Credit card reader was down so my stay at the historic Seward Cafe was brief. The lemonade was delightfully refreshing. The biscuit was dense, dry and not all that flavorful, like a giant hockey puck of dough. The mushroom gravy was a bit salty and didn't stick to the biscuit. The service was fine and reasonable. The space feels a bit dated and run down after so many years in business and limited hours. read more

Seward Cafe - Biscuits & Gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I was so hungry once the food arrived I didn't take any pictures of it :( The vegan pancakes were one of the best ones I've ever had! They were so fluffy. My Odd Parent drink was really sweet and enjoyed it. It could've been a little less sweeten but overall it was good. Very hipster vibes and the ordering situation/food pickup was a bit confusing for us. I would visit again and try something else out. read more

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Some of the best breakfast I've had in Minneapolis, and for incredible reasonable prices. I'll be back, and soon! read more

Seward Cafe - Biscuit Breakfast, Banana Bread - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love the fight that Seward is fighting so it's hard to say anything bad about this place but I am a bit disappointed by the food/drink. I ordered the Black Sesame Matcha...very ingenuous but the execution wasn't there. The flavor was good, but there were sesame seeds in the drink. I also ordered the hash browns which looked amazing upon arrival, but were way too greasy. Vibes of this place were impeccable though. read more

Seward Cafe - Atmosphere - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

My son took us here on the morning of his last day of grad school, he had breakfast here on his first day in 2019. Great ambiance, awesome coffee and great food. Friendly staff lots of vegan and non vegan options. Great place to relax and enjoy the day. read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

ITS CLOSES AT 4 NOW but super good food & nice atmosphere i got the bagel sandwich & had a blast 10/10 Also Thomas S. can go to hell read more

Seward Cafe - All my friends enjoying their time - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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We came here after running out of steam from dance class and were ready to carb up ;) I heard the vegan pancakes were good, so I came ready to order a stack. This is a "self-serve" business, meaning you browse the menu, jot down what food you want, and hand it to the cashier/barista, whom you verbally tell what drink you want. My partner got a vanilla almond latte, and they had a wide tea selection behind the counter. When your food is done, they shout your name and you pick it up. This is kind of like a hipster diner - the booths are a little janky and there is a lot of wear and tear to the seating and tables. Grunge/hipster decor of photos/graffiti/local artistry line the walls. Lots of college students and Seward locals hang out here for a bite to eat, some homework, etc. There is WiFi, so that's a plus. Kinda a cozy vibe for something like brunch on a weekend, but if you're new to town and looking for a nice lunch or dinner place you will feel very overdressed and out of place :P so just know what to expect. Also, it's bigger than it looks when you enter; there's an entire area in the back - do venture over there (this is where people tend to chill post-meal, work on their laptop, play board games, etc.). So back to the food: Upon looking at the menu, I discovered several other items that caught my attention. So we ended up ordering a whole bunch of food and sharing it all, and it was really tasty! First things first, the fluffy pancakes: I got the triple stack with blueberries and chocolate chips (all fillings cost extra; bananas were the other option). You can get it served with vegan butter. They use real maple syrup. They were really good! These are pretty large and I was only able to eat 2, while leaving the last one to my partner. We also shared the vegan biscuits and gravy which were so good! Very comforting and filling. I will absolutely be coming back to get this when it's cold out because it just makes you feel cozy eating it :) My partner got the red earth bowl, which he really enjoyed (I've had it in the past but found the hash browns heavy/oily). I look forward to returning to try more items. Many vegetarian and vegan items or substitutions available, come check this place out! read more

Seward Cafe - Fluffy vegan pancakes with blueberries and chocolate chips, vegan butter and maple syrup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Non-vegetarians -- you are welcome here! I'm a pescavore/omnivore and was wicked surprised with how good my bowl was! Black beans, tons of seasonings, some magical aioli, obvi veggies- and it was delicious and filling and decidedly not sad-I'm-missing-meat. Plus bakery of epic proportions. Plus a seriously awesome social mission (drop off some of those goodwill clothes that have been in your trunk for 3 months - and put them in the back room of Seward Cafe to help out ppl in need). Yes- I picked Seward Cafe bc my dining pal is veg...but I'll be back. read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This spot is right in my neighborhood and today I decided to have some brunch! Seward cafe is a cooperative restaurant with an amazingly chill vibe and laid back people. You order your food by writing what you want on a slip of paper (no more than 3 items), and pay at the counter. Drinks and coffee is picked up there and then you find your seat. I love that Seward has a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans. While cross contamination happens, they offer a wide variety of breakfast and lunch alternatives. I decided to order the double stack of buckwheat pancakes and a half order of the hashbrowns supreme. They also had a drink special for a lavender latte so I got that as well. The food took about 10 minutes and if you're outside they announce your name on the loudspeaker and then you go in to get it. The food came out hot and yummy. The buckwheat pancakes came with butter and syrup and had a nice texture similar to cornmeal pancakes. The hash brown supreme had a variety of veggies and I had tofu added to mine. The lavender latte was made with almond milk and there was just a hint of lavender. It was really light and a nice warm drink to have with my meal. It was delicious overall and a fun restaurant to try. The food was solid so I'll definitely be back to try some more. read more

Seward Cafe - Vegan Biscuits & Gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

What a nice little surprise I happened upon a dive Catering to my needs Breakfast indeed! All ye vegans come dashing! read more

great ambience with friendly staff. coffee has flavor and the buckwheat pancakes are tasty and fortifying. a relaxing place to have a great breakfas. we love the art that is found on the walls, the menu, and what is shown around. also good music diversity to start a great day read more

Seward Cafe - Cappuccino to start the day - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I was confused and did not realize they had a menu--only the chalkboard that had a special of the day and a soup. I was starving so I quickly ordered a soup and found a table. It was listed as veggie soup. I got a bowl of tomato based broth with onions a few carrot slices and some kale. I ate every bite and it was hot and flavorful. The service was decent but not overly solicitous. It appears this place gets a diverse range of people that choose to hang here so pretty cool if you want to relax read a book eat drink and people watch. read more

I LOVE Seward Cafe. It's a great place any time of day for both my vegan self and non-veg husband. I always have a hard time deciding what to get because it's all so good. My top 3 are Red Green Earth (with tofu) Deluxe Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy, and pancakes. Both the vegan fluffy and the righteous are fabulous. Everything has a reasonable and low price, you order right at the counter (where vegan baked goodies are available) and the cashier is usually pleasant. I love the sister restaurant of Seward; Hard Times Cafe (just a few blocks away) but you get the gritty attitude there. I also like to come here alone for breakfast sometimes, bring a book, and just kick back for a while,, eating and then getting more coffee til I've read a few chapters. Also, bottomless coffee and tea for $1.74-ish, so I like to get coffee first and follow up with tea! read more

Yes, the vibe is reminiscent of a wanna-be socialist utopia....if you can get past that, friends, you will be in for some wholesome, healthy abundant down-home grub at a way more than fair price. You grab a paper, pen and menu, write your name and what you'd like from the menu...pay then sit down to wait for your name to be called. I had my mind set on the vegan biscuits and gravy and at $5, assumed it would be a small portion, so I added on one large buckwheat hotcake for $3. Imagine my amazement when the vegan biscuits took up the girth of a normal sized dinner plate with the gravy meeting the edges on all sides and piled high. Very generous amount by today's prepared-food standards. I was afraid to look at the hotcake, wishing I hadn't ordered an extra thing, but was quickly salivating when I saw the golf ball sized whipped butter sidling off it's hot surface, joined by the tiny paper cup of amber syrup. Unabashedly, I slagged my 2 plates to a hard wooden booth, began to dig in...and was immediately assaulted by some of the best flavors and textures I've had in many years from an establishment. read more

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If you haven't been here yet...go! Went here on a weekday night and the place was full of dining buddies, workers having meetings, and solo trekkers enjoying themselves over a nice meal and book. You see it all here, which makes it all the better. Didn't have any problem with street parking and walking in, found that there was ample seating inside too. It is deceptively small from the outside, but you'll see that there are plenty of tables and booths (which are large enough to sit two parties of two if you'd like to make a friend). Happy hour goes until 6pm, and my dining pal and I ordered our drinks (Summit for me and cider for her) at 6:05 so just barely missed it. You take a menu on your way in and a slip of paper to write your order down. The staff behind the counter didn't seem very patient with us for not knowing this, but that's ok. No hard feelings. They call your name and up you go to pick up your plate. This menu though. It was so hard to choose but I ended up getting the "make-your-own-grilled-cheese" option, with pesto, mushrooms, kale, and tomato. For $1.50 extra, I opted to get a side salad which was a little tiny but worth it. My friend got the macaroni and cheese which was served with broccoli and chives. I tried it, and while it was quite good, my grilled cheese was fantastic. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, which while I am neither, still appreciate this. I love the vibe of this place, and the hanging pictures of dogs on the wall can't go without note. Next time I'll be sure to take a seat on their patio to soak up the good earthy vibes. Anyway, this will definitely be a repeat place for me, with plenty to try on the menu and all for a decent price. read more

Seward Cafe - Make your own grilled cheese ! And mac and cheese in back - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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This is my favorite place to get breakfast in the Cities (lunch and dinner are pretty great too). Everything is so good, and there are options that'll satisfy every vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore in your life. Parking isn't too tricky. They have a lot, but when that fills up there's plenty of street parking around. Food prices are more than fair, you can get HUGE portions of some things. The whole place definitely has a grungy vibe, but everything (including the restrooms) is clean. read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I don't know why I only gave the Seward Cafe 3 stars in my previous review, that seems rude and/or mistaken. It's not where I run to or anything but I've never had a bad experience and those massive bowls of broccoli and rice and stuff that other people order look incredible. Why don't I ever get that?! Cause I can't say no to a buckwheat pancake. But yeah, great, ethical, community-run spot that I hope never leaves the neighborhood. I apologize for my previous star rating, what the hell! read more

This is a seriously granola munchie type place that walks the walk and talks the talk. They make efforts not to be meat-centric, so instead of veggies being treated as second class here, it is the carnivores that are looked down upon. Speaking as an omnivore, I don't mind eating vegetarian as long as it's tasty, and the food here is undeniably nutritious and very good for you. This is a brilliant place and a good experience. Minneapolis is the kind of town where this type of place thrives, which is a great achievement for a community outside of a California commune. read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I am not a first timer here, but it is my first review and coming here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon makes me wonder why I waited so long to return. Not only is the menu amazing, it has to be the best iced chai it the Twin Cities, nice and spicy and not too sweet. We went for a brunchy breakfast, so had the Green Earth--almost french-fry-like crispy potatoes, topped with a fried egg and steamed broccoli. I was tempted to go with the version that added cheese, but didn't and it was delicious without! Also went for the huevos rancheros--big enough to share. It was delicious! We topped off our visit with a rich (and for sure shareable) chocolate chip cookie, although the entire assortment of bakery goods made the choice a difficult one. This place has something for everyone--gluten free, vegan, vegetarian or carnivore. If you like fancy, this might not be for you, but if you just love good food and a relaxed atmosphere, with a great patio, this is your spot! read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Seward Cafe exudes that hippie, down to earth, super casual vibe that I'm into. The inside has several rooms with tables, and the outside has a great patio area - highly recommend it during nice weather. You order by writing what you want on a slip of paper and handing it to the cashier, then asking them directly for any drinks or desserts you want. They call your name when your food's ready, and you can dress up your food at their handy station containing hot sauce, ketchup, nutritional yeast, etc. Food is highly customizable and has many options for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. Expect all-day breakfasts as well as sandwiches, salads, and bowls. I have only tried the Green Earth breakfast, but it is delicious!! I can't wait to try a veggie burger, gyro, or burrito bowl next time. The coffee - iced coffee, lattes, and drip brew are all more than satisfactory - is also customizable. And the vegan cookies are nearly identical to their dairy-filled counterparts! The prices here, while they can add up, are surprisingly low for vegan/vegetarian fare. Meals cost around $10. Dogs are welcome, which is lovely. HOWEVER, my only experience bringing the dogs here was borderline horrid because of the crowds and the fact that there was a marching band playing on the patio. Extremely loudly. The poor dogs were petrified and we had to leave much sooner than I would have liked. I do not plan to bring them again, just in case a similar situation unfolds. read more

This is my local, organic, free range review of Seward Cafe. Really neat diner in the Seward neighborhood. There's lots of vegetarian and vegan options, but they also have meat! Everything at Seward Cafe appears to be organic, free range, etc...they make a point of putting one of those buzz words in every menu description. Personally, I don't care for organic eats, but organic or not, the food here was delicious. The buckwheat pancake was enormous - you probably will only need one, but if you're super hungry, get 2, but don't blame me if you can't finish it. I added chocolate chips to mine which I thought was necessary. The side of hashbrowns look delicious, and they are, except towards the end when you're done with the crispy stuff and only greasy potatoes are left. But they have to be my 2nd favorite hashbrowns in Minneapolis right now (Al's is #1). Lastly, the bacon was expensive, but super meaty. Make a trip to the bathroom. I didn't get to, but I hear you can write on the walls! ooooo....fun! read more

Seward Cafe - Hash browns! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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As an all-time-vegetarian and a part-time-vegan it was wonderful to find this place! My husband and I wandered in for a late breakfast while our sweet little dog was having tests run at the University of MN vet clinic. We really needed some decent food and peace and quiet and we got it. I will say right up front that if you are a "normie" and are uncomfortable around anyone but people like yourself, don't come here. Also, the service is not the fake friendly stuff you get at chain places. My husband and I like that - please give us good food and leave us alone. That's what you get here. Ordering is a little odd - you write it down. They make it for you and call your name, you go up and get it and bus your own table. I got the biscuits and gravy - I heard it was great! And it really was. Now, if you aren't used to vegan food and flavors this may be a little away from what you are used to. You can tase a little sweetness from the cashews in the sauce and mine was overly salted. The biscuits were a little dry but that's just me being very picky - I was just so thankful for good vegan food! Ethical and tasty. My husband got a dish wish hash browns, eggs, cheese and onions. He absolutely flipped for it. Just inhaled it - said it was one of the best breakfasts ever. He enjoyed the coffee as well. And I got a lavender soy latte which was excellent! Wonderful, wonderful coffee. So, thank you Seward Cafe for giving us an hour of respite away from the stress of the vet clinic. We really needed it. read more

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This is my go-to breakfast spot. I am literally obsessed with their earth breakfasts. It's the perfect marriage of eggs and hash browns. I always make it a green earth - add a little steamed broccoli on top to make me feel extra healthy. If I ate dairy, I'm sure I would love the super earth breakfast too. The cheese just looks like it's the right amount of melty. I love that they offer half portions of their earth breakfast and have vegan options available as well. We've also stopped by for a hummus and pita plate to complement the sunny afternoon PBR on the patio. Their hummus was literally the smoothest I have ever tasted. I wanted a second plate, but opted for a second beer. read more

Seward Cafe - Half portion green earth breakfast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Went here today. I think I had a very mixed experience. Can't call it bad, but not great either. Probably after reading the other reviews, I was expecting the place to blow my mind off. Its a great place if you are a vegan or a vegetarian. The patio is a fun place to hang out. The good part is, its nice to fill out your own sheet, the portion sizes are good. I think what it missed is taste. The food was pretty bland and service is really SLOW. We had the B&G deluxe and buckwheat pancake. The buckwheat pancake was good. The B&G deluxe was just about okay. I have surely had better vegetarian biscuits and and gravy and the juice we ordered was not freshly squeezed, it was from concentrate. Probably not what I excepted from a place which promotes healthy food. The interior ambience was a little dirty, could have been kept a little cleaner. The chair I tried to sit on was broken. Overall I must say, this place is still worth trying for the fact they have so many vegen and vegetarian options May go back and try and order something different on the menu. read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Meet my friend here for a brunch about 1:30pm. It was pretty busy but not super packed. I ordered a burrito bowel veggie style i dont eat meat. I also got a tea the representative suggested one and made it for me. Came out a bit too hot also i wish they had flavored creamer at the counter with the coffee and tea condiments. My food was great a bit above my price range i may have spent $15 for my tea and the bowl, i don't each much at once so i had a bit left over to take home. 3 stars because my friends vegan meal came out with real eggs in it. He re ordered and it came out to salty. I'd go back though! read more

Nice cafe. Good for breakfast or brunch but open later than that. We came around 2:30pm on a Sunday. It reminds me of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, nothing fancy but good food for a vegetarian. If you require a lovely appearance while eating, this place isn't for you. They have a private parking lot on the back. And patio seating as well. It was our first time there so the front of the menu gave us directions: Put order on a slip of paper. Bring to cashier. Pay. Wait for name to be called. Pick up your plates. Bring to whatever table you choose to eat. You get your own utensils and there's self pour water too. You also bus your own plates to their containers. As for the food, we felt it was decently priced and came with a good serving portion. Granted there wasn't any meat in our meal, it filled us up. -mariachi: good! three mini scrambled egg tacos with beans and salsa on the side. -b&g deluxe: whole. two biscuits smothered in a generous amount of earthy tasting gravy. -mushroom quesadilla: yum! felt more like a burrito with ingredients wrapped in a tortilla topped with tomatoes and cheese. read more

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Friendly customer service. I tried a vegan meal for the first time -- the vegan biscuits and gravy -- and it was pretty good. Different kind of environment; a nice little "dive". Would recommend since it's such a cute little restaurant. read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I lived across the street from this place for the last year, and it has become my little slice of heaven. It's a wonderfully off-beat place that is incredibly chill, comfortable, and welcoming. They have a wonderful menu filled with unique and tasty food, and plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options for those with alternative diets. I personally highly recommend their hashbrowns. I could make a meal out of those alone. A large portion of crispy-on-the-outside potatoey goodness. Yum. However, most of my visits were not for a meal - they were for coffee and a pastry. Every day they offer a selection of baked goods, that typically change on a day-to-day basis. And while I've never gotten anything I didn't like there, every time I walk in I cross my fingers and hope that they have either their chocolate oat bars or their jupiter bars (like a chocolate iced peanut butter crispie bar). They are absolutely to die for. The coffee is always good, and they've got a nice selection of tea if coffee isn't your thing. They do also have some bottled drinks if you're looking for a beer or something. This is just a wonderful place to get something to nibble on and relax while you read a book, do homework, or just enjoy the company of some friends. read more

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Horrible service and our food was cold. The coffee was weak and grainy. If I want that kind of quality I'll go to Starbucks. Bunch of weirdos hanging around made it difficult to order. They appeared to be the owners friends. Not good. read more

Be aware: their kitchen closes at 5pm. I arrived there today (Nov. 14, 2016) around 5:10pm to get something to eat before heading over to the Cedar Cultural Center to volunteer. Their sandwich board sign out front on the sidewalk said "OPEN". Sign on door read "Open until 6pm" Woman behind counter exclaimed "Kitchen closes at 5pm". I looked up from slip of paper I was about to write down my order on. Woman from kitchen area says "Our kitchen closes at 5pm. Sorry". Turn away from counter and walk out and then over across the street to Pizza Luce. read more

Better then French meadow my favorite place love the veggie meat options and prices are nice just wish there was better dining area read more

Seward Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

You know you're in an "earthy" spot when the girl outside looks like she belongs at a jam band concert. The real kicker is that she was also barefoot and it was maybe 40 degrees. There's a system of writing down your order and then submitting it an paying -- the whole process is written out on the front of the menu, so be sure to take a glance. I had the huevos rancheros (1/2 order) and a pot of green tea. It was 8 bucks with about a dollar tip. Holy crap...it was a ton of food. It was good, nothing to write home (or yelp!) about, but I can see how it's a special spot for a certain group of people. I'd like to check back in the summer when everything is super fresh and I could sit outside. I'd probably enjoy it more and I tend to feel "bohemian" whenever it's warm outside. read more

This is what collectivism looks like. Respect. Is it spotless? Nah. Is it delicious, and warm, and inviting, and positive, and powerful, and full-on Minnesotan? Yes. This place is built by the community, for the community. It's run by the workers and they all split tips equally amongst the staff. For most part you serve yourself. The things you can do for yourself- grab some coffee, pour some tea, get some water, collect silverware- you do. Things you can't- cook delicious breakfast, make monetary change- they do. It's a beautiful system. This place is on my short list for amazing breakfast joints in Minneapolis. Their food is highly customizable, so if you like hashbrowns and avocados but are vegan and are jonesin for a gluten-free pancake... no worries. You can mix and match however you like. Plus, their coffee is bottomless (new!) and they have large wooden booths to camp out in with enough table space to spread out the Sunday New York Times. read more

One of my favorite places in Minneapolis. In a word, delightful. The service is always neighborly & warm, and the vegan food is delicious. I love their quesadilla. There is always some new or interesting art on display in this cute offbeat cafe. The booths here are just adorable and infused with such character too, sort of looks like booth/benches you'd find in a Catholic church. The front is where you order, and there are a couple booths and tables there. Otherwise you can enter the next room, which is larger, with more booths and tables. The third section you can find on the left side, where it is cozier and more intimate. The crowd ranges from people in their twenties to young families who live in the neighborhood. A lot of bicycle enthusiasts seem to dine here as well. read more

Service is super rude, if you're looking to get talked down to and scolded, then subsequently bus your own dishes this place is for you. It's the epitome of the hip café for people who are morally against Starbucks. This kind of place is probably great if you live at the same co-op as one of the guys behind the counter, but anything short of that the environment is extremely uncomfortable and unwelcoming. You had better tip though, otherwise the guy on register is going to pull you over and have a chat with you about how little money they make working there -- as if it's your problem. I was even more disappointed because the food was super good, but the taste of guilt and hate cast a bigger shadow. read more

On a visit to Minneapolis, a friend and her girlfriend took me to the Seward Cafe for delicious, filling, and affordable vegetarian breakfast. Yes, I said delicious AND affordable. I don't know where the hell people that complain about $8 for a HUGE plate of food are normally eating, but shelling out $4.25 for vegetarian (I believe it was vegan) biscuits and cashew gravy was more than fine by me. Neither I nor the friends that I was with could be even generously defined as "hippies" or "crusty" (though I do have a lot of tattoos) and we received pleasant service, prompt food preparation, and a good atmosphere. My food was great and both of the friends enjoyed their Red Earth plates. I don't mind the "pick up your own plates and bus your own table" setup - I've eaten at a handful of alternative dining places and this is pretty par for the course. I'd suggest the Seward Cafe to anyone who was interested in a tasty, savory breakfast. As for being hostile to meat-eaters? The friend's girlfriend had (and enjoyed the hell out of) some organic, grain-fed pork sausage. Maybe a modicum less defensiveness goes a long way in places like this? read more

Seward Cafe is by far one of my favorite hangouts, and if I were honest (and not such a foodie) I probably would never have to go anywhere else. They serve everything: breakfast, lunch (weekdays), dinner, and late night food (until midnight!); coffe and tea, wine and beer; pastries galore! I've had both dinner and breakfast here and never been disappointed. The portions are LARGE so be careful of the "eyes bigger than the stomach" problem. It is always worth getting a side order of hashbrowns because they make the most authentic hashbrowns I've ever had at a restaurant. In other words, I haven't gone wrong with anything I've ordered yet, and if I ever do I'll be sure to update this review and let you know. But the food isn't the main reason I go to Seward Cafe; it's the atmosphere. Here is a place where everyone (EVERYONE) belongs. Everyone is here because they love being here, and thus everyone knows that everyone else belongs, there is no judgment. When I'm feeling lazy on a Sunday morning this is the place I yearn to go, and just chill out for a few hours on the amazing patio (more of a terrace, really). This is probably the best kept patio secret in Minneapolis and now I've let you in on it. It's completely fenced in, so you don't have to watch cars driving by, and you can stroll around the garden if you want. Plus the driftwood dragon is a real hit. There are a lot of picnic tables, so you might even end up making a new friend. Also, dogs welcomed. Are you convinced yet? Another unique thing? They have a "free" area where you can drop-off/pick-up free stuff that no one else wants. I recently scored some blank Thank You cards, a Roe Family Singers album, and a practically brand-new button-down. I usually just ignored it, but now I'm convinced it's worth a quick look when you have the time (and if you're at Seward Cafe, you probably have the time). Say yes to good food, to co-ops, to local, to community. Say yes to Seward Cafe. read more

I have respect for any restaurant in the Cities that has tempeh. Since tofu and I don't always get along, I've got to get my fix somehow! This cafe is like an upgraded Hard Times with shorter hours. Daiya cheese and vegan meat substitutes? My hangover breakfast heaven (as long as I can get out of bed before they close). There's no better place to spend my leftover cab cash. If you're vegan to be healthier, this isn't necessarily the best place for you. A greasy plate of hashbrows piled high with ranchero sauce, Daiya, onions, mushrooms, veggies... okay, it's better than McDonald's. The only reason they don't get 5 stars is the lack of avocados. What is wrong with these vegan greasy spoons? Don't they realize it's the cornerstone of vegan eating? read more

If there's something better than Seaward Cafe on a lazy weekend morning, I don't know what it is. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I'll get the bottomless cup of tea and grab some newspaper to read while I wait for my food. Probably something I have little interest in, or don't often come across (a community paper, socialist paper, etc). If I'm lucky, it's spring or summer, and I'll be sitting on the back patio (patio feels like too strong a word for it. Maybe just "backyard"). As I lazily skim the paper, my ear is tuned for the shout of my own name, indicating my food is ready and waiting. I think I almost like that moment of waiting for the food even more than having the food, which is kind of weird. Something just feels right about sitting around the Seward Cafe. Maybe it's just my years growing up in suburban hellholes, but I'm still amused by organic, vegetarian co-op cafes. Having to fetch my own food and bus my own table, is it merely frugal staffing or a rejection of the servile, class based restaurant norm? It pisses me off in chain restaurants, but I find it charming here. The food is mostly vegetarian/organic. I've never had anything but breakfast here, and am not even sure the menu has much else. The food doesn't really rise above the "veggie/organic thing". The plates are big and hearty, food to fuel the proletariat. The omelette's and other egg based dishes I find to be their best, pancakes and what not seem to be lacking the decadent sweetness they need to be truly enjoyable (and they're stingy on the syrup!). My affection for this place is borderline unreasonable, but at least I know I'm not alone in that sentiment. I find it another pleasurable pit stop on my descent into hippiedom. read more

hmmm...not so hot on this place. As a meat eater, I know that I am probably not welcome in the Seward Cafe. But I decided to give it a shot anyway. Having lived in the SF area, I have found that despite my meat eating ways, good vegetarian restaurants can be just as enjoyable as the meat filled variety. Too bad this restaurant wasn't up to par with places out west. I went there for breakfast over the weekend and decided I would get something pretty simple so I ordered their greeky omelet. After hearing my name and knocking around a bunch of chairs to pick up my food, it looked decent enough. I mean, how can you mess up an omelet with tomatoes and spinach. Well..here's how...not pay enough attention to what you are doing while you are making it. Three things to remember when making an omelet. 1) Don't put egg shell in the dish (which I bit into on several occasions) 2) Make sure the eggs are cooked and 3) Drain the water out of the veggies you put into the omelet if you wash them so the person eating doesn't have to worry about dripping all over themselves (which shouldn't be a concern when eating an omelet. I really don't know what happened here. Perhaps I need to go there with someone who is friends with the cook. I am in total support of restaurants buying local, organic, product which drives the price you pay up. But when the people preparing the food don't give a crap about what they are making, even the best ingredients will be a waste of money. read more