Protagonist Cafe — Restaurant in St. Louis

Finally got a chance to check this place out. It’s my kind of cafe, with the variety of seating options, very lived in and cozy without feeling dirty. Not pretentious, variety of people. I stopped in on a Sunday morning to catch up on some work for a few hours. I just caught the last “table” which was more like a desk against the wall. I pulled the desk out so I was able to sit facing the room - I have a thing about having my back to the room! It was a perfect, cozy spot to work. I get a little anxious trying new spots until I get the hang of how things work. A few points:

this place is popular and busy. I arrived a little before 10am on a Sunday. It got busy very quickly you can order using QR code at your table. They will not call your name though, just your order, so listen the cafe au lait was delicious and reasonably priced best croissant ever (Parmesan leek) after a couple hours,I tried the oatmeal cream pie, it was good but so rich, saved half for the next day burrito bar smelled good but I couldn’t easily figure out how to order one so just gave up. Yea, I could have gone up and asked, but I told you I get anxious so forgive me, I was just trying to stay cool plenty of outlets, no issues with wifi restroom was super cute, spacious and clean feeling the owners obviously love Gilmore Girls. I didn’t feel the love for it but appreciate that it wasn’t shoved down my throat after the burritos shut down, no food options except super sweets (croissants seemed to be gone by 11am) but I saw people being sandwiches from nearby shops in. I’d love to see more savory lunch-like items like traditional croissants or bagels but at least what they had seems to be made in-house you may not find a seat. Yes, I was there for like 4 hours. If there was a time limit, I would have respected it. I also purchased a few items and did not take up a table larger than what I needed what I loved to see was people sharing tables, everyone seemed very kind about it recycle bin - I wasn’t sure what was recyclable or not…so I put my cup in the trash, which seemed like everyone was doing

In conclusion, I can’t wait to go back - especially when it’s nice out, and not to work, but to catch up on reading. A true, community-feel...

Walking into Protagonist Cafe, I was captivated by its unique concept of a cafe/library, but my experiences have led me to see it more as a bustling social hub than a tranquil study spot. 🌟

Rating Reflection: 🌟🌟🌟 Given its vibrant atmosphere, Protagonist Cafe scores a solid 3/5 stars for being "Ok." It's a place that blends the love of books with a lively cafe culture, albeit with some caveats.

Distinctive Decor: 🎨📖 Protagonist Cafe's decor is a bibliophile's colorful dream. With a wall of books to browse and a lively interior, it's a haven for those seeking a unique 'books and coffee' experience. The vibrant colors might clash for some, but they certainly give the cafe a distinctive character, making it a go-to spot for the bright and social.

Service Experience: 🙋‍♂️ The service is average, maintaining a casual cafe vibe. On one occasion, a disturbance by an aggressive individual wasn't promptly addressed, which might be off-putting for some patrons. This aspect of service could be an area for improvement.

Coffee and More: ☕ As for the coffee, it's decent. While not outstanding, it comfortably fits within the realm of typical cafe offerings. It's a fitting accompaniment to the vibrant atmosphere and literary charm of the cafe.

In Retrospect: 🤔 Protagonist Cafe stands out for its novel approach to combining a love for books with cafe culture. It's a place more suited for lively social interactions rather than quiet study sessions, a factor worth considering depending on what you seek in a cafe experience.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ - "Ok" "A Vibrant Blend of Books and Buzz."

Protagonist Cafe is an eclectic mix of literature and social interaction. It's a place where you can enjoy a casual coffee amidst colorful decor and a variety of books, though it may not be the quiet haven for work or study some might...

I came to visit my best friend from WNY. When I say we are in love with this shop, it’s not even the half of it. Let me start with the friendliness and knowledge we received by the staff was fantastic. The atmosphere in the cafe was a total vibe that I dig.

Now, let’s talk about the banana chocolate bread, cinnamon roll and the blueberry lemon yogurt muffin.

The bread was fantastic, it was fluffy it had a nice balance between the banana and the chocolate chip.

The cinnamon roll the right amount of icing. I’m still figuring out if it was a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Whatever the ingredient is was fantastic. I bought these pastries on Sunday and I heated up the bun as instructed by the baker and it was not messy or hard.

By far my favorite pastry is the Blueberry Lemon yogurt muffin. Let’s talk about the fluffiness/ airiness this muffin has. It’s so airy and delicious. First bite was a love at first taste.

Finally, the coffee. The staff was so helpful recommending drinks. Our party had the follow following drinks: raspberry white mocha latte 4.5/5 I bachlava you 5/5 (the honey flavor was really known) Truffle moccha 4/5 White chocolate/hazelnut latte 5/5

I hope at one point I can come back and visit this gem in a near future. Maybe they can start shipping their pastries 😉.

Do yourself a favor don’t walk run and try...