When I think of picturesque small towns in Louisiana that have always maintained their hospitality and charm, Minden is my first thought.
The brick streets and antique shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants and coffee shops give this town the feel of stepping back in time.
An old hardware store, once a shell filled with rubble, is now a thriving coffee roasting house with its own specialty blends.
Brick Street Coffee is a relic of time turned trendy “I can’t believe this is here!” macchiato, pastry and fruity iced refresher purveyor. I haven’t even tried the food here yet, but I hear good things.
The Broken Bean, another coffee shop/breakfast and lunch bistro, has barbecue sliders most everyone in town recommends when they know you’re having lunch in Minden.
Its shop is a ministry providing workforce training for Adult & Teen Challenge.
Geaux Fresh, another local bistro, makes a shrimp remoulade wrap that is a cool, fresh meal for a hot day. You can get dessert there with its fresh homemade pies.
If your sweet tooth is aching, snag some fresh homemade ice cream in all sorts of exotic flavors and fun toppings over at Shug’s.
Each shop contains hardworking people happy to share their stories and their craft in a way business owners, tradespeople and artists do in a small town. Almost all of it is walkable, and parking is free.
Everything feels intimate. Nobody you meet is a stranger. Everybody helps everybody.
Minden has the type of Southern charm that leaves you wondering if you’re in a real place or some movie of a place where people are all just SO NICE it seems surreal.
You get a sense of not just helpfulness but genuine care about “you” having the best experience, wherever that may be.
In almost every shop, someone recommended another shop.
And surprisingly, for a place that seems as small-town as this, there are a lot of places to choose from.
These are my faves I’ve tried so far, with menus much more expansive than I can say here, but there are many more.
All are a great place to start when planning out your day.
Pick up one of the brochures that has the most up-to-date list of antique stores, thrift shops and markets, and check out their websites and Facebook pages for updates!
