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15 Essential Restaurants in Northeast Minneapolis

9 Twin Cities Restaurants Where the Views Match the Food

13 Fantastic Spots to Eat in Historic Stillwater

Readers Vote: 18 Favorite Brunch Spots in the Twin Cities

by Claire Stanford
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by Claire Stanford

In last week's Open Thread, we asked readers for their favorite brunch spots in the Twin Cities. Suggestions came pouring in through the comments and the always-open tipline, plus a few spots culled from a disgruntled Brunch Heatmap commenter.

So, just in time for a certain brunchy holiday, here are 18 favorite Twin Cities brunch spots, as named by you, the readers. Bonus: most of these spots are no reservations, if you still haven't made plans for Mom. (And remember, there's also the Brunch Heatmap, for all your brand-new brunch needs.)

Is your favorite brunch spot missing from the list? Let us know in the comments.


· All Previous Open Threads [Eater MPLS]
· Heatmap: Where to Eat Brunch in the Twin Cities, April '14 [Eater MPLS]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Wise Acre Eatery

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5401 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 354-2577
(612) 354-2577
Visit Website
A reader writes into the tipline: "You NEED to check out Wise Acre Eatery. Owned by Tangletown's farm in Plato, Mn they feature all year round grass fed Scottish Highland beef, free range poultry and eggs (literally free), black and Berkshire pork and zero pesticide grown fresh produce. There's a good chance you're eating something harvested that very day. The CSA hash is to die for."

2. Tilia

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2726 W 43rd St
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 354-2806
(612) 354-2806
Visit Website
A reader writes into the tipline in favor of this Linden Hills spot, with an important mug/utensil note: "The food is super fresh and uses a ton of natural flavors. Plus their coffee mugs and utensils are the tops."

3. The Lowbrow

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4244 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 208-0720
(612) 208-0720
Visit Website
Disgruntled Heatmap commenter jessup shouts out the chorizo breakfast tacos at this Kingfield restaurant.

4. Colossal Café

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1839 E 42nd St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 729-2377
(612) 729-2377
Visit Website
A number of votes came in for long-time favorite Colossal Café. Zaids writes: "The sandwiches and the pancakes are amazing and the omelets are interesting and different. The portions are healthy and at a great price. Also, house hot sauce is so damn good! No alcohol, oh well!"

5. Blackbird

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3800 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 823-4790
(612) 823-4790
Visit Website
SmartCookie shouts out this Southwest brunch spot (with a little nod to new North Loop brewery/restaurant The Freehouse): "Blackbird. Bright, inviting space, great service, and absolutely terrific food, especially the specials. I defy anyone to have better breakfast potatoes, though I have to admit that the Freehouse has great taters too."
The interior of Blackbird Cafe

6. Victor's 1959 Cafe

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3756 Grand Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 827-8948
(612) 827-8948
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A reader writes into the tipline with a vote for Victor's and a few ordering recommendations: "the Cuban style toast with guava jam is really tasty and Cuban coffee is excellent."

7. Gigi's Cafe

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824 W 36th St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-0818
(612) 825-0818
Visit Website
Moosiah writes: "Gigi's in SW. The homemade corned beef & braised pork hashes are phenomenal. My wife loves the goat cheese, mushroom & chive scramble. Fresh local meats, veggies & baked goods (lots of GF options). Start off with a tall glass of hibiscus punch."

8. Crema Cafe

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3403 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 824-3868
(612) 824-3868
Visit Website
Sparrow writes: "Hands Down -- Crema Cafe. Especially when the piazza is open. The Green Mountain rocks my world." (Green Mountain = "Lightly dressed organic greens under an organic potato pancake, topped with our famous organic & homemade veggie burger, oven roasted tomato spread, and finished with a perfectly poached organic egg.")

9. Modern Times Cafe

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3200 Chicago Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 886-3882
(612) 886-3882
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A reader writes into the tipline with a nomination for this Powderhorn café: "super vegetarian friendly and a really broad menu."

10. Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater

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810 W Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-3737
(612) 825-3737
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A reader writes into the tipline with a vote for BLB: "Best bloodies in town. Great food as well."

11. Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery

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2933 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 872-2232
(612) 872-2232
Visit Website
Two words: breakfast pizza. That's the recommendation from commenter jessup at this Uptown spot.

12. The Bad Waitress Diner & Coffee Shop

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2 E 26th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 872-7575
(612) 872-7575
Visit Website
This Eat Street diner got multiple nods, including one shouting out the nighttime scene. Marguid writes: "The Bad Waitress has big portions, great vibe, service is great and unique -- kind of hip & edgy & delicious! Volcano Burger is a smart, spicy Juicy Lucy. Eggs Benedict is light, lemony (w/ rosemary!) and zingy. Coffees are great too. Manager Julia made us these great Lattes with elephants on them. Artist's Corner with great food. Fun place."

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13. The Lowry

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2112 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 341-2112
(612) 341-2112
Visit Website
In a town increasingly inundated with chicken and waffles, The Lowry's take on the classic combination stands out, according to commenter jessup.

14. Moose and Sadie's

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212 3rd Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 371-0464
(612) 371-0464
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Commenter jessup recommends the huevos rancheros and the quiche at this North Loop classic.

15. Nicollet Island Inn

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95 Merriam St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 331-1800
(612) 331-1800
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Commenter jessup gives a nod to the "3 or 5-Course brunch at The Nicollet Island Inn (especially with the creme brulee french toast)."

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16. Longfellow Grill

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2990 W River Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 721-2711
(612) 721-2711
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A reader writes into the tipline with one very important reason for nominating Longfellow Grill: "Their bloodies. Enough said."

17. Meritage, a Brasserie

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410 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-5670
(651) 222-5670
Visit Website
Probruncher nominates St. Paul's meritage: "Their brunch is responsible for perfectly poached eggs, the most sophisticated day-drinking, and the best beignets outside France/New Orleans."

18. Ward 6 Food & Drink

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858 Payne Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55130
(651) 348-8181
(651) 348-8181
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A reader writes into the tipline with a nod to East Side spot Ward 6: "I don't know what is in that gravy on the Welsh Rabbit but I want to eat it on everything."

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1. Wise Acre Eatery

5401 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
A reader writes into the tipline: "You NEED to check out Wise Acre Eatery. Owned by Tangletown's farm in Plato, Mn they feature all year round grass fed Scottish Highland beef, free range poultry and eggs (literally free), black and Berkshire pork and zero pesticide grown fresh produce. There's a good chance you're eating something harvested that very day. The CSA hash is to die for."
5401 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 354-2577
Visit Website

2. Tilia

2726 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
A reader writes into the tipline in favor of this Linden Hills spot, with an important mug/utensil note: "The food is super fresh and uses a ton of natural flavors. Plus their coffee mugs and utensils are the tops."
2726 W 43rd St
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 354-2806
Visit Website

3. The Lowbrow

4244 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Disgruntled Heatmap commenter jessup shouts out the chorizo breakfast tacos at this Kingfield restaurant.
4244 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 208-0720
Visit Website

4. Colossal Café

1839 E 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
A number of votes came in for long-time favorite Colossal Café. Zaids writes: "The sandwiches and the pancakes are amazing and the omelets are interesting and different. The portions are healthy and at a great price. Also, house hot sauce is so damn good! No alcohol, oh well!"
1839 E 42nd St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 729-2377
Visit Website

5. Blackbird

3800 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
The interior of Blackbird Cafe
SmartCookie shouts out this Southwest brunch spot (with a little nod to new North Loop brewery/restaurant The Freehouse): "Blackbird. Bright, inviting space, great service, and absolutely terrific food, especially the specials. I defy anyone to have better breakfast potatoes, though I have to admit that the Freehouse has great taters too."
3800 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 823-4790
Visit Website

6. Victor's 1959 Cafe

3756 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
A reader writes into the tipline with a vote for Victor's and a few ordering recommendations: "the Cuban style toast with guava jam is really tasty and Cuban coffee is excellent."
3756 Grand Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 827-8948
Visit Website

7. Gigi's Cafe

824 W 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Moosiah writes: "Gigi's in SW. The homemade corned beef & braised pork hashes are phenomenal. My wife loves the goat cheese, mushroom & chive scramble. Fresh local meats, veggies & baked goods (lots of GF options). Start off with a tall glass of hibiscus punch."
824 W 36th St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-0818
Visit Website

8. Crema Cafe

3403 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Sparrow writes: "Hands Down -- Crema Cafe. Especially when the piazza is open. The Green Mountain rocks my world." (Green Mountain = "Lightly dressed organic greens under an organic potato pancake, topped with our famous organic & homemade veggie burger, oven roasted tomato spread, and finished with a perfectly poached organic egg.")
3403 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 824-3868
Visit Website

9. Modern Times Cafe

3200 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
A reader writes into the tipline with a nomination for this Powderhorn café: "super vegetarian friendly and a really broad menu."
3200 Chicago Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 886-3882
Visit Website

10. Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater

810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
A reader writes into the tipline with a vote for BLB: "Best bloodies in town. Great food as well."
810 W Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-3737
Visit Website

11. Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery

2933 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Two words: breakfast pizza. That's the recommendation from commenter jessup at this Uptown spot.
2933 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 872-2232
Visit Website

12. The Bad Waitress Diner & Coffee Shop

2 E 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
This Eat Street diner got multiple nods, including one shouting out the nighttime scene. Marguid writes: "The Bad Waitress has big portions, great vibe, service is great and unique -- kind of hip & edgy & delicious! Volcano Burger is a smart, spicy Juicy Lucy. Eggs Benedict is light, lemony (w/ rosemary!) and zingy. Coffees are great too. Manager Julia made us these great Lattes with elephants on them. Artist's Corner with great food. Fun place."
2 E 26th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 872-7575
Visit Website

13. The Lowry

2112 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
In a town increasingly inundated with chicken and waffles, The Lowry's take on the classic combination stands out, according to commenter jessup.
2112 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 341-2112
Visit Website

14. Moose and Sadie's

212 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Commenter jessup recommends the huevos rancheros and the quiche at this North Loop classic.
212 3rd Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 371-0464
Visit Website

15. Nicollet Island Inn

95 Merriam St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Commenter jessup gives a nod to the "3 or 5-Course brunch at The Nicollet Island Inn (especially with the creme brulee french toast)."
95 Merriam St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 331-1800
Visit Website

Related Maps

16. Longfellow Grill

2990 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406
A reader writes into the tipline with one very important reason for nominating Longfellow Grill: "Their bloodies. Enough said."
2990 W River Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 721-2711
Visit Website

17. Meritage, a Brasserie

410 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Probruncher nominates St. Paul's meritage: "Their brunch is responsible for perfectly poached eggs, the most sophisticated day-drinking, and the best beignets outside France/New Orleans."
410 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-5670
Visit Website

18. Ward 6 Food & Drink

858 Payne Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55130
A reader writes into the tipline with a nod to East Side spot Ward 6: "I don't know what is in that gravy on the Welsh Rabbit but I want to eat it on everything."
858 Payne Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55130
(651) 348-8181
Visit Website

Related Maps