Gallery • 6 Photos

Iya Abdulkarim

Pastries at Spyhouse are from the Black Walnut Bakery.

Nestled besides the “I Like You Too” gift shop on the intersection of Snelling and Palace, St. Paul’s Spyhouse Coffee shop opened on Friday, November 17th.

By 8:30 on the first Saturday morning on which the St. Paul Spyhouse was open, the line was out the door.

Flooded with natural light from two large windows and dotted with the warm twinkle of fairy lights, the shop fosters an eclectic rustic style with brass accents. Small but quaint, patrons can seat themselves at tables for two or on stools along window counters.

Most of the items on the menu are at the four or five dollar price point (as expected for a hipster coffee shop). The handcrafted beverages are of great quality, and the glass display case below the register houses fresh pastries from the Black Walnut Bakery and donuts from Mojo Monkey.

The furniture seems to have been selected prioritizing looks over comfort, making the shop more suitable for coffee dates as opposed to study sessions. However, Wi-Fi connection, quality coffee, and a classic coffee shop vibe make it a feasible working environment.

While this is the only St. Paul location of the Minneapolis based coffee shop, the Minneapolis energy is not overpowering. The St. Paul patrons, who have already filled the shop with conversation and character, will keep the characteristic St. Paul sense of community in the area.