Illustration by Randall Nelson
Coffee mug illustration
The Twin Cities possesses one of North America’s great inland ports due to the convergence of traffic from Mississippi River barges and the railroads. That’s why one of the nation’s biggest specialty coffee importers makes its headquarters here. From its home base, Minneapolis’s own Café Imports ships some 1.5 million pounds of coffee a month to small roasters, both in town and across the nation.
“I always say that the Twin Cities has this unique coffee culture,” says Joe Marrocco, education director with Café Imports. “It’s a blend between Midwest homey and inviting, and the coast cities’ focus on quality. Here’s where you can get your world-class coffee from a barista who is both friendly and educated.”
So what are the best spots in this, one of the nation’s best coffee cities?
Blue Moon Coffee Cafe
Photography by Caitlin Abrams
Northern Coffeeworks
World-class coffee steps from our football stadium? Leave extra time to explore the nuances of your pour-over. But if it’s past coffee o’clock, please know it’s got wine on tap, too. 1027 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 612-353-4222, northerncoffeeworks.com
Dogwood @ Forage Modern Workshop
Why does a modern home design star and artisan jewelry/home goods store share space with a Dogwood Coffee shop? Because top coffee helps you decide on the right couch, of course. 4021 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-886-1585, dogwoodcoffee.com
Dogwood Coffee @ Rustica
The Cities’ top single-estate roaster co-located with its top éclair and bittersweet-chocolate cookie maker? That’s why we get the top quality-of-life ratings, folks. Live it, love it. 3220 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-822-1119, dogwoodcoffee.com
Spyhouse
Spyhouse
One of our premier third-wave roasters, with five Minneapolis stores, the newest of which sits in the Emery downtown, and a St. Paul location. Ironically, Spyhouse’s Northeast location sells its wake-up juice in a former Land O Nod mattress factory. But is it ironic or merely convenient that it shares a building with 612 Brewery? 945 NE Broadway St., Mpls., 612-345-4348, spyhousecoffee.com
Angry Catfish
Shopping for both the loftiest high-end cup of coffee and the choicest bicycles and urban cycling gear? How Minneapolis of you. 4208 28th Ave. S., Mpls., 612-722-1538, angrycatfishbicycle.com
Bachelor Farmer Cafe
The Bachelor Farmer Cafe
A fast-brunch gem, Bachelor Farmer deploys its exactingly trained baristas to showcase some of the country’s best coffees. The café also turns out exquisite cardamom buns and gravlax open sandwiches. 200 N. 1st St., Mpls., 612-206-3920, thebachelorfarmer.com/cafe
Penny's Coffee
Penny’s
La Colombe coffee, fantastic crepes, and a downtown location you can access through the always-warm skyways? That’s what makes Penny’s a favorite with locals who put on their mittens only for special occasions. (You’ll have to step outside to reach Penny’s Linden Hills or Wayzata locations.) 100 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 612-295-9761, pennyscoffee.com
The Café Meow
Uptown’s Café Meow lets you get coffee, from local roaster Bootstrap, while sitting with real live cats and considering whether to adopt them. 2323 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-212-8471, thecafemeow.com
Elephant Bar
The former Hygga Lowertown space across the street from the Union Depot is now Elephant Bar, with a restaurant and café, where it serves delicious sweet treats from Patisserie 46 and coffee from local roaster Bootstrap Coffee. Bonus: Wine is on the café menu for when the coffee runs out. 213 E. 4th St., Ste. 100, St. Paul, 651-300-5476, elephant.bar
Five Watt
A cult-favorite local roaster (with three Minneapolis locations and a slot at St. Paul's Keg and Case) where you can find coffees doctored up with bitters, tinctures, and special infusions. In sum, coffee drinks to bring cocktail snobs to their knees. 861 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-354-7189, fivewattcoffee.com
