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A waffle tipped with berries and flowers on a white plate with dollops of berry sauce.
A croissant and waffle hybrid from Mara.
Elizabeth Blarney

15 Essential Twin Cities Brunches

Sweet ube pancakes, breakfast tacos, shakshouka, and other great brunches around the Cities

by Justine Jones and Alex Lodner Updated
View as Map
A croissant and waffle hybrid from Mara.
| Elizabeth Blarney
by Justine Jones and Alex Lodner Updated

Fluffy ricotta short stacks, chicken fried steaks, and tender dim sum dumplings: There’s no better meal than brunch for the perpetually late, the always-hungry, and the slightly hungover. If you’re on the hunt for brunch this weekend, the Twin Cities have more than a few notable spots to explore: Try purple ube pancakes, order a classic hash, or sample pistachio cream croissants in an elegant dining hall. Here’s a trail of some of the Twin Cities’ most essential brunch spots.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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Hope Breakfast Bar

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Hope Breakfast bar has an extensive menu of savory plates for brunch. Bourbon-smoked salmon toast, stuffed poblano with fried eggs and tortillas, and chicken fried steak and eggs are favorites. For something sweet, try the carrot cake pancakes, made with real cake batter. Hope donates three percent of its profits to neighborhood causes through its nonprofit Give Hope.

1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 330-8996
(651) 330-8996
A thick golden waffle topped with fried chicken and gravy.
Chicken and waffles from Hope Breakfast Bar.
Hope Breakfast Bar

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Kalsada

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Kalsada, owned by the same team behind Cafe Astoria, opened on Selby Avenue in April. It’s since emerged as one of the best Twin Cities spots for brunch. The ube pancakes are the most popular brunch dish here: They’re fluffy like a classic buttermilk shortstack, but the ube lends a sweet earthy flavor to each bite. A drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, cubes of mango and dragonfruit, and a scoop of ice cream finish it off. For something savory, absolutely go for the truffled chicken adobo.

1668 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 340-0496
(651) 340-0496
Three white plates of truffled chicken adobo, ukoy, and lumpia shanghai on a wooden table.
Truffled chicken adobo from Kalsada.
Tim Evans/Eater Twin Cities

Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit

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It's all in the crust at Hot Hands. For brunch, choose from the savory pie selections — veggie pot pie, buffalo pot pie, or chicken pot pie (folklorically known as one of Minnesota’s best) — or sweet pies like pecan chess, sweet potato, or banana cream, which comes topped with a mascarpone that’s mounded like ski moguls. Also on the menu are biscuits, a breakfast sausage roll, and other pastries.

272 Snelling Ave S Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 300-1503
(651) 300-1503
A hand holds a white plate with a biscuit breakfast sandwich on it, Criss crossed slices of bacon jut out from the edges, and oozy American cheese drips over the edges.
Biscuits and pie for breakfast
Rebecca Slater

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Keys Cafe - The original

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Keys Cafe’s original 1973 location has a storied feel to it — like it’s St. Paul’s very own Tom’s Restaurant, from Seinfeld, or Central Perk. The restaurant has expanded to nine total locations, but this Raymond Avenue spot, with its unmistakeable flamingo decal, is particularly special. The menu is stocked with American breakfast classics, from country-fried steak to egg scramblers, skillets, and hashes. Don’t miss the expertly crisped hash browns or the fluffy blueberry pancakes.

767 Raymond Ave, St Paul, MN 55114
(651) 646-5756
(651) 646-5756

Maya Cuisine & Bar

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A local favorite for tacos and chile relleno tortas, Maya Cuisine in Northeast offers a brunch buffet every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet varies week to week, but expect classics like tamales, mole dishes, and pozole, plus pancakes, French toast, and desserts. (Recent specials include shrimp fajitas, buttered codfish, and sopa de mariscos.) Maya Cuisine’s buffet returned from its pandemic hiatus after an outpouring of support from customers — reservations in advance are recommended.

1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-0775
(612) 789-0775

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Earl Giles Restaurant and Distillery

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Earl Giles is the newest addition to the Quincy Street scene, and it now has brunch service. This brunch isn’t for the faint of heart — it features breakfast pizza and a barbacoa breakfast burrito — but French toast sticks and tots are lighter options. After brunch, stay a while on the leather couches with a Rabbit Kick in hand — this cocktail tastes like a carrot-infused Dreamsicle. Earl Giles’ brunch menu features breakfast pizzas and burritos.

1325 Quincy St NE Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5305
(612) 345-5305

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NOLO's Kitchen & Bar

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NOLO’s might be located in one of the buzziest, most restaurant-dense parts of town, but it still has a homey neighborhood feel. Grab a table and dig into the weekend brunch menu, which features everything from breakfast classics (country breakfasts, chipotle sweet potato hash, and malted waffles) to wood-fired pizza. The breakfast fried rice, studded with sausage and sesame kale, is a great savory choice.

515 N Washington Ave #100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 800-6033
(612) 800-6033
A piece of French toast on a white plate next to a small pouring of syrup.
French toast from Nolo’s.
Nolo’s Kitchen

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Mara Restaurant and Bar

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In the Mediterranean region, it’s not uncommon to start the day with a helping of creamy hummus and fresh, chopped vegetables. Tuck into a cozy booth at Mara, Gavin Kaysen’s newest venture at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, for a brunch of kicky shakshuka, silky hummus, or a “croiffle,” an airy hybrid between a croissant and a waffle. Kaysen’s affinity for Mediterranean cuisine also features in dishes like the Mara Benedict, which comes crowned with snow crab and spicy harissa, or a light, tart labneh parfait layered with roasted apples and wild rice granola.

245 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 895-5709
(612) 895-5709
Shakshouka in a cast iron dish on a white plate on a wooden table, with bread visible in the background.
Shakshouka from Mara.
Eliesa Johnson

Also featured in:

The Butcher's Tale

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The Butcher’s Tale has always been a go-to spot for an indulgent meal, and the new brunch menu stays with the theme, featuring bananas foster French toast, crab and lobster cake benedict, a decadent wagyu burger, and a robust brunch cocktail list that’s heavy on the bourbon. Order a helping of Nueske’s bacon and add a fried egg to that burger.

1121 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 236-4075
(612) 236-4075

Also featured in:

Maria's Cafe

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Maria’s serves every pancake you could dream of: Choose between chocolate chip, wild rice, plantain with cotija cheese, and more. A cozy neighborhood gathering spot on Franklin Avenue in the Phillip’s neighborhood, this restaurant specializes in both Columbian fare and American breakfast classics. The weekend specials feature arepas, black beans, sauteed yucca, and sweet plantains.

1113 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-9842
(612) 870-9842

Also featured in:

The Lynhall

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The Lynhall’s weekend brunch menu is a stunner. Feast on spiced salmon scrambles, shakshouka, and rye crepes with pistachio butter in its sunny dining hall, which has the feel of an elegant farmhouse. But the real standouts are the pastries — chocolate and pistachio croissants nearly as big as loaves of bread, stuffed with rich pastry creams.

2640 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-2640
(612) 870-2640
A spread of white dishes of food on a white background.
A brunch spread from the Lynhall.
The Lynhall

Also featured in:

Hola Arepa

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Hola Arepa’s fluffy masa cakes make a beautiful canvas for slow-stewed meats and beans, sauces like chimichurri and tangy aioli verde, and vegetables. One vegetarian favorite is the braised jackfruit arepa, with radish, citrus crema, and fresh oregano. Hola Arepa also serves rice bowls, small plates, and not-too-sweet desserts like mango chia seed pudding. Patio seating is available, even in the chilly months.

3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 345-5583
(612) 345-5583
A tostada in a white dish with chili verde sauce, a sunny-side-up fried egg, thin radish slices, and shavings of jalapeño.
A tostada from Hola Arepa.
Hola Arepa

Also featured in:

Saint Genevieve

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This intimate French bistro serves a delicate omelet du jour on its focused and elegant brunch menu. Try the wild mushroom and brie crepe or the shakshouka en cocotte with bacon and harissa. Saint Genevieve also serves excellent Vietnamese coffee, mimosas, and Bloody Marys. Make a reservation ahead of time if you can.

5003 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 353-4843
(612) 353-4843
A piece of toast topped with cream cheese, lox, herbs, and an egg on a plate that’s sitting on a long counter.
St. Gen’s.
Saint Genevieve

Also featured in:

Heather's

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Heather’s brunch specials can’t be missed. These change regularly, but recent highlights include pineapple upside-down pancakes and a classic croque-madame. (Or opt for a breakfast classic, like an open-faced egg sandwich or a plate of crepes.) Cap off brunch with a stroll around nearby Lake Nokomis, and grab a noodle salad from the little deli counter on the way out.

5201 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 445-8822
(612) 445-8822

Also featured in:

Mandarin Kitchen

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Find one of the Cities’ best dim sum brunches at Mandarin Kitchen in Bloomington, tucked into a strip mall on Lyndale Avenue. On weekends, this spot is packed with families, and the line often wraps out the door. Build your brunch off the voluminous menu: Start with small dishes like pan-fried turnip cakes, and add pillowy steamed chicken buns, crispy egg custards, and steamed pork dumplings. At peak meal times, small parties of diners can expect to share tables — an arrangement that only adds to Mandarin Kitchen’s bustling, convivial atmosphere.

8766 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 884-5356
(952) 884-5356

Also featured in:

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Hope Breakfast Bar

1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102

Hope Breakfast bar has an extensive menu of savory plates for brunch. Bourbon-smoked salmon toast, stuffed poblano with fried eggs and tortillas, and chicken fried steak and eggs are favorites. For something sweet, try the carrot cake pancakes, made with real cake batter. Hope donates three percent of its profits to neighborhood causes through its nonprofit Give Hope.

1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 330-8996
(651) 330-8996
A thick golden waffle topped with fried chicken and gravy.
Chicken and waffles from Hope Breakfast Bar.
Hope Breakfast Bar

Kalsada

1668 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104

Kalsada, owned by the same team behind Cafe Astoria, opened on Selby Avenue in April. It’s since emerged as one of the best Twin Cities spots for brunch. The ube pancakes are the most popular brunch dish here: They’re fluffy like a classic buttermilk shortstack, but the ube lends a sweet earthy flavor to each bite. A drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, cubes of mango and dragonfruit, and a scoop of ice cream finish it off. For something savory, absolutely go for the truffled chicken adobo.

1668 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 340-0496
(651) 340-0496
Three white plates of truffled chicken adobo, ukoy, and lumpia shanghai on a wooden table.
Truffled chicken adobo from Kalsada.
Tim Evans/Eater Twin Cities

Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit

272 Snelling Ave S Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55105

It's all in the crust at Hot Hands. For brunch, choose from the savory pie selections — veggie pot pie, buffalo pot pie, or chicken pot pie (folklorically known as one of Minnesota’s best) — or sweet pies like pecan chess, sweet potato, or banana cream, which comes topped with a mascarpone that’s mounded like ski moguls. Also on the menu are biscuits, a breakfast sausage roll, and other pastries.

272 Snelling Ave S Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 300-1503
(651) 300-1503
A hand holds a white plate with a biscuit breakfast sandwich on it, Criss crossed slices of bacon jut out from the edges, and oozy American cheese drips over the edges.
Biscuits and pie for breakfast
Rebecca Slater

Keys Cafe - The original

767 Raymond Ave, St Paul, MN 55114

Keys Cafe’s original 1973 location has a storied feel to it — like it’s St. Paul’s very own Tom’s Restaurant, from Seinfeld, or Central Perk. The restaurant has expanded to nine total locations, but this Raymond Avenue spot, with its unmistakeable flamingo decal, is particularly special. The menu is stocked with American breakfast classics, from country-fried steak to egg scramblers, skillets, and hashes. Don’t miss the expertly crisped hash browns or the fluffy blueberry pancakes.

767 Raymond Ave, St Paul, MN 55114
(651) 646-5756
(651) 646-5756

Maya Cuisine & Bar

1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

A local favorite for tacos and chile relleno tortas, Maya Cuisine in Northeast offers a brunch buffet every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet varies week to week, but expect classics like tamales, mole dishes, and pozole, plus pancakes, French toast, and desserts. (Recent specials include shrimp fajitas, buttered codfish, and sopa de mariscos.) Maya Cuisine’s buffet returned from its pandemic hiatus after an outpouring of support from customers — reservations in advance are recommended.

1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-0775
(612) 789-0775

Earl Giles Restaurant and Distillery

1325 Quincy St NE Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Earl Giles is the newest addition to the Quincy Street scene, and it now has brunch service. This brunch isn’t for the faint of heart — it features breakfast pizza and a barbacoa breakfast burrito — but French toast sticks and tots are lighter options. After brunch, stay a while on the leather couches with a Rabbit Kick in hand — this cocktail tastes like a carrot-infused Dreamsicle. Earl Giles’ brunch menu features breakfast pizzas and burritos.

1325 Quincy St NE Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5305
(612) 345-5305

NOLO's Kitchen & Bar

515 N Washington Ave #100, Minneapolis, MN 55401

NOLO’s might be located in one of the buzziest, most restaurant-dense parts of town, but it still has a homey neighborhood feel. Grab a table and dig into the weekend brunch menu, which features everything from breakfast classics (country breakfasts, chipotle sweet potato hash, and malted waffles) to wood-fired pizza. The breakfast fried rice, studded with sausage and sesame kale, is a great savory choice.

515 N Washington Ave #100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 800-6033
(612) 800-6033
A piece of French toast on a white plate next to a small pouring of syrup.
French toast from Nolo’s.
Nolo’s Kitchen

Mara Restaurant and Bar

245 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

In the Mediterranean region, it’s not uncommon to start the day with a helping of creamy hummus and fresh, chopped vegetables. Tuck into a cozy booth at Mara, Gavin Kaysen’s newest venture at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, for a brunch of kicky shakshuka, silky hummus, or a “croiffle,” an airy hybrid between a croissant and a waffle. Kaysen’s affinity for Mediterranean cuisine also features in dishes like the Mara Benedict, which comes crowned with snow crab and spicy harissa, or a light, tart labneh parfait layered with roasted apples and wild rice granola.

245 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 895-5709
(612) 895-5709
Shakshouka in a cast iron dish on a white plate on a wooden table, with bread visible in the background.
Shakshouka from Mara.
Eliesa Johnson

The Butcher's Tale

1121 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

The Butcher’s Tale has always been a go-to spot for an indulgent meal, and the new brunch menu stays with the theme, featuring bananas foster French toast, crab and lobster cake benedict, a decadent wagyu burger, and a robust brunch cocktail list that’s heavy on the bourbon. Order a helping of Nueske’s bacon and add a fried egg to that burger.

1121 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 236-4075
(612) 236-4075

Maria's Cafe

1113 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Maria’s serves every pancake you could dream of: Choose between chocolate chip, wild rice, plantain with cotija cheese, and more. A cozy neighborhood gathering spot on Franklin Avenue in the Phillip’s neighborhood, this restaurant specializes in both Columbian fare and American breakfast classics. The weekend specials feature arepas, black beans, sauteed yucca, and sweet plantains.

1113 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-9842
(612) 870-9842

The Lynhall

2640 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

The Lynhall’s weekend brunch menu is a stunner. Feast on spiced salmon scrambles, shakshouka, and rye crepes with pistachio butter in its sunny dining hall, which has the feel of an elegant farmhouse. But the real standouts are the pastries — chocolate and pistachio croissants nearly as big as loaves of bread, stuffed with rich pastry creams.

2640 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-2640
(612) 870-2640
A spread of white dishes of food on a white background.
A brunch spread from the Lynhall.
The Lynhall

Hola Arepa

3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Hola Arepa’s fluffy masa cakes make a beautiful canvas for slow-stewed meats and beans, sauces like chimichurri and tangy aioli verde, and vegetables. One vegetarian favorite is the braised jackfruit arepa, with radish, citrus crema, and fresh oregano. Hola Arepa also serves rice bowls, small plates, and not-too-sweet desserts like mango chia seed pudding. Patio seating is available, even in the chilly months.

3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 345-5583
(612) 345-5583
A tostada in a white dish with chili verde sauce, a sunny-side-up fried egg, thin radish slices, and shavings of jalapeño.
A tostada from Hola Arepa.
Hola Arepa

Saint Genevieve

5003 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419

This intimate French bistro serves a delicate omelet du jour on its focused and elegant brunch menu. Try the wild mushroom and brie crepe or the shakshouka en cocotte with bacon and harissa. Saint Genevieve also serves excellent Vietnamese coffee, mimosas, and Bloody Marys. Make a reservation ahead of time if you can.

5003 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 353-4843
(612) 353-4843
A piece of toast topped with cream cheese, lox, herbs, and an egg on a plate that’s sitting on a long counter.
St. Gen’s.
Saint Genevieve

Heather's

5201 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Heather’s brunch specials can’t be missed. These change regularly, but recent highlights include pineapple upside-down pancakes and a classic croque-madame. (Or opt for a breakfast classic, like an open-faced egg sandwich or a plate of crepes.) Cap off brunch with a stroll around nearby Lake Nokomis, and grab a noodle salad from the little deli counter on the way out.

5201 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 445-8822
(612) 445-8822

Mandarin Kitchen

8766 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420

Find one of the Cities’ best dim sum brunches at Mandarin Kitchen in Bloomington, tucked into a strip mall on Lyndale Avenue. On weekends, this spot is packed with families, and the line often wraps out the door. Build your brunch off the voluminous menu: Start with small dishes like pan-fried turnip cakes, and add pillowy steamed chicken buns, crispy egg custards, and steamed pork dumplings. At peak meal times, small parties of diners can expect to share tables — an arrangement that only adds to Mandarin Kitchen’s bustling, convivial atmosphere.

8766 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 884-5356
(952) 884-5356

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