Hello Hello Coffee Addicts. I want to start off by saying it was very difficult to narrow this list down to 10. As of today (12/23/21) we’ve been to 121 different coffee shops. We will be going over the top 10 coffee shops of the Twin Cities-ranked. In this order, and why.
After staring at the prospects list for over an hour, it came down to pros and cons. I’m excited to share because each of these shops will provide you a different experience.
*A Disclaimer*
This post is based on my personal insights & through facts directly from the baristas, owners, & managers sharing how each shop is unique. This is not professional advice, all photos were taken on my own, & I am not being paid by any of these shops to write about them.
We want this page to be your guide for coffee shops, by the end of this article if you’ve gained value or knowledge we kindly ask you share our blog & Instagram with a friend as it would really help the page grow.
Without further ado, let’s get down to it.
10.Caffetto Coffee
Address: 708 W 22nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone Number: (612)-872-0911
(Caffetto right after ordering)
Okay we’re starting off with a non-traditional spot that isn’t even on the map when you search “coffee shops near me”. Caffetto is open until midnight every single day of the week. The theme reminds me of an old ship. The music they play is typically trancy or reggae. I’ve been here many late nights and have noticed that many of the others here stay more reserved and to themselves resulting in getting more work done. On top of that, the location is a super laid back hangout spot. I’d have to say the coolest thing about Caffetto is they have an arcade downstairs with things from pinball, retro shooters, and a pingpong table. With it’s late hours and unique environment, this spot has earned the 10th place rank.
Go To Drink: Vanilla Maple C.P.
Most Unique Thing: Downstairs arcade and late night hours
9. Nina’s Coffee
Address:165 Western Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone Number: (651)-292-9816
(One of the seating options in Nina’s)
I want everyone to know that this shop is pronounced (Nai-Nah’s). On the corner of Western and Selby is this masterpiece. This spot is a nice vintage brownstone located in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood in Saint Paul. On the inside you’ll instantly notice the high ceilings, the big open space, and the living room feel. Being located close to Mitchell Hamline Law School, you’ll find people getting work done, catching up, meeting for business, or even just relaxing & reading the daily newspaper. Occasionally, they pair up with locals for pop-up shops, small events, or even live music. They’ve got a bit of everything here from people conversing all around to others quietly doing their own thing, there’s lots of room for everyone. Nina’s is a great spot for any type of person or group. Their coffee is good, but I think what it really does is their space and the energy it brings.
Go To Drink: Iced Madame Nina
Most Unique Thing: The big open space & a New York coffee shop feel.
8. Yellowbird Coffee
Address: 1168 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
Phone Number: (651-493-7134)
This shop was actually the most recent one we stopped by. This visit was long overdue and exceeded my expectations. Yellowbird is a small shop, but man do they pack a punch. From being connected with the Lex-Ham community, having fun signatures named after local Saint Paul streets, and an Affogato available sets this spot apart from the others. You get the Sunday morning cabin feel there. Locals at the coffee bar, flyers for events happening nearby, and the newspaper on some of the coffee tables. Yellowbird is underrated and like the others on this list, a place you need to swing by.
Go To Drink: The Yellowbird
Most Unique Thing: Affogato & signatures named after neighborhood streets!
7. The Last Drop
Address: 520 N 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone Number: 612-259-8965
(Some seating options at The Last Drop)
Another unique spot coming to you here. The Last Drop is located in Graze + Provisions in North Loop over in Minneapolis. Think of a really fun busy food court that also has bar. The Last Drop is one of the options in the establishment. They’ve got fun seating options like hanging hammock chairs, meditation mats, or low chaise chairs. One of the most unique things is they are the first in the cities to introduce the coffee flight. I need to give credit to Erin from Third Space Cafe for being the creator of the coffee flight when she used to manage The Last Drop before opening her own shop. They’ve got a CBD option as well for all of those looking for a little extra fun, but if that doesn’t suit you hey, they’ve got wine flights as well!
Go To Drink: The Coffee Flight
Most Unique Thing: Next to the Food Court/Bar. Coffee Flight/Wine Flight
6. Sister’s Sludge Coffee Cafe
Address: 3746 23rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone Number: (612-722-3933) 
(Taking an espresso shot w/Maggie)
I see this coffee shop as the grandma of coffee shops in the cities. They’ve been around for over 25 years and are supported by 3 of the 12 siblings in Maggie’s family. Their shop was inspired by the first coffee house they ever visited in Italy. The coolest thing about this place that makes it stand out is their “Espresso Shots Club”. They meet at 6AM every morning, take espresso shots, and discuss. They’ve got a few different espresso shots on the menu (I tried “A Shot in the Dark” with one of the owners, Maggie). Their shots are layered. The idea originated from experimental foodie trends with receiving a certain feeling in your first bite (sip) and then something different on the back end. It’s really next level here.
Go To Drink: Salty Dog & A Shot In The Dark
Most Unique Thing: Espresso Shots Club
5. Wild Grind Coffee
Address: 6031 Pillsbury Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone Number: (612)-286-1777
(Wild Grind indoor seating options)
You’ve probably passed it driving down I-35W a few times, this place is a hidden gem. Wild Grind is massive. They’ve got lots of indoor and outdoor seating, their signature drinks are fantastic, and on top of it all, they’re also a brewery (Wild Mind). They handcraft their mix of signature beans to help energize and inspire their customers, use a single origin as their default, and are very family and dog friendly. I mentioned it at the start, but this place literally is in the middle of nowhere, it’s almost like a secret spot. I’m exposing them, go try them out.
Go To Drink: Neapolitan
Most Unique Thing: They’re also a brewery
4. Cafe Astoria
Address: 180 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone Number: (651)-340-9471
Most of you have probably already heard of this spot. I’ve had friends from around the U.S. mention they go here when they’re in town, and I agree it’s a pretty great option. Cafe Astoria has always been a staple shop in the Twin Cities. They’ve got a signature menu as well as a secret latte menu. They put time into the craft and it tastes as good as it looks. With their neighbor Hope Breakfast Bar opening in Spring of 2019, they teamed up and added a patio in the middle of the street with live music. An absolutely perfect place for Sunday morning brunches or hangout spot to get some nice photos of your coffee in.
Go To Drink: 24k Latte/Campfire Latte
Most Unique Thing: Secret Latte Menu, Signature Drinks, very picture-worthy drinks.
3. Uncommon Grounds
Address: 2809 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone Number: (612-872-4811)
(Uncommon Grounds’ front porch)
To this day this is one of my favorite spots in the city. This old Victorian country home was built in 1877. In 1992 they decided to do some renovating, that year Uncommon Grounds Coffeehouse was born and has been run by Mr. Derek Wayne Lee ever since. There are 2 things I hate: Starbuck’s & chai’s. I heard from the grapevine that this spot had the title of best chai’s in the city so naturally I had to try them. I had the Orgasmic Chai for the first time a few years ago, the name stands-It is my favorite drink I’ve tried to this day. The barista described it as receiving a warm hug with every sip, It seriously is just that. Iced in warm weather and hot in colder weather, the orgasmic chai is top tier and one you NEED to try.
Little fun blurb. NOT that you guys asked but…. Uncommon Ground’s dim lighting & candles make it an excellent late night date spot for those looking for ideas on where to take a significant other or a potential pal we’ll call it. 🙂
*Click here for more date spot ideas*
Go To Drink: Orgasmic Chai
Most Unique Thing: This isn’t a café, it’s a coffeehouse!
(Old Victorian style home built in 1877)
2. Spyhouse Coffee Roasters (NE)
Address: 945 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone Number: (612)-345-4348
(Spyhouse coffee counter & some seating options)
Another big name in the cities. I’m usually not a huge business chain guy, but Spyhouse does it differently. They’ve got 6 different locations all with a different ambiance in each one. Their spots are all places people go to study or get work done, all of the baristas go through a rigorous professional training process under one of the Spyhouse’s called “The Lab”. They learn everything from making latte art to knowing the range of temperature of where your coffee is, WITHOUT A THERMOMETER (WHAT?!). Literally every single seasonal drink I’ve tried from them regardless of the season sweeps me off my feet or has slapped me in the face (In a good way). They roast their own beans, are very professional, and know exactly what they’re doing. They have without a doubt earned this #2 spot. Also hello, hi, sponsor me please.
Go To Drink: Spring Fling, Frosty Bang Bang, Bad Apple, & Chocolate Dreamsicle
Most Unique Thing: Professional Training Process, amazing signatures, great coffee, 6 unique welcoming spaces.
1. S.K. Coffee
Address: 550 Vandalia St, St Paul, MN 55114
Phone Number: (651)-329-4564
Okay now it’s time for #1. You might say I’m biased here, I’m not. These guys are the most passionate group of individuals I’ve ever met when it comes to coffee. Sam had a dream that started from selling bags of coffee from his room in Boston, he now has his own shop located right next to Lake Monster Brewery. Every time I’ve been there at the bar, there has been fun conversation whether it was Maddie, Aaron, Nate, or Sam. They seriously are all just great people. Let me get this straight for you , this is the exact opposite from your typical basic shops. They’re not about flashy drinks or super fake upbeat personalities. They’re genuine, and are knowledgeable. They’ll educate you about the type of bean, where it’s from, & some flavor notes all while making the drink down to the perfect temperature at the coffee bar right in front of you. As icing on the cake, they also roast their beans on site.
*Another quick blurb*: I love blueberry bagels. Sam is the one that taught me that Ethiopian coffee typically has a natural blueberry flavor note.*
Go To Drink: Ethiopian pour-over/Eggnog Latte
Most Unique Things: Always searching for new high quality beans (rotation), big open space, welcoming conversation for opportunities to connect with other coffee lovers, learning something new every time.
(Sam teaching everyone about the roasting process at the (16ozDays x S.K. Coffee Event)
*Bonus Section*
Honorable Mentions:
As I mentioned before it was very difficult to narrow down the list. As a bonus to this post here are a few more shops that I recommend. In no particular order, below are places that would also be worth your while.
Steamship Games
Address: 711 W Lake St Suite 103, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone Number: (612) 825-4066
(Steamship Coffee & Games’ seating options)
Go To Drink: Jake’s Special
Third Space Cafe
Address: 2930 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN, 55408
Phone Number: (612) 353-5667
(Erin’s Signature Coffee Flight)
Go To Drink: Coffee Sampler
FRGMNT
Address: 729 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone Number: Not listed
Here’s their email: Hi@FRGMNTCoffee.com
(FRGMNT coffee counter & some seating options)
Go To Drink: Matcha Tonic
Go To Drink: Fox In The Woods
Glass House
Address:145 Holden St N, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone Number: (612)-345-8441
(Glass House coffee counter & some indoor seating options)
Go To Drink: Espresso Tonic
Dogwood Coffee (NE)
Address: 1209 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone Number: (612)-202-8986
(Some indoor seating options at Dogwood NE)
Go To Drink: Classic Matcha
Claddagh Coffee
Address: 459 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Phone Number: (651) 600-3400
(Inside Claddagh near the staircase)
Go To Drink: Nutty Mick.
Vitality Roasting
Address: 601 S Marquette Ave Unit 220, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone Number: +1 (651) 683-2664
(My basic ass taking a photo of their iced americano on Marquette)
Go To Drink: Iced Americano (very strong)
Go To Drink: White Lightning
Go To Drink: Vanilla Latte
A Personal Ask
(Tag us in your Stories w/Coffee)
We’re still very new to the game and are trying our best to grow. Every last member of our community is a coffee drinker, literally 100% of the following base. With that we ask that anytime you get coffee, tag us @16ozDays & we’ll make sure to repost.
We enjoy seeing where your favorite spots are & the drinks you order there. It gives us something to talk about as well as ideas on what to try in the future.
Any type of exposure from you helps our community grow organically and we could use all the help we can get! Words can’t describe how much we appreciate your support, thank you so very much.
Final Words
2021 was a big year for us. We tried over 70 new shops, explored two new cities, hosted our first few collaborations, and have started creating a small coffee community.
We are beyond grateful for all of your support, participation, & recommendations and we promise to continue giving our best quality work in every post.
Cheers to a Happy New Year.
(The team meeting at Graze to plan our Seattle Trip) ~I love these goobers 🙂
The Coffee Kiddos dead in front of the Starbuck’s Reserve in Seattle, WA.
(16ozDays x S.K. Coffee collab)
(16ozDays x Vitality Roasting posing for our first collab together)
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
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