As synonymous as New Orleans’ chicory-laced coffee is with its cafe culture and pillowy beignets, the city has a surprising lack of small-batch roasters. Geoffrey Meeker changed all that in 2012, when he launched French Truck Coffee from his laundry room. The company has grown considerably over the past couple years, going from a home-delivery service (via Meeker’s vintage yellow truck) to two brick-and-mortar locations. While most of the space in French Truck’s Magazine Street flagship is used for roasting, its light-filled cafe on Dryades Street has more of a proper food menu and plenty of room to hang out.

Meeker is also expanding outside of the state. French Truck recently merged with Memphis’ Relevant Roasters, founded by Jimmy Lewis, and has plans to open a cafe in Baton Rouge.

1200 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA; 504-298-1115.
4536 Dryades St., New Orleans, LA; 504-702-1900.

Additional photo by Cartogramme