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Eater Scene: 3:30 PM on Tuesday at the Hi-Lo Diner
Where to go for fried chicken topped doughnuts, and all kinds of other decadent brunch dishes
Amber Procaccini/Eater Twin Cities

13 Brunches in Minneapolis and St. Paul to Plan a Weekend Around

Where to get biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, stacks of pancakes and more

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Where to go for fried chicken topped doughnuts, and all kinds of other decadent brunch dishes
| Amber Procaccini/Eater Twin Cities

It’s truly the best of both worlds: syrup-soaked dishes for those with a penchant for breakfast alongside more savory options for early birds who had breakfast at 5 a.m. and are ready for their next meal all at the same place at the same time! Whether it’s a pre-game Bloody bar, a lazy Sunday with friends, or a quick bite to satisfy a range of appetites, here’s where to get a brunch fix in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

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Al's Breakfast

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No Twin Cities brunch list would be complete without this tiny, counter service only icon. Located in Dinkytown for ages and specializing in classic breakfasts done incredibly well, Al’s is a must-try when entertaining visitors.

Black and white image of a server putting down a couple of giant pancakes in front of a shadowed person at the slim counter
Giant pancakes, tiny space
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Burch Steak

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Located on the bustling corner of Franklin and Hennepin in a sun-filled space, Burch’s brunch sports dishes like vanilla waffles and seasonal quiche along trendy cocktails like an Aperol Spritz and micheladas. Oh, there are oysters, too.

The Corner Bar

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While every other Viking’s game go-er makes the mistake of wandering into packed downtown bars for a pre-game brunch, The Corner Bar sits casually back and serves up a brunch with a Bloody Mary bar that’s hard to beat. The best part? It’s convenient location makes getting to the game afterwards a breeze.

The Tiny Diner

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Attached to its very own mini farm, Tiny Diner has an excellent patio in the summer but a delicious brunch year round. They’re currently running a Plates Across the States program that features dishes inspired by cities across the US. This month it’s Detroit and guests scrambles and more inspired by Motown.

A bar with a lime green background and a lineup of brown stools
So local, there’s a major garden on site
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Victor's 1959 Cafe

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This no frills, marker covered Cuban spot offers a take on brunch like any other (think mango pancakes, Cuban toast, and eggs, eggs, eggs). Their cozy indoor space extends into the parking-lot-turned-patio when the weather allows.

A sunny garden with a sign for the restaurant
A fantastic spot for Cuban food, and a small brunch must
Victor’s 1959 Cafe [Official]

Hi-Lo Diner

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Nestled in a metallic 1950’s diner shipped all the way from Pennsylvania, this Longfellow hideout has all kinds of tasty items, but it’s their signature Hi-Tops—a smattering of sweet and savory options that rest atop a house-made donut—that keep people coming back for more. Also, their summer patio is pup friendly!

Eater Scene: 3:30 PM on Tuesday at the Hi-Lo Diner Amber Procaccini/Eater Twin Cities

The Lowry

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This Uptown staple is super spacious and has an extensive menu to match. Opening up daily at 6:30 a.m., it’s never too early to have brunch at The Lowry and the menu items, from avocado crab toast to chilaquiles, don’t disappoint.

ie - Italian Eatery

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Thanks to its hearty pasta dishes, Italian Eatery is best known as an indulgent dinner spot, but their lesser-known brunch is not to be overlooked. Who doesn’t want potato gnocchi, polenta pancakes, or affogato in the morning?

Inside the Easy Elegance of Nokomis’ i.e. - Italian Eatery
Polenta pancakes are just one of the Italian brunch items found here
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen

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There’s one thing Copper Hen has that none of these other brunch spots do and that’s cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes! Appropriately tucked into Eat Street and serving a Farmhouse Brunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, everything is better with a cupcake on it.

A view of the cocktail menu on a blackboard
Boozy cupcakes and real cocktails
Copper Hen /Facebook

In Bloom at Keg & Case Market

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This recent addition to the St. Paul dining scene has taken the Twin Cities by storm. From “roasted things” alongside Dutch baby pancakes and cocktails galore, no wonder this Keg and Case staple has earned the hearts of Twin Cities residents so quickly.

A view of the expansive, concrete lined dining room with a 20 ft hearth
Dutch baby city
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Salty Tart

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A tried and true classic, anyone who likely pastries will be over the moon with what they find at this bakery spot. Salty Tart takes its backing prowess and turns it into brunch options like Croque Michelle and Crepe Galette for a unique dining experience. 

The Salty Tart cafe interior, from behind a giant curtain, there’s a pastry case in the background
A weekend draw near the St. Paul Farmers Market
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Colossal Cafe

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At Colossal Cafe, breakfast is served all day which means that hungry hordes can get brunch anytime their hearts desire (as long as it’s within business hours). With breakfast sandwiches and pancakes (called Flappers) alongside classic breakfast dishes and a kid’s menu, there’s really something for everyone.

Giant pancakes topped with slices of brie place in a cross on top of chopped walnuts.
The famous flappers.
Colossal Cafe [Official]

Mickey's Diner

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Much like Al’s, a Twin Cities brunch list that didn’t include Mickey’s would be positively criminal. Designed to resemble an Art Deco railroad dining car and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, this spot continues to whip up breakfast classics like nobody’s business. Don’t miss the thick, freshly made hashbrowns.

mickey’s iconic downtown st paul rail car location with neon lights
This classic is open all the time
Mickey’s [Official]

Al's Breakfast

No Twin Cities brunch list would be complete without this tiny, counter service only icon. Located in Dinkytown for ages and specializing in classic breakfasts done incredibly well, Al’s is a must-try when entertaining visitors.

Black and white image of a server putting down a couple of giant pancakes in front of a shadowed person at the slim counter
Giant pancakes, tiny space
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Burch Steak

Located on the bustling corner of Franklin and Hennepin in a sun-filled space, Burch’s brunch sports dishes like vanilla waffles and seasonal quiche along trendy cocktails like an Aperol Spritz and micheladas. Oh, there are oysters, too.

The Corner Bar

While every other Viking’s game go-er makes the mistake of wandering into packed downtown bars for a pre-game brunch, The Corner Bar sits casually back and serves up a brunch with a Bloody Mary bar that’s hard to beat. The best part? It’s convenient location makes getting to the game afterwards a breeze.

The Tiny Diner

Attached to its very own mini farm, Tiny Diner has an excellent patio in the summer but a delicious brunch year round. They’re currently running a Plates Across the States program that features dishes inspired by cities across the US. This month it’s Detroit and guests scrambles and more inspired by Motown.

A bar with a lime green background and a lineup of brown stools
So local, there’s a major garden on site
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Victor's 1959 Cafe

This no frills, marker covered Cuban spot offers a take on brunch like any other (think mango pancakes, Cuban toast, and eggs, eggs, eggs). Their cozy indoor space extends into the parking-lot-turned-patio when the weather allows.

A sunny garden with a sign for the restaurant
A fantastic spot for Cuban food, and a small brunch must
Victor’s 1959 Cafe [Official]

Hi-Lo Diner

Nestled in a metallic 1950’s diner shipped all the way from Pennsylvania, this Longfellow hideout has all kinds of tasty items, but it’s their signature Hi-Tops—a smattering of sweet and savory options that rest atop a house-made donut—that keep people coming back for more. Also, their summer patio is pup friendly!

Eater Scene: 3:30 PM on Tuesday at the Hi-Lo Diner Amber Procaccini/Eater Twin Cities

The Lowry

This Uptown staple is super spacious and has an extensive menu to match. Opening up daily at 6:30 a.m., it’s never too early to have brunch at The Lowry and the menu items, from avocado crab toast to chilaquiles, don’t disappoint.

ie - Italian Eatery

Thanks to its hearty pasta dishes, Italian Eatery is best known as an indulgent dinner spot, but their lesser-known brunch is not to be overlooked. Who doesn’t want potato gnocchi, polenta pancakes, or affogato in the morning?

Inside the Easy Elegance of Nokomis’ i.e. - Italian Eatery
Polenta pancakes are just one of the Italian brunch items found here
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen

There’s one thing Copper Hen has that none of these other brunch spots do and that’s cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes! Appropriately tucked into Eat Street and serving a Farmhouse Brunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, everything is better with a cupcake on it.

A view of the cocktail menu on a blackboard
Boozy cupcakes and real cocktails
Copper Hen /Facebook

In Bloom at Keg & Case Market

This recent addition to the St. Paul dining scene has taken the Twin Cities by storm. From “roasted things” alongside Dutch baby pancakes and cocktails galore, no wonder this Keg and Case staple has earned the hearts of Twin Cities residents so quickly.

A view of the expansive, concrete lined dining room with a 20 ft hearth
Dutch baby city
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Salty Tart

A tried and true classic, anyone who likely pastries will be over the moon with what they find at this bakery spot. Salty Tart takes its backing prowess and turns it into brunch options like Croque Michelle and Crepe Galette for a unique dining experience. 

The Salty Tart cafe interior, from behind a giant curtain, there’s a pastry case in the background
A weekend draw near the St. Paul Farmers Market
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Colossal Cafe

At Colossal Cafe, breakfast is served all day which means that hungry hordes can get brunch anytime their hearts desire (as long as it’s within business hours). With breakfast sandwiches and pancakes (called Flappers) alongside classic breakfast dishes and a kid’s menu, there’s really something for everyone.

Giant pancakes topped with slices of brie place in a cross on top of chopped walnuts.
The famous flappers.
Colossal Cafe [Official]

Mickey's Diner

Much like Al’s, a Twin Cities brunch list that didn’t include Mickey’s would be positively criminal. Designed to resemble an Art Deco railroad dining car and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, this spot continues to whip up breakfast classics like nobody’s business. Don’t miss the thick, freshly made hashbrowns.

mickey’s iconic downtown st paul rail car location with neon lights
This classic is open all the time
Mickey’s [Official]

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