Café Qui Pense

Charming space with a delightful array of carefully selected books right next door.

This is a simple coffee shop with nice nice décor (white wood panelling on the walls with wainscoting, kind of a maritime feel). It’s very small and quiet.
My family doctor’s office is a block away from this coffee shop. For years, I’ve arrived early for my appointments and looked around for something to do other than walk around the St. Paul University campus, shop for religious books, or eat at Green Door. No, I don’t like or have the time for Green Door before a doctor’s appointment. :)
This place has been open for a year, apparently. I never noticed it before. It wasn’t very busy at 3:00 on a weekday afternoon. Their coffee is great. I also tried one of their pastries (a butter tart bar) which was a little dry but very good. They also have what look like paninis, cookies, scones, etc. They played U of O radio music while I was there.
For the 20 minutes I had to spare, I was sitting and at peace eating my butter tart bar listening to CHUO and enjoying watching the rain and people trying to run for cover outside.
Now, I know that might sound more normal coming from a woman in yoga class. Instead, this is coming to you from a busy dad who enjoys a moment eating stuff he could never bring home, listening to cool music without his kids yelling over it, and not being bothered by anybody in a relaxing coffee shop that reminded me of the East Coast. Yes, peace.
BTW, I didn’t check to see if they have wifi. I was too busy doing nothing. :)