Mom visiting you? Even worse, mother-in-law? Feeling the need to impress her, but at the same time get her out of your apartment? Maybe get a little social interaction in? Well, good thing that the Twin Cities coffee scene has you covered. In this post, we will take you through some of the best cafes in the Twin Cities to take the loving, sometimes overbearing, women in your life depending on their taste.
1. The mom who lives for cute things
We recommend Nina’s located in St Paul. Nina’s features a both eclectic and quint style, making it the perfect place for your darling photo ops that our adorable mothers dream of. This location gives me diehard romantic vibes, straight out of a novel. They have a wide variety of coffee and tea, and a splash of signature drinks, so everyone can find something.
2. The mom who is a coffee connoisseur
Wesley Andrews in Minneapolis, right off of Eat Street and near MCAD. Here, all of the baristas are highly qualified to tell you about any of their beverages, roasts, weights, etc. Their coffee is top of the line and all of their staff are knowledgeable. Alongside their unique beverages you can find the classics as well, and if you show up early enough, a variety of Minneapolis local pastries to sample.
3. The mom who wants a pretty drink
For this, we recommend Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. Fairgrounds is famous for their aesthetically pleasing drinks and interesting combos. Your hot latte will definitely come with picture worthy art, your food will be Instagramable, and their cold beverages are just as appealing in color. They have a full breakfast/lunch all day menu as well as to-go easy grab snacks. It’s definitely with finding a table and hanging out for a little bit in the shop. They have swings at the bar, crafted wooden tables, and a fun, old school fair asthethetic. Overall, one of the most Instagrammable cafes, both for you and your beverage.
4. The mom who’s never been to a cafe before
Corner Coffee in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. Corner is one of my personal favorites. It has the ideal café atmosphere, not too bright, not too dark, great outdoor and indoor seating, beautiful plants, and a solid menu filled with good drinks and bites. They have roasting signature drinks that are always fun, as well as a stable base menu. You can’t go wrong ordering from here. Their staff is welcoming and won’t make you feel like an outsider even if you have no clue what you are asking for.
5. The explorer mom
Café Ceres is a Turkish inspired café. They boast two MPLS locations, one in Armitage and one in the Linden Hills neighborhood. The aesthetic of both locations is to die for. Its minimalist chic, the kind that anyone will admire. A mom would definitely comment on their unique furniture and plants. They have classical Turkish style coffee and a couple signature lattes using traditional spices. They also have a wide variety of Turkish inspired eats ranging from savory falafel salads to croissants. For a mom who loves to try a new experience and play with her flavors, this is the place.
6. The business only mom
Penny’s Coffee in Downtown Minneapolis, they are all about business. Penny’s is located in a stately building in downtown, their counters are marble, the ceilings are high and vaulted, overall, the whole atmosphere gives you a hustler vibe. Penny’s makes me feel like I’m walking in off of Wall Street, (in a professional, high end way, not in a scummy way). For a professional, this is a great place to talk a second to grab a cup of joe and connect.
7. The eclectic mom
Ginkgo Coffeehouse in St. Paul. Here, they are all about being eclectic. Their murals, artwork inside the shop, menu, and staff all help you feel like you are walking into a place where you can find a little bit of everything. It’s funky, upbeat, and simply a great atmosphere to hang out in. Every time I go, there’s new local art up on the wall and the tunes are always changing. For a funky exploration into Minneapolis culture, this is the spot.
8. The mom who never left college
The Last Drop in Graze Provisions in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis is both a wine bar and café. You can try their coffee flight, an arrangement of four of their signature drinks in shot glasses. Don’t forget to come back when the wine bar opens, then you can relive both yours and mom’s headache. Grab a glass of whatever shape you prefer, and check out all of the other food options located inside Graze!
9. The Health Nut Mom
Honour Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis, on the corner of Stinson and Kennedy. At Honour, they have a wide variety of food items ranging from quiche to power bars, and treats on the sweeter side as well. Everything is made from scratch in house. They also offer a wide variety of pressed juices. For coffee, their cold brew is delicious, try adding a splash of oat milk and a pump of sugar free vanilla or their house made honey lavender syrup.
10. The hip mom
For this, we recommend FRGMT. Located in the north loop neighborhood of MPLS, FRGMT boasts an interior style you don’t see often, its creative and inventive yet simple. I’m a big fan of their tonics, both matcha and espresso, as a refreshing way to enjoy my caffeine intake. They also supply a variety of fresh MPLS local donuts that are always fun to split for a treat with your loved one. A mom who is always searching for the next cool thing to do will love it here.
11. Sweet tooth mom
Sebastian Joes for an affogato. Don’t doubt me here, I know that it’s not a cafe, but Sebastian Joes in a Twin Cities ice cream is essential, and on a hot day, their affogato is to die for. It starts with their fine crafted ‘cream and a shot of steamy, rich espresso poured on top. If your mom likes a sweet treat with her coffee, this is the place to go.
Final Words
Here in the Twin Cities, there’s a little something for everyone; even the most difficult mothers can be charmed by the coffee scene. With this blog we hope you can easily find a spot to get your mom out of the house and relax.
~Written by my friend, Grace McDonald
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