ManWell's Coffee Alley
110 W. Main St.
Washington, MO 63090
636.239.9699
Looking for a coffee break off of the beaten path? Just 40 minutes west of downtown St. Louis lies the charming riverfront town of Washington Missouri. Here you'll find quaint streets lined with unique little shops, bursting at the seems with an endless aray of textiles and treats. Also available for your entertainment are wineries, museums, parks, and more. If amidst your tour of this lovely town you find that you're in need of a pick-me-up, head on over to MannWell's Coffee Alley. Step through the door and you'll be greeted with the quintessential coffee shop experience, complete with hardwood floors, red brick walls, soothing indie tunes, and comfy seats. With a menu that boasts everything from lattes to hot chocolate and teas, as well as comforting paninis and salads, you'll be sure to find just the right item to satisfy your tastebuds. So take a break from the norm, step out of the city, and get lost at MannWell's in Washington.
Below you will find our ratings of MannWell's Coffee Alley, in 5 different catagories, from 1-10:
COFFEE: 8.5 - Their variety of coffee inspired drinks (lattes, mochas, ccino's) easily rivals many chains and independent shops. Kacy enjoyed the frozen chai with caramel, while Ashlee kept to her coffee roots with an iced Mayan Mocha (a delicious combination of dark chocolate and spices). Nadia represented for the non-coffee drinker by ordering a "mango-y" mango smoothie, which she remarked was "delicious!"
FOOD: 8 - While their food offerings might be simple, their delicious flavors are anything but. Kacy and Ashlee both ordered the fresh veggie panini, a hot pressed panini overflowing with sun dried tomato pesto, red onions, artichoke hearts, and more. Nadia ordered the Parisian panini and loved the unique textural and flavorful blend of ham, cheese, and fresh apple on wheat berry bread. Wonderful options without being too complicated.
ATMOSPHERE: 9.5 - We loved the "chill" feel of this particular shop. It is the perfect meld of antique and modern, with mismatched chairs and tables, a wonderfully overstuffed wrap couch, unique artwork, and soothing music. Another unique feature is the "book exchange", where each customer who orders an menu item is invited to "bring a book and take a book" from the oversized oak cabinet. This is the first time we've run across this concept in a coffee shop but we loved it!
PRICES: 7 - We noticed that the food and drink prices are a tad high but after further investigation found out that mostly organic and local grown ingredients are used....even in the scones! We also liked the option to order half of a sandwhich or salad if you're not hungry enough for the full. You'll pay around $6.99 for a full sandwhich and $3.99 for the half. All sandwhiches are served with chips and a pickle.
PARKING: 8 (4) - All parking is off street, so depending on hours and traffic parking could be precarious.
BROWNIE POINTS: 6 - We loved that fact that they offered fair trade coffees and teas as well as the fact that they strive to use organic and local ingredients in their food. They offer nights of live music with local artists and outdoor seating. If you're looking for a place to host your next meeting, you'll find a quaint separate meeting room in the back of the shop. Most of all we loved that MannWell's has Nadia, she's a pretty awesome addition to this establishment. Stop by and you just might see her here.
OVERALL: 8.5
Kacy says: "This is like a mosaic of artistry and coffee on main street. Super cute. I would definitely come here again if I were in Washington."
Nadia says:
Ashlee says: "I love the old world feel of this shop and community. It's a great change of pace from the rushed city shops. I just wish they did refills on specialty drinks, my mocha was THAT good!"
