These 16 Amazing Breakfast Spots In Minneapolis Will Make Your Morning Epic
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Meg Archer
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You know what they say: “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” There’s no better way to start your day than with a terrific meal, but we think breakfast is totally underappreciated. Minneapolis is home to amazing restaurants serving just about every food imaginable; breakfast is no exception. Think about it: this is the one meal where you can order anything without anyone batting an eyelash. Burritos for breakfast? Delicious. In the mood for a sandwich? Add an egg and put it on a croissant. Now it’s breakfast. Need a little more protein? Have a steak with those eggs. You can find French crepes, Belgian waffles, Mexican huevos rancheros, and good old American pancakes all lined up on one menu. If you have a sweet tooth, breakfast should really be renamed “morning dessert.” Muffins are just cupcakes in disguise. A parfait is a sundae with fruit on it. Oreo French Toast and Cookie Dough Pancakes don’t even try to hide it.
Sure, it’s not practical (or possible) to wake up with a mimosa or two on a weekday, but saving up your excitement for a weekend treat just makes it more special! We went on a hunt for some of the best breakfast spots in town and found a few that definitely belong on your bucket list. Here are 16 amazing restaurants serving up dishes that will make your morning epic:
The Apple-Walnut-Brie Flappers at Colossal Cafe should be illegal... but we're really glad they're not. They're so delicious that it's almost unfair to all other breakfast foods. Biscuits and gravy just don't get better than this. Colossal Cafe even makes their own pork and bison sausage! The prices here can't be beat (bring cash!), but be prepared to wait; Colossal Cafe is the worst-kept secret in the city. The name is totally tongue-in-cheek - this place is TINY - and its neighborhood charm is impossible not to love. We promise it's worth the wait!
1839 E 42nd St., Minneapolis, MN
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Cuban food is tasty any time of the day, but Cuban breakfasts are particularly fantastic. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything less than delicious on Victor's menu, but a few of the standout stars are the Cuban Scrambler, the mango pancakes, and the Cuban Toast with guava jam. If you have yet to experience the glory of plantains, try them fried with eggs or order the sweet plantain omelet. Cuban cuisine is full of bold flavors, and the vibrant atmosphere at Victor's Cafe certainly does the culture justice. Between the mimosas and the delicious dishes, this place is a little slice of paradise.
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3756 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
It would be a crime to leave Al's Breakfast off of this list. This iconic Dinkytown restaurant has been serving up delicious diner classics since 1950 and it's proximity to the University of Minnesota campus has made this a student favorite for decades. At only 10 feet wide, Al's is the narrowest restaurant in the entire city, and the 14 stools here fill up quick. Obviously, this (along with the amazing food and incredibly cheap prices) can make wait times crazy long during peak hours, but hanging out with buddies in line and dreaming of your upcoming meal is just part of the experience... it's almost a rite of passage that every Minneapolitan must do at least once before you die. You really can't go wrong with any of their pancake options, but the fluffy blueberry ones are absolutely heavenly!
413 14th Ave. SE Minneapolis, MN
Two words: savory waffles. Don't ask questions, just order it... you won't be disappointed. Add a side of homemade granola or an otherworldly omelet if you are extra hungry. Don't forget a pastry or two - you might have to pack these up and save them for later because you'll be so stuffed from all of their other delicious goodies. There are tons of healthy options here and the neighborhood atmosphere and awesome location make Birchwood Cafe unique and wonderful. Aside from the unbeatable locally sourced dishes, the owners and employees at Birchwood Cafe go above and beyond when it comes to involvement and activism, and their supportive attitude just goes to show their deep commitment to building up the local community.
3311 E 25th St. Minneapolis, MN
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If you (or a member of your breakfast crew) are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, French Meadow is a dream come true. There are tons of options here that prove that you don't need to sacrifice flavor for specialty diets! Their healthy, eco-conscious menu is constantly changing, so there is always something new and interesting to try... and you definitely should try it all. The pastries here are unbelievable and the cinnamon rolls are the size of your head! The staff is super friendly, knowledgable, and happy to help with recommendations and substitutions. French Meadow Bakery & Cafe should definitely be added to your regular restaurant rotation if you live in the neighborhood, but it's absolutely worth the time to get here if you live a little further away.
2610 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
It's hard to beat a bakery when it comes to the perfect breakfast, and Sun Street Breads is certainly one of the best in town. Their pastries are out-of-this-world and you will definitely be taking a few extras home with you, but there is far more than just baked goods on the menu. We love the "build your own" breakfast sandwiches - you are guaranteed to get everything you ever wanted on one of their unbeatable biscuits! Sun Street makes a mean homemade sausage, the sourdough pancakes are heavenly, and their Southern-style fried chicken is the epitome of comfort food. Top it all off with their excellent coffee and this spot is sure to become your new favorite bakery!
4600 Nicolett Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Ahh... chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes... these are every bit as good as they sound. No matter what you order, you won't leave Uptown Diner hungry. In fact, you might even need to be rolled out the door because you will be way too stuffed to walk. If you're more of a savory person, try the ENORMOUS breakfast burrito or the Cajun breakfast scramble. You definitely won't be disappointed. The service is quick and the food is fantastic, which makes this spot pretty much perfect for brunch with friends (you'll need to bring a few extras just to help you finish the meal!)
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2548 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
It may be named Hell's Kitchen, but the breakfasts here are heavenly. The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are absolutely divine. The fresh squeezed juices are the nectar of the gods. The French Toast deserves a hearty 'hallelujah." We can almost see a halo over the Cornmeal Pancakes. It would be sinful to order something that doesn't include their homemade peanut butter, jams, and marmalade. We could keep going... but we think you get the point.
80 S 9th St., Minneapolis, MN
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Whether you are in the mood for the classic Breakfast of Champions (3 eggs, pancakes, hash browns, sausage, and toast) or want to try something truly unique (like the Bruléed Grapefruit drizzled in honey and topped with mint), Tiny Diner is sure the hit the spot. The ever-changing menu and delightful patio and garden area make this place everything you ever wanted for breakfast. There's a little bit of everything here, from light healthy dishes like the Macro Bowl to the richest Mac & Cheese you'll ever taste, which makes Tiny Diner perfect when you have a group with different tastes. And, unlike your typical greasy spoon diner, everything here is incredibly fresh (much of it is even grown in the gardens), elevating all of your old fashioned favorites to a whole new level.
1024 E 38th St., Minneapolis, MN
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It's hard not to love this cute cafe! Blackbird Cafe spot serves up some phenomenal breakfast dishes, and you will definitely want to be the "early bird" here because it fills up quickly by late morning. There are tons of unique dishes on the menu, including several vegetarian and specialty items, and their prices are seriously unbelievable for the quality of the food. The casual atmosphere and beautifully decorated space top off the excellent experience with a vibe that just feels so "right." It's hard to complain when the most difficult part of your day is simply choosing what to try first.
3800 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN
If you are looking for a spot for a special celebration, The Lowry is definitely a top option to check out. While the prices are a little higher than some of the other restaurants on this list, the excellent flavor combinations and the sheer size of the portions make up for it. The chicken and waffles are outstanding, as are the breakfast burritos, but the real shining star on this menu is the chilaquiles... they are absolutely unreal. Don't forget to try their epic Bloody Mary!
2112 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN
The name really says it all: this places feels like home. Everything from the simple made-from-scratch classics on the menu to the slightly crowded dining area just feels comfortable... like this is exactly where you should be for a lazy Sunday brunch. The prices are great, the service is quick, the servings are large, the staff is friendly, and the hash browns might just be the best in the city, if not the entire state. It's all of the comforts of home... with someone else doing the cooking (and the dishes!)
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813 W 36th St., Minneapolis, MN
This place makes our mouth water just thinking about it. The Kenwood might just become your new favorite spot in the city. The pancakes with black walnut butter are outstanding, the omelets are fluffy and perfectly cooked, and the huevos rancheros is almost too tasty for words. If you are dead-set on lunch, we'll break our breakfast-is-best claim for the burger. We've never had a better burger. The rustic country decor and neighborhood location give The Kenwood an atmosphere that is truly just... cool. There's no other way to describe it.
2115 W 21st St. Minneapolis, MN
This North Loop classic is a killer cafe with an excellent menu. The cornmeal pancakes are perfectly textured, the huevos rancheros are delightful, and the biscuits and gravy are definitely worth bragging about. Moose & Sadie's also offers tons of amazing pastries that you can grab on the go, so you don't even need to wait for a weekend for a morning treat! Pro tip: order the ginger limeade. You won't be disappointed.
212 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
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There's a lot to love at Eat Street Social. Their brunch is unique, ranging from classic Eggs Benedict and Brioche French Toast to more elevated items like Berry & Mascarpone Crepes, Duck Confit Tamales, and Lobster & Eggs. The menu is short and straightforward, which is a nice departure from breakfast menus that stretch on for pages and pages, and every dish has clearly been thoughtfully created. While better known for their drinks and dinner, Eat Street Social is equally fantastic for brunch and there's no better place to spend a sunny morning than out on the patio with a delicious meal.
18 W 26th St., Minneapolis, MN
Hot Plate is a not-so-secret hidden gem and it will only take one bite of their buckwheat pancakes to figure out why. This little neighborhood diner is charming in every sense of the word. Both the quirky decorations inside and the comfortable patio offer a great spot to chow down on a truly epic breakfast. You can build your own perfect omelet or go big with a breakfast burrito; no matter what, you're going to enjoy it. We love that they serve up pumpkin waffles all year long, not just as a seasonal special! If you favor a savory breakfast, go for the Mexican Omelet or the Grand Marais Scramble with lake trout. If you are a true sweet-tooth, the Caramel Apple French Toast will be right up your alley.
5204 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis, MN
If you aren’t convinced that breakfast is the best, try out a few of these spots and get back to us. We think they might just change your mind about your morning meal!
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