Sound Café

This is just a quick note, not really a review. This place is now open on Friday morning from 10 AM — 2 PM ONLY. I had driven by a few times and noticed that it was locked tight each time so I got curious and stopped to see what the note on the door said and that’s it. Only on Friday for a few hours and there was no indication that this was a temporary thing. Just wanted everyone to know because it stinks of you decide to go somewhere and find them closed.

This place is fine. Coffee fine. People were alright. I’d go again if I had to. Wouldn’t complain about it. If trapped, I’d have plenty to read because it’s half a used bookstore. Not sure if I’d have to pay for those books I’d read though. Signs unclear.

My favorite café in the Marigny/​Bywater. Super friendly staff, great (strong!) coffee, comfy chairs, lovely corner to gaze out the windows upon — I went there almost every day during my 6 week visit.

This is a pretty solid coffee shop in the Marigny. It wasn’t the best place to study, as the barista was playing NPR louder than my thoughts, but I was also the only person there, so maybe she just forgot there was another person there. I could definitely see it being a great place to bring a group for projects.
The coffee was really good, nothing special, but just good. which is all I ask for in a coffee shop. Anywhere that can make it a little better than me (not hard to do) is perfect.
I do wish they had more things to snack on while I study. the pastry/​eats were a little scant, but all in all pretty good.
The barista was really friendly and it was a cute little spot. If you’re looking for somewhere for a group meeting, I’d say this is a great spot.

I have been searching my entire life for a café that feels as comfortable, welcoming, unpretentious, and affordable as Sound Café.
I first came here for a book discussion in November, and I remember it being cozy and warm and full of some of the best Christmas-​feeling smells ever. The lower portion of the café is where the food and drinks are made, and on a small balcony (?) there is a little book shop.
The chai latte is good (but could be a little stronger) and the apple, brie, and pesto sandwich on a toasted bagel is a personal high note in my life. The staff is kind and attentive, the chairs are comfy, I’ve never had a problem finding parking, the clientele keep to themselves mostly, but not in an uppity way… and perhaps most importantly, the books are there for the perusing.
In fact, the only reason I deducted a star – and a self-​serving reason it is – is because Sound Café is in the Marigny and it’s far from my house. Boo.

Worst service I have encountered at a NOLA local coffee shop. I walked in, there were plenty of people sitting down with their drinks, but no one was behind the counter. I waited a good 3 minutes (which is a LONG time for someone in need of coffee!) when I noticed a girl sitting outside on her cell phone. I thought that couldn’t possible be an employee, but we exchanged glances anyhow. I waited another minute, when finally that same girl stepped behind the counter, STILL on her cell phone! I left right then and there, without saying or ordering anything. I knew she had seen me waiting there and she still stayed on her cell phone!
This place is awful, nothing there is good enough to boast about, they now home Beth’s Books, which makes the atmosphere stuffy. I used to have a problem with a main barista that I haven’t seen for a while, who would serve me coffee with a baby strapped to her chest and baby food out on the counter. It was disgusting.

Sound Café might be my new favorite coffee shop in the Marigny. The coffee is good without being pretentious. The atmosphere is put together without being stuffy. The clientele seems to have showered recently, but aren’t so uncomfortably attractive that it distracts me from my work. Its really the perfect balance of coffee shop variables.
The inside just feels relaxing. Two walls are lined with windows that are kept open on nice days. It just feels… comfortable.
Now I’m an iced coffee man, so I can’t comment on the hot espresso drinks, but the iced stuff is a strong and smooth cold brew that is so rich it tastes almost chocolaty.
The café charges extra for to-​go orders as a deterrent to being environmentally irresponsible or to cover their costs. Or both. I don’t mind and the little surcharge reminds me to bring my own cup next time.
My only complaint is that their coffee by the pound is humorously overpriced at $ 14.99/lb. I could buy the same beans retail from Orleans Coffee Exchange for $ 9.99 and surely a wholesale customer like a coffee shop gets a price break. Oh well… it seems to be the going rate. Orange Couch charges the same price and their beans are from Orleans Coffee Exchange too.
Finally, Sound Café is remarkably close to Flora Café — really just around two corners. I’m not sure if this is a testament to both how great Sound Café is and how terrible Flora is. But I’m glad that the neighborhood can support high coffee shop density.
Note: Credit card minimum is $ 5

The spinach quiche is perfect, not too egg-​y, spinach-​y the right amount of onions & flavor. Oh, and the homemade crust. Yummmm.
Coffee is good, of course, or I wouldn’t come, but not memorable.
Love the inside & how it’s unassuming in the neighborhood. Definitely a must if you’re ever in the neighborhood.

I love Sound Café. I live literally two doors down, but I’m not going there anymore until they stop charging SEVENTY FIVE CENTS EXTRA for soy milk. Flora, right around the corner, has found a way to not charge extra for soy milk.

I’m sitting in Sound Café right now. Brilliant. I orig stopped by Flora which is nearby and it was sort of gross inside w/​no open tables. Swung up to Sound Café and was relieved and encouraged. Lots of clean, nice looking tables near outlets. Beverage area is clean. Service was relatively fast Free internet is fast enough for me to stream my audio lectures. Great chai and lemon ice, and the food looked great. Tunes are good but not overbearing, definitely liked this a lot and would come back in a heartbeat if I had to study.

Great food. They use quality ingredients too. The bread is fresh, they have breakfast, they have vegan and vegetarian options, and support local distributors too. Their coffee is good and they are Eco friendly, serving coffee in big comfortable mugs. Of you like tea expect your own personal pot that has a built in mesh compartment too seep the tea bag. Sometimes they’re out of a clutch ingredient like cucumbers or basil. And sometimes they forget to tell you this until you’ve already paid. But overall its a casual, light atmosphere tucked in a lovely neighborhood that offers free wifi. These factors make this an office to many. They’ve recently upgraded too. Woohoo.

I had previously questioned the level of diligence and dedication to craft in the employees at this establishment. I feel it only fair to note that the offending parties seem no longer to work here, and that the new people are great. The complainer in me feels it necessary to add that their chai really sucks, though.

Eh… So at first when I went in I liked it. But the barista who was wearing goggles had… attitude. The place where you pour sugar in your coffee was dirty. I mean dirrrrty and the barista started bitching at the woman I was with when she was trying to be friendly. I understood his point on the argument, but not his approach of attack. There is a cute little nook to sit in built into the wall. The vegan sandwich comes with Cheetoes (?).

Nice place to cool off in this area. Very laid back artist community in the Marigny area of New Orleans. Good coffee and various assortment of pastries.

A caveat: I only order drip coffee at coffeeshops, for three reasons – it’s cheap, it’s easier to compare place to place, and if a place doesn’t make fancy drinks well they’ll probably do an acceptable job with the coffee.
So, Sound Café has a great atmosphere, is clean (especially for New Orleans), and has free wireless and plenty of space to work. But, their coffee is just okay. If you’re fine with that, or if you want try something else, go ahead. But I wouldn’t make them your primary supplier.