The handsome Queen Anne building at the corner of Jefferson and Magazine streets in New Orleans has lived just two lives: as a pharmacy and as a coffee shop. CC’s Coffee House, which occupied the space in the 1990s after the pharmacy moved out, was an Uptown anchor for decades. It closed to much local lamentation, followed by celebration last July when Congregation Coffee moved in. “We wanted to get that building back into commerce,” says Patrick Brennan of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, which bought Congregation in 2023. “We’re trying to build a warm, inviting space for people in the neighborhood.” And neighbors don’t seem to be mad about their two original latte specialties: iced horchata and honey tahini. The Uptown shop is Congregation’s second after their original Algiers spot.
And expect a third shop this winter: Congregation plans to open at the foot of Exchange Alley in the French Quarter, making for a perfect morning stop after a long night out.
The new location will open after Mardi Gras—in late February—at 618 Conti Street, with seating along the historic alley side of the building. Congregation’s third location will be a collaboration with the local interior designer Carleton Young.
Madison Powers contributed to this story.
