What Caydence lacks in space, it makes up for in heart. Rows and rows of vinyl record bins harken back to simpler days, and cozy seating beckons customers to stay and listen to music. Sip decadent drinks like the “Polyphia,” made with peanut butter and cardamom, or the caramel creme brulee latte. The back room here comes alive at night — a lineup of local musicians creates an intimate community vibe in this Payne Avenue shop.

Abogados Café, a new law-themed coffee shop owned by Ofelia Ponce and Inti Martínez-Alemán, is open in St. Paul’s Como Park neighborhood this summer. Equal parts coffee bar and mercadito, stop by for an Ex Parte — a long black blended with lavender and French vanilla — or a Fearless Lawtte, made with cayenne and Ceylon cinnamon. Abogados also serves Vikings & Goddesses pastries.

When Makwa owner Jamie Becker-Finn isn’t pulling espresso shots, she’s representing District 42B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Becker-Finn grew up on the Leech Lake reservation in north-central Minnesota, and weaves Ojibwe culture throughout many elements of the coffee shop: The Ziigwan sugar maple cold brew, for example, is sweetened with maple syrup, and bags of hand-harvested wild rice are available for purchase. Makwa also serves handmade pop tarts by local bakery Fruit & Grain.

It doesn’t get classier than Nina’s, in the heart of St. Paul’s historic Cathedral Hill. This shop has an old soul — it’s filled with nooks and crannies to nestle into, and has soaring windows that flood the space with light. Be warned, it’s hard to leave Nina’s. Come for the espresso and stay for the paninis on the dinner menu.

Instagram darling Café Astoria is a sun-filled, bustling shop that serves creamy smoothies, light daytime dishes like crepes and salads, and specialty drinks. (One favorite, the “Bee Sting,” is made with wildflower honey and bee pollen.) Co-owner Leah Raymundo’s creativity shines through on the “Secret Menu,” which features lattes and matcha pours with rainbow foam. 

What do auto repair and coffee have in common? Not much, but that didn’t stop the owners of Good Carma Auto Repair from opening an adorable cafe in an empty building across the street from their repair shop. Matching the customer-focused ethos of the auto shop, Carma is bright and cheerful year round, making it an ideal spot to hang out while your car gets a tune up. Try a chai latte or a cold brew blended with ice cream.

Matchbox has its name for a reason: It’s a narrow little space wedged between a brewery and a hair salon. Order a steaming espresso, a sweet Thai coffee, or a classic drip. The shop has a cozy, intimate vibe, making it a great spot to meet a friend or cozy up in the corner with a book. When the weather’s nice, pass through the plush red curtains at the back of the store onto the patio.

Known for its washed coffees and sleek, airy interiors, Dogwood operates a number of locations around the Twin Cities. The espresso tonic, finished with orange bitters, is a bright, summery pour; a rich cortado is hard to beat in cooler weather. Dogwood serves Marc Heu pastries, too.

When Lee Carter and Caleb Garn founded Five Watt in 2014, they catalyzed the coffee-as-cocktails trend in the Twin Cities. Using the shop’s own bitters line, baristas concoct unique flavor combos like the beloved Kingfield, made with Five Watt coriander bitters and vanilla. Choose any of the four locations: Each one has a unique vibe, but all are equally welcoming.

Pow Wow Grounds has been a community gathering spot on Franklin Avenue since 2011 — it shares a space with All My Relations Arts, which showcases the work of Native American artists. The coffee is excellent, but don’t skip owner Bob Rice’s food menu, especially the fry bread tacos. Rice also harvests wild rice in northern Minnesota, which he uses for his wild rice quiche and wild rice blueberry muffins.

Wildflyer is a nonprofit coffee shop in the former Peace Coffee space on Minnehaha Avenue. In addition to pouring great coffee (think creamy miels and nitro cold brews), Wildflyer provides employment opportunities to young people facing housing insecurity through a four-month work program that offers skill-building experiences, from barista training to resume writing and interview skills.