Rook Cafe

Their coffee tastes like dirty sock water and is overpriced. Skip this place and go to Mojo down the street. They are much better and friendlier.

This place is awesome! The coffee was amazing. My husband — who doesn’t even really like coffee, loved it. I do like coffee, and I also enjoyed it. They have handcrafted syrups, which is interesting. If you’re gluten free there are no gluten free baked delights, which isn’t fun. Though, I did see some Zapp’s behind the counter if you have a long gaming session and get desperate. I did a bad thing and didn’t ask if the syrup was — so ASK!
Anyway, the clearly awesome thing about this place is the atmosphere. I feel like I found my people. The name might not give it away if you’re not a chess fiend, but the place is game themed. And, it has some awesome board games — like Settlers, Carcassone, etc. — in stock. And, they have some space set aside for gaming. They also invite gamers to stop by anytime. You’re welcome here, which is a nice feeling. They have semi-​organized board game nights on Friday and Saturday, which I’ve yet to check out. But, you can bet I will be there for one very soon.
I will definitely be back, and you should definitely check it out if you like coffee and/​or tabletops!

Very nice staff and great iced coffee. It’s a super hipster coffee joint, but the staff does not make you feel out of place for not being a hipster, if you know what I mean. I had just a basic iced coffee but they have so many special coffee drinks I want to try. I will definitely be back to give them a whirl.

This place is an awesome little coffee shop that has a real laid back local community feel. I mainly know it as a place people go to play board games and in that capacity it rules. They have board game nights on Fridays and Saturdays but you can also bring your friends and play whenever. The baristas are a lot of fun and always a pleasure to chat too. The coffee drinks are good — my favorite is the queen (a mix of espresso and condensed milk) which is their take on a Café Bombon. It’s small but packs a punch.

They have homemade vietnamese coffee popsicles. *has urge to drop mic* Coffee is good, and eclectic/​chill vibes. Bathroom has a purse hook (super important), condoms (such goodwill), and chalk to scribble.

This is a cool little coffee shop with a fun vibe. Great place to study or visit for a first date. It’s relatively quiet enough to study, and a good volume for holding a conversation.
This is a pretty average coffee shop and I’d definitely recommend it if you want to mix things up. The Java is pretty good too! Give it a go.

I am here all the time since I work at the school nearby. The staff, coffee and treats are all wonderful. It does get crowded during exam time, but really, who can blame people for wanting to study here? It’s chill. Also, the owner Scott is wonderful and allows my students to hang their artwork in here for a month.

Best espresso drinks in New Orleans. Haven’t had a bad coffee since I started going here 1 month ago. Good place to study also.

I enjoy their ice coffees especially The Knight. You can taste the expresso shot that it comes with. The times I have visited it isn’t crowded which is around 1pm something. The min blueberry cupcake is good. Out of all the other coffee shops around this one is the best.

Made a pit stop for coffee and pastry. The large blueberry muffin was good, more cake-​like than muffin. There is quite a sprinkle of sugar crystals, but it’s not too sweet. Love the local and more world famous art that fills the walls. Seems like a great work space.

I like everything about Rook. I liked it so much that I stop there four times during a three-​night stay in the neighborhood. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was cozy and homey (but still clean). Their macchiatos were perfect, not too bitter or acidic, and their signature Rook latte-​type drink was good with no off flavors, if you’re into sweeter drinks. They get their baked goods from some local bakeries, and I think the cranberry scone was the best scone I’ve ever had, though admittedly, I haven’t had very many scones in my life. Highly recommended if you’re in the neighborhood.

I almost didn’t want to leave a review because I love the atmosphere of this place so much and how it doesn’t get super crowded… but that would be wrong. Rook Café deserves all the stars and accolades. Sigh.
I’ve been a regular customer for 2 years and typically spend very long hours there studying. I am a graduate student and this place caters to people in their 20s and 30s, rarely does it get infiltrated with teeny boppers or a younger crowd, and this is magical. The muffins are INCREDIBLE, they’re seriously the moistest and most perfect baked goods ever, coffee drinks are delicious, the tea is hand packed at the store and there’s tons of fabulous flavors; there are even a couple varieties of iced teas in the summer.
This place is «gamer» themed and is stocked with board games and books for people to play. I’ve also seen video gamers come in and click away on their computers. It’s the most perfect joint embraced by natural hipsters who don’t even know they’re hipsters because they’re so unawaredly quirky. It’s so inviting and comfortable.
There are big tables in the back, quiet area for studying and I rarely don’t find a space for myself and all my books. There are usually other people studying, and common courtesy is readily found here, as people tend to be quieter and pleasant and everyone seems to have a mutual understanding of all hating studying and their lives and they give you knowing smiles.
Fairly priced. For sure. All the stars. Thanks, Rook.

This is a small coffee shop that’s not only fun and quirky but in a great location. I can walk here from my house and it is a great place to go when you need to buckle down and get some serious work done.
Another great thing about Rook is that if you get hungry and want to take a break from your work for a real meal, there are several restraunts, including Wayfare, Ancora, Sarita’s, High Hat, Midway Pizza, Dat Dog, and a few others, all within close walking distance and located right on Freret St.
They have all your standard coffee house options, I like to get an iced coffee with cream and a shot of expresso. If you haven’t been here before I highly recommend checking it out!

Good vibes and eclectic atmosphere. Perfect place to study on a Sunday morning/​afternoon. I got their iced latte with almond milk and it was delicious. Great customer service, too!

Let me just start this review by saying that I hate people. Not all people, but I am an empath, and people can be hard for me to digest more often than not. I strive to take whatever route has less people in everything that I do in life. This coffee shop is perfect for me! It has good energy from the moment you walk in the door. There are tables to accommodate single ppl as well as groups. Ample outlet’age. (I make up words a lot too lol) The last time I was here there was a large dog hanging out with a group at the back, so they are pet friendly. (The dog was very well behaved.) Today I tried ‘The Knight’. I’m very pleased with it. I like my coffee to be sweet and delicious, but still taste like coffee, which is getting harder and harder to find these days with all the trendy coffee drinks that taste like wedding cake and other bullcrap that isn’t coffee. The Knight is one of those sweet coffee drinks, but it still tastes like actual coffee. That’s a coffee win in my book.
I went to Mojo’s (a block away) before coming here on a suggestion from a friend. HATED IT! It had a very «vote for Donald Trump» kinda feel to it. Mixed with an «ALL lives matter» kinda vibe. This place (the rook) is more «vote for Bernie Sanders /​We hate Jindal». Some of you will get my comparison, I hope lol. Anyway, I was very pleased to find this place after my awful experience at Mojo’s. I will be back again & again.
Oh yea, the baristas here have all been eye candy so far. I’ve only met two of them. One girl and one guy. I may have flirted with them both a little lol

Service is great! Barista was so nice and friendly, and it definitely helps with my «morning crankiness»! Muffin was great! Atmosphere is definitely trendy but clean and quiet. I think I may just stop by next time when I am free just to relax and read a book there! Also, don’t forget to check in to get $ 1 off of an espresso drink!

Need help learning the art of focus, come to Rook. Need a coffee shop that actually plays, come to Rook. Need just some good coffee in general, then again come to Rook.
Well you get the gist folks… Rook is a straight forward, cool spot with good wifi to get your work handled. Can’t lie, not a fan of the bakery type stuff like bagels, and muffins, but the liquids are solid and there are places around to handle that need if needed.
come thru and enjoy!

The internet at Mojo’s was simply too slow bc everyone was using it, so I jumped over to Rook. I was the only one using the wifi, other than the barista (music). Another customer, a guy seated in the center section, was reading a regular book.
I realized that Rook Café is the perfect place to go to catch up with friends, read a book, and/​or pick up a new board game or meet your friend for that board game y’all were playing on your phone, laptop and at Rook.
After I ordered my London Fog, I had this perfect moment at Rook Café bc the barista played Bjork Homogenic and no one ever plays BJORK. It’s the only concert I’ve ever seen, and yes! she wore her iconic swan dress. Said barista and I then talked about Bjork, before I dove into work.
An hour or so went by. I went to open the bathroom door and got startled, then immediately shut the door. The guy that was reading his book, had taken a break to take a poop. He kindly smiled at me after exiting the bathroom, to signal to me that I did not offend him.
So, after he exited, I examined the bathroom door locks thoroughly.
There are a lot of distractions in the bathroom. It is very colorful. And as it turns out, turning the knob itself is not enough. You must slide the bolt across, which is positioned a little lower than the door knob, but not in immediate view (especially if you are tall). I am pretty sure I would have not used the slide across lock, had I not walked in on him.
I’ve gone back since, to get more work done.
The owner is very chill, and so are the baristas.

I’m not a coffee drinker and I have to admit that I don’t really hangout in coffee shops but this place good change that. First off it’s super deep so don’t let that narrow storefront trick you. Second the staff is really nice. Third is has yummy iced tea and pastries.
Plus y’know board games and lots of areas to hang out and visit or y’know study if that’s your sort of thing. I have to admit that when I walked in I almost had a Borsodi’s flashback with the bohemian vibe… although a bit more grownup. (I realize this only makes sense if you were hanging out on Freret street in the 80s but so be it.)
Now that’s it’s cold I’ll have to go check out their hot chocolate game.

Freret St homes the Rook Café, a café featuring a wide range of beverages and board games. Yes, board games!
Featuring a wide range of coffees, lattes, espressos, etc, you’ll find the drink to satisfy your urges. I opted for an Iced Chai Latte as it’s a very warm day. There isn’t much chai flavoring, which is a tad disappointing but it is very smooth and milky and definitely helps beats the heat.
I also ordered a Maple and Patisserie Muffin. The muffins are very large so it’ll either fill you up completely or tie you over for a few hours until it is lunch time. The muffin is topped with flavor whereas the muffin itself is light and fluffy. It is delicious!
Now onto the café itself. It has a good selection of seating available, a table in a sun room at the front of the café, then tables lining the wall opposite the counter leading all the way to the back room. The back room is where all the board games are held. Tables are available for singles, couples, or even big groups.
The thing that makes Rook Café really shine are the available board games. They have Monopoly, Scattegories, Risk, Chess, and Dungeon Lords just to name a few.
I highly recommend coming as a group, ordering a drink and a muffin and play a few games together. The perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon!
Pros: great location, free board games to play, delicious baked treats.
Negs: chai flavoring was a tad weak.