spot on Charles. Also, I aaaadoooore "The Smallest Museum in St. Paul" outside.

Beautiful space, cheery and delightful barista! So glad to have found this caffeine treasure near work!

Great coffee! There are large communal tables to work at which was nice - so you know even if the small tables are filled there's still usually a spot to work. Still not sure if there is parking as its tucked away if there is, but I circled the block and then parked around the corner by the meters and then walked here. And the coffee shop itself is tucked away so pay attention the horse on the window!:)