I'm slowly making my way through their coffee menu, by asking each barista what their favorite drink is and then ordering that the next time I go. The staff are very friendly and knowledgable, both about books and the coffee. Every single coffee drink I've tried is absolutely outstanding. My favorite so far is If Beale Street Could Talk, a cayenne-infused mocha. It is spicy, smoky and delicious. The bookstore is lovely, too. They have plenty of events, and there are always at least a few crowds hanging around. Their selection is lovely and I always find a few new books to read. Beautiful outdoor patio, plus they have a small recording studio for podcasts (I think) and a bunch of tables, games, puzzles, etc. I love this spot! I think about their drinks all the time read more

James Baldwin was known as "God's Black revolutionary mouth" and is also the forever #1 guest on my dead or alive party list. This bookstore is a true community spot. When we visited, it was crowded, but there was an event going on outside. Additionally, groups were there to meet and have coffee and chat. They have a coffee bar that appears to be well appointed. The book selection is wonderful. So many James Baldwin titles, including some you don't see regularly. They do online orders, so if you are looking for Baldwin books or books on Black history/social justice, consider buying from this Black owned business instead of Amazon. They also have a beautiful air bnb for rent. As mentioned in other reviews, this is in the Marigny/Bywater neighborhood and can be made part of a full day of activities, including JamNola and Allways Lounge and great restaurants. read more

Baldwin & Co. - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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this place is obviously amazing as a hub of culture, community, and intellectualism. the public lectures are offered at a level that rivals institutions of higher education, with all the more equity. and the best part -- the coffee is delicious! i love the creative names for the lattes. a great place to chat with friends, to do work, to draw, to read, anything. the ONLY suggestion I have is adding some setting the lights more warm-toned or putting around a few warm-toned lamps to make the space a bit more cozy in the dark hours. but truly perfect place and a must visit for any tourist or local! also, shoutout to the baristas. i received my americano hot and the barista insisted on remaking the drink instead of throwing it over ice to risk diluting it. so sweet and she totally didn't have to! read more

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Rating 9.3/10 It was a beautiful day to visit this black owned bookstore cafe. I loved the aesthetic of the shop and they carefully curated their book selection. In the rear of the building, they also have spaces to use for broadcasting/meetings available to reserve. I got the ginger lime iced tea and sat outside on the adjacent patio since it was such a nice day. read more

Baldwin & Co. - Ginger lime tea with lavender syrup. - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I felt right at home at this coffee shop. The vibe is very welcoming and peaceful. Every space, wall to wall, has been decorated intentionally . They didn't waste a single spot. I ordered the "Go tell it on the mountain" latte. This was my first time trying oat milk, and I loved it! There were many wonderful books to explore while enjoying my coffee and I spent the rest of my time on the beautiful outside patio. This will be one of my go to coffee shops for sure. read more

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What a gem Baldwin and Co has become to the community. This is the perfect space to grab a drink or pastry from the café, work and study, discover your next favorite book, record a podcast or meet your favorite author. The space is so cozy and artistic. On my visit I ordered their lavender lemonade and it was delicious. The perfect balance of lavender and perfectly sweetened lemonade. I sat in a small reading nook that had a bookcase full of books and games to play. There were so many books to rummage through featuring various black and local authors. Definitely a space I would recommend to visit. read more

Baldwin & Co. - Lavender lemonade - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This is such a special bookstore + coffee shop. To start, my coffee was DELICIOUS. I got Giovanni's Room, which is basically a lavender latte and it was divine. I was a little scared at first, because I'm not a big oat milk person, and the only milk the use is oat, but it was absolutely delicious. The perfect balance of espresso, oat milk, and lavender. Secondly, this is a wonderful bookstore. A great selection, and a wonderful place to sit down and work and/or chill. There's also outdoor seating and a podcast studio. Baldwin & Co. is the spot! read more

When I'm traveling, I make a point to find any bookstores in the area (bonus points for black owned.) Baldwin & Co. is the cutest coffee shop/bookstore located not far from the French Quarter. They offer a variety of coffee and other beverages (I enjoyed my lavender lemonade). There's comfy seating to sit and enjoy your book and beverage. In addition to a great selection of new books they also have merch available for purchase. I even spotted an area that appeared to be a podcasting space. My visit to Baldwin & Co was the perfect bend to a day of sightseeing in NOLA. read more

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Grabbed a matcha latte during the BHM Cafe Crawl with the Yelp Elites! I went the Saturday of the Cafe week and unfortunately, the worker stated that they were not handing out anymore drinks and only the Yelp kits, so I was bummed. The matcha latte with vanilla syrup was very disappointing, as it was lacking in flavor and watery. Would probably recommend another espresso drink. read more

Baldwin & Co. - Iced Matcha latte - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!! Prices are affordable, more coffee options (and specialty options), more non-coffee drinks, and lots of books! I love a particular section they call "blind date with a book". You pick a book based off the blurb, not the cover. Such a cool concept! They have a wide selection of books and don't skip over the children's book in the way back! Lots of books by BIPOC, for BIPOC. Definitely a coffee shop you can lose yourself in. They also have a podcast studio that looks very cool. Can't wait to come back and sit and chill inside. Maybe go on a blind date with a book. read more

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This cafe is located in the backbone of the city near a lot of historical landmarks. The theme of this cafe ties in perfectly with the location and history of New Orleans. Baldwin & Co is a spacious atmosphere where you can come try some signature cafe recipes while enjoying a good read by a black author. They provide inside and outside seating. They have a large variety of books from political to children's books and yes all written by black authors. The service was very friendly and helpful with my decision making process. I wanted to be adventurous and tried the "If Beale Street Could Talk". It was delicious in my opinion because it reminded me of a Mexican hot chocolate with a touch of espresso. I enjoyed the cleanliness of their different spaces and learned that they host reading and signings by traveling authors. I believe every bookworm should add this cafe to their list! read more

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love Baldwin and Co!!! The atmosphere is so cozy and nice, and the drinks were fire. I wasn't expecting to like my iced latte but this was so good. I also love the character and community Baldwin creates! My one down side is the space is small, so I didn't feel like I could sit there for a bit to do work. I would def come back for a coffee and to browse around the latest books! read more

Baldwin & Co. - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Baldwin & Co. is such a gem in the city. As a New Orleans native, I love seeing a space that blends culture, community, and coffee so effortlessly. The atmosphere is warm and intentional, the book selection is meaningful, and the coffee is always on point. It's the kind of place you can sit, reflect, and feel inspired. Definitely one of my favorite spots to support and unwind. read more

Love the book selections here, AND it's a bookstore dedicated to my favorite author James Baldwin. AND best of all, the drinks are actually really good. The espresso was NOT bitter. The latte was not too sweet. And I truthfully don't usually order lavender drinks, but I had to buy a drink named after my favorite book. And yeah - it was worth it. The matcha latte was awesome too. It was some ceremonial grade level matcha or something. Maybe not but it tasted really smooth. Definitely will be back read more

Baldwin & Co. - Giovanni's Room (oat milk lavender latte) and matcha latte - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Love this cute, quant bookstore & coffee shop in the heart of Nola. Love all the activations, activities, community involvement (big time) and intentional integration of the culture. Author talks are great and feel very intimate. Baldwin & Co. is a black-owned independent bookstore serving individuals, schools, businesses, nonprofits and more using the power of books to inspire social justice. Baldwin & Co. donates hundreds of books, foods, beverages and more to impoverished communities. Our mission is to inspire growth in people and communities through the power of reading. Based in New Orleans' historic Marigny neighborhood, Baldwin & Co. is a vibrant community hub, and a center for intellectual discovery where authors, readers, artists and activists gather in a welcoming and supportive environment. read more

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What a cool bookstore! They had a wide selection of books and several coffee drinks to choose from. This is a great way to spend some time reading, working or just hanging out in a cozy and comfortable space. read more

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During our most recent trip to NOLA, we stayed just down the street from this place and decided to stop by in the morning on our way out. I hadn't done any research beforehand, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was also a bookstore! Their selection is fantastic with a strong focus on books by Black authors. Even better, they have a dedicated room you can rent to record podcasts. How cool is that? Everyone in my family loved their coffee, but since I'm not a coffee drinker, I went for the chai and it was delicious. One of my favorite details was their menu. It included descriptions of each tea's health benefits. As an avid tea drinker, I even learned a few things I didn't know. Thank you for educating me! I love supporting small, local businesses, and this spot is definitely worth a visit!! read more

Baldwin & Co. - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Fantastic bookstore and cafe! Great place to get work done and to do some people watching. They're also open relatively late (until 6:00) for a coffee shop. And they have a whole sci-fi/afrofuturism section! There's nothing better than buying Black authors from a Black-owned bookstore. read more

Black owned bookstore and coffee shop. Friendly staff. Love the unique coffee combinations. My fav is "The Color Purple" espresso + lavender lemonade. Nice quiet space for working or reading. A great selection of books for purchase. read more

Baldwin & Co. - The Color Purple - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Fantastic spot to escape the humidity in this lovely oasis of a bookstore/cafe. The drinks were delicious and well-made. The barista was friendly and answered our questions about what we wanted to try. We then browsed the well-curated book section and merch. I bought a crop top tee that read "Reading is my Cardio." I love that they have surprise books wrapped so you can't tell what the title is. In the back, they have a podcast studio and a gathering space. There were two gentlemen talking to young students at the time. There's also a nice courtyard you can wander if the weather is nice. It's such a special, well thought-out space. If I lived in New Orleans, I'd come here every week! read more

Amazing coffee shop and bookstore! This is beautiful space for having a coffee or tea and enjoying book browsing and buying. Lots of space to sit with your new book and enjoy your coffee. The staff is very friendly and each drink is made with care by baristas. The offer a lot alternative milk options and vegan baked goods. Definitely recommend you stop by. read more

Baldwin & Co. - Merch and community events area ( also condiments bar) - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Where do I begin??? You can come here for two great adventures, an amazing bookstore that has everything for our community or you can go to the divine coffee shop! The coffee shop is worth the trip alone, so you might wanna get a little book with your coffee. This was some of the best Matcha I have ever had! My friends got the Matcha rose latte, I tried the Matcha lemonade, and we also tried the specialty brown sugar drink. Everything was excellent! But what really took it over top was the service. Dede was so wonderful! I would go back just to see her. Thank you guys for the amazing experience and rich haven in New Orleans. read more

Baldwin & Co. - Walking in - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I purposely spent money on an Uber, while visiting beautiful NOLA, to visit a Black owned book store. I was so excited to visit and then got let down. So, the vibe is more cafe with a lot of books, than bookstore with a small cafe. I'm a huge fan of bookstores, especially used bookstores and independent bookstores. I used to visit the greats! Green Apple Bookstore, Powell's in Portland, The Strand in NYC, Marcus Books in Oakland, Ca.,etc. I spent $12 to visit this place and had it in my itinerary as a must visit while in NOLA. I love my people and try to visit their businesses when possible. The best Black owned bookstore I've been to is Marcus Books, a great and legendary bookstore with a long history and a ton of great book options in Northern California. There are not as many books as one would expect from an independent bookstore at Baldwin & Co. But the quality of books is good and there appears to be a high amount of Black/African-American authors showcased and I respect that. What disappointed me was the cafe and selection of books. The cafe showed a price of $5.65-$5.85 for a chai latte. I asked if it could be iced. The nice person at the counter said all drinks can be iced. Cool. I dig it. I ordered an iced chai latte, light on the ice. They tried to charge me around $7.85! I'm from the Bay Area and that is super steep. $8 for an chai syrup or concentrate mixed with milk, add ice, is crazy, size medium. They then explained that they charged $0.50 for ice. WTH? Why charge for ice? Then they charged me $0.40 for "light ice" because "they have to use more product". But if the drink is at most $5.85 hot, isn't less product being used when iced? Then they added like $0.70 for tax, which is ok. I just prefer places that fold the tax into the overall price up front so a $5.65 or $5.85 drink is that amount, not more. I just don't dig places that nickel and dime their customers. Charging me $0.90 for ice is a bit excessive. And it wasn't like the best iced chai. It was watery and didn't taste unique. Just a non-creamy chai iced tea latte. It felt like a watery chai tea mix, mixed with a little milk, then add ice. You can get a more creamy vibe at home with "Oregon Chai" concentrate and whole milk. I will say that they had also had a tumeric drink and another non-caffeinated healthy, I think, ashwaganda drink that looked good for those on a health kick. Plus matcha green tea. Not sure if ceremonial Variety of matcha: So the staff and the drink menu definitely had a more health conscious kick. They get props for that. Plenty of great seating. Nice bathroom situation with nice lotions and soaps to use once you step out of the bathrooms, it gave off a nice hotel vibe. I saw a plethora of books, most didn't pull me enough to want to spend $30 on a book at the moment. They had some books that reminded me of scholarly college level texts (one book that I liked went into detail about the transatlantic slave trade and laws and practices around its usage in America, another was about the various laws, actions taken by the U.S. government the set in place racist laws, oppression, etc.). So the selection was very nice. I just wish there were more books to choose from. The Baldwin book section was nice, but it's hard to justify spending so much on new book prints when you can get older, historical texts printed during his time, for less than mass manufactured newbies for less off eBay. If you are into Afrofuturism, or have a young reader in the family, they had a lot of young adult readers, afrofuturism books, etc. I wanted a book about the issues that came up in our community around Hurricane Katrina (such as the dismantling of an all-AA/all-Black school board in NOLA, etc.) and I found a book I hadn't yet read that had a good reading flow to it. Kinda pricey compared to Amazon or a Kindle ebook, but I wanted to support my community during this trip and not feel like I wasted $12 + $7 visiting a cafe with a bookstore/bookstore with cafe situation. And the return trip to my hotel after the rain started was like $22!! Ugh!! Would I recommend coming to Baldwin and Co.? For one, they have what looks like a podcast recording/listening booth, so that is really cool, they have a good amount seating for the smallish space, and the vibe is youthful, think college age students that may be in local colleges that come to chill out at Baldwin and Co. If you remember "A Different World" from the late 80's/early 90's, it definitely gives off Cree Summer/Lisa Bonet, and their male friends, vibes. It's definitely got a higher consciousness vibe. So I would definitely come there to read and write/work on my writings, etc. Tips: stick to hot drinks so you don't have to get into the whole ice drama. Double check their cafe prices as there may be some outdated pricing info. Definitely promote this laid back vibe spot. Be prepared for educated and deep conversations. . Also, I'm from NorCal, not the south. This place rocks!! read more

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We stopped for coffee here and WOW everything was top-tier! I got their "spicy" coffee and it was packed with flavor and a perfectly-pulled espresso. Plus, their king cake was the best I had on the trip! read more

I had a delicious brown sugar latte here! Very roomy with plenty of seating and wonderful selection of books to choose from!

Went here during my vacation. Nice setup w a cafe as soon as you enter and certain books. Different seating dynamics throughout for two or a group. Noticed a restroom as well as a podcast room . Staff was cool. One guy searched for a book for me and couldn't find it but was nice offering assistance and told me I could get it online. Cool vibe and I was surprised to see so many different ethnicities here enjoying the space. read more

Everything about this bookstore is superb. I hate I missed their recent book signing, but I've added a few events to 2025 calendar. The store is beautifully decorated and inviting. I love that there are multiple spaces for working/reading/enjoying the day, including the garden (with fresh lavender?). Their literature selection is vast; from nationally known authors to local gems. I enjoyed the welcoming vibe and Black cultural depictions throughout. I'll be back during every Nola visit. read more

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Beautiful bookstore that is spacious, bright and even has a cute little cafe. Great selection of new books. If you're in the Marigny area check it out! read more

Really yummy rose matcha could taste the matcha and not too sweet . Could tell really nice book selection as well. Seating was reasonable to obtain for a Friday afternoon . read more

After countless NOLA trips, I couldn't tell you why it took me so long to visit this place?! Well, it certainly won't be my last, because the bookshop coffee shop concept is alive and thriving (plus it's within walking distance of one of best beignet spots in the city...don't @ me, I'm from Houston, and I said what I said!) This spot offers so many activities and opportunities to explore and cultivate community connection. Need a caffeine boost, try the coffee. We tried a few coffee based drinks, apart from the coffee lemonade combo, you're in for a treat. If you're a bibliophile, check out their selection of books. It was incredibly refreshing to see the plethora of Black authors, and while they do not carry self-published authors, you're able to order a book for store pickup. If you love books and community, check out the book club or one of their events. As a bonus, they also have a rentable podcast booth. While parking can be challenging, it's certainly worth the visit! read more

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A beautiful tribute to black literature. When you enter, the sweet and decadent aromas of the coffee shop greet you at the door. There is seating in the front windows and throughout the space. There are a vast number of books, many by black authors. I enjoyed 'If Beale Street Could Talk' drink. It was amazing. This is another reason why I wish I lived on NOLA. read more

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LOVE LOVE LOVE ! This is what I think of when I think of a modern day café. Everyone inside has their own thing going on but with respect for each other the cashiers / baristas were friendly and helpful. we got to look around at the book selection which a lot of them seemed to POC focused. I loved that each genre was in its own little nook. I also really appreciate the fact that they have a podcast type of room that still lets people look inside. I'm not sure if they do live tapings. I came on a day that it was raining and didn't expect so many people to be inside, but I loved the liveliness of the place, the mural inside is amazing and everybody should see it! Just want to say thank you for giving a semi quiet and mutual respectable place to the community and to travelers. I'm so glad that we found this place walking back from breakfast. read more

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I finally made it to Baldwin & Co. this place is so perfect! I've been here for book tours and the patio area is nice and a great place to socialize. The cafe is so warm and inviting. I ordered the rose matcha latte hot and it's so good! Got the flavors of both perfectly. I also ordered the egg and cheese croissant it was tasty. Both came to about $14. There's was light music playing Anderson Paak, sza etc playing in the background against the espresso machine. Beautiful artwork. This is def a place to chill! Parking can be tricky, there's street parking so keep that in mind. But if you're visiting it's a quick uber ride from the quarter. Hope you check out this black owned business and support! read more

Baldwin & Co. - Cafe - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I visited the bookstore to attend Tamron Hall's book talk. I've heard great things about it and was happy to finally see what the fuss was all about. This beautifully decorated book store is so inviting. The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive. Before leaving, I ordered a drink from the coffee bar. The barista was sweet and gave me a great recommendation that I thoroughly enjoyed. The calendar of events has my attention and has given me every reason to come back. Until next time... read more

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Well, my credit card statement says I've been here over 35 times... sooo I believe it to be TRUE! We love Baldwin & Co... I love Baldwin! Go visit for yourself and feel the vibe. Read a book, buy a book, enjoy the unique coffee offerings, sit inside or outside.. Catch a vibe. I love bookstores that meet coffee shop... There's just something about them that feel so homey, inviting, and also stimulating for the mind. Working at Baldwin is a vibe. Coffee chats are a vibe. Meeting up with friends outside is a vibe! All around, always a great experience. Also, The staff is always super kind! Oh! Did I mention? It's Blacked-owned! Come support! p.s. My photo is of "The Color Purple" aka my regular! read more

Baldwin & Co. - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I love this place. The coffee is glorious, and the book selection is excellent. The atmosphere is wonderful--it's clear that everyone here, staff and patrons alike (this reviewer included!), genuinely enjoys being in the space. My only small gripe is that the music can be quite loud, even early in the morning. Even with noise-canceling AirPods, I can still hear it. It's good music--just a bit distracting when trying to get work done. To their credit, when I ask for it to be turned down, the staff are always gracious and accommodating. Still, Baldwin & Co. is absolutely five-star worthy. read more

Friendly staff , amazing coffee and tea. Beautifully decorated. Loved the book selection!!! I will definitely be back when I'm in NOLA

Favorite coffee in New Orleans by far! Plus an excellent bookstore. I love supporting Black owned businesses. read more

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A cafe inside a bookstore for the community. It's perfect! The front shop sells a full coffee menu and the Brown Sugar latte was very refreshing. In the back are all types of books, including many James Baldwin numbers. There's a courtyard with public art and seats in the back. If you're a paying customer, there are two clean restrooms. Afterwards, explore the nearby murals. read more

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Baldwin is hands down my favorite coffee shop to stop at! Everything from the literature, monthly events, and of course the brew!! Such a lovely + chill spot to get work done or just hang. This spot is black owned, located on Elysian Fields off of St Claude. Customer service has always been so lovely here. Most definitely a 10/10 recommendation! read more

Baldwin & Co. - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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