Our Favorite Coffee Shops and Cozy Spots
From Victorian to Industrial themed décor, Minneapolis is nothing short of an abundance of coffee shops and cozy spots. Grab one of many unique drinks, set up shop and be productive, or curl up and meet a friend. Here are a few of our authentically-Minneapolis favorites!
Backstory Coffee Roasters
528 Washington Ave N
Located in trendy North Loop, this coffee bar has a full selection of classic espresso drinks, batch brew and pour overs, cold brew, seasonal specialties, pastries, and toasted sandwiches. The spacious and visually-pleasing interior is perfect for remote work and long visits with friends.
Spyhouse
Whittier: 2451 Nicollet Ave S
Uptown: 2404 Hennepin Ave S
Northeast: 945 Broadway St NE
North Loop: 907 Washington Ave N
Accessibly located in different yet charming areas around the Twin Cities, four of the five Spyhouse cafes call Minneapolis their home. Each has its own intimate and welcoming atmosphere, with a variety of coffee drinks, made from their own roastery, and other non-caffeinated options. From quaint brownstone buildings, a restored brick and timber warehouse, an old antique store and a modern urban oasis, each Spyhouse location is a picture perfect stop for a quick drink or an afternoon of lounging. Pair your drink with a one of their scrumptious snack options, take a seat and kick back for a while.
The Get Down Coffee Co.
1500 N 44th Ave
Get Down Coffee Co. is a pillar in the Minneapolis food and drink community and brings specialty coffee to North Minneapolis. Why? To diversify and increase accessibility of the specialty coffee scene. Get Down Coffee Co. is inspired by hip-hop music – hip-hop broke sociocultural barriers. Their menu has creative drinks, like a sweet potato cream latte or a brown sugar banana cream latte, but also classics, like chai and matcha lattes or an array of teas.
Cafe Ceres
Downtown: 100 Washington Square
Linden Hills: 3509 W 44th St.
Armatage: 5401 Penn Ave S.
Brought to you by top local pastry chef Shawn McKenzie, Cafe Ceres features traditional and Turkish coffees, pastries, salads and sandwiches. So if you need a sweet treat with your coffee make sure you visit this place.
Kruse Markit
4237 Nicollet Avenue
Half coffee shop and bistro, have market, Kruse Markit is a cool curated shopping mart bringing you everything you never knew you needed. They bring purveyors to the store who create and make products that taste good, are responsibly made, and reflect the diverse community that reflects the neighborhood. Beyond the incredible market, Kruse Markit serves up a seasonal chef driven fresh food menu, hand crafted coffee (the Get Toasty latte is one of the best in the city), and a handpicked wine and beer menu.
Uncommon Grounds
2809 Hennepin Ave
Located in a Victorian-style house from 1877, Uncommon Grounds has a unique and cozy vibe met with delicious coffee drinks and one of the best chai teas in the city. Comfy emerald green couches from the old L’Etoile Restaurant in St. Paul and intimate tables along with lush plants, retro floor lamps and interesting art on the walls make you feel like you’re being welcomed into someone’s house. Grab a coffee and stay a while.
Isles Buns and Coffee
1424 W 28th St
Isles is the perfect spot to cozy up with a great cup of coffee (their own blend!) and their iconic bigger-than-your-face cinnamon buns. Be prepared to share. Made with real ingredients and baked right in front of you in their open kitchen, these buns are the real deal. “Sweet as Grandma” and the perfect spot to get your caffeine and sugar fix. For a smaller treat, try their cookies or puppy dog tails.
Northeast Tea House
224 E Hennepin Ave
Tea lovers, this one's for you. The Northeast Tea House is an absolute must-visit, and they operate one of the only authentic Japanese matcha mills in the country. Not only do they serve stellar matcha, they have countless loose-leaf tea blends to choose from. The atmosphere inside is perfect for focusing and relaxation, so bring a book or simply sip your tea while savoring quality time.
Dogwood Coffee
East Lake: 4021 East Lake Street
Northeast: 1209 Tyler Street NE
This chic Minneapolis cafe prides themselves on their quality-focused roasting. Booths and small tables are among their modernized seating selection, with lamps, couches and a swanky pink espresso machine to set a comfortable contrast. Grab something from their bakery case and browse their sale items on the retail wall!
Sainaa Café
317 W Lake St
Sainaa, a term from the Oromo language in Ethiopia, has a meaning of both "come inside" and "memories." You'll want do both at this new Lake Street café: come inside and make memories. In Ethiopia, coffee is not just a drink to give you your boost for the day - it's an opportunity to bond with the community. Sainaa Café serves up classic and loved coffee drinks and delightfully pleasing pastries and is a great spot to get work done, visit with friends or simply sip and enjoy your cup.
FRGMNT Coffee
North Loop: 729 N Washington Ave
Mill District: 1011 S Washington Ave
St. Anthony Main: 43 SE Main St
Coffee shops are all about good conversation and good coffee. This minimalist coffee shop has three locations with open spaces — the perfect place for chatting and sipping. Meet up with friends, hang out near the cozy fireplace, or a grab communal table. Their unique, ever changing menu of coffees will keep you coming back.
Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea
120 3rd Ave N
At Fairgrounds their coffee is made from the best brands from around the globe. Sit at the bar with swings as seats (no joke) or order from the menu of fun names and you'll get why this whimsical place is called Fairgrounds.
Wildflyer Coffee
3262 Minnehaha Ave
This specialty coffee company is dedicated to providing job stability to youth experiencing homelessness. A former Peace Coffee space you can still find some of the beans for sale. The exposed brick, plenty of tables and fresh roasted brews make it a great place to gather.
Five Watt Coffee
Kingfield: 3745 Nicollet Ave
Lyndale: 3350 Lyndale Ave S
Northeast: 861 E Hennepin Ave UNIT 106
If you like try new and outrageous coffee flavors this is the place for you. Five Watt continues to shake up their menu with one-of-a-kind coffee and espresso-based beverages prepared with unusual ingredients such as cocktail bitters and chicory syrup. Their inspiration comes from craft cocktails and you'll find specialty drinks at each of their different locations.
Wesley Andrews
111 E 26th St
The exposed brick bar and communal tables welcome you into Wesley Andrews and the seasonal drinks and the pastries and treats from local vendors will keep you going back. There's even an outdoor patio in the back so you enjoy your coffee with a little bit of sunshine.
Northern Coffeeworks
4208 S 28th Ave
Step into Northern Coffeeworks near Lake Nokomis and you'll be surrounded by the interests, outdoor scenery and ambiance of Minnesota. They even have a patio to enjoy your drink on during the warmer months. All coffee is roasted in-house and named after classic-Minnesota sites or vibes — like "Boundary Waters," "Cabin Vibes" and "Evergreen."
Disco Death Records
721 W 26th St
Vinyl lovers and coffee lovers both need to visit Disco Death Records just south of Downtown Minneapolis. You can shop from several genres of vinyl with a specialty coffee drink in hand. Or, join the several young people who settle in here with their laptops for some productivity time. Try one of their specialty drinks, which have names that could double as album titles.
