the-hillWork-friendlyWifi
A privately owned cafe and roastery on The Hill, Shaw's roasts in house using green coffees from the major growing regions, among the Italian groceries.
Signature drink: House-roasted espresso
Tip: Pair a cortado with a stroll through the Hill's groceries and bakeries. Roasts change; ask what is fresh.
benton-parkWork-friendlyWifi
A Cherokee Street fixture, The Mud House pairs a rotating multi-roaster coffee program with hearty brunch plates in a brick room full of antiques.
Signature drink: Multi-roaster espresso and lattes
Tip: Brunch gets a line at weekends; weekday mornings are calmer for laptop work. The biscuits and the breakfast platters are the orders.
tower-grove-southWork-friendlyWifi
A family-friendly Tower Grove South corner cafe, Hartford serves coffee, breakfast and lunch to a neighbourhood crowd, with a play nook for kids.
Signature drink: Drip coffee and breakfast plates
Tip: The back has a kids' nook, so it is busy with families at weekends. Weekday afternoons are best for a quiet work session.
tower-grove-southWork-friendlyWifi
A longtime LGBTQ-friendly anchor across from Tower Grove Park, Mokabe's pours coffee and runs an all-day vegetarian-leaning brunch in a welcoming room.
Signature drink: Coffee and all-day vegetarian brunch
Tip: The vegan and vegetarian brunch runs all day, which is rare in the city. It fills after the Saturday farmers market.
maplewoodWork-friendlyWifi
A downtown Maplewood cafe with a strong vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free bent, Foundation Grounds pours coffee and serves a wholesome all-day menu.
Signature drink: Coffee and vegetarian-friendly cafe plates
Tip: Most drinks make easily vegan with the soy and almond options. The brunch plates are the reason regulars linger.
maplewoodWifi
Mauhaus pairs La Cosecha coffee and in-house cookies with a lounge of adoptable cats in Maplewood, the metro's cat cafe. The coffee is the side dish.
Signature drink: La Cosecha coffee with adoptable cats
Tip: The cat lounge is timed and ticketed separately from the coffee bar; book ahead at weekends. The cookies are baked in house.