Minneapolis breakfast recommendations
Breakfast ideas for when your friends come to town for your wedding, your family visits, or you just need a new place to try out with your sweetie.
I’ve got recommendations for you (and for them) so that we can all show off the Twin Cities right. Let’s eat well, get a feel for where we are, and not stress out about it.
We all need a breakfast plan: mine include a sense of place, food that is a little indulgent, a neighborhood to walk around in, and good coffee.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR GUESTS FOR BREAKFAST – Minneapolis and St Paul
Isles Bun and Coffee (Uptown Minneapolis)
This tiny storefront only makes cinnamon rolls. There might not be a place to sit down, and there will be a line. Order the puppy dog tails (cinnamon twists) and a coffee, get the extra cream cheese frosting, and walk around Uptown. Make sure you get extra napkins, too. http://www.islesbun.com/
Farmers Breakfast and Bar (Downtown) (Weekends only)
This is some classical breakfast fare notable for two reasons: the location (by Mill Ruins Park in downtown Minneapolis) and because it is owned and supplied by local farmers. The eggs are local, the produce is local, the vibe is local. Afterwards, walk down by the Stone Arch Bridge or Mill Ruins Park for the views that made me fall in love with Minneapolis. https://farmerskitchenandbar.com/
Hi-Lo Diner (South Minneapolis)
This is a new restaurant that looks like an old diner – part hipster boozy milkshakes and part really good hashbrowns, and it’s a very cool place to grab breakfast. There might be a wait and they specialize in fancy things served on top of doughnuts (called “Hi Tops”). I generally just get eggs and hashbrowns, but definitely save room for a banana malt (or order off their bar menu!) http://www.hi-lo-diner.com/
Al’s Breakfast (U of M campus)
Someone had the great idea to roof over a 10-foot alleyway between two buildings in the Dinkytown area of the University of Minnesota. It has 14 stools facing a flat top range, some of the best pancakes (yeasty but chewy), and a no-nonsense approach to everything. Best bet is arriving before students are up, bringing only a few friends, and enough cash (no credit cards here). The first time I ate at Al’s, we sat next to a student and his parents (who had met in college there decades before). The parents remembered they had left a credit at Al’s (many people prepay in an old fashioned coupon book system) and the staff were able to find it and apply the remaining $2.41 to the bill. https://www.alsbreakfastmpls.com/
Other classic diners: see Ideal Diner in Northeast and Our Kitchen in South Minneapolis – fantastic, small cooktop, excellent hashbrowns and great service.
Diane’s Place (Northeast)
Diane’s Place opened recently and has already garnered national acclaim. And for good reason – it featured elevated Hmong flavors and was opened by one of the premier pastry chef’s in town. You will not be able to get a weekend reservation here. (it books months in advance in rolling windows!) but you can pre-order pastries and you might find yourself free on a weekday and if you do, the Hmong sausage or the cube (!) croissants are world class. https://dianesplacemn.com/
Mandarin Kitchen (Bloomington)
A true (and tasty) Dim Sum experience here in the twin cities. Mandarin Kitchen is a full Chinese restaurant, but on the weekends they offer Dim Sum (complete with rolling carts and fast-talking offerings!). Their food is fresh, varied, and delicious. I particularly recommend the sesame buns (of course!), but don’t sleep on the Chinese broccoli or many types of shumai dumplings! https://mandarinkitchen.co/
Hola Arepa (South Minneapolis) (weekends only)
People serious about having fun with their food started Hola Arepa as a food truck years before, and their South Minneapolis restaurant is lively and fun, featuring Venezuelan-style takes on casual dining. Most of their food happens to be gluten-free, and they open for brunch on weekends at 10am. http://holaarepa.com/
Chimborazo (Northeast Minneapolis and St. Paul) (weekends only)
The best Ecuadorian food in Minneapolis also has an excellent brunch – flavorful South American favorites blend with American fare (French toast, please!). I’ve never had a bad meal here, and their outdoor patio is excellent. http://chimborazorestaurant.com/
Guavas Cuban Cafe (South Minneapolis)
Excellent Cuban food in Minneapolis with an excellent breakfast. You can complete your meal with a side of maduros (plantains), pastelitos, and a cafe con leche. https://guavascubancafe.com/
Claddagh Coffee (St Paul two locations)
I’m kind of a coffee snob, so I was not expecting to like this full range of flavored latte offerings at Claddagh. They make all their own syrups from scratch (coconut is so good) and keep things coffee forward (like, not a Frappuccino sugar bomb). They also offer breakfast sandwiches at their West 7th location, and pastries at both. Perfect for picking up a little coffee and bite on the go. http://www.claddaghcoffeecafe.com/
Hot Hands Pastry and Pie (St Paul)
Cinnamon rolls, hearty pastries, and biscuit plates. Suitable for a casual brunch, takeout hand pies, or a little coffee and roll introspection moment.
https://hothandspie.com/
Rose Street Patisserie (St Paul)
You want to impress your jet setting friends with an authentic French baguette or fruit tarte but you also want a casual “let’s just stop in for coffee and a pastry” vibe. The pastry chef/owner is internationally recognized as a master of French pastry, and has chosen to call the Twin Cities home. Notable: all the fancy tarts, almond croissant. Space is tight, so get cozy or arrive early. http://rosestreet.co/
Black Walnut Bakery (Uptown)
This bakery makes a croissant loaf that is worth the trip all on its own, but also has lovely breakfast sandwiches and modern takes on classic french pastries. https://www.blackwalnutbakery.com/
Porzana (Downtown) (Weekends only)
Porzana is an Argentinian steakhouse by the same restraunteur for some of my fave dinner spots Colita and Martina. For brunch, this is a gorgeous space for sharing abundant dishes (often with burre blanc or other indulgent ingredients) with friends. They also take reservations which can mean easier dinning with out of town family and friends. https://www.porzanampls.com/
Original Pancake House (Edina)
For those in the know, we can acknowledge that OPH is actually a national chain. However, each local franchise has it’s own specialties and the Edina location features some fantastic rosti potatoes (a scandi version of hashbrown cake) and apple pancakes that are worth the wait. The Edina location also allows you to get on the waitlist ahead of time, making it possible to bring your group of 6 to breakfast (they don’t take reservations). Its a very classic but very well done place for breakfast. https://www.ophmn.com/
Hi, I’m Becca!
Things you should know about me: I love running my photography business. and I also love food. My husband runs The Heavy Table, a local food magazine, and together we have documented the food and drink of the Upper Midwest by creating books including Lake Superior Flavors (University of Minnesota Press) and The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin (University of Wisconsin Press).
Having lived in other parts of the country before choosing Minneapolis as our home, we’ve accumulated friends from all over the country who visit regularly. Our February based Thanksgiving celebration (Febgiving, baby!) was even featured in the New York Times.
Basically – we take special pride in finding the restaurants and experiences that showcase the awesome food being created in the Twin Cities right now, from haute cuisine to local mom-and-pop shops.
I deeply want the Twin Cities to be showcased at their best.
Fun Fact: I also offer SHORT portrait sessions every Thursday night at Minnehaha Falls – if your guests are up for some updated portraits in the city, they can find more info about Thursday Portraits at Minnehaha!
Updated 2026