No matter the season, the Minneapolis Café scene is a great place for a first date. With options near the beautiful chain of lakes, the North Loop neighborhood, and Saint Anthony West, the combinations of adventure and coffee are endless. In this post, we will explore some of the best coffee shop date spots.
For a date based on conversation or mutually getting work done, we highly recommend Corner. They have lots of seating, a cozy atmosphere, and the perfect environment to get to know someone and share a lovely cup of joe. They have delicious food and pastries accompanied by a fantastic drink menu. Corner is also located in the beautiful North Loop neighborhood with lots of surrounding activities. A couple blocks away resides the Upstairs Circus, a great place to get your craft on, or keep your eye on local music in the area! Bring your date and settle in for some face to face time. Try out any of their seasonal drinks or the vegan breakfast burrito!
For a more upscale coffee date, check out RH Rooftop. During brunch hours, we recommend getting some beverages and the charcuterie board to share if you’re just looking for something light. This is a super cute yet decadent spot that makes coffee feel just as fancy and intimate as dinner without any of the boring formalities. We also recommend you try their matcha, even for beginners to matcha, it’s out of this world.
Located in the scenic and historic block of St. Paul, Nina’s is a must see for coffee lovers in the cities. Its large space gives you a lot to talk about and look at while sipping on some coffee. The multi floored space is filled with cozy corners and unique art. Afterwards, go check out the St Paul Cathedral or take a stroll through the beautiful houses that surround the area. We recommend trying the Madame Nina.
4. Uncommon Grounds Coffee House
Looking for a cozy spot with remarkable chai? Look no further. This restored Victorian house is filled with perfect nooks to foster conversation and connection. It’s located right off of Hennipen giving you plenty of options to follow up with lunch or a walk if coffee goes well. We recommend you try the Orgasmic Chai.
If you or your date are into cycling, this is the spot for you. The Depot is a super cute, intimate shop located directly off of the Cedar Lake Regional Trail. Start your bike from the beautiful Grand Rounds Trail right by the Mississippi and hop trail to trail until you hit the depot. This is a super fun way to get active together, have shared experiences, and have time to chat over some delicious coffee. This will create a great bonding experience as well as leaving your date with high endorphins and excited for your next adventure. Added bonus, go at dusk to catch some live music as well, however we do not advise biking in the dark.
This shop has an ideal location for chain of lake fans. Located at the south base of Lake Harriet, start by grabbing some coffee from the adorable Sparrow Cafe, and enjoy a walk around the lake, maybe hop in a kayak and enjoy the calmness of the water (before it gets too cold!!) or leaf peep at all of Minnesota’s beautiful fall colors. This is a great option for a first date, some good quality time to get to know each other while still having some activity to fill awkward space in conversation. Check out their Bluebird latte.
Located inside Graze food hall, The Last Drop serves as both a trendy, stylish cafe and wine bar. Pick your poison and check it out! A super fun activity is to try their coffee or wine flights and get to sample four drinks with your date, connect over your coffee preferences and rank your favorites! Graze is also filled with amazing food vendors and there’s something for everyone. Check out It’s 7 AM Somewhere for breakfast or Bad Wingz for during wine hours.
As it says in the name, Creators Cup is a place to bring creative minds. The cafe’s focus is fostering creativity through their atmosphere, homemade baked goods, and coffee. The space itself is made for entrepreneurs, artists, and just those looking to get some work done. Bring some coloring books, painting supplies, or whatever suits your creative mind and sit down for some craft time with your date. Try each starting a drawing or painting and switch them back and forth every 10 minutes until your art is completed! We recommend their explorer (if you’re ready to get wired) and the thinker.
Cafe Astoria is a classic in St Paul. Known for its fun loving atmosphere and creative drinks, this is a great place to go to try something new and experimental. They have a full drink and food menu and are the perfect stop to go before a busy day. Located near the Mississippi, Science Museum, and Xcel Energy Center, stop at Astoria before enjoying a fun activity together! We recommend trying their Creme Brulee latte, Iced Teddy Bear Matcha, and any of their crepes.
~Written by Grace McDonald
The fact is there are many different shops around the cities, each one different and special in their own way. Some of these coffee shop date spots are open & outrageous, others are intimate and ambient. Each one is is unique just like every person is. Which one of these fit you the best? Did we miss any?
If you enjoyed this post, take a look at our top picks from 2020 here:
As always if you’ve made it to this point, I hope you’ve learned something new.
Cheers and I hope you have a great rest of your day coffee addicts.
-Dil
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