If you’ve been here long and picked up anything about me, it’s probably that I’m utterly visual. I have always loved pretty things and pretty spaces. Coffee shop design is where it’s at! And, if you haven’t figured out yet, the Twin Cities has coffee shops in spades. From industrial to modern to minimalist styles, and with coffee, tea and food options mixed in, there are some truly awesome coffee shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul where you can squeeze in a solo study session or have deep, meaningful conversation with a friend.

This post has been the longest in the making since I started this blog, partly because new places crop up so fast in the Twin Cities, so I constantly had to update and fine-tune it.

If you want to save any of these spots for later, just hover over a photo and click the save icon to save it to a board on Pinterest! You can find my Twin Cities coffee shop board here. I’ll definitely be updating this guide as I try new places or new ones open! For now, here are the gems you should know about:

local coffee chains

These brands offer a variety of locations where you can recharge.

SPYHOUSE COFFEE (Uptown, Whittier, Northeast, North Loop, Downtown-Emery, St Paul)

It seemed fitting to start out with Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, as they’ve established themselves as a Twin Cities staple; they have six different cafes throughout. Plus their warehouse allows them to be one of the most popular Minneapolis coffee roasters. My personal favorites are the cafes in Northeast and North Loop, Minneapolis plus the one in my very own neighborhood in St. Paul. Each offer outstanding interiors that are cohesive with one another and yet they each have a distinct feel. I love the warehouse atmosphere of the Northeast cafe and the marble countertops and fun flooring of the North Loop cafe, where I actually took my dog Toto once (see below). Last I heard from the baristas, the staff were working to allow dogs to chill out inside the actual cafes, but if you’re ordering to-go, you can feel free to bring your furry friend in while you decide.

Spyhouse has solid coffee choices (I’m a fan of their “Spygirl”, a honey and lavender latte), but to me, their best offerings are actually the sweet, always-comforting Evening in Missoula tea and the seasonal Jasmine Tea Lemonade, a favorite for the summer.

The parking situation will differ from location to location (Northeast offers a shared parking lot while North Loop, for instance, has only street spots available).

NINA’S COFFEE CAFE (Capitol Hill, Stillwater)

Nina’s is an all-time classic neighborhood coffee shop. I’m always excited to go there at any time of the year. Housed in a gorgeous building home to other local businesses, it has the ultimate local atmosphere and it attracts regulars and newcomers alike. Thanks to their recent renovation, the visual environment has a lot to offer, too. My favorite spots to sit at are an almost-hidden, intimate corner that came with the remodel, and the popular table for two at the top of the staircase.

Nina’s is renowned for partnering with other local roasters, cafes and caterers to source their food and drink. They do a delicious mocha, but I’m constantly singing the praises of their chai latte, which always comes with a choice of cinnamon or nutmeg on top. I’m convinced it’s the best chai in the cities!

Parking is available in a shared lot in the back, but it’s often crowded, so street parking is your other option.

PENNY’S COFFEE (Nicollet, Linden Hills, Wayzata)

Penny’s Coffee has cafes in Linden Hills and Wayzata that I have yet to get to, but in the meantime their downtown location will more than satisfy. The walls are made of this amazing green stone that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into that fancy restaurant that the main character from the movies goes to when she breaks up with her corporate boyfriend, which is kinda fun. It has a more commercial than coffee shop aesthetic. It’s housed in a large business building, surrounded by skyscrapers and features outdoor seating, too. Hot drinks are sometimes accompanied by a pocky stick, a yummy touch, and service at this shop is never short of exceptional.

Parking at the Minneapolis location is, to be honest, a bit of a chore. Lots of street meters only offer parking for a few hours and depending on the time of day, most are taken, so use a trip as an excuse to walk around downtown!

SAINT PAUL coffee SHOPS

Local to St Paul? Venture around to enjoy local digs and insta-famous shops alike.

CAFE ASTORIA (Capitol Hill)

180 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

If you’re not local to the Twin Cities, it’s likely you’ve seen this cafe on Instagram or in a viral video. A couple of years ago, Cafe Astoria became famous for their inventive, colorful, oh-so-aesthetically-pleasing lattes and drinks. I’m talking rainbow art and edible flowers, people. Because of its fame, this shop can be VERY busy, but I’m of the mind that the long wait in line or occasionally cramped seating can be worth it.

While it’s arguably one of the most insta-famous shops in the cities, for its regulars, it’s very much a neighborhood cafe. The owner, Leah, seems to know several customers pretty well, as well as their children and even their dogs. Cafe Astoria has an extensive secret menu (ask for the 24k latte that features edible gold if you’re looking for an insta feed boost, though it will cost you a pretty penny). Their drinks, besides being gorgeous to look at, consistently taste very good. Their crepes and smoothie bowls are also worth the trip.

Parking is limited to the street.

QUIXOTIC COFFEE (Highland Park)

769 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116

Quixotic is a great place to go if you want to be a little bougie. While it might be a smaller local cafe, you’ll still feel fancy sitting at the counter. Quixotic partners with a variety of local vendors to source their coffee and food options, that include sandwiches and breakfast fare.

Located among tons of other businesses, a trip to Quixotic means the ability to park along Cleveland Avenue and get lunch or shop, too.

GROUNDSWELL (Midway)

1340 Thomas Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

Groundswell is another coffee shop that has such a neighborhood feel. It has ornately detailed ceilings but earthy wooden counters that accommodate lots of guests on a busy Sunday. This place offers up amazing bakery options (including a delicious vegan banana bread!) and its coffee is solid, too. The staff are usually pretty knowledgeable and happy to make their recommendations to first-time customers.

Groundswell is surrounded by residential streets, so while parking is limited to the street, there are usually spots to be found.

HODGES BEND (Midway)

2700 University Ave W. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114

Hodges Bend functions as a cozy coffee shop by day and an upscale cocktail bar by night. Visit this shop for easily some of the best decor in the cities. You can sip a latte while cozied up into a quilted booth offset by mirrors that give off a speakeasy vibe. Not to mention, elaborate chandeliers built out of beer bottles and a sleek bar that stretches an entire wall.

I have yet to make it for happy hour, but I am beyond impressed by the quality of Hodges Bend's coffee, as were my friends the last time we stopped. Service was amazing to boot.

Parking is limited to the street.

MINNEAPOLIS coffee SHOPS

St. Paul’s much larger twin contains tons of great coffee options.

PARALLEL (North Loop)

145 Holden St N, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Oh Parallel, how I love thee. From the most gorgeous latte art in the cities, to their delicious food, to the light-filled interior and wonderful baristas, Parallel is just the best. My roomie Mariah and I find that we gravitate toward this place for coffee trips because the interior is so lovely to sit in and their fare is just so good. Located alongside in-house event space The Holden Room and glassblowing company Hennepin Made, Parallel contains a very collaborative vibe that makes you feel more creative.

Parallel is also a great place to get weekend brunch. My recommendations include any of their (more bitter) lattes and their drool-worthy pancakes.

What makes this place even better? The large parking lot.

FAIRGROUNDS COFFEE AND TEA (North Loop)

120 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Talk about a fun cafe. With a funky light installation, bar swings and cozy digs, Fairgrounds is another shop that has something for everyone. The menu is focused on craft coffee and tea and features fair-inspired options like funnel cake fries and the drink menu is expansive. The fact that it’s located in a lively section of the North Loop is just a bonus.

Park on the street or near one of the fun shops nearby.

FRGMNT COFFEE (North Loop)

729 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

THE LYNHALL (LynLake)

2640 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

So technically The Lynhall is a restaurant, but I had to include it because on my first visit I tried their Black Cat mocha, a seasonal drink mixed with dark chocolate, espresso and sea salt. It was honestly the best coffee drink I’d ever had and I downed it in ten minutes. The space and vibe of this spot is to die for: think marble tables with centerpieces and a sea of booth-style seating. Their food, while pricey, is pretty darn worth it. The pictured brioche is great for a sweet brunch option.

There is a small lot available for parking.

CAFE CERES (Linden Hills, Armatage)

3509 W44th St. Minneapolis, MN 55410, 5401 Penn Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55419

Cafe Ceres opened during the pandemic and has proven to be a new it spot to find coffee in Minneapolis. Its Linden Hills location is sunny with coffee tables nestled among houseplants. The shop features a large garage door perfect for opening up to the street on pleasant days. Some of their breakfast pastries have a french flair and sit behind a glass counter in the entrance. I’m no stranger to talk of their drinks—so many friends have complimented their Dulce de Leche drink in particular. Whatever you order, you’re sure to love what’s in your coffee cup.

GRAY FOX COFFEE AND WINE BAR (Downtown Minneapolis)

801 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Gray Fox, located in a corporate building in Downtown, is an upscale coffee venue perfect for bustling business people that also serves up innovative, unique latte art. Designs can simply feature the logo or decals that change throughout the season. Their options are solid and this place is high on my list for taste, too. I finished a dirty chai so quickly that I was tempted to order another. Their wine offerings are great too, and priced really reasonably if you stop by for happy hour.

Parking options are between a nearby garage or a street meter.

NORTHERN COFFEEWORKS (Downtown East Minneapolis)

1027 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415

I’m obsessed with the interior of this cafe. Light, exposed brick and tile flooring make Northern Coffeeworks a cozy, airy place to be. They, too, win the Taylor-downed-her-coffee award, specifically with their orange cardamom latte. The service at this shop is always lovely and you can always count on one of the baristas if you’re in need of a recommendation. Try one of their inventive new drinks, as the menu is changed up frequently throughout the year.

Northern Coffeeworks also offers a small-but-mighty menu of comfy food options that changes up as frequently as the drink menu does.

This cafe is a great central location for meeting up with people and is a short walk from U.S. Bank Stadium and the Blue and Green Transit lines.

WESLEY ANDREWS (Whittier)

111 E 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Wesley Andrews is one of the coffee shops I hear most often at the top of people’s favorites list. It has a pretty chill vibe that feels alternative but is still on trend for interior design. Their seasonal drinks satisfy and, get this: this shop is a frequent location for really cool events. They did a Stranger Things day for the launch of season 3 that featured themed drinks and everything!

Parking is available on the street.

I hope you all have some new places on your list for your next work-from-home day, meet-up with friends or place to take shelter from the Twin Cities weather. I love visiting coffee shops so much, so it was really fun to share a glimpse of something I love to do with my free time. If you want to save any of these spots for later, I recommend saving to Pinterest. Just hover over a photo and click the save icon! Or, feel free to follow my Twin Cities coffee shop board here.

if you love local coffee, give this guide a share!

Which Twin Cities coffee shops do you think belong in this guide?? Let me know in the comments!!!