Backstory Coffee Roasters - West Side
432 Wabasha St S, Saint Paul, MN
Crema's Take
“Backstory Coffee Roasters on the West Side brings seasonal creativity to every cup, from their beloved strawberry shortcake latte to inventive drinks like eggnog chai, all while maintaining consistently smooth espresso and pour-over work that shines in lighter roasts. The space itself is a real draw—flooded with natural light, decorated with fresh flowers on every table, and tucked into a charming neighborhood with a market right outside, making it feel less like a caffeine pit stop and more like a genuine gathering spot worth lingering in.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
I really enjoyed the seasonal lemon bar latte they had! Super smooth and not overpowering on any front. Also had a ham and cheese croissant which was phenomenal! Sweet potato danish was a little too cream cheese tasting but that’s a personal preference! I would recommend giving this place a try 😊
I stopped in here last weekend to try their eggnog chai! It was pretty good, but I didn't get a whole lot of egg nog flavor. I've never had an egg nog chai before, but I do love a chai! However, I think I'd rather just chug eggnog straight in the future to get the full effect. The place was pretty chill and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. I sat at the island facing outside but they have a couple other low tops too. I imagine it gets a lot busier here in the summer as Minnesota isn't very kind to outdoor seating in the winter! They also had some cool maps to look at about where they source their coffee from and you can see a bit of their operation as well. I got the feeling that selling coffee beans is the core of the business and the coffee/cafe compliments it or maybe it's both. Anyways, it's always cool to see a coffee shop doing both the sourcing and making some delicious drinks!
A nice bright and citrusy cup of light roast drip. A nice quiet space with excellent natural light and a chill atmosphere on the day of my visit. Unfortunately, there is no self-service sugar or cream if you’re a vile heathen like me who puts said substances in ones own drip coffee.
Got an oatmilk matcha that really tasted only of oat milk & vanilla but honestly, the clean bathrooms, gorgeous flowers on all tables, & the cute neighborhood market outside made up for it. Would go back & try another drink if in the area.
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!
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Quixotic Coffee
★ 4.6 (923)
Tucked in Saint Paul, this espresso-focused spot has cultivated a devoted…
Roots Roasting
★ 4.8 (337)
This Saint Paul roastery strikes an impressive balance between approachable…
Stepwise Coffee
★ 5.0 (90)
Stepwise Coffee is a charming neighborhood gem where freshly roasted beans…
Karol Coffee
★ 4.8 (202)
Karol Coffee is a peacefully welcoming neighborhood gem in Como where both…