A small but mighty coffee shop on the west side of Saint Paul. The menu is nice with a little bit…read morefor everyone. I tried the Lemon Bar Latte and it was AMAZINGLY good! It was smooth and not overly sweet. I also tried the French Toast Breakfast Sandwich and it was quite good. Total was a little over $$22 for the two items and a 20% tip. Free street parking available. They are also doing great things for the community and that is worth so much more than great coffee and breakfast sandwiches.

Totally forgot how close I live to this spot! Backstory Coffee was the perfect little stop before…read moreheading to the MN Yacht Club Music Festival with my bestie. We rolled in a little before 1:00 PM and had no trouble finding easy street parking (huge win!). The vibe inside? Mixed. While the space was cute, relaxed and inviting, the service was... not so much. The guy at the front counter barely looked up from his screen, and let's just say, enthusiasm wasn't on the menu. Definitely not the warm welcome we hoped for and very unfortunate. BUT--shoutout to my bestie for treating us to a coffee date, because the drinks were solid. I had the piña colada cold brew, which was super sweet at first, but after a quick stir, it hit just right. My bestie went with the strawberries & cream cold brew and a matcha lemonade. Both were surprisingly good, but the matcha lemonade really stood out to me; so refreshing and unique. All in all, Backstory was a convenient and tasty pre-concert stop. If the service matched the drinks, this would've easily been a 5-star visit.

I ended up at this coffee bar after a little digging. I learned that Curioso Coffee Bar's approach…read moreto sourcing beans was shaped by the founder's time in Panama, where he roasted his own coffee using beans sourced directly from local producers and sold at his café. I know firsthand that coffee is king in Panama, so I figured anything inspired by their incredible coffee culture had to be worth trying. I visited Curioso on an early Sunday morning and immediately found it special. Not just for its coffee, but for the ambiance, service, and overall vibe. Curioso is a large, welcoming space that's part coffee bar, part brewery. I was immediately impressed by the variety of entertainment for all ages: arcade games, pool tables, dart boards, a skee-ball machine, board games, and even claw machines. Seating options are abundant, from cozy couches to tables and high-tops. There's a toddler play area and a library filled with books for all ages. The space feels family-friendly and is warm, welcoming community gathering space for all. I noticed flyers for free community events Curioso hosts, like Sunday Morning Yoga and Tuesday Trivia nights. The service was equally warm! The barista, although managing a busy Sunday morning solo, took her time to explain coffee options, highlight weekly specials with her own recommendations, and describe the pastries in partnership with Fruit & Grain and Bagels from St. Paul Bagelry. Oat milk is the standard for all their drinks! (Which I loved) We tried two speciality lattes: the "Butter Luck Next Year" (iced) and the "Blue Ribbon Peach Pie" (hot). Both were exceptional! Strong, robust, and delicious. Alongside, we also enjoyed an "Everything" handpie and a "Blueberry Lemon Curd" pop tart. Both pastries were out of this world delicious! I loooooved this pairing. I'm a sucker for savory, so the "Everything" handpie reigned supreme for me. Although I don't have a fur-baby (yet), I would like to include that Curioso is fur-friendly. I'm looking forward to returning several more times!

I visited Curioso recently as part of my 'Sip Scouter' coffee passport book…read more Knocking off just one star because the barista didn't know anything about this coffee passport book (but also giving them benefit of the doubt as they may have been new) and it seemed to take a bit for my drink even though the place was empty. I ordered one of their seasonal specials--the banana cream pie latte. It was very good. The ambiance was OK. Smaller seating area and located in a strip mall. Although my drink was good it wasn't necessarily something to write home about. I might come here again if in the area and in need of a coffee, but probably not a place I will necessarily seek out.

I'm so sad this storefront is closing but hope to continue to support them by buying beans in store…read moreas they focus on their roastery. They had THE BEST scones I've ever had and I have lots of scones haha. I am pretty heartbroken about this. It's a major loss. The always for such fun seasonal items and drinks and the staff was always so friendly. They had a decent amount of seating inside and a few tables outside. They sell some local goods as well which is always so fun. You will be missed!!!!

I've tried a LOT of beans from different local roasters and Edina Coffee Roasters has the BEST…read morebeans by a long shot. I love their heirloom and ember blends. They're constantly rotating seasonal latte flavors, and I haven't had a single drink that I haven't enjoyed. They make their pastries in house and many of them are gluten-free and so delicious! You can buy their beans in store, online, and in some local grocery stores such as Lunds and Byerlys. There are tables inside their cafe that are great for working or catching up with friends. I had a private event where Edina Coffee Roasters came with their coffee cart and served drinks. Leading up to the event, Zach was so friendly and helpful. We were able to have custom signature lattes in addition to standard espresso-based drinks and chai lattes for our event. During the event, drinks were made quickly and Zach was super kind and friendly to all of my guests. I'd definitely recommend them for any event! I also attended an espresso making workshop and it was so fun and approachable! It was the perfect balance of information about technique and beans, and hands on learning. I learned how to measure and tamp coffee grounds, pull a shot, steam milk, and do latte art. The workshop was led by the owners, Zach and Sara, who were so kind and clearly passionate about what they do!

I'm so happy that we've finally got a locally-run coffee shop for the neighborhood! Karol Coffee…read morejust celebrated their one-year anniversary this spring, and they've established themselves so well. Their staff are so kind and welcoming, and their drinks high-quality with fresh beans. My parents say they're so spoiled on Karol's excellent drip coffee, they can no longer drink Starbucks and Caribou brews. I'm a latte-lover and love to see what their specials are. Current fav is the Girl Scout caramel delight-inspired. They get very creative with their flavors, such as their Garden Cookie Latte made with a rosemary sea salt and mocha syrup. This shop is also very kid-friendly, with a play area inside and outside. Fun Fact: Named after Karol Józef Wojtyła, better known as Pope John Paul II. Parking: free street parking, just know it's across the street from a school, so drive slow!

We went on a Saturday morning, and it was definitely pretty busy! There was a line out the door,…read morebut luckily, there were plenty of seating areas. Tucked away in a cozy residential neighborhood, the cafe has a really warm and homey atmosphere, almost like you're visiting someone's house. The Garden Latte had a stronger rosemary flavor, which was definitely noticeable. The breakfast sandwich was yummy, and the Sparkling Blackberry Iced Tea was super refreshing! Overall, such a cute spot for a weekend breakfast or coffee run.

It is a tight space. The service was amazing and I really enjoyed the coffee. They clearly have…read morequality beans to get such a rich brew.

Nice little internet café. Efficient use of limited space. Good seating, lots of outlets, ok wifi…read more Good coffee, some tea, a few bakery items. Parking. Food Good, service quick and nice, ambiance fairly intimate.

Very clean and modern ambiance. Has a play area for kids and plenty of seating options. Lots of fun…read moreseasonal drink options along with their own secret menu options. The Barista was super friendly in sharing some of the popular and favorite drinks. Already planning coffee/play dates with friends here.

Note: not to be confused with Ember Coffee Co. in Big Lake…read more That said... excellent coffee here. This place is actually kind of awesome. If I describe the environment as being half of the lobby of a new suburban apartment complex, that doesn't do justice to how pleasant it is. Homey, quiet, clean, intentionally designed. When the apartment people give tours to prospective tenants, my confident assumption is that they DEFINITELY show off this area and it probably convinces people to move to this building. The baristas are serious coffee nerds, rightly proud of their single-origin sourcing from farms in Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia. My iced vanilla latte tasted great; the mild sweetness from their house-made vanilla was perfect. My friend got a pourover that he loved; he stayed there for about an hour doing some work and was impressed by how long that container stayed warm. If you're arriving by car, there is street parking around the building, but there is also the option of going into the building's garage. They confirmed to me that the ground-level parking spaces are available to customers during their open hours. Also, this is right across the street from the Helmo Ave. station on the new Gold Line. If you're taking that route before 4pm, consider hopping off for one of their impressive coffees!

Specialty coffee seems newer in Minneapolis, and this place seems to get it…read more Ginza was an oat latte and served like a cocktail. The foam and body worked great together, and it wasn't too sweet by Asian standards. The miso tired latte tasted more bland, and closer to a regular latte. The miso flavor could be stronger. Decor was geared toward nostalgia than anything else. Felt like a throw back to simpler times. Not sure if there's parking, it didn't look like any in the front. Within walking distance from a bus stop. The bakery across the street was excellent. Service was fast considering only 1 person was working. Cash App locals rewards, if you're into rewards.

I've been around the area a lot recently but never seen this coffee shop until I saw it on TikTok…read more I got an iced vanilla latte and an iced chai, both were very flavorful. The atmosphere of the shop makes you want to chill out for a while. The staff were very friendly and curates the music with vinyls. In the front the garage door was open. In the back, was a couch with a PlayStation 2 & 3 and a GameCube. Great spot would go again!

Kingdom Coffee is easily one of my favorite coffee stops in Minneapolis. It's tucked into a great…read moreshopping area, which makes it the perfect place to grab a drink before browsing nearby stores or to settle in for a productive afternoon. The atmosphere strikes a really nice balance between modern hipster café and work-from-home headquarters. There are plenty of people chatting with friends, while others are focused on laptops, creating a relaxed but energetic vibe that never feels too loud or too quiet. The coffee itself is where Kingdom Coffee really shines. Their menu feels thoughtfully curated, with drinks that have unique flavor profiles without trying too hard to be different. Even their standard blends stood out--they had a natural sweetness that was smooth and balanced, never overpowering or overly sugary. It's the kind of coffee that lets the quality of the beans do the talking. The staff was welcoming, the space was comfortable, and the overall experience made me want to stay longer than I planned. Whether you're looking for a quality cup of coffee, a place to get some work done, or just a relaxing stop while exploring the area, Kingdom Coffee is absolutely worth the visit. It's a standout coffee shop and definitely one of the better spots to check out in Minneapolis.

Kingdom Coffee is definitely worth the stop. I went during peak time on a Saturday morning, and…read moreeven with a line, it moved surprisingly quickly. The drinks were absolutely worth the wait! I ordered the iced blueberry vanilla matcha, and it was phenomenal. The mulled blueberries at the bottom were such a great touch! Super cute place. They have some indoor and outdoor seating (tables and booth) available. I appreciate how the menu is displayed so you don't feel rushed to read it by the time you order. There is a small selection of baked goods, including gluten-free options. I also really appreciated how clearly the menu labels which drinks and foods are gluten-free and lists what's in each drink. I would definitely come back again!