Best Coffee Shops in Minneapolis

After writing my St. Paul coffee guide, I knew I had to give the other twin its fair share. I'm a St. Paul girl at heart, but I'll admit it: Minneapolis knows what it's doing when it comes to coffee. So here are some of my favorite spots over the river.

If you read my St. Paul guide, you already know I'm a coffee shop person through and through. Minneapolis is a little different, though. It's bigger, it moves a little faster, and every neighborhood has its own personality, which makes it really fun to explore one cup at a time.

This guide is for anyone visiting who wants more than a downtown chain, students looking for a new study spot across the river, and anyone who wants an excuse to explore a neighborhood they don't usually go to. I've organized it by neighborhood so you can turn it into your own little coffee crawl!

You might remember Spyhouse from my St. Paul guide, and yes, it's back. The North Loop location feels completely different from the others, though. It's on the first floor of an apartment building with glass walls and tall ceilings, so it's bright and modern, which fits the North Loop perfectly.

The coffee is just as good as it is in St. Paul, which means really, really good. Spyhouse roasts its own beans, so this is the place to try something simple and let the coffee shine. Start your day here, then go explore the neighborhood's shops and restaurants. The baristas give the best recommendations. 

If you're looking for a spot to work, this one is a good one too; everyone feels like they're working on the next best thing, so it's super motivating. It's also coworking-approved! 

(P.S. This is the spot in the first image)

FRGMNT (pronounced fragment) is for people who like to try something new every time. Instead of roasting their own beans, they bring in coffee from roasters all over the world, so every visit is a little different. That's what makes it so fun.

And then there are the donuts. They serve Cardigan Donuts, a Minneapolis favorite, and you NEED to get one. Coffee and a donut is a classic for a reason. The North Loop spot is a small coffee bar that opens up into an office building lobby, so grab your coffee and donut and take a walk around the neighborhood! 

If you read my St. Paul guide, you know how much I love Yellowbird. The good news: if you're in Minneapolis, you don't have to cross the river to get it! Their second location is in Northeast, a neighborhood known for its art scene and breweries.

Same signature drinks, completely different vibe. If you've never had The Hamline, this is your sign. 

Wildflyer is a coffee shop with a mission. It's a nonprofit that gives job training to young people experiencing homelessness, so every cup you buy supports that. I love a place where you can feel good about your coffee order.

The shop is in Longfellow, with exposed brick, wood beams, and a big mural of the Wildflyer bird on the back wall. They make their own syrups and rotate seasonal drinks, so check what's on the menu when you go.

Falls Coffee is all about location. It's right by Minnehaha Falls, so grab a coffee to go and walk over to the falls. A 53-foot waterfall in the middle of the city? Minneapolis, you win this one.

It's the perfect weekend morning plan, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. And in winter, the falls freeze over, which is worth seeing at least once.

• Backstory Coffee Roasters in the North Loop. They roast their own beans and have a coworking space, so I'm planning a study day here.
• Dogwood Coffee in Northeast. Big, open, and great for studying.
• Five Watt Coffee in Kingfield. They mix house-made bitters into espresso drinks.
• Isles Bun & Coffee in Uptown. Famous for cinnamon buns. Enough said.
• Fireroast Coffee and Wine in Howe. Affogatos made with Sebastian Joe's ice cream!! (if you know, you know)

There you have it! Between this guide and my St. Paul one, you have enough coffee shops to last you a whole Minnesota winter (and trust me, that's a long time).

Save the collection before you go so you can plan your own coffee crawl. And if there's a Minneapolis spot you think I need to try, send it my way. I'm always looking for an excuse to get coffee. 

Till next time :)